As odd as it may sound, this blog has loyal readers and both of them are patient folks, waiting eagerly for a post of any kind. But the blog has fallen by the wayside, yet again. I suspect it’s because I’ve gotten used to expressing my life in 140 characters (Twitter) and that my life has become so dull that I’m hard-pressed to use the full 140 characters to describe it, much less create blog posts.

This last weekend was the exception. Aunt Lily got me and The Bride down to Arizona for a little Cactus League spring training. The cherries, whipped cream, sprinkles and chocolate fudge on top was the quality time with her hubby Mike, her sons Chris and Dave, and the newest member of the family, Dave’s fiancé Marissa. They’re all really nice folks with good manners and quality grooming. (DNA tests are needed to confirm I’m related to them.)

There was also lots of baseball which is my idea of heaven.

Friday was the A’s and the Brewers. A’s won.

Saturday was the A’s and the Angels. A’s won.

Sunday it rained and we missed out on Cubs and Dodgers (darn it).

Monday was the Cubs and A’s. No one kept score. (*cough* Cubs *cough*)

Dave and Chris, both of whom are highly respected professionals in their particular vocations. It’s true. The fact they’re also intelligent, handsome and funny again makes me wonder about the gene pool thing.

Uncle Mike, Aunt Lily, and The Bride. Notice how none of them are melting away in the rain. (Somehow I didn’t get a good picture of cousin-to-be Marissa. Maybe she’s a ninja.)

Here’s my good friend Hall of Fame Cubs pitcher Fergie Jenkins (who is obviously thinking “restraining order”).

You can’t see it there but he signed my hat. Oh, look. Here’s a picture for my adoring fans (both of them).

If you’re bored, there’s more pictures over at Flickr. Have fun.

Congrats to the Saints, the “Ain’ts” no more.

Later today the Pro Football Hall of Fame announces this year’s inductees (mandatory mention of Jerry and Emmitt) and there’s room for three more nominees. I’m rooting for Russ Grimm because of my fond memories of the Hogs (he’d be the first), Don Coryell, and Richard Dent.

Tomorrow is the annual Game-To-End-All-Games and, most times, it’s a yawner. Predicting a Colts victory and rooting for the Saints.

Monday begins the slowest month of the year: the space between the SB and Spring Training. Nothing important happens, sports-wise, except for Daytona.*

In March, The Bride and I will be in Arizona with some awesome folks to catch some baseball. In the meantime, the second hand on the clock will barely move.

(*Shut up, NBAers. No one takes your game seriously. Two-thirds of your teams go to the postseason. Get real.)

Beyond irritated at this cold or flu or whatever that’s got me on the disabled list. Will spare you the detail of the yuckiness but the fun part is my legs are trying to convince the rest of the body that it’s time to go outside and everything else is having none of that. As a timekiller, let’s peruse the headlines.

Much e-ink has been spilled on the Michael Vick thing and almost every printed opinion has a dog disclaimer: “I love the puppies.” Have yet to read an article where an author says he/she could live with or without them, so why waste our time with the disclaimer? Be original and say you hate the furry little maggots. (By the way, I love the puppies.)

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On Tuesday, July 21, I packed up the car and Dollar and we headed down to the Bay Area for the annual birthday trip. The plan was to visit relatives, as well as get some biking and ball games under the belt. Traffic was light all the way down thanks to most decent folks being at work and I got into town way early, so I did a quick walking tour of beautiful downtown Berkeley.

If you haven’t experienced this East Bay town, you’re missing a lot. They don’t have a “big box” store so they haven’t lost their small business store culture and community identity to the Wal-Mart and CostCo giants (yet) and here’s hoping they never do. Pictures cannot do it justice but one thing that stood out was the amount of building construction; these folks never got the memo that there’s a depression or economic downturn or whatever.

There are houses for sale if you’re interested.

Made me laugh.

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