Now That Sounds Like A Heck Of A Game

I just saw that the Messenger posted the score of Bridgeport's playoff game tonight. Bridgeport 42, (Unbeaten) Monahans 43 - In overtime. I bet that was exciting.

Remind Me . . .

. . . not to win the lottery.

How Odd Is This

Speaking of yesterday's Turkey Trot, consider this tidbit about the "winners" from the Morning News: Logan Sherman's plan of someday finishing a race hand in hand with friend Scott MacPherson always had a hitch. "I was always too slow for him," said Sherman, 19, a Pearce grad. Not Thursday. The two were the first finishers in the eight-mile run in 40:42.89, crossing the line with arms raised, hand in hand. Race officials awarded Sherman first and MacPherson second. "He's one of my good friends, and we don't want to kill each other in a fun race like this," said MacPherson, 18, a Plano High grad.

What Kind of Holiday Is This?

First Jessica and Nick split up and now Mr. Miyagi has died.

Titanic

Titanic is on HBO tonight. Kate Winslet was absolutely stunning in the movie.

Braggart

I am pleased to announce that I just finished the 8 mile Dallas Turkey Trot in 1 hour 10 minutes and 2 seconds. And now my body hurts. Badly. Two observations: (1) There's nothing fun about being passed by guys or girls wearing T-shirts with motivational sayings on the back (i.e. "Pain is weakness leaving your body" - sheesh, tell that to my left thigh that is on fire) and (2) I never wanted a camera more than when I was passed at the five mile mark by a guy wearing nothing but a speedo (a tight speedo) who had glued or pinned actual bird feathers to his butt to resemble a turkey's backside and who was carrying a full sized American flag. Now that made me laugh.

The Ugliest Dog In The World

. . . has died.

The Creator of . . .

. . . Stove Top Stuffing has died. Ironically, on the day before a day know for turkey and dressing.

Creepy

I try to go back and watch movies that are considered "classic". Tonight, on HBO, is Rosemary's Baby. I saw it about three years ago. It's crazily creepy. And then I learned this trivia: The movie was directed by Roman Polanski who at the time was married to Sharon Tate. Tate would be murdered one year later by Charles Manson's followers. Stay with me here: The Manson clan called their death spree "Helter Skelter" after the 1968 song by The Beatles. Beatles front man John Lennon would later live in, and be killed in front of, his apartment building called The Dakota - where Rosemary's Baby was filmed.

Give The Girl Credit

Madonna's new album, "Confessions on a Dance Floor", has debuted at #1.

Top Sports Movies

Entertainment Weekly has llsted the Top 30 Sports movies of all time: 1. Raging Bull (never saw it but heard it's great) 2. Caddyshack (classic) 3. Hoosiers (watched half of it but got bored) 4. Rocky (I actually like Rocky 2) 5. Bull Durham (very good) 6. Million Dollar Baby (on my Bottom Ten list of worst movies) 7. Breaking Away (great) 8. The Bad News Bears (have never seen it in it's entirety) 9. Friday Night Lights (great) 10. Slap Shot (funny but overrated) 11. The Pride of the Yankees (never saw it) 12. Kingpin (Deserves to be here for Bill Murray's hair in the end scenes) 13. The Set-Up (1949 boxing movie I never saw) 14. North Dallas Forty (never saw all of it) 15. Eight Men Out (never seen) 16. Brian's Song (makes me cry) 17. Field of Dreams (extremely overrated) 18. White Men Can't Jump (boring) 19. Fat City (never saw it) 20. Heaven Can Wait (never saw it) 21. The Rookie (never saw it) 22. Cinderella Man (never saw it) 23. The Freshman (never saw it) 24. Rocky III (became a cartoon of itself) 25. The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings (huh?) 26. Love & Basketball (huh, again?) 27. Better Off Dead (this is a sports movie?) 28. Tin Cup (very good) 29. The Longest Yard (good but overrated) 30. Bend it Like Beckham (never saw it) I haven't seen many sports movies, after all.

I Hate The Dentist

But even though I spent an hour in the horrible dentist chair this morning, I still like my dentist: Dr. Dan Selz of Bridgeport (who has been looking at my teeth and shaking his head for a number of years now).

I Gripe About This Every Year

Get ready for Numbing Boredom News today. The big story (as it is every year on this day): Beware of heavy travel. Let's cut to Jim out at DFW airport who is reporting in front of the ticket counters. Let's throw it out to Laurie who is standing by I-635. Let's see the helicopter view of I-35. And then let's be sure to hear the travel safety tips: Check your tires. Give yourself lots of time. Have a flame thrower in your trunk in case you get stranded. (OK, maybe not the last one). And you know what the big news story will be two days from now.

Not That The Aggies Can Do Anything About It

I was watching sports on Fox 4 News a second ago and they ran a clip of UT quarterback Vince Young referring to the A&M crowd as "a bunch of drunks" and the storied swaying at Kyle Field as "ridiculous". Delicious. The two teams meet on Friday.

More Hot Teacher News

As I watch Nancy Grace on CNN (who puts me over the edge like no other person on the face of the earth), I noticed that Debra LaFave, the defendant, appeared in court today in a skirt that was about four inches above the knee. It's like she's portraying herself as some vixen - which she just might be - for upcoming book deals and movie rights. She chose that outfit for a reason. But, man, is she good looking. And, man, Nancy Grace annoys me.

My Favorite Childhood Cartoon

Hottest Sex Offender On The Planet Pleads Guilty

A female teacher pleaded guilty Tuesday to having sex with a 14-year-old student, avoiding prison as part of a plea agreement. Debra Lafave, 25, will serve three years of house arrest and seven years' probation. She pleaded guilty to two counts of lewd and lascivious battery. The former Greco Middle School reading teacher apologized during the hearing, saying "I accept full responsibility for my actions." A Google image search of her is here.

Paul McCartney's . . .

. . . set list from his AAC show on Sunday night is here.

Breaking News

"The Texas Supreme Court ruled this morning that local property taxes used to pay for public schools amount to an unconstitutional statewide tax and has given the state until June 1 to fix the system." This is huge. If property taxes cannot be used for school funding, what will the legislature do? A state income tax (by constitutional amendment), a higher sales tax, or something else?

Let's Confuse Our Kids A Little More

Enough To Make You Want To Propose

I'm more amazed that you can get $40,000 in cash gifts at an engagement party than the fact someone would steal it.

Thanksgiving Thought

I don't know why I like this week so much. Perhaps because, for me, it is so nostalgic.

I am now in my early forties (sheesh). But, despite the passage of all those years, on Thanksgiving I will have the remarkable sensation of sitting down for dinner in the same house, in the same room, and in the same chair that I have celebrated Thanksgiving in since I could first walk.

And I always remember, as I sit down, that I was in this special place as a second grader, as a junior high kid, as a senior in high school, as I a college kid, as a law school student, as a bright eyed guy entering the work force, as a DA, as an ex-DA, and whatever it is I have now become.

 As I said, I like this week.

And To Think It Was Hot Three Weeks Ago

One thing I forgot to mention about my Jacksboro trial a couple of weeks ago was that the air conditioning wasn't working for the first day of trial. As I stood in front of 100 people during jury selection in a suit and with the temperature rising, it was difficult to look cool. Throw in the fact that the absence of the A/C made it so quiet that you could hear a pin drop, and the moment was surreal. I felt like I was in "To Kill A Mockingbird".

The Trailer . . .

. . . for the new King Kong movie looks great.

But I Don't Understand Why Her . . .

. . . picture has made "Yahoo's Most Emailed Photos".

Radio Death Follow Up

I was listening to what would have been the Glen Miller Show today at around 1:00 p.m. The station had brought in a group of friends and other radio personalities to talk about Glen. (For you Ticket fans, Norm Hitzges and Gordon Keith were there). But at the end of the show, Norm observed: "This reminds us of our own mortality. How we think we will receive some warning or that we are entitled to a warning. And that is simply not true."

Radio Death

You have to be a Public Radio fan, but the death of KERA's Glenn Mitchell came as a shock to many of us yesterday. He sounded like a good guy.

This Cartoon Appeared in The Messenger This Week

Another Reason Why Christmas Drives Us All Crazy

Video of a house decked out in lights synchronized to music. I couldn't stop watching it.

I Think I Could Take Him

Click here to find out who he is (which is pretty fascinating).

Moral Majority

I'm watching "With God On Our Side: George W. Bush and the Rise of the Religious Right in America". So far, it is fair and balanced (to steal a phrase) and treats everyone with respect. And it's fascinating. I had forgotten that Ronald Reagan, when running for President in 1980, appeared in Dallas before "2,500 conservative pastors from 41 states". And with Jerry Falwell and James Robison on the platform with him, Reagan said, "I know you can't endorse me, but I endorse you." The place went wild. And with that, the Religious Right had arrived.