Wish there was more interesting news to report
To be fair, not having interesting news hasn't stopped me from writing my Fireside Chat Logs before (although it's been a while since one of those, too), but I have to admit, the past couple of weeks really haven't been all that exciting. At least, not enough that I have felt compelled to posit anything on the web.
Then again, I'm betting "interesting" things have been happening, and I just haven't been interested in commenting on them, depriving my, oh, 3 fans that read this thing. To be honest, the lack of rec leagues wound up affecting me more than I would have thought -- I've been out walking around now and then, but haven't had much reason to leave the apartment, otherwise.
Hence, the good news is that rec leagues start up this month. I have both football and basketball this "season," and it should help (a lot) in terms of not only getting me moving again, but also in terms of getting to bed before 4 AM (as fun as that is). Saturday is the football scrimmage, held at some part of Manhattan that I never knew existed, and I expect to need a couple of hours to find the place. Basketball scrimmage happens next week, so by then I'll be heading into yonder city at least twice a week to play.
With any luck, it'll get me motivated to start doing more stuff at home. I feel guilty that I've been neglecting Punch-Out for so long....
[ S H I E L D B R E A K ! ! ! ]
The QB secrecy around the Browns will continue, and honestly, it's anyone's guess if this is going to make any type of difference in the game against the Vikings or not. Most people say no, and I would agree. The feeling in Cleveland is that Quinn will be the starter, but there are people in the national media who think it will be Derek Anderson. Of course, these are the same people who thought Jamel Lewis would be cut, so take it for what its worth. Regardless, though, the Vikings defense is stout enough that I seriously doubt they will be thrown by this hidden fact. The bigger question is how it will effect the play of the Browns.
On that point, I'm not as concerned as others, though. For one thing, both have played either acceptable or well, depending on who you ask. And, also worth noting, is that both have moved the chains fairly well in their drives.
Another thing that makes me less worried than many others is that after the Packers game, the coaching staff pushed the players hard, and in the subsequent Lions game, the players responded very strongly. I know the excuse is "...but it's the Lions," but what does that prove? Remember, the Lions won their first preseason game. If it was a game that the Browns were suppose to win, then it's good that they did. I've never been a fan of the double-standard where if a teams loses in the preseason, it's panic time, but if a team wins, you blow it off because "it's just the preseason."
But, I digress.
For the season opener, I don't think that the Browns QB mystery is going to hurt the Vikings. The things that might hurt the Vikings include the Williams Wall being suspended (there's a ruling due before the start of the game, remember?), Brett Favre still needing more time to get adjusted to the offense and speed of the game, and Peterson getting some type of injury that keeps him from the game, either in practice or at home or boarding the plane, etc.
In the meantime, I need to see where the Browns Backers are going for the games now -- last I heard, their bar of choice had been closed due to tax problems (and subsequently nominated for a position in Obama's cabinet).
[ S H I E L D B R E A K ! ! ! ]
Oh yeah, and my health insurance issue has -- finally -- been worked out. What still boggles my mind the most is that the health insurance company refused to let me remove myself from the work coverage which, as I told them repeatedly, was not there because there was no company around any more to pay the bills. I can only imagine what would have happened if I had been unable to get Nick to call and officially remove me; would I have been doomed to forever be listed on the insurance company's list as already having coverage, and thus never again be able to get insurance with them again (which would suck as they had the best plan available)? It sounds like a lost Twilight Zone episode.
Good thing, too, as I have a doctor's appointment in a few hours. I'll be paying out of pocket, but at least now I can file reimbursement claims. After I get my ID number. In two weeks. And then wait for the paperwork to be filed. In three more weeks.
Urhm, yeah.
[ S H I E L D B R E A K ! ! ! ]
I suppose the good news from all of this is that, if nothing else, I have gotten deep into WarCraft again, learning a lot more about the lore, how they set up their quests and quest chains, the purpose of Daily quests when you cap out at 80, and a vast number of other things.
Additionally, I should see about getting their music soundtrack. There's actually some very nice melodies that they use for various lands, and would make great background mood music for some D&Ding.
Then again, I'm betting "interesting" things have been happening, and I just haven't been interested in commenting on them, depriving my, oh, 3 fans that read this thing. To be honest, the lack of rec leagues wound up affecting me more than I would have thought -- I've been out walking around now and then, but haven't had much reason to leave the apartment, otherwise.
Hence, the good news is that rec leagues start up this month. I have both football and basketball this "season," and it should help (a lot) in terms of not only getting me moving again, but also in terms of getting to bed before 4 AM (as fun as that is). Saturday is the football scrimmage, held at some part of Manhattan that I never knew existed, and I expect to need a couple of hours to find the place. Basketball scrimmage happens next week, so by then I'll be heading into yonder city at least twice a week to play.
With any luck, it'll get me motivated to start doing more stuff at home. I feel guilty that I've been neglecting Punch-Out for so long....
[ S H I E L D B R E A K ! ! ! ]
The QB secrecy around the Browns will continue, and honestly, it's anyone's guess if this is going to make any type of difference in the game against the Vikings or not. Most people say no, and I would agree. The feeling in Cleveland is that Quinn will be the starter, but there are people in the national media who think it will be Derek Anderson. Of course, these are the same people who thought Jamel Lewis would be cut, so take it for what its worth. Regardless, though, the Vikings defense is stout enough that I seriously doubt they will be thrown by this hidden fact. The bigger question is how it will effect the play of the Browns.
On that point, I'm not as concerned as others, though. For one thing, both have played either acceptable or well, depending on who you ask. And, also worth noting, is that both have moved the chains fairly well in their drives.
Another thing that makes me less worried than many others is that after the Packers game, the coaching staff pushed the players hard, and in the subsequent Lions game, the players responded very strongly. I know the excuse is "...but it's the Lions," but what does that prove? Remember, the Lions won their first preseason game. If it was a game that the Browns were suppose to win, then it's good that they did. I've never been a fan of the double-standard where if a teams loses in the preseason, it's panic time, but if a team wins, you blow it off because "it's just the preseason."
But, I digress.
For the season opener, I don't think that the Browns QB mystery is going to hurt the Vikings. The things that might hurt the Vikings include the Williams Wall being suspended (there's a ruling due before the start of the game, remember?), Brett Favre still needing more time to get adjusted to the offense and speed of the game, and Peterson getting some type of injury that keeps him from the game, either in practice or at home or boarding the plane, etc.
In the meantime, I need to see where the Browns Backers are going for the games now -- last I heard, their bar of choice had been closed due to tax problems (and subsequently nominated for a position in Obama's cabinet).
[ S H I E L D B R E A K ! ! ! ]
Oh yeah, and my health insurance issue has -- finally -- been worked out. What still boggles my mind the most is that the health insurance company refused to let me remove myself from the work coverage which, as I told them repeatedly, was not there because there was no company around any more to pay the bills. I can only imagine what would have happened if I had been unable to get Nick to call and officially remove me; would I have been doomed to forever be listed on the insurance company's list as already having coverage, and thus never again be able to get insurance with them again (which would suck as they had the best plan available)? It sounds like a lost Twilight Zone episode.
Good thing, too, as I have a doctor's appointment in a few hours. I'll be paying out of pocket, but at least now I can file reimbursement claims. After I get my ID number. In two weeks. And then wait for the paperwork to be filed. In three more weeks.
Urhm, yeah.
[ S H I E L D B R E A K ! ! ! ]
I suppose the good news from all of this is that, if nothing else, I have gotten deep into WarCraft again, learning a lot more about the lore, how they set up their quests and quest chains, the purpose of Daily quests when you cap out at 80, and a vast number of other things.
Additionally, I should see about getting their music soundtrack. There's actually some very nice melodies that they use for various lands, and would make great background mood music for some D&Ding.