- Tuesday I went to to the voting poll to cast my ballot for the House of Representatives in the Republican primary. As I drove into the parking space in the church parking lot, I noticed a sign directly in front of me that told me there was to be absolutely no distributing of material or attempts to seek votes at this polling site. Duly noted, I thought to myself. I turned to open my door and noticed an elderly man and woman in the car next to me, parked in an area that was not designated for parking. The man in the passenger seat indicted that he wanted to speak to me and we rolled down our windows. I thought he was going to tell me that I wasn't allowed to park in this space for some reason, but instead he smiled. The woman in the driver's seat said, "He wants to give you something." Uh? Ok? The man took a flyer from his lap and reached his hand out his window. I did the same, stretching to reach the flyer. I thanked him. He smiled. I looked at the flyer. It was advertising a former marine candidate who would Stop Obamacare! I looked up at the sign that said no distributing of material or attempts to seek votes. The sign that was directly in front of the elderly couple's car. Uh. Hello? I looked back at the couple. The woman thanked me for voting. The window went up and they drove away. The candidate was not on that day's ballot. Perhaps that is why they gave it to me?
- We have in our area a walking/biking trail that goes from one end of our county to the other end. The trail crosses various streets and I'm quite familiar with the ones that intersect the routes that I travel. Sometimes I come upon a street I'm not use to driving and I'm traveling faster then I should be when I come across the trail. Traffic on the trail usually is suppose to stop while car traffic is suppose to slow down, but keep going. Since my mother has been in rehab I have been traveling a road I very rarely use. The other day I realized the trail crossed the road when I saw out of the corner of my eye two bikers coming down the trail; a man and a woman. The man I could see was slowing down to perhaps stop as he saw me coming and was obviously a good biker in following the law. His female companion saw me, didn't give a hoot, and I could see she was going to barrel right through the intersection. I was traveling probably faster then I should have and had to brake hard to avoid a collision, despite the male biker putting his hand out to stop his companion. She went right through as if it were her right without a thank you or a wave. I stopped and allowed him to follow her. He shook his head at her stupidity, waved at me, and rode after her. Two days later as I was coming back from the rehab place, slower this time having learned, I saw two bikers coming down the trail and so I slowed even more. I think it was the same two bikers as the man slowed, but the woman obviously planned on barreling once again through the stop sign. Unfortunately she was behind him, and so when he stopped she had to slam on her brakes. She was none to happy about it as she put her legs on the ground, and in the process of sniping at him she suddenly just tipped over and fell splat right on the ground. It happened in a slow motion for me as I slowly went on over the trail and past them, and then I wondered if I should have stopped to assist as the man was just staring down at her, shaking his head. By the time I wondered all of that I was too far down the road to lend a hand. I haven't seen them since, but what are the chances?
Friday, January 24, 2014
This week's weird things
Each week weird things happen in my life. Odd things. Things that I can't explain. I've decided to keep a list. To share.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Hump day musings
- Just when I think I can maybe have at least respect for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, he goes and says something that makes me remember why I didn't care for him in the first place. After losing in the playoffs to the Denver Broncos, Brady in an interview the next day said he wouldn't watch the Super Bowl. He didn't have "much of a rooting interest" in watching a football game. Seriously? My second thought after hearing this interview replayed on ESPN's Sports Center? And there lies the difference between you and Peyton Manning. Because I can pretty much guarantee that Manning, had he lost, would have watched that game and dissected every single play and filed it away for next season.
- At my almost half a century mark, I am finding myself worrying about the rest of what life I have left. I think we have things turned around. We should be having fun and traveling while we are young and have our health and working when we are older and looking for things to occupy our time. I'm worried that by the time I'm able to get out and see the things I've missed in life that I won't be able to do so.
- I realized that this year is going to mark my 20th wedding anniversary. Boy, twenty years sure went by quickly. What does one exchange for this milestone? I mentioned this to my husband while we were out walking the dog. His response (as usual) was to ask if I was sure this was our 20th. My response, was to shrug and tell him that my brother had mentioned my marriage in 1994 which made me count the years. "Where we not married in 1994?" I asked him. He didn't remember either. Obviously, anniversaries are not high on our lists of concerns.
- I need a manual that guides me through the high school years, especially the latter years when students begin looking towards their futures. Maybe after we navigate Madison's way through it I'll write a book titled What to Expect When Their Old Enough to Expect It or something along those lines. Why did that book end after the toddler years? Maybe it didn't, and I just never read any further. Hmmm.. Will have to look into that.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Why I still support Target
Before the holidays really kicked off, and while I was on my extreme determination to use coupons, I set off one day to accomplish quite a bit. First on my list was ordering bras for the girls online at Victoria Secrets. Let me say that I don't use the company for myself as they don't offer bras in my size, but I took the girls there to be fitted for a bra after spending money on various bras from various other companies. An elder lady with vast experience measured and fitted both girls with one bra a piece that I purchased to try out. They loved them. Even Madison, my picky shopper. So after the one month trial period I sat down at the computer with my new Angel credit card and coupons that came with said card to order new bras for Madison (Darcy having already purchased her on a previous excursion to the mall). She had picked out the bras she wanted earlier so I added them to the cart and went to check out. After going through various screens and entering my multiple coupons, my total came out to be way more then it should have because they charged me $30 shipping and handling. For two bras? Seriously? Not in this lifetime Victoria! I closed that screen, picked up my coupons and decided I would go myself to the store in the mall to get the bras.
But first I would stop off and get the oil changed in my new van, something I despise having to do with my vehicles because I always get scammed into purchasing something or into spending more money then I need to. Because I haven't a clue about auto mechanics. But I decided to take the van to Jiffy Lube which is where my friend always took the van when she owned it. She said it was pricier, but that it was close to her house and they did the job right.
I pulled in and around to the garage at the Jiffy Lube and immediately, before I could enter over the black hole that scares the crap out of me, a woman mechanic appeared at my window. That right there threw me off as I have never, ever, met a woman auto mechanic. It thrilled me to death, however, but left me tongue tied. She opened my door, told me customers did not drive over the hole, and then accompanied me into the office where she told me to have a cup of coffee that someone would be right with me. Awesome. I liked this place. I took a seat.
Then I got back up again because a man entered through another door, stood behind a computer screen, and asked how he could help me. I said I wanted an oil change. I looked out the door and saw that my van was over the black hole. What else do they do here at Jiffy Lube that he has to ask me how he can help? Odd. He asked me my name and address and phone number. He asked if I had ever been there before. I told him no, but that my friend had serviced this very van here for the last three years. He didn't give a damn. He said he was going by my license plate and it showed I was a new customer. So much for new customer relations. Then he took a stance, sort of shifting on to one leg, turning the computer screen toward me, bracing for the big sell.
Did I know that my particular van's company recommended that I use grade XXL 59 PYQ double HH 58 blah, blah, blah oil to maintain proper maintenance on this vehicle? I admitted I was unaware. He told me, lucky for me, that Jiffy Lube knew it and offered this special oil for a cost of only $89.99. I said I wanted just an oil change. A regular old fashioned no special oil change. He stared me down. Did I know that if I didn't want that particular oil that Jiffy Lube offered a second choice of XXII 49 XYZ double KK 48 blah, blah, blah oil that they recommended if I didn't want the special deluxe super-really-should-put-in-my-vehicle oil? For only $69.99? I admitted I was unaware. I said I wanted just an oil change. How much for an oil change that wasn't super-de-duper? That came with regular non super powered oil, a tire inflation, and a window wash? He replied snarkly that that would be $39.99 plus tax. I exclaimed that seemed awfully high for an oil change. He stared at me and told me he didn't give a damn that that was the cost, take it or leave it. I took it since they already had my car over the hole. He stomped out of the office, went outside to the woman auto mechanic, told her I was a bitch and wanted the cheap version, and then returned to ring me up. At least that is the way I viewed it. He was really annoyed with me. Annoyed I wasn't following Honda's and Jiffy Lube's advice and forking over $90 for oil. I handed him my credit card, signed the slip, and my car was ready. Huh? I'm not sure they even changed the oil it was so quick. I was in and out in less then 10 minutes. I can honestly say that Jiffy Lube will never have my business again. Ever.
I left the business irritated. I was two for two in businesses thus far and none too happy. I went to the mall. I had coupons for Victoria Secrets, JC Penney and Sears. I made the bra purchases, using the coupons, and felt better. I saved $30 by coming to the mall. Yippee! I went into JC Penney. I had a coupon for $10 off of $25. Madison needed jeans for school and she likes Joe Fresh jeans which are softer then my denim jeans. It took me forever to locate the darn jeans as Penney in their re-branding effort have messed up what use to be one of my favorite stores. When I found the jeans they were marked down, but only had one pair in the size that she needed. No matter. I took the jeans, added some shirts that would work for Darcy and would end up free with my coupon, went to the check out and handed the lady my coupon. She handed it back to me. "This won't work." She rang up my purchase and gave me the total. I handed the coupon back. "You can't use it," she told me. "It doesn't work. Do you want this or not?" There was a line behind me and I needed the jeans no matter what so I paid. Then I stood off to the side and searched the coupon. The date was still valid. My purchase had added up to the right amount. What the hell? I turned the coupon over, dug out my glasses for the fine print, and read that the following items were not included in the coupon. The list was endless. I think the list of what brands were part of the coupon would have been smaller. Joe Fresh was not one of the brands allowed. Seriously? And did I deserve the rudeness of that sales clerk? She couldn't explain to me the issue? I would not have added the shirts to my order had I known the coupon wouldn't work. Now I was really steamed. Three for three.
I wandered through the mall, making my way to Sears. I found some other purchases that made me happy as I strolled along and thus I entered Sears in a decent mood that was not even affected by the construction that the store was undergoing. I found the shoes for Madison, one pair as needed immediately, another pair, a fun pair, for Christmas. I went to the checkout and handed over my coupon. The lady rang it up. The coupon didn't work. She tried again. It didn't work. She called a manager. He attempted it. It didn't work. They were not rude, and both employees tried desperately to make the coupon work, but alas it didn't. I took the coupon and read the fine print. Not valid on shoes. Seriously? I paid and left the mall. Four for four.
On the way home I stopped at Target. Good old Target, before they were hacked into and given a public relations nightmare. I took my list and spent an hour filling up my cart with necessities and a few gift items. When I got to the check out I realized that I had several little goodies in my coupon caddy. One was a $5 gift card received for some previous purchase. One was a coupon for $5 off $50. Several were various cents off of purchases, and then I found I also had a coupon of $10 off of a purchase of $100. My total was way over that limit so I gave her the various coupons first. Off those came. I gave her the five dollar gift card. Off it came. I gave her the coupon for the $5 off of $50. Off it came. That left my total at $109. I proudly handed her my last coupon. She handed it back. "I can't use that too," she said. "It won't work."
By this point I was just resigned to the fact that my day sucked. I paid the money and left the store, thinking I would certainly use that coupon before it expired anyhow it being the holiday season. As I got to my car I got pissed. What the hell? Why couldn't I use that card? I got into the van and studied the coupon. Nothing on it said I couldn't use it in conjunction with other coupons. I looked at my receipt. I clearly had the correct total. That was it. I lost it. I ranted and raved inside my car where no could hear. I discussed it over the phone with a friend. I sat and studied it some more. What the hell? I got out and marched back into the store. Enough was enough. What was wrong with these businesses? I went up to Target's customer service desk and waited my turn. When the lady beckoned me to the counter I pulled out my receipt.
Me: "I just made these purchases. I gave the check out girl this coupon off of $100 and she told me I couldn't use it. I want to know why."
Target lady (taking the receipt) "It wouldn't work?"
Me: "She didn't even try. She just told me I couldn't use it and that it wouldn't work. I used another coupon which worked, but nothing on this coupon says I can't use it with another coupon."
Target lady: "Well, let's see."
She punched in my receipt. She put her hand out for my coupon. I gave it to her. She punched it in. She pulled out a ten dollar bill and handed it to me. She smiled.
Target lady: "Here you go. No problem. Sorry about that. Have a nice day."
The whole transaction took less than one minute. I stared at her. I stared at the ten dollar bill. Hard cold cash. IN MY HAND. No questions asked. No hassle. No problem. I smiled back at her. And then, and I am not kidding, I danced. I danced all the way to the door and outside and to my car. Finally! Finally a store that did what it said it would. Finally an employee that understood customer satisfaction! Finally the outcome to what I should have had all day! Finally happiness in an otherwise shitty consumer day! Target! None of this, well-listen-here-customer-who-thinks-this-coupon-will-work-but-it-doesn't-get-out-of-our-store nonsense. Just good customer service. Sorry this happened to you. Here is your savings. IN CASH!
So. While I read about Target and its mistakes and problems and security breaches I will still stand solidly behind them because of this experience. Which, when I look back, has always been my experience at Target. Good solid customer satisfaction. In an industry that is sorely lacking in it.
But first I would stop off and get the oil changed in my new van, something I despise having to do with my vehicles because I always get scammed into purchasing something or into spending more money then I need to. Because I haven't a clue about auto mechanics. But I decided to take the van to Jiffy Lube which is where my friend always took the van when she owned it. She said it was pricier, but that it was close to her house and they did the job right.
I pulled in and around to the garage at the Jiffy Lube and immediately, before I could enter over the black hole that scares the crap out of me, a woman mechanic appeared at my window. That right there threw me off as I have never, ever, met a woman auto mechanic. It thrilled me to death, however, but left me tongue tied. She opened my door, told me customers did not drive over the hole, and then accompanied me into the office where she told me to have a cup of coffee that someone would be right with me. Awesome. I liked this place. I took a seat.
Then I got back up again because a man entered through another door, stood behind a computer screen, and asked how he could help me. I said I wanted an oil change. I looked out the door and saw that my van was over the black hole. What else do they do here at Jiffy Lube that he has to ask me how he can help? Odd. He asked me my name and address and phone number. He asked if I had ever been there before. I told him no, but that my friend had serviced this very van here for the last three years. He didn't give a damn. He said he was going by my license plate and it showed I was a new customer. So much for new customer relations. Then he took a stance, sort of shifting on to one leg, turning the computer screen toward me, bracing for the big sell.
Did I know that my particular van's company recommended that I use grade XXL 59 PYQ double HH 58 blah, blah, blah oil to maintain proper maintenance on this vehicle? I admitted I was unaware. He told me, lucky for me, that Jiffy Lube knew it and offered this special oil for a cost of only $89.99. I said I wanted just an oil change. A regular old fashioned no special oil change. He stared me down. Did I know that if I didn't want that particular oil that Jiffy Lube offered a second choice of XXII 49 XYZ double KK 48 blah, blah, blah oil that they recommended if I didn't want the special deluxe super-really-should-put-in-my-vehicle oil? For only $69.99? I admitted I was unaware. I said I wanted just an oil change. How much for an oil change that wasn't super-de-duper? That came with regular non super powered oil, a tire inflation, and a window wash? He replied snarkly that that would be $39.99 plus tax. I exclaimed that seemed awfully high for an oil change. He stared at me and told me he didn't give a damn that that was the cost, take it or leave it. I took it since they already had my car over the hole. He stomped out of the office, went outside to the woman auto mechanic, told her I was a bitch and wanted the cheap version, and then returned to ring me up. At least that is the way I viewed it. He was really annoyed with me. Annoyed I wasn't following Honda's and Jiffy Lube's advice and forking over $90 for oil. I handed him my credit card, signed the slip, and my car was ready. Huh? I'm not sure they even changed the oil it was so quick. I was in and out in less then 10 minutes. I can honestly say that Jiffy Lube will never have my business again. Ever.
I left the business irritated. I was two for two in businesses thus far and none too happy. I went to the mall. I had coupons for Victoria Secrets, JC Penney and Sears. I made the bra purchases, using the coupons, and felt better. I saved $30 by coming to the mall. Yippee! I went into JC Penney. I had a coupon for $10 off of $25. Madison needed jeans for school and she likes Joe Fresh jeans which are softer then my denim jeans. It took me forever to locate the darn jeans as Penney in their re-branding effort have messed up what use to be one of my favorite stores. When I found the jeans they were marked down, but only had one pair in the size that she needed. No matter. I took the jeans, added some shirts that would work for Darcy and would end up free with my coupon, went to the check out and handed the lady my coupon. She handed it back to me. "This won't work." She rang up my purchase and gave me the total. I handed the coupon back. "You can't use it," she told me. "It doesn't work. Do you want this or not?" There was a line behind me and I needed the jeans no matter what so I paid. Then I stood off to the side and searched the coupon. The date was still valid. My purchase had added up to the right amount. What the hell? I turned the coupon over, dug out my glasses for the fine print, and read that the following items were not included in the coupon. The list was endless. I think the list of what brands were part of the coupon would have been smaller. Joe Fresh was not one of the brands allowed. Seriously? And did I deserve the rudeness of that sales clerk? She couldn't explain to me the issue? I would not have added the shirts to my order had I known the coupon wouldn't work. Now I was really steamed. Three for three.
I wandered through the mall, making my way to Sears. I found some other purchases that made me happy as I strolled along and thus I entered Sears in a decent mood that was not even affected by the construction that the store was undergoing. I found the shoes for Madison, one pair as needed immediately, another pair, a fun pair, for Christmas. I went to the checkout and handed over my coupon. The lady rang it up. The coupon didn't work. She tried again. It didn't work. She called a manager. He attempted it. It didn't work. They were not rude, and both employees tried desperately to make the coupon work, but alas it didn't. I took the coupon and read the fine print. Not valid on shoes. Seriously? I paid and left the mall. Four for four.
On the way home I stopped at Target. Good old Target, before they were hacked into and given a public relations nightmare. I took my list and spent an hour filling up my cart with necessities and a few gift items. When I got to the check out I realized that I had several little goodies in my coupon caddy. One was a $5 gift card received for some previous purchase. One was a coupon for $5 off $50. Several were various cents off of purchases, and then I found I also had a coupon of $10 off of a purchase of $100. My total was way over that limit so I gave her the various coupons first. Off those came. I gave her the five dollar gift card. Off it came. I gave her the coupon for the $5 off of $50. Off it came. That left my total at $109. I proudly handed her my last coupon. She handed it back. "I can't use that too," she said. "It won't work."
By this point I was just resigned to the fact that my day sucked. I paid the money and left the store, thinking I would certainly use that coupon before it expired anyhow it being the holiday season. As I got to my car I got pissed. What the hell? Why couldn't I use that card? I got into the van and studied the coupon. Nothing on it said I couldn't use it in conjunction with other coupons. I looked at my receipt. I clearly had the correct total. That was it. I lost it. I ranted and raved inside my car where no could hear. I discussed it over the phone with a friend. I sat and studied it some more. What the hell? I got out and marched back into the store. Enough was enough. What was wrong with these businesses? I went up to Target's customer service desk and waited my turn. When the lady beckoned me to the counter I pulled out my receipt.
Me: "I just made these purchases. I gave the check out girl this coupon off of $100 and she told me I couldn't use it. I want to know why."
Target lady (taking the receipt) "It wouldn't work?"
Me: "She didn't even try. She just told me I couldn't use it and that it wouldn't work. I used another coupon which worked, but nothing on this coupon says I can't use it with another coupon."
Target lady: "Well, let's see."
She punched in my receipt. She put her hand out for my coupon. I gave it to her. She punched it in. She pulled out a ten dollar bill and handed it to me. She smiled.
Target lady: "Here you go. No problem. Sorry about that. Have a nice day."
The whole transaction took less than one minute. I stared at her. I stared at the ten dollar bill. Hard cold cash. IN MY HAND. No questions asked. No hassle. No problem. I smiled back at her. And then, and I am not kidding, I danced. I danced all the way to the door and outside and to my car. Finally! Finally a store that did what it said it would. Finally an employee that understood customer satisfaction! Finally the outcome to what I should have had all day! Finally happiness in an otherwise shitty consumer day! Target! None of this, well-listen-here-customer-who-thinks-this-coupon-will-work-but-it-doesn't-get-out-of-our-store nonsense. Just good customer service. Sorry this happened to you. Here is your savings. IN CASH!
So. While I read about Target and its mistakes and problems and security breaches I will still stand solidly behind them because of this experience. Which, when I look back, has always been my experience at Target. Good solid customer satisfaction. In an industry that is sorely lacking in it.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Monday morning NFL recap
Well, looky, looky. The two teams I wanted to see in the Super Bowl made it. How exciting! Now I want Peyton to kick the Seahawks booty. Yee haw!
Media - And continuing on that very subject...the NFL really needs to address this issue. The media is part of the game, part of the job. Yes, many reporters ask stupid questions. Yes, many times being asked to speak after a loss, or in Sherman's case directly after stopping a huge play in the end zone that wins the game for his team, is not high on a player's list of things to do. But tough. Fans want to see what the players have to say. Fans want to feel a part of the excitement. What needs to happen is the NFL needs to work with these guys on speaking to the media. Teach these guys how to respond. Have them watch the greats like Peyton Manning who lines up on the field for the media, win or lose, and who speaks calmly and eloquently. And when players, or coaches, say things that goes out side the lines, when they do speak off the cuff, make stupid remarks, tough. The media too needs to relax and not make such a huge deal.
Bill Belichick - And I might as well keep on talking...apparently the Patriots coach made comments this morning regarding a hit the Broncos, and former Patriot, receiver Wes Welker made on Patriot defender Aquib Talib that resulted in Talib out of the rest of the game. Belichick led off his conference with this subject without being asked about it. He called the hit "a deliberate play" and "one of the worst plays I have seen." O.K. Look, I know that everyone thinks Bill Belichick is one of the best. Terry Bradshaw considers him THE best. While I agree he is a good coach, I don't consider him one of the best. One of the best to me means being fair, not cheating, and helping others. Belichick does not like being crossed. He has ideas and he has what he expects of others. Apparently Wes Welker, like his former assistant Eric Mangini, crossed a Belichick line by not sticking with the Patriots and taking a pay cut. Belichick needs to stop ruining his legacy with these types of comments. He "deliberately" set the NFL on Welker, and on a hit that didn't look dirty to me.
Tom Brady - And then after all of that nonsense we have some calm in the leader of the New England Patriots. While he is not one of my favorites, he is growing on me. He is usually respectful and classy and yesterday was no different. He was outplayed and he said so.
Offense/defense - The AFC game was offensive and the NFC game was defensive. Should make for an interesting bowl game.
Omaha - I thought maybe Manning would eliminate the popular call after last week's excitement of it in social media and despite companies in the city offering up money to Manning's charity each time he used the word, but he fooled me. I lost count of how many times he used the word, but it sort of became a superstition for me and certainly calmed me when I heard him yell it.
Aqib Talib - He shouted obscenities at a reporter when asked to speak? Pfft. When he was here in Tampa that was daily. We're just glad he is out of town.
Broncos - Peyton Manning threw for 400 yards to add to his collection and made sure to keep his offense on the field for as long as he could. Matt Prater kicked four field goals. The receivers jumped and flew through the air to make unbelievable catches with Demaryius Thomas catching seven passes for 134 yards and a touchdown. It was an offensive delight for Denver fans, but their defense did a good job of covering the Patriots and keeping Brady spooked. A good enough game to get the job done and get to the Super Bowl.
Craziness - The Seahawks and 49ers game was just brutal. Hard hits. Fighting. Trash talk. Apparently during the week the exchanges back and forth on social media alerted the officials enough to tell both teams they would put a stop to anything they deemed out of control. Uh, yeah. And what would that have been? Because things on the field were crazy. One of those things looked into this week by the NFL had better be the sideline shenanigans of the 49ers. On a punt return in the second quarter Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane was taken out by someone on the 49ers sideline when he was forced out of bounds and attempted to return to the field. When I first saw the play on Fox's replay I thought he had been clotheslined. Now that I've had the opportunity to review it in slow motion I see the staff member stuck out his foot and tripped him. Naughty, naughty. Seriously, though? The NFL has a lot of work this off season to get this game back into some kind of control.
Russell Wilson - He screwed up on the first play of the game, fumbling the ball, and every time I thought he was just off he would come back and make a bad ass play that kept the Seahawks in the game. He needs to talk to his O line this morning and demand better protection in the Super Bowl, but kudos to him in his second year.
Aqib Talib - He shouted obscenities at a reporter when asked to speak? Pfft. When he was here in Tampa that was daily. We're just glad he is out of town.
Broncos - Peyton Manning threw for 400 yards to add to his collection and made sure to keep his offense on the field for as long as he could. Matt Prater kicked four field goals. The receivers jumped and flew through the air to make unbelievable catches with Demaryius Thomas catching seven passes for 134 yards and a touchdown. It was an offensive delight for Denver fans, but their defense did a good job of covering the Patriots and keeping Brady spooked. A good enough game to get the job done and get to the Super Bowl.
Craziness - The Seahawks and 49ers game was just brutal. Hard hits. Fighting. Trash talk. Apparently during the week the exchanges back and forth on social media alerted the officials enough to tell both teams they would put a stop to anything they deemed out of control. Uh, yeah. And what would that have been? Because things on the field were crazy. One of those things looked into this week by the NFL had better be the sideline shenanigans of the 49ers. On a punt return in the second quarter Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane was taken out by someone on the 49ers sideline when he was forced out of bounds and attempted to return to the field. When I first saw the play on Fox's replay I thought he had been clotheslined. Now that I've had the opportunity to review it in slow motion I see the staff member stuck out his foot and tripped him. Naughty, naughty. Seriously, though? The NFL has a lot of work this off season to get this game back into some kind of control.
Russell Wilson - He screwed up on the first play of the game, fumbling the ball, and every time I thought he was just off he would come back and make a bad ass play that kept the Seahawks in the game. He needs to talk to his O line this morning and demand better protection in the Super Bowl, but kudos to him in his second year.
Richard Sherman - After his impromptu on the field interview with Fox's Erin Andrews, the NFL might want to rethink that whole players must talk to the media thing. Especially directly after the game while emotions are high and players are asked to comment while still on the field.
Media - And continuing on that very subject...the NFL really needs to address this issue. The media is part of the game, part of the job. Yes, many reporters ask stupid questions. Yes, many times being asked to speak after a loss, or in Sherman's case directly after stopping a huge play in the end zone that wins the game for his team, is not high on a player's list of things to do. But tough. Fans want to see what the players have to say. Fans want to feel a part of the excitement. What needs to happen is the NFL needs to work with these guys on speaking to the media. Teach these guys how to respond. Have them watch the greats like Peyton Manning who lines up on the field for the media, win or lose, and who speaks calmly and eloquently. And when players, or coaches, say things that goes out side the lines, when they do speak off the cuff, make stupid remarks, tough. The media too needs to relax and not make such a huge deal.
Bill Belichick - And I might as well keep on talking...apparently the Patriots coach made comments this morning regarding a hit the Broncos, and former Patriot, receiver Wes Welker made on Patriot defender Aquib Talib that resulted in Talib out of the rest of the game. Belichick led off his conference with this subject without being asked about it. He called the hit "a deliberate play" and "one of the worst plays I have seen." O.K. Look, I know that everyone thinks Bill Belichick is one of the best. Terry Bradshaw considers him THE best. While I agree he is a good coach, I don't consider him one of the best. One of the best to me means being fair, not cheating, and helping others. Belichick does not like being crossed. He has ideas and he has what he expects of others. Apparently Wes Welker, like his former assistant Eric Mangini, crossed a Belichick line by not sticking with the Patriots and taking a pay cut. Belichick needs to stop ruining his legacy with these types of comments. He "deliberately" set the NFL on Welker, and on a hit that didn't look dirty to me.
Tom Brady - And then after all of that nonsense we have some calm in the leader of the New England Patriots. While he is not one of my favorites, he is growing on me. He is usually respectful and classy and yesterday was no different. He was outplayed and he said so.
CBS vs FOX - Such little differences, but...
- When the game is moving along and passes are flying through the air the announcers sound intelligent and have worthwhile things to contribute, but when the game is a defensive, low scoring game even good announcers like Joe Buck and Troy Aikman end up making inane comments and are just plain boring.
- Yes, yes, everyone wants their analysts to remain neutral at the desk and when reporting, but I for one love when these guys are true to their teams. I had no problem with CBS's Shannon Sharpe's enthusiasm for his Denver Broncos, pulling out his helmet at the end of their broadcast. Made for funny television. Didn't cross the line in my book, any more then Michael Strahan's excitement for his New York Giants a couple of years back. These guys played years for teams that they still love. I respect that. I love it myself.
- CBS did a better job of interviews on the field after the game compared to Fox, but I was disappointed that CBS left as early as they did when the game ended. Kudos to Fox for hanging around and giving fans more. I'm sure it had to do with rules and regulations, but I'm sure it left Bronco fans feeling empty.-
Sunday, January 19, 2014
NFL picks - division playoffs
Let me first say that I would love to see Seattle and Denver in the Super Bowl. Two new teams for a change! Plus, I love the two quarterbacks on these teams. Two good guys for a change! So I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Seattle over San Francisco - Now that my pick is locked in I feel differently, but maybe the Seahawks really can use the crowd, Russell Wilson really will make some big plays, and it really won't matter that wide receiver Percy Harvin is sitting on the sidelines.
New England over Denver - Now that my pick is locked in I feel differently, but Peyton Manning just seems to have some curse on him in the playoffs. Or nerves. Or something off in his head. Plus, the whole Omaha thing is now so huge with the state of Nebraska offering up money for his foundation every time he says the word in this game. And Tom Brady loves to beat Manning who overshadows him despite his own personal career and super model wife personal life.
I'm not sure I can take the stress of these games.
Seattle over San Francisco - Now that my pick is locked in I feel differently, but maybe the Seahawks really can use the crowd, Russell Wilson really will make some big plays, and it really won't matter that wide receiver Percy Harvin is sitting on the sidelines.
New England over Denver - Now that my pick is locked in I feel differently, but Peyton Manning just seems to have some curse on him in the playoffs. Or nerves. Or something off in his head. Plus, the whole Omaha thing is now so huge with the state of Nebraska offering up money for his foundation every time he says the word in this game. And Tom Brady loves to beat Manning who overshadows him despite his own personal career and super model wife personal life.
I'm not sure I can take the stress of these games.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
The search for a new grocery store
At the end of 2013, the grocery store that I've shopped at for twenty years closed. It is going to be remodeled into a bigger, two story store with an added pharmacy. The plan is to be open again in ten months, which we all know means a year or longer. I am not happy about this as I liked the smaller, neighborhood store. It was built in 1963 and its layout is vastly different from all of the other stores in its chain. The employees there have known me since before I had children. They have watched my kids grow. They have bantered with me over football. They have ordered me special requests. The bakery made my wedding cake and my girls' first birthday cakes (and most hereafter). The deli people remember my order. The dairy guy looks for me on Mondays to discuss the Steelers. The produce employees know most everything about my life, and the cashiers each have different topics we discuss as they ring me up. The closing of this store has disrupted my life and left me feeling discombobulated.
I live within a two mile radius of four grocery stores. If you drew a square starting at my house, there is a Publix grocery store at each corner. That is, there use to be. Now the southwest corner is empty, stripped of its signage, the interior gutted. I have been to each of the other groceries at one time or another, even when they once belonged to another chain. The southeast corner grocery was closest to my children's private school and was easy to pop in when dropping off or picking up. Kelly once worked at that grocery when she first moved here and it was another company. After that company pulled out of our area, Publix took over the store, remodeled it, and my old branch manager was put in charge of running it. The first time he saw me in the store he hurried over and thanked me for coming. I told him not to get use to seeing me here that I was a true and loyal customer to the old store. The northwest corner grocery is probably the closest to my house, but it is hard to get in and out of and most of us locals sneak in the back way through the Walgreens parking lot. It sits on the street that leads to the beach and during spring time we locals avoid that area. It too was once another chain store that was overtaken and remodeled. I didn't much care for it when it belonged to the other chain. The last corner is probably the farthest away, which isn't saying much as it is right up the street, but it isn't a grocery I used very often. It is the one that is next to a Hallmark store that I go into maybe four times a year and is convenient when I need a smoothie from Tropical Smoothie in the next plaza. The one thing it has going for it in my book is once I left some Hallmark card purchases in the shopping cart after unloading in the parking lot. Several months later an employee found the cards still in the cart and took them over to the Hallmark store. The employee there tracked me down by my name on the receipt and the cards were returned to me. I've never forgotten that.
Now I feel like I'm interviewing Publix stores to see which one will earn my business for the next year. The employees from my old store are scattered, the brunt of them in any of the other three corner stores, the others in stores closer to home. On New Year's Eve I stopped in the store that Kelly once worked in because I happened to be driving by it on my way home from somewhere else. This store has absorbed the customers from our closed store as they both are on the same road. On New Year's Eve it was packed. The layout of the store is odd and I wandered through it irritated, trying to locate item and annoying my daughters by talking about how much I hated the store. I ran into three employees from my old store; my buddy from the bakery, a woman from the deli, and my favorite bagger. The bakery guy was collecting carts from the parking lot and working in unloading. He was not the same happy go-lucky employee having found a vast difference in work ethic with his new co-workers. These co-workers were also not as receiving of the new hires or of the new customer,s and tension was definitely in the air. (At least that is how I saw things when witnessing a few happenings) My little bagger lady, a handicap women I've known for years, almost burst into tears when she saw me as she readied herself for her first day, waiting to punch in at the time clock. She is the one that told me the remodeling workers had already discovered a hiccup in the old store, something about faulty piping. She was very unhappy and looked very lost. I left the store feeling sad.
The next store I tried was the one at the other end of my street. I use this store for the rare times I need a different pharmacy, for when I'm popping into Walgreens, or for getting sandwiches to take to my buddy's house on football days. It is set up a lot like the other store, both previously owned by a different grocery chain, and while both are bright, spacious and inviting I find them anything but. The layout is opposite and twisted from what I am use to. I think the produce is certainly not up to par and the employees not as helpful. I decided that this too was not going to be a grocery I wanted to frequent for the next year.
The last grocery I went into was the one that is farther up the street. It also happens to be the one closest to where my mother is currently in rehab recovering from her latest hospitalization so the first attempt I made was after visiting her. At the deli counter I asked the girl behind it if the store had seen an increase in population with the closing of my store. She said they had that they had also acquired some of that store's employees. She asked if I was from that store and I said yes. She welcomed me to this store and said she hoped that I would enjoy this store. I thought that nice. Later as I went down an aisle looking for black beans, two employees stocking shelves in that aisle asked if I needed help. I mentioned my store closing and we had a conversation on the construction, missing the employees, and familiarity. They welcomed me to this store and told me they thought I would find it my liking and if there was anything I needed to order to just let them know. Hmmm...quite nice. On I went. At the check out when the cashier asked if I had found everything I needed I told her I was seeking out a new store. Ah, she replied, you are from the store that closed recently? She then introduced herself, welcomed me, asked me my name and told me they were happy to have me as a customer. Then she called over the manager who repeated the above and then asked me if I needed help taking my groceries to the car. I left feeling quite happy. The second attempt at this grocery was almost as nice as the first. While in the produce section I lamented to Darcy that the cilantro was always so tired looking at this store. Immediately, an employee in that aisle unboxing produce told me he would look in the back for some more. He disappeared and than reappeared quickly with a whole new batch of cilantro, apologized to me, and replaced the cilantro. Looks like I have found a winner!
I live within a two mile radius of four grocery stores. If you drew a square starting at my house, there is a Publix grocery store at each corner. That is, there use to be. Now the southwest corner is empty, stripped of its signage, the interior gutted. I have been to each of the other groceries at one time or another, even when they once belonged to another chain. The southeast corner grocery was closest to my children's private school and was easy to pop in when dropping off or picking up. Kelly once worked at that grocery when she first moved here and it was another company. After that company pulled out of our area, Publix took over the store, remodeled it, and my old branch manager was put in charge of running it. The first time he saw me in the store he hurried over and thanked me for coming. I told him not to get use to seeing me here that I was a true and loyal customer to the old store. The northwest corner grocery is probably the closest to my house, but it is hard to get in and out of and most of us locals sneak in the back way through the Walgreens parking lot. It sits on the street that leads to the beach and during spring time we locals avoid that area. It too was once another chain store that was overtaken and remodeled. I didn't much care for it when it belonged to the other chain. The last corner is probably the farthest away, which isn't saying much as it is right up the street, but it isn't a grocery I used very often. It is the one that is next to a Hallmark store that I go into maybe four times a year and is convenient when I need a smoothie from Tropical Smoothie in the next plaza. The one thing it has going for it in my book is once I left some Hallmark card purchases in the shopping cart after unloading in the parking lot. Several months later an employee found the cards still in the cart and took them over to the Hallmark store. The employee there tracked me down by my name on the receipt and the cards were returned to me. I've never forgotten that.
Now I feel like I'm interviewing Publix stores to see which one will earn my business for the next year. The employees from my old store are scattered, the brunt of them in any of the other three corner stores, the others in stores closer to home. On New Year's Eve I stopped in the store that Kelly once worked in because I happened to be driving by it on my way home from somewhere else. This store has absorbed the customers from our closed store as they both are on the same road. On New Year's Eve it was packed. The layout of the store is odd and I wandered through it irritated, trying to locate item and annoying my daughters by talking about how much I hated the store. I ran into three employees from my old store; my buddy from the bakery, a woman from the deli, and my favorite bagger. The bakery guy was collecting carts from the parking lot and working in unloading. He was not the same happy go-lucky employee having found a vast difference in work ethic with his new co-workers. These co-workers were also not as receiving of the new hires or of the new customer,s and tension was definitely in the air. (At least that is how I saw things when witnessing a few happenings) My little bagger lady, a handicap women I've known for years, almost burst into tears when she saw me as she readied herself for her first day, waiting to punch in at the time clock. She is the one that told me the remodeling workers had already discovered a hiccup in the old store, something about faulty piping. She was very unhappy and looked very lost. I left the store feeling sad.
The next store I tried was the one at the other end of my street. I use this store for the rare times I need a different pharmacy, for when I'm popping into Walgreens, or for getting sandwiches to take to my buddy's house on football days. It is set up a lot like the other store, both previously owned by a different grocery chain, and while both are bright, spacious and inviting I find them anything but. The layout is opposite and twisted from what I am use to. I think the produce is certainly not up to par and the employees not as helpful. I decided that this too was not going to be a grocery I wanted to frequent for the next year.
The last grocery I went into was the one that is farther up the street. It also happens to be the one closest to where my mother is currently in rehab recovering from her latest hospitalization so the first attempt I made was after visiting her. At the deli counter I asked the girl behind it if the store had seen an increase in population with the closing of my store. She said they had that they had also acquired some of that store's employees. She asked if I was from that store and I said yes. She welcomed me to this store and said she hoped that I would enjoy this store. I thought that nice. Later as I went down an aisle looking for black beans, two employees stocking shelves in that aisle asked if I needed help. I mentioned my store closing and we had a conversation on the construction, missing the employees, and familiarity. They welcomed me to this store and told me they thought I would find it my liking and if there was anything I needed to order to just let them know. Hmmm...quite nice. On I went. At the check out when the cashier asked if I had found everything I needed I told her I was seeking out a new store. Ah, she replied, you are from the store that closed recently? She then introduced herself, welcomed me, asked me my name and told me they were happy to have me as a customer. Then she called over the manager who repeated the above and then asked me if I needed help taking my groceries to the car. I left feeling quite happy. The second attempt at this grocery was almost as nice as the first. While in the produce section I lamented to Darcy that the cilantro was always so tired looking at this store. Immediately, an employee in that aisle unboxing produce told me he would look in the back for some more. He disappeared and than reappeared quickly with a whole new batch of cilantro, apologized to me, and replaced the cilantro. Looks like I have found a winner!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Holiday Photos #2
I have taken the last week off to recoup from all of the holiday activities and to try to regroup in my mind and body. We had a busy two weeks of family, food, wine, gifts, food, family, and opportunity for more sleep, but got less. This week I am determined to start out my new year by jumping on my resolutions and forging ahead with a life that will open to new ideas and things.
My brother and family arrived via car the second week of break.
My family, who spent the first week with us, departed. Before departing they decided that purchasing a suitcase to take home their belongings would be cheaper then mailing a big box home. Two days before they left my husband found a suitcase while walking our dog. I'm not kidding. It was a perfect suitcase set out for the next day's trash pick up. The only thing in the suitcase was this rock and the owner's name; Daniel Jones. We had a lot of fun with that rock, wondering what it really was (tracking device, voodoo charm), and passing it from person to person. Thank you Daniel Jones.
Tom's sister and family arrived the second week too. A big group of us went to the beach after Christmas to put our feet in the sand, and I made us pose for a New Year's card since a Christmas card didn't happen.
We ate at a favorite local restaurant despite the huge crowds that appeared the week after Christmas (Outback Bowl) and caused quite the traffic jam to and from the beach. Our favorite restaurant just added tables out back and we ate in close proximity to the dumpster.
We went back to the putt putt we had discovered at Thanksgiving. This time the adults all played.
Despite this guy who apparently waited too long for the group in front of him to putt
My nephew (my brother's son) spent most of his vacation on his phone with his girlfriend. We have been there, done that, with him before so we mostly ignored it.
We played a lot of games and cards the rest of the week. My mother was in poor health from a change in medication and ended up in the hospital. My husband's sister and family spent an extra two days in Florida due to a cancellation in their flight. My brother and family and my brother in law made it home by driving before the huge winter storm struck the Midwest.
We took down the holiday decorations and dumped the tree to the curb and sat in a quiet house wondering how it had all gone by so fast and furious and readied ourselves for the week ahead and our normal routines.
Ah, the end of one year and the beginning of another.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
NFL Monday recap - playoffs
NFC -
Defense - Both sides in the NFC games played defensive games that we haven't seen much in this season of run and gun passers. The scores were lower, the tackles fierce, the emotions high, and the trash talking nasty. Will only get worse next week in the NFC Championship next week.
Defense - Both sides in the NFC games played defensive games that we haven't seen much in this season of run and gun passers. The scores were lower, the tackles fierce, the emotions high, and the trash talking nasty. Will only get worse next week in the NFC Championship next week.
Marshawn Lynch - Take that $50,000 and shove it. Unbelievable game. He came to play whether he talked about it with the press or not. He was like a little rocket pushing forward on its way to its target, spinning and crushing through obstacles. He just couldn't be stopped and racked up 140 yards, leading the Seahawks into the NFC Championship game.
Cam Newton - His post conference was heartbreaking. He took the loss hard and put it on himself. Missed fourth downs. Red zone stops. Quarterback sneak stuffs. Kissing the turf. Welcome to the big game. Take it and learn from it.
Harbaugh on field - Coach Harbaugh is fiercely competitive and when he feels his team has been wronged he has no problem letting people know it. After one missed call that was eventually overturned and ruled a touchdown, Harbaugh came out on the field to set the referee straight. Only problem is stepping on the field is a no no resulting in a fifteen yard penalty. Hey, Harbaugh, at least it isn't a draft pick takeaway.
AFC -
Andrew Luck - Gotta give it to the guy; he can throw the long pass. He made some great throws on Saturday. Unfortunately, he made some bad ones too getting intercepted four times. The difference in this game compared to last week's game was that the Patriots made sure to score on those turnovers.
T.Y. Hilton - He was mentioned early on by the cute-we-only-allow-women-on-the-field-and-not-in-the-booth sideline reporter. He wasn't happy with his lack of receptions and then next thing we saw was him making an unbelievable catch from a Luck power pass. He is a dangerous receiver and the Patriots actually did a fairly decent job of keeping him contained. He only had four catches, but his 103 yards on those receptions was a main reason the Colts were still in the game.
LaGarrette Blount - 166 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Four. The Patriots running back took the heat off of Tom Brady and kept Marshawn Lynch from being the talk of the weekend.
Tom Brady - For years I have not liked him and his attitude, but then sometime last year he started to grow on me. I've read about how he and Peyton Manning talk, and I liked that he agreed to be interviewed for Manning's Sports Illustrated article. No doubt about it, the guy can play football and he is definitely one of the good guys when it comes to conducting himself. He is so focused on the sidelines during a game. I never doubted him yesterday when the Colts were matching touchdowns. He is just that good.
Luck's beard - I am so glad the Colts lost so that I don't have to see that thing again on high definition television. Please, Andrew, shave that hairy growth before it overtakes your face anymore.
AFC -
Andrew Luck - Gotta give it to the guy; he can throw the long pass. He made some great throws on Saturday. Unfortunately, he made some bad ones too getting intercepted four times. The difference in this game compared to last week's game was that the Patriots made sure to score on those turnovers.
T.Y. Hilton - He was mentioned early on by the cute-we-only-allow-women-on-the-field-and-not-in-the-booth sideline reporter. He wasn't happy with his lack of receptions and then next thing we saw was him making an unbelievable catch from a Luck power pass. He is a dangerous receiver and the Patriots actually did a fairly decent job of keeping him contained. He only had four catches, but his 103 yards on those receptions was a main reason the Colts were still in the game.
LaGarrette Blount - 166 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Four. The Patriots running back took the heat off of Tom Brady and kept Marshawn Lynch from being the talk of the weekend.
Tom Brady - For years I have not liked him and his attitude, but then sometime last year he started to grow on me. I've read about how he and Peyton Manning talk, and I liked that he agreed to be interviewed for Manning's Sports Illustrated article. No doubt about it, the guy can play football and he is definitely one of the good guys when it comes to conducting himself. He is so focused on the sidelines during a game. I never doubted him yesterday when the Colts were matching touchdowns. He is just that good.
Luck's beard - I am so glad the Colts lost so that I don't have to see that thing again on high definition television. Please, Andrew, shave that hairy growth before it overtakes your face anymore.
Denver's slippery fingers - Can't blame Manning this playoff game for the dropped passes and missed catches. Too many to count in this game and that has to be a main concern this week in practice. I felt like Gisele yelling at the television. Receivers: You have one main job. Catch and hold on to the damn ball. Manning can't do that too.
Omaha - It got to be funny as Manning shouted out the word that caused the Chargers to bolt, earning penalties and extra time for the Broncos. It worked once, then twice, and then it became a drinking game. Something tells me the Chargers aren't going to be ordering steaks or heading to Nebraska any time soon.
Tension - I want Peyton Manning (and Russell Wilson) in the big game so much that this AFC game was like watching the Steelers. I was a nervous wreck and completely worn out at the end. Whew. Talk about the monkey off of Manning's back. I just hope he can put it away next week earlier, but something tells me I'm in for another hard evening.
Julius Thomas - Huge catches in the end, one at third and seventeen in the last three minutes and one at third and six in the last two minutes that gave the Broncos the chance to sit on the ball until the clock ran out.
John Fox - How cool is he on the sideline? Like nothing worries him. I wonder if that is due to his recent health scare or the fact that he has Peyton Manning as his quarterback? Or maybe he is trying to channel Bill Bellichick.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
NFL Picks Playoffs #2
Seattle over New Orleans - I've got to go with my man Russell Wilson who is looking for further entry into the playoffs after losing last year to the Falcons in round one. The Saints haven't been as consistence as the Seahawks, and while I believe the season doesn't much matter once in the playoffs, I'm hoping Wilson and company play like they did all year.
New England over Indianapolis - Experience over Luck? That's what I'm counting on.
Denver over San Diego - I hear that Phillip Ruvera is clutch, and while I don't see this team play much, I wouldn't list him in my top five quarterbacks. Peyton Manning, on the other hand? I want to see him win the whole enchilada because I want to see the good guy come out
In top for once.
San Francisco over Carolina - While I will root for Cam Newton and team I still have that streak worry. At some point most undefeated streaks end.
Saturday, January 04, 2014
Monday morning football recap
Well now, all four of my picks lost. 0-4. WTH? By the time the Packers took the field I didn't even watch much of it because I knew then they were doomed. Sigh.
NBC announcers - I didn't care for the team of Dan Hicks and Mike Mayock who called the Chiefs/Colts game. Not only had I never heard of them, but they had absolutely no pop and sizzle. They were as different from the second team of Cris Collinsworth and Al Michaels as the Chiefs were from the Colts in that second half of their game. Makes a difference too for those of us sitting at home.
First Game - You couldn't ask for a better playoff game. The Chiefs came to play....for the first half. They exploded out of the tunnel and the Colts didn't know what was happening. Then halftime ended and the two teams changed positions. It went down to the wire and kept fans and football lovers on the edge of our seats.
Chiefs defense - What happened here? What happened in that locker room that made these guys come out and play the way they did? That loss is on the defense no doubt about it; missed tackles,
lazy coverage, half assed attempts. They gave up 536 yards, allowing Colts T. W. Hilton to put up 224 yards in receptions. Pitiful.
Colts offense - Which isn't to say that the Colts didn't work their tails off in this comeback. They did. The play calls were spot on, the players determined, and Andrew Luck solid in the pocket and in confidence, despite throwing three previous interceptions. Kudos to them.
Luck's beard - I griped a week or so ago about all these guys growing beards (holy Brett Favre's beard...ugh) but the Colts quarterback's beard is just plain mountain man-ish. Then I got a glimpse of the top of his head and realized he must have made his beard using what use to be there.
Concussions - One by one they dropped. In the first game. In the second game. In the third game. So much for that number one concern being taken care of this season.
Andy Dalton - Was he even aware of where he was? He threw interceptions. He fumbled. I know players have bad games, but I'm not sure Dalton even came out to play. Not that his teammates were any better. This was the same team the Steelers beat twice this year.
Third game - As exciting as the first two games were, the first game of day two was as boring. I went to sleep during halftime and missed the third quarter. Turned out I didn't miss a thing.
NFC -
Nick Foles - He was the real breakout star of quarterbacks this year with Luck, Griffin III, and Wilson being old hat, and while he played respectfully in his first playoff game, he wasn't explosive as he had been during the year. Unfortunately, in the playoffs you need to be just that.
Saints - There is something to be said for experience. Drew Bree's kept his team in the thick of it. I've always said that the playoffs are like starting the season over again with all teams at 0-0. Doesn't matter what you did previously to get there. Obviously, you did enough. Wipe the slate and every team has a shot. Bree's knew that, remained calm despite an interception and some bad reads, and got his team the win.
Colin Kaepernick - Despite missing his arm band with the plays and forced to take a timeout to retrieve it, the 49ers quarterback was everything Andy Dalton wasn't. His big rushing numbers, as well as his passing ones, won that game.
Cold weather - Green Bay won the trophy for coldest venue at 3 degrees, but the hype of storms and freezing temperatures almost overtook all the games themselves. Even Indianapolis was included in the hype and Lucas Stadium is indoors.
Jim Harbaugh - Always easy to be funny in the post season conference when you pull off the win, eh, Jim? He sure was a lot more relaxed then he was at the end of last year's Super Bowl.
Marshawn Lynch - It's been rumored that he was fined by the NFL a whopping $50,000 for never speaking to the media all season long. What? They just now want to hear what he has to say?
Trent Dilfer - I keep saying this, but he is the MAN when it comes to analyzing the game. I look forward to his ESPN coverage every Monday. The man is spot on and isn't afraid to tell it. After the Bengals loss, the media is now wanting to throw Andy Dalton under the bus. Dilfer, who has been there and done that having quarterbacked five different teams, disagreed. He argued that teams have got to build around the quarterbacks they have because, "...you're not going to go to the Hall of Fame quarterback tree and just pluck one off and go to the Super Bowl." Point being not everyone can have a Tom Brady, Drew Brees, or Peyton Manning. Boo Ya!
Wild card playoff picks
Kansas City over Indianapolis - Ever since Colts' owner Jim Irsay messed with my boy Peyton Manning I dislike Irsay winning thus I don't root for the Colts to win. The Chiefs are hot right now, but the Colts are the comeback kids. I went with who I wanted to win.
Philadelphia over New Orleans - The little quarterback that could is playing the big quarterback that can, but I just had a feeling.
Cincinnati over San Diego - Both teams can be wishy washy, but I saw how the Chargers beat the Chiefs' reserves. Thus I'm going with the Bengals.
Green Bay over San Francisco - I'm going with the Packers because they are at home and that place is magical when the weather is cold and snowy.