The view from my new balcony.

In the news: Edward Snowden writes Washington seeking clemency. His letter is here.

Tech companies say they are fighting back harder against Government snooping.

[More...]

Open Thread.

I'm still catching up with work and life, so here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

I might write again in 2013, but not today.

Open Thread.

John Amato and I finally got back together to talk sports, specifically NFL and World Series (Go Cards! Beat the whiny Sox!):

Here are our picks (disagreement in BOLD (A for Armando, J for John)): Washington Redskins +12 (A), Denver Broncos -12 (J), San Francisco 49ers -15 over Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers -10 (J), Minnesota Vikings (+10) (A), Detroit Lions -3 over Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals -7 (J), New York Jets +7 (A), New York Giants +6 over Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns +9 (A), Kansas City Chiefs (-9) (J), Pittsburgh Steelers -3 over Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins +7 over New England Patriots, NEw Orleans Saints -11 over Buffalo Bills (A, J no pick), Arizona Cards -3 (A), Atlanta Falcons +3 (J), Seattle Seahawks -11 (J), St Louis Rams +11 (A).

Open Thread.

I think Michael Skakel should get bail.

I think the JonBenet Ramsey grand jury indictment is a non-story -- previously covered many times. The DA knew better than to go forward on it.

Regular blogging resumes Monday. This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

I've got my cable and internet, but no phones yet. I've unpacked more than 100 boxes, and have 40 left to unpack. GotJunk has already removed 2 truckfuls of stuff and my 10 × 10 storage locker is full. This has been my most expensive move yet -- $3,500. for the movers (here and to storage) and $800 and still rising for GotJunk. And this is after having donated or thrown away at least one third of my stuff the last few days at the old house. Since I've also lost a week of work, it will be a few days before I'm back to blogging.

On the up side, I really like the new place and downsizing is really liberating.

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

NFL picks: Detroit Lions -3 over Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles -3 over Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers -1 over Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers -10 over Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons -7 over Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs -7 over Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers -4 over Tennessee Titans, St. Louis Rams +6 over Carolina Panthers, New York Giants -3 over Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears Pick over Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers -9 over Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots -4 over New York Jets, Denver Broncos -7 over Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins (-7) over Buffalo Bills.

Open Thread.

Via phone - J tells me she has moved in but has no internet or cable yet.

Come back soon J!

Open thread.

The picks (2 units unless otherwise indicated): Stanford -5 over UCLA, Oklahoma State -7 (3 units) over TCU, USC +3 (3 units) over Notre Dame, Iowa +18 over Ohio State, Florida State -3 over Clemson, Oregon State -11 over California, South Carolina -7 (4 units) over Tennessee, Auburn +14 over Texas A&M, Boise State -22 over Nevada, Georgia -7 (4 units) over Vanderbilt, Cincinnati -15 over Connecticut, Michigan -10 over Indiana, Army +3 over Temple, Oregon -39 over Washington State, Oklahoma -23 (3 units) over Kansas, LSU -10 (3 units) over Mississippi.

Season record ATS - 66-55-2, +18 units.

Go Gators!

Open thread.

Can Kershaw keep the Dodgers alive?

I'm really busy, but not too busy to pick college games for our Saturday College Football Open Thread!

Here's an Open Thread for today.