SWITZERLAND FORUM

[Emeritus]

The Texans lost, too. It was a great game against a fine team, with a lot of lead changes. Neither defense showed up, but if you like lots of offense it was a thriller!

[cklaurence]

Yes, I saw clips from your game, Em. I'm always happy to see that darned NE get beat, but especially happy for you and Reeceykins--you guys have been patient for a long, long time. The more you win, the stronger your confidence grows. Same as losing, it becomes a part of your persona, and it gets harder and harder to win...

[Emeritus]

I agree, ck. If I were seeking a Ph.D. in Physical Education, I would do my thesis on team culture. There is a lot to write about.

[cklaurence]

They've done away with degrees in Physical Education and many other things (including all the trade courses)--but it surely would be an interesting study!
The game last night was certainly interesting. Are the officials getting blinder or stupider or both????? Do they get reviewed and fined for their imbecilic mistakes, because they made more than the players--and that's saying something!

[cklaurence]

If you are having trouble posting, please send a private message to either me or Peace. Thank you.

[Emeritus]

No problems, ck. Just preoccupied. I've discovered a wealth of material on the history of religious philosophy on line and I'm fascinated. It is far from my own specialty, which is economic history, with a focus on the Gilded Age, or La Belle Epoque, as they called it in Europe. I guess that I've always enjoyed studying.

[dredwak]

To NFL Fans:

On behalf of the National Football League, please join us in supporting the NFL’s “A Crucial Catch” campaign in October for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is the third season in which NFL teams, coaches, officials and players will wear pink in recognition of the fight against breast cancer.

Just about everyone knows someone who has been affected by breast cancer. That is why the NFL is proud to join thousands of others committed to fighting this terrible disease.

Throughout October, all NFL teams will celebrate survivors, visit patients at hospitals and turn their stadiums pink to show our enduring support. Alongside our partners at the American Cancer Society, we will emphasize the importance of prevention by encouraging all women over the age of 40 to get a yearly mammogram. We know that annual screenings can, and do, save lives.

Thanks to the passion of NFL fans, we have the collective strength as a league to connect with millions of people and make a positive difference. Please support the American Cancer Society's programs to help people stay well, get well, and find a cure. We can fight back against a disease that has taken far too much from too many for too long.

There are several ways you can participate in “A Crucial Catch.” Visit nfl.com/pink for the resources and tools you can use to get involved.

An annual screening saves lives. Let’s spread the word.

Roger Goodell

[dredwak]

[Emeritus]

dred, are you on Roger Goodell's personal mailing list?

[dredwak]

dred, are you on Roger Goodell's personal mailing list?

im on the and emailing list...

[cklaurence]

I am genuinely touched by the truly charitable nature of Roger Goodell and the entire NFL. What a wonderful group. I am sure all the coaches, owners and administrators--oh, yes, and the players of course, tithe a portion of their salaries to the cause as well. Thank you for acknowledging it, dred. Oh, and it's good to see you around again. I missed you.
I'm kind of a recluse on facebook--if people don't come around to my page to address me or they don't pass through my news feed, I don't get to see them. I just sit here on my perch waiting for the hoards to return to Switzerland. My husband asked me tonight how many we were up to here now, so I looked and said, "Sixty-one." He asked, "Didn't you have a lot more before you made your fancy new format?" I thought a lot about it and yes, I had three or four hundred I believe at the Olde Switzerland, and I guess it's like with those cozy little restaurants that only hold so many people that finally open a much larger establishment, and it's just not the same.
Thing is, I followed all the directions that everyone gave me. They wanted to have the ability to have separate rooms so they didn't have to be on the same thread that everyone else was on. That way if they didn't like the convo, they could go start their own. Seemed simple enough to me. Yet for some reason, people went into rooms and if they didn't like what was going on, tried to change the conversations, rather than just moving along. Anyone remember the old Doors' song, "People are Strange?" Facebook comes along--everything is wide open, everyone can see everything that's going on and suddenly, the whole world wants to be on Facebook. My little Switzerland that's devoted to football and football rules ((((((she sighs)))))) sits dormant.
I know I'm going to get mail telling me no one wants to hear me piss and moan, but hell, I've tried to be Mary Sunshine about this and I've pretty much shut my mouth, but it is the way I feel--and if anyone wants to talk football, I'll talk it a.m., p.m., and any time in between, but for now as October nears (four hours and fifteen minutes to go) and the first quarter of football draws nearly to a close, a tear rolls down my cheek (for any of you oldie goldies who are hoovering--the cheek under my eyes on my face ) in a nostalgic memory and longing for what once was, these are my thoughts. Oh yes, and GO DOLPHINS .

[cklaurence]

OMG! I typed that dreadfully (NO PUN INTENDED!) sad post, not realizing that both you guys were right here with me. I apologize. Please forgive me. Feeling sorry for myself and my two best posters and Swiss Family Members (along with Ms Bags, Try Thinking, Peace--but like, he's on the payroll, and forgive me if I've forgotten any other regulars...) are right here to cheer me up!

[cklaurence]

I note that dred and I have exactly the same feelings about the generosity of Goodell and the NFL regarding the pink ribbon scam. I'm glad that it will gather funds for the cause, but the whole thing wreaks of insincerity--as does just about everything that man says or does...

[Emeritus]

Normally I read everything that you post, ck, but that thing just hurt my eyes too much. What is that, hot pink? I like cool colors, myself.

[cklaurence]

Sorry about that, Em. I was just messing around and I didn't realize it was going to have that much of a glare to it. I'm going to try to copy and paste it in a different color--see if I can fix it at all.

[cklaurence]

I am genuinely touched by the truly charitable nature of Roger Goodell and the entire NFL. What a wonderful group. I am sure all the coaches, owners and administrators--oh, yes, and the players of course, tithe a portion of their salaries to the cause as well. Thank you for acknowledging it, dred. Oh, and it's good to see you around again. I missed you.
I'm kind of a recluse on facebook--if people don't come around to my page to address me or they don't pass through my news feed, I don't get to see them. I just sit here on my perch waiting for the hoards to return to Switzerland. My husband asked me tonight how many we were up to here now, so I looked and said, "Sixty-one." He asked, "Didn't you have a lot more before you made your fancy new format?" I thought a lot about it and yes, I had three or four hundred I believe at the Olde Switzerland, and I guess it's like with those cozy little restaurants that only hold so many people that finally open a much larger establishment, and it's just not the same.
Thing is, I followed all the directions that everyone gave me. They wanted to have the ability to have separate rooms so they didn't have to be on the same thread that everyone else was on. That way if they didn't like the convo, they could go start their own. Seemed simple enough to me. Yet for some reason, people went into rooms and if they didn't like what was going on, tried to change the conversations, rather than just moving along. Anyone remember the old Doors' song, "People are Strange?" Facebook comes along--everything is wide open, everyone can see everything that's going on and suddenly, the whole world wants to be on Facebook. My little Switzerland that's devoted to football and football rules ((((((she sighs)))))) sits dormant.
I know I'm going to get mail telling me no one wants to hear me piss and moan, but hell, I've tried to be Mary Sunshine about this and I've pretty much shut my mouth, but it is the way I feel--and if anyone wants to talk football, I'll talk it a.m., p.m., and any time in between, but for now as October nears (four hours and fifteen minutes to go) and the first quarter of football draws nearly to a close, a tear rolls down my cheek (for any of you oldie goldies who are hoovering--the cheek under my eyes on my face ) in a nostalgic memory and longing for what once was, these are my thoughts. Oh yes, and GO DOLPHINS .Well, let's see if this works.

[cklaurence]

Well here it is, football Sunday... It's also Peter's birthday. The kids are taking us out to lunch for his birthday (rather than dinner because the Fins play at 4 today). Four o'clock game screws up the day all the way around. We end up having lunch, where I'm holding my breath waiting for the game, rather than dinner, which of course, would be nicer. Unfortunately, the other way around--after 3 hours of football with the Fins starting at four, even if we should be so lucky as to see our first win--we'd be so worn out from the stress of getting to that win by 7:00, we'd be too exhausted to go out to dinner. Of course, if we should be so unlucky as to hit our fourth loss in a row, as everyone predicts (hmmmm, I wonder why....)I wouldn't feel like going out to dinner anyway. Peter doesn't care anymore, as all of you who have been here can attest to, but I still continue to suffer the slings and arrows...

Oh, Try (are you hoovering?) and Bags--the head of "season ticket holder experience" or whatever they call it, finally called me back after my third call. He was very apologetic and promised that Charles Moore AND his immediate boss would be taken over the coals because of his behavior. He also sent me HIS card and told me from now on I was to deal with him directly...along with a second set of parking passes for the remainder of the season FREE. I believe they cost about 25. each, and I was prepared to pay for them, so that was nice. As for the other ticket, I told him they could eat that seat for the remainder of the season. I wanted it for the season, starting with the NE game, and because I didn't have it for the that game and the treatment I received, I would take it if they gave it to me. Perhaps my wording was faulty though--I would have been happy to take it if they had given it to me, lol.

[dredwak]

happy birthday mr L...

[Emeritus]

Our local games are always at noon. Why are yours so late?

[cklaurence]

Thanks dred. Had a delicious lunch, then came home and slept through half of the Pittsburgh game (resting up so I'd have strength to get through my Dolphin game, which is starting now). It takes all the strength I have, because I expend about every emotion I have throughout each game. By the end of a game, I'm so washed out and drained, it's pathetic. Also, every time they pan on Sparano, I have to stop myself from throwing a brick through my television screen. I'm glad to see that Jason Taylor is starting (where he should be in the first place) because the "starter" is out today--as are about 6 of our starters.
Henne has a streak going. Sixteen straight games with at least one interception. Longest in the NFL. Do we know how to play the game or what?

Em, our home games are usually at 1:00--but today we're at San Diego... AND, Henne just threw his first interception of the day...AND we got a personal foul called for a horse collar tackle. That's 17 straight games with an interception for Henne. Gotta keep that streak going.

[Emeritus]

The Texans didn't do much passing against the Steelers today. Arian Foster came back from his hamstring injuring so the Texans mostly ran the ball. Foster got 155 yards and we go our third win, so it's good.

[cklaurence]

dred: Peter just saw your birthday greeting and asked me to thank you.

[cklaurence]

Your Texans looked really good, Em. I love to see Ruthlessberger kept in his place.
As for my Fins, Henne went down and we scored, but I turned my back for a second and our defense that looked like a real defense on the first couple of series was totally torn apart by Phillip Rivers and the score was tied up in seconds.

[cklaurence]

Damn. Our back-up (ONLY OTHER) quarterback is in. Our back-up center is being walked off the field injured...just when we were looking decent--Moore (as in preseason) had stepped in magnificently for Henne, immediately scoring, but now they are all over him. DUH. No center. Pouncy is back in, but we have to punt. Man, I may just have to give this sport up...

[Emeritus]

I believe that it is absolutely essential to have a good offensive line. The so-called "skill" players can do nothing except give up the ball or get hurt without one. The Texans started out by drafting a quarterback and saw him set a record for sacks. They ruined a quarterback with great potential. Finally they brought in Kubiak as head coach and he made building an offensive line his number one priority. It took a few years to teach them zone blocking, but it looks like it is starting to pay off now. I don't believe that there are any shortcuts and that the teams that try them just set back the development of their teams. Trick plays won't carry you far.

[cklaurence]

It's not even halfway through the third quarter and they are up ten points on us. I have such a headache...

[Emeritus]

Turn off the TV, have a drink and remind yourself that there are more important things. How about writing another book?

[cklaurence]

I am finally working on that second book, Em. I've got my sense of humor back and I'm pretty sure the worst of the depression is behind me. So I'll be okay with forcing my way through these miserable Sundays. Thank goodness, this one is finished and as expected, we're 0-4. I only hope we don't go 0-16. I could not fathom living through the torture of everyone hassling us about the 'double-perfect' seasons.
I'm hoping to finish the book some time by mid 2012--if I can keep up my pace. I'm going to start looking for a new publisher--and probably go E-Book as well, which gives a much larger royalty. I make about a buck-fifty on a hardcover novel and as much as 9. on an E-Book. Isn't that weird? I don't really even need a publisher OR a distributor for the E-Book, so that explains it. It's just me and the internet. With the books, it's my publisher, distributor and the book store and then me. Everyone gets a bigger cut too. The key is that I feel great and my strength is back. Haven't felt this good in years.

[Emeritus]

Wow, that's great news, ck! Having better health and a sense of humor can overcome a lot. As far as the season goes, the Lions went 0-16 in '08 and look at them now! Sometimes that is what it takes to turn a team around. That's what I thought had happened with the Dolphins when they went from 1-15 in '07 to the division title the next year, but it seems that they have run out of steam. My guess is that an ownership change is in order.

[cklaurence]

I knew from Game I that this owner was a bad move, Em. I started lobbying against him immediately after that first game at the stadium. The man had taken away our fight song and... well, why go over it again? I've told you all here in Switzerland over and over again what he did. He's relentless too. He keeps sending out his stupid surveys (I guess hoping that he's going to get different responses--isn't that the definition of crazy? keep doing the same thing, hoping for a change); but the last thing you want to do is mellow-out your home fans. The away fans are all pumped up and making noise and the home fans are totally passive. I'm so sick of seeing his lame 'stars' when I'm looking for replays, doing the "fins up" thingy on the big screens I could cry! By the fourth quarter, the only ones in the stadium with me and the 3 people I take to the game are the fans for the opposing teams. Yes, yes, yes--we've needed a good owner since Joe Robbie passed away. Huizenga was lousy, but this Ross, well, he is just rotten.