I'm ya Huckleberry

It's no secret: I've never been the best at handling my money. Not the worst, but certainly not the best.

After my divorce almost two years ago, though, I made up my mind that things were going to change. For the most part, I've done very well. I am rarely, if ever, late with my bills. The money I waste on poor gambling choices have been slowed to a trickle. I eat out much less, and when I do, it's more the cheap chinese joint or the fi-dolla footlong, instead of 80 bucks for steak dinner or sushi every time.

Until poker became my thing, I was actually one of the worst gamblers on the planet. And another non-secret is that I love to put my money on the line. I'm not a very good blackjack player, don't understand craps, no one is really good at roulette, and those machines ... well, let's don't even go there. No, about 90 percent of any wagering I do these days comes in the form of Texas Hold 'Em, where because it's a game based more on skill than luck, I fare pretty well. I am certain I win more than I lose.

What I am trying to say is that over the past 20 months or so, I have changed. I am much more financially responsible, and that has all to do with my new family. Although I still lean more towards "live for today," tomorrow is just as, if not more, important.

That's why I am so pissed about the recent -- let's call it -- attack on my financial health, and I feel the need to share.

Unless you've lived under a big ole rock where antennas and cables and satellites don't reach, you know that the country is in a money mess. Insurance giants are folding, banks are in need of rescue, people are losing their homes. Things have been tough on Giuffrias Avenue, as well, as we don't nearly have the disposable income we had when the Mama and I first got together.

But somehow, we always manage to find a way to do the things we really want to do. And unless I lose my job any time in the near future, we always will.

There are some financial institutions, though, who don't give a rat's tookus about their customers, and I learned that the hard way yesterday.

One of the things I have always done is watched my money closely. I was proud of myself last August when I saw the market was beginning to tank, and I wasn't going to let my retirement money sink with it. I moved all of my 401k into government stocks, and saved about $16,000 over the next four months.

I keep close tabs on interest rates -- especially on my credit cards. Recently, I made the mistake of trusting a bank that I heard was in the process of doing awful things to their customers. "They're just getting a bum rap," I thought.

Citi group was just a huge taker in the multi-billion-dollar bailout given to financial institutions recently by Congress. I wasn't in favor of it then, and even less so now.

Citi, though, before the bailout promised lawmakers that they would not raise interest rates, no matter what their situation. They were given billions of dollars, and then obviously changed their tune.

But that's not the worst part, I found out personally, and also see that it isn't just me.

I was sort of leery when the limit on my longest-holding card was raised a few months ago. Now understand, about 70 percent of my credit card debt is in this account. The reason being that it's by far the best rate I could get (7.9 percent), and although I use credit much less as of late in an attempt to eliminate my debt before I'm 50, I still have a pretty significant amount I owe to Citi. The weird thing was that I had asked for a limit increase about eight months or so previous so that I could transfer other balances.

I was denied then, but then without asking, was given an increase of more than $2,500 a month before Christmas.

Now, I understand why.

Imagine my surprise (I guess that's the right word) when I saw my interest rate was jacked to 14.9. I call Citi, and demand an explanation.

Carlos says, "Sir, these are tough economic times. This is happening to everyone." I say, "Tough economic times? That's your reason? You just got about $30 billion from the government. You feel the need to rape your broke customers who depend on you? This is completely unacceptable." Carlos: "Sorry, sir."

My options were limited to accept the almost-double raise in interest, which would mean paying about 80 to 90 bucks more per month just in interest charges, or to "opt out," which I didn't immediately understand, but realized quickly that it was my best option.

By the way, if you don't know, it means that you go back to your original rate, but when your card expires, your account is closed. For me, that's not a problem, because I don't really depend on credit for daily living. What about the people who do? Guess that doesn't matter.

When I followed up with research, I read about a woman who was with Citi for 12 years, was never late on her payment, and her rate was raised from 7.9 percent to 16.9. There were hundreds of stories just like that. Also, saw a report on CNN before it happened to me about others in the same boat with Citi.

Where is this all going, besides giving me a venue to vent?

My main thing is this: On Tuesday, a new president will take office, and he has a mountain of chores ahead of him. In my opinion, this should be at or near the top of the list. After finding a way to stop hard-working people from losing their homes, President Obama needs to find a way to stop banks from stealing from the American people.

That, I know, will be some kind of chore, but it has to be done. We cannot be bullied by them any longer. Any of them.

I, for one, have learned a lesson. This will only make me more determined to become less dependent on credit. I have taken the first step, and am going in the right direction.

If you haven't already, I would suggest you all do the same.

NFL divisional TP picks

1 LR (total points: 47, possible points: 82)
Divisional picks: rCarolina (16), rNY Giants (15), aPittsburgh (14), aBaltimore (9)
Wild-card picks: aBaltimore (11), rIndy (8), aPhilly (7), aArizona (6)
Remaining selections: 10, 12, 13

2 KVP (total points: 43, possible points: 88)
Divisional picks: aPittsburgh (13), rCarolina (11), aPhilly (9), aBaltimore (7)

Wild-card picks: rAtlanta (12), rIndy (10), aPhilly (8), aBaltimore (6)
Remaining selections: 14, 15, 16

3 GDG (total points: 39, possible points: 74)
Divisional picks: rCarolina (16), rNY Giants (13), aPittsburgh (9), aBaltimore (8)

Wild-card picks: aPhilly (15), rIndy (12), aArizona (7), rMiami (6)
Remaining selections: 10, 11, 14

4 PVW (total points: 37, possible points: 82)
Divisional picks: rCarolina (13), aPittsburgh (12), rNY Giants (11), aBaltimore (10)
Wild-card picks: rAtlanta (9), aPhilly (8), aBaltimore (7), rIndy (6)
Remaining selections: 14, 15, 16

5 JYD (total points: 15, possible points: 51)
Divisional picks: rCarolina (16), aPittsburgh (15), rTennessee (14), rNY Giants (9)
Wild-card picks: rIndy (10), rAtlanta (8), rMinnesota (7), rMiami (6)
Remaining selections: 11, 12, 13

Tiebreakers: 1) Overall record; 2) Picks by point (first to break tie settles winner)

It's effin boring around here

I just looked it up -- there hasn't been an entry into the quote file since late September. Now, to make things even worse, two members of the copy desk have given up cussin as their New Year's resolution.

Horse hockey, I say.

This is just no damned fun. Whatever happened to the ole, "God Dammit Gene!" or "This is supposed to be 20 effing inches and it's 30! Son of a bitch!" or "It's five minutes to deadline; send your effing story!"

I miss my friends.

This also made me wonder why people have New Year's resolutions anyway. Assuming your Catholic -- and the majority of the people I know are -- it makes much more sense to give things up for Lent. With Lent, there's a specified time before you can begin sinning again and not feel guilty about it.

I mean, seriously, if you give up cheeseburgers as your New Year's resolution, the first time you eat a greasy slab of Bessie, you're gonna feel guilty, no matter whether it's Jan. 12 or Oct. 14. Just wait a couple of months, and you give yourself something to look forward to. To hell with that damned "Eat More Chikin" Cow. Slice her up, too. You know one thing's for sure -- come Easter Sunday you can eat more meat than Kobayashi on July 4.

I say sinners unite. I mean what is really accomplished by giving up something you know won't last anyway? Is the world a better place because you didn't yell, 'Shit' because the printer won't print? Will The Gene Pool love JLE any less if she doesn't call him an idiot Saturday night? Will Steinbauer sleep better if MLC doesn't tell him to get his effin story in on time?

I say no. I say you Filth-Flarn-Filthians should cuss it up. Fat people? Stay fat. Morons? Well there's no help for you, anyway.

Life should be enjoyed to the fullest. And fullest, my friends, begins with an F.

Happy Mother's Day

Just because it's not the middle of May on the calendar, today is the day I probably think about Momma most.

It's interesting, as it's not a secret my mom and I weren't always the best of friends. Much of it, I take full responsibility for, as my hard-headed reluctance to forgive people -- even the ones who are closest to me -- was in its fullest effect with Momma. It seems in her passing -- three years ago today -- we are closer now than we ever were. I find myself talking to her and asking her advice on things often, something I rarely did when she was alive. I ask her for favors, and she often grants them, sometimes in ways only she knows how.

It didn't strike me when she first passed away, but recently I was thinking of the irony of her dying on this date. I always loved my mom, even when I hated her, and I know she loved me as much as anyone. It is interesting to me that she chose the sixth of January to cross into the next life because today means an awful lot to me, and has long before 2006. Today is the first day of Carnival, my favorite season of the year. She knows that.

Maybe she was worried I wouldn't think about her as much as I should, and she knew the date would stick with me. Maybe it was important that I held a special place in my memory for her. Maybe while I was having a little fun, I'd include her in the festivities. She didn't have anything to worry about, although there's really no way she could have known that. I didn't show how I felt very often.

Momma had a way with people, sort of a way I never understood, nor have I seen since. She was the kind of person who most had trouble seeing her bad side. People who weren't close to our family thought she was the happiest, most funny woman they had ever met. And when she was at her best, she was.

It's so hard to explain. She was one of the most giving, caring people I ever knew. But there was also a dark side -- one that I have done my best to purge from my mind. These days, most of what I choose to remember is her best days. The days that strangers knew. The ones in which she would give you her last few bucks, as long as you left her enough for a couple packs of cigarettes and a gallon of milk.

No, today is Mother's Day, and we'll celebrate again in 2 1/2 weeks on her 65th birthday. God took her before her time, as He often takes the best people. There's a reason for that, whether we know, understand or care. God wants happiness surrounding him. Also, He wants us to appreciate what we have, and sometimes that can only happen if we lose something dear to us.

It's sad that she had to be taken away for me to realize what I had. But I think the most important thing is I know she understands. We talk a good bit these days.

So as I stroll through the rest of January and February enjoying the Carnival season, I'll be taking Momma along with me. We're gonna have a hell of a time, and everyone is invited.

Happy Mother's Day and Happy Mardi Gras!

TP postseason picks (Wild card) UPDATED 1.6.09

1 LR (total points: 24, possible points: 113)
Wild-card picks: aBaltimore (11), rIndy (8), aPhilly (7), aArizona (6)
Remaining selections: 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

2 GDG (total points: 22, possible points: 103)
Wild-card picks: aPhilly (15), rIndy (12), aArizona (7), rMiami (6)
Remaining selections: 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16

3 PVW (total points: 15, possible points: 106)
Wild-card picks: rAtlanta (9), aPhilly (8), aBaltimore (7), rIndy (6)
Remaining selections: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

4 KVP (total points: 14, possible points: 99)
Wild-card picks: rAtlanta (12), rIndy (10), aPhilly (8), aBaltimore (6)
Remaining selections: 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16

5 JYD (total points: 0, possible points: 90)
Wild-card picks: rIndy (10), rAtlanta (8), rMinnesota (7), rMiami (6)
Remaining selections: 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

Tiebreakers: 1) Overall record; 2) Picks by point (first to break tie settles winner)

Wild-card playoff picks

It was a nice finish to a sub-par (to say the least) season. Using the invented formula for the final week proved dividends in points, but only gave me a one game edge in overall record. Definitely something to look into next season.

As we go into the playoffs, we look back to what we learned over the regular season. And that is there is no such thing as a lock. Also, usually whenever a line seems out of whack and the betting public doesn't notice, the betting public usually is wrong. There are a couple of those this week.

Without using point totals, let's delve into the picks in order of my best to worst ...

INDIANAPOLIS minus-1 at SAN DIEGO (Saturday)
--> Like I said last week, the bookies have been in love with the Chargers. At first glance, this line may seem a little out of whack, with the Colts giving points on the road in the wild-card week. But dig a little deeper, and I think one point isn't nearly enough. The Colts haven't lost in the second half of the season, while San Diego has had to use all of its energy to catch the Broncos (no big feat). Now, it appears LT and Antonio Gates, two of their best three players, are dinged up. If they aren't 100-percent ready, Philip Rivers will get eaten alive. Peyton, meanwhile has something to prove in the playoffs, and I love Indy to make the championship game, especially if the Dolphins find a way to win and Indy heads to Tennessee.

ATLANTA minus-1 at ARIZONA (Saturday)
--> The bettors are leaning toward Arizona, which sort of surprises me. It seems the majority expects Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and the banged-up Anquan Boldin should roll over the Falcons defense. While I do think they will score 24-plus points, it's hard to see how the Cardinals will stop Michael Turner. Also, expect Matt Ryan to keep playing like he has all season -- unfazed by the fact that he's a rookie.

MINNESOTA plus-3 over PHILADELPHIA (Sunday)
--> I understand a couple of things on why it seems almost everyone loves the Eagles in this one -- Philly is hot, and there are few who trust Tarvaris Jackson. My answer: Horse Hockey. The Eagles are so overrated, and it is unfathomable to me how people can overlook their recent troubles in Washington and Cincinnati. The Vikings have been solidly consistent since their win in the Superdome on a Monday night in October. Don't be shocked if they win at Carolina next week, either.

MIAMI plus-3.5 over BALTIMORE (Sunday)
--> When have the Ravens been at their best this season? Except last week, they have been much better as an underdog. Also, this is just the second time all season they have been a favorite on the road (Week 13 at Cincinnati). Meanwhile, Pennington has done an adequate, if not superb, job the second half the season. I like the over in this one (37), as the Ravens' defense will spend more time on the field than they are accustomed to.

HOW DA CMMSH FARED IN WEEK 17: 11-5, 88 points
OVERALL FOR DA REGULAR SEASON (FINAL): 115-125 (.479), 1007 points (63 points per week)

FINAL TP sports pool standings: JLE 1282, WWB 1104, MLC 1099, Lopes 1072, LR 1059, Gene Pool 1011, PVW 1009, Me 1007, KVP 963, DJW 960, JRap 938

Farewell 2008 (and Good Riddance)

So 2008 wasn't the greatest of years, although it had some great moments.

In fact, it held the No. 1 moment of my life, as on the first day of February, I married my best friend in a Mardi Gras parade with friends and family with us riding down St. Charles for hours afterward. It simply doesn't get any better than that.

But there were some big downers, too. Since we want to keep this last post of the year upbeat, we'll ignore those. In fact, maybe 2008 wasn't so bad after all.

Let's leave this eighth year of the new millenium in the past with the top five headlines that ran in The Times-Picayune -- the ones that ran, that is, only in my mind.

Giuliani edges Obama
After easily taking Republican nomination, former New York mayor will become nation's 44th president

NEW YORK (Nov. 3) -- It took well into the wee hours of Wednesday morning, but former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is the president-elect after carrying his home state -- the first time a Republican has won New York since Ronald Reagan won his second term in 1984.

It appeared dim for Giuliani in the early hours of Tuesday evening when it was announced he lost Pennsylvania and Ohio, two key battleground states. But he squeaked out Missouri and Florida -- winning each state by less than two percent -- and had to wait until 5 a.m. Eastern time to find out if he had carried his home state.

He did so by less than two-tenths of one percent, and with it came the presidency.

"I am so grateful to the people of New York," Giuliani said. "I knew they would pull through for me, and I will never forget them. Next up, it's time to save the middle class of this country by extending the Bush tax cuts and fixing the economic problems. We will make sure those companies rewarded by bailouts will pay every cent of that money back to the taxpayers of the United States of America.

"We also want to send as strong a message as we can to the people of the Middle East that while we strive for peace, we will not tolerate terrorism, nor will we accept the bullying tactics that have been allowed to exist. Certainly, though, our No. 1 priority is securing our own borders here at home and making sure all Americans are safe."

Morpheus names
its 2009 king
20-year parade veteran finally gets 'a shot'

NEW ORLEANS (April 14) -- Saying he's thrilled to have the opportunity to be king for a day, a Metairie man has been named King Morpheus for next year's parade, which will roll Feb. 20, 2009.

It will be tough to top this past year's ride for N.O. Mojo, who was married to Metry Mama on Feb. 1 on Float 20 of the Morpheus parade, but he says, "I'll do my damndest."

Mojo, who will be 40 when he assumes the throne, says it' has been his lifelong dream to be king of a Mardi Gras organization, especially one he's become very close to the past few years. This will approximately be his "25th or 30th" ride in a parade, having been in Endymion, Thoth and currently, Mojo also rides in the Krewe of Alla on the Westbank.

"Yeah, I'm finally getting a shot to do what I have always dreamed of," he said. "I didn't think it could get better than last year after the Mama agreed to marry me on a float. I just hope somebody can control the Bunnee Boy without me up there. And then there's my crazy sis and cousin from Georgia. I guess I'll let the Blowhole take my spot, but I don't want him riding next to my wife, ha ha."

Bye Bye Goat,
Bye Bye Bartman
Derrek Lee's game-winning homer in ninth secures Cubs' first World Series title in 100 years

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. (Oct. 30) -- It was like a dream.

Two outs, top of the ninth. Trailing by one run in Game 7 of the World Series. Then, with the ghosts of old goats and visions of Steve Bartman dancing in their heads, the 100 years of futility ended in a domed ballpark 1,000 miles away from historic Wrigley Field when Derrek Lee's 440-foot blast to deep center field off David Price at Tropicana Field landed safely in the cheap seats.

Kerry Wood saved his third game of the Series, and with the 5-4 win, the Cubs were named World Champions for the first time since 1908. Outside Wrigley Field, more than 100,000 fans crowded the streets of Addison and Waveland and the surrounding neighborhoods in absolute exultation.

"It is by far the biggest moment of my life," Lee said. "To end the misery and pain of all these fans who have never seen anything like this in their lifetimes. You know what, they may never see it again, but it's all worth it tonight."

For Wood, the longest-tenured Cub and one of only three left from the 2003 team (Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Zambrano are the others), which came within five outs of the World Series, being on the mound for the final out is a moment he will cherish for the rest of his life.

"Absolutely indescribable," Wood said. "When I started pitching here, I was just a kid, and I can't imagine a better place or better people for this to happen to. They can all forget about the damned curses now. We are World Champions."

Metairie man takes
World Series of Poker
After classic battle with one of game's best, amateur wins over $9 million

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 10) -- Once an almost unfathomable dream has come true for an amateur poker player from Metairie: Winning the World Series of Poker.

Even as big, said N.O. Mojo, was how he finished it off.

No one gave him much of a chance as he started the final table sixth in chips, and those same skeptics gave Mojo even less of a chance, as he made it to the final three against Mike "The Mouth" Matusow and Phil "Poker Brat" Hellmuth as the short stack.

But he doubled up off Hellmuth, before Matusow caught a flush on the river against the Brat, topping three aces. That set off a wild tirade by Hellmuth, while Matusow jumped up and yelled, "I got you, you idiot! I knew the poker gods would smile on me some day, and now I'm ready to take out this chump."

After having the rest of the night off, The Mouth and Mojo started again the next day with Matusow having a 4-to-1 chip edge. But Mojo doubled up early with his full house beating Matusow's straight, which prompted The Mouth to say, "Nice hand, donk."

After three hours of back-and-forth, Mojo finally pulled ahead and won the tournament shortly after. The winning hand came after he called The Mouth's pre-flop raise of four times the blind with Ace-8 suited in clubs. Matusow's pocket jacks were no good when the flop came 10-clubs, 9-clubs, 2-clubs. The Mouth went all-in, and Mojo instantly called.

"Un-effing-believable," Matusow exclaimed.

Mojo took the $9 million prize and the bracelet that went with it, knowing he was the world's best of 2008.

"Surreal," he said. "I just am at a loss for words, which is rare for me. I know one thing -- Metry Mama and I are gonna live it up tonight."

Unclaimed Powerball ticket worth $80 million
Winning ticket purchased at Cleary Chevron in Metairie

METAIRIE (Dec. 28) -- Someone who bought a Powerball ticket in Metairie is $80 million richer.

The winner has yet to come forward, but rumor has it that it's not the first time this person has been lucky this year.

"I know who won," said a friend of the winner on the condition of anonymity. "Yep, the mutha won $9 million earlier this year, and now he won this. Lucky bastard. The first time, he only gave me a thousand bucks, so I'm expecting my house to be paid off this time!"

Also, in an unsubstantiated report in which it is unsure whether it's related to the Powerball announcement, there was a rumor swirling that one of members of the sports copy desk of The Times-Picayune has disappeared since the winning numbers have been announced. He has not showed up for work the past three days.

More on this story to come.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Week 17 NFL picks

It's time for the final regular-season installment of tll's Fall Giveaway. As in, if you picked against me all season long, you had one hell of a Christmas. Though, in my never-give-up mantra, I tried to look back and see what worked best. After (way too much) reflection, I decided it was the gimmicks. Other then the first two weeks, when I obviously was just plain lucky in starting 22-9, it was the picks when I threw caution into the wind and left my heart aside.

This week, my peeps, I have decided that my thoughts and heart would have nothing to do with these last picks. Instead, I created a formula in which to make these last 16 beauties. Who knows? If it is really good -- or really bad -- I can market it in a way for others to make money off my (mis)fortunes.

It's fairly simple, but tedious. I went back and checked the records against the spread (except Week 1, when we didn't pick because of Goooostav) for all 32 teams. I did it at home, away and their last six games. Depending on whether the team was home or away this week, they received a power point for a win at home (if they are on the road this week), two points for a win on the road and three points for a win at any site in their last six games. I also deducted a point if the team was in a must-win situation or if they already have clinched their position.

Some interesting tidbits before we start ... The two teams with the highest power ratings? The Saints and Falcons -- both at 29. The lowest? Jacksonville (10), Denver (12), Washington (12) and St. Louis (12). The best division? The NFC South -- all four teams are .500 or better against the spread. The worst? There are three. The AFC West, AFC East and NFC North have all of its teams at .500 or below.

There are more interesting nuggets, but I don't want to bore you all to death, as I am fairly certain just about everyone but The Gene Pool already has stopped reading. Actually, this is probably a great time to talk bad about my friends, since I am sure no one is reading. But then, that would limit me to the people whom TGP doesn't know, and that would take much of the fun out of it.

Lastly, before I did this nonsensical research, I made picks and will list them to show whether logic or the gut is smarter. (I think I know the answer already.) And I'm looking to go 16-0 so I can finish .500 for the season.

So here we go ...

(16 points) BALTIMORE minus-12.5 over JACKSONVILLE
--> One of the best teams ATS against one of the worst. The Jags likely are the most disappointing teams in 2008, while the Ravens and Joe Flacco have been one of the biggest surprises. Look for Baltimore to use this game as a springboard into the playoffs.
What I would have picked: Saints plus-3.5 over Panthers
Last week: Saints (-6.5) 42, Lions 7 (Black & Gold loves playing against bad teams)

(15 points) ATLANTA minus-14.5 over ST. LOUIS
--> One of the worst things I see about this method is having two double-digit favs at the top. But logic dictates the Falcons still have something to prove, and with a shot at the No. 2 seed and a bye in the first round of the playoffs, look for Michael Turner to run roughshod over the Real Men of Genius' defense.
What I would have picked: Broncos plus-7.5 over Chargers
Last week: Chargers 41, Bucs (-3.5) 24 (Who can figure out the Chargers?)

(14 points) NEW ORLEANS plus-3.5 over CAROLINA
--> Even my head knows that NFC South teams are undefeated this year STRAIGHT UP against division opponents. So getting points seems to be a treat for the Saints here. Another interesting note here is that the Bless You Boys are 5-1 ATS in the Dome (really, 6-1 since they won in Week 1 against the Bucs), and are one of the bookies' biggest nightmares. The majority of the betting world is going with the Panthers, and I think they'll lose some moulah.
What I would have picked: Chiefs plus-2.5 over Bengals
Last week: Bears (-3.5) 20, Packers 17 (The ole halfa point loss, grrrr)

(13 points) TENNESSEE minus-2.5 over INDIANAPOLIS
--> Don't want to sell you against this one, but this goes against all my rules. Logic dictates, though, that the Titans have been the stronger pick ATS, including a 6-0 (and 8-1) start. Realistically, although both teams have clinched their playoff seed and don't care all that much, the Colts have more to proove. But of course my personal logic has been pretty screwy this season, so who knows?
What I would have picked: (Coincidentally) Colts plus-2.5 over Titans
Last week: Raiders 27, Texans (-6.5) 13 (Seriously, who thought Oakland would win straight up? Liar.)

(12 points) NY GIANTS plus-6.5 over MINNESOTA
--> Clinched home field or didn't clinch. I could care less. The Giants GETTING points here? Don't care the circumstances, this is plain ole overcompensation. One thing for sure, Tom Coughlin is not going to let his team look like a bunch of dopes heading into the playoffs. He certainly remembers the winning run he needed for momentum last season. P.S. The Giants have the best record in the NFC ATS at 10-4. The Vikes are 6-8, including a sub-.500 record at home.
What I would have picked: Packers minus-9.5 over Lions
Last week: Giants (-2.5) 34, Panthers 28, OT (OK, the TD was overkill, but so what)

(11 points) SAN FRANCISCO minus-2.5 over WASHINGTON
--> Another quirk in this system is that you are trusting the linesmakers are remaining consistent and that their lines are correct. Not sure I wouldn't have made the Skinsies a slight fav here, or at leats made it even. Still, I think Singletary has done a good job, and good coaching usually beats poor coaching, and Jim Zorn has self-proclaimed that he's the worst coach in the country.
What I would have picked: Giants plus-6.5 over Vikings
Last week: Titans (+1.5) 31, Steelers 14 (Told ya that line was outta whack)

(10 points) SEATTLE plus-5.5 over ARIZONA
--> The Seabags wanna win Holmgren's last game. The Cardinals seem to have packed it in a few weeks ago. Also, Seattle is 4-2 in its last six games ATS, while Arizona is 2-4, in case you needed more proof that the Cards' bird is cooked. Love Seattle straight up.
What I would have picked: Bucs minus-13.5 over Raiders
Last week: Patriots (-7.5) 47, Cardinals 7 (One and done for Desert Beakmen next week)

(9 points) HOUSTON minus-2.5 over CHICAGO
--> Bears got lucky last week to remain alive, but the Texans have been too tough the past few weeks to overcome. After an 0-5 start ATS, Houston has come alive and is 6-3 as of late. The Bears are a model of mediocrity -- 4-4 at home ATS, 3-3 on the road and 3-3 in their last six games. Boooring.
What I would have picked: Seahawks plus-5.5 over Cardinals
Last week: Bengals 14, Browns (-2.5) 0 (Were Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn THAT important?)

(8 points) SAN DIEGO minus-7.5 over DENVER
--> Not that the Chargers have been a solid pick this season, but the Broncos have been just plain awful, going 4-10 ATS. Don't jump out there and bet the rent, though, as Denver is 3-3 on the road. If they make the playoffs, their first game will be at home, where they are 1-7 ATS. All in all, this spread seems awful high, as the bookies have been in love with San Diego all season, and I can't figure out why.
What I would have picked: Jaguars plus-12.5 over Ravens
Last week: Seahawks 13, Jets (-4.5) 9 (Damn, didn't figure in the Holmgren Factor)

(7 points) DETROIT plus-9.5 over GREEN BAY
--> OK, the last half of these picks don't need a ton of explanation. With this one, here's what you need to know: Detroit is 5-1 ATS on the road, 1-7 at home. As my grandpa used to say, Nuff said.
What I would have picked: Eagles minus-1.5 over Cowboys
Last week: Colts (-6.5) 31, Jaguars 24 (Just squeaked this one by)

(6 points) PITTSBURGH minus-10.5 over CLEVELAND
--> The Brownies have been awful with Ken Dorsey under center. The Steelers have been on a roll, although they are just 2-4 ATS at home this season. After last week, they're a little ticked and will look to pile on the points.
What I would have picked: Dolphins plus-2.5 over Jets
Last week: Ravens (+3.5) 33, Cowboys 24 (Way to close out your historic stadium 'Boys)

(5 points) NEW ENGLAND minus-6.5 over BUFFALO
--> If any team knows how to play must-win games (which to me include playoff games), it's the Patsies. Even a win might not be good enough here, but there's no way Belicheat is ending the season with a whimper.
What I would have picked: Redskins plus-2.5 over 49ers
Last week: 49ers (-4.5) 17, Rams 16 (I hate lambs)

(4 points) MIAMI plus-2.5 over NY JETS
--> All year, the Dolphins have been a surprise. Well, I think it would be a mighty surprise if they finish what they started and win the AFC East here. Also, the Fins have been great ATS on the road, posting a 5-2 mark, while the Jets are a mediocre 3-4 at home.
What I would have picked: Patriots minus-6.5 over Bills
Last week: Dolphins (-3.5) 38, Chiefs 31

(3 points) KANSAS CITY plus-2.5 over CINCINNATI
--> Well the Bungles have started to play a little better? Whoop-de-frickin-do. It was against the Redskins and Browns, while the Chiefs have been respectable against just about everyone the last half the season. P.S. KC is 4-2 ATS on the road, which means they always get a couple of extra points. They'll win this one straight up.
What I would have picked: Rams plus-14.5 over Falcons
Last week: Redskins (+5.5) 10, Eagles 3 (Knew it would be tough for Philly to sustain)

(2 points) OAKLAND plus-13.5 over TAMPA BAY
--> The Raiders, for some reason, have played better on the road. Problem is, you never know what you're gonna get. If they have any intensity on defense, it should be enough to keep this one inside the spread. That's a big if.
What I would have picked: Texans minus-2.5 over Bears
Last week: Falcons 24, Vikings (-3.5) 17 (Not even close on this one)

(1 point) PHILADELPHIA minus-1.5 over DALLAS
--> In all likelihood, if the Eagles win, both teams are out of the playoffs. That would be cool.
What I would have picked: Steelers minus-10.5 over Browns
Last week: Bills (+6.5) 30, Broncos 23 (What else do you expect from mediocre AFC West?)

HOW DA CMMSH FARED IN WEEK 16: 9-7, 70 points
OVERALL AGAINST DA SPREAD: 104-120 (.464), 919 points (61 per week)

TP Sports Pool Standings: JLE 1167, MLC 1009, LR 1008, WWB (won week, 80) 999, Lopes 962, PVW 942, JRap 938, Gene Pool 929, Me 919, KVP 902, DJW 876

It's da most wonderful time ...

So this is Christmas. Yes, Christmas my dear.

The holiday season is different for everyone. Some are excited and hate when Christmas Day is over. Some get a little blue and can't wait for it to be over to start feeling like themselves again. Then there are Scrooges and your everyday haters, who just hate it because other people love it.

All kinds of Christmas peeps, I tell ya. For me, Christmas is a time of reflection and a time to make others happy.

I used to love getting gifts. I always bought great presents and expected great ones in return. Didn't need to be expensive, but rather I expected people who knew me well to get me things they knew I would like. I used to use Christmas as a gauge to see how well my friends and family knew me -- or cared, even.

I don't care all that much anymore, and I know that's one thing about getting older. I don't buy for nearly as many people as I used to. I'd rather spend the bulk of my Christmas cash on Metry Mama, The Boy and my nieces and nephews. Much more fun.

But what I love to do even more is to think back to Christmases past. In fact, if I ever became a real-life part of A Christmas Carol, I know I'd be cast as Ghost of Christmas Past.

Just this morning while watching the weather, the guy told me that we had a good chance to break the record high temperature of 81 at Audubon Park set in 1984. Immediately, I thought back 24 years ago, and remembered swimming in the Coglaiti pool on Christmas Eve. Of course, it didn't last long because the water was like 68 degrees or something (which might as well be 32 degrees). But that day sticks out in my mind.

Since my Mom passed away in 2006, I always think about her a lot around the holidays. Just before she left us three years ago, she got real sick just before Christmas. In fact, it was very odd. We got the call that she had a short time (days) to live while I was in Massachusetts spending the holidays with my two sisters at the same time for the first time in 10 years. It was also just days after the Mama and I had started dating and just a few months after K came.

It was a strange and active, almost tumultuous time.

I remember often how my Mom loved Christmas. Absolutely loved it. One year in particular, I wanna say 1986, her and my Dad had been split for good for a couple of years, and she was probably the best mentally I had ever known her. It was that year and the next couple that we got along best. This particular Christmas had her feeling great because, for a change, she had money to buy presents for everyone. And when she was feeling her best, that's what she loved to do -- give to others.

I remember that she bought me tons of clothes. And my Mom had good taste, even as I was 18 or 19, she knew what sort of stuff I'd like. As most of you know, it's not easy buying clothes for a teenager. It didn't matter, though, as the family was happy and together.

I think back to, I believe, 1991. It was my Nanny's last Christmas. It was also one of the last Christmases I remember with most of my family on my Mom's side intact and together and, well, all there. My grandparents, both of whom either had dementia or Alzheimer's, were still feeling well enough to have company. My sisters and I were at my Mom's, who lived directly across the street from 126 North Alexander, the house in which I spent so much of my first 18 years.

I don't think I laughed as hard -- EVER -- as when PaPa received his gift from Nanny. It was a cement birdbath. My PaPa loved birds. He knew every bird there was that flew around southern Louisiana. It was a logical gift. For some reason, though, he didn't appreciate it. He wanted us to "get that damned thing out of here." Oh, it was one of those had-to-be-there moments, but for the eight or so people who were there, it was absolutely hysterical. It was PaPa in one of his last PaPa moments. Of course, my Nanny didn't appreciate that he didn't appreciate his gift. That wasn't so funny. But it did help to make the moment even more memorable.

There was the Christmas about five years ago I spent with my Dad and stepmom and her family. It's the last time I was with my Dad on Christmas Day. I miss those times greatly. I miss my family. I love my new family greatly, but I wish more than anything we could all be together.

Who knows? Maybe one of us will hit the lottery and be able to fly everyone here one Christmas. Maybe not.

This brings me to the present. The Mama told me last night that she was feeling blue this year. I know it has a lot to do with her job, and I totally understand. But I refuse to be down. I think back to the good times and realize that there are plenty of good times ahead. Twenty years from now, I might be blogging about that great Christmas of 2008 or 2014 or 2020.

I am so thankful for what I have. Which is why I don't worry about presents anymore. I have all that I need. Maybe not all that I want, but all that I need is much more important.

I hope you all feel the same way. But whatever the circumstances, I wish you all the happiest of holiday seasons. And if you have your Mamma, give her a hug and tell her hello for me.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Week 16 NFL picks

Depending on how you look at it, I did everyone a favor by not blogging my picks last week during my vacation. It was real bad news for you if you use my picks as a guide to take the opposite. I apologize if that's how you use this -- in that case -- very valuable tool.

We have officially given up on finishing the season .500, but there's no quit in the lovable loser. Nope, in the snow last week, we saw a vision of Mr. Frost, and he told me to stop using his name on my blog. Something about copyright infringements. So we were on our own last week. In the spirit of Marley and Ebenezer, we will invoke the ghosts of Christmas past and tell the old dead bastard to, er, live with it. We were well over .500 with him, and we're gonna try the poetry thing one more time in hopes of a 12-4 bonanza.

Here we go ...

(16 points) NEW ORLEANS minus-6.5 at DETROIT
In the spirit of Christmas,
everyone deserves a win
But if the Saints lose this one
we'll consider it a Cardinal sin
Last week: Jaguars 20, Packers (-1.5) 16 (Just the beginning of the misery)

(15 points) TAMPA BAY minus-3.5 vs. SAN DIEGO
If you have paid attention,
then you know
The NFC South wins at home
rain, sleet and, yes, even snow
Last week: Bears 27, Saints (+2.5) 24, OT (I rode that horse til it was dead. It's dead. OK, one more week.)

(14 points) CHICAGO minus-3.5 vs. GREEN BAY
The Monsters of the Midway
still have a shot,
While the Pack without Favre
sits in a stink-filled, garbage-laden rot
Last week: Falcons (-2.5) 13, Bucs 10 (NFC South at home, babbee)

(13 points) HOUSTON minus-6.5 at OAKLAND
The Texans' defense has played
mighty stout as of late,
And that's more than enough
to stop JaMarcus and his mates
Last week: Steelers 13, Ravens (-1.5) 9 (Baltimore as a favorite? What was I thinking?)

(12 points) NY GIANTS minus-2.5 vs. CAROLINA
When it comes to December
the cream rises to the top,
And in my opinion,
the Panthers are about to flop
Last week: Chargers 22, Chiefs (+5.5) 21 (KC has been a decent dog all season)

(11 points) TENNESSEE plus-1.5 vs. PITTSBURGH
Every week there's a spread
that just doesn't make sense;
So here, boys and girls,
is your chance to make the rent
Last week: Jets (-6.5) 31, Bills 27 (Noooowwww they use Mojo Lynch)

(10 points) NEW ENGLAND minus-7.5 vs. ARIZONA
I like the Pats even if
this one smells a little funny
But so did my breakfast,
that'd be eggs -- sunny and runny
Last week: Eagles 30, Browns (+13.5) 10 (OK, so I was desperate)

(9 points) CLEVELAND minus-2.5 vs. CINCINNATI
I know the Browns stink,
but so does Cincy;
It's Christmas time,
remember not to be chintzy
Last week: Colts (-17.5) 31, Lions 21 (I have been awwwwful with double-digit-spread games)

(8 points) NY JETS minus-4.5 at SEATTLE
It's almost the postseason,
and I'm rootin for the Jets
Let's just hope they
do better than the stinkin Mets
Last week: Seahawks 23, Rams (+2.5) 20 (What the F happened at the end of this one?

(7 points) INDIANAPOLIS minus-6.5 at JACKSONVILLE (Thurs.)
The Colts came out
and gave me an early present;
The rest of my picks
should float as well as cement
Last week: Dolphins (-6.5) 14, 49ers 9 (Wow, Miami's offense has become stagnant)

(6 points) BALTIMORE plus-3.5 at DALLAS
The Ravens play much better
when they're the dog
Can you imagine how good their defense would be
if they played in pea-soup type of fog
Last week: Vikings (+2.5) 35, Cardinals 14 (Picking against Arizona has been pretty easy lately)

(5 points) SAN FRANCISCO minus-4.5 at ST. LOUIS
Don't care the game,
there's no more pickin the Lambs
Of course there's only one week left
and that just makes me wanna say, "Damn!"
Last week: Texans (+3.5) 13, Titans 12 (Told ya bout dat Texans' D)

(4 points) MIAMI minus-3.5 at KANSAS CITY
Logic screams out that
the Chiefs will cover,
But I'm sorta slow
Kinda like a turtle (huh?)
Last week: Cowboys 20, Giants (+2.5) 8 (G-Men needed a wakeup call)

(3 points) WASHINGTON plus-5.5 vs. PHILADELPHIA
Cuz of last week's fiasco,
I'll hate dem Skins til the day I die;
Incidentally that's sorta the way
I feel about Rhubarb Pie
Last week: Bengals 20, Redskins (-6.5) 13 (M*%th*rf#%*er)

(2 points) MINNESOTA minus-3.5 vs. ATLANTA
The Birds aren't as good
when they leave their nest,
even if they are like mosquitoes:
such an effing pest
Last week: Panthers 30, Broncos (+7.5) 10 (Denver is one hard team to read)

(1 point) BUFFALO plus-6.5 at DENVER
The Bills are a team who
is used to the cold air;
Merry Christmas to all,
even if your name is Clare
Last week: Patriots 49, Raiders (+7.5) 26 (Not gonna mention again that I should've taken the Patsies. Oooops.)

HOW DA CMMSH FARED IN WEEK 15: 4-12, 37 points
HOW DA CMMSH FARED IN WEEK 14: 9-7, 80 points
OVERALL AGAINST DA SPREAD: 95-113 (.457), 849 points (61 per week)

TP Sports Desk Pool: JLE 1101, MLC 966, LR 949, Lopes 919, WWB 919, PVW 887, Gene Pool 885, JRap (won week, 91) 881, DJW 858, Me 849, KVP 832

Livin up to a name

It was just the most God-awful weekend of football last weekend. Maybe I was being punished for not writing during my vacation. Maybe it was give-take after the glorious "snowstorm" last Thursday. Maybe it was justice from all of the time I take from the Mama on my Sundays off spending seven hours in front of the tube (Is it a tube anymore? ... I don't know).

It began Thursday with da Boys losing. It wasn't so much that they lost, rather how (again). They come back from the dead and blow it. Why can't they be like the rest of the mediocre world and just lose? Don't comeback and give false hope. I am so sick of mediocre, I could scream. No, really. I hate mediocre. Average might as well be f***ing bottom of the barrel. There really is no difference, you know. If you lose half the time or all the time, you end up in the same place. Moving on.

The weekend got worse. On Friday, I felt like someone had tried to poison me. ... Hmmmmm. I spent the day in bed sick as a dog. (Are dogs really sick? All the time? Maybe the phrase should be "sick as a sick dog." But then why a dog? Why not a rhinoceros? Or an egret? Or even a pot-bellied pig? The questions of life.) I got up long enough to go have birthday dinner for my mother-in-law, but it was right back in bed. BTW, it was the first time I fell asleep before midnight (and stayed in bed til morning) all year, I believe.

Saturday was a little better, as the Boy's Cleary Sonics defeated the Girard Hornets in the opening game of the 10-year-old Big Dance. They lost in the second round to the Girard Tar Heels, but hey, the Boy is doing much better than I thought he would. He's made a few 3-pointers and is playing excellent defense.

Later, I saw my alma mater lose in the Louisiana High School Class 4A State Championship game. Didn't hurt my feelings all that much, as a close friend coaches for the team they lost to. Just getting that far for a third straight season is some accomplishment. Much better than mediocre, I might add.

The Mama and me finished the night off with dinner at one of my favorite restaurants -- Gimchi -- and a nightcap or two with Scotty at Sidelines. (Vacation makes me realize how much I really, really miss having Saturdays off.)

Now Sunday just plain sucked. Not to bore the non-football watcher with the details, but it comes down to this. The Mama and I have had an entry in what's called a knockout pool for the past 14 weeks. How it works is you put up 25 bucks to enter. Every week, you pick a team to win. If they win, you move on. If they lose, you're out. You cannot pick the same team twice. Last entry standing wins the pot. (Generally, when it gets down to like five, they agree to split the pot.) There were 13 entries left out of 304. We could taste the money.

You know where this is headed, I'm sure ...

So, as soon as we won the previous week, I knew who we were taking. We hadn't chosen New England yet, and they were playing the lowly Raiders. Even though I was on vacation, I drove to The T-P to keep my routine of talking to MLC, The Gene Pool and the rest of my cohorts to discuss my selection. Problem was, no one was up there when I came up. Bad Omen, I knew it. I started to doubt my selection, and then the call came. It was the Blowhole. He told me that the father of the Patriots quarterback had passed away, and the QB was leaving the team for an unspecified amount of time. Would he play? If he did, would he be effective? Could the lowly Raiders actually pull the upset. "Their defense is pretty decent," I told myself and the Blowhole.

You guessed it. I decided against the Pats. The first time ALL season I wasn't going with my original gut feeling. So we both went with the Washington Redskins, who were traveling to Cincinnati to play the 1-11-1 Bengals. Quite possibly the second-dumbest move I have ever made in my adult life. (The first has something to do with an X, a why and a pfffff.)

Sick. I mean sick. I apologized profusely to the Mama, and she was nothing but consoling. I felt better, but then I began to think it was as if I was doing the picking and she expected me to get it wrong at some point. Like there was no way I could pull off a piece of 7,200 bucks. There are such low expectations of the mediocre, I thought.

Then, the last piece of my football season remained alive. The part I cared least about all season suddenly became my No. 1 priority. It was my participation in a second fantasy football league. One I did just for kicks. And it started out great. I took a 50-point lead almost by halftime of the noon games. I still had my No. 1 player, Anquan Boldin, who was averaging about 15 points per week. I still had the second half. It didn't matter that she had (yes she) three players and a defense left.

You know where this is headed, I'm sure ...

Yep, Monday night killed me. I lost to a girl. The weekend of complete and utter failure was finalized. the lovable loser lived up to his nickname, as it was truly a loser weekend.

On Tuesday, we had the joy and pleasure of coming back to work.

And for the first time since Labor Day, we don't have anything to root for this weekend. The Saints play the winless Lions, and I could really care less. Fantasy football is over, as BMF faces the Plunderin Poons in Finks Bowl XV. Normally, I would root for my own conference to win, which would mean the Poons, but this year I truly don't give a damn.

So I come back to the premise that made me write all this. Is it really better to be mediocre than to be a loser. I have had a ton of both, so I should know by now. The truth is they both suck. Neither is worse than the other. Neither is better.

After this long-winded babble, what have we learned? I think it's that Al Davis was right.

Just win, baby.

Week 14 NFL picks

Well, we're on a roll boys and girls. The ghost of Mr. Frost is shining down on me as the weather turns a little more, er, Frosty. Two straight winning weeks and three out of four. Can we continue the trend upward toward the middle of the pack in the TP Pool?

Hang on for all the exciting developments. OK, well maybe not exciting, but interesting, maybe? OK, not even interesting, but I'm striving toward personal happiness.

Before I start with the picks, I would like to give my condolences to the family of the Pook's Flukes. Pappa Pook passed away last weekend, and the lovable loser just wants the Flukes to know we're thinkin about ya.

On with the picks ...

(16 points) CAROLINA minus-2.5 over TAMPA BAY
--> Part of our resurgence stems from doing well with the top pick. As of late, we've tried to find games that no one else liked, and that seemed to work. No such pick this week, as to me, this is as close to a sure thing as you can get. NFC South teams have been unbelievably great at home. Despite a 9-3 overall record, the Bucs have been tepid, at best, on the road. We're going to stick with trends and tll thinks the Panthers are ready to avenge a rout at The Pirate Ship a few weeks ago.
Last week: Texans (-2.5) 30, Jaguars 17 (We luvvvv Monday night)

(15 points) NEW ORLEANS minus-2.5 over ATLANTA
--> Expecting a mixed bag of picks on this one, and we're gonna continue with the home team for the fourth straight week. Since we love trends, we'll stick with the same one from our 16-point bonanza. Even the Saints do well at home, and I still believe the NFC South won't have a losing team. If that is to happen, the boys in black and gold pretty much must take this one.
Last week: 49ers 10, Bills (-6.5) 3 (Buffalo has become real bad real quick)

(14 points) CLEVELAND plus-13.5 over TENNESSEE
--> I haven't done all too well taking double-digit underdogs this year, but I like three of them this week. The Titans had their feast at Detroit last week for Thanksgiving, and who wouldn't take the Brownies lightly? They're down to their third-string quarterback, Jamal Lewis is about as fast as me, and Braylon Edwards looks like he goes on the field after eating a tub of buttered popcorn. But their defense has been stout, and the Lake Erie Warriors should keep it close.
Last week: Falcons 22, Chargers (-5.5) 16 (So much for the bookies)

(13 points) CINCINNATI plus-13.5 over INDIANAPOLIS
--> OK, this one makes no sense. That's why I like it. Remember last week's explanation about me making no sense so that's why I understand things that don't make any sense? If you understand that, you'll get that just because this is completely senseless, it makes perfect sense.
Last week: Chiefs (+2.5) 20, Raiders 13 (No way JaMarcus could pull two straight wins out of his bag)

(12 points) GREEN BAY minus-5.5 over HOUSTON
--> Goes back to what we said last week. The Texans are pretty solid at home, not so solid on the road. And one thing we know for sure is water will be solid at Lambeau this weekend, as we get just two weeks away from the official start of winter. The Pack is pissed, and I look for a good, underachieving team to take control early in this one.
Last week: Vikings (-2.5) 34, Bears 14 (Starting to love division home teams; I need to look up that stat)

(11 points) SEATTLE plus-4.5 over NEW ENGLAND
--> Speaking of not making sense. I'd like to go back to my rule of teams who have to go cross-country not usually playing very well, especially after a tough game (Belicheats routed by Pittsburgh last week). The Patriots are in a must-win, but the Seahawks have played better at home with Hasselbeck back in the fold. We'll buck the trend, and we figure we're the only one with this one.
Last week: Broncos (+7.5) 34, Jets 17 (Spread just didn't make sense to me)

(10 points) SAN FRANCISCO plus-3.5 over NY JETS
--> Another spread that makes no sense to me. Why aren't the Niners getting a touchdown here? So when the bookies are trying to get people to jump one way, I like to jump the other. And more times than not, that's the right way to go.
Last week: Colts 10, Browns (+4.5) 6 (See above and bookies and jumping)

(9 points) MIAMI plus-1.5 over BUFFALO
--> The Bills have been horrible lately, and even horribler against division teams, home or away. The Dolphins have rightfully been mentioned among serious playoff contenders. If they are to continue to be in that conversation, they HAVE to win this week. And they will.
Last week: Titans 47, Lions (+10.5) 10 (Gobble, gobble. What a turkey.)

(8 points) OAKLAND plus-9.5 over SAN DIEGO (Thurs.)
--> This is more a case of a 4-8 team giving a 3-9 team almost 10 points. Shouldn't happen. We all know the Chargers have been underachievers, but that doesn't justify this spread. Also, the Raiders seem to do well just about every other week against the spread. This is the other week, and we like the black and silver.
Last week: Ravens 34, Bengals (+7.5) 3 (The real Bungles showed up)

(7 points) CHICAGO minus-3.5 over JACKSONVILLE
--> I don't think the Bears are very good, but I have lost all confidence in the Jags. They seem to be falling apart, and couldn't move very well against the Texans. The Bears should have enough to stop the Jax running game. Oh, and if Chicago loses, they're toast. If Jacksonville loses, who cares?
Last week: Panthers 35, Packers (-2.5) 31 (Choking bastards)

(6 points) DETROIT plus-9.5 over MINNESOTA
--> Going back to division home teams, especially ones as big home dogs. You heard it here first: Don't be surprised if this is the week the laughable Lions get their first W, although I tend to believe it's going to come in Week 16 against you-know-who.
Last week: Steelers (E) 33, Patriots 10 (I probably would have taken New England if you gave me 22)

(5 points) NY GIANTS minus-7.5 over PHILADELPHIA
--> So the Eagles had a good week to fool everyone into thinking they're going to get back in the wild-card hunt. The G-Men, meanwhile, are coming off a week of inner turmoil, and will take out their frustrations on an opponent which has had quite a bit of turmoil of their own.
Last week: Dolphins (-7.5) 16, Rams 12 (Noowww the Geniuses play defense)

(4 points) PITTSBURGH minus-2.5 over DALLAS
--> The Cowboys have been wonderful since Romo has comeback, but it's been against mediocre (at best) teams. The Steelers have had -- by far -- the toughest schedule in football. Big Ben seems to be at his best at home in bad weather. Forecast: Snow flurries and temps in the upper-20s. Advantage Pittsburgh.
Last week: Giants (-3.5) 23, Redskins 7 (Stayin on the G-Men bandwagon the rest of the season)

(3 points) WASHINGTON plus-5.5 over BALTIMORE
--> The Ravens have been playing over their heads, of course, they've also been playing some pretty bad teams. The Skinsies, meanwhile, haven't had a solid game in about six weeks. I think this ends up a battle of field goals, and while I like Stover over Suisham, a 16-13 Baltimore win means pick the DC boys.
Last week: Bucs 23, Saints (+3.5) 20 (Should left em higher)

(2 points) KANSAS CITY plus-8.5 over DENVER
--> The Chiefs have been a pretty solid dog this year, while Denver is all over the place. One week good, one week pathetic, one week great, then they suck again. Well, they were excellent last week, which means Let-Down City.
Last week: Cowboys 34, Seahawks (+12.5) 9 (I hope they all choked on their turkey)

(1 point) ST. LOUIS plus-13.5 over ARIZONA
--> Sorry, I just can't let the Cardinals give anyone two touchdowns. The problem with the Rams is it's either real, real close or it's a blowout. I'm thinkin take the under and the Geniuses. Besides, I think the Beakmen my drag out clinching the NFC West for another week.
Last week: Eagles (-2.5) 48, Cardinals 20

HOW DA CMMSH FARED IN WEEK 13: 9-7, 76 points
OVERALL AGAINST DA SPREAD: 82-94 (.466), 732 points (61 per week)

TP Sports Pool standings: JLE 964, MLC 816, LR 806, Lopes 785, Gene Pool 759, WWB 749, Me 732, JRap 731, DJW 725, PVW 717, KVP (won week, 85) 712

Giving thanks

Today is not only the day we eat until we're ready to pass out, all the while leaving the mess for someone else to clean up. No, it's called Thanksgiving for a reason. If there's one thing I don't do enough of, it's to give thanks.

I'll do my best to make up a little bit, because I do have plenty to be thankful for.

--> I am thankful for Metry Mama. In fact, I am not sure how I would make it without her. She has been the best thing to happen to me -- by far -- and she is the most selfless person I have ever met. I am not just thankful for her because she cooks, cleans and does all the things I hate doing without complaining, but I am most thankful because she is my best friend. And honestly, when looking for the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, who could ask for more than that? And it's also cool that I have one of the best stepsons on the planet. I am soooo thankful for that.

--> I am thankful to have been healthy my first 40 years. Thankful, and I guess I should be sort of surprised. You know I am reminded every day by people who don't smoke that I shouldn't smoke. Did you know that it's bad for you? Someone should have told that to my grandfather who smoked, drank wine every day, ate fried food every day and lived to be 92. I guess that's part of why he was (sort of still is) my idol. Oh, and he hated George Steinbrenner.

--> I am thankful to have many friends. I know a ton of people who don't, and I know they aren't as happy as I am. Hell, I'm even thankful for Tommy Crosby. I have been blessed throughout life to be surrounded by people I could count on. And I hope I have been there for them when they needed me most. Without my friends, there have been many times throughout life where I'd a been *&*# outta luck.

--> I am thankful to have had just about everything I ever wanted. So maybe I wasn't spoiled as a kid, but I have certainly spoiled myself as an adult. Can't think of many things I need -- or want -- that I don't have. Sure, I'd love to win the lottery this weekend and never have to work again, but it's not neccessary. I enjoy life to the fullest, and not to sound like those cliches that I hate so much, but I live every day like it's my last. It's the only way to go.

--> I am thankful to have a job. It would be tough to be thankful for the last item if I didn't have a job. Especially these days. People often throw around the term uncertain times, but I don't think there have been more uncertain times in my lifetime than now. After my first five years of employment where I jumped around from job to job (I think I had like nine different ones, including three at one time at one point), I have been at The TP for a little over 18 years. It's hard to fathom. Seriously. With all the stupid things I have said and done? Wow. And thank you.

--> I am thankful for all the little things in life. Date nights with Metry Mama, although we haven't had as many as we'd have liked lately. (We're gonna fix that soon, Mama.) Football Day with Big Buffet. Poker night. The Finks Football League. The Cubbies and Saints. Being 18 again with Mike P, even if it is mostly over the phone these days. Watchin baseball with Drew and Billy and our convos about whatever -- again, not as often as I'd like anymore. Havin a drink with Scotty on Saturday nights after work and listening to Joe play all those songs no one else but me likes. My family, especially my two nephews and two nieces. And too many more to mention. But without 'em, I might lose my sanity.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Week 13 NFL picks

A little Turkey Day surprise all two of you have been waiting for. It's the early edition!

So we got a huge boost from the ghost of Robert Frost. Now, 9-7 isn't exactly lighting it up, but after the past five or six weeks of, um, picks, we'll take it. We even beat JLE this week! And although we liked the strategy, we're gonna skip trying to do the poem thing again. (Of course, we'll go right back to it if we suck again.)

Don't eat too much ... Here we go ...

(16 points) HOUSTON minus-2.5 over JACKSONVILLE
--> So what if we chickened out and stopped the two-week streak of taking the Saints up here? Obviously, TLL is not afraid to lose a pick or two. And besides, we're going to start a new streak of Monday night picks. As far as this one, I give up on the Jags. The Texans aren't world-beaters by any means, but Garrard has been awful, and three of Houston's four wins have come at home. In their previous meeting, the Texans lost by three at Jacksonville.
Last week: Saints (-2.5) 51, Packers 29 (Cha-ching)

(15 points) BUFFALO minus-6.5 over SAN FRANCISCO
--> Other than a white-washing of the Rams two weeks ago, the Niners have been awful since early in the season. Mike Singletary hasn't been the answer, although I think that's more because of Cheesetits Martz. For the Bills, if they have any shot remaining at the playoffs, they HAVE to win this one. They'll do it convincingly.
Last week: Bills (-3.5) 54, Chiefs 31 (His number is 23, Jauron. Give it to him. He wants it. Yes. Now.)

(14 points) SAN DIEGO minus-5.5 over ATLANTA
--> Oh everybody is just so ga-ga over the Falcons. Blah blah blah. So what if Matt Ryan is by far the best rookie QB of the season and should be around for a long, long time? So what if Michael Turner scored four touchdowns last week (*#&@**^#&&@ FILTH, FLARN FILTH)? So what if their defense made Carolina look like Tulane? In one of those why-is-this-spread-so-ridiculous games, the bookies know something, and I smell a rat.
Last week: Falcons 45, Panthers (E) 28 (Just plain ewwwww)

(13 points) KANSAS CITY plus-2.5 over OAKLAND
--> Everybody's off the Chiefs bandwagon and on the Raiders. It's funny how these terrible teams do well against the spread about every other week. It's not a coincidence, but it's funny. You know, not ha-ha funny, but like your cousin from Missouri funny. Weird. That's it. Weird, I meant. OK, maybe I'm a little funny. (We know, not ha ha.)
Last week: Patriots (+2.5) 48, Dolphins 28 (Told ya not to fall for the Fins givin-points-to-a-good-team thing)

(12 points) MINNESOTA minus-2.5 over CHICAGO
--> The Bears are 2-4 against teams who now have a winning record and have won just one of those on the road -- at Indy in Week 1. The Vikes haven't lost at home since Week 2 to, coincidentally, Indy. This one's for control in the NFC North, and until the Bears prove their offense isn't worthless against someone other than the Rams, I'm picking against them.
Last week: Vikings (-2.5) 30, Jaguars 12 (I sure do put the same teams in the same slot often, don't I?)

(11 points) DENVER plus-7.5 over NY JETS
--> My second "because the bookie's makin too much money on this one" pick of the week. Hey, if there's one thing I did right last week was picking the ones that didn't make any sense. My wife often tells me I don't make any sense, so it makes sense how I recognize the ones that don't make sense.
Last week: Texans (-3.5) 16, Browns 6 (That Brady Quinn deal lasted a long time, huh?)

(10 points) CLEVELAND plus-4.5 over INDIANAPOLIS
--> Man, the bookies are going to either rack up this week or take it straight up the bunghole. And seriously, how often do bookies take it in the bunghole? I mean some of them go to jail, and ... never mind. Just take the Brownies cuz everybody else isn't.
Last week: Bucs 38, Lions (+8.5) 20 (Even with a straight-up 17-point lead, never think the Lions "have this one in the bag")

(9 points) DETROIT plus-10.5 over TENNESSEE
--> Had this one higher, but then I started thinking about how pissed Tennessee will be, and I backed off slightly. Still, the Lions have been playing better, and I am convinced they aren't going 0-16. I don't think they'll win outright here, but the Thanksgiving audience won't be as bored as one might think.
Last week: Jets 34, Titans (-5.5) 13 (I did it again. I need to pay attention to this trend.)

(8 points) CINCINNATI plus-7.5 over BALTIMORE
--> Another division home team getting points. Sure seems like there have been an awful lot of them this year, huh? Ocho Cinco and daddy Marvin seem to be back on the same page, and if you take away Ed Reed, the Ravens still can't score. This might end up being the most boring game of the season. And if the weather's bad, don't be surprised with a 3-0 ending.
Last week: Ravens 36, Eagles (E) 7 (And again ... wow. Next week I am moving teams all over the place.)

(7 points) GREEN BAY minus-2.5 over CAROLINA
--> Prepare for the Exposing of the Panthers to continue against a mediocre team that plays very well at home. (Sound familiar?) All three of Carolina's losses have come on the road, and by a combined 92-41. And much like the Saints last week, the Pack has only been home once in the past five weeks. Lambeau will be rockin.
Last week: Steelers (-10.5) 27, Bengals 10 (Broke the Thursday losing streak)

(6 points) PITTSBURGH even over NEW ENGLAND
--> The Steelers' schedule has been brutal, and they remain in good shape. Despite the fact that Willie Parker looks out again, they often play just as well without him. New England, meanwhile, has alternated win-loss for five straight weeks, and only one of their wins comes against teams who now have more than six victories. The weather could be nasty Sunday, and that certainly favors Pittsburgh.
Last week: Cowboys (-10.5) 35, 49ers 22 (Had this one higher but got scurred)

(5 points) MIAMI minus-7.5 over ST. LOUIS
--> Guess the Real Men had their two weeks of fun. The Dolphins, who seem to be just about everybody's Cinderella for the playoffs, need a convincing win after last week's shellacking. The thing is if you allow 27 to the Bears, you'll probably give up 40 to the Wildcat Dolphins.
Last week: Colts 23, Chargers (-2.5) 20 (Nice comeback for naught)

(4 points) NY GIANTS minus-3.5 over WASHINGTON
--> See, if I was going with my too-good-to-be-true-and-the-bookies-definitely-know-something rule, I would certainly go the other way. But I have watch too many games these two have played the past few weeks, and I don't see any other outcome but a Redskins defeat. A big defeat. And you can see you confident I am about it.
Last week: Redskins 20, Seahawks (-3.5) 17 (Gotta love that halfa point)

(3 points) NEW ORLEANS plus-4.5 over TAMPA BAY
--> Here is my official tribute to the New Orleans Saints. Do I think they'll win? No. Do I think they'll cover? Probably not. Do I think they got me 16 points each of the past two weeks and I had an awesome time last Monday and I said I can't stop picking them until they lose and I'm gonna stick by that? Absolutely. Go Black and Gold.
Last week: Raiders (+9.5) 31, Broncos 10 (Sometimes you just don't ask questions)

(2 points) SEATTLE plus-12.5 over DALLAS
--> Hmm, let me think if I can come up with a rational explanation for this gut-feeling pick. I got it. The Seabags only lost by three points last week to a Redskins team that beat the Cowboys straight up in Texas Stadium. How's that? That's the best I can do, jackass.
Last week: Giants 37, Cardinals (+3.5) 29 (G-Men again make me look bad ... You know, kinda like poker makes Jennifer Tilly look bad?)

(1 point) PHILADELPHIA minus-2.5 ARIZONA
--> There is no way in hell anyone can make me believe the Eagles, especially Donovan McNabb, are this bad. That is no way in hell unless the Cardinals prove me wrong. Then, I never pick these scumbags again. (Unless they play the Jaguars. Nope, they don't play. OK, maybe the Chiefs. OK, good, don't play them either.)
Last week: Bears 27, Rams (+7.5) 3 (I think I learned my lesson now)

HOW DA CMMSH FARED IN WEEK 12: 9-7, 87 points
OVERALL AGAINST DA SPREAD: 73-87 (.456), 656 points (60 points per week)

TP Sports Pool standings: JLE 889, MLC 751, LR 736, Lopes 720, Gene Pool 699, WWB (won week, 94) 694, JRap 688, PVW 657, Me 656, DJW 652, KVP 627