Fri-dee favorites

Before I launch into football picks for this weekend (next week I gotta post this Wednesday or Thursday before the Falcons-Ravens game, I guess) I want to whine about the poor nation of Haiti and its' people. Why is 2010 the year that God craps on Haiti so badly? Earthquake, Hurricane, it's biblical. Whenever I get to thinking that the whole "kind and benevolent God" idea is a bunch of hooey, it's Haiti. And it's childish of me to wish for happy things like that, I've given the money I can afford to give and good vibes are all I've got.

Lame, I know. Alot of good wishing will do anyone. I know I should count my own blessings, and I have more than I deserve, and pray for those less fortunate than I. But it sucks to see, and I always wonder if I could do more.

Are you like me? I feel like I'm stretched pretty thin. I'm a taxi-driver for 4 kids, the cook, the maid-service, the lawn boy, the parent, the husband, the hockey coach, the Mr. Fixit, the grocery-getter, and the Keeper of the Schedule around here. I spend most of my brief free time either playing hockey, getting some exercise at the gym, or working my little part-time job. I'd like to "do more" but feel like I'm doing a ton. Yet, for all that, I am aware that I'm a mere speck on a wart on a blue whale's ass - who's problems don't amount to a whole hell of alot.

Ok, sorry for all that. Misery business, you know.

This morning I heard about a new search engine called Blekko, wherein it allegedly improves upon the now-standard Google search by weeding out results that "are too brief." I was thinking that what's really needed is a search that's called Bloviator, wherein rambling posts like mine are weeded out to save you from hitting upon blogs just like this. Good idea, no?

On to football. This season continues to be weird and wonderful. My Redskins get a week off so my Sunday will be freer than normal. I'm 45-42 for the season so far.

Tampa at Atlanta: they keep telling us Atlanta is one of the best teams in the NFC but they're inconsistent. I guess the Falcons should win at home against a rising Buccaneer team.

Chicago at Buffalo: Buffalo. The Bears' ship is sinking, I just heard the orchestra playing "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." Bills.

New England at Cleveland: a test for the Pats vs. the Coach Formerly Known as Man-Genius. Can they crush a lesser opponent? They should.

NY Jets at Detroit: Boy, I'm tempted to pick the upset here, too. Lions can play well on defense and the Jets were struggling offensively. But, on balance, I'll take the Jets defense over Detroit's for right now.

Arizona at Minnesota: Vikings have alot to prove in this game, Cardinals do not.

New Orleans at Carolina: long season in Carolina gets longer. Saints.

Miami at Baltimore: Ravens get two tough opponents this week with the Dolphins Sunday and Falcons Thursday. Miami took the Steelers to the mat and came up just short two weeks ago, I like the Dolphins this week.

San Diego at Houston: alot of offensive firepower on the field in this game. Lots of yards will be piled up. I think the Chargers are coming to life.

NY Giants at Seattle: Giants over an inconsistent Seattle team.

KC at Oakland: who's for real here? The outcome of this game will let us know. I'm leaning towards the Chiefs because I think they're further along than the Raiders.

Indianapolis at Philadelphia: Again, they keep telling my that the Eagles are a great NFC team, but they seem to get beaten by good AFC teams. Colts.

Dallas at Green Bay: Packers. Easy pick.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati: Bengals fear success, and talk better than they play, Steelers.