Random Ramblings & Links

* Someone I've known for over 39 years, who is just like a brother to me, is growing an awesome mustache for Movember. Please support him!

* I've been taking fish oil pills for over a decade to help my cholesterol and recently bought a bottle containing 400 pills. It's somewhat amazing to think that since I take one pill per day, I'll probably have to buy a new bottle at the beginning of 2019.

* Why do I have significantly more gray hair in my right sideburn than my left sideburn? Shouldn't it be about the same?

* James Santelli, a news producer for KDKA in Pittsburgh, created a tournament bracket including times and locations for an American Invitational Tournament, also known as, the Soccer NIT. The idea is that teams that didn't qualify for the 2018 World Cup, like the US, Italy, Chile, and Ireland, would play a separate soccer tournament. James also brilliantly made the schedule so that there would be no overlap between the World Cup and American Invitational Tournament matches. I hope this happens!

* I wrote a letter to the editor to my local community newspaper based on last week's blog post about Jerry Falwell, Jr. I'm definitely approaching old man territory.

* I don't understand how my two older kids can sleep just fine with no blankets or covers while I need a top sheet, comforter, and a blanket or two to keep my feet warm or else I don't sleep well.

* Not cool, Dole bananas, not cool. Why are the peels opening?

* Kristen Bell is helping create (and hosting?) a TV series where former high school classmates will perform their high school musical one more time. My Facebook messages were blowing up (is that term still used?) yesterday with friends and classmates wanting to enter. I know that the world has been waiting 25 years for me to revise my role as Government Man in Lil' Abner, so let's do this Kristen Bell!

* Finally, two Pittsburgh related things.

1. If you live in Pittsburgh's Eastern suburbs, please support the non-profit Lost and Found Pharmacy. Shannon and her husband Sean (who I've met) do really good work and were recently featured in the Post-Gazette.

2. It seems too early to think about, but if you're in Pittsburgh or want to give a Pittsburgh-related gift, check out Heidi's 2017 Holiday Shopping Guide.

NaBloPoMo 2010

In November 2009, I grew a moustache for Movember to benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Livestrong Foundation.



This November, I am participating in NaBloPoMo, National Blog Posting Month. I will post a new blog entry everyday for the month of November. There's no charity or anything, just something new here everyday at least once per day.


I'm going to pass on providing a recap of last night's Steelers-Saints game other than taking a look at the big picture. If the Steelers are going to lose a game, this was a good one to lose, on the road against an NFC opponent. The Steelers are now 5-2 and tied with Baltimore for the division lead. Considering that the Steelers played their first four games without their starting QB, I'm happy about where the team stands after 7 games. Now, let's get ready for the Bengals next week.

Friday Links and Videos

Happy Friday everyone! I'm proud to present to you the following highlights from the internets:

* In preparation for Sunday's Steelers-Raiders, here's the best preview of the silver and black team that you will find. [One for the Other Thumb]

* Cory put together a post with the goal horns and songs from all 30 NHL teams. Well done, sir. Well done! [Three Rivers Burgh Blog]

* Ginny is trying to raise $10,000 for a game room at Pittsburgh's Children's Hospital. She is at close to $8,000 so please help out if you haven't already. [That's Church]

* Two amazing Sporcle quizzes for Pittsburgh Pirates fans. First, name all of the 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates. Second, name the Pirates opening day lineups from 1990-2009. [WHYGAVS and Raise the Jolly Roger respectively.]

* Penn State coach Joe Paterno is delusional if he thinks his team belongs in a BCS game. Besides the six automatic BCS bids, there are four other spots available. These other teams deserve a place in the BCS over Penn State: the Florida/Alabama loser, TCU, Boise State, Iowa (who beat Penn State in Happy Valley), Cincinnati (when they lose to Pitt). [Post-Gazette]

* Although the physical Movember is now over, the spiritual and psychological Movember continues as it is not too late to donate by clicking on this link. Thanks again to everyone who donated to this wonderful cause.

To celebrate everything mustache: the Fighting Wannstaches prepare you for the big game between Pitt and Cincinnati tomorrow at Heinz Field. Go Pitt!



Plus, the Minnesota Wild presented a tribute to the end of Movember:


(h/t Puck Daddy)

Have a good day and a great weekend!

Greatest Mustaches In History: Movember Concludes

As December begins, Movember sadly comes to an end. Thank you to everyone who donated to the Movember Foundation on my behalf (over $125 was raised!) and for those of you who had to see my mustache frequently or even infrequently. I'll have more about Movember momentarily, but as promised by the title, I'd like to introduce the greatest mustaches in history.

Father Ramblings



Sean on Day 28



Now I'd like to share my transformation from mustache man to clean-shaven.







Yes, Ziggy was fascinated with watching little pieces of hair fall from my face into the sink.

There are definitely pros and cons to growing a mustache. I look older with one and it was itchy at times. However, I thought it looked pretty good at the end, and I've noticed that I really miss rubbing my mustache with my finger while reading or thinking. (I know that sentence sounds strange but I'm sure some of you curl your hair while reading or do something else with your hands.)

Thanks again to everyone who donated to this wonderful cause and to the other Mo Bros out there. Plus, it's not too late to donate to Movember which benefits the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Livestrong Foundation. Just click on this link.

To prove that I wasn't alone in growing a mustache, here's a little more about Movember:

ABC News presented a feature about Movember: Movember: Men Grow Moustaches for Cancer Awareness

Players on the Minnesota Wild participated as did Washington Capitals' Brendan Morrison and Shaone Morrisonn [DC Sports Bog]

Although not associated with Movember, Anaheim hockey player George Parros launched a 'Stache gear line. [h/t Hand of Godard via Empty Netters]

Weekend Thoughts

* I’d like to call out Christine Brennan of USA Today. On Good Morning America this morning, she said that the Tiger Woods accident story would have gone away at this point if it wasn’t for the internet and the blogosphere. That’s an interesting point since the Tiger Woods story is on the front page of today’s USA Today (A1) and was also the second item on GMA behind only the incident where four Washington police officers were killed. Yes, this is definitely a story because of bloggers.

* I thought that Dennis Dixon played well in his first NFL start. The loss is definitely not on him. While I certainly understand that the coaches wanted to put him in as little risk for injury as possible, I really would have liked to have seen a play call or two in OT where Dixon could have run the ball himself.

* By the way, I liked the old Pittsburgh Pirates hat Dennis Dixon’s father wore at the game.

* Shopping at Kohl’s recently, I noticed that they are selling perfumes from the following celebrities: Elizabeth Taylor, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Halle Barry and Usher. I hope that Miley Cyrus and Beyonce are looking for new agents!

* Since the Penguins scored eight goals at home against the New York Rangers on Saturday night, does that mean that everyone with a ticket stub received free chili from Wendy’s? This promotion that occurred when the Pens scored seven or more goals has probably been over for about 20 years now.

* Congratulations to the Woodland Hills High School football team for winning the WPIAL AAAA football title against the Gateway Gators on Friday night. For folks not familiar with Woodland Hills, famous graduates include current NFL players Jason Taylor (Dolphins), Ryan Mundy (Steelers), Shawntae Spencer (49ers), Steve Breaston (Cardinals) and Lousaka Polite (Dolphins) as well as “famous blogger” Sean (Sean’s Ramblings).

Today could be the last day of the mustache. More on this tomorrow, but you can donate to the Movember Foundation by clicking here.

Great Mustaches In History: Movember Rolls On

President Skroob


Stanley


Wilford Brimley


Phil Garner


Mario


Sean


My mustache will only be around for another week, so I hope that you consider donating to Movember by clicking on this link. The donations are tax deductible and go to a great cause. In addition, thanks to the folks who have already contributed!

Great Mustaches in History: Movember Update

John Oates



Hulk Hogan



Attorney General Eric Holder*



Sean



I've written several times now that I'm growing this mustache as part of Movember to raise awareness and funds to fight prostate cancer. For those of you who have only heard of Movember from my blog, here's more about this special month and other folks growing their own mustaches:

- The Huffington Post features Movember
- The Ball State University men's lacrosse team are growing mustaches for Movember.
- Canada's Alpine Ski team is in.
- Here are 10 literary mustaches for Movember. (h/t WahooJ)

I hope that you consider donating to Movember by clicking on this link. The donations are tax deductible and go to a great cause! In addition, thanks to the folks who have already contributed!

Finally, prepare to be Wann-stache'd!



h/t Pitt Blather


* What does it say that I felt the need to identify this country's Attorney General but not a musician and a wrestler?

Jimmy Fallon Causes Steelers Loss

I know what you're thinking. The Steelers lost to the Bengals yesterday because Pittsburgh couldn't convert on third down or in the red zone, the special teams gave up their third kick-off return for a touchdown in four games, Ben Roethlisberger had his worst game since early 2008 and Cincinnati's offensive and defensive lines outplayed their counterparts. Perhaps you can blame me. Sunday was the first game since the Steelers-Chargers AFC Championship game nearly 15 years ago where the Steelers lost when I was in attendance. I had my Terrible Towel, Heinz pickle watch and Louis Lipps jersey, so nothing out of the ordinary. The moustache couldn't be the reason why the Steelers lost, could it?*



In reality, we should turn our attention to NBC Late Night host Jimmy Fallon. When Troy Polamalu appeared on the show last Tuesday night, Fallon quickly brought up the Madden Curse and showed the Madden 10 cover featuring Polamalu and Larry Fitzgerald. Polamalu said that he didn't want to talk about it, but Fallon continued this egregious line of questioning until Polamalu, being the nice guy that he is, relented and spoke very briefly about it. So what happens on Sunday? Polamalu left the game in the first quarter due to a knee injury. Therefore, I blame you, Mr. Fallon! Craig Ferguson and Jimmy Kimmel would never do such a thing! I hope that Jay Leno takes over your 12:30 slot!

(In case you want to see Troy, not Fallon of course, the interview starts around the 28:30 mark.)




* I say no since this is a lucky mustache. The Mustache of Power or The Mustache of Justice if you prefer. This is also a good time to remind you that I'm growing this mustache as part of Movember to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LIVESTRONG). Please contribute by clicking on this link. Thank you!


h/t One For The Other Thumb for the video.

Fear the Stache?

There's no need to fear my mustache, is there?



Instead, Notre Dame should fear Dave Wannstedt's Stache Saturday night at Heinz Field.



Please click on this link to contribute to Movember to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LIVESTRONG). That's the reason why I am growing this mustache. Perhaps, Notre Dame will also fear my 'stache!

Go Pitt!

Great Mustaches in History: Movember Continues

George Clooney


Dr. Phil


Brooke Shields


Rollie Fingers (perhaps the greatest of the great)


Sean


This picture comes from Sunday or day eight of Movember. Scroll down to last week's post to see the difference between now and four days ago. I think the mustache is making some excellent progress.

As I mentioned earlier, I am growing this mustache as part of Movember to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LIVESTRONG). Please contribute by clicking on this link. Seeing me with a mustache is certainly worth $2, $5 or more, right? Plus, all donations are tax deductible.

Thank you!

h/t Captain Easychord for the Rollie Fingers pic

Great Mustaches in History

Tom Selleck


University of Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt


Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher


Sean


After four days, I clearly have not joined the pinnacle of the all-time great mustaches. However, we’ll see how it looks in a few weeks. As I mentioned last week, I am growing this mustache as part of Movember to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LIVESTRONG). Please contribute by clicking on this link. Seeing me with a mustache is certainly worth $2, $5 or more. Plus, all donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Thank you!

(And yes, I will definitely continue to post photos of my mustache throughout Movember)

TMI Thursday: Movember

Just yesterday, Lemmonex asked if there are any male bloggers left. My reply was yes, though we mostly write about sports. I realize that some of my female readers probably skip right over my sports posts, so that's part of the reason why I enjoy writing these TMI Thursdays as a change of pace. It's Tim Wakefield pitching the day after Doug Drabek! Anyway, I have a topic today that will appeal to both sexes: facial hair!

Inspired by the retired blogger formerly known as Arjewtino and the guys at Hugging Harold Reynolds, both former participants, I am proud to announce that I am growing a moustache for November, er, Movember. Actually, my real inspiration may be my dad, who has had a moustache (or beard) for nearly my entire life. Starting this Sunday, Movember 1st, I will grow a moustache for a full month to raise awareness and funds for the fight against prostate cancer. The funds benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Lance Armstrong Foundation. Here's more about Movember in a fancy video:



I realize that there really isn't too much here to qualify for a TMI Thursday. I think the fact that I am going to share pictures of myself as the moustache progresses is somewhat of a TMI in itself. Plus, I will only be a few days into the moustache growing process when a big work conference begins. That could be interesting.

If you'd like to contribute to Movember, click here, though I would completely understand if you want to see the moustache before you do so.

For more TMI Thursdays, please visit LiLu and you can click here to see all of my TMI Thursday archives.