What I'm thankful for...after the obvious stuff
Since we can all agree that there are some things that are not to be trifled with, let's just stipulate that God, country, family, good health, love, charity and Tina Fey's Sarah Palin imitation are already on everybody's primary Thanksgiving list. Here's a top 10 list of the lesser things for which I am thankful today:
10. Thanksgiving football: Never mind that you have to watch the awful Detroit Lions. If it wasn't for NFL football on Thanksgiving, you'd be watching some Mr. Magoo animated special about the Mayflower right now.
9. More Thanksgiving football: There actually is a third game tonight -- Donovan McNabb has a chance to get benched twice in five days when he faces the Arizona Cardinals -- though you have to have the NFL Network to watch it.
8. Easy Cheese: Don't laugh. I believe that the act of putting cheese into an aerosol can is, perhaps, the greatest single example of American ingenuity other than the moon landing.
7. Worldwide franchising: I ate at McDonald's in London, Paris and St. Petersburg during my recent vacation. It was just a bonus that there was a 7-11 store in the Copenhagen Airport.
6. Google Earth: You can go on the internet and see the roof of your house from anywhere on the planet. Dr. Pangloss was right. This is truly the best of all possible worlds.
5. Strato-matic Baseball: Can't tell you how many dateless weekends that game got me through when I was in high school and college.
4. Dancing With the Stars: I don't care for the show myself, but it keeps a lot of people who shouldn't be driving off the roads at night.
3. Joe Flacco and Mark Teixeira: If it wasn't for them, The Schmuck Stops Here would be a very dull blog right now (if it isn't already).
2. The Atkins Diet: Hamburger buns are overrated anyway. Pass the bacon.
1. The blogosphere: Can't believe I actually get paid to do this.
Feel free to chime in with a few of your own.
Comments
Pete,
Happy Thanksgiving my friend. Your blog would have to rate at least 3-4 on my list. I find the lead article on the Sun blog talks about Andy Mac moving fast to hire his staff, certainly the only swift moves the man makes. Most importantly, we can be thankful we don't have the Raiders, Kansas City Royals or the Wizards in our area, (oops the Wiz are in our area)! Anyway, have a great Thanksgiving and remember what we have to look forward to in 2009, ok so far not much but some minor league free agents but we must keep the faith!
Posted by: Keith Rowe | November 27, 2008 11:59 AM
I'm thankful for Nick Markakis and wish I were able to offer him a new contract.
Also, Pete, I also am thankful for Strato-matic Baseball and Extra Innings (a game that came in the form of a notebook binder with instructions and charts).
Posted by: Barry | November 27, 2008 12:01 PM
Let us be thankful for Peter Angelos. Without his "superb" ownership record, I would not be as thankful as I currently am for having the experience of watching winning Orioles baseball in the 70's and early 80's and mid 90's.
Posted by: JerryG | November 27, 2008 1:25 PM
Peter: If you're going to eat at McDonald's, why spend the plane fare to go to London, Paris and St. Petersburg? Seriously: What's the attraction?
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Pete's reply: It's a long story, but I would agree with you in principle.
Posted by: section 34 | November 27, 2008 1:56 PM
I'm thankful that:
Grapes spontaneously ferment
A President only gets two terms
Dutch Wagenbach didn't die or go to prison
Mike Mussina never won a ring in New York
Somebody invented Old Bay
Posted by: section 34 | November 27, 2008 2:00 PM
Pete, you forgot aerosol whip cream! Don't be fooled by the imitation container whip cream; Spray cans are where it's at!!!
I'm thankful that Angelos finally learned to be hands off (at the expense of a great fan base). MacPhail does not fly by the seat of his pants like other northern city baseball owners. Andy does not artificially inflate the free agent market.
I'm also thankful that our football team is a model for other franchises to follow. Look at all the former assistants that are head coaches. Had we had a decent QB for the last 5 years, Ozzie's fingers would look like a rap star's from all the rings (grant it that Billick would let a real offensive coordinator call the plays).
Posted by: Ken | November 27, 2008 2:33 PM
The Friday crowd on WBAL.
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Pete's reply: Thanks, I needed that.
Posted by: logiopath | November 27, 2008 5:07 PM
I'm thankful that, thanks to the Internet, I have access to a reporter who not only provides up-to-the-minute information about the local sports teams, but does it in such an entertaining and enjoyable manner.
But he took a buyout to go to a competing media outlet, so I guess I have to be thankful for the Schmuck who replaced him...
Seriously though, happy Thanksgiving. Everything I said applies to you as well.
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Pete's reply: Thanks. Hope the turkey was tasty there too.
Posted by: DJ | November 27, 2008 10:20 PM
1. I can't believe you get paid for this either. Wonder how long before the Sun will be asking for a bailout.
Posted by: a fan with delusions of grandeur | November 28, 2008 8:12 AM
What is so special about eating at a McDonald's in St. Petersburg? I ate at a Pizza Hut in Tampa and I ain't blogging about it.
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Pete's reply: I can't disagree, but St. Petersburg isn't exactly the culinary capital of the world.
Posted by: Michael Noon | November 28, 2008 12:52 PM
What is so special about eating at a McDonald's in St. Petersburg? I ate at a Pizza Hut in Tampa and I ain't blogging about it.
Posted by: Michael Noon | November 28, 2008 12:52 PM
I'm thankful for ...
Captain Harvey's subs - You HAVE to have either the cheesesteak or cheeseburger sub if you already haven't.
Strat-o-Matic baseball - playing in an AC'd basement during those 95 degree, 95% humidity days in youth during early 70s was great.
Dave McNally - for being nice enough to sign for me after a Sunday afternoon game. He was and still is my favorite Orioles player.
Utz - for putting Old Bay on their chips. Perfect compliment to a Eskay bologna and mustard sandwich.
SportsCenter - Hold the Berman and Olbermann though. Kilborn doing Muresan highlights was hilarious.
The Winter Meetings and Hot Stove - and the hope they bring.
Posted by: Matt in AZ | November 28, 2008 3:03 PM
Just a couple more -
Of course I thought of a couple others after I hit the post button.
Vince Bagli, Chuck Thompson, and Bill O'Donnell - for making this Sparrows Point kid more than well-informed during his youth.
Hausner's and their Crab Imperial.
Posted by: Matt in AZ | November 28, 2008 3:07 PM
Im thankful that the people of Md. stopped using their brains as seat cushions and finally realized that slots will bring MONEY to our state...and not Al Capone or Tony Soprano.
Im thankful that Barack Obama is a smoker. Now perhaps legislators will ease up on the further ostricization of we "lepers".
And... Speaking of Strato Matic... (Yes, I was a true addict) Im thankful that they served hot chocolate and cider to those of us foolish enough to brave the 3 hour drive to Long Island, the block long line around the building, and the 30 degree temps each March... all in effort to cop the latest year's baseball card sets 2 weeks earlier and $10 cheaper than via US Mail.
Posted by: Greeker | November 28, 2008 3:21 PM
Strat-O-Mayic forever! Greatest game ever.... easily
Posted by: Doug | November 29, 2008 5:02 PM