GA Russell

The Riders' Sean Lucas has retired. The Eskimos have released Patrick Kabongo and Chris Bauman. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=384879 ***** Former Stamps and Ticats backup QB Bob Torrance has died at age 43. No word on the cause of death. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=384820

Thanks for the link, aurelio! Congrats Allen!

Well first of all, let's agree that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For me, Starbucks is like Dave Brubeck. I like everything about Dave Brubeck except his piano playing, and I like everything about Starbucks except their coffee. To me, their coffee has always seemed over-roasted. I read not long ago that it is company policy to over-roast their beans in order to maintain consistency and hide the differences between batches. So I was pleased to read the other day that Starbucks is going to offer a new blend called Blonde, to compete with McDonald's. I like McDonald's' regular coffee very much. So today I went to my nearest Starbucks. The young lady behind the counter (she was working alone) knew nothing about the promotion regarding samples of each blend with each customer taking home something. She gave me a free cup of the Blonde, and I figured that I would go back tomorrow or Saturday for the free party favor if I liked it. Well as I say, YMMV. But IMHO, the Blonde is the worst coffee I've ever had in my life. It is not over-roasted. It just tastes bad. No way I'll go back for more. I recommend that everyone visit Starbucks to see if you agree.

Happy Birthday Andy!

Tom Ardolino, NRBQ's drummer, has died. http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-tom-ardolino-20120111,0,4110477.story

Starbucks is offering free samples of its blends this Thursday through Saturday in the US. The dates will be in February in Canada.

Tina Louise?

Happy Birthday 7/4!

Happy Birthday 2012 Patricia!

Well, you're not going to win if you don't score any points.

Reports say that Marcus Thigpen and Khalif Mitchell have come to terms with the Miami Dolphins. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=384491

Happy Birthday 2012 Cliff!

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has tweeted that he is considering hiring Jim Popp to be the Colts' new general manager. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/als-popp-candidate-for-colts-gm-job/article2294908/ http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=384466

It's a new world. The Ticats have hired George Cortez as their new head coach, and Bob Young made the announcement on Twitter. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=384486 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/george-cortez-named-tiger-cats-head-coach/article2294967/

I strongly suspect that the bulk of the $12 million price tag was for the land, not the building. She razed the building, but plans to replace it with one more to her liking. Her improvements may indeed make the property more valuable.

I didn't keep track of how the teams qualified for the bowls, but it appears that the two teams in tonight's Cotton Bowl are higher ranked than the teams of the Orange Bowl and the Sugar Bowl, two BCS bowls.

Happy Birthday 2012 ornette!

Barron Miles will be the new defensive backs coach of the Riders. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=384297 ***** Rich Stubler will be the new defensive coordinator of the Lions. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=384323 ***** Here's the post-announcement article on the Burris-Glenn trade. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=384087

Remember "I'm Your Puppet"? Bobby of James and Bobby Purify has passed away. http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-passings-20120105,0,2777851.story

Happy Birthday 2012 Nate!

Happy Birthday 2012 mg!

I'm getting a Kobo ad tonight. Is it the same for everybody?

My sympathies, Chuck. I can recommend this. http://www.amazon.com/LifeSmart-LS1500-4-Infrared-Quartz-Heater/dp/B005K8LEAM/ref=sr_1_2?s=appliances&ie=UTF8&qid=1325635043&sr=1-2

Happy Birthday 2012 Marty!