The World Series and so much more

Well, so much for Cliff Lee being invincible. As I watched in amazement, the San Francisco Giants did something no one else in history could do Wednesday night --- they defeated Lee in a game after the season ended (I hate the overused "post-season.") If one game means anything, the Giants can be expected to be pesky, especially if Freddy Sanchez continues to be Ty Cobb.

While the World Series is an overblown extravaganza, if is worth watching ... even with two non-marquee teams involved. In fact, it's kind of refreshing. Even if the Twins and Rockies aren't involved.

THERE ARE BIGGER THINGS, THOUGH
Like the mid-term elections. I did my early voting today and for the first time, used a computer to cast my ballot. The rural Minnesota precinct I used to call home used only paper ballots, and then used a machine to count the ballots. Many times, as I worked at "election headquarters" in my previous life as a news editor, there would be a monumental breakdown of the counting machine, inevitably making all of us sit in the courthouse until dawn's early light.

I was not a big fan of election night for that reason. I would get up bright and early on election day, cast my ballot, do my other work and then head for the "election headquarters" at about 9 to wait for the results to come in. If I was lucky, we had paginated most of the paper by then, leaving only a huge election article and charts and graphs to slap in the paper (with the up-to-date numbers, of course). But things never went as planned, despite the best efforts of the hard workers at the courthouse. Someone would always write in Mickey Mouse or George Jetson and, in addition, foul up their ballot by voting for two or three governor candidates to boot. That left the counting machine cranky and smoking, and the mainly-volunteers at the courthouse would go into trouble-shooting mode while I ate cookies, smoozed with other reporters or watched TV. I would phone in results as they arrived to the Associated Press, which would also get cranky when the results weren't timely. There were many elections when, after leaving my house at 6 a.m. to get to work, I didn't arrive home until 6 or 7 a.m. the next day. That's a schedule for young folks only.

I have to again heap kudos on the election crew. While people are watching television at home on election night, there is a beehive of activity with people counting votes. The number of voters must match the actual number of votes cast, hence the wrench in the works once in awhile. I was impressed with my experience here in Colorado Thursday. I went through several stations prior to processing my ballot. Many election judges were there to ensure that I had proper ID, that I had registered and that I knew how to operate the voting machine. 

It was mighty nice to cast my ballot Thursday and not have to worry about dissecting the results on election night. I am mighty tired of "robocalls" from candidates, and the incessant, disgusting arguing on television. I have become good at avoiding these discussions, which for the most part, are an insult to Americans everywhere. As I've said before, when did it become so common to treat people with such disrespect? Perhaps this election will help to clear some of this muck away

We'll see who has the last word

I love the story in the New York tabloids today about Texas pitcher Cliff Lee, or rather, about his wife, Kristen Lee. It seems New York's unruly Yankee fans were rude to Kristen when Cliff pitched against their team earlier this month, allegedly splashing her with beer and insults, among other things.

Why is this a story? Because Cliff Lee, as the best pitcher in the game right now, is in the Yankees' sights as a free agent acquisition. And with good reason. Every time Lee takes the mound against the Yankees, the "Bombers" are helpless against him. It should be noted that he's lights-out against every other team as well.

The funniest part of the story for me is that Lee's agent insists that Kristen's comments will not stand in the way of Lee possibly becoming a Yankee.

Right. I believe Cliff's wife's opinion will make a huge difference in where he plays in the future. Her opinion is certainly worth a lot more than his agent's. Money may not talk in this instance.

I also got a huge kick out of the fact that 38-year-old Todd Bouman, a Minnesota resident, was signed on by Jacksonville to play quarterback after its top two QBs were knocked out of a game, leaving the Jaguars without a veteran in this key position. Enter Bouman, who was in Pipestone, Minn., helping his brother Troy coach the Pipestone Area Arrow football team. He took what was probably a surprising phone call from his former coach Jack Del Rio, and within hours, was in Jacksonville. On Sunday, Bouman was leading the Jags to a first-half lead against Kansas City --- after not playing in an NFL game in a few years.

How many other athletes could have done the same thing? Not many. While Brett Favre has always been the darling of the media's eye, perhaps Todd Bouman should be the poster-guy for professionalism. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy from a nicer family.

Fodegraphing

AWOL no more!!!!

I've been leaning on my shovel long enough. So to speak. I could claim any number of excuses: I've been busy. Not feeling so well. Writer's block.

In truth, I've been searching for a direction. After 30 years of writing, it has been a huge shock NOT to be writing anymore. Sure, I've checked the ads and have even contacted the local newspaper to see if they needed any help. Apparently, no one needs old, crusty folks like me, when there are young, vibrant types around. Or, maybe --- as I suspect --- newspapers are struggling for survival and there just aren't many openings to be had. It turns out I'm okay with that, though I have certainly struggled with forced retirement. Whenever I have one of my frequent nightmares, I roll around in bed dreading the thousands of deadlines (many against insurmountable odds) in more than 30 years of newspapering. I wake up with a start from the latest fitful attempt to sleep and heave a huge sigh of relief.

Really, deadlines have never bothered me, because of my organizational skills. Even early in my career, I was not affected by going to an evening basketball game and then heading back to the office to type up the game results by a specific time. I was only late, and that was because, while at Huron College, I made the mistake of inviting some friends along. For them, my getting back to the office was hardly important. We repaired to the local watering hole and, well, several hours later, I weaved back to Huron to face the glare of my editor. I never made the mistake again. But as I grew older, the workload, combined with the deadline, took its toll.

Anyway, all that to say I feel rejuvenated and have some blog ideas in mind, as well as some specific postings. Even if no one reads it, I'll feel better.

In closing, an idea for the pitiful political pundits out there. If people are truly sensitive toward the feelings of others --- specifically, bullied students who feel so isolated they want to commit suicide --- maybe they should consider being kinder to those they oppose. Whoops! They forgot to do that?? Name-calling is truly for bullies and other types.