Author: thependulumswings staff

Ten Piece Nuggets-CFB

Posted on by thependulumswings staff

If college football was a horse race the announcer would exclaim, “they’ve hit the far turn.”  Eight games, or two-thirds in of twelve, the games never fail to intrigue.  As they make the turn, we head to the nuggets.

  1.  A speed horse is one that jumps way out front and burns out, eventually giving way to the field.  But, Alabama is no speed horse.  It’s the class of the race.  Sitting unanimously at no. 1 in the new AP Top 25, it’s looking back at the field wondering if there is a worthy challenger.  They stay in the barn this coming week prepping for a Baton Rouge run v. the now # 4 LSU Tigers.
  2.  THE Ohio St. wasn’t running a clean race for weeks, but was still rambling down the backstretch in second.  They were. Purdue handed them their third loss in three years to an inferior Big 10 opponent.   The Boilermakers of Purdue kicked mud in THE’s eye.  THE fell back hard to 11th.  If they win out and beat Michigan in the season finale, who knows?
  3. Clemson jockeyed to second with a convincing romp of undefeated pretender North Carolina St.  Clemson wants everyone to know that they still own the ACC.  In a distant second in the ACC is, well, North Carolina St. The Wolfpack dropped back to 23.
  4.  Notre Dame is 3 and LSU, off of an uneven but defensively dominating 19-3 win over Mississippi St., now holds the coveted 4th spot.  They’ll likely hold it next week too as they lick their wounds from a tough early track with an off week as well.  Alabama visits on 11/3.  One would wager that College Gameday will visit on 11/3 as well.
  5. Michigan, Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Florida make up the next five through nine.  They are all tightly bunched and one or two could break free as we soon turn for home.  They all have one loss.  Michigan stands out though.  They are lurking at 5.  The Wolverines allowed a meager, paltry, miserly 94 total yards to decent in state rival Michigan St. Their only loss was in week one to the Fighting Irish, and is a minor blemish now.
  6. One of Georgia and Florida will be put out to pasture as far as title aspirations go this weekend.  The “Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” that you cannot call “The Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” anymore gets served straight with ice on Saturday.  The #9 Gators opened yesterday as a nine-point dog to the Bulldogs.
  7.  UCF wants to know if anyone cares to notice that they are #10.  It seems not.  They seem to only run in claiming races.  And, no one claims them.   They really need to schedule stronger out of conference foes.
  8.  For 13 years no one noticed Washington St. either.  For 216 straight weeks of GameDay shows, someone’s shown up to wave a giant Washington State flag, no matter how far away from Pullman, WA.  On this past Saturday, college football took notice and Oregon paid for it as 20k plus Washington St. faithful watched the ESPN show on campus.  Then, even more watched the show that Mike Leach’s team put on .  The final was 34-27 Cougars over the Ducks of Oregon, but the first half Cougar domination was impressive.  They bolted all the way up to 13th.  It’s the highest ranked PAC 10 team.  That’s good for them and not so good for the left coast.
  9. Hello Appalachian St.  Is there a more appropriate nickname than the Mountaineers?
    Sunset from Cowee Mountains Overlook, on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.

    They are ranked for the first time ever at 25.  After being a major thorn in then called D-1 schools for a long while, the Mountaineers joined the FBS in 2014.   They play in the Sun Belt Conference if you don’t know, and sport a 3-0 record in bowl games thus far.  ‘Where are they from,’ you ask?  Well, they hail from proud Boone, NC. of course.

  10. The SEC has spots 1,4,7,9,12, and 16 this week.  Wow!  Over the final month they’ll beat each other up as almost all games left are in the divisions inside of the conference.  One stands way out, while some of the others hope to ascend to greater notoriety.
  11. (or plus one)  Some early lines are out.  Missouri -6 hosts Kentucky.  It almost seems like the wrong team is favored.  Almost.  Washington St. is a 3 point road dog to Stanford.   The happy Cougars need to avoid a low after the Pullman high.  NC St is a one point dog at Syracuse.  The one loss Wolfpack get little respect.  Maybe they haven’t earned much?  Clemson is a 17 point road favorite over Florida St.  WWBBS?  What Would Bobby Bowden Say?

Till five days from now.

Abby Roux Takes Down Vegas Part IV

Posted on by thependulumswings staff

Abby accepted one too many dog treats and pats on the head after her two-week domination v. Vegas.   A quick trip to the vet late Saturday evening seems to have her focused again for her fourth week.  It’s college football’s week nine, and it’s getting interesting.

After a 4 bone win with 11 bones wagered and a 3-3  win/loss week, Abby Roux stands on all four paws at 21 bones buried with 36 wagered and 9 wins v. 7 losses season to date.  Vegas got a bit back but Abby still has plenty gnaw on.  Her hunch bet (Miss.) lost, but her prediction of a very high( she said 51-37 Miss. over Ark.) scoring affair prevailed. The over covered.   Regardless her hunches are now 2-1.

Week Eight has some doggone good match ups that make for fun viewing.  Let’s roll some bones.

Auburn -3 at Ole Miss -Abby nearly covered(minus 7 won by only 4) on Miss. last week on a hunch.  Everyone wants to know what is wrong with Auburn after a loss to a Tennessee team that hadn’t won a conference game in over a year.   Ole Miss is about to find out.  The answer Saturday is…… nothing is wrong.  Four bones.

Stanford -2.5 at Arizona St. -This isn’t Stanford’s best team.  This isn’t Arizona State’s best team either.  This isn’t the PAC 10’s best year.

If this game was at the tree huggers we would five bone it.  It isn’t.  Two bones.

North Carolina St. +17.5 at Clemson – NC St. is undefeated.  I guess Vegas doesn’t think much of their competition thus far.  Or, maybe they think Clemson will roll at home.  This line almost is out of line and makes Abby want to paw the pay dirt with Clemson.  But, she’ll take the heavy points in a light way.  One bone.

Miss St. +7 at LSU -It’s Homecoming in BR.  It’s also “we beat Georgia hangover” in BR.  The Bulldogs feature a stout D line and a solid running game.  Both are important to play LSU tight.    Moo St. was off last week.  We mentioned the LSU win last week v GA.  Next week LSU is off.  The week after they play Alabama.  This is a classic trap game.  Three bones.

Purdue +14 v. THE Ohio St U -Purdue has played pretty well against pretty good competition thus far.  THE has played down to the level of some of their competition.  This one is in Indiana.  It’s not much more than a hunch bet.  One bone.

On a hunch take Nebraska at home to cover 3 1/2 over the Minnesota Golden Gophers.  If Nebraska falls to 0-7 Abby recommends that they bury their head in shame in the nearest gopher hole.

There they are, four road teams and one home.  Three dogs and two chalks.  Eleven bones are there for the taking plus one Cornhusker hunch.

Woof!

 

 

 

Do Money Matters Make You Squeamish?

Posted on by thependulumswings staff
squeam·ish
/ˈskwēmiSH/
adjective(of a person) easily made to feel sick, faint, or disgusted, especially by unpleasant images.
We understand.  Money, Budgeting, Finances, Stocks, Bonds, IRA’s, 401k’s, College Saving, Retirement Planning, and Estate Planning, etc. isn’t everyone’s longest suit.  But, it is very important to everyone and their loved ones.  The boomboomsroom.com staff shares your uneasiness.
If you had a bad toothache what would you do?  You would, of course, go to the dentist.  He or she is a professional.  Well, wouldn’t your cure for the money aches be the same?
ad·vis·er
/ədˈvīzər/
noun
noun: advisor
a person who gives advice, typically someone who is expert in a particular field.

A professional financial advisor can provide a smooth path towards your realistic goals.  Their broader view than our tunnel vision can be the calm in the storm of the many ups and downs of the financial journey.

We are pleased to tease today that starting roughly November 1 we will have a seasoned professional delivering  market commentary and a long-term view of what it all means three days each week, or as often as the market directs us.
We can tell you that it will be a quick and easily understandable read.
We hope that you will enjoy and benefit from this new feature.

Will Calling Them “Campers” Really Help Anything?

Posted on by thependulumswings staff

editor’s note: The post that follows is not meant to demean the downtrodden.  It only expresses our view that while many are well intended to help those in need, perhaps the problem and the solution needs examination.  Further we know many of our readers do great work in this area to make the best of this problem.  We would appreciate your candid feedback on this if you wish.

From 1951-1971 a very popular TV show had a 20 year run with an unbelievable 672 episodes in “the can” as the Hollywood crowd used to call it.  Impressive.  It was called The Red Skelton Show.   It starred none other than a quite famous actor/comic named, you guessed it, Red Skelton.  Red did standup, had a couple of guests, an occasional musician, and did several skits with characters that he developed quite well.  It was truly a variety show.

One of the characters that Red developed quite well was Freddie the Freeloader.   As you can see from the linked clip the jokes were about a down on his luck homeless man.   Let’s repeat that, “the jokes were about a down on his luck homeless man.” In today’s world even the thought of that would not be whispered in creative circles.  It isn’t what we do today.  Today we help people.  We make all feel good, feel equal.  Or, at least we think we do.

This writer actually met Red Skelton at a poorly attended book signing of his many years ago.  It was so poorly attended we had the opportunity to get better acquainted.  My impression in a short 15 minutes was that what Red actually attempted to do in all of his works was show a world as it was and do so in a kind and funny way.

Today his message would not even be heard because his premise would be looked on as outrageous by those who choose what actually goes “in the can.”  It would also be panned by those who wish to shape the narrative for political gain by telling those that are willing to listen that others are insensitive.

You see Freddie the Freeloader, by his own admission was a “hobo.”  If you can believe Wikipedia,  a hobo is a migrant worker or homeless vagrant, especially one who is impoverished. The term originated in the Western—probably Northwestern—United States around 1890.[1] Unlike a “tramp“, who works only when forced to, and a “bum“, who does not work at all, a “hobo” is a traveling worker.

So, a hobo was a homeless worker as opposed to a tramp, vagrant, or a bum.  That’s a small consolation prize perhaps. Eventually, the words tramp and bum fell strongly out of favor for “the homeless.”  Homeless, soon enough, sounded too demeaning and was replaced by “the underserved.”  Recent trips to Portland and other cities that embrace/accept high populations of whatever you choose to call “them” now refer to “them” as “campers.”  Yes, if you haven’t been to sunny Portland you haven’t seen the many campers.  If you haven’t been to downtown LA you haven’t seen the square city miles of sidewalks of tents pitched.

So, we must wonder aloud, does what you call a person who unfortunately has a problem or problems that lead to this life make that person’s life any better?  Does it make you or them feel any better about their plight? More importantly, what are we doing as a society to reduce the number of campers by solving the root cause or causes of their descent?

We ask because we don’t know.  Recent surveys by multiple services and government agencies show that in spite of everyone’s best efforts the homeless population stands at a guesstimated 550,000 people.  It’s down from a 2008 Great Recession peak by about 70,000.  If you look at a glass as half full I suppose that is progress.  But, if you look at a glass as half empty, isn’t having over one half of a million people sleep on the streets of the most developed country in the world sad?  It is.

Some folks are in the camp (no pun intended) of “you are what you make of yourself.”  Others want to give everyone everything to either make themselves feel better about themselves or truly think they are making a bad situation better.  We wonder if there is a middle ground that should be vigorously explored.

Goodness knows a warm bed for a night or a sandwich during the day is a nice and needed humane gesture.  We just wonder if the root cause is being addressed aggressively enough.  In other words what got someone to this spot?  Are we treating the symptom or the illness?  The symptom is homelessness.  The illness is?  Addiction?   Mental illness?  Physical disability?  Job loss?  Indifference?  Laziness?  Several of those can be helped.  At least one or two don’t deserve it.

We are very familiar with a worthy mission in Houston, TX.  It is The Star of Hope.  It has multiple programs for men, women, and children.  Taken from their mission statement is “Positive life changes are encouraged through structured programs which focus on spiritual growth, education, employment, life management and recovery from substance abuse.”

The program within the program that we are most familiar with helps mothers who have been domestically abused and have or would be living in the streets with their children were it not for this program.  Picture an old school motel layout.   Hotel rooms are more like small efficiency apartments.  There is a cafeteria, a meeting room or two, and a few offices.  The one and only goal is to get them back into society in a productive manner ASAP.  The requirement to live there is that either you have a job, are actively looking for one, or are headed back to a school to get to a trade or job.  All children must be enrolled in a school.  The help given is only for those looking for a hand up, not a hand out.  But the help given demands that you understand the difference between the two.  And, that, we believe is a real key to success.

We don’t know, but are fairly certain, that there are many fine outreach programs across the US.  We wonder aloud though, “isn’t there a better way, a quicker solution, a more concerted effort available to us if we put our collective heads together?” No, we aren’t talking about another bloated government tax dollar throw away.  We are talking about civil people doing civil things.

Or, is this the far end of the tough side of the bell curve and we should just do what we can(whatever that means)? We’ve been to black tie fundraisers and ate steak and drank champagne and donated money for a couple other homeless causes.  It felt good I guess, but it didn’t do anything.   In 1986 we connected our hands together for “Hands Across America.”  It felt good I guess, but it didn’t do anything.

We suppose the answer lies in who you think “campers” are.  We suppose the answer lies in what you think “campers” can become.   We don’t think it’s what you call them.

 

 

 

Breaking the Ice Is the Better Choice.

Posted on by thependulumswings staff

We continue today exploring the original meaning of phrases we use in everyday life.  A few weeks back we examined what putting a feather in our cap meant.  We found out for us “Yankees” that it actually was a bit insulting when put into context from the Yankee Doodle nursery rhyme.  Today we offer a couple more for your perusal.  Let’s start.  Or, better yet, let’s “break the ice.”

When we begin from zero in an attempt to get somewhere in a conversation, sales call, or on a project we want to naturally progress beyond ground zero.  So at a minimum, after we introduce our side of the story, we say “well, at least we broke the ice.”  Where did that come from and what did it originally mean?

Meaning: To commence a project or initiate a friendship
History: Before the days of trains or cars, port cities that thrived on trade suffered during the winter because frozen rivers prevented commercial ships from entering the city. Small ships known as “icebreakers” would rescue the icebound ships by breaking the ice and creating a path for them to follow. Before any type of business arrangement today, it is now customary “break the ice” before beginning a project.

I doubt that the above explanation left you speechless.  But, if it did some might say that “the cat got your tongue.”  Well if the cat got your tongue in the hundreds of “civilized” years gone by it would have been quite a bit more painful than just being stumped to the point of being speechless.  Why?  You might not be glad you asked.

Meaning: Something said when a person is at a loss for words
History: There are two possible sources for this common short saying. The first refers to the cat-o’-nine-tails – a whip used by the English Navy for flogging. The whip caused so much pain that the victims were left speechless. The second refers to the practice of cutting out the tongues of liars and blasphemers and feeding them to cats.

Given the choice, the choice is clear.  Break the ice and keep your tongue.

Meow!

 

 

 

 

Ten Piece Nuggets-CFB

Posted on by thependulumswings staff

Week Eight, when teams have mostly played seven games, is in the books.  Speaking of playing games of seven, a few teams went “seven out” and crapped.  Dicey.  The nuggets are warm and ready for your consumption below.

  1. We have a newcomer who fought their way into the top four of the AP College Football Poll.  Georgia’s loss was the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame’s gain.  Bama is alone and lonely at the top.  They won by “only” 29 over Mizzou.  THE Ohio St and Clemson each moved up a notch to nos. 2 and 3 respectively.  ND was lurking at 5 and now say hello at 4.  All four are undefeated.
  2. Looking ahead ND’s next two are pretty easy before they close with Florida St (talented enough), Syracuse(the Power Five kryptonite), and USC (road game out west). Meanwhile THE has five left and needs to sweep their border friends Michigan State and Michigan.   If ND plays them “one game at a time,” good things might be in store.  Michigan looms large for THE.  However the game is in THE Horseshoe.
  3.  In the span of two weeks LSU went from 5 to 13 to 5.  The whipsaw was due to a loss to a Florida team now ready for an Outdoor Cocktail Party (I think they stopped calling it that for politically correct reasons) and a 36-16 thorough thumping of last week’s no. 2 Georgia.  Moo State and homecoming are hangover hurdles waiting for LSU next week.  Then they take the annual week off to heal before a team named Bama heads to BR.
  4.  Michigan is relevant again.  Jim Harbaugh is paid large coin not Bitcoin to get them there.  Last year is in Ann Arbor’s rear view mirror as this year’s squad stands 6-1 and number 6.  Several teams in the top ten swooned and Michigan said hello with their own thorough thumping of what seems to be an under achieving Wisconsin clan of Badgers.  Their first game loss to now #4 ND isn’t something to hang a Wolverine head about.  Watch out for Sparty next week.  I can hear the ESPN shrill’s shrill now.  Michigan is “on upset alert.”
  5. Georgia slid six spots to number 8 after the LSU tailgating and the LSU team whipped UGA’s tail.  Question for Ga fans-who is the best team that their 6-1 team has beaten?  South Carolina?  UGA just said UGH!  Florida is chomping at the bit next.  One has to wonder if Ga. has as much experienced talent as last year’s group led by Sony Michel,  Nick Chubb, and Roquan Smith had that lost the NC overtime thriller to Bama.
  6.  A trio of top ten teams lost, hence the top ten turmoil.  West Virginia acted like the West Virginia of years gone by as the Iowa St. Cyclones handed them their first defeat.  The strength of the Big 12 including Oklahoma and Texas lies ahead.  Washington dropped all the way to 15 with loss no. 2.  Washington St. appears at 25.  The PAC 10, with Oregon at 12, isn’t exactly packed with top 25 participants.  And, none crack the top ten.  Penn St. didn’t fear Sparty.  They should have.  Maybe the Wolverines will.  Mark D’Antonio thanks all of the experts who said he might be on the dreaded “hot seat.”
  7. UCF, North Carolina St., Cincinnati, and USF are all still undefeated.  I think I just heard a group yawn.  UCF hasn’t lost in over a year.  Memphis came oh so close to shredding the narrative, but UCF prevailed by one 31-30.  They won while others ahead lost.  Yet they stayed at 10.  Is that their ceiling? It’s probably close.
  8.  The Big Ten has spots 2,6,18,19, 23, and 24 in the Top 25.  That’s 6 in out of 25 or 24%.  That’s good stuff.  But one wonders if anyone is a real threat aside from Michigan and THE.  Penn St. has two losses and Wisconsin is trying to get the maize and blue helmet paint washed out of their jerseys.  Iowa is a quiet 5-1.
  9.  Miami’s descent continued.   They began the year in the top ten and favored in Jerry Jones’ Palace in a coveted season kickoff opener spot against LSU.  After that loss and this week’s loss to Virginia they now garner a not so coveted spot in the dreary “others receiving votes” area.  Getting 38 AP writers to vote you into 31st place is no place for a team named after a storm that reeks havoc.  Going back to last year they are 5-5 in their last ten.  All together now……a.v.e.r.a.g.e.
  10. Some early lines are out.  Some early thoughts about the early lines follow.  Michigan is -7 at Michigan St.  Sparty is calling Vegas.  Auburn is -3.5 at Mississippi.  The mythical hot seat that likely isn’t accurate went from Orgeron at LSU to D’Antonio at Mich St.  This week the focus is on Auburn and Chizik.  Lose at Oxford and you get to sit in it next.  Mississippi St. travels at plus 7 to LSU.  Take the touchdown and extra point.  Oregon is minus 1.5 at Washington St.  The Cougars are going to throw all they have at the Ducks.

Until a lucky seven days from now……..

Abby Roux Takes Down Vegas Part III

Posted on by thependulumswings staff

Ever so quickly Abby Roux has a pack of watchdogs now watching her like a dog.   Those canines have been hired by all of the big sports betting books in Vegas.  They’re trying to get on to her like fleas.   “Smart” money books, as they call themselves, are now adjusting lines when Abby offers her bone-i-fied opinion on the week’s college games.

And, why shouldn’t they?  She’s hotter than some of the sponsors that she has picked up.  Abby is a documented 6 up and 4 down in the win column.   She is an even better bones bettor,  burying 17 of the 25 bones that she was willing to risk.  That’s 68%!  Take that Mandalay Bay.  Her hunch bets are a smooth 2-0.  That’s some nice scratch overall.

This week Abby spent some long hours howling about trends she always likes.  But those trends don’t show up too well in this week’s contests.  She’s again urging caution, offering fewer bones to pick than last week.  The bets follow.

Washington -3 at Oregon -Abby feels that there is only one team that has a shot at coming out of the PAC 10.   It’s the Huskies of course.  This is a must win for them.  Plus Abby hunts Ducks when she isn’t picking games.  Three bones.

Wisconsin +9  at Michigan – Wisconsin has underwhelmed thus far.   Michigan’s only blemish is to an ND team that looks better by the week.  Abby can’t think of many reasons to have faith in this near double-digit dog.  Sometimes that’s plenty reason enough.  Remember Abby likes to zig when others zag.   Winner looks towards an eventual match up with THE OSU.   The loser is done in any final four discussion.  Two bones.

LSU +7.5 v Georgia -Three weeks ago LSU was outplayed in the trenches by Southeastern.  Yep SELA.  There was no way they would go into Auburn and win.  But, they did.  Barely.  There is no way they can beat Georgia after Florida worked them in the trenches.  But.  Abby sez Georgia, with a late touchdown, wins 27-22.  UGA goes wild.  One bone.

Iowa St +6.5 v West Virginia -“Want to be” champions that want to be on a short list of real playoff contenders have to win games like this in conference and on the road.  WVa did that against Texas Tech a couple of weeks back.  They likely will do it again Saturday.  But, Abby likes home dogs as you might have heard.  So, a back door cover might get us there.  Two bones.

Baylor +14.5 at Texas -This is a bet against the Longhorns not a bet for the Bears.  Tom Herman got his first signature win last week beating Oklahoma when a freshman snapped the ball to a freshman who held the ball for a freshman who nailed a 40 yarder with only nine ticks (not those kind Abby says) on the clock left.  Baylor has no D.  Abby hopes that a road dog can catch a big steer napping.  One bone.

Virgina Tech -5 at North Carolina – If the good Virginia Tech team shows up UNC fans will start marking the days till Tar Heel basketball.  If the team that lost to Old Dominion shows up, never mind.   Abby thinks the Hokies bounce back from a home thrashing at the hands of a good ND team.  She also would like to know what the heck a Hokie is.  Two bones.

On a hunch take Mississippi -7 to out score Arkansas roughly 51-37.

That’s 6 games and 4 dogs for a measly 11 bones.  Don’t empty out what’s left in your 401k.  Vegas might show its teeth this weekend.

Woof.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please Pardon Our Dust Update.

Posted on by thependulumswings staff

Last week we mentioned a minor tweak or two was forthcoming to make your reading and how you get to “new news now” easier.

So today we come to you with  “new news” via email as before.  The tweak is 1) how the email looks, and 2) that it takes you directly to the article on the website itself, not in your email.  Simply click on the blue underlined link as before.

With this comes a timeline for us when we alert you.  So, every 8 am,  if we have posted anything in the prior 24 hours, you will be notified.

Given that we have readers from coast to coast we thought this time might be best for alerts.  The website of course evolves with posts 24/7 as written.

Thanks for making us a part of your daily reads.   Please feel free to pass our site onto any of your friends and family that you think might enjoy it as well.  We aren’t above a little groveling as you know.  We’ll be even better soon.

In the meantime, please pardon our dust part II.

No News Is Good News

Posted on by thependulumswings staff

You may have noticed that the boomboomsroom.com staff hasn’t posted a news article in a week or so.  It’s because our news editor has been on vacation.   Not really, we don’t have a news editor.   It’s because the staff hasn’t really felt like posting one.

We wondered aloud this afternoon why.  Why no news?

Sure there’s been news.  There is plenty of it every day.  We think our aversion to news stories the last week or so is driven by what we see or hear, who we hear it from, and how we feel about it.  And, we feel like what we have been seeing and hearing has given us news fatigue.

We did some research today and discovered that Googling “news fatigue” is a dead-end.  There is no such thing apparently.  Or, maybe there is and no one trademarked the phrase just yet.  We looked on Dictionary.com too.  Again no such thing.  The site actually asked if we meant “nest egg.”

Tzatziki anyone?

Each year Dictionary. com adds new words/phrases that have been coined along the way.  Glamping is where glamorous meets camping.  Tzatziki is a greek yogurt sauce that is made with garlic and cucumbers.  A dumpster fire is a total loss, worthless, or bad outcome.  Well, dumpster fire is very close to what we were looking for.  But, why no news fatigue?

So the staff met this afternoon, tried some tzatziki,  and decided to help both sites as they clearly aren’t as “on trend” as ours is.  We decided that news fatigue is a noun that describes one’s feelings after watching any of CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox News, MSNBC, or CNN (which some call “fake news” on a rather regular basis).  Those feelings are hopelessness derived from the ridiculous one-sided approach to the same subject and incessantly droning on daylong about it. It’s furthered by the negative angle of that one-sided approach.

Lastly, it’s compounded by the stench emanating from Washington.  Congress members get low, low cost (you’re subsidizing greatly) haircuts and manicures.   We wonder if we could install free showers to?  Everyone in that swamp needs a soap and a rinse.

Hopelessness overtakes those afflicted with news fatigue.  So what is the cure?  We hope there is a better one for the long-term.  Meanwhile, what is the short-term remedy to ease the pain?  After little deliberation we think turning off the news channels until your fever subsides is a smart start.  After all, there are people who report the news and people who make the news.   We suggest that you make your own news, and make it positive in whatever you do.

Five Foot Eleven Drew Brees Casts a Tall Shadow

Posted on by thependulumswings staff

October is a great time for sports nuts like us.  The NHL is skating.  The NBA is about to roll.  MLB playoffs are in full swing.  And football, from pee wee to pro, is everywhere.

So yesterday while a 27 time World Series champion NY Yankees team was getting pasted by a Boston Red Sox team that can come at you in many ways, the defending World Champion Houston Astros busily had their brooms out sweeping the Cleveland Indians.  All the while a proud LA Dodgers organization was showing continued excellence dispatching the young, upstart Atlanta Braves.

Oh, yes.  And there was a Monday Night Football game.  The Washington Redskins came to New Orleans to play the role of the Washington Generals getting worked by The Harlem Globetrotters.  The Redskins played the role perfectly as Drew Brees took the national stage and was crowned the all-time NFL passing yardage leader.  He needed 201 yards to pass Payton Manning.  He got the crown, a standing O, a kiss from his wife, and a hug from his coach by halftime.

All five foot eleven inches of Drew Brees casts a tall shadow indeed.   His 26-29 and 3 td performance brought his career total yards to 72,103.  He also ranks as number one ever for completion percentage.  Twenty-six for twenty-nine last night is almost his norm.

Rank Player Yards
1 Drew Brees* 72,103
2 Peyton Manning 71,940
3 Brett Favre^ 71,838
4 Tom Brady* 67,418

Once more, that’s 72,103 yards and counting.  That’s all but 41 miles.

He played QB at a football factory high school in football crazy Texas.  No prominent college team in Texas offered him a scholarship.  So, he “took his talents” to Purdue.  Purdue.  On draft night 2001 San Diego traded out of the very first pick.  With it the Atlanta Falcons took Michael Vick.  With the first pick in the second round the San Diego Chargers took Drew Brees.  His first pass attempt ever for them ended in a sack and a fumble.  San Diego chose Phillip Rivers, QB,  in the first round in 2004.  The proverbial handwriting was on the wall.

As a free agent in 2006 Drew wanted to go to the Miami Dolphins and play for some coach named Nick Saban.  Miami doctors feared that his rotator cuff injury was too risky to pay money for a starting QB.  New Orleans and a new head coach named Sean Payton came calling.  Saban’s loss, a rarity, was Payton’s gain.  The city was absolutely reeling at the time due to Katrina and the terror she brought.

Twelve years, 41 miles of passing yards, lots of rebuilding, and one Super Bowl win later Drew, the Saints, and its fans share a rabid passion and common bond.   Drew is the Saints.  Drew owns the town.  And the town owns Drew.

So, where to from here?  He keeps himself in great physical shape.  He’ll turn 40 on January 15,  roughly the time he hopes he is leading his team to another deep playoff run and a shot at ring number two.  It would not surprise anyone if Drew will play into his mid forties.  It would not surprise anyone if he got to 88,000 passing yards.  That’s 50 miles in case you wondered.

And, it says here that Brees will become even more of an off of the field leader than he already is. His charitable work is great.  He founded the Drew Brees Foundation that helps cancer patients live better lives. He has others that he is involved in as well.  His investments, local and national,  in various business ventures employ many.

It says here that a successful run for mayor of the city is very possible if he wants it.  He already is king of the city.

Anyone who doubts that misses who he really is.  Drew says,” nothing is given, everything is earned.”  Indeed.