Sunday, March 30, 2014

Fool For Thought

Ii It was a year ago April Fools Day that I published my first blog. Fluke? I don't think so. In that short year we've accomplished more than we anticipated and been very fortuitous in the process. I think perhaps with our trip to Ireland, rubbing elbows with the local folk, some of the "luck of the Irish" rubbed off on us. Maybe our good fortune continues and could be on track to launch as soon as next Fool's Day.

Hali asked me, is our "plan" foolish? I answered, we're foolish if we DON'T go for what inspires us. Just ask your friend Mark Twain(it's true, Hali has friended Mr. Twain on FB).


"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain

So, I have a thought. In honor of foolishness, I offer this small compilation of funny faces. 

Go ahead, your turn. Click on the mirror app on your phone or just do it in the privacy of your bathroom mirror and Go for it, be a fool, if only for the moment. You'll discover there's a little fool in all of us.

And like our Irish Spring of last year, any Spring is a good time for us to "sail away from safe harbor" and Go FoR It!



Puzzled??

The day after posting Pizza!, I hear on public radio an interview with a Puzzle Master, Will Shortz, that Za is a word. Yep(yes, also a word), it's true. I checked it out on my Free Dictionary App.*

In a way language experts call clipping, today's younger culture "clips" the word pizza leaving just a slice of that word with the newly derived Za. Before you know it, these one syllable words are adopted into our dictionary and onto Scrabble boards. 

As a player of words, puzzles, and word puzzles should I ever have that lone Z tile in my Scrabble hand with a triple word score, you bet I'm playing for Za!

C'mon man, is it too much to add the extra syllable when ordering to go?

*The word app was derived in the 1980's from the clipped phrase killer app.

A Slice Of Za




Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Earning Trust

At our summer garage sale we rid ourselves of what I affectionately call CRAP. The leftovers are set aside for sale on our local Craigslist. Too valuable for a garage sale, too tedious for eBay.

Karl's Knife

This vintage fishing knife belonged to Hali's Dad. Knowing Karl, he probably spent no more than $10 for it back in the 50's. Since last July I've been trying to get that ten bucks back. First at our garage sale, and for months on Craigslist. Last week I got a bite from Wisconsin. This is how I reeled in Richard.

Hello from Wisconsin. That would be a great fishing knife for me. I was wondering if you could mail it to Wisconsin for 15.00 ? Thanks for your time. Best Regards, Richard Peterson, Weyauwega, Wisconsin.

Hi Richard,
Thanks for your interest in the pocket knife. I don't normally handle CL transactions by mail, but if you have a Paypal account I would consider. I can ship as soon as Monday.
Mike

Hi Mike. My bad luck. I don't have a paypal account. My son said I live in the stone age. I guess it's coming back to bite me. I'd sure gamble mailing 15.00 in cash. Best Regards, Richard......

Gambler? Yes, I suppose so. Mail me the $15 and I'll ship the knife promptly.
Guess I'm a bit of a gambler as well sending someone in Wisconsin my address. I spent a week in Door County after a game at Lambeau a couple years ago- Good folks up there.
Mike

Hi Mike. Thanks for your trust. I think all football fans should attend a game at Lambeau. I live about 50 miles from there and have been to quite a few. Door county is especially nice in the summer time. Some Wisconsinites look at it as a tourist trap but it's all in what your looking to do. Anyway, I'll get the cash mailed Monday and thank you very much. Best Regards, Richard.......

Five days later this was delivered to our mailbox~~~

Received some cash today. I will ship tomorrow with the little box- I'll also send a tracking number. Stone Age is still alive.
Hallelujah!
Mike

Hi Mike. There is hope for old fossils like myself. Didn't need high tech. Just cash and trust and a little gamble. Looking forward to the knife. Any idea of age ?  Yeah, I know, it's not as old as me. Stone age rules, Richard...........                                                                                        
He earned my trust. I, after postage, netted a couple fins. Not to mention a momentary stone aged Penpal.

Woody-ism:
Earning TRUST is the pursuit of commonality.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Vegemite

Yesterday I cranked up my music compilation, grabbed the garden loppers , and went at it in the yards. My guilty pleasure~singing, while Edward Scissorhands-ing the shrubs.

As the clippings piled high, my token, completely silly, "escape" song played. Men at Work's early 80's pop song Down Under. I remember watching this video on MTV while in college and thinking, one day I want to go THERE and get me a Vegemite sandwich. Sounded so exotic. Here in Portland, they have yet to pull up a Vegemite sandwich cart.

Australia is probably the furthest we could travel in a single leg from the west coast. If I'm going that far, I'm gonna stay a while. Australia is nearly as large in area as the US. It's so big, it's its own continent.

Imagine being a foreigner wanting to explore the US in two weeks, a month, a year. Sure, maybe Los Angeles in two weeks. Oregon in a month is possible. A year? Yea, you could cover a lot of ground here in a year but merely scratch the surface. All the while, craving the Vegemite.

Dreaming Of Wallabies, Barrier Reefs, Slow Travel
(I believe I have swim trunks on??)

So as we contemplate our launch date, wallabies, barrier reefs, and slow travel, a trip to Australia seems to lure us. 

Until then, my weekend afternoon yard work routine will keep me dreaming(and singing)of far away places.

Take me away, Men at Work...

Passportsandpostcards.com



Saturday, March 8, 2014

PIZZA!

I know it's only been a couple months since Super Bowl but I've been craving football. Remedy for this, the Grisham novel, Playing For Pizza. A story of American football played in Italy. These former third stringers love the game as much as they love pizza and gelato, played in the Italian arena.

So I've taken care of the football craving, let's get some Pizza!

Portland is loaded with top-notch pizza joints and our favorite is just a few blocks away- The Blind Onion. 



Problem is, not only is this basement pub walking distance but the house POTW(Pizza Of The Week). Maybe they should rename their special to, Pizza Of The Weak~we're addicted. Since discovering this hole-in-the-wall, a weekly visit has become routine.

The large 16 inch is a mere $16. Yes, only a buck an inch won't slice into your wallet even if this becomes habit. But wait, with this postage stamp-size coupon that pizza is cut down to $11.


Paying For Pizza

This weeks pizza special is broccoli, sun dried tomatoes, and pesto. It simply doesn't matter what's on top, it's the crust that makes this one of the best pizzas in town. The braided edge is sweetfully airy, buttery, not greasy, and melts in your mouth like a shortbread cookie. A crust too good for the dog dish, better for breakfast.

A friendly game of backgammon and a $3 pint of Boneyard complete the deal. Today, Hali and I are playing for pizza.

Playing For Pizza

Friday, March 7, 2014

His Story

Someone once asked me, If you could have a beer with any historical figure, who would it be? I thought for a moment and said, Benjamin Franklin.


Franklin-ism

This postcard-sized plaque is posted on a tree at the local dog park and I often wonder the wisdom of Benjamin Franklin. As one of Americas first diplomats and Founding Fathers, Mr, Franklin was a well traveled statesman. Yes, it's a tall tree, but obviously he'd never seen a California Redwood or even one of these Douglas firs.

Douglas Fir

The legacy of Ben Franklin and his barrel-full of Franklin-isms(noted quotes) have been passed on for generations. Probably more so than Yankee rival down south with his Yogi-isms. We all know Ben wrote about pennies saved and how beer makes us happy. My favorite though is also a journaling mantra of mine:

Either write something worth reading or DO something worth writing.

I imagine Ben and me sitting in the legendary Green Dragon Tavern in Boston, just off the Freedom Trail, discussing his travels to Europe, maybe a little politics, of course, beer, and tall trees.


                                                        
Rebel IPA

Our beer of choice, a tankard full of Sam Adams Rebel West Coast IPA~~~ brewed for a Revolution.

                                        

Here's to happiness, ¥~¥!!









Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Giant Artichoke

  
This little story reminds me of a Carli-ism from her early years...

Driving up to our local AAA office for maps and tour books, Carli asks me, 
Why do they call this place aaaaaaaaaaah?

I recently submitted this short passage to the AAA Via Monthly Magazine as a favorite Road Trip stop:

Our family has taken several road trips along the coasts of Oregon and California. Last months featured snapshot of Highway 1 near Jenner, California reminded my of these trips. The sweeping landscapes that nearly fall off into the Pacific are breathtaking. A couple hours south of Jenner along highway 1, we'll stop for lunch at the Giant Artichoke in Castroville. The deep fried artichoke hearts are a favorite as is the sampler plate. Next door you can pick up some fresh, local market produce and other snacks and supplies for the road down to Big Sur. Look for the Giant green Artichoke and the sign that reads " Castroville The Artichoke Center Of The World". 

Monday, March 3, 2014

Her Story

Every school aged child growing up in Portland during the 50's, well into the 80's, and even today remember the stories of Ramona the Pest and OUR fictional friends.

                                                         
Ramona

Our neighborhood Claim to Fame is the children's book author Beverly Cleary. All across this part of town are clues that Beverly Cleary was here.

Here at Grant Park is a water fountain honoring Ms. Cleary. In the summer it's a bubbling cool down for children. In the winter, it's well, time for a snowball fight?


                                                         
 Henry

This is Henry Huggins. The book, Henry and the Paper Route inspired me to have my own paper route in my childhood neighborhood back in the 70's. From our local library there are tours(and maps) that walk Henry's route with stops at various Beverly Cleary sites.

                                                        
 Ramona's Bungalow

Ramona lived at the corner of 28th and Klickitat. We were privileged to live in Ramona's "fictional" house for 7 years and were a bit taken aback by its local fameIn Beverly Cleary's own words, Klickitat sounded like knitting needles. A postcard she sent us is now with the new owners as it intends to stay where it belongs-with the free spirit of Ramona.


Beverly Cleary's childhood house is a block from the school she once learned to read and write and now is properly named Beverly Cleary School. It's in this school that young students are lucky enough to study in the classroom(still very much the same) where Beverly learned the alphabet in her early years.


Beverly Cleary's Childhood Home

I'm pretty certain that the new owners will enjoy their "many storied" little bungalow on Klickitat. After all, she(the new owner), is a children's librarian at the local library. Coincidence?

Perhaps. Drop by the Hollywood branch library, pick up the tour, and find out for yourself.











Sunday, March 2, 2014

And The Oscar Goes To...

Call me old fashioned
Call me a Luddite(Ned)
Call me Woody
Just don't call me Woody Grant

Laurelhurst Theater Portland

I don't go out to the movies often but when I do I like to get my money's worth. Here at the Laurelhurst, one of Portland's many vintage cinemas, $3 will get you in the door to several Oscar nominated films. On a splurge date I'd pop for a slice of pizza and a craft beer. Today is the matinee so I'm ushered past concessions into Nebraska, the girls went to Save Mr. Banks.

In the Film Nebraska, Bruce Dern portrays wily, stubborn old Woody Grant on a road trip to claim HIS money's worth in a Suburu wagon he and his son will load with cash. Take it from here Woody.

I won't be watching the Oscars tonight.  Not much for fancy pants or trophies. Besides, I've got homework and the awards go(on and on) well beyond my bedtime.

I wish the Wonderful World Of Disney would return to prime time Sunday. Wonderful World was within my realm of TV hours and I always went to bed with that warm, fuzzy, Disney feeling. You know that feeling. The feeling where dreams(and trophies) do come true.

Woody Grant didn't win a million dollars but might just win this trophy.



Never stop dreaming--> Woody

Saturday, March 1, 2014

un-Birthday

Woke up this morning and thought it was the last day of the month. Something us renters are keenly aware of. No, not this year. Instead, today is the first of March. Those poor folks born on the 29th of February only celebrate every four years??

Let's have what we call in the Pope family an "un-Birthday" for the leap day Birthdays.

We've been known to throw the occasional un-Birthday as a means to celebrate the day. This day can be any day of the week, any day of the month, any month of the year. It just can't be a Birthday.

     un-Birthday Cookie

No need for balloons or fanfare. A cake(or cookie) will do. A small simple present is a nice touch. Hey, let's open up this jar of pickled Brussels sprouts from Door County, Wisconsin. Nothin' beats a snappy pickled Brussels sprout and a giant cookie at an un-Birthday party.

   Gift from Door County

Now, everyone together~~~
Happy un-Birthday to you, Happy un-Birthday to you, Happy un-Birthday dear________,
Happy un-Birthday to you--> <:)

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

In-Flight

My sister called a while back and said she thought Mom was lonely. Let's go see Mom! So here I am in row 27(I like the aisle seat), and the middle seat is impossibly empty, on my way to Phoenix. Whoa yea, gimme some elbow room, I'm gonna blog!

What else am I going to do? I've done the crossword and someone beat me to the sudoku. So here it is, my first attempt at FREE inflight Wi-Fi about a plane. First off, an Allstate insurance advertisement.

Row 27 is way in the back. In the overhead, above my head, the semi-automatic defibrillator and my carry-on. Closer to the rear lavatory, last to deplane. No worry, No hurry.


My Carry-On

Last week Portland must have hosted a dog show. There are two well behaved, well groomed little doggies, in little doggie bags, aboard.

Typically, I get the spicy tomato juice. It's the only complimentary beverage most like a meal, especially without ice. It also compliments the small handful of complimentary sesame snacks which are slightly larger than a sesame seed. Not to worry, I'm looking forward to the tuna casserole Mom makes.

Blow up pillow? Fifteen minutes to blow it up for an hour and a half flight? Dude, wake up! We're about to land in the Land of Enchantment. Wait a minute, that's New Mexico.

Oh wow, there IS a guy driving this thing. He just announced that we're flying over Bryce Canyon and it's currently 60° in the Phoenix area. Almost there Mom.

And what's a flight without the screaming child? For me, it's music to my ears. My way of "paying-it-backward" with respect to those brave parents as I was one of them some time ago when Carli logged many miles as a small, wiggly child.

My Story and Photos

The mother and daughter playing patty cakes, giggles, on time departure, early arrival~~~Oh, the joy of travel.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Wish Book

This book sits on our coffee table in the living room. Every now and then I thumb through it, especially when I hear an interesting geographical fact. Sure, I could GOOGLE that factoid, but this ATLAS is here, in 3D, right at my fingertips. It's not an ordinary coffee table book, for us, it's our wish book.

Our Wish Book

In the last year or so, we've been following several travel bloggers, each with their own travel philosophies, strategies, and tips. Not to mention their Brand. Something Hali and I will soon reveal once we know what our Brand is. 

Recently, I've discovered the travel site BootsnAll. I like this site for several reasons but foremost is that this community of travelers doesn't categorize the various travel strategies as the best or worst but instead, gives you options, without the sales pitch.

They outline a 30-day long term travel plan with a course of action every day. After 30 days, you get a pretty good idea which direction you might go.

With BootsnAll, they cover the obvious like packing, budget, overland travel, etc. as well as the topics which will require some homework. This includes visas, vaccinations, and travel insurance.

The efficiency of slow travel makes sense, however there are many not so obvious issues to prepare for and, as a student of travel, do a little homework every day.

Passportsandpostcards.com

For us, part of the fun is planning, and essential, in determining our long term itinerary. One little problem we're facing is which page in this book do we open to first?

So many options.










Friday, February 14, 2014

Hosed and Torched in the Same Day?

I have three 50 foot garden hoses but only one small garden. Also in the yard are two outdoor water valves, just 50 feet away from each other. Why do I have three hoses? Thirty years of accumulation, that's why. Do I need three hoses? Well, I suppose a back up hose was a good idea-not any more.

Hosed?

Met a neighbor building a GREEN irrigation system in his yard. He needs any spare hoses. I have two spares but told him my goal of selling one thing a week. I gave him the better than the Dollar Store price for a pair of hoses. A mere buck for both. Sold $1~~~ A dollar towards my goal and the bonus of never tripping over three hoses in the yard again...

...I used this torch for a fairly simple plumbing project a few years ago. A plumber would have taken maybe an hour for this job which would've drained my wallet $150.

Torched?

Instead, I invested $20 for the torch, fuel, and igniter and DIM(Did It Myself). Took me and hour and a half crawling under the house. Since then, it's been sitting, unlit, in the garage. 

The same neighbor building his irrigation system took it off my hands for $10.

Some may say I was hosed and torched on the same day. Not me, I've got $11 more in my pocket, and less CRAP layin' around. 

Besides, had I hired a plumber for that simple plumbing project, I'd have felt hosed and torched-$150-OUCH!!

Many A Meal

We left the buyers of our house the option to purchase some of our personal belongings. That way should they elect to do so, they have no need to go find something that fits and we have no need to move it.

That was the beauty of this entire transaction. Both sides were REASONABLE. Both sides were negotiating from the same page. It's almost is if Hali and Chris(the buyer) read each other's minds. Both extremely detail oriented. Hali has been in the business a looooong time. She knows details

Here's what they wanted to take off our hands and into their new vintage home:


  • The rattan porch chairs- yes, they belong on that front porch and, I must say, probably add to the curb appeal.


  • The mobile kitchen island- again, perfect for that galley kitchen.


  • The foosball table- must have been their mercy buy. It was well situated down in the Cave but was a beast to move.
Foosball Anyone?



  • The extension ladder- okay, pretty hard to fit into a backpack.


  • The push mower- Hali pushed that mower last summer from a curb alert into our garage, it's theirs now.

Finally, they wanted the dining room table. That old farmhouse table was going to be hard to let go. Let's negotiate.

The Negotiating Table


This table has been in Hali's family since the 30's. Spent several years in a barn in upstate New York before getting shipped to us in Oregon in the 90's. We've enjoyed many a meal on it. Spread it out to it's 8 foot glory on many Thanksgivings. Truth be told, that table looked great under the vintage light fixture in THAT dining room. It belongs in that house and will serve many more years there. In any case, it would have probably become a liability as we continue downsizing.

Passportsandpostcards.com

So, the first handful of things we negotiated with Craigslist pricing. That included a couple TI's (throw- ins). The table, well, that was priced as a sentimental piece of Pope history, willing to let it go. The buyers didn't flinch. They too knew that old farmhouse table fits nicely in Ramona's house on Klickitat.

The hand written postcard from Beverly Cleary, a throw in.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Riding off into the Sunset

Today we hand over the keys to the new owners of our old house-5pm. With our bikes being the last things to move, I had visions of Hali and I riding off, cold beer in one hand, leash in the other (look, no hands!) into the sunset, the half mile to our new house.

     Riding off on a Glacier?

Instead, Carlos and I trudged the Woody bike, one cold bare hand, leash in the other, onto the half mile glacier to our new house.

It's all good. The Woody is back in its new house, with a cold one waiting for Woody in the fridge.

Passportsandpostcards

New visions of the sunset in Costa Rica at Christmas, Pura Vida!

Friday, February 7, 2014

Keep Poland Weird

Walking the dog through my NEW neighborhood, I saw a bumper sticker that read, KEEP POLAND WEIRD.

Yea, we've all seen the KEEP PORTLAND WEIRD, the KEEP PORTLAND BEERED/BEARD, the KEEP PORTLAND WIRED, and the occasional KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD?? bumper stickers in town, but KEEP POLAND WEIRD?

I'm beginning to think this is a WEIRD neighborhood.

And I like it!


Saturday, February 1, 2014

Halftime Invasion of the Man Cave

We purchased this leather furniture when we bought our first house 24 years ago. I remember arguing with Hali that we couldn't afford the $1200 for it and would be better off getting something CHEAPER.


Da Cave, Man

Well, obviously she won that battle and I learned the difference between CHEAP and a GOOD VALUE.

After heavy use of this furniture both in the lodge room and in the Cave over 24 years in two homes, it was taken right from under me, during halftime of the NFC Championship game.

I sat in this CHEAP, but comfortable, office chair during the second half of the game. Next week we send it back to the conference room in Hali's office where it belongs.

Passportsandpostcards.com

By the way, the Niners lost that game but after seeing the empty basement, I was the winner by selling GOOD VALUE furniture and $200 in the vault.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Movin' Out

Here I am with my 99th published blog wanting to make it to 100. That blog will have to wait. We're moving!

With the move comes service interruption, gadget upgrades, and more time to accumulate blog fodder. Which reminds me. The other night Carlos and I walked the 5 blocks to the new place just to get a head start with our garden art. By the leash, juggling a hose, a heavy piece of the Roman Forum, and a dog poop bag, I managed to lug that precious piece of marble(?) up the driveway and into the yard, in one piece!
A Roman Relic

We had staked our claim. 

More to come...we're moving in Friday and have 10 days to
do so. I'm half-way thinking
about saving the $45 truck rental
and walking over our belongings,
pieces by pieces.

Just Carlos and me.

Ps. I don't know what just happened to the text above, but I like it~must be the poetry muse Erato. Oh wait, that's Greek.

         





Monday, January 27, 2014

The FREE Tree

Found this on an Oregon beach a few years ago. It's been hanging on our ginkgo tree ever since. We often thought it may have floated across the Pacific after the Japanese tsunami like other debris currently washing ashore. It doesn't glow at night so we presume not. Probably only a local fishing float.

The FREE Tree

With the exception of the surf shack, our new house has no coastal appeal. So, it's gone. Like that Japanese tidal wave, we had a dozen people, surfing the FREE ads, catch a glimpse of this float.

Passportsandpostcards.com

Curiously, a guy named Matsuda was over in an hour to take it home(I assume home is somewhere here in Portland). 

Using the old bait and switch move, he happily handed over $5 for the other hand crafted birdhouse I offered him.

Five dollars- Oh buoy!






Wednesday, January 22, 2014

When Opportunity Knocks

One Sunday, a month ago, we got a knock on the door. I was between roasting pork and halftime downstairs in the cave. Hali opens up for a couple looking, in our neighborhood, at open houses for sale. Our little bungalow has enough curb appeal to attract random strangers? Wanting to see OUR house?

Hali lets them in and shows them around- da da da da! This couple has been renting nearly a year, scoping out Portland's neighborhood's, and pinpointed a one mile radius in which to start knocking.

A few days later we have a legitimate cash offer and they want to come by for another look-see. This time they saw the house unadorned of Christmas and most of our 20's era belongings back in their glory of this old house.

They accept a counter offer and have an inspector out five days later. Nice, now we know what to fix up before we sell next Spring- a $500 value.

Spend a rainy weekend oiling hinges, clearing up the attic, waxing windows and confidently wait out the FIVE hour inspection.

Like any house approaching 100 years~ in this neighborhood, a Century House~ it will have issues, mostly updating code. 

Nonetheless, this little 1922 bungalow has enough charm to SELL itself.

Da da da da!!!!

We Scored

This was hanging around the playground across the street for over a week. I wrestled it into its handy-dandy tote and HEADED home.

 
          passportsandpostcards.com            

After three weeks of trying to find the owner, I posted it on Craigslist for $1. Right away I had response and I explained that my GOAL was to sell one thing a week.

I then THREW in a soccer ball that came OUT OF PLAY, on our side last summer.

I SCORED 5 bucks!

We're goin' to World Cup...

Brazee or Bust! Let's get packin'!!

BTW, Brazee is our new cross street. And yes, we're packing.






Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Go Pack Go!!!

When Hali and I SELL something we like to share the history of what it is we are selling and what the buyer is buying.
                            
 www.passportsandpostcards.com

We were given these T-shirts opening day at Lambeau Field last year. I never wore 'em. Why would I? I'm a lifelong Niner fan. I like Aaron Rogers and Packer fans all right but I've never had the need to wear these. Not my colors.

A month ago, as playoffs approached, I listed them on CL. Both $5. I'd renew the ad every week until it got down to $2 for both. No response. C'mon Man, the Packers are in the playoffs!

So this morning I listed them for FREE. Boy, was there a FREE surfer(someone who surfs the FREE ads) Craigslist bid wave. Replied back to the first responder and said I wanted a buck for both. He was over in 20 minutes. 

After retelling the story about these shirts, this Packer fan happily forked over a fiver, and was outa here. Go Pack Go!!!

Hali then reminded me that he gave me the $5 to shut up. Touché-->




Friday, January 10, 2014

River Time... Time To Let Go

Okay, you know our decluttering efforts are getting serious when I sell my dry bags mid-winter.  Perusing want ads, I find a paddler interested in dry bags. I've got a few. Use them once a year and are survival on whitewater but it's time to let them go.

                           
                        www.passportsandpostcards.com

Come mid-summer, I may be up the river without my dry bags, I'm keepin' the paddle.

Things are rapidly moving...

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Word Du Jour







I listen to a lot of radio, especially NPR, so I stay pretty astute of the verbiage used by radio people. Currently, the word-of-the-day is ubiquitous. A year ago, I recall never hearing this word. Today, I hear it quite often. Honestly, I don't even know what it means.

Stop! Tune in and listen. Everyday you'll hear the word ubiquitous used. Now, Google it. The word ubiquitous is everywhere.

Friday, January 3, 2014

Fantasy Football Champ or Chump?


 
Once I clicked Go, I had five minutes to prepare my draft choices in my fantasy football league. In a designated order, I draft my team, along with 11 others from all walks of life, anxious for football season. The entire process takes maybe 30 seconds, but there it was, my roster.

No, I didn't have the Mannings, Brady, or Brees who score monster fantasy points. I had a solid line-up of blue collared players who stayed healthy and put up double digit numbers every week. A tight end, Vernon Davis, was my prized player. The kicker, I don't even remember his name, was my highest scorer. My Numbniners came out every week and played hard.

After 13 weeks, my team was 9-4 and was one of four, of twelve, invited to the playoff bracket for the Championship. 

With the regular NFL season winding down, this was a good time to strategize within the fantasy league. A perfect time to click a button that says Waiver Wire. I needed a player who was scoring lots of points but was either undrafted or flew under the radar unnoticed~Hello Eagles QB, Nick Foles.

Yea, there was some smack talk goin' on and Nick Foles led the way over Brady, Brees, then Manning to my first 12 team fantasy football Championship. Oh boy, the champagne was gonna flow in that virtual locker room. My team kicked, straight-armed, and tackled their way to this moment and we were going to celebrate. Nick Foles was going to Disneyland! Postcard please, Nick:)


A day later, after the hangover, I clicked on my Numbniners icon to see how the guys were. Beside every players name was the word, OFFSEASON. What? No chest bumps? No end zone antics? No virtual trophy? The season's over? This is fantasy football not Lake Wobegon football! I want a trophy in my fantasy trophy case!!

So, this weekend begins the REAL NFL playoffs and I'm looking forward to getting back to reality. Lame fantasy, no trophy, football, The Niners travel to Green Bay to play on the 8 degree Frozen Tundra. You're all invited to the cool comfortable confines of my cave where there might actually be chest bumps- please bring a cheese dish.

Frozen Cheesehead

By the way, if you're not stickin' around Lambeau Field for football this weekend, you might catch Disney's latest, FROZEN, at your local cinema. I'm watching football, fantasizing about that 6th REAL Lombardi trophy in the San Francisco 49ers trophy case. Then I'm going to DisneyWorld!!

 49er Trophy Case