Upset at Arrowhead

My beloved Missouri Tigers got beaten at Arrowhead Stadium yesterday afternoon 40-37 by their arch-rivals, the Kansas Chickenhawks in a major upset.

The Tigers offense didn't show up until the second quarter and the defensive secondary never did. As a result the Tigers found themselves in a 19-7 hole midway through the second quarter. Mizzou rallied back twice to take the lead in the fourth quarter but couldn't hold on to it either time. On a fourth and seven play the Tigers blitzed and got burnt by KU Quarterback Todd Reesing. on a 26 yard touchdown pass to Kerry Meier where Strong Safety Justin Garrett got beat by five yards. It's not the first time Garrett has been beaten badly this season. But then he's not alone, the secondary has had serious problems all year.

The Tigers finish 5-3 and are North Division champs for the second year in a row by virtue of having beaten up on Nebraska in October. Nebraska also had a 5-3 record in the division.

Next stop for the Tigers is Arrowhead again Saturday night in the Big XII Championship game. The Tigers will have their hands full to say the least.

I am Thankful

This is a day late, but I have so much for which to be thankful. Number one on my list is family. We were able to get together yesterday at my Mother's home with 14 people in and out the door at various times. Without family I would be lost. From the generation before me to my siblings and in-laws, their children and their children I am so glad to call them all family.

I am thankful for the brave men and women of our armed forces who are serving our nation overseas at this difficult time. They are my heroes. To them I owe a debt of gratitude that I can never repay. So to them I say may God keep you out of harm's way and bring you home safely. I also pray that God changes the hearts of world leaders so there might be peace and you return home sooner than later.

I am also thankful for my:

-health
-many friends
-good neighbors who are so generous. I have written of them before but D&V and G&H are always so kind to me. D&V fed me breakfast Wednesday morning before we headed out to play golf and let me tell you; D can cook. The homemade biscuits were awesome!
-Church and church family
-My country; this is slightly redundant, but I can think of no where else I would rather live even with the many domestic problems we face this year
-job; yes, I know I complain about it, but I am truly blessed to have a good job in a tough economic time that I really enjoy going to everyday and that they pay me to do.
-my home; I take it for granted. But, it is always dry and warm and more than I deserve.
-my car; it's a year old now, but I still think it is the best I have ever had and still love to get in and drive it.
-second job; one that let's me pick the hours I want to work and that is also easy
-hope for the future; this may sound strange but I still have half of my 401k and IRAs. I could complain but that is still a lot more than those less fortunate.

For all of these I say thank you God! You have blessed me so much more richly than I have ever deserved!

From Bad to Ugly

The St. Louis Rams got their tails handed to them again this week, 27-3 by the Chicago Bears. That's no surprise. The Rams have given up on their season and mailed it in again. But, now it's getting ugly. Offensive lineman Richie Incognito has taken to taunting Rams fans. Those are the same people who are paying his salary.

After the game yesterday, Incognito was being booed by the departing crowd. He had been penalized during the game which drew the wrath of those in attendance. As Incognito left the field, he removed his helmet and cupped his hand to his ear. In effect telling the Rams customers I can't hear you...boo me a little louder.

Today Rams head coach Jim Haslett said he had not seen the incident. In addressing the situation with reporters Haslett said Incognito would not be disciplined. This is the same Incognito the NFL fined $35,000 six weeks ago for verbally abusing a game official.

KWMU Update

KWMU Radio completed the final interview today of the fourth of four finalists to be the station's new General Manager. The successful candidate will succeed Patty Wente who was terminated by the University of Missouri - St. Louis in early June. Mike Dunn of sister station KBIA in Columbia has been serving in the interim.

The four hopefuls are Ben Fry of Little Rock, Dave Ervin of St. Louis, Erik Nycklemoe of St. Paul and Tim Eby of Columbus. An announcement of the station's new boss is expected in the coming days.

In another note, it's a little tardy, but the powers that be at the University have decided the future home of the station will be in St. Louis' Grand Center. The decision was made public by Vice Chancellor Martin Leifeld,

"Over the past months, the station and the university have explored several options in-depth, for the new physical location for the station. After considerable review, evaluation, and the blessings of various stakeholders that include the University of Missouri – St. Louis’ faculty and staff, I am pleased to announce that KWMU and UM-St. Louis will be joining the thriving cultural neighborhood at Grand Center! We are very excited about the new possibilities for collaboration that this alliance will foster and also hope the University and the station can play an exciting role in the continued revitalization of this vibrant area".

Congratulations to the Best!

Congratulations to Albert Pujols! "El Hombre" was named the 2008 National League Most Valuable Player today. I consider myself fortunate to see Pujols play almost every game and he is one of those hitters you always stop what your doing to watch him hit when he comes to the plate.

The Cardinals finished fourth in the National League Central Division this year, but it would have been worse without his offensive and defensive presence. And Pujols has developed into one of the top fielding first basemen in the game.

Congratulations Number 5! The award is well deserved and caps off a great, great season.

And then There's the Worst

The St. Louis Rams continue to play as if they're dedicated to not just playing horrible football but letting the whole country know there is no doubt they are the worst team in the NFL. Yesterday the Lambs were victimized by the San Francisco 49ers 35-16.

It's not worth ripping on the Rams because they appear to not care any more. The defense doesn't want to hit and the offense doesn't want to get hit. I thought there was some hope for this squad after the wins against the Redskins and Cowboys and a good game against the Patriots in Foxboro. But, now they are just pathetic. Whatever spark was there when Jim Haslett was named head coach is gone and has been the last few weeks.

I wrote a month ago that the problems start at the top. Until team President John Shaw addresses the internal problems there's not much hope for this franchise.

The Christmas Ale is As Good as Ever

I had a chance to try Schlafly's 2008 version of Christmas Ale last night. And, yes it is as good as I recall it being in the past. To borrow from the Schlafly web page on this fine beer, Christmas Ale is "A full-bodied amber ale to spice up the holidays. ‘Tis the season to enjoy this rich and flavorful ale made with orange peel, cloves and spicy hops."

The description is good but believe me not as good as the beer. I plan on having my share of this fine nectar in the next two months.

North Division Champions

The Missouri Tigers rolled last night over an out manned Iowa State football team. The final score was 52-20 Mizzou. The Tigers offense got un-tracked early and the defense stepped up too. William Moore (IMHO the best defensive player on the squad) finally got a touch, with a pick of an errant Iowa State pass in the second quarter. The game was never close or in doubt as Mizzou led 21-0 early in the second quarter.

The victory runs the Tigers record to 8-2. Maybe more importantly it puts to an end a long streak of bad luck in Ames. Missouri has always had it's problems winning there. Maybe this is the start of a long streak for the Tigers.

And, oh yeah before I forget, the Tigers have clinched the Big XII North Division! That means the final regular season game in two weeks against Kansas is meaningless. The Big XII Championship game will be played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on December 6Th. MIZ - ZOU RAH!!!

Tigers Play Sloppy but Win

My beloved Missouri Tigers won 41-24 last night but didn't play all that well against Kansas State. The Tigers couldn't get un-tracked in the first quarter and it was apparent that Chase Daniel missed his favorite receiver in Chase Coffman. (Coffman is out with turf-toe).

But Mizzou moved the ball in the second quarter and the score at half was 24-3. The final is a little deceiving because K-State scored two meaningless touchdowns in the last two minutes with Missouri's second string defense on the field.

Maybe the cold had something to do with it. It was the first time Mizzou had played a game this year with the temperature around the freezing mark. And YES it was darn cold sitting in the stands with a wind chill in the 20s.

Thoughts on the Election

I had a hard time deciding whom to vote for in Tuesday's Presidential election. Well, on the way to the polls I decided to vote for Obama. But, then while I was in line I waffled and decided to vote for McCain. But, then when I got to the electronic machine I hit the button for Obama. And when the finalize vote button came up I pushed the vote button and my ballot was cast for the Democrat. For that matter I voted for Democrats in all but one statewide race. That was a first for me. I also voted against every single proposition and amendment on the ballot. I am tired of special interests writing their own legislation and then selling it as a benefit to the general public. I also am tired of ever increasing sales taxes. They are regressive and I will blog on this when time permits.

-I live in Missouri which has been a bellwether state for the last 100 years. But, if the recount holds up, McCain will win by the smallest of margins and break a 52 year streak of Missourians picking the winner. My guess is the vote margin will stand up and probably grow.

-In Senate races in Minnesota and Alaska I have to laugh. In Minnesota a carpet-bagger comedian appears to have lost his race to incumbent senator Norm Coleman. Former Saturday Nite Live comic Al Franken was only 500 votes behind Coleman with three million votes having been counted. If Coleman survives a recount, he would have the...excuse me...uh...last laugh.

-And in Alaska an 84 year old man who was convicted by a federal grand jury ten days ago appears to have won re-election to the Senate. But, again that race is so close there will be a mandated recount of the ballots. Republican Ted Stevens is ahead at this point but absentee ballots are not yet fully counted. He appears to have beaten Democrat Mark Begich. Which makes you wonder what the heck were people in Alaska thinking? If Stevens isn't the poster boy for term limits then no one is. But, could this be a blessing in disguise for Sarah Palin if Stevens wins and then is kicked out by a Democratically controlled congress? Palin would appear to be the heir apparent for the seat if Stevens gets the boot.

Something I've Been Wanting to Write

In all of the hoopla of the campaign and being on call for the past several weeks I have been remiss in blogging about one of my favorite things...good beer!

My annual favorite from Schlafly Brewing in St. Louis, Hop Harvest, has come and gone. It's brewed as Oregon Hops ripen and then dry hopped. It makes for a very high IBU, but oh is it "drinkable". (By,the way, since when does Anheuser-Busch know anything about drinkability)? This year's batch may have been the best ever.

A new favorite is Charleville's Tornado Alley Amber Ale. My good neighbors H&G went on a road trip and served it at their last get together. Charleville is made in a small town about an hour south of St. Louis. It was the first time I had heard of the brewery and the brew master certainly knows his stuff. This Ale has a reddish color and finished nicely. It comes in a 21.5 ounce bottle.

It's Over!

Finally...relief from the inane political ads...flooded mailboxes...overdone analysis and the invasive Robo-calls from politicians. I am so glad that this marathon campaign for the Presidency that started over a year and a half ago is over. Now, just count the votes and let's move on.

Seniors Get in the Way

The lines moved fairly quick this morning at my polling place. But, there were a lot of Senior Citizens already there. I've noticed that Seniors are always there before the polls open. Why do they get in the way of working people who have only a limited amount of time to vote on their way to work? The Seniors have all day to vote. It must be a lot of Seniors are up at the crack of dawn every day and know they can go whenever they want. But, I wish a few of them were more considerate of us working stiffs.

A Win Is A Win

Mizzou squeaked out a win on the road a short time ago over the Baylor Bears 31-28 down in Waco, Texas. This past spring when I looked at the schedule I figured this would be an easy win for the Tigers. But, Baylor appears to be better than advertised. Tiger QB Chase Daniel threw three touchdowns but also had two interceptions. Those interceptions came back to bite Mizzou in the butt. While the win wasn't by the margin anticipated it's still a win on the road which is always tough in the Big XII. It's back home next week to take on Kansas State.