Spin cycle

In the event that for some the Cubs manage to pull off a tie in the Wild Card race, here's a simple explanation of how things will shake out.
"The Dodgers, Giants and Cubs finish with the same winning percentage, leaving the NL West and the NL Wild Card winners undecided. The Dodgers and Giants would have a one-game playoff to determine the West champion on Monday. The loser would play the Cubs (or Astros or Padres) in a one-game playoff to determine the Wild Card winner on Tuesday. If that scenario plays out, then both National League Division Series would begin on Wednesday. Under normal circumstances (no Tuesday tiebreaker), three Division Series will begin on Tuesday and the only exception is the one not involving the NL Wild Card."
Got all that? Good. Theres just one thing preventing this...
WE NEED TO FRIGGIN' WIN A FEW LOUSY GAMES ALREADY!!!!!!!
So, my prediction...Prior will be pulled in the 4th today after giving up 2 homers, a triple, a sac fly and walking 2 more. But the Cubs will rally late and put it away. Cubs 7 Giants 6
The fingers are crossed...go Cubs!

And so it ends...

or does it? Todays heartbreaking loss may be the only nail in the coffin that the Cubs need to flat out give up. Latroy blew another one in the 9th, with 2 outs and an 0-2 count. I should have typed all that in bold, flashing, underlined text for emphasis but no, I have neither the strength nor the interest. A loss is a loss, and with shaky Mark Prior going tomorrow a true cynic would say that the fat lady is warming her oversized hypothalymus at this very moment.

Perhaps there are miracles to be had, I believe in them. Bridget and Luke are both miracles, so they can happen. But can they happen at Wrigley? Can they happen to the Cubs? We'll see. Surprise me. But until then...There's always next...

No, not yet. I'll save it.
Go CUBS!

Well, Mr. Smarty Pants...

I predicted and 8-2 loss to The Cincinatti Reds, as seen below. I am happy to report that I was wrong.

It was and 8- 3 loss.

Silly me. Silly silly me.

And the Magic Number IS.....

Six. As of this moment, the Cubs are staring down any combination of wins plus Giants losses that equal 6 as the magic number.
I have already gone on record as stating I will no longer twist myself into emotional pretzels over this, so allow me to just predict tonights outcome and be done with it.
Since our boys had all sorts of fun stomping the Reds last night like Napa valley grapes, it only stands to reason that they will produce an encore performance tonight.
Which is exactly why they will lose, 8-2, even with the aging Greg Maddux on the hump and all of Samm-y So-So ready to finally break out and blast a few onto Waveland.
They must keep things interesting, afterall. I hope Im wrong.

I, Bartman

After a long and painful emotional inventory, I have come to the conclusion that it is not the fault of the Cubs for the woes they encounter, the failures they achieve or the pain they force us to endure year after year. It is instead simply the fault of us. Yes, we the collective Cub fan are the single source and lone burning ember which ignites the inferno of madness that entirely consumes with great ease the hopes and dreams which we had built every spring training. There is no curse, there is no foul wind of misfortune. There is just positive thinking, and in a world where hopes are crushed and dreams are laughed at like so many sick kittens lost in a doberman factory, positive thinking is nothing more than a way to pass the time before the the dark falls. W must stop this lunacy post-haste, lest we all succumb to its most dangerous side effect...Cub-fan-apathy.
You have seen them, the apathetic fans. They are in every section, at every game. They keep score, emotionless, with the look about them of someone consumed by years of climing the peaks of first place, only to have gravity kick in and suck them back to earth like a lead balloon. They are beyond consolation, they are lost in horrific memories. Memories with names like Buckner, Bartman and Billy...the Goat, that is. They check off thier lives measured by the years added up since a Cubs Pennant. Most importantly, they have resigned themselves to the fact that there will be no more fanaticism to be denied, there will never again be a Cubs fan grace to fall from, be it a Mark Grace or otherwise.
I refuse this fate. I refuse to be sucked in so completely that I begin thinking the Cubs will go all the way in my lifetime based only on skills and fantastic management. They will need much more. They will need the fans to change the way they think. Beginning today, less than 5 hours after the NY Mets handed us loss number TWO in complete and utter disgrace, I have decided I shall do my part. From this moment on, My beloved Cubs will not have me to "curse" them with my positive thinking. From this moment, every win shall come to me as a complete shock, every loss will slip away barely noticed, and until the World Series tickets in my hand include the name CHICAGO CUBS in full color, I will refrain from my usual display of irrational behavior and drunken revelry. That, I shall save, for the Bears.
Oh Lord, I am SO screwed.

roof2

roof2
Originally uploaded by Gratefuldad.

Jay's friend Bill and a helper tearin' it up!

To roof or not to roof.

My brother in-law has decided he needs a new roof. He has also decided that this is a laborious project which involves skilled laborers, good balance, a knowledge of the tools and materials necessary and of course my pickup truck, so that all of the afore mentioned needs can be addressed by himself, a friend and 2 high school kids. Add to that a tutorial from Home Depot and at least one afternoon watching some other guys do it across the street. Some other guys, incidentally, who happen to work for a roofing company but hey, the devil is in the details, right?
Good luck, bro...If it all works out this year I'll be sure to call you next year when my roof is ready for replacement.
I'll be needing the name of the guys you watched across the street.

Brink of disaster...

And so another Cubs season rumbles toward the edge of the abyss, glancing down and teetering ever so sickly, then to wobble back onto the rails if only for a moment. Here I sit in bitter yet familiar disbelief as the Cubs let another golden moment slip away like a croc fart in a Flordia hurricane.
I should be more bitter, but I shall save the deepest depths of despair for the final blow, should the season end prior to post season play. Speaking of Prior, the wifes favorite little mound monkey had a great game today. Gee, looks like Mark's finally shaking off the pre-season jitters and getting down to bid'ness. Not a moment too soon, and thanks...pal...it's September, by the way.

tree.jpg

tree.jpg
Originally uploaded by Gratefuldad.

Jill found more bird houses at Hobby Lobby after one was sent along from my sister. They couldnt have fit better if they were custom made! I also love faking the 3 dimensional effect on 2 walls and the ceiling. I did that in Luke's room with Cyclops blasting Doc oc on the opposing wall.

Sooo-Big

soobog.jpg
Originally uploaded by Gratefuldad.

Here's Bridget checking her "upward mobility." I had great fun painting her room, and found the best ideas came when I walked around her room on my knees. Getting a kids perspective is the best way to imagine how things will look.