a mean, mean thirst

Substantial kwachas to first time genius responder Finn for coming up with George Wendt as the answer to mats sitcomdat. Here is one of several reported connections between Wendt and the band, from 1988:

While out to see former Rockpile guitarist Billy Bremner, Westerberg was introduced to George Wendt (Norm on TV's Cheers), who was out back of the club blowing a j with "one of the Turtles, Flo or Eddie--whichever one has white hair." Upon sighting him, George exclaimed, "It's my idol, Westerberg." The duo went on to have a grand old time and Paul says George is an awful lot like Norm, a real regular guy. Apparently, Wendt had at least some 'Mats albums and asked if "Here Comes a Regular" was about him.

That would be funny if Norm had inspired that song. Or if someone wrote a version with Normified lyrics. Here is the original set if you want to take a crack at it (10 points for anyone who gives a reasonable effort):

Well, a person can work up a mean mean thirst
After a hard day of nothin' much at all
Summer's past, it's too late to cut the grass
There ain't much to rake anyway in the fall

Sometimes I just ain't in the mood
To take my place in back with the loudmouths
You're like a picture on a fridge that's never stocked with food,
I used to live at home, now I stay at the house

And everybody wants to be special here
They call your name out loud and clear
Here comes a regular, call out your name
Here comes a regular, Am I the only one here today

Well a drinking buddy that's bound to another town
Once the police made you go away
And even if you're in the arms of someone's baby now
I drink a great big whiskey to you anyway

And everybody wants to be someone's here
Someone's gonna show up never fear
Here comes a regular, call out your name
Here comes a regular, Am I the only one who feels ashamed

And even alongside old sad eyes, who says
"Opportunity knocks once then the door slams shut"
All I know is that I'm sick of everything that my money can buy
A fool who wastes his life god rests his guts

First the lights, and the collar goes up, and the wind begins to blow
You turn your back on a pay-you-back last call
First the plants, the leaves, the grass and here comes the snow
There ain't much to rake here anyway in the fall

Here are the answers to the longerthanUWdat NCAA challenge:

22 - Arizona (since 1985)
17 - Kansas (since 1990)
15 - Kentucky (since 1992)
11 - Duke (since 1996)
9 - Michigan St. (since 1998)

4 points each to deion and dlee.

Like Joey Monkeyweb, I have no clue about this year's tournament. I assume Duke and UConn are good. Beyond that, I may as well let Baby Bungle make my picks. I am what is known in the gambling universe as a "fattener," someone who throws in his $5 and sweetens the pot but has little to no chance of winning.

At least there is a pool. God Bless the USA and our continued defense of freedom.

Work is stressful right now, moreso than any time since maybe 1997, when I had a stack of unpaid invoices as thick as a Big Mac stashed inside my desk drawer and Joe Monkeyweb was standing on his chair squawking like a chicken as the suits walked by.

I can manage the stress OK if I keep my focus on Wednesday night's bowling outing and my continuing quest for a 200 game. It's tough to improve when you only bowl twice a year. Please allow me to reiterate my belief that lights out, rock and roll-style late night bowling is the sports equivalent of getting pummeled by Yanni. Bowling alleys, your sport is near-perfect to begin with, and trust me when I say that your customers will get drunk without glow-in-the-dark pins to motivate them. Let us bowl in pure clean fluorescent glory like God wants us to.

I wish that I made cider for a living or something like that.

Who's with me when I say I think we need to bring Potbelly subs to NYC? I'll man the starch station.

For eight points, which word do I find myself mis-typing most often?