Parting Shots

Phishing scams, Nigerian billionaires who need help transferring money, pyramid schemes. Not one of these is a bigger shake-down than the fact I have to pay half of AJ’s pre-school tuition next week even though he won’t be there because of our vacation. The fee, I am told, is to “hold his spot.” Would someone care to enlighten as to exactly What. The. Fuck. that is supposed to mean? Like, a kid doesn’t show up one day and they start auctioning off his finger paintings? Thieves.

I believe I’ve reached a new level of maturity now that I don’t consider "Just chillin’, bro" to be a valid response to "How are you?"

But I’m still hip with the kids, apparently. Of the three books mentioned by Seth last night on The O.C., I’ve read two of them in the last four months.

Was very happy to have Survivor back on last night. Even though it is the catalyst for horrible reality shows across the dial, it really is compelling TV more often than not. The return of Stephanie is cool, too. Twenty bucks says CJ pitched a tent.

Though Jeff Probst has to be the least talented, most smug jackass on television. Okay, I’ll give you Trebek, too.

This little family road trip promises to be the first test of father-son travel relations. "Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" I bought a taser to keep things under control.

I’m taking Barry Greenstein’s book, "Ace on the River" and Harrington Vol. II with me. I started the former. Have you seen this thing? It’s almost a coffee table book. Big and glossy and lush.

I’m feeling pretty damn good about myself after my NFL showing last week, so I thought I’d post my Best Bets for the weekend. I’m totally in the dark on the college game at this point of the year, so we’ll skip right to the pros.

Tampa Bay –2.5 over Buffalo
I like the Bucs ‘D’ against young Losman and Cadillac v. MaGahee is a push.

Detroit –1.5 over Chicago
I’m sticking with the Lions until they lose. Or until they play a team that is capable of winning 4 games this year.

New Orleans +3 over NY Giants
The Saints are my new favorite team.

And the Run, Don’t Walk, Lock of the Week™

Kansas City – 1.5 over Oakland
Green, Holmes, Johnson and Co. will have those aging Rai-duh defenders sucking wind by midway through the third quarter.

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I may be able to blog/post picures sporadically from the road. If not, see y'all when I return. Good cards, love thy neighbor as thyself and, most importantly, let's be careful out there.