Saturday, 2 October 2004: I think that next year I am going to have to announce that I hate the Cubs and think they will do lousy. Maybe that will get the job done.

Yep, the Cubs choked. Shouldn't be a surprise to any longtime Cubhead. But it still hurts nonetheless. Especially since they showed signs of actually being able to play well. Not that this entire season was great. Heck, compared to last year, this one sucked horribly, but you can still hope and those glimmers of inspired play really do get you going.

Oh well, go Bosox and Twins!

Friday, 1 October 2004: After months of getting progressively more fed up with Cingular cellphone service, Katie and I have officially jumped ship. As of this coming Monday, when our new phones come in the mail, we will be customers of Nextel. Everybody we have talked to with Nextel service has raved about it. Not a single bad word to be heard.

Ever since Cingular's attempt to transfer over to a GSM service, it has all gone to hell in a handbasket. Our number of dropped calls has increased tenfold, our sound quality is for crap, our blackout zones have increased, yeah, you name it.

The other thing that has ticked us off is that for the last six months, they have not been able to get our billing statements correct. They've been consistently billing us for roam calls even though we've been on a nationwide plan the whole time. I've had to call them up each time we get a bill to have it adjusted. Our bill is anywhere from $70-250 over each month. How much of this sheer annoyance can they really expect us to put up with?

Bye bye, Cingular.

Hello, Nextel.

Tuesday, 28 September 2004: Things have gotten ugly in fantasy football this season. We're only three weeks in and, already, I've had to pick up far too many new players. Two new wide receivers, three new tight ends, a new defensive back, a new backup quarterback... when's it going to end?

I swear so many NFL players have fallen victim to the disabled list. It's really pathetic. And, as always it seems, the Bears have it worse than any other team. Hell, we just lost Rex Grossman for the season after already losing our stud d-back Mike Brown.

I guess we can at least say we beat the Packers before it all went to hell in a handbasket. We have that much.

Sunday, 26 September 2004: Yes, God forbid I should actually take the time for a public service announcement. But, here is a list of tips I have compiled for people suffering from lower back injuries.

• See a doctor. Get some drugs. They make you feel better. Muuuucccccchhhhh better.
• Do not sneeze. Don't ask why; just don't do it. You'll thank me later.
• Get a friend or loved one to help you put on your socks and shoes. This was one of the toughest things I had to do.
• Lay down on the floor whenever possible. Here's hoping you have a nice comfy carpet.
• If someone offers you a backrub, accept it. Do not say stupid things like, "oh, you don't have to." If someone cares enough to offer, accept it you moron.
• Do not watch anything on TV in which you have a vested emotional interest. I watched the Bears game today. Luckily, most of my pain was already gone or I would have likely made matters much worse during my fits of screaming and ranting.

Thank you all for your attention. You can pay the receptionist at the door on your way out. No, I do not accept any major insurance carriers. Oh, and cash only.