2012 Sean's Ramblings Year In Review

Welcome to my 8th annual (yes 8th!) year in review, where I take the first few lines of the first entry of each month in order to produce a random and (hopefully) interesting summary of 2012.

January - Although the Steelers defeated the Cleveland Browns 13-9 Sunday, the Baltimore win against the Cincinnati Bengals means that the Ravens earned the AFC North Division title and a first round bye.

February - You're familiar with the nursery rhyme Row, Row, Row Your Boat, right? If not (and seriously, how can you not know this song?), here are the lyrics

March - Celebrate Fairfax, Northern Virginia’s largest festival, announced its headliners for the 30th annual event taking place on June 8-10 at the Fairfax County Government Center. I am quite excited by the line-up.

April - I’m on a neighborhood message board which is often useful but can sometimes be a little ridiculous. Take a look at the messages from last week with some of my commentary.

May - We haven’t had many responses to Trivia Tuesday recently. Are the questions too easy or too difficult? Regardless, I sense that you’ll do well this week.

June - We recently visited New Jersey for the Memorial Day weekend and had a great time. That’s not of the point of this post, though. New Jersey is one of the last places (along with Oregon, I believe) that requires full service when you get gasoline.

July - During the summer between my Junior and Senior years of college, I worked as an intern for Congressman Mike Doyle at one of his Western Pennsylvania offices.

August - The Pittsburgh Pirates continued their amazing season by acquiring three new members to the team on Monday night and Tuesday. Most analysts never thought the Pirates would be so aggressive in adding these players to help the team compete for the playoffs for the first time since 1992, but the team has proved critics wrong all season.

September - Dear US Open, First, let me congratulate you on another exciting US Open. Now that I got the obligatory nice sentence out of the way, let’s get down to business.

October - While I'm not sure if I'm truly ready to make Trivia Tuesday a weekly feature again, I found this fun game titled Know Your States. Your challenge is simply (or not so simply) to place the U.S. state on the map

November - Although my wife doesn’t like being the subject of many blog posts, she thought that I should share this story about her recent trip to our neighborhood grocery store.

December - I apologize for posting my picks a little late today. Of course, if you're using my picks for your own personal gambling, then I'm really sorry.

There you go. Have a Happy New Year everyone!

Sean's Week 17 Picks

Well, we're at the final week of the NFL's regular season. If you followed my picks all season, you know that I'm not that good at this. I went 9-7 in week 15 and 8-8 in week 16 meaning that my overall record is 116-117-6 this year. Let's see if I can finish over .500.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Help Bring Sonic To Northern Virginia

I like Sonic. They have solid food at very reasonable prices. I particularly like the milkshakes and the Sonic Blasts. Unfortunately, living in Northern Virginia, I need to drive more than 40 miles to either Fredericksburg or Winchester if I ever get a Sonic craving. This is unacceptable! Why isn't there a Sonic in Fairfax, Chantilly, Burke, Arlington, Alexandria, Centreville, Herndon, Reston, or even Springfield?

Therefore, I decided to look into franchise opportunities. Here's the basic information:

•The term of a SONIC franchise is 20 years, plus a 10-year renewal.
•The franchise fee is $45,000, and the total initial investment ranges from $710,000 to $3 million.
•You must have prior or current successful restaurant experience and/or strong entrepreneurial skills.
•Royalty fees are 4 to 5 percent; advertising fees are 5.9 percent.

I definitely don't have this type of disposal income or have prior or current successful restaurant experience unless you count earning free burritos for a year at California Tortilla.

Since I'm not going to open a Sonic franchise myself, I thought the least I could do is start a petition for a Sonic in Northern Virginia. If there is a petition for the Steelers to "throw away" their throwback uniforms, why not this?

Therefore, I encourage you to join this petition on Change.org and help bring Sonic to Northern VA. Thank you!

UPDATE Please click here see Sonic's reply to the petition.

TMI Thursday: I Knew You Were Trouble

Taylor Swift has a new single out titled I Knew You Were Trouble, and I can't get the song out of my head. And I'm okay with this. I only first heard this song a few days ago, but I really, really like the chorus. I don't know if it's the way that Taylor sings "I knew you were trouble when you walked in" or just that melody. Regardless I approve.



I just realized that this is the second time I've written that I enjoy a Taylor Swift song. I also liked the first few episodes of the new TV show Nashville. Apparently, I'm turning into a pop country fan!

Although I haven't done a TMI Thursday in some time, feel free to click here for some truly amazing or not-so-amazing stories.

Who Is TJR?

I've written about Pitbull several times before, and "Mr. Worldwide" is back with a new single Don't Stop The Party featuring TJR. Instead of focusing on Pitbull, though, I want to know more about this TJR fellow. Specifically, what does TJR stand for? Theodore "Didn’t Have a Middle Name" Roosevelt? Teddy David Ruxpin? In addition, what does TJR look like? He may or may not be in this video, but I’m just not sure. (Please note that this video could be NSFW since there are scantily-clad* women and shirtless guys.)



I wish there was some way that we could identify TJR. Perhaps he could wear a shirt saying "I’m TJR" or hold a sign with the same message.


* Have you ever heard anyone say unscantily-clad?

Trivia Tuesday: Name That Tune Edition

It’s time for your favorite version of Trivia Tuesday! This is your chance to identify the song title and artist based on the ten songs listed below.

1. Do you have the time / to listen to me whine

2. Ooh baby (Ooh baby) It's making me crazy (It's making me crazy) / Every time I look around (Look around) Every time I look around (Every time I look around)

3. Oh Mama I'm in fear of my life from the long arm of the law

4. But when I look into my nephew's eyes / man you wouldn't believe / the most amazing things that can come from / some terrible lies

5. I can't be held responsible. She was touching her face. I won't be held responsible. She fell in love in the first place.

6. Maybe I'm just too demanding / Maybe I'm just like my father too bold

7. And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar. And say, "Man, what are you doin' here?"

8. I'm such a baby cause the Dolphins make me cry

9. That's when the DJ dropped my favorite tune and the Britney song was on / the Britney song was on /the Britney song was on

10. Like Harrison Ford I'm getting frantic / like Sting I'm tantric

As always, please leave your answers in the comments section below and do not use the internet for assistance. Good luck!

Catching Up

Congratulations to Mr. Brame for winning four tickets to the Heinz History Center for submitting this #Francoing picture:

Mr. Brame earned bonus points for submitting a #Francoing picture next to Franco #Francoing.

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I realize that I haven't shared my NFL picks lately. I went a terrible 5-11 in week 13, but rebounded by going 8-7-1 in week 14. Therefore, not including this week (where I'm 9-6 going into the Monday night game), I'm now 99-102-6 on the season.

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After calling out Bud Recktenwald for being called the Ultimate Steelers Fan and Harvey Aronson for going by "Mr. Steeler," I heard from Mr. Steeler himself thanking me for the press. Anyway, I said that I'd help promote his book so here is the book from Barnes & Noble and Amazon

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The Steelers also played yesterday. That didn't go well.

Happy Chanukah From The Houston Rockets (Friday Video)

Growing up in Pittsburgh, I never had a favorite NBA team. I loved watching Pitt college basketball (especially the Sean Miller, Demetreus Gore, Jason Matthews, Charles Smith & Jerome Lane days), but as far as the NBA, I only seem to remember seeing the Lakers-Celtics games and later the Detroit Bad Boys and Michael Jordan's Bulls. Therefore, I really don't have a favorite NBA team.

That changes today. Go Houston Rockets (simply for making this video)!

I Don’t Understand The Shipping Process

I purchased an Entertainment Book, which overall seems to have fewer coupons that I use compared to last year, just after Thanksgiving, but had not received the book. Therefore, I contacted the Entertainment Book people about the status of the order, and they provided me with this tracking information.

While you can see that I finally received the book on Wednesday, why did the book need to go from Elkridge, Maryland all the way to Portland, Oregon before arriving at my home? This might make sense if I live on the West Coast, but Maryland borders Virginia and Elkridge is about an hour away from me.

I Hate College Football (Except When I Don’t)

It’s time for my annual college football rant, but with a slight twist this year. Yes, I’m actually giving credit to whoever finally organized and approved of a playoff system. Unfortunately, the system starting after the 2014 season doesn’t go far enough. There really should be 8 teams minimumly and ideally 16 teams instead of the 4 team playoff. What I find the most Ludacris

I mean ludicrous is the amount of time between the last “regular” season game, including the SEC Championship, and the National Championship game. Notre Dame won at USC on November 24th while Alabama defeated Georgia on December 1st. With the NCAA Championshp game taking place on January 7th, that is 44 and 37 days, respectively, between games. As a comparison, the NFL scheduled the AFC and NFC Championship games on January 20th. Using the same timeline, the Super Bowl would take place on February 26th. That just doesn’t make sense No other sport has such a large gap between the game prior to the Championship and the Championship. A 4-team playoff system won’t help this. I guess that we’re supposed to enjoy the other college football bowl games while we wait.

Anyway, that’s my rant for today. Even though I dislike the current system, I will still participate in Ngewo’s Bowl Game Pick ‘Em and watch some of the bowl games.

Trivia Tuesday: Ohio State Edition

As a reminder, you have until Thursday to enter my new giveaway to win four tickets to the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh. Even if you aren’t able to use the tickets yourself, if you win, you can re-gift the prize! So far I have only received one entry, so you have an excellent chance of winning if you enter.

About eight or nine years ago, a friend gave me a set of Ohio State Tailgate Trivia cards which have sat in the passenger side door pocket of my car for those eight or nine years. I figure that it’s about time to throw these away, but I might as well get some use out of these cards before they go. Please note that these questions are through the 2002 season, so Terrelle Pryor or Beanie Wells cannot be the correct answers.

1. What professional team drafted Cris Carter?

2. Who holds the Ohio State record for the most yards rushing in a game?

3. In what year did Ohio Stadium open? (1922, 1932 or 1942)

4. Who holds the Ohio State career record for the most yards rushing?

5. What professional team drafted Eddie George?

6. What position did All-American Tom Tupa play in 1987?

7. What former Pittsburgh Steeler holds the Ohio State season record for the most quarterback sacks?

8. Who holds the Ohio State career record for the most solo tackles?

9. Who holds the Ohio State career record for the most yards receiving?

10. Who is the most recent Ohio State player to win the Heisman Trophy? (This question is not from Tailgate Trivia.)


As always, please leave your answers in the comments section below and do not use the internet for assistance. Good luck!

Enjoy Pickles This Chanukah

With Chanukah beginning this weekend, you probably already have your Menorah and candles ready. While you are preparing to spin the dreidels and make and eat latkes, don’t forget to include pickles as part of your Chanukah festivities.

The tradition of eating pickles on Chanukah dates back centuries decades to 1998 in the biblical town of Jerusalem San Diego. On a cold (for San Diego) December day, there was a Kosher Pickle Taste Test at San Diego State University. Hundreds of student, faculty and staff participated in this extremely successful event. The next day, SDSU’s student newspaper, The Daily Aztec, showed pictures of the event on the front page.

And with that, a tradition was born. Help spread this relatively new tradition by eating pickles this Chanukah.

If you celebrate, I wish you and your family a Happy Chanukah!


P.S. This pickle costume also appeared in a late 1990s movie. I believe the movie was Cruel Intentions, but I can’t confirm this.

Homeowners Association Drama

I live in a community within a community. This is often nice since the smaller community takes care of the trash, landscaping, etc. while the larger community has a pool and fitness center. Unfortunately, this also means two different homeowner association fees. Anyway, the smaller of the two communities held its annual meeting last night where there was a power struggle on the Board. As a result, each home received this notice printed on pink on their door yesterday morning which I will share without comment. (The reference to the "P" board is the larger of the two communities.)

Ooooooh, I really want to comment. Can I comment? I said that I wouldn’t, so I won’t. Although I was unable to attend this meeting, it turns out that Elizabeth lost in what was an unprecedented full house for our homeowners association. My guess is that these flyers did not help her cause.

As perhaps a move of reconciliation, the new Board sent an e-mail out last night to help encourage Elizabeth "to continue her valuable contributions and service" on the "P" Board.

Win Heinz History Center Tickets (New Ramblings Giveaway) - Update!

Just in time for the holiday season, I am proud to announce a giveaway where you can win a four-pack of tickets to the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh. Heinz History Center is currently running a Francoing photo contest where you can win two tickets to the Steelers-Bengals game on December 23rd among other prizes. You should go the the Heinz History Center's Facebook page for more information and to enter the contest by Thursday December 13th. (The History Center extended their contest deadline, so I did too.)

In addition, you can also send your photos to me at seanramblings at yahoo[dot]com or on Twitter to @seansramblings with the hashtag #Francoing for your chance to win tickets to the Heinz History Center where you can see the Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibit.

Here's the fine print for my contest:

- The winner will either be chosen by me and a panel of Francoing experts or I'll post entries online next week for a vote.
- One entry per person.
- Please submit your pictures by Thursday, December 13th.
- I may post your pictures on this blog.

Good luck!

Trivia Tuesday

Happy Tuesday everyone! Your challenge this week is to answer the questions in the picture below.

In case you're wondering, we scored an 8 out of 10.

As always, please leave your answers in the comments section below and do not use the internet for assistance. Good luck!

This quiz is courtesy of the fine folks at Pub Stumpers.

Sean's Week 13 NFL Picks

I apologize for posting my picks a little late today. Of course, if you're using my picks for your own personal gambling, then I'm really sorry.

Anyway, after going 7-8-1 last week, I'm now 86-84-5 for the season. Here are my week 13 picks:

Enjoy your Sunday!