Comic for Friday, November 17th, 2006

Posted: 12:00 am, Friday, November 17th

Does everyone remember Jen's deal with the Almighty? Apparently, my idea of making a deal with God is about as double-sided of a sword as a deal with the devil. I'm one of those karma/guilt-ridden Catholics who ask forgiveness for the *good* things that happen, evidently.

We've got a video-heavy post for the day, to get you warmed up for the big game this weekend. No, not those two schools full of morans in the Big 11, Notre Dame-Army, silly. Also, I'm hyped for the release of Happy Feet today so that they can stop advertising the animated musical version of March of the Penguins. Geez, Hollywood, have an original idea, will you?

OK, so I don't have speakers on my computer at work. Well, I do, but there's this lady near me that gets all pissed whenever I turn them up to a volume louder than a pin drop. So, basically what this means is that any YouTube I watch, I don't hear the volume to at work. Every once in a while, something comes along that's reputed to be awesome, and I basically have to remember to listen to it when I get home. About half the time, this works. This one YouTube yesterday, of a dude impersonating rappers, I happened across in five different places yesterday, so I decided to really try and remember to listen to it at home. Holy shit, was it worth it.

I actually kind of dig this bar. Had no idea it was a chain - just thought the one in San Francisco was a coincidence. I can be very dense when I try to be.

This is mostly for 2.0, whom I believe has questioned me several times on why the A's are called the A's.

The following is an excerpt from yesterday's Uni Watch column on Page 2.. How effing stupid does it sound?

And speaking of college hoops and NikeWorld, a source who prefers to remain anonymous offers the following: "Florida, Syracuse, Arizona and Ohio State will be wearing new uniforms only during the NCAA Tournament. Nike reps have been getting opinions from the players and talking about the new design. It's hard to explain the style of the uniforms, but the closest thing would be 'space suit.' The tops are tailored and come in suit sizes (36, 42, 48, etc.). They are very, very tight, almost like an extreme women's jersey. Only these four schools will get the uniforms, and they'll be worn only for the tournament."

Why in God's name would you radically change what your players wear for the *only important few weeks of collitch basketball*? That makes anti-sense. It's like, let's send Brady out there in a high-performance parka for the USC game next weekend. Of course, I had the greatest (read: “only good”) basketball game of my life wearing Tevas and ripped-up jeans, so what the hell do I know?

This is, without a doubt, the lamest thing I've ever seen in my life. I don't have the heart to watch it again, so if one of you are watching it for the first time, tell me if one or both of these nimrods is from the Manhattan branch, because it's down the street from me and I'll go bludgeon them to death.

Yikes. Awful. Truly, truly, awful.

OK, so, before getting to the Weekend Kickoff Irish or whatever I'm calling it, I forgot that Gothamist had a Seattle site, and also that cities that have major collitch football teams (read: not Rutgers) actually give those teams some ink. So it was mostly by accident that I happened across this minute-by-minute account of the Moulder of Men's valiant effort to make sure he could get primo December/January tee times game against Stanford last week. I am so fucking glad that putz isn't associated with my University anymore, I can't even begin to tell you.

Alright, so, onto the Irish. It's senior day tomorrow, the last time Brady, Rhema, Sammy, most of the O-line, Victor, Ndukwe, Landri, Laws, and a bunch of the other boys will be suiting up and slapping that sign. Hey, I didn't mention Zibby. Because, from his media session this week:

Q. I know you've got games to play, but can you believe that this moment is finally here when in your career when you run down the tunnel for last time, and what thoughts do you have about that?

Tom Zbikowski: I still have another year left, so it's not like it's going to be my last game. You feel for it, I've been playing for my third year, seniors going out in the last game at home, you know how emotional it gets. But we can't let those emotions get to us until afterwards.

That, uh, sounds like one more season of the safeties biting on the play action. I'm kidding, Zibby, I love you and you're the toughest dude I've ever seen in my life. But this definitely sounds like Tommy Z is planning on a fifth year. So that's sweet.

So, for senior day, the Irish host the Black Knights of Army. Yeah, yeah, all three service academies in one year. Florida's playing Western Carolina tomorrow, go give them some grief, instead. The first time I ever saw the Irish play live was in the Meadowlands in '95 against the Army. We were the second-to-last row, in the end zone, and Ivory Covington stuffed a dude on a two-point conversion with about thirty seconds left to preserve the win for the Irish. It was way closer than it had to be, kind of setting the stage for the next nine years or so of Irish football. But it was a great day, anyway. Here's the one good play the guy who came to be known as Highway 14 ever made.

Two things: I do not believe that went down as one of the greatest plays in Notre Dame history, and I believe that's then-future-coach and always-suck-ass-sonofabitch Bob Davie at the 1:09 mark.

Greater plays in Irish history can be seen here in the UND.com retrospective of the Irish-Army series - this thing's great, it's got footage of the win one for the Gipper game, the Gipper actually running around, and the 1946 game of the century that featured four Heisman winners between the two teams.

And, to sign off, here's what they show at the visitor's center on campus these days. It's very long, and very cheesy, and the lady keeps calling it "Notra Dahm," which is correct if you're from France, but incorrect given the common usage over here, but hell if it didn't get to me while I was watching it. I didn't know the part about the first radio transmission in the states, but other highlights include a mention of the Klan fight, Papa Ted's awesomeness (he turns 90 in May), a quick glimpse of dreamy Ruth Riley, and all sorts of other back-home-by-the-Dome goodness. It's ten and a half minutes long, and non-Domers, you're going to think we're all even weirder than you no doubt already think, but, Domers, I dunno, it's good stuff.

Go Irish! Beat Black Knights!

bullfrog

Something to add to your list of things to include in your Five comics: Derek Jeter has been seen dating Jessica Beale. Ron's first girlfriend should be weeping in her beer next to Jen in three, two...

oh that boa/mbna song made my stomach hurt. it was SO embarassing

Yup, that's my company. Apparently they didn't intend thsi for public distribution. What did they THINK was going to happen when they videotaped the darn song?

Twist of fate in that Army game. Lou had just had back surgery and was in the pressbox with a head set. Technically, Boob was the head coach - on the field at least that day. Who knew that the game was foreshadowing?

It is my company as well, and sadly I can't say it's the first time I've heard someone sing about the company at a corporate meeting...

So is Bush admitting that Iraq is a quagmire?

President Bush, in Vietnam, said today that the United States' unsuccessful war there offered lessons for the American-led struggle in Iraq. "We'll succeed unless we quit," Bush said shortly after arriving in the one-time war capital, Hanoi. "We tend to want there to be instant success in the world, and the task in Iraq is going to take a while."

SeanH, was that Lou in the box? I couldn't really tell from the grainy YouTube. I thought he was back on the sideline by then.

I agree with Bullfrog. To all those who say our schedule is "weak," in WWF-speak, SUCK IT! Florida takes on "Western Carolina" this weekend and has already played "Central Florida" and Michigan already played "Central Michigan" and "Ball State." As anyone who has ever looked at a map of this great country might notice, none of these opponents are actual states. It's like playing a video game where they have a team from "Gotham." We, however, play the great, future protectors of our freedom. That being said, ND wins 49-17 tomorrow. Goodbye seniors and best of luck in the NFL...it's been a long time since the NFL has seen so many ND players likely to actually be drafted!

Way to tell all the haters coming by the site dissing our schedule, Reggie.

Fun article from the Daily News about the OJ book/special coming up. Given the recent we're number one/no we are nonsense between the Daily News and the Post here in New York regarding the circulation battle, it's fun to read an absolutely excoriating front-page article about the how Rupert Murdoch is funding USC's finest's latest cash-in on murdering two people.

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/472346p-397336c.html

A whole butt-load of Michigan jokes to be had at the Wizard of Odds. Granted, you can make them about just about any team, but, still, I hate Michigan.

http://thewizardofodds.blogspot.com/2006/11/game-of-week_17.html

My personal favorite isn't there - how do you protect your family from Wolverines? Move to Pasadena.

Just wanted to get in a GO IRISH before the weekend. Missed last week, but I wasn't too concerned with the "Air Academy" (why did Criqui keep calling them that?)

Anyway, my wife is bringing our oldest to her first ND game tomorrow. So I'm looking for a strong performance from the boys in Gold N Blue.

Without any further ado... GO IRISH!!

I think tomorrow will be a good one to be on campus for - the senior send-off ought to really be something. Watching all the ND propaganda I've linked to today got me yearnin'.

I'm suspicious of this guy Bill. I liked the Royals fan from earlier this year better.

Bo Schembechler has left the building.

He and Woody Hayes are currently Indian Wrestling in Football Coaches heaven (the man was a bastage, but a damn good coach).

Ah, Phil. He may yet be back. Also, I am evidently very poor at naming characters, introducing Phil/Bill/Billy in the same calendar year.

I actually have no memories of Bo one way or another. I was only 11 when he retired, and the only coach I really cared about at the time was Lou. I guess here's to his family, and I still want whoever scores first tomorrow to win 70-0 and for Troy Smith to throw 9 interceptions in any case.

Irony of Ironies: If Michigan wins handily against Ohio State (and let's be honest, it's equally as likely for "game of the year" calibur games to be a blowout as it is to be very close), Notre Dame chances to get in to the Championship game would not be as good, but Brady Quinn's Heisman chances would go way up.

Having said that, I'd never wish anyone to win the Heisman anymore. That just certifies that they won't do well in the pros. Call it the Charlie Ward curse.

You can't get headphones at work? I'd be screwed without them.

Wow! Bo dying 30+ hours before the game. Wow! Bo IS Michigan football.

A man who choked in more big games than you would think possible = Michigan football. Sounds about right.

http://ndnation.com/boards/showpost.php?b=hof;pid=445;d=this

I have headphones, but my back faces out and if I wear them, people basically sneak up on me. Especially this one spaz we have who has to come over and tell me every time she sends an e-mail.

Bowl games are just one component of the man's career. Prior to his tenure as coach, the stadium didn't sell out. They now have records crowds each game. Look at the marketing of Michigan apparel, etc. He also servied as Athletic Director for Michigan. Don't forget, that programs in conferences put value on winning the conference. I don't think using the ND Nation boards as your only point of reference is very even-handed. :-)

I didn't say 'bowl' games, I said 'big' games. And that's not really ND Nation - that's omahadomer, second only to the Robot Genius himself in robotic genius.

I'm sure Bo was a very good coach and not a totally miserable man, and I'm glad that he brainwashed people into thinking that stadium's a place worth going to watch Michigan beat up on MAC teams year in and year out.

Just he couldn't carry Lou or Ara or Devine's jockstrap, is all.

I hereby forbid you to ever, ever refer to Lou Holtz in a jock strap again.

GO BLUE!

OK, how about he couldn't carry Lou's lunch, how's that?

Go whoever scores first!

Lou's neck brace?

Am I the only one finding it ironic that in his bio, Bo got a Master's Degree from Ohio State?

Memo to ESPN and to ABC7 in Detroit (I think it's Detroit): I know the whole Ohio-State/Michigan game is really, really, really, really, really big deal this year and especially with the passing of Bo Schembechler, but do you have to show us coverage of Michigan football teams' bus caravan from Ann Arbor to Columbus all the way through?!?!?! (nearly lost my lunch watching that)

Hey, that rapper thing is great.

Speaking of rapper impersinations, did anyone see Office last night and the rap they did on there? The Anthracite Museeeee-um!

Lou's championship ring?

Bullfrog...

Nicely played!

I may have to redact my early comment about being a damn good coach... how about good coach. I remember always worrying about some new wrinkle the Skunkbears would feature against the Irish. I also hated how they would invariably schedule a weak opponent ahead of the Irish if Michigan was supposed to open in South Bend, while we felt confident enough to open on the road in the Big House without the cupcake appetizer.

Be careful throwing stones - I believe as recently as 2004 ND moved a game to early September so as not to open to Michigan (BYU was originally scheudled in November if I remember correctly).

You'd never know it, but E went to Notre Dame.

And let's not judge the Notre Dame program by anything that took place in the Tyrone years, huh, kiddo?

No worries - I am loyal to Blue & GOLD, not maize, but we can all have our second favorites...

I just picked the most recent example.

Is this about that nonsensical "gentleman's agreement" from senior year? Whatever advantage the Irish may've gained from that was handily negated the next week by the Big Ten refs. And the next week at Purdue, too.