Johnny E

How about the Mariners taking the lead in the wild card race?

This is the final season and there is still three more episodes. So there may be more surprises to come.

Conrad, My condolences to you in this very sad and reflective time. I quit smoking when my son was born 6 months ago, and your post has strengthened my resolve to keep it that way. My thoughts are with you and your family. -john

Lucky dog.

It's hot down there...in more ways than one.

I actually don't know for sure, but it did appear that way at the end of the last episode. We'll have to find out next week. Sorry if I gave away too much to anyone.

Who cares?? I watched the first two episodes of this new season, and I can't take it anymore. Horrible writing, annoying characters, and ridiculous plot lines. Whatever magic this show had initially is long gone. ← I disagree. The last couple episodes (that you obviously missed) were very VERY good. I think Nate is dead.

Is Nate dead?

My prediction: embittered Mariners fans start whining about teams that are winning. Big Al is right. This is our year. Losers? Sheesh, you hatin' types are starting to grasp at straws. ← Cut me some slack Paul, I got nothin' else but to bitch...the M's are making me wanna wretch. No doubt the White Sox are 100X better than the M's, but face facts - the Central is a weak division which means you play weaker teams more than having to constantly play the Yankees & Orioles. No one thought the White Sox would be this good going into the season (and quite frankly I'm still not sure why they are) so I think they are in for a fall since their schedule is going to getting a lot tougher in the coming weeks. Furthermore, I know from personal experience that Freddie Garcia is a head case that breaks under pressure.

My prediction: White Sox collapse, barely winning division over surging Twins. Red Sox take the East with Schilling in the rotation and a trade or two at the deadline that takes them over the top. The White Sox just look like a bunch of losers playing over their head.

I prefer "This Land is Your Land" myself.

A's sweep Rangers, grab share of wild-card lead Texas lost its fifth straight and fell to 2-9 since the All-Star break, completing a 1-6 homestand. The Rangers, who've dropped seven of eight to the A's since the break, dipped under .500 (48-49) for the first time since they were 13-14 on May 2. I see what you're sayin' about the Rangers Al. That must hurt.

Are the meese gay?

Are they gay?

Well, and I think O Canada is gay...perhaps they can marry each other....up in Canada. ← I don't think it's gonna happen. The Star Spangeled Banner is a closet case.

To get back on topic, I think the Star Spangled Banner is gay.

Canada 4th Nation to Legalize Gay Marriage By ROB GILLIES, Associated Press Writer Wed Jul 20, 2005 TORONTO - Canada legalized gay marriage Wednesday, becoming the world's fourth nation to grant full legal rights to same-sex couples. Supreme Court Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin signed the legislation making it law, hours after it was approved by the Senate late Tuesday night despite strong opposition from Conservatives and religious leaders. The bill gives homosexual couples the same rights as those in traditional unions between a man and a woman, something already legal in eight of Canada's 10 provinces and in two of its three territories. The legislation drafted by Prime Minister Paul Martin's minority Liberal Party government easily passed the Senate, which essentially rubber stamps any bill already passed by the House of Commons, which passed it late last month. The Netherlands, Belgium and Spain are the only other nations that allow gay marriage nationwide. The law comes after years of court battles and debate that divided families, religious groups and even political allies. The Roman Catholic Church, the predominant Christian denomination in Canada, has vigorously opposed the legislation. But Martin, a Roman Catholic, has said that despite anyone's personal beliefs, all Canadians should be granted the same rights to marriage. Alex Munter, national spokesman for Canadians for Equal Marriage, which has led the debate in favor of the law, was triumphant Wednesday: "It is a signal to the world that Canada is an open and inclusive society that believes in the notion of full citizenship for all." Churches have expressed concern that their clergy would be compelled to perform same sex ceremonies. The legislation, however, states that the bill only covers civil unions, not religious ones, and no clergy would be forced to perform same-sex ceremonies unless they choose to do so. Charles McVety, a spokesman for Defend Marriage Canada and president of Canada Christian College, said he was "very sad that the state has invaded the church, breached separation of church and state and redefined a religious word." McVety vowed his group would work to vote out lawmakers who supported the legislation in the next general elections. "A new Parliament is going to readdress this issue and common sense ultimately will prevail," McVety said. In the United States, Massachusetts is the only state that allows gay marriages; Vermont and Connecticut have approved same-sex civil unions. Though hundreds of foreigners have come to Canada to seek civil ceremonies since gay marriages were first allowed in Ontario and British Columbia in 2003, not all countries or states recognize the unions. The U.S. government does not recognize same-sex marriage, and most states refuse to acknowledge marriage certificates from gay and lesbian couples, regardless of where they wed.

That's why I visit http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/ instead. At least there I can get the latest trade rumors without having to pay.

Don't bet on it. The Mariners are pretty stinky. We scored 10 runs last night and still lost. The only decent pitcher we have under the age of 42 is Eddie Guardado and he's our closer...he doesn't get much work though as you can imagine.

Hey Al, What's with the constant rumors of Texas looking to trade Soriano? I look at the guys numbers year after year and he's a monster, yet the Yankees shopped him and the Reangers now seem to be shopping him around. Is there something about Soriano that I don't notice because I don't get to see him play day in and day out?

You're kidding, right? Don't count on my boys for anything right now. Except blowing ninth-inning leads. They're REEEEEEAL good at that right now! ← Well at the moment, I figured, with the Yankee pitching staff and the Rangers offense, they ought to win two out of three, and the Sox ought to sweep the Devil Rays. But what the fuck do I know????? ← Believe me, brother, I hate this as much as you do! I mean, my guys fuckin' HELPED the Yankees into first place, short of laying out the red carpet for 'em. And Chan Ho's on the mound tonight! I predict we'll be in third place before this night's over! ← I predict they'll end the season behind the Mariners.

Far and away the best domestic Belgian Style Ale! Dick's Grand Cru Intensely fruity and complex Belgian-stlye ale. This special beer is brewing art from start to finish. A full mash tun of malted barley is required to reach the high gravity required for this style, along with a high percentage of a special classic Belgian-style malt. Noble hops are added sparingly to the kettle. During the long boil special kettle sugars are added in the Belgian tradition which lend unique flavors in the fermenter. A classic Belgian yeast strain is pitched and the long fermentation is monitored closely as the flavors develop. The beer is then chilled and aged before being kegged and bottled. Available in 12 oz. bottles & magnums

I would just like to add YOU CAN'T NAME YOUR OWN TUNE by Barry Altschul to the list of recomendations. Not only doesn it have Barry and Muhal on it, it also features George Lewis, Dave Holland and Sam Rivers!

Thanks guys, Sounds like Dell is the way to go. I shall proceed in that direction unless anyone has any Dell horror stories they'd like to share. Your suggestion to buy the moniter seperately at a store in town so you can see what you're getting is a great suggestion Vibes, thanks. -j