connoisseur series500

Christ, Noj, Don't tell me you are amongst the ranks of Oakland Raider whiners... That call was made because it was in the rule book. You could argue that the rule is not a good one, but the refs simply judged that it was not a fumble as interpreted by the rulebook. Instant replay didn't overturn it. These types of calls are judgment-based and could go either way. No football fan need get overly wound up about them. That's football. Raider fans should lament the fact that their team was unable to stop Tom Brady afterwards when it counted. It didn't matter what happened on that play. The Patriots still needed to score...and they did. Lay some blame where it belongs: the Raiders couldn't stop them when they needed to.

Not a bad idea. Look at it this way: instead of purchasing a cd, you donated the money to Organissimo... I would be willing to participate even though I don't have much time to "chat" on this board any more. Paul

At the beginning of the series, I thought the Lakers would win. I now KNOW the Pistons will take this series. LA played Piston's ball. No Piston can make a layup but it doesn't matter. That "D" is stifling. Tayshaun Prince is AMAZING.... ...and BIG BEN. Lakers don't have a chance...

Everything seems to point to OJ's guilt. The most damning evidence to me was the suicidal trip in his Bronco. But it is also clear to me that the jury couldn't convict him based on the bumbling prosecution team. The defence was able to raise enough doubt to justify the acquital. I really haven't thought much about the trial since it ended. One thing's for sure: a killer is running free and living a pretty comfortable lifestyle. It's a shame; especially when one considers there are probably a ton of people unjustly put behind bars. This scumbag should be in prison while others should not. Life aint fair...

Pistons will take it to em tonight. Don't forget that Sheed is hurt too. No one is completely healthy this time of year. If the Lakers go and sign aging superstars, they have to understand that these guys will break down physically at the end. That's the price you pay...

You gotta admit, though, Chuck...it's a pretty good sound! B)

One area I forgot to bring up deals with New England's incredible depth on the defensive line. Our starters will probably be veteran Keith Traylor at DT in the 3-4, with Richard Seymour on one end and perhaps second year player Ty Warren on the other end. Traylor will be replaced by Vince Wilfolk during games and during the season, while pass russ specialist Jarvis Green (who had 3 sacks on Peyton Manning in the AFC Championship game) will get his turns along with free agent signing, Rodney Bailey, who is an emerging star at the end position. The Pats also drafted a good DE in the second round. The name escapes me now because I'm old and can't remember shit any more. But he will be good!!!

I'm a well-known Pats fan. I believe they've improved themselves in the offseason. Picking up Corey Dillon and drafting Vince Wilfolk and Ben Watson should get the government to investigate the team as some kind of anti-trust violator... The Pats added to their cornerback depth significantly by signing veterans Terrell Buckly, Jeff Burris and Otis Smith. Ty Law was disgruntled but he is signed for the season and will play. I did believe that they might unload Law during the first day of the draft, but nothing happened. Owner Bob Kraft, called Ty Law one of his favorite players. He'll be there for another year. The offensive line lost an important starter when Damien Woody signed with the Lions, but it should be noted that Woody didn't play in either the AFC Championship game nor the Super Bowl. We can certainly win without him. On balance, though, the Pats don't have much depth on the offensive line. They need to pick up a couple of veterans before the season starts; otherwise that will be a major weakness, especially if a starter goes down. Other than that, we are looking meaner than last year. Free agent plum, LB Roosevelt Colvin is returning from a hip injury after playing in only two games last year; and starter WR David Patton returns after missing most of last season as well. We are definitely much better on paper, which should be a scary thing for the rest of the league, but there is that intangible called "hunger" which is an absolute necessity if the team is to repeat. Do they have it? We'll have to see; the jury is out right now on that. All the players in the world won't help the team if the hunger isn't there...

The Pistons are coming home and the Palace will be rocking!! Watch out, LA!!!!

Uncle Skid has it all worked out beautifully. There it is folks!...in a nutshell.

Not entirely accurate. You cannot be denied medical coverage within a group setting; however, if you are self employed and seek individual coverage, you could very well be declined. It happens all the time. People are even declined for being overweight.

It will be great having Jim Dye move back to Michigan. Look forward to seeing you again, Jim!

Way to go, B-3er! You have the faith in the Pistons, while I did not. I really saw them as being outmatched by the Lakers. I know better now... Today's headline in the Detroit Free Press: TAKE THAT, LA!!

All small business owners have problems with their medical coverage. I can only give general advice: remember that insurance companies are in it to make money. Either you can pay huge premiums in order to have low deductibles and low copays, but you will rarely get more out of the insurance company than they got out of you. The best bet in general terms is to get high deductible plans in the $2,500-5,000/year range. The idea is to keep monthy premiums as low as possible. You then go and determine the amount you are saving by not having full coverage and you bank the difference each month. As that sum grows in the bank, you then use that to pay your medical bills. This works out to a program of self insuring. I think it's the best way. The minimal amount of health coverage you pay for is there for catastrophic care only. You'll probably make out in the end as long as you are banking the difference between the two payments. Follow?

Good luck, AB. I've had to scale down my participation on this board quite a bit since getting a new job.

Right now the Pistons are taking it to the Lakers.

Happy Birthday, Ray!

The Pistons are my team, but I cannot see a realistic chance of them defeating the Lakers. We need another scorer before we will be NBA champions. Still you never know... Jim: you're taking on that bet with your heart and not your head! I admire your courage and faith.

No, actually it's Lou Donaldson, "Wailing with Lou" that I seek.

Sent you a PM regarding the OBIs of the cds only.

Excellent points also, Dan. I don't read literature as much as I used to, but I guess I could "complain" that people are willing to read Shakespeare and Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner, while showing no interest in William Carlos Williams or Robert Lowell or John Donne. Certain artists appeal to me more than others; and I'm sure that many of us feel the same way with regards to their own tastes in art. At the same time, I think I understand that Chuck may lament that most jazz fans lack the exploratory spirit to investigate some of the "lesser" people that he may or may not promote. I do understand that. That's just the way it goes. We don't have the time in this modern day and age to take a scholarly approach to everything. There's just too much going on.

You bring up some good points here, Chuck. I do consider my tastes in jazz to be somewhat restricted to time periods and certain styles. In my case: Guilty as charged! I only say in defence that Jazz music is not the only artform that I like. I love to read books and I spend a lot of time with my chess studies. In addition, I like to play bridge and I like to spend time with people. Music is not my life, nor will it ever be. It's just part of the mosaic of art that I like. I cannot nor will I ever devote my entire life to it. There are just too many other interests vieing for my free time when I come home from work. In fact, I daresay that my love of jazz music actually ranks below my love for reading books and studying chess. That's just the way it goes... :rsmile:

I echo Chris A's comments. I've learned a lot though it's difficult to list it all. This forum has also enabled me to meet a lot of friends. I now personally know the Organissimo bandmembers, Greg K., Abution, Jim Dye, and I hope to meet others eventually. I'm sure that I'll eventually get together with Ghost of Miles and Jacknife one of these days. Thanks!

Happy Birthday Stephen and thanks for our past cd trades/sales...

Congrats Johnny. We know this is just the initial step in your becoming a rightwinger. I've lived in apartments for most of my life and was quite happy doing so. I was in no rush to buy a house, which I eventually did in 2000. We are happy with it and we've put our share of money in upgrading it. I do appreciate the tax deductions and our large backyard, but I'm working too damned much to enjoy much of anything. It's good to buy homes now before interest rates move up. You get a mixed bag of neighbors but hopefully it all works out. Good luck!