Lake Affected

Fully evolved: Congratulations to Derrick, who has beaten a primate in a stock-picking game. Interesting to note that Derrick tried to sabotage himself in August.

If you can beat a primate, you're not too far away from being mocked by Jim Cramer, like one particular Vanderbilt alum and Northwestern grad student.

"Truths" from Congress: I'll keep this short. Here's what I seem to learn about the SCHIP bill that President Bush vetoed, probably because he hates children. I hate children, too, apparently. Anyway:

1. You should be entitled to spend money on whatever you want. Should you choose not to spend money on health insurance, the government (Bush veto or no) will probably take care of your kids.
2. Perfectly acceptable: using a 12-year-old to push policy. Perfectly unacceptable: reporting on the kids' parents.
3. For the bad choices of the Frosts' and other families across the country, we can thank the government for making it difficult to make other choices, like smoking an occasional cigar.

Game 1: It is true that Lou Piniella violated the cardinal rule of managing for a game that might never come when he pulled Carlos Zambrano for Carlos Marmol after six innings. What hurts more is the Cubs' problems at the plate. Brandon Webb is the best pitcher in the National League, but the top five batters need to collectively outhit the pitcher.

The most interesting thing that happened came in the ninth when Jose Valverde faced Alfonso Soriano with two outs and a runner on first. Valverde threw the notorious first-pitch hitter two fastballs down Main Street. Soriano took the first and whiffed on the second. It was 0-2, and Valverde induced a game-ending fielder's choice.

Doug Davis (tonight's pitcher) seems to pitch well against the Cubs, so pardon my moderate pessimism.

On Fort Wayne: It had been 11 years since my last trip into Fort Wayne. Back then, I was there for a weekend covering IU men's soccer in a tournament at the minor league baseball stadium. I stayed at the Hilton downtown, and I noticed the dearth of food options nearby.

Things haven't changed much. Downtown Fort Wayne has all the makings of great city. One problem: There was not one decent lunch place open at noon on Saturday. The flagship state university was playing a conference "power" on the road, and you couldn't watch it at the hotel (you could watch two in-state junior college teams, Notre Dame and Purdue, play on television, but not Indiana). You'd think a drinking and eating establishment would have its doors open somewhere within walking distance of the convention center.

Congratulations: Just got back from Fort Wayne, where I saw Derrick marry the former Jenni Glenn. Joanna and I had a wonderful time, but no one in that town was happier than Derrick, who is off to Rome on Thursday.

My "bloggage" has been light thanks to a tough quarter with school, a major project coming to its head at work, and several other engagements. Derrick's was the latest, but my schedule should grow saner shortly.


As for Derrick, we'll welcome him back in two weeks!

Labels: Congratulations, Derrick Gingery, marriage

37-27.
SUPER BOWL BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!