November 13th - The first of two annual showdowns between my beloved Cleveland Browns and the dreaded Pittsburgh Steelers has arrived. I have already called my "Steeler friends" and given them an earful---which usually comes back to haunt me---but it is the traditional thing to do on the morning of the big game. Common sense would say that Cleveland will find a way to lose this game, particularly with our current squad's performance over the first 8 games (3-5 with notable wins against Green Bay, Chicago and Tennessee and very notable losses to Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Houston, Baltimore, and somebody else who I'm forgetting right now.) However, I am pleased to announce that it looks like Charlie Batch will start for the beat-up Steelers today giving my blue collar wrecking crew an advantage as far as I'm concerned. Ben Rothlisberger, a Northwest Ohio native like myself, has become the enemy of choice for me this weekend. We tend to play well when we have big game, national tv opportunities. I'm guessing we'll win by 6 or lose by 22. Go Brownies.

In other news, I'll be returning to Ohio from Virginia on the 16th. I am bringing co-worker Chris Chapek to Van Wert where he can get a rental car to drive to his homestead in Nebraska. I'll be journeying to Columbus for an interview (THE INTERVIEW) for a hopeful 2006 gig. Then I plan to make stops in Berea, Lakewood, and Downtown Cleveland for the weekend of the 17th, 18th, 19th, and maybe 20th. Seeing friends, paired with Ohio State/Michigan weekend should make things interesting.

Next, I'd like to report that my campaign beard (Beards for Kaine constituency group) has been shorn off. Nick, Chris, and I brought it down in steps in order to do what others shy away from..... The Martin Van Buren, The Grotesque Trucker Mustache, The 1980's Porn Stache, and then finally back to baby face Nelson. After getting a haircut by a banjo-playing barber, I looked in the mirror and hardly recognized myself. I looked like an infant compared to the beast which I resembled since Labor Day weekend.

Finally, I just wanted to comment on my favorite newsource, Comedy Central. In a time where the media has a reputation for "missing things compeletely" or dictating what we see as worthy or fit to be print, the only decent and respectable news shows out there right now are The Daily Show and the Colbert Report. Granted there are loads of sarcasm and jokes attached, you still get to see news that truly matters and see news that does not matter trivialized.

I get to see my siblings, parents, pets, and friends very soon.

Cheers to Howard Dean having something great to brag about today on the morning political shows.... Tears to Ken Mehlman for having quite a bit to cry about.

A good day.