Return of the Nabobs

Ruminations and ramblings while trying to picture Teejay interacting with the locals in Florence. Renaissance takes on a whole new meaning.

It looks like Val kilmer is running for Governor of New Mexico in 2010, and I couldn't be happier. Take one allegedly insane actor, mix with one of our loonier states - a curious blend of survivalists, hippies, and military types - and let simmer for 2-4 years. It's my fervent hope that he wins and brings an interstellar laser popcorn popper to Fort Huachuca. Failing that, I'll settle for "I'm your huckleberry" as his campaign slogan. (Editor's Note: As it turns out, Fort Huachuca is in Arizona. They probably won't be so thrilled if Governor Iceman rains laser hell on their popcorn. Apologies if we alarmed any innocent Arizonans.)

Tremendous Wednesday night of sports programming on the horizon, so adjust your schedules appropriately. First, William & Mary hosts UNC-Wilmington in a battle for 11th place in the CAA. The broadcast radius is approximately 37 meters from W&M Hall, so make sure you've got the high-powered antennae working. Or, just follow along online. You won't be able to avoid the 9:00 showdown in Durham between North Carolina and Duke - even if you turn off your television, Dickie V's piercing tones will echo in your ears for hours. Finally, don't sleep on the U.S.A./Mexico World Cup qualifier from Columbus, OH. Kickoff is at 7:00, and while you'll probably be drawn to the W&M game, be sure to catch Bob Bradley's Red, White & Blue against our biggest rival. (h/t to Wheelhouse commenter Chip for reminding me about this one.)

As some of you know, I recently caved to peer pressure and got on Facebook. After a few weeks of moderately entertaining social networking, I find myself on the horns of a dilemma. I've had several 'friend' requests from people who ostensibly went to my high school, but I can't for the life of me remember them. This is assuredly not their fault. I'm quite sure they know me and at one point in my life, I knew them. My memory for people's names, though, is for shit. Always has been. Song titles, too, but I digress. Nobody told me Facebook would be this awkward. On the plus side, I am now 'friends' with a guy from high school who is also 'friends' with Michael Steele, so I've got a go-to guy for insanely stubborn economic idiocy.

Finally, as predicted somewhere in this space yesterday, the A-Rod apologies have already begun to flow from the national media. The Washington Post's Dave Sheinin weighs in.

Barely 48 hours after seeing his sizable legacy compromised by a published
report that he had tested positive for steroids in 2003, New York Yankees third
baseman Alex Rodriguez made a full confession that, while notably lacking in
details, struck a distinct contrast from the denials, silences and
tortured explanations of some of his similarly disgraced peers.

Subtle, Mr. Sheinin. A little tut-tutting before the Dan Rather "courage". Well played.