Thursday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 08:48:27 AM EST
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The college bowl season has shattered my dream of reaching the .600 mark with my college picks. after sticking my head above water to 6-5 with my bowl picks - Miami, Bowling Green and Arizona all failed to cover. Now I am 6-8, with 19 games left. I'll need a 17-2 finish to bring my season mark to .600. Not going to happen. But there are still games to pick, including 4 today. Tomorrow, I'll be picking the New Year's Day bowls.

Houston meets Air Force. Ironically, Houston is the team with the air attack and Air Force will keep it on the ground. Houston is a 5 point favorite. The Mountain West has proven its mettle in the bowls. C-USA, not so much. I'll take the Air Force (+5). More . . .

Stanford is getting 10 points from Oklahoma, a team that has disappointed this year. The Pac 10 has been absolutely terrible this year. Clearly an overrated conference, especially by me. I'll take the Sooners (-10), despite their run of bowl losses.

I watched Mizzou play this year and was supremely unimpressed. I think Navy will beat them outright, so I will certainly take the 7 points on offer. I like Navy (+7).

Tennessee meets Virginia Tech tonight. The SEC is 1-1 so far, with Georgia blasting A&M and Kentucky losing a close one to ACC runner-up Clemson. The SEC remains the best college football conference in the country, and it is not even close. I like Tennessee to win this game. Thus I will take the Vols (+6).

This is an Open Thread.

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Thursday Morning Open Thread | 50 comments (50 topical)

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Happy last day of 2009 (5.00 / 1) (#1)
by Inspector Gadget on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 08:54:29 AM EST

the end of the first decade of this century!!!

and what a doozy it's been (5.00 / 2) (#3)
by cawaltz on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 08:57:43 AM EST

Here's to hoping the next 10 go a little more smoothly then the first 10.


seriously (none / 0) (#4)
by CST on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:02:00 AM EST

and '09 takes the cake. At least for me.

1 wedding, 9 funerals.

Here's to 2010!


Worst year ever (none / 0) (#41)
by MKS on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 12:29:54 PM EST

Death, Cancer, most every relative in the hospital at some point, Mom's house burns to the ground taking all the family photos for generations....Finances take a hit....

My son sailed through unscathed, though, so thank God for that....

I am glad to be done with it....


Well, that was too gloomy (5.00 / 1) (#49)
by MKS on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 02:18:25 PM EST

We lost one, but everyone else (knock on wood) is fine now and next year is looking to be a good one....

New Year's Resoluion No. 1: Being grateful for the good things...


pretty much (none / 0) (#43)
by CST on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 01:03:46 PM EST

every time I felt like stuff was turning for the better some other catastrophe happened. It gets to the point where you almost become numb in a "$hit happens" kind of way.

It may not be logical, but I will take a deep breath at midnight knowing the year is over.


: Here's to a better year (none / 0) (#44)
by jbindc on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 01:21:51 PM EST

for all of us, it seems.
:)

Happy New Year... (5.00 / 2) (#5)
by kdog on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:07:30 AM EST

gang...party like its 2009!

Remember on your way home
If your driving don't drink
And if you drink don't drive

Sycuan Casino is paying for (none / 0) (#27)
by oculus on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 10:19:33 AM EST

free bus and trolley rides tonight.


You hittin' (none / 0) (#29)
by kdog on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 10:22:56 AM EST

the tables for New Years? Never woulda guessed you a gambler Oc:)


: I don't think either the buses or the (none / 0) (#30)
by oculus on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 10:26:39 AM EST

trolley go as far as this casino.
I get nervous when other people gamble. So, no.

My idea of the perfect New Year's Eve (none / 0) (#32)
by Dr Molly on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 10:35:30 AM EST

has always been a quiet one at home...

preferably with candles, champagne, and romance.

Happy New Year, kdog. Be safe tonight.


: You too Doc.... (none / 0) (#33)
by kdog on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 10:42:52 AM EST

Only romance I'll be getting is a midnight phone call...so I'll be upping the drugs and rock-n-roll quotient of the trifecta to compensate at the soiree tonight...but no worries, I'll be sleeping where ever I may pass out, keepin' it safe.
Enjoy your New Years for 2! Light an extra candle for liberty!

Has it really been...? (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by jbindc on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:10:06 AM EST

10 years since we worried about Y2K???

Well, yes, for those who (none / 0) (#7)
by Inspector Gadget on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:13:51 AM EST

actually thought there was an ounce of reality in Y2K. The IT industry knows how to make themselves significant.


I worked in the IT industry then (none / 0) (#10)
by jbindc on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:19:30 AM EST

It really WAS a problem. No, the world wasn't going to end, but it would have been a mess had they not corrected the billions and jillions of lines of code.

The IT industry did a great job on Y2K.


: OK :) (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by Inspector Gadget on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:25:11 AM EST

Many failed to get the patches. Nothing happened.

Sorry about your shattered dreams BTD (5.00 / 2) (#9)
by ruffian on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:15:37 AM EST

Glad you kept your day job!

Auckland, New Zealand (5.00 / 2) (#11)
by Inspector Gadget on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:23:16 AM EST

just shot off the first fireworks as they crossed into 2010!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR is beginning its roll.......

Can we drink yet? (5.00 / 3) (#13)
by jbindc on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:27:37 AM EST

Ok, I'm at work, and it wouldn't be appropriate - but can we start the party?


I can tell (5.00 / 2) (#16)
by CST on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:40:59 AM EST

today's gonna be real productive :)


Keep your gems of wisdom coming gang.... (none / 0) (#17)
by kdog on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:44:41 AM EST

please...the phone has rang only once and I'm twiddling my thumbs over here with only you lot and visions of the new years eve debauchery in store tonight to occupy my mind.


Enjoy the festivities!!! (5.00 / 1) (#22)
by Inspector Gadget on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 10:03:11 AM EST

My date has an 8:00 PM bedtime, so we'll be playing kazoo's and dancing in the New Year on Paris time. Sparkling cider, finger sandwiches of peanut butter, some fresh fruit to nibble on, and proper party hats!

I see it is beginning to snow in NYC right now :)

Sydney, Australia just set off their huge fireworks display.


: You too Inspector... (none / 0) (#24)
by kdog on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 10:10:40 AM EST

and since its a Parisian New Year for you...Avoir un nouvel an heureux et sain!

Start the party? (5.00 / 1) (#20)
by kdog on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:55:54 AM EST

When did it stop...:)


When I was a younger and more (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 10:02:49 AM EST

festive person, I used to think of New Year's Eve as Amateur Night.


I like that... (5.00 / 1) (#23)
by kdog on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 10:06:51 AM EST

amatuer night...well said.


I think it is an old AA saying (none / 0) (#37)
by MKS on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 11:47:56 AM EST

: Wherever it came from... (none / 0) (#39)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 12:00:27 PM EST

...it has been around for a long time--especially among bar staff. The same thing is said of St. Patrick's Day.

Me too (none / 0) (#48)
by MO Blue on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 01:52:11 PM EST

Quiet New Years eve for me. Pizza and a glass of wine with a friend.

Happy New Year with hopes that 2010 will be a healthy, happy and prosperous year for all.


13 years ago, on New Year's Eve 1996 (5.00 / 2) (#34)
by Dadler on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 11:01:13 AM EST

My wife and I were married. Amazing how time sprouts those damn wings and takes off.

We'll be spending it at an afternoon college hoops game (USD vs. Mississippi State), then out to dinner at the Italian joint in Little Italy where we had our rehearsal dinner. Man was I a wreck thirteen years ago at this moment. Getting married was one thing, but just seeing my mom and dad in a room together for the first time in over two decades was another completely, and more stressful it seemed.

Peace and happy New Year to all.

For those who care (none / 0) (#2)
by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 08:57:09 AM EST

The Sagarin rating has Virginia Tech as an 11 point favorite over Tennessee so there is an inefficient market for this game according to him and a big betting opportunity with Va Tech.

Sagarin does not collapse results (more recent results do not count more) so as an assessment of this game, I think Sagarin falls short.

But we'll see tonight. The other games have lines that are fairly consistent with the Sagarin ratings.

the explanation for the difference here is that Tennessee has a large fan base (which bets of course) and the SEC factor. The SEC has been a very good betting proposition in bowl games for years and years.

This year Georgia has easily covered and Kentucky lost by a half point on a late score in a game they could have easily won outright.

I'm an SEC fan myself but... (none / 0) (#8)
by Romberry on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:14:20 AM EST

...I gotta say that I think your belief that Tennessee beats Va Tech straight up mystifies me. I can see UT covering the spread...maybe. But Jonathan Crompton is still Jonathan Crompton and Va Tech knows defense.

The Sooners at -10 looks like a good pick to me. I don't know that Stanford has much hope of covering that line but I do think that the Cardinal wins the game.

Navy at -7 seems reasonable. I don't think the Midshipmen beat Mizzou, but their option attack will help keep it close.

The Cadets of Air Force will play hard...but I think Houston covers the line in this game easily.

Finally, I'd be interested in your take on Saturday's game between Auburn and Northwestern. I'm an AU fan and we are about 8 point favorites. That line seems awful high to me. Northwestern is not a bad team at all and my Tigers are still thin as a rail all over the defense. I do expect the Tigers to beat the Wildcats in a close one, but if I were a betting man (and I'm not), I'd take the Wildcats and the points.

See my prediction on Air Force v. Houston... (none / 0) (#47)
by Romberry on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 01:43:37 PM EST

...to understand why I am not a betting man. With 14 minutes to play, the Cadets are up by 21. So much for "Houston covers the line in this game easily."

Good pick, BTD.


: At least I was right... (none / 0) (#50)
by Romberry on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:45:53 PM EST

...about Va Tech and the Tennessee Vols. Dang. What a day.

It appears that Rush is pretty sick (none / 0) (#14)
by Inspector Gadget on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:33:41 AM EST

News this morning says he won't be returning to work on Monday, as scheduled, but doesn't give any information on his condition.

: Can't stand him (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by jbindc on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:35:55 AM EST

But I hope he's ok.
Hope he enjoys having this expensive hospital stay being paid for with his good insurance.

: Feel better bitter man.... (5.00 / 1) (#18)
by kdog on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:46:13 AM EST

and lay off the viagra with that weak ticker of yours Rush.

: It was probably... (5.00 / 1) (#42)
by desertswine on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 12:50:14 PM EST

someone he ate.

Check out this massive... (none / 0) (#19)
by kdog on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:55:19 AM EST

grow-op the Morehouse Parish Sherriff foiled. Heckuva job mercs!

I don't know if I can do another decade of this sh&t....two people in chains over that? Sun god help us.

LOL - now, watch (5.00 / 1) (#25)
by Inspector Gadget on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 10:11:25 AM EST

them try to add "with intent to sell" to the charges!!


: I can't believe they locked up... (none / 0) (#26)
by kdog on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 10:14:26 AM EST

moms too...thats f*ckin' cold.
Thats why I'd never ever try to grow something...if my sweetheart landlady got locked up I'd have to spring her or die tryin'.

Wow (none / 0) (#28)
by Steve M on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 10:20:43 AM EST

Happy new year!


The Mom "consented" to the search (none / 0) (#36)
by MKS on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 11:43:59 AM EST

and called her son to come home??

See what cooperating with cops will do.....


: Yep... (none / 0) (#40)
by kdog on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 12:11:00 PM EST

thats one lesson those who believe the "serve and protect" line o' bull always learn the hard way.

Booman stays classy (none / 0) (#31)
by lambert on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 10:32:06 AM EST

Party like it's 2008 here (and here).

Obama's nominees (none / 0) (#35)
by jbindc on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 11:09:58 AM EST

Just a scorecard.

Maybe those positions are (none / 0) (#45)
by Inspector Gadget on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 01:25:27 PM EST

unnecessary and we can save some taxpayer dollars in high salaries and benefits by not filling them. Kind of the closet rule....if I didn't wear it in the past 12 months, toss it.


: Like (5.00 / 1) (#46)
by jbindc on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 01:27:46 PM EST

"Clean Sweep" for government?

Oh that Ocho-Cinco.... (none / 0) (#38)
by kdog on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 11:53:12 AM EST

talking trash with all-universe corner Darelle Revis all year...now he's pulled all-universe fan Fireman Ed Anzalone into the fray. Link

Watch yourself Chad...Revis may be your boy but you don't know Fireman Ed. He's a College Point guy...we don't f*ck around:)