Periphery week 12
I think my body was set to detonate 12 weeks ago.
Here is the height of irony. I've been sick all week, some upper-respiratory infection crap. It's really taken root. I even went to the doctor, something I don't like to do. I consider myself a human Toyota. No need to look under the hood; just buy a new one when the old one turns over.
Usually, I enjoy Thursday night and Friday, my two days off a week. (By the way, my only question for the next presdential candidate who leaves a recorded message at my house, how are salaried positions legal?) But this week, I'm out of it.
I haven't been able to do much today. We belong to the Blockbuster version of whatever it is that sends DVDs to your house. I go through the stack and find "300." So, I watch this movie about Sparta and its fight against Xerxes and Persia. Meanwhile, I can barely lift the remote because Marcy Warcy has a wittle cold. I never would've made it as a Spartan. I don't have the abs.
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I did make it to the dentist on Thursday. I was asked about all the stuff going on with the football program. I told my dentist that I would allow 90 percent of these guys to babysit my kids, cash my paycheck and deliver the exact amount and house sit. She still drilled my tooth just the same.
This is what everyone is talking about when it comes to Iowa football. Western Michigan . . . bowl game . . . saying goodbye to 12 seniors (if you want to talk about Spartans, these guys can pick up their shields any day of the week).
No one's asking me about that.
The 90 have been soiled by the 10.
My dad used to tell me all the time when I'd get in trouble, "If you hang out with (bleep), you're going to smell like (bleep)." Dad and nuance have never met, but his thought rings true.
Kirk Ferentz said in the wake of the credit card thingie that they (meaning the program) have invited this line of questioning. Obviously, this week they invited a whole lot more.
The 90 have been soiled by the 10.
I know some of the true believers will take Norm Parker's point and run with it. He said on the call-in show last night, the press doesn't write about the planes that land, only the ones that crash. There is plenty of truth to that, but I'm also pretty sure that 2002 and 2004 Hawkeyes made it into the paper.
You should defend the Hawkeyes, the 90 percent that will make it to the field Saturday and try to win their fourth straight game and possible trip to a bowl game. They're worth defending. Try to keep in mind that no one is after the 90. No one is after the 10, for that matter. They've invited this type of examination. This is only the beginning with the latest. The news today that the search warrants and court documents have been sealed for 60 days only ensures shelf life for this thing. This deal is a map with a lot of roads.
Norm Parker said something else last night that showed me the wisdom of his 65 (don't have it in front of me, but that's the neighborhood) years. He said there are no winners here. There are no winners in what's unfolding. Only grief and pain.
The faster we get to the truth, the better.
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If you're tailgating today, you are Spartans, meat-eating and beer-drinking Spartans.
I'm very much looking forward to Dec. 9 Packers-Raiders. I'm just afraid it's going to take a house payment to get into Lambeau. The family will understand, I'm sure.
From the iPod (graduation theme):
"Long May You Run" -- Neil Young. "We've been through some things together, with trunks of memories of things to come." A couple summers ago, I went out to New Jersey to meet Albert Young and his family. Here was the prince of the city acting all cool. His mom held his attention, though. Know that. Long may Albert run.
"All Over Now" -- Deadstring Brothers. "Yeah, I might be gone for good because you ain't on top like you thought you should. Yeah, yeah, it's all over now." I probably shouldn't mention that this band is from Detroit.
"Harder Now That It's Over" -- Ryan Adams. "It's harder now that it's over. It's harder now that it's over. Now that the cuffs are off. And you're free. You're free with a history." This probably isn't for a tailgate, unless you're to the point in the proceedings where melancholy has set it.
"Good Feeling" -- Violent Femmes. "Good feeling, won't you stay with me just a little longer. It always seems like you're leaving when I need you here just a little longer." Make sure to keep the tailgate gear organized. I'm sure someone out there on the internets has a countdown to the next game at Kinnick.
"Land of Hope and Dreams" -- Bruce Springsteen. "Grab your ticket and your suitcase. Thunder's rolling down the tracks. You don't know where you're goin', but you know you won't be back. Darlin' if you're weary, lay your head upon my chest. We'll take what we can carry. And we'll leave the rest." Goodbye, football. For a month or so anyway.
Libation
Leinenkugel's Original -- This is one of those "best for last" deals.
From Beeradvocate:
Homerbag (who lives in South of Heaven, Wis.) says: "Another old stand by. A very good beer for Wisconsin traditionalists. A little more true to form of a classic pilsner than some of the other macros, but this beer is barely a macro. Easy to find and cheap in the Great Lakes area. Good choice if you are having a crowd over and want a little selection for low price."
Enjoy.
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