Carnac the Magnificent

I was thinking about the old shows I used to watch as a kid a while ago.

One of my favorite routines was the Carnac skit on The Tonight Show.

Click HERE for a skit from before I can remember clearly, as Carnac skit from 1974.

Music Friday: "Our Spirits in a Material World"

As I was driving the kids to daycare this morning, I was listening to a "classic rock" station. And they played this song by the Police, which depressed me.

You know you're getting old when music you listened to in high school is now classic rock.

Click HERE to watch a video from one of the best bands of the 80s.

Urinating, Pretending to Fall, and Then Falling

Click HERE for a humorous news report out of Minnesota.

It appears that alcohol was involved. 

"One World, Under God"

The April issue of The Atlantic has one of the more interesting articles about religion I've read in a long, long time.

It looks at Christianity, and in particular the marketing of the Christianity by Paul, and how the religion was adapted for globalized world of religious ideas. One heading of the article is "Paul as CEO."

Click HERE if you're interested.

Sunday Hangover: A-Day Game

While most A-Day games (final spring scrimmage for Alabama) don't provide a lot of exciting news, here are my so-called thoughts on some of the highlights/lowlights of interest from Saturday.

With the loss of two very good TEs who were seniors, it was nice to see Colin Peek and Preston Dial step up and catch quite a few passes during the game. Dial, in particular, tied with Marquis Maze as leading receiver. Besides Julio Jones, Maze was the receiver that stood out. He had a couple of reverses that were outstanding. And he's supposedly the fastest guy on the team, so I expect him to the get the ball in his hands more often this season. The dude's short though. Unfortunately, he didn't catch a few balls thrown his way that drew the ire of Coach Saban and groans from me. 

McElroy, for the most part, looked good, but in regard to those after him on the depth chart I wasn't impressed. The heralded recruit, Star Jackson, made poor decisions. And Thomas Darrah, presumably number 3 on the depth chart at QB as a walk-on, didn't do much early on, but got better as the game wore on. But if McElroy gets hurt sometime this year, that's scary. A freshman QB is coming in this fall, but he needs a year in the weight room and training table. 

The rushing offense didn't look good at all. With both Upchurch and Ingram out of action for the sake of precaution, it's hard to tell if the offensive line and running offense stunk or the rush defense is just that good. I'd have to lean toward the latter. 

Music Friday: "Hammond Song"

Click HERE for an old song that I was introduced to by one of Oxford American's Southern Music issues a few years back.

It's "Hammond Song" by the Roches. It's a song that grows on you, and then you get addicted.

Victory in Champaign

As can be read about HERE, the EIU Panthers traveled to Champaign and beat the Illini in a 5-1 victory.

The Panthers have won 15 of their last 16 games.

If they keep this up, they'll be in an NCAA regional for sure.

Just When You Thought

Just when you thought this writer would take a break from commenting on Alabama football, I get pulled back in.

Alabama's A-Day game is this Saturday, and this annual event will be televised by ESPN from 2-4 pm. 

While the focus will be on the quarterback position and the yet to be rebuilt offensive line, I expect the defense to dominate. 

The past few A-Day games have had huge attendance figures, with the past two being filled to capacity (93K+ fans). 

I went to a couple of these while I lived in T-Town. For one, it's a free football game. And two, you get to see hints of what's in store next season. 

So dear readers, expect a "Sunday Hangover" post.

Green Collar Jobs

As reported by an AP reporter recently, click HERE for the article, two-year colleges are doing a good job of adjusting to job training made necessary by the growth of alternative energy and, well, a sucky economy.

While many two-year colleges are doing a good job of adapting/changing, I haven't seen as many four-year colleges making this area a priority. Universities are "greening" themselves and their images, sure, but the number of four-year colleges offering degrees related to alternative energy is pretty small.  

Music Friday: "The Hanging of Charlie Birger"

Click HERE to watch a band play its  "Trashcan Americana" music.

There were here in Chucktown last Saturday, but I missed it because of my son having to be in the hospital.

Regardless, they look like they offer a great show. The band hails from Makanda, Illinois, which is in the southern part of the state.  Click HERE if you're interested in trolling the band's website.

The NL Central

In another forum in which I like to pontificate, I picked the Cubs to win the NL Central.

I think I'm going to change that pick after some further thought. I think the Cards will win the division, and the Cubs win the wild card although the Reds could surprise.

I just don't like the center field situation with a Fukudome/Johnson platoon. While I've complained about not having enough left-handed bats in the lineup for a long time and I like Bradley, he'll get hurt sometime. I also worry about Harden and Dempster having strong years.

KTVO

A friend of Planned Ob passed along this link.

For anyone who has had the displeasure of watching a KTVO local news broadcast, this link (click HERE) should provide a chuckle or two.

Anita Lay. Great stuff.

Music Friday: "Philosophy"

I got a fever. And the only prescription is keyboards.

Click HERE to watch Ben Folds Five perform on a British TV program.

Enjoy the "punk rock for sissies."

Bears Fans

Bears fans are all atwitter about getting Cutler.

I've listened to a tiny bit of sports talk radio today, and Jay Cutler seems to be seen as the second coming. 

The dude is one solid QB, but I don't if this acquisition makes them invincible like some fans are acting like the Bears now are.