GA Russell

The Vanier Cup is tomorrow, with Laval hosting Calgary. Laval hasn't lost at home since 2004! http://www.thestar.com/sports/football/2013/11/22/vanier_cup_laval_rouge_et_or_confident_at_home_vs_calgary_dinos.html ***** Chris Schultz Grey Cup pick http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/schultz/ ***** betting website Grey Cup pick http://www.sbrforum.com/nfl-football/free-picks/cfl-picks-hamilton-tiger-cats-vs-saskatchewan-roughriders-a-35096/ ***** Seven of last year's Argos will be competing Sunday. Ricky Foley, Tristan Black and Ejiro Kuale are with the Riders. Evan McCullough, Brandon Isaac, Joel Reinders, and defensive coordinator Orlondo Steinauer are with the Ticats. So at least three people will win back-to-back Grey Cups. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=437250

Perhaps I should remind everyone that noj once won because he had the lowest pick of anyone!

And the CFL Awards winners are... Cornish Cox Cornish Paredes Jones (I'm shocked!) LaBatte http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/feature/?id=109360

Happy Birthday 2013 Don!

Happy Birthday 2013 DTMX!

Tales of Wells Fargo: Complete First & Second Seasons - $25.47 http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Wells-Fargo-Complete-Collectable/dp/B005LVIP1E?SubscriptionId=AKIAJ7T5BOVUVRD2EFYQ&tag=camelsimilar-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B005LVIP1E ***** The Tall Man: Complete Series - $25.51 http://www.amazon.com/The-Tall-Man-Complete-Episodes/dp/B005UFUU6E/ref=pd_bxgy_mov_text_y

Here's a New York Times article (which was published in yesterday's News & Observer) about Toronto Mayor Ford, which says in part, "Short on institutional support - his beloved football team, the Toronto Argonauts, has asked him to stop wearing its jersey..." http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/20/world/americas/toronto-residents-have-funny-feeling-about-mayor-and-his-longevity.html?_r=0 ***** In Regina, they're even selling ladies' lingerie in Rider colors! http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/11/21/grey-cup-2013-regina-lingerie-shop-stocks-up-on-roughriders-themed-apparel-as-fans-get-in-the-mood-for-more-than-just-the-big-game/ The article also says that among all Canadian sports teams, the Riders come in #3 in the sale of merchandise, trailing only the Maple Leafs and the Canadiens. The Riders have sold over $7 million dollars' worth per year for the past four years.

Greg Xenakes Grey Cup pick http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4641815 ***** The CFL Awards will be handed out tonight. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=437144 ***** A number of Ticats suffered frostbite at practice yesterday. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=437158

Mike, look at camelcamelcamel.com

My notes show that Sask is open below 25 and above 75. Hamilton is open below 35, from 60 to 70, and above 75.

The Edmonton Sun is reporting that the Bombers are likely to hire Khari Jones as their new head coach. Danny McManus may become the new Assistant GM. And they are interested in hiring Mike O'Shea as well. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=437058 ***** The RedBlacks are considering Paul LaPolice to become their new head coach, as well as Marcel Bellefeuille and possibly Dave Dickinson. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=437066 ***** The Sports Network's Grey Cup preview http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4641581 ***** Bodog has set the Riders as 5 1/2 point favorites. The temperature at kickoff is predicted to be just below freezing. http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4641695 ***** Seven players to watch for each team. Team rosters. http://cfl.ca/article/game-breakers-five-players-to-watch-on-both-sides

Mad Men: Season Four - $10.05 http://www.amazon.com/Mad-Men-Season-Jon-Hamm/dp/B0038M2AOG/ref=sr_1_9?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1385009983&sr=1-9&keywords=mad+men

Jeff, I'm still waiting for your address! I've never received your pm's, which I don't understand. Email me at garussell2001 at hotmail dot com, and I'll order it for you tomorrow. Hooray! Jeff, your pm's have been waiting for me all this time, and for some reason they did not pop up alerting me that you had sent them. Because you have waited so long, I have ordered a second prize for you. Your prizes will arrive Nov. 22 and Nov. 25. Jeff, I have received word that both of your prizes were shipped together; and that they will arrive on the 22nd, the day after tomorrow.

Mingus - Sony Columbia/RCA (10 CDs) - $32.97 http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Albums-Collection-Charles-Mingus/dp/B007Y2W49W/ref=sr_1_25?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1384994160&sr=1-25 ***** Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five (5 CDs) - $16.50 http://www.amazon.com/Louis-Jordan-His-Tympany-Five/dp/B00005KFUG/ref=sr_1_35?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1384994223&sr=1-35

Parks and Recreation: Season One - $6.49 http://www.amazon.com/Parks-Recreation-Season-Amy-Poehler/dp/B002DPPH6W/ref=sr_1_8?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1384986508&sr=1-8&keywords=parks+and+recreation

That's great, Joel! Break a leg!

Evan, Moose already has Hamilton and 45. Try again!

I have purchased the Dragon software program to enable me to dictate to my computer. Now I need to buy a microphone to use with it. I suppose I need one whose pickup is of sufficient quality that the software will correctly understand what I am saying. Any suggestions, especially from experience? The ones I see at Amazon have reviews which typically discuss their use with skype, which I'm not sure is relevant. Thanks!

I've been enjoying Live at the Winery. Not only is Art in fine form, but also it's not his usual band - so it sounds different from Laurie's other releases.

Tenor Saxophonist/Composer Anton Schwartz To Release "Flash Mob" January 28 Fifth CD for His Antonjazz Label (And First Since 2006) Features Taylor Eigsti, Dominick Farinacci, John Shifflett, Lorca Hart West Coast Tour Dates Set for March 2014; East Coast Dates to Follow November 19, 2013 With Flash Mob, his first new recording in seven years, the expressive and swinging tenor saxophonist/composer Anton Schwartz delivers a disc notable for its well-crafted tunes, riveting ensemble work, and abundance of attitude. Schwartz's Antonjazz label will release the CD, his fifth since his 1998 debut When Music Calls and first since 2006's Top 5 radio staple Radiant Blue, on January 28. An audiophile recording, Flash Mob is available as a standard CD and also from HDtracks in high-resolution 96kHz 24-bit digital. Presenting a diverse program of original tunes, plus one each by Kenny Dorham and Thelonious Monk, Schwartz is joined by a superlative cast including Grammy Award-nominated pianist Taylor Eigsti, rising Bay Area drum star Lorca Hart, big-toned New York trumpeter Dominick Farinacci, and the imperturbably grooving South Bay bassist John Shifflett (who has anchored just about all of Schwartz's recordings). As usual, the saxophonist creates unabashedly appealing music that bristles with intriguing ideas, unbridled energy, and unexpected rhythmic juxtapositions. "I always aim to write the music I'd like to hear," says Schwartz, who for the last three years has divided his time between Seattle and Oakland. "A lot of great music out there doesn't hold my attention the way Stevie Wonder does. I like music that goes someplace. I write for my own impoverished attention span, and it seems to serve me well." The drummer and longtime jazz radio personality Bud Spangler, who's co-produced all of Schwartz's albums, including Flash Mob, is not surprised that Schwartz's music has found a national audience, noting his gift for crafting "catchy compositions. They grab you and stay with you. He works really hard, and he's swinging his butt off." One reason that Schwartz sounds more lyrical than ever is that he's keeping company with some of jazz's most accomplished vocalists. He plays a key role on Ed Reed's 2011 album Born to Be Blue and his well-received new release I'm A Shy Guy, serving as a thoughtful foil to the late-blooming octogenarian balladeer. He's worked extensively with the crystalline improviser Inga Swearingen, collaborated with many others such as Judy Wexler and young phenom Laila Smith, and, since moving to Seattle, has forged potent ties with the supremely soulful vocalist Gail Pettis and the highly versatile Greta Matassa. The native Manhattanite (b. 1967) caught the jazz bug early and as a teenager studied with the brilliant but oft-overlooked tenor saxophonist Warne Marsh and the renowned clarinetist Eddie Daniels. Schwartz went on to study math and philosophy at Harvard University, though he found time to play in the school's jazz band, holding down the first tenor saxophone chair after tenorman Don Braden, in a section that included future jazz star Joshua Redman. Schwartz moved to the Bay Area in 1989 and had nearly completed a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence at Stanford when he decided to forgo the degree and devote himself to music full time. An active teacher, Schwartz maintains a strong presence in both Seattle and the Bay Area, mentoring jazz ensembles and private students in both regions. He has been Artist in Residence at Harvard University and the Brubeck Institute Summer Jazz Colony and is a dedicated clinician, giving frequent master classes and workshops on an impressive range of subjects, from advanced music theory to the physics of woodwind instruments, to the fine details of swing and phrasing, to the business of music. "It's such a fun challenge to get inside another musician's head, figure out how they understand things, and help build them a ladder that will take them to where they want to go," says Schwartz. "Each time I make an album, the writing and the execution get more and more fun for me, as the process of creating and realizing a vision becomes more and more fluid. It's been a heck of a journey, refining my musical craft over the years -- and amazingly rewarding. To be able to help others along their journey too is doubly gratifying." Anton Schwartz: "Pangur Ban," recorded in performance at Yoshi's, Oakland. Schwartz will be working the following dates with his quintet in support of Flash Mob (East Coast dates are being planned for the spring): 3/1 San Jose Jazz Winterfest 3/1 Pacifica Performances 3/2 Sonoma Jazz Society 3/4 Yoshi's, Oakland 3/6 Kuumbwa, Santa Cruz 3/7 Vitello's, Los Angeles 3/9 JB's, Sacramento 3/11 KPLU in-studio performance, Seattle 3/11-3/12 Jazz Alley, Seattle 3/13 The Cellar, Vancouver BC 3/14 Ivories, Portland Web Site: antonjazz.com/new-cd

Jeff, I'm still waiting for your address! I've never received your pm's, which I don't understand. Email me at garussell2001 at hotmail dot com, and I'll order it for you tomorrow. Hooray! Jeff, your pm's have been waiting for me all this time, and for some reason they did not pop up alerting me that you had sent them. Because you have waited so long, I have ordered a second prize for you. Your prizes will arrive Nov. 22 and Nov. 25.

I find the results of this poll quite surprising. It says that only 9% have a drink nearly every day, while 36% rarely or never drink. Perhaps growing up in New Orleans skewed my view of America! http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/general_lifestyle/november_2013/38_drink_alcohol_at_least_once_a_week

Jeff, I'm still waiting for your address! I've never received your pm's, which I don't understand. Email me at garussell2001 at hotmail dot com, and I'll order it for you tomorrow.

This is a scary article which says that if a woman uses the birth control pill for three years or more, she may have twice the likelihood of going blind from glaucoma later in life. I say this is scary because I'm confident that a great many American women have already used it for three consecutive years. http://healthland.time.com/2013/11/18/prolonged-use-of-birth-control-pill-linked-to-glaucoma/

Thanks, John! I figured I could look it up, but I knew that you, dgs and BClug would know! ***** Vicki Hall of the Calgary Herald is reporting that Dave Dickenson will become the Stamps' assistant head coach next year. http://www.canada.com/sports/football/cfl/Hall+Dave+Dickenson+stay+with+Calgary/9182141/story.html