I have a new house!

It's the yellow one on the right...


View Larger Map

...so if you know anyone looking for a room to rent...

Mr. Simpson

As I head from Washington, D.C., to the great state of Minnesota to meet my dear old dad and watch A Prairie Home Companion, I thought I'd take the time to drop a few lines from a dear old Senator who once represented the great state of Wyoming, Al Simpson. He's got some interesting things to say about the Republican Party's recent past and the future going forward with Barack Obama.

I got a chance to interview Al Simpson once when I was still working at the Gillette News-Record. I'll never forget that conversation. Man is he a firecracker and a straight shooter, too.

This is...

...unbelievable. Only in Gillete. Check that. Wright.

Craigslist

If I see "seeking young professional" one more time, I think I'm going to scream.

Free agency

After a thrilling Phillies victory, the business of baseball is back upon us. Decisions have to be made, players have to be let loose — "this is the hardest job a manager has." In any case, the Phils don't have a whole lot to lose... It would be nice to Pat Burrell and Jamie Moyer back in the fold, since the former came up through the system and the latter was the team's heart and soul, but in the end, I'm not sure either will make or break the Fightin's.

A big relief, for sure, made more fun by watching the disaster that is the Mets unwind itself like bad debt at an investment bank. There are so many big, washed-up names, that it's impossible to put them all down here, so I'll single out just one: Pedro Martinez. Wow, did the Metropolitans ever get him at a bad time... Four years, 32 wins, $51 million-plus.

For those keeping score at home, that's averages out to about $1.6 million per win. And they still don't have a World Series like we do!!! Ha ha ha... Take that one to the bank, New York!!!

As we head toward the election...

...something to chew on. You know, our "great national debate." Right:

I love this video

I found this on The 700 Level blog. I could probably watch it a million times. I met Wheels with Poppi... It's great to see him so excited. And Harry K... Don't get me started. He's been the background music to every summer I've spent at Camp Overhill. Oh man. I wish I could be at that parade tomorrow.

I was in Philly on Monday...

...took the train up for the celebration that's happening tonight. The rain thwarted my plans. Argh.

It's hard to not be there. I love the Phillies and have for a long time (at age 8 I named my hamster Lenny Dykstra, though he turned out to be a she... oh well). Yeah, they're a baseball team, a lovable, tough one, too. But I think the reason I love them so much is because they are one of the closest common experiences I have with my grandmother and my late grandfather. Nonna loves baseball and Poppi lived and breathed it.

So this World Series, while it is not mine to dedicate, per se, is for them. It's for that glorious city. And for me, a huge fan, it's just nice to watch.

Thanks FIghtin's for a great season. You're no longer lovable losers. You're lovable champions.

See you in Clearwater!!!