Guard Dog

I'm in shock over Maddon. From what I read he wanted 4 years at $20M. The Rays were offering 3 years at $3.5 per with two option years at $4.5M. The Rays offer would have made him the 3rd highest paid Manager after Scioscia & Girardi. I guess that wasn't enough. Hmmm. I wonder how Don Mattingly is sleeping these days? Fitfully I'd imagine despite what the new Dodgers President is saying. As for the Rays, my money is on Dave Martinez or Charlie Montoya to replace Maddon. I'd prefer the former but the latter would be a solid choice. The best twitter quote about this was from Rays pitcher Chris Archer "I guess you are only as loyal as your options"

Now listening to Motley Crue The Saints of Los Angeles very loudly too

It doesn't have anything to do with politics. Spouting about 1000 years of darkness is not really a political platform. Ah what's a little hyperbole at election time? It's like eggnog at Christmas. Besides it's far from the worst I've heard compared to this year's election madness.

There was a drop in empathy 5 months after it was created? Or did you mean carried over from BIS? It might have been worse over there. We delighted in each others misery IIRC

So, the message you guys have here is if his politics aren't your politics he's crazy? Gotcha. Bah, as the Bishop of the Order of Volo I commend your rejection of the false deity Chuck Norris and invite you to join the True Faith; the Church of Volo - Facts, Equality, and RPGs with ill-conceived romances forever! On a side note did you know Chuck Norris was one of Elvis's MA instructors? Pretty cool stuff.

Actually it isn't just Mal, there has been a noticeable empathy deficit on this forum for about 10 years now. But it's like living next to an airport. after a while you just don't notice the planes anymore.

Imagine a world in which Volo is God. 1) Sarcasm will become a legitimate art form 2) All things popular will be mocked 3) Everything you think you know will be proven wrong 4) The NY Jets & NY Giants will play in the Super Bowl every year 5) All computer games will be made by Bioware 6) Canada will spell it's name with a K 7) Hockey will be as popular in the US as Football 8 ) Dwarves will become real 9) HTML Quote functions will be removed from all internet forums 10) Feminism will be banned! Where do I sign up?

The Heart of Everything That Is: The Untold Story of Red Cloud, an American Legend. by Tom Calvin & Bob Drury. I just started it last night but I'm hooked.

Rome II. It's... pretty to look at. But it's pretty disappointing too. Shogun II was better.

I'm going nuts here... NUTS! The Buccaneers are awful.. just bloody stinking awful. I'm reminded of Coach John McKay in Tampa's first season after a particularly ugly loss answering a reporters question about his teams execution that day "Well I'm in favor of it". They can't run, they can't pass, they can't play defense, they are piling one stupid play call atop another. And there is no hope in sight! None! So we might get a first pick of the draft next year? So what. It will take two or three drafts to turn this train wreck around. Raheem Morris, Greg Schiano: screw you both. You both combined to wreck this franchise. And Gruden you... at best... failed to follow up on Tony Dungy's long run of great coaching. At worst, well you only won while the team still had Dungy's players. Once you had your hands on everything it started going down hill. This whole sports year is a bust. A total fuc---g bust for me. The Rays stunk, the Marlins stunk, the Buccaneers stink, the Titans stink, the NHL Panthers look like they are going to stink, in the NBA the Grizz look like they are going backwards, and the Florida Gators stink most of all. This SUCKS! Something... has... to... give....

So, hiring a defensive minded head coach did not help the Buc's defensive capabilities.

Beautiful!

Michael Choice was terrible. GD, you picked the Royals to win the Wild Card, that was pretty impressive. I picked the Rays to win the Series. THAT was way off. But who can figure injuries?

Nah, no kids just dogs. But it's a distinction without a difference because we treat them like kids. They are like furry kids you never have to worry about paying their way to college.

I just looked at our pre-season predictions... we were all off

You could actually go to a catholic service for a few weeks or so. It's free after all and probably the best research you're going to find. You'll find it's a pretty pressure free environment if you're worried about being converted or anything.

Now reading The Bird Box by Josh Malerman. It's ok, a little creepy but also a little hard to buy into. I can only suspend disbelief so far.

Been very busy lately, things are very hectic. But today (and tomorrow) I'm just going to relax and spend the weekend w/ Lady GD & the pups.

One of these days I'd like to take a week or so to visit DC and just walk all around the Capital district. I've been there a few times (mainly when I was working at Pax River) but I've never had time to really take it all in.

The Rays have shut down Smyly for the rest of the season. I was concerned until I read it was pitch count not injury. Plus there are only 17 games left and the AAA guys are coming as soon as Durham wins the International League Championship. In other news the Marlins are going to make a serious pitch to lock up Giancarlo Stanton long term this off season. That will be interesting Hot Stove fodder.

If you want the real Danish experience you should a boat and raid a British town, carry the best looking women back with you, then find Ros in Copenhagen and have a party. I'd say invite Gorgon too because he could use the night out.

So, a note to all the players out there who were good but not quite good enough to make a roster and got cut last week; Be Gay. The NFL will help you with job placement: http://dailycaller.com/2014/09/04/report-nfl-officials-asked-teams-to-consider-signing-michael-sam-to-practice-squad/

Yep, they didn't lose a step over the off season

Interesting ''Neger'' in German is the racist term for black skinned people. I guess its something made of dark chocolate? What I did today: not much, mostly bearding. Beard makes me look like a 40 year old though, especially the mustache. I'm also trying to find a good Halloween costume but no ideas. Maybe I'll go the cheap route and buy an evil jester costume. Woldan, if I saw that walking on the sidewalk anytime other than around Halloween, I'm running it over! That costume is..... yeah it is....

Well, I'm 4 chapters in and so far it's like eating vanilla ice cream. It's good, but not very memorable. So far nothing has happened to separate from all the dreck to GOT level.