smiley face 2KVI

Happy New Year to my family and to the entire verbungle metropolitan area...

to PB and cW and Joe M. and Crsmal
Mrs. M and EJ and Lara and Mrsmal
to Kissel and DLee and B. New and Lex
in junior high we feared the slapping of necks
And BJL and Deion and Isired and wives
to rascally MDilly who's used up eight lives
to Jeff C. and Oly and dorm buds long lost
Even the drifter whose salad I tossed*
Wneks and Flattums and dozens of Misches
to Dale for making me sleep with my dishes
Lieutenant Dave in his pressed naval whites
your gentle advice helped me through stressful nights
to BC and BA and Sport and G. Web
and Kyle T. somewhere cranking Nitzer Ebb
to eggmeister Rod and his good buddy Ed
to Vic and to Pak sharing roof, 'throom and bed
to Greg cracking heads in the union racket
and to Little Scotty F. in his Mullin warmup jacket
can't forget the damn brit across the pond
who tells Peter North stories of which I am fond
to the recap-writing master by the last name of kois
whose name, if you're wondering, rhymes with "still plays with toys"
to Chrises H. and L. and others I've missed
to all of the names on the softball mailing list
to work friends and colleagues from then until now
your professionalism makes me dial 970-WOWW
to the people who showed me how much this world rocks
to ballplaying buddies I've faked out of their jocks
to all of my pals from Beloit to Manitoba
including John Paciorek and Biff Pocoroba
if I've forgotten anyone pass goodwill along
and picture me in nothing but my holiday thong

And to all your wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, kids, parents, and your Uncle Mickey.


In fact, HNY to everyone who's not a complete dickhead.

You know who doesn't get a HNY? Whoever the first schmuck was who looked at the classic crew neck sweatshirt, that model of simplicity, and thought, "You know, we should really jazz this thing up by stitching a triangle shape right below the collar."

Thanks a lot, dude.

Btw, it was 40 out of 50 free throws made. At least BJL had confidence in me.

Resolutions TK.

ESPN is a wonderful, wonderful network when they stick to broadcasting and recapping sporting events. When they try to branch out even a little, they consistently send the train off the rails at 300 mph. Sometimes it's fun to watch. Tonight they tried to do some "off da hook" New Year's Eve party thing in Times Square. Bizarre. They went from an interview with Drew Gooden (!) that lasted until 11:59 to the ball dropping to Little Steven playing an electrified, inappropriately intense "Auld Lang Syne" to a complete non sequitur of a band playing one of their signature songs. For ten GP's (and no googling is allowed) tell me this band and for five more tell me the song.

* Possibly