I'm finally done with court today, and about to watch the finale of the Bachelor Pad (even though I know who wins.) It should be fun to see what the pros from DWTS can do with them in such a short time.

Update: Congrats to Dave and Natalie. Of the two final pairs, they were my fave by miles. I've always liked Natalie, she has so much moxie and not an ounce of fake goody-two shoes-ness.(We also have the same birthday.) Dave really rehabilitated himself from his angry, psycho, over-macho performance on Jillian's season, something I never would have thought possible. I actually liked him on this show. [More...]

It's a beautiful day here, I'm headed out to enjoy it. I hope to be back for the "white carpet" at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

I was 5-6-1 last week. Here are my picks for today - Ga Tech (-14.5) over Kansas, South Carolina (-3) over Georgia, Florida (-16.5) over South Florida, Cal (-10) over Colorado, Notre Dame (-3.5) over Michigan, Miami (+8.5) over Ohio State, LSU (-10) over Vandy, Tennessee (+10) over Oregon, Washington (-13) over Syracuse, Penn State (+13) over Alabama, Stanford (-6.5) over UCLA, and UVA (+20.5) over USC, Also an EPL special - Chelsea over West Ham.

Go Gators!

Open Thread.

Open thread.

Big Brother is down to the Final Three. Anyone but Enzo please. Project Runway is also on. And a new Jersey Shore.

Is there any news besides Pastor Terry Jones today?

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Open Thread.

The Jewish High Holy Days begin at sunset with Rosh Hashanah, ushering in and celebrating a new year, 5771. They end in ten days, with Yom Kippur, a day of atonement and fasting, and a sunset "Break Fast" meal.

On the menu for many: Brisket, roast chicken, challah, matzo ball soup, gefilte fish, chopped liver and kugel. For dessert: sliced apples dipped in honey is traditional. And, of course, the blowing of the Shofar.

I have a brisket on the stove, it smells really good. Here's an overview of Rosh Hashanah's customs.

Update 7:54 pm MT: Shana Tova is the number #1 trending topic on Twitter. שנה טובה! A year of blessings, fulfillment, health and happiness to all.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Open thread.

Congrats to the Boise State Broncos who won a heartstopper last night in DC over the Virginia Tech Hokies, 33-30.

If I had a vote, the Broncs are #1 AND Kellen Moore is the Heisman Trophy winner. But that's this week. A long way to go yet.

Open Thread.

Anyone else feel like tonight is Sunday? I'm even doing laundry while catching up on the TV shows I missed the past few days.

I see Obama is proposing a new spending bill to make jobs. (Reuter's Factbox on the proposal is here.] Either I'm still in holiday mode or I don't care much what he does, it's too little too late.

Obama announced a proposal to spend $50 billion in the next year on roads, railroads and airport runways. The modernization plan, a more formal version of a long-standing pledge to improve the nation's crumbling infrastructure, is one of several economic proposals he is to make this week.

[More...]

(Check out the larger version here. I took the picture on my neighborhood walk yesterday. The llamas belong to musician John Oates, who also raises emus, alpacas and peacocks.) For perspective, here's The Barns of Woody Creek from 2005.

Woody Creek is about altered sensibilities, music, art, science, guns, bombs, community involvement and craziness; pure, wonderful, Rocky Mountain craziness. It is also about nature, perfect barns, fresh foals, hunting hounds, elk herds, vistas and views that alter the brain without chemicals, and a state of mind that becomes addictive towards this special place along the banks of the mighty Roaring Fork.

On to some news and political musings: [More...]

The first Saturday of the college football season. Here are my picks -- Missouri(-12.5) over Illinois; Colorado St. (+12) over Colorado; Notre Dame(-10) over Purdue; Michigan (-3) over UConn; Kentucky (-3) over Louisville; Northwestern (-4) over Vanderbilt; Oregon St. (+13) over TCU.

Go Gators!

Open Thread.