spade is trump in crayzy 8s

David Spade has been signed for a guest gig on 8 Simple Rules. I like David Spade, he usually is good for a laugh or two. Without details on the role he'll play, I have a hard time picturing him as anything other than a slacker brother who comes in trying to help, but only ends up being a pain.

In some ways, with the rotating slot of "guest stars," this sitcom is taking the appearance of Wrigley Field's 7th-inning stretch after Harry Caray "touched home plate."

On a creepy related note...the other day, I was going through the stack of magazines that we've accumulated, and in fall TV preview edition of Entertainment Weekly (Dated Sept. 12, 2003), the preview for 8 Simple Rules begins:

8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter

Be afraid, John Ritter. "We've earned teh right to go to some darker places," says creator Tracy Gamble. "I would like our characters to become real and bleed more."

Ritter died on the evening of Sept. 11, 2003, from an aortic dissection.

UPDATE: Thinking I might not be the most prompt sleuth ever, I did a little google search. And found out this guy made the connection a mere two months before me (though I did it without dropping an f-bomb, which may be the benefit of waiting two months).

my feelings about this link are probably best expressed in song

Why say it when you can sing it?

This little link can take your most heartfelt emotions, and send an email to the person who evokes them, and some of history's finest crooners will convey your sentiment in the key of cool.

images of a depressed economy

another blogroll addition

earthly passions.

It's not what it seems by the title.

more good stuff.

RIP

The Buffs' season is over.

I shoulda known it wasn't gonna be a good day when Ralphie didn't even want to run on to the field.

Now I only have the promise of next year to keep me warm through the Bowl season.

ragamuffin round-up

WSJ best of the web compiles the left's response to President Bush's trip to Iraq. I'd just link it, but the WSJ link isn't permanent.

Sooo....

Bush Takes Baghdad

Well, now you know why we decided to write a column on the day after Thanksgiving.

Seriously, after we heard the stunning news that President Bush had flown to Baghdad to visit with U.S. soldiers, it wasn't long before we started to wonder: Just what is the Angry Left going to say about this? "He said he was going to be in Crawford. BUSH LIED!!!!"? (The Associated Press takes this line, sort of, describing the announcement that the president would be at his Texas ranch "a ruse staged in the name or security.)

The New York Times reports on the reactions of the Democratic candidates. Howard Dean sent out a spokesdwarf, Jay Carson, to announce: "It's nice that he made it over there today, but this visit won't change the fact that those brave men and women should never have been fighting in Iraq in the first place." Somehow we doubt many of the soldiers sitting in that room yesterday were wishing Dean were with them instead, telling them they're fighting for nothing.

John Kerry, the haughty, French-looking Massachusetts Democrat, took a similar tack, issuing a statement: "When Thanksgiving is over, I hope the president will take the time to correct his failed policy in Iraq that has placed our soldiers in a shooting gallery." Kerry, who voted for the war but against funding the troops, served in Vietnam, so it's little wonder his campaign is such a quagmire.

John Edwards and Joe Lieberman were more tepid in their carping. David Axelrod, an Edwards aide, "described the visit as a 'daring move and great politics,' but added: 'I think these kids need more. I'm sure they were buoyed by his coming, but they need more.' " Edwards also voted to defund the troops.

And here's Lieberman spokesman Jano Cabrera: "In fairness, visiting with the troops is exactly what a commander in chief should do. That said, we hope that he's also reassuring them that the administration will eventually have a plan to win the peace and bring our troops home soon."

Cabrera must've missed the president's speech, in which he declared: "We did not charge hundreds of miles into the heart of Iraq, pay a bitter cost in casualties, defeat a brutal dictator and liberate 25 million people only to retreat before a band of thugs and assassins." Sounds pretty reassuring to us.

Then there's Mark Bennett, the communications director for Wesley Clark's campaign, who declared: "We're not going to throw stones at the guy for trying to do a nice thing for the troops. When the president goes and spends time with the troops, that's a good thing."

Bennett then proceeded to throw stones at the guy for trying to do a nice thing for the troops back in May: "They made their bed with that 'Mission Accomplished' trip, and that's going to be around for a long time. That's not the last ad you will see with that. I will guarantee you that whoever the nominee is will have that image up."

Dick Gephardt proved himself the class of the Democratic field; the Missouri congressman, the Times reports, "declined to comment on the trip." It would have been nice if someone had simply said: We stand with the president and the troops against our nation's enemies. But a simple expression of patriotism is too much to expect from this crowd.

if CU wins, solich should be fired

The Buffs just punted the ball five yards.

5 yards.

That's fifteen feet.

One hundred-eighty inches.

My four-year-old son can accomplish that.

Maybe not in the face of a full-on rush, though.

arrgh! aaaauugh!

Well, we just took the lead...and we're going for two again (which is both okay and necessary, since we blew it last time). But we had to call a 2nd time out!

;al erijpaoweira;ln; c!

holiday favorites

I haven't spent much time at MSNBC for over a year now...only when necessary, I supppose. But today I've two links.

This one lists their "must see" Christmas movies.

My "classic" list includes:

• A Christmas Story


• Christmas Vacation


• The Santa Clause


• The Santa Clause 2 (Which shoulda been called "The Mrs. Clause")


• It's a Wonderful Life


• Scrooged


• How The Grinch Stole Christmas (the cartoon, not the film)

I've not seen Elf yet, so I don't know if it'll rate or not. I'm quite certain Bad Santa won't make the list. I'm looking forward to next years Skipping Christmas, the film adaptation of Grisham's book, featuring Tim Allen.

From what I wrote last year, my thoughts haven't changed much, just expanded a bit.

UPDATE: How could I forget White Christmas?

I didn't. I just remembered it late.

arrgh!

Since I just called Moore an idiot, I cannot use the same word for Coach Gary Barnett of Colorado, simply because it would be proportionally inappropriate.

But it baffles me how Nebraska can be wanting to fire their coach who is like 55-19 after six years, and CU is 35-27 under Barnett's leadership, with no thought of giving him the boot.

My chagrin is deepened when "coach" orders the team to go for 2 before the first half! And they fail.

It's sure tough when the team has to overcome the coaching as well as the opponent.

moore treasonous behavior

from msnbc (on a page that also asks what one can only assume is an unrelated rhetorical question about Britney Spears):

Michael Moore was greeted by cheering crowds in Germany where he told one audience “What Bush is doing now is similar to what Hitler was doing in his early days,” according to Deutsche Presse-Agentur. Meanwhile, the German mag Der Spiegel blasted Moore’s latest book, “Dude, Where’s My Country?” as incoherent and rambling and “little more than a redundant rehash of his overly familiar superficial view of the world and his overly inflated opinion of himself” but went on to say that “anti-American sentiment is running so high in Germany right now that the book cannot help but zoom right to the top of the best- seller list.”

Every once in a while, my willingness to defend a person's right to be an idiot is tempered when the idiocy panders to a sympathetic audience filled with shame over its own history. I'm really not sure for whom this webbyte is more revealing -- Moore or Germany....

see, i told you his stuff was good

Curt, The Happy Husband, writes and links links to a poem template that K.I.S.S. followed, and I do here.

Perhaps it appeals to me as a writer, or as one who is thankful of my heritage, or someone who just grew up doing MAD LIBS during recess.

Here is where you can find the template.

My contribution:

WHERE I'M FROM

I am from after-school sports, from Gatorade and competition. I'm from academics, from writing tales, and from a very present difficulty ending these sentences with the preposition 'from.'

I am from the Rocky Mountains... long, snowy winters that freeze your nostril hairs on contact. From -60 degree mornings, 8-foot snow drifts, and the promise of more snow to come

I am from the columbine, the ponderosa pine, and the rugged blue spruce. From the rock chuck, the mule deer, and the elusive wapiti.

I am from telling the same hunting stories over and again, from an independent spirit, from generations of James and Genes and an identity that is only understood as McAnally.

I am from responsibility and pride. Both of these often to a fault.

From "'can't' never accomplished anything," "Son, I have a job for you," "You better find a higher gear," and "Don't ever lie, cheat or steal."

I am from disdain for the hypocrisy of church, but saved by grace nonetheless. In this, what I am from is more a testimony of who God is than who I am. Where I'm from pales to where I'll be because of His perfect, holy love. Now, I'm from the grave, risen to a new life, found without fault despite my many faults. Where I'm from is lost, because I've been found, and by the promise of faith, where I will one day be for eternity.

I'm from Ireland via Colorado, from venison and sirloin, homemade mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, green salad and ice cold whole milk.

From the Bulldogs, Buffaloes, and the Broncos, from Sigma Chi to salvation to seminary to serving and now to the south. From laughter and love, from continual learning and back to laughter.

I am from Craig. I am from a small box-canyon where a boy can run and hike and sleep beneath the stars. I am from the love of good parents, a godly wife, great children, and a God worthy of nothing less than all I can give Him.

That's where Bryan is from.

now, where are you from?

great stuff!

The Happy Husband has been added to my blogroll.

Read him...his thoughts are on the mark!

Thanks to K.I.S.S. for the link.

an addition to the christmas list

I have the "Born Again" poster in my office.

Now an affordable version of the sculpture is available.



This isn't really a very good picture, though...

thankful for mindless quizzes that mean next to nothing

from Jen, from WIT


What Pattern Are You?


What Kind of Cookie Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla


and a couple more:


You're just the happy go-lucky type. You might have
your pet peeves, but other than that, you're
mainly calm. Blending in with your
surroundings, you're the type of person who
everyone likes. Usually it's you who cracks
jokes at social gatherings - after all,
laughter is the best medicine. Sometimes you
pretend to be stupid, but in all actuality, you
could be the next Einstein.


What Type of Soul Do You Have ?
brought to you by Quizilla



cuddle and a kiss on the forehead - you like to be
close to your special someone and feel warm,
comfortable, and needed


What Sign of Affection Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

here comes the bride

Wynnonnonnannaannana (I can never remember how to spell her name correctly) got married. Not that this is any real news, outside the households Judd and....Roach. When my mom was here, she bought several mags, including one of the National Enquirer variety (though I'm not sure that's the one it is). In that particular issue, it mentioned her (thanks Irene) Judd's then-impending nuptials, declaring on the cover that she'd be a "220-lb bride."

I'm not a fan of Ms. Judd. I don't know any of her music. I know her momma was a star search judge and her sister plies in the acting trade. I just thought it was unfortunate that this highly reputable media outlet felt necessary to list her weight in such a manner to appear that she was a ballooning bride. As far as I can tell (which I confess, I have a limited insight into her personal and professional history), Mrs. Roach has never attempted to present herself as a skinny Minnie.

Congratulations ma'am. I hope you enjoyed two pieces of your wedding cake.

graham endorses a passion-ate gibson

via Newsmax:

Billy Graham endorses Mel Gibson's "Passion of Christ"

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Hollywood Producer/Director Mel Gibson made a special trip last month to show his new film, "The Passion of the Christ," to Rev. Billy Graham and discuss the actor's decade-long spiritual journey that inspired him to a message of love and forgiveness central to the Gospel Mr. Graham has preached for more than 60 years.

"I have often wondered what it must have been like to be a bystander during those last hours before Jesus' death," Mr. Graham said. "After watching 'The Passion of the Christ,' I feel as if I have actually been there. I was moved to tears. I doubt if there has ever been a more graphic and moving presentation of Jesus' death and resurrection - which Christians believe are the most important events in human history.

"The film is faithful to the Bible's teaching that we are all responsible for Jesus' death, because we have all sinned," Mr. Graham continued. "It is our sins that caused His death, not any particular group. No one who views this film's compelling imagery will ever be the same."

Mr. Gibson came to see Mr. Graham twice, before and after he had the opportunity to screen the film. In both meetings, the evangelist became convinced of Mr. Gibson's deep sincerity and great desire that this motion picture be used to bring a new emphasis on those events 2,000 years ago and their relevance to us today.

Jim Caviezel, who played Jesus, joined in those meetings, and Mr. Graham was impressed with his deep sincerity and the commitment of him and his wife, Kerri, to the Gospel.

"The Passion of the Christ" is set to open in theaters on Ash Wednesday, February 25 - which is the beginning of the Lenten Season, a time when Christians solemnly reflect on Christ's sacrifice, before celebrating His resurrection on Easter Sunday morning. Mr. Graham said he believes the timing will add to the spiritual impact this film may have on mainstream audiences.

kelsi's newest words...and she means it!

audio post powered by audblog

al qaida must be verrrry unhappy today

President Bush flipped a figurative Thanksgiving-Day Bird to terrorists today by flying in to the redzone to encourage the troops.

This is yet another reason why I'll again vote for W in '04.

Meanwhile, Billary visted Afghanistan in an attempt to keep up a profile of significance for future relevance.

Compare the two trips...is the difference in respect and admiration as obvious to you as it is to me?

vs.

these guys are getting it

Church Triples Size by Speaking Different Languages

Charisma News Service

An Assemblies of God congregation in California has tripled in size during the last eight years, partly by learning to speak different languages. Rich Guerra, pastor of Visalia First Assembly in Visalia, which attracts 3,000 people for Sunday-morning services, said the growth is the result of a willingness to reach out to the community. The 75-year-old church, which built its first permanent building in 1931, has services in Spanish, Lahu and Korean. It has a weekly radio program
with a 150-mile radius. "We've been willing to get out of our comfort zone," Guerra said. The church's mission statement is "to connect people to God and His church, help them grow in their faith, equip them to serve and share their faith and experience genuine worship." Last year, about 850 people signed salvation cards. The congregation's community-minded outreaches include using its 40 acres for citywide high school band and choral concerts, as well as musical competitions, which typically draw 2,000. The church is also used as a meeting site for local businesses. Additionally, youth hang out and play video games after school or on weekends at Visalia First.

This congregation understands that you'll never understand what church has to offer you until you become available to share what God offers to everyone else.

a.p. headquarters located in the state of moronicity

The Associated Press has proven it doesn't know the meaning of its own last name, thinking it newsworthy that the President mispronounced Nevada.

It might have been newsworthy if Bush had said "It's great to be here in Utah," or if he had said the silver state's governor was Tony Blair. But simply said "Ne-vah-duh" instead of "Ne-vaaa-duh."

People are always calling my home state "Colorahdo" when its clearly "Coloraaado." Locals call Missouree "Mizzurah." I've been corrected that here in Georgia, its "Duh-LAWN-uguh," not "DAHL-o-nega" and it's "Ami-CUH-lola," not "aaa-mickuh-LOLA." Just yesterday, while playing flag football, I encouraged my deliberately enunciating daughter to chase after her uncle Jamie the quarterback when she got to "5 Missippi." If I could have got her to drop one of the two extraneous esses and peas I would have tried.

Things must be getting pretty desperate when the public relations arm of the Democratic Party that is the AP thinks this is important. < sarcasm > Bush obviously hates Nevaaaaaaaaduh. He was elected to represent ALL 50 states, not just the 49 he likes. Impeach him. < /sarcasm>

And just to remind everyone...Nevada was a Bush state.

opus returns

for those of us who don't partake in the print newspaper comix, here's the return of opus.

the day that is

After a wonderful lunch of yesterday's greatest reheats, our family all bedded down in our individual sleeping units and enjoyed a much needed nap.

Today is a great day indeed.

bravo!

Project Greenlight was redlighted at HBO. But the gayest station on television wants to give it a chance.

As I've said before, I really enjoyed "Greenlight" because of the behind the scenes scenes it provided to the movie biz. I wonder if it'll be watered down for basic cable.

I don't know if this will be enough to get me to watch Bravo, but I was pleased to see that at least one more round of aspiring writers & directors will be given a shot at afflecdamondom.

sung to the tune of its the most wonderful time of the year

As inevitable as Santa wrapping up the big show in New York's annual parade comes the impending thematic change here at Clarity.

I sure ho ho hope you like it.

tryptophantastic!

My family has departed for the airport. Macy's NBC shillfest "parade" is on the television. The Cowboy's game will eventually find its way to our screen, leading us toward thoughts of thankfulness for our loved ones in Texas. We pretty much intend to do nothing today, other than eating leftovers of our feasts from days previous. I'll probably blog intermittently over the events of the past week.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving day!

fyi

No real time for blogging today. My folks arrived yesterday. My brother arrives tonight. We golf tomorrow. I'll check in as able.