GA Russell

Semi-Finals picks... Chris Schultz http://www.tsn.ca/risky-business-division-semifinal-predictions-in-the-cfl-1.132560 Gregg Xenakes http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4737208 Dan Ralph http://www.thestar.com/sports/football/2014/11/12/cfl_picks_playoffs_qb_questions_saddle_riders_eskimos.html

Here are the final 2014 season standings. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/standings ***** ...the final 2014 team stats http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/team-stats ***** ... the final 2014 player stats http://cfl.ca/statistics/list/year/2014 ***** The Redblacks have let go their offensive coordinator Mike Gibson. http://www.tsn.ca/redblacks-fire-offensive-coordinator-gibson-after-one-season-1.133454 http://cfl.ca/article/redblacks-relieve-mike-gibson-of-his-coaching-duties ***** Various articles about... the Eastern Semi-Final http://cfl.ca/article/2014esf the Western Semi-Final http://cfl.ca/article/2014wsf ***** The league today announced the Eastern and Western All-Stars. http://cfl.ca/article/shooting-stars-divisional-all-stars-announced http://www.tsn.ca/carter-among-11-alouettes-named-to-east-all-star-squad-1.133348 ***** Edmonton announced today that Matt Nichols will start Sunday, but Mike Reilly will practice this week and be available to play. I'm skeptical that Reilly will be ready if they are going to start Nichols. http://cfl.ca/article/esks-announce-nichols-to-start-reilly-available http://www.tsn.ca/eskimos-to-start-qb-nichols-against-roughriders-reilly-available-to-play-1.133243

Congratulations ornette!

So as we now head into the playoffs, there's a lot of news. First, we'll start with last weekend's games. Usually the last weekend of the season is a waste of time, with teams mostly trying to avoid injuries. But this year, every game was relevant to the final standings. Toronto 23....Ottawa 5 http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4736335 The Argos needed to win, or they were out. With Ricky Ray out, Trevor Harris started his first game as a pro, and he did fine. ***** Calgary 33....BC 16 http://cfl.ca/article/stamped-season-stamps-head-into-playoffs-with-momentum Drew Tate started for the Stamps, but Bo Levi Mitchell replaced him in the second quarter. Both looked good, so I don't know why Tate was removed. This was only Tate's 12th start in an 8-year career! Since Mitchell is young and apparently the Stamps' man of the future, I have to think that Tate will be playing somewhere else next year. I think that if the Lions had won, they would have clinched third place. ***** Hamilton 29....Montreal 15 http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4736530 The Ticats were in an extraordinary position. If they won by more than seven, they would clinch first. If they won by less than eight, the Als would clinch first, and the Ticats would finish second. If the Ticats lost, they would finish third behind the Argos, and out of the playoffs. This was the Ticats' sixth consecutive home win. (They have never lost at Tim Horton Field.) That is their best home winning streak since 1966. The last time the Ticats finished first was 1998! ***** Saskatchewan 24....Edmonton 17 http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4736595 With the win, the Riders clinched third place, and will visit Edmonton next week. The Lions will therefore finish fourth, and cross over to the East to play the Als. No cross-over team has won yet. This was an odd game. The Riders, by design, didn't play most of their starters in the second half. The Eskimos nearly pulled it out in the fourth quarter, after trailing 24-7 after three. Mike Reilly was out, and Matt Nichols got his first pro start. You may recall that in training camp last year, Nichols won the starting job, and then was injured in the last pre-season game and was out for the year. Reilly did so well last year that Nichols never had a chance this year. Maybe Nichols will be another one to move on this off-season. I don't know. This was the Riders' first win since Darian Durant got hurt. ***** cfl.ca Week 20 review http://cfl.ca/article/cfl-replay-a-look-back-at-week-20 ***** Week 20 Top Ten Plays of the Week http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/105993 ***** cfl.ca power rankings http://cfl.ca/article/pintys-power-rankings-ticats-claw-right-back ***** Malcolm Kelly power rankings http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/football/opinion/2014/11/cfl-power-rankings-week-20.html

The Kinks - Muswell Hillbillies - $13.98 http://www.amazon.com/Muswell-Hillbillies-Legacy-Edition-Kinks/dp/B00NF4PNXM/ref=pd_sim_m_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=02K874V76PRENA4ETA2E CD - original album plus nine bonus tracks DVD - twelve previously-unreleased-in-the-US live performances

Spotify's CEO says today that if Taylor Swift (and of course her label, distributed by Universal) won't let her music be on Spotify, the kids will just go to the pirate sites to get it. http://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/spotify-ceo-to-taylor-swift-the-pirates-are-going-to-get-you/ar-AA7DCyz?ocid=ansWrap11

Bruins rookie Seth Griffith scores a goal! (not really looking/facing the wrong way/between his legs) http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/bruins-seth-griffith-scores-between-the-legs-goal-1.2830761

Happy Birthday! Hope you enjoy a good beer!

And now Jason Aldean has pulled his new album (which hit #1 on the country chart) from Spotify. http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2014/11/10/jason-aldean-follows-taylor-swift-pulls-new-album-off-spotify/?intcmp=obmod_ffo&intcmp=obnetwork

Happy belated Birthday 2014 Conn!

Happy Birthday, Jeff!

Craig, that's exactly what I was going to say! Thanks Billy!

Michael, I've never bought anything from Crutchfield before, but for some reason I got on their mailing list many years ago. As I recall, don't/didn't they also sell car radios? Anyway, if Amazon doesn't get the platter, since you recommend them I'll go with Crutchfield.

My thinking now is that I want everything to be made by the same company - so if I go with the Pro-Ject Carbon, I will also go with the Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter. I also prefer to buy everything from the same retailer. I have been planning to go with Amazon because I currently have a greater Amazon gift card balance than bank account balance! However, Amazon says that they are out of stock of the platter, and don't know if they will ever carry it again. However, it is available from other retailers. http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ject-ACRYLIT-Acryl-It-Platter-Upgrade/dp/B0097CY4NQ?SubscriptionId=AKIAJ7T5BOVUVRD2EFYQ&tag=cameltracker-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B0097CY4NQ http://www.bing.com/search?q=pro-ject+acryl-it+platter&pc=MOZI&form=MOZSBR Any thoughts?

Lowell Ullrich Week 20 picks http://blogs.theprovince.com/2014/11/07/the-picks-week-20-in-the-cfl/ ***** You will recall that for the past few years, TSN has polled the players for their opinions regarding who is the hardest to bring down, the biggest trash talker, etc. TSN released this year's results today. Once again, Mike Reilly has been voted the toughest player in the league. As I recall, before him Buck Pierce used to win that. I guess the players respect the quarterbacks. http://www.tsn.ca/stampeders-cornish-argos-ray-lead-cast-of-winners-in-cfl-player-poll-1.127710 ***** Winnipeg fans have voted Rod Hill the team's best defensive back of all time. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/bombers/Fans-name-Rod-Hill--281963231.html

Thanks again, all! I've found the BB&Q at oldies.com for $4.99. http://www.oldies.com/product-view/10873G/c_TE02.html?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TE02&utm_source=oldies

Happy Birthday Paul!

Thanks again! I'm looking forward to digging into a book I received, Downbeat: The Great Jazz Interviews. http://www.amazon.com/DownBeat-Great-Interviews-Anniversary-Anthology/dp/1423463846/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415335147&sr=1-1&keywords=downbeat+the+great+jazz

The FRC has elected Chris Cuthbert, Lowell Ullrich and Mike Beamish to the Hall of Fame. http://cfl.ca/article/2014-frc-inductees-named-to-hall-of-fame ***** The Grey Cup women's fashions announced earlier are now available. Unfortunately, this model is not available! http://cfl.ca/article/cfl-for-eluxe-collection-on-sale-now ***** The Riders have activated Darian Durant, but that doesn't mean he will play this week. Kerry Joseph will start. http://www.tsn.ca/roughriders-activate-qb-durant-from-injured-reserve-1.125946 http://www.tsn.ca/chamblin-announces-joseph-will-start-roughriders-regular-season-finale-1.125087 ***** John Forzani donated his brain to science. http://www.tsn.ca/former-stampeder-forzani-s-brain-donated-to-concussion-project-1.125353 ***** Here are the standings headed into the last week of the season. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/standings ***** Paul LaPolice notes that the Ticats have the possibility of finishing first, second or out of the playoffs! http://www.tsn.ca/talent/lapolice-interesting-coaching-situation-for-tiger-cats-this-season-1.126729 ***** As stated elsewhere on this board, yesterday was my birthday. I received a few things that might interest you. First, two biographies of CFL alums - Cookie Gilchrist and Babe Parilli. The Cookie That Did Not Crumble http://www.amazon.com/Cookie-That-Did-Not-Crumble/dp/0984688501/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415334283&sr=1-1&keywords=cookie+gilchrist Kentucky Babe http://www.amazon.com/Kentucky-Babe-Parilli-Story/dp/1463703473/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415334371&sr=1-1&keywords=the+kentucky+babe And also, two inexpensive eBooks. The Greatest Game: an Oral History http://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Game-Oral-History-ebook/dp/B00A7EPXJW/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1415334457&sr=1-6&keywords=greatest+game Three Downs, One Hundred Games http://www.amazon.com/Three-Downs-One-Hundred-Games-ebook/dp/B00A8P6EDY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1415334681&sr=1-1&keywords=three+down%2C+one+hundred+games

Now let's look at this weekend's games. Week 20 picks... Chris Schultz http://www.tsn.ca/risky-business-week-20-predictions-in-the-cfl-1.123803 Gregg Xenakes http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4735977 Dan Ralph http://www.thestar.com/sports/football/2014/11/05/cfl_picks_week_20_ticats_can_claw_into_playoffs_with_win_over_als.html Mike Beamish with power rankings http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/sports/football/lions/Week+Picks+Rankings/10356817/story.html ***** Playoff scenarios http://cfl.ca/article/breakdown-week-20-playoff-scenarios http://cfl.ca/article/cauz-your-survival-guide-to-the-2014-cfl-playoffs ***** cfl.ca MOP watch http://cfl.ca/article/mop-watch-week-19-stock-analysis ***** Yesterday the league announced the names of the nominees of each team for the CFL Awards. http://cfl.ca/article/awards-season-2014-team-awards-announced ***** Simoni Lawrence has made some YouTube videos. http://cfl.ca/article/cfl-media-presents-gametime-with-simoni-lawrence ***** The Argos announced this morning that Ricky Ray's concussion will prevent him from playing this week. That might end the Argos' season right there. http://cfl.ca/article/ray-wont-play-argos-star-qb-ruled-out-for-friday http://www.tsn.ca/argonauts-qb-ray-out-for-must-win-game-against-redblacks-1.125077 ***** Canadians Dallas Smith and Nikki Yanofsky will perform before the Grey Cup game. Is anyone familiar with them? http://cfl.ca/article/dallas-smith-nikki-yanofsky-kickoff-102nd-grey-cup

Time again to catch up! Let's start with last weekend's games. Hamilton 34....Ottawa 25 http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4735076 The Redblacks led 8-0 after one, and 15-14 at the half. But the Ticats were consistently the better team in the second half. ***** Winnipeg 18....Calgary 13 http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4735289 It began snowing in Calgary before the opening kickoff, and didn't stop until the game was almost over. Jon Cornish ran for over 100 yards in a quarter and a half, but then landed on his head when tackled, and did not return. From that point on, the Stampeders didn't play with a lot of zip. ***** Edmonton 37....BC 3 http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4735346 The Lions didn't show up, but the fans in Edmonton didn't seem to mind. Solomon Elimimian set the league single-season tackles record with his 131st in the third quarter. http://cfl.ca/article/elimimian-sets-new-single-season-tackles-record With the win, the Eskimos clinched second place. During the halftime interview, Wally told Giulio that he suspects that the scoring has been low this year because the defenses have gotten better - because the game roster was increased by two players, and he thinks that the coaches have added two defensive players. ***** Montreal 17....Toronto 14 http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4735534 The Argos outscored the Als in each of the first three quarters, but the Als won the fourth quarter 10-0. Ricky Ray suffered a concussion. With the win, the Als clinched a playoff spot. The Als started the season 1-7, and have gone 8-1 since. ***** cfl.ca Week 19 review http://cfl.ca/article/cfl-replay-a-look-back-at-week-19 ***** Both Jon Cornish and Mo Price will be out this week, but the Stamps hope that they will be healthy for the Western Final. http://cfl.ca/article/stamps-expect-to-have-cornish-price-in-western-final ***** Top Ten Plays of the Week http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/105593 ***** cfl.ca power rankings http://cfl.ca/article/pintys-power-rankings-alouettes-holding-on ***** Malcolm Kelly power rankings http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/football/opinion/2014/11/cfl-power-rankings-week-19-3.html

Wings - Complete Series (8 seasons) - $36.29 http://www.amazon.com/WINGS-Complete-Timothy-Daly/dp/B00LU5PB0I/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1415325977&sr=1-1&keywords=wings+complete+series

On this date in 1814, Adolphe Sax was born in Dinant, Belgium. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolphe_Sax

Happy Birthday 2014 Porcy!

Happy Birthday 2014 Neal!