Long time since last post... and Christmas

Sorry, folks since the last time i posted, some personal stuff going on lately. But I did have a good Christmas day, having dinner with family and friends, and a fun board game, too.

I guess the "greetings war" is over. I thought that both sides blew it out of proportion. My two concerns:
1) The 'secular left' doing what it can to censor anything related to Christmas!
2) 'Religious right' urging boycotts of retailers who don't mention Christmas in early November!

I am a Christian who believes that the reason for the season is not deep discounts or giving the coolest video game system or big screen HDTV. I have no problem with 'Happy Holidays' in general; I have respect for Jewish and Muslim people as well.
You want a 'Holiday Tree'? Why not decorate it with (Holiday) eggs, bunnies, turkeys and fireworks as well. But I thought it was silly to tell companies and stores to say Christmas WEEKS before the actual, uh, holiday, came up.

I hope everyone had a merry Christmas, whether you got an X-BOX 360, video iPod, a sweater, new pet, or just the love and presence of family.

Viacom to sell Paramount Parks

Here we go again... according to Reuters....

DUBAI, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Viacom Inc. (VIA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) (VIAb.N: Quote, Profile, Research) is ready to sell theme parks owned by its Paramount Pictures division, as well as book publisher Simon & Schuster, chairman Sumner Redstone said on Tuesday.

The U.S. media conglomerate splits into two companies on Dec. 31, separating its faster growing cable networks and film business from the relatively sluggish CBS television broadcasting and radio operations.

Simon & Schuster, which will be part of the more mature side of the business has often been cited along with the theme parks as assets Viacom might choose to sell.

Another Milhouse Title Gag

"Allen Arena - It thinks it's Babe: Pig in the City!"

"She thinks she's Babe: Pig in the City!" - Milhouse Van Houten, on his string of not so great sequels, when he sees a new tough girl at Springfield Elementary School.

Title Gag 12/12/05

It's like 'Speed 2,' only with a bus instead of a boat!
- The great Milhouse Van Houten, as the school bus Otto is driving is racing an automobile driven by Marge Simpson, both trying to get to school on time.

The original Speed, for those who don't know '90s action movies, centered around a Los Angeles transit bus rigged with a bomb, in which if the bus dropped below a certain speed, it would explode. An elevator and a Metro subway train were also involved. Speed 2 could have done better if they brought back Keanu Reeves and done on another bus. Or it would have sucked even more.

An Introduction to Front Page Title Gags

On early Thursday Morning when the demolition of Busch Stadium in St. Louis came to a close with the fall of the last section, I changed my page title from "Welcome to Allen Arena!" to "Allen Arena - Remembering Busch Stadium 1966-2005." Having moved on, oddly enough, I decided to change the title back on Saturday.

Or make the front page title a bit fun. On Friday night, "Larry the Cable Guy" was a guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Being one of the most famous representatives of redneck (and quite possibly middle American) culture, he brought up a recent trip to The Home Depot, a great wonder for manly men like Larry. Almost a 'city within a city, ' Larry noted a hot dog stand near the front of the store which kept him fed. And then that hot dog eventually needed out. Can't verify if this was true, but he had to settle for one of the toilets in the Plumbing section.

That's why I went with "Allen Arena - The toilets in the Plumbing department of Home Depot are for Display Only!"

It reminds me of an old Best Buy commercial with the theme of trying products out in the store. Easy to do with computers, video game consoles, audio systems, and widescreen HDTVs after hours of hard work. Bad idea when it comes to toilets after some spicy Mexican food.



To keep up your interest, I changed it early this morning to: "Go You Panthers... no, Hear That Bengal Growl... uh, On, Brave Old Army... I'll shut up now."

Yes, I've heard the Elder HS fight song a few times, including on the Bill Cunningham show. One of those great high school football traditions.
The Bengals Growl fight song may have aged, but it's a neat fight song. Sounds better IMO than that who-dey stuff.
And on Saturday, ESPN premiered a new feature film called CodeBreakers, based on the 1950 U.S. Military Academy football team where some cadets are expelled for cheating. In the credits, "On, Brave Old Army Team" becomes the new selection for Karaoke Hour.


I'll be back soon with an update on more title gags. I can't say what they are, but I can say that this is a big week for Simpsons fans like myself. Tonight, Kelsey Grammer is back as Sideshow Bob in a new episode. And Tuesday, Season 7 goes out on DVD!

It's gone.

As of 1:26 am (12:26 am CT), the last section of historic Busch Stadium in St. Louis has collapsed. By watching on the KSDK live cam, flash bulbs followed by fireworks signified that the old stadium was no more recognizable... and that there would only be ONE Busch Stadium in that area.

Now the task is to get this new Busch Stadium all ready for Opening Day.

And to secure a good team for next season. Fill some of those open positions, and keep the good guys. Got that, Walt? Don't let the good days die with the old stadium.

The closet's fully empty now, it's occupied by none,
I'll draw the drapes, now destiny is done.
- "Closet Chronicles," Kansas


I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's gone
All my dreams, pass before my eyes, in curiosity
Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind
Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea
All we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see

Dust in the wind, All we are is dust in the wind

Don't hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
It slips away, and all your money won't another minute buy

Dust in the wind, All we are is dust in the wind
Dust in the wind, Everything is dust in the wind
- "Dust in the Wind," Kansas

FINAL Busch Stadium Demolition LIVE!

Right now, KSDK has live streaming video of the final part of the demolition of Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Not as exciting as when I went downtown and saw the implosion of Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium almost three years ago, but still a memorable yet hard moment...

KSDK live demolition video

The time is now 10:15 pm eastern (9:15 central in St. Louis). Just a few hours later, expect the link (and stadium) to be gone. Tomorrow morning, the only Busch Stadium will be the new stadium next door, set to open in April, when the Cardinals host Milwaukee Brewers.

Goodbye Busch, I love and miss you dearly.

Happy Birthday to me...

I'm 24 today.

But that's the good news about today.

Busch Stadium is almost gone:

I'll be surprised if this last section is standing tomorrow.

State Champions!

Tonight, the St. Xavier Bombers of Cincinnati won the OHSAA Division I State football title in Canton's Fawcett Stadium, defeating the Washington Tigers from nearby Massillon, 24-17, closing a memorable, 15-game undefeated season.

This was St. Xavier's first successful run for the championship. Their last finals appearance came in 2001, when they lost in Canton to St. Ignatius Wildcats from Cleveland. At least Brian Kosmac was happy.

This is also the fourth straight title for a Cincinnati area Division I team, starting with Elder in 2002 and 2003, and Colerain in 2004, and five straight appearances of area teams.

So congratulations to the many students, players, parents, and alumni of St. Xavier High School, especially alums like Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph "TNT' Deters, and good friend and coaster nut Brad Ruwe.


I'd also like to pass along that another tri-state team was also victorious in their state title run. The Newport Central Catholic HS Thoroughbreds won the Kentucky Class A Championship, defeating Mayfield 42-7 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in Louisville. This is NewCath's second successful run, the first since 1984, and 6th of their state appearances. The Breds close out the season 13-2.

Chaz Luken's Words of Wisdom

This past Wednesday, November 30, 2005, was the last day on the job for Charles J. Luken, better known as Chaz, as the Mayor of the City of Cincinnati. Chaz spent 12 years as Mayor (1984-1990, 1999-2005) and in the past few years, had a lot of great things to say. Here's some of the best of Chaz, as heard on the Bill Cunningham show:

"Let's not wait for Hell to freeze over here."

"I brought you into this world, I can take you out!"

"Ignorance is no defense."

"Don't tell anybody, but she's not a very good cook!"

"My mother's on crack!"

"I have to give you a few more soundbytes before I get out of office, so that I can live in infamy!"

"It's not my jurisdiction."

"That's true."

"I got you started in this business, I can take you out, Willie!"

"You’re going to get a tongue-whipping!"

"It's time for it to stop!"

"You got that taping thing going on, that I always hear what I say later?"

"I’ve got this plantar wart I have in my foot."

"WHAT?!"

"We’re going to get a bus, and some 40s!"

"You always make it sound like there's some of payoff here!"

"I could not be more excited!"

"Be careful what you wish for!"

"Yes."

"You know that?"

"I would do it every year!"

"That’s right!"

"It’s scary, isn’t it?!"

"In this particular case, you seem to be wavering a bit."

"I think I’m going to leave my keys on the desk!"

"I’m just as horrified about it as everybody else!"

"Wal-Mart can track a pair of socks, and you guys can’t track a train car that’s got a dangerous chemical in it, for a half a year?!"

"I love everybody!"

"I think it's time that we blow something up!"

"I picked up a woman at a bar, took her home and had sex with her, and it may be more detailed than that."

RCA Dome noise: loud Colts fans, or hot air?

In Thursday's Indianapolis Star, "The Dan Patrick Show" on ESPN Radio was questioning how the noise in the RCA Dome got so loud during Monday night's home game against the Steelers. Some were asking if some of this noise was piped in through the sound system, which, if true, is a violation of NFL rules.

First, having been there in person, I seriously doubt that. Yes, there were some times when the place was somewhat quieter, when the Colts had the ball, especially during a large lead. The loudest points happened prior to kickoff, during player introductions, and the playing of the Monday Night Football intro video. And being a fully enclosed domed stadium also added to keeping the noise in and up - almost to the noise level of the Van Halen concert I went to last year.

Second, I must question if such 'piping of noise' was done by the Houston Astros this past season at Minute Maid Park, when they had the roof closed, especially against the Cardinals in the NLCS. Fortunately, two guys shut them up: Albert Pujols and Bud Selig (who had them open the roof in the World Series). The White Sox would get the title this year.

That, or John Murtha is a Steelers fan.

But I can't me much happier for the Colts right now. I may live in an area where they're about to introduce another goddamn Who-Dey Jungle song, but I do live in a country where you can support any team you like. No problem with those yellow Terrible Towels flying around in a sea of blue in the beloved Circle City.

Dave and Oprah: The Aftermath.

Last night, Thursday, Oprah Winfrey made her legendary and historic appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman. One of the biggest surprises is that Oprah claims there never has been a feud, and that the Uma-Oprah thing from when Dave last hosted the Academy Awards was actually funny, as she brought an autographed picture of her and Uma Thurman to Dave, with a purple frame! After last night's "Super Bowl of Love", Letterman walked Winfrey over to her theater across the street in a neat public appearance that drew tons of flashes, as it should have.

"Oprah is our friend."

Get Ready, America!

It's only minutes away! Tune to your local CBS affiliate NOW! (Ch. 12 here in Cincinnati) This is a major event you can't miss, as Oprah Winfrey will be in the Ed Sullivan Theater to meet David Letterman!