The Language Barrier

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/080517&sportCat=nfl&campaign=rsssrch&source=gregg_easterbrook

http://www.dailykitten.com/archives/1825-darwin-3.html

http://www.dailykitten.com/?p=1825

Location: Quebec, Quebec, Canada

This is Darwin, an orange tabby barn cat. We adopted him when he was two months old. He quickly adjusted to indoor life, but still loves chasing toy mice. He is now one year old and lives with his adoptive cat sister. He is a now a large, fluffy long-haired cat. He loves any kind of food, belly rubs, visitors and he is very vocal.

http://s2nblog.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/above-the-rim-why-dont-we-win-one-on-the-road/

http://s2nblog.wordpress.com/?p=2240

The 108-105 final shouldn’t have been nearly as close as it was; it’s a testament to the Jazz that they can fight back like that (and it probably wouldn’t have been that close if the refs didn’t seem like they were trying to equal out fouls each way.) But, Kobe Bryant got 34 (12 in the 4th), and Pau Gasol’s 17 points and 13 boards have the Lakers awaiting the winner of the Game 7 between the Spurs and the Hornets. Neither Carlos Boozer nor Mehmet Okur could really get it started tonight, as they hadn’t for much of the series, and that means that no matter what Deron Williams did, it wasn’t going to be enough. Whether Kobe & his Bench Mob, as SI called them, are going to be title-worthy is still anyone’s guess — as that closing was less than convincing.

Clearly, when Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are under 20 points for a game right now, it’s not good for the Celtics (Pierce had 16, Allen only nine points.) When LeBron is going off for 32 and 19 of those come in the second half on top of that, it means we’ve got Game 7 on Sunday, and what looks like the competition to see who can lose to the Pistons in six. What’s amazing is that LeBron is still shooting poorly yet he’s getting his in — he’s capable of destroying a team badly, and if it starts falling on Sunday, I expect Boston to cough it up.

Photo: AP/Steve C. Wilson

http://s2nblog.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/stealing-signals-three-times-as-nice-2/

http://s2nblog.wordpress.com/?p=2238

Phillies 10, Blue Jays 3 - Jayson Werth goes deep three times and sets the Phillies record with 8 RBIs driven in.  The Jays’ David Purcey gets victimized for two of them, is sent down to Triple A immediately afterwards.

Angels 4, Dodgers 2 - Joe Saunders gets to 7-1 by only giving up a two-run jack to Andre Ethier.

Rangers 16, Astros 8 - Josh Hamilton goes 5-for-5 with two homers, as Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Michael Young, David Murphy, and Chris Shelton all take the Houston pitching staff deep.

White Sox 2, Giants 0 - Alexei Ramirez fills in for Juan Uribe and hits it out for the only runs of the game. Gavin Floyd and four relievers shut San Francisco’s lousy line-up out.

Diamondbacks 4, Tigers 3 - Dan Haren pitches seven solid, Eric Byrnes hits a homer and drives in two.

Twins 4, Rockies 2 - Colorado keeps falling, losing its sixth straight as Nick Blackburn pitches six innings to get the win. Clint Barmes was a homer short of the cycle in the losing effort.

Cubs 7, Pirates 4 - Alfonso Soriano hits two homers in his first two at-bats. Mark DeRosa and Geovany Soto add jacks to help Sean Gallagher, who gets his first win with six innings of one-run work.

Photo: AP/H. Rumph, Jr.

http://www.GiantITP.com/comics/oots0557.html

http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/2008/05/overwhelmed-by.html

[SNICKER]

Humblest apologies, y'all.  Happy Friday!  ;-)

http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/2008/05/post.html

[Parting red curtains and stepping center stage] We got 'chur kittens 'n' bunnehs, we got yer bunnehs and puppehs, we got black, white, orange, brown—it's a total melting pot of furry redonkulousness! Step right UP!

First up is: "Eyeball to eyeball" [Deafening applause]

Then; protective ear covering pardner; [golf claps]



Followed by; "Me and Sleepy Grandpa" [Laugh track guffawing]

Next up: "I charge 2.5 carrots per hour per baby" [oooooooooohhh! audience intimidated sounds]

And then there's the 'Dancing with the Hares' duo [clapping to tango beat]

While this pup gets two enthusiastic thumbs up for nappular abilities; [Laugh track giggles]

And these two are checking comparing hairspray hold for their ears [Wooooooooo! audience laugh track]

And these dudes are just one big mountain o' Calico mess; [Audience jumping to feet, Showtime at the Apollo style]

Premature grey is IN (Not to mention stubbularness) [golf clap]

And finally, that all-too-familar Bunny Mama [Aw, haaaaaaaaaaaaayle no! Crazed lady jumps up from audience]

Thank you for coming and see you next year... [curtains close]

[Photos appear to be the work of Jane Burton, though I can't seem to find a real homepage for her - Ed.]

http://s2nblog.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/it-helps-to-read-a-history-book-or-two/

http://s2nblog.wordpress.com/?p=2237

At least it does before you go on national cable TV, I’d think. Chris Matthews is a dick (despite my dislike for Hillary Clinton as a candidate, the sexist remarks he’s made about her are awful), but he lines up this radio guy Kevin James from KRLA fairly easily.

Look, if you’re going to defend references to appeasement and basically accusing presidential candidates of it, be sure you know how to define appeasement and what got British PM Neville Chamberlain that label. The Sudetenland! Know it, motherfucker! Wikipedia’s pretty easy to use, and in Chamberlain’s case, is pretty accurate.

(I’m trying to get some political stuff, music, and other non-sports stuff back on here occasionally. Bear with me.)

Ok, so I was at the ZZ Top show at The Backyard last night. So anyone that's been there recently knows what an absolute NIGHTMARE parking has become there... Especially leaving.

It offered up an occasion for an amusing observation.

In the aftermath of the show, the parking lot took on an almost "tailgate party" feel. Since there is only ONE way into the parking area, this means an exodus of many, many cars trying to leave all at one time, through a VERY small, one car at a time pathway. (Believe me folks, if you are planning on going to one of the last shows at the Backyard at this location, do yourself a favor, and take a cab. You'll be glad you did.) Parked right next to me, looked to be a guy, maybe around my age, possibly a little older, his son, and what was either the son's girlfriend or sister. Now dad is standing outside of the truck, smoking a joint, staggering JUUUUUUUUUST a little bit. He shared a little bit, as did I, as we reminisced about past ZZ Top shows.

We had a nice "conversation", and he goes walking back over to the truck where his kids are. He stands outside, takes a little more, and a piss, and his son starts saying to him,
"Dad, come on! Let's go!"
He replies, (with just a TIIIIINY bit of slurring), "What are you in such a hurry for? To go sit in line and wait THERE in exhaust fumes, instead of just sitting here? What's the big deal? What are you in such a hurry for?"
"I don't want to sit here all night, we can go! Come on!"

Here's the part I find amusing, and albeit, ironic.

Rewind that scene, 20 some odd years.

Dad was likely the one in the drivers seat, son was outside the car, and dad was yelling at him to get his butt in the car. For different reasons, and a different scenario, most likely. The mechanics of this situation however, would still have been the same.

You know, "things" in life... the mechanics of life... really don't change. They stay the same. Only the roles, and us, actually change.

Happy Friday everyone! Enjoy your weekend, and make sure you do something to guarantee you'll have at LEAST one good time.

http://www.dailykitten.com/archives/1823-obi-wan.html

http://www.dailykitten.com/?p=1823

Location: Medina, Ohio, USA

My little Obi-Wan, little brother to Lando and Leia. He’s still living at the rescue shelter with his mom, but he’ll be able to come home in a few short weeks. He’s an independent little guy, active, curious, and sweet. I can’t wait until he can come home to me!

http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/2008/05/ive-been-waitin.html

I can't believe they raised bus fare to one squirmy wallaby.

Used to be one hamster round trip.

Flavia A., I suggest you unicycle to work.