Day 184

I have been real out of the loop and totally self involved over the last week, so I must apologize to all. The house is coming together even better - most everything is put away, but I am still awaiting the arrival of most of my furniture. Here are some things on my mind in rapid fire list technique:

-The good news is as I type this, I am watching the Steelers/Dolphins game on the 62 incher in HD. I have never had my own HD TV before. I will say this - I used to ask people what the fuss is all about with HD and everyone would say "just wait until you get your own." I couldn't agree more. I am literally in awe of this football game in high definition. I feel like I have just had laser eye surgery. It is almost too clear. I absolutely love it. I can't wait for KU Hoops games in HD. By the way, MD wont watch a second of the NFL on TV all year. Only covering Lions games. He vowed never to watch the NFL after Modell was given his blessing to move to Baltimore.

-I have never had to worry about Landscaping, what day the garbage is being picked up, security systems, etc. That has all changed. Being a home owner is great, but the added things you never think about really add up.

-Casey is loving her new digs. She is up and down the stairs it seems all day long. There are so many dogs around the neighborhood, its almost as many as she saw in the Roscoe Village lofts. We just have to get her used to her boundaries.

-So we had our locks changed yesterday, and we never lock the door inside the garage because the garage door is down. Leah and her mom went to pick up her dad yesterday at the airport and I went to my mom's to get a few things and then to Geraci's to pick up pizza's for dinner. I got home about 7, opened the garage door, got to the door and it was locked. All the other doors were locked as well. I called the locksmith and they weren't open and didn't have an emergence number. I called the Orange Village police, who came in about 20 minutes (nice speed - i'm sure they have a lot of crimes to deal with in the O.V.). All of the keys were of course inside. The cops tried the locks and couldn't do anything, so we tried the sliding doors behind. With some creativity and a long piece if metal, we got in. First week and only my dumbass gets locked out.

-I had my fantasy football draft last night and here is my squad:
Starters: QB Carson Palmer, RB Larry Johnson, RB Chester Taylor, WR Torry Holt, WR Hines Ward (yes Beej, your boy), TE Alge Crumpler, K Shayne Graham, D Chicago Bears. Bench: QB Steve McNair, Brad Johnson; RB Deuce McAllister, Samkon Gado, Lawrence Maroney; WR Terry Glenn, Reche Caldwell. I like how things shook out for me, and we have a good start as Hines Ward has already caught a TD tonight.

-A bunch of my friends, including Ags, K, Melsh, and Schneids are all on their way to Austin, Texas for the big Ohio State/Texas #1 vs #2 college football battle. This has been one of the most highly anticipated early season games in years. I have never been to Austin, but everyone says it is one of the greatest college towns in America. MD was there years ago calling a Syracuse NCAA tournament game and came back raving. I'm jealous I am not there with the boys and know they will have a great time.

-Speaking of football memories, I am going to the opener Sunday with my mom and Leah. Last year, I came in for the opener as this was something I needed to do with my mom. She hadn't;t been to a game since dad died and neither had I. We needed each other there. I sat between Uncle Kenny and mom, and during the national anthem, I lost it. Started to ball. So much emotion came over me. I had never been to a home Browns game without him. Just another one of those hard days we had to get passed, but we did it.

Song of the Day: "My Block" by Scarface