Random Thoughts of an American Male

Happy 18th Birthday, Son!

jimmyrhythm — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:43 +0000

Wednesday, February 9, 1994, 5:34 a.m. That’s when my life changed for the best. Not just better; I know my superlatives. Whatever was good in my life up until that moment was magnified, whatever was bad didn’t matter any longer.

You turn eighteen today, kiddo. You’ve made me proud. You’ve grown into an intelligent, compassionate, caring young man, a talented musician with a bright future, surrounded by family and friends who would do anything for you. And you’re way cooler than I ever was.

Enjoy your day.

Happy Birthday, young man!

Extreme Makeover: Birthday Surprise Edition

jimmyrhythm — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:46:30 +0000

My son Cameron turns 18 on February 9, and his mother, Jill, had a terrific idea for a surprise birthday gift: a makeover of his bedroom to refect his interest in Japanese culture. She had some great decorating plans; I just stayed out of her way.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Mid-Week

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Happy Birthday!

See Ya, 2011

jimmyrhythm — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:06:11 +0000

For me, 2011 was definitely a year of ups and downs. Probably for many of you, too, but we’re talking about me here. It’s my blog, isn’t it?

The big change in my life last year was the loss of two family members: I lost a brother to a brain aneurism at the end of March, and cancer claimed my mother’s life in October. She had been fighting it for several years, but once my brother passed, the fight went out of her. Children should never go before their parents.

She got to the point where she needed 24/7 care, so we all (the five remaining siblings) made the decision to put her in a “retirement community”. The last time I had a real conversation with her was the night she was transferred from the hospital.

(I haven’t mentioned that I currently live in eastern Pennsylvania, while the rest of the family lives in Northeast Ohio, save for one sister who lives in Northern California.)

On October 20, she fell and broke her hip. Because of her frail state, the medicos decided that any surgical procedure to fix her hip would probably kill her, so they just pumped her with morphine to keep her comfortable. The following Saturday, I drove out, my sister flew in. As these things are wont to happen, she knew all the kids were nearby, so she passed quietly in her sleep the morning of October 23.

There was a bit of silver lining to these dark clouds (other than the obvious one that my brother and mother were no longer suffering) in that their services brought together family members (my brother’s children from two marriages) that we hadn’t seen in 15 or so years. We still keep in touch, and one of my nephews is going to work with my California sister on some genealogical research concerning the family.

I also had my usual share of medical problems during the last twelve-month, including gall-badder removal surgery, and several steroid injections to treat various shoulder and leg ailments. On the plus side, I had no real serious health issues. I’m still in pretty decent shape for an old man.

Which reminds me: I hit the big 6-0 in 2011. No big deal. As Groucho said, “Anybody can get old. All you have to do is live long enough”. But I don’t feel old, damn it. Except in the mornings after my MMA training.

Another milestone was my 17-year-old son getting his driver’s license. Passed the test first try and all that. However, his new independence came at a price: I hardly see him any more. On alternate Fridays we used to go out to dinner at various places around the area; now he prefers hanging out with his friends. I don’t blame him; I was the same way.

That’s the gist of my 2011. Not everything, of course, but you don’t have the time, and I don’t have the energy.

Here’s hoping we all have a better 2012. “Here’s a toast to the future, A toast to the past, And a toast to our friends, far and near. May the future be pleasant; The past a bright dream; May our friends remain faithful and dear.”

Fantasy Football 2011, Final Report

jimmyrhythm — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:25:49 +0000

So the time has come to put away the fantasy shoulder-pads for another season. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve drank beer and inhaled wings for four months, all the time watching our real-life teams make themselves comfortable in the cellar until, hopefully, next season. Well, my real-life team, anyway.

Where did my fantasy teams end up?

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: Championship Game: Angus’ No Stars 76, Jayusmagnus’ Legion 80. Finished 2nd in League.
Chix & Dix League: Stratoblasters playing for 9th Place in a 20 team league. Will finish 9th or 10th in League.
Purple Pride League: 4th And 10 playing for 9th Place in a 20 team league. Will finish 9th or 10th in League.
Panther Power: Tazo Zen finished 5th Place in a 20 team league.
Pros Joes & Schmoes League: The New No. 2 finished 9th Place in a 12 team league.

NFL.com

League 337126: Championship Game: Ram Air 100.72, Green Machine 68.96. Ram Air is League Champion!
League 337241: Tazo Zen finished 3rd Place in a 10 team league.

ESPN.com:

Both teams in ESPN leagues performed miserably. They’re both playing in the consolation ladder this final week, but I couldn’t care less about the outcome of either.

Fox Sports Public League 29622: Martini Time finished in 8th Place in a 10 team league.

One League Championship out of ten teams is a bit disappointing, but, hey! There’s always next year!

Fantasy Football 2011, Week 15

jimmyrhythm — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:02:18 +0000

The season’s about over (for my Browns, the season is over; after a masterful first series led by backup QB Seneca Wallace resulted in a quick touchdown, we ended up losing to the Cardinals 20-17 in OT). Some of my fantasy teams will be watching the playoffs on fantasy TVs, while a couple are going for the gold.

Let’s see where we stand, shall we?:

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (Semifinals) Angus’ No Stars 70, Wild Hanlons 52 – Advances to League Championship game
Chix & Dix League: (Consolation Quarterfinal) Stratoblasters 207.48, SeverStal 139.68 – Advances to Consolation Semifinals
Purple Pride League: (Consolation Quarterfinal) 4th And 10 195.89, Howlers 174.25 – Advances to Consolation Semifinals
Panther Power: (Championship Quarterfinal) Tazo Zen 165.57, BONECRUSHERS1 188.91 – Advance to 5th Place Game
Pros Joes & Schmoes League: Season Over – Did Not Make Playoffs

NFL.com

League 337126: (Playing in Championship Semifinals) Ram Air 122.84, Nevada-PHD1 103.96 – Advances to League Championship Game
League 337241: (Playing in Championship Semifinals) Tazo Zen 83.56, SEAHAWKS 120.30 – Advances to 3rd Place Game

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: ( Playing in Consolation Bracket) Lehigh Valley Genesis 174, Team Eger 117 – Continue in Consolation Bracket
Football Paradise League: (Playing in Consolation Bracket) Vodka Martinis 123, MainePatsFan 187 – Continue in Consolation Bracket

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (Season Over – 10th Place) Martini Time 65.5, The Grizzlies 75.5

Two League Championship games this week! w00f!

Fantasy Football 2011, Week 14

jimmyrhythm — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:29:43 +0000

Why can’t we ever generate some good headlines? We lost to the Steelers, but what were the headlines coming out of the game? That it wasn’t the rout that was expected? That our defense kept us in the game? That we showed a little spark on offense? How about the toughness Big Ben R showed after one of his linemen fell on his ankle? No. What’s still making the news is Colt’s concussion, and him playing through it. It must be that the Cleveland medical staff was uncaring in this close game, and threw the quarterback in to continue playing because the win was more important. Or that they were incompetent in their diagnosis. Couldn’t possibly be that Colt showed no signs of injury after getting leveled by It’s-Not-My-Fault Harrison, could it? Naw.

Playoffs have started/continue in many fantasy leagues as the season winds down.

Let’s see where we stand, shall we?:

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (8-6 – Playing in Championship Semifinals) Angus’ No Stars 83, Cassi’s Revenge 63
Chix & Dix League: (8-6 – Playing in Consolation Quarterfinal) Stratoblasters 206.89, SeverStal 215.23
Purple Pride League: (8-6 – Playing in Consolation Quarterfinal) 4th And 10 148.32, flashers 172.71
Panther Power: (8-6 – Playing in Championship Quarterfinal) Tazo Zen 191.73, Cat Scratch Fever 192.20
Pros Joes & Schmoes League: (6-8 – Did Not Make Playoffs) The New No. 2 121.21, Hanlon’s Revenge 176.24

NFL.com

League 337126: (8-6 – Playing in Championship Semifinals) Ram Air 109.38, Rebels 73.34
League 337241: (9-5 – Playing in Championship Semifinals) Tazo Zen 109.60, Man of Steel 72.50

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: ( Week 1 Playoffs, Playing in Consolation Bracket) Lehigh Valley Genesis 81, Team Eger 60 (In Progress)
Football Paradise League: (Week 1 Playoffs, Playing in Consolation Bracket) Vodka Martinis 48, MainePatsFan 93 (In Progress)

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (Week 2 Playoffs, Playing in Consolation Bracket) Martini Time 75.54, Lost Gonzos 101.98

Four Championship playoff games in progress!

Fantasy Football 2011, Week 13

jimmyrhythm — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:18:41 +0000

My crappy Browns lost to the Ravens Sunday. The defense kept us in it but our 29th ranked run defense couldn’t contain Ray Rice.

Speaking of playoffs, they’re drawing close in my fantasy leagues. A few of my teams have better shots at making it than the Browns. A couple, such as my ESPN teams, have no chance, but some of the others are hanging in there.

Let’s see where we stand, shall we?:

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (7-6 – 4th Place in League) Angus’ No Stars 99, Wild Hanlons 109
Chix & Dix League: (8-5 – 3rd in Division, 10th Overall) Stratoblasters 165.60, Grogan to Morgan 213.58
Purple Pride League: (8-5 – 3rd in Division, 8th Overall) 4th And 10 257.95, Minnesota Vikings 184.00
Panther Power: (8-5 – 2nd in Division, 6th Overall) Tazo Zen 174.13, Redding Ramrods 210.16
Pros Joes & Schmoes League: (6-7 – 4th in Division, 9th Overall) The New No. 2 120.83, So Jersey Eagles 129.01

NFL.com

League 337126: (7-6 – 6th Place) Ram Air 83.24, Green Machine 96.86
League 337241: (8-5 – 4th Place) Tazo Zen 96.98, Crucifixion 59.16

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: (2-11 – 7th in Division, 15th Overall. Week 1 Playoffs, Playing in Consolation Bracket) Lehigh Valley Genesis 85, The Blitz cousins 98
Football Paradise League: (4-9 – 5th in Division, 9th Overall. Week 1 Playoffs, Playing in Consolation Bracket) Vodka Martinis 69, Sarasota Caymans 119

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (4-9 – 8th Place. Week 1 Playoffs, Playing in Consolation Bracket) Martini Time 90.9, Andrew’s Team 89.6

So I’m a combined 3-7 for the week for my head-to-head contests, and 63-67 for the season.

This season appears to be shot to hell.

Fantasy Football 2011, Week 12

jimmyrhythm — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:50:57 +0000

Well, my Brownies played one of their best games of the year last Sunday. Decent offense, Hillis played strong in his return from a hamstring injury, and it appeared that we were on our way to upset the resurgent Cincinnati Bengals…until a botched snap on a field goal attempt deflated whatever air was in our balloon. The long snapper was waived, but we are no longer listed as “In The Hunt”, playoff-wise.

Let’s check my results, shall we?:

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (7-5) Angus’ No Stars 63, Jayusmagnus’ Legion 82
Chix & Dix League: (8-4) Stratoblasters 137.97, New York Emperors 168.68
Purple Pride League: (7-5) 4th And 10 156.54, Rufnek Raiders 201.64
Panther Power: (8-4) Tazo Zen 159.28, German Panthers 147.60
Pros Joes & Schmoes League: (6-6) The New No. 2 112.54, RoughRiders 134.88

NFL.com

League 337126: (7-5) Ram Air 85.74, SteelerTown 95.44
League 337241: (7-5) Tazo Zen 121.68, SEAHAWKS 86.28

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: (2-10) Lehigh Valley Genesis 93, Team Khan 95
Football Paradise League: (4-8) Vodka Martinis 138, Team minnesota 64

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (4-8) Martini Time 90.7, Andrew’s Team 85.9

So I’m a combined 4-6 for the week for my head-to-head contests, and 60-60 for the season.

Back to .500. That sucks.

Fantasy Football 2011, Week 11

jimmyrhythm — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:16:46 +0000

A short, to-the-point post, as I prepare for a four-day vaca. Happy Thanksgiving!

Let’s check my results, shall we?:

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (7-4) Angus’ No Stars 83, RoughRiders 58
Chix & Dix League: (8-3) Stratoblasters 126.87, Flunkers 85.04
Purple Pride League: (7-4) 4th And 10 171.11, Gold In Goof Furs 213.50
Panther Power: (7-4) Tazo Zen 160.90, Claude Balls196.12
Pros Joes & Schmoes League: (6-5) The New No. 2 134.02, RX Readers 137.32

NFL.com

League 337126: (7-4) Ram Air 86.20, New York Beasts 72.24
League 337241: (6-5) Tazo Zen 69.44, super batman team 98.66

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: (2-9) Lehigh Valley Genesis 37, All Day Mafia 91
Football Paradise League: (3-8) Vodka Martinis 52, StL Buds 66

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (3-8) Martini Time 55.8, Some Ole Boys 117.8

So I’m a combined 3-7 for the week for my head-to-head contests, and 56-54 for the season.

Blah. That didn’t turn out so well.

Fantasy Football 2011, Week 10

jimmyrhythm — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:14:43 +0000

The headline read, “Browns Outplay Rams, But Lose”. Need more be said? If nothing else, we always find new and unique ways to lose on our last play.

How about me? Did my fantasy teams choke as well? Let’s check my results, shall we?:

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (6-4) Angus’ No Stars 75, RimRats 58
Chix & Dix League: (7-3) Stratoblasters 142.38, ALWAYS 185.98
Purple Pride League: (7-3) 4th And 10 182.67, toby’s purps 189.31
Panther Power: (7-3) Tazo Zen 128.08, BONECRUSHERS1 169.41
Pros Joes & Schmoes League: (6-4) The New No. 2 164.38, Halifax Explosion 142.05

NFL.com

League 337126: (6-4) Ram Air 99.80, Luftpumpe 79.80
League 337241: (6-4) Tazo Zen 108.78, Swiftoo 93.78

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: (2-8) Lehigh Valley Genesis 79, INMAN WILDDOGZ 91
Football Paradise League: (3-7) Vodka Martinis 66, MPLS itchfen 81

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (3-6) Martini Time 81.7, colt’s browns 78.9

So I’m a combined 5-5 for the week for my head-to-head contests, and 53-47 for the season.

Next week should be interesting; I have Matt Shaub on a few of my teams, and no decent replacements to be found. And did I mention it’s also a Bye Week? Gah!