Thursday, December 23, 2004
Good morning everyone!! Well, I am very much happy to report that I do have internet access at home again. I couldn't explain to you what was wrong with it, or what happened, if someone wrote it down for me and all I had to do was repeat it. I am happy to report that it was nothing that I did!!
I was hoping to come back from the writing dead that I have been in so far this week. But then I realized that I am heading home for Christmas after work today. Before that point, I have to do some dishes, clean up the house, pack some clothes, and other household thing. Not only that, but tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I still had to finish up my shopping. So instead of sitting in front of the computer and writing a quality blog entry, I chose to keep some of my family members happy with me by buying them stuff!
I hope you understand. But, of course, I can't just write nothing either. I am a yapper and have to give you something, so here are just a couple of things for the weekend. (There will not be a new posting until next Monday or Tuesday)
THANK YOU
First of all, I have to thank all of you who have visited this site, especially those who make it a part of your daily routine. I do work pretty hard and spend a lot of time to try to give a quality, fun, and informative site. I really appreciate all of you who take the time to e-mail me and tell me what you think about what I write, whether you agree or disagree. I have gone from maybe talking my family and a couple of friends into coming to this site at the beginning to getting well over 300 hits a day. So, thank you!
There are so many other people that I should really thank. I almost hate to note them by name because I will probably forget some and I don't want to do that. But I need to thank the members of the NFL "Expert" Panel that you see below. I need to thank Rita Maloney for checking out the site from time to time and giving me an opportunity to be on the radio a few times this year. I need to thank so many bloggers out there for what they do. You probably read a number of the sites at the left side of this screen, and I do too. I would strongly encourage you to check out all of the Twins sites. Each one has had an impact on this site! And there are many other blogs that I read as well that I can say the same thing about. I need to name two of them and tell you all to bookmark their sites. The first is The Baseball Savant. David Bergner writes the site and is very thorough, and the topics he covers are great. But David is also a great guy who I keep in contact with on a frequent basis. We throw ideas and theories off of each other. I don't know about him, but it certainly helps me! The other person and site I need to mention is Brent Hanson at BrentNet. Brent's site has so many topics from all realms of society, it is fun for me to read non-sports topics on the same page as Twins and Wolves thoughts. His forums also provide you with an opportunity to express your thoughts, knowledge and opinions to a bigger audience.
I need to thank the Twins organization and those involved for giving me plenty to talk about. The offseason is particularly fun for debate. I feel lucky to be a Twins fan. I sometimes am frustrated by their lack of spending, but other times I am very happy because I can really cheer for the team and know how much thought goes into putting it all together. As I was quoted as saying in an October article in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, "I am happy to cheer for a team where winning a World Series title is thrilling news, not expected as in other cities."
I also need to thank the Chicago White Sox, particularly GM Ken Williams who also provides me with plenty to talk about. His offseason moves this year have been almost laughable. Why, just yesterday, he signed Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, to a 2 year, $8 million offer. That's just crazy for a guy who is who-knows-how-old and has been hurt much of the last three or four years of his career. He has traded arguably his best hitter, Carlos Lee, for a .250 hitter with speed. As I said a couple of weeks ago, it appears that he is doing his best to "compete with the Royals for 4th place in the AL Central."
Overall, I am thankful for so many things this Christmas, and one of them is the relationships and opportunities I have been afforded through this site. Thank you to all of you! I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
I would like to ask your help for a entry for next week. I would like to encourage you to e-mail me your questions. They can be Twins-related, Wolves-related, TV or Movies, Pet names, favorites, advice, anything! One day next week, I will then answer any and all questions I receive. I kind of did this last year and answered 21 questions. I really need your help, so please e-mail me! Thank you!
NFL "EXPERT" PICKS - Week 16 -
Just two more weeks to go and three people are tied a top our leader board. So it is a big week for those teams. It is also a huge week for the Vikings. Tomorrow at 2:00, the Vikings will be hosting the Packers in a game that could determine the champion of the NFC North. I think it could be a good, competitive game that will be fun to watch. Of course, it is Christmas Eve. Many of you may be working. Others may have their family Christmas dinners at that time. What to do?! What to do?! I know there have been a number of churches that have cancelled their Christmas Eve afternoon services so that parishioners can watch the football game! That's funny! Who do I think will win? See below.
Note - I will enter these people's picks as I receive them. Thank you for your patience!
Seth Stohs Melissa Olson Ben Jacobs Aaron Gleeman John Bonnes Ryan Maus SethSpeaks.net SethSpeaks.net Hardball Times Aaron's BB Blog Twins Geek Twins Chatter Green Bay @ Minnesota Vikings Vikings Vikings Packers Vikings Vikings Oakland @ Kansas City Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Denver @ Tennessee Titans Broncos Titans Titans Titans Broncos San Diego @ Indianapolis Colts Chargers Colts Colts Colts Colts Baltimore @ Pittsburgh Ravens Steelers Ravens Steelers Steelers Steelers Chicago @ Detroit Bears Lions Lions Lions Lions Lions Atlanta @ New Orleans Saints Falcons Falcons Saints Saints Falcons Carolina @ Tampa Bay Panthers Panthers Panthers Panthers Buccs Panthers Houston @ Jacksonville Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars NY Giants @ Cincinnati Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Giants New England @ NY Jets Patriots Patriots Patriots Patriots Jets Patriots Buffalo @ San Francisco Bills Bills Bills Bills 49ers Bills Arizona @ Seattle Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Washington @ Dallas Redskins Redskins Redskins Cowboys Cowboys Redskins Cleveland @ Miami Browns Dolphins Dolphins Dolphins Dolphins Dolphins Philadelphia @ St. Louis Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles Rams Eagles Michael Labuda David Bergner David Bloom Vic Quick Mike Brasel Jeremy Kovash ChiSox Daily Baseball Savant Ya Gotta Believe KDUH-Sports FFB Guru Wolf Lake Mgr Green Bay @ Minnesota Packers Vikings Vikings Vikings Vikings Packers Oakland @ Kansas City Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Raiders Denver @ Tennessee Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos San Diego @ Indianapolis Colts Colts Colts Colts Colts Chargers Baltimore @ Pittsburgh Steelers Ravens Steelers Steelers Steelers Steelers Chicago @ Detroit Lions Lions Lions Lions Lions Lions Atlanta @ New Orleans Falcons Saints Falcons Saints Falcons Falcons Carolina @ Tampa Bay Buccs Panthers Panthers Panthers Buccs Buccs Houston @ Jacksonville Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars NY Giants @ Cincinnati Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Giants New England @ NY Jets Patriots Jets Jets Jets Patriots Jets Buffalo @ San Francisco Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Arizona @ Seattle Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Washington @ Dallas Cowboys Cowboys Redskins Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cleveland @ Miami Dolphins Dolphins Dolphins Browns Dolphins Dolphins Philadelphia @ St. Louis Eagles Rams Eagles Rams Eagles Rams Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to stop by this site. Thank you for your patience this week! I do wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Have a great day!