Balance

My fantasy football team won its first playoff game this past weekend.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Dec 9, 2005 -> 05:27 PM) The US games will all be on TV as will other games. I had a blast following the World Cup last time around and I'm excited for the upcoming cup. The key will be to stay up at odd hours (since there is the time zone difference). TiVo will also help, I think. I remember watching some WC games in 1994, and I definitely want to see a few. Thanks for all the suggestions!

So, here's a question for you hard-core soccer fans- what's the best way for the average U.S. viewer (who, like me, is not really familiar with international soccer at all) to watch and appreciate the World Cup? I'd like to give it a chance.

QUOTE(CanOfCorn @ Dec 9, 2005 -> 11:12 AM) Alrighty then, I think, to protect the health of the smokers that have to go outside (the best that can be done), every bar or restaurant needs to designate a smoking spot outside their places of businesses. Maybe one a block, like a bus stop. On days like you are having today, it's unfair to make someone who personally chooses to do something to force them into a hazardous situation. Smoking - choice. Forced outside in snow/cold - not a choice. Wait a minute. You've said yourself that smoking is a choice. How, then, are smokers being forced to do anything? Choose not to smoke, and you no longer have to go outside and be subjected to what you call "hazardous situation."

The universe is such a cruel, cruel place. That is just unimaginable.

QUOTE(shakes @ Dec 9, 2005 -> 10:30 AM) He's got 4/48 left on his contract. It's not going to happen. Yeah, that sounds a little too rich for our taste. I'd rather have the pitching and the extra cash.

QUOTE(BlackBetsy @ Dec 9, 2005 -> 09:48 AM) I just don't see anything less than McCarthy or Garland + Uribe + prospects getting Tejada. And I'm not sure the Orioles would even go for that. That's what I thought, too. How much is Miggy T making, and how long is he under contract?

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Dec 8, 2005 -> 08:25 AM) Tell that to all the genocide victims from around the world of the last 60 years... Like the ones we're ignoring in Darfur?

And here I was thinking this would be about the Beastie Boys....

Keep giving us more good news, Steff!

I'm glad the ban passed, but nothing is going to change in Chicago's bars for two and a half years. The main reason I supported the ban is to get smoking out of bars, for the sake of the employees and the patrons. That's still a long time to wait. Heck, I may have moved out to the burbs before I can enjoy the smoking ban.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Dec 7, 2005 -> 02:54 PM) Uh oh, why havent I heard from my rep yet? It probably wouldn't hurt to give them a call. The Sox rep who contacted me was responding to a voice mail I left on Monday. Try 312-674-1000 and ask for a season ticket sales rep.

I just got off the phone with a White Sox representative. I'm in! I'll be in Lower Reserved, Section 102. See you for the weekend games!

QUOTE(YASNY @ Dec 7, 2005 -> 10:27 AM) It could have just as easily been two evolutionists who wanted to give creationists some bad publicity. Let's not just make assumptions here. Assumptions? You're asking us to assume that the professor was lying.

Hoping for the best.

QUOTE(FlaSoxxJim @ Dec 6, 2005 -> 11:19 PM) You want odds on whether or not these guys turn out to be self-professed Christians as the story develops? Honestly?? Tell you what, Bro, the next time a story breaks about two agnostics pounding the crap out of an evangelical Christian make sure to post it here and rub my face in it. I consider myself forewarned. Of course, the next time that story breaks will be the first time. :rolly Jim beat me to the punch. But he's right. Anyone who thinks that the two felons who attacked that professor did it for some reason unrelated to his class is intentionally misleading themselves.

Hey, we're not complaining. We're just excited!

QUOTE(Jenks Heat @ Dec 6, 2005 -> 05:53 PM) Let's hope for an MVP award and ice his way into the HOF. Oakland would become my second favorite team. If this is true, I'll respect him. I won't boo him. But if the Big Hurt knocks some pitches over the fence against the White Sox, I won't be cheering.

Damn. I was hoping that he'd choose to retire as a South Sider.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Dec 6, 2005 -> 01:50 PM) 30.5 I definitely like the under, then. Of course, last week I would have taken UCLA and the points, so don't take my word for it....

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Dec 6, 2005 -> 05:30 PM) I put a deposit down Friday night and havent got a call yet. I'm also impatient, hopefully nothing went wrong. I'll post something as soon as I hear from them. Will you do the same?

QUOTE(FlaSoxxJim @ Dec 6, 2005 -> 01:04 AM) And the news story that somehow flew under the radar today. http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2005/dec/05/m...ating/?breaking Onward, Christian Soldiers! Way to love your neighbor. f***ing mouthbreathers. No word on whether they were going to try and burn him at the stake for heresy.... :headshake

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Dec 6, 2005 -> 02:10 PM) http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/06/dean.iraq/index.html Typical drivel from this blowhard idiot. Guys like this would have quit on WW2 because it was too hard, would have quit the Civil War because there were too many casualties and would never have fought the Revolutionary War because it was too difficult. Typical neocon mudslinging and oversimplification. The president would not have had to spin-doctor intelligence and lie to the American public to support our involvement in WWII, the Civil War, or the Revolutionary War. There was no question that those wars were just. Our president got us into Iraq based on statements that, at best, could be described as "half-truths."

I listen to, in no particular order.... Mike & Mike in the morning (ESPN 1000) Jonathan Brandmeier (97.9) Boers & Bernstein (670) MacNeil, Jurko, & Harry (ESPN 1000) As far as political radio (Mike North doesn't count), I stay away. The political talk radio airwaves are dominated by right-wing crap.

I know that the demand for season tickets has been huge. For those of you who have already done this, could you give me a good estimate- I sent the Sox my deposit for season tickets yesterday via the Sox website. How long does it take for them to get through all the orders they've received and get to me? (I'm a first-timer, not a repeat customer.) Yep, I'm impatient. Thanks for any guidance.