NFL picks......or Wade's Best Guess...is it the Year of the Tiger?

In the recent issue of ESPN the Magazine, they printed their NFL predictions for this year. Actually not sure if I should say it is their picks, because they based their predictions on STATS. THEY went with analytics. They turned to some of NFL's smartest stat heads. 

At first I thought their Stat heads were way off base. They actually picked the Dolphins to win the AFC East..... What? 

They picked the Saints to finish last in the NFC south.....

They picked Denver and Seattle to go to the Super Bowl with the Broncos taking home the prize.

Like I said, at first I thought some of their picks were cracked.

Then it came time for me to put in my 1.5 cents.

This year I did not look at each game, so therefore, I did not pick a winner of each game.

What I did do, was look at each division. I thought about (based on division, schedule, current states of teams, etc) who would win the division, who would come in second, etc, then from that I picked the wild cards and so on.........

So not to bore you any longer (if you are still reading) ...

Here are my picks for this year's NFL season....

BUT before I get to them, this will be one of the closest NFL seasons ever. In many of the divisions, it can easily go differently. 

AFC EAST

1-New England 

2-Miami

3-Buffalo

4-New York 

AFC NORTH

1-Cincinnati

2-Baltimore

3-Pittsburgh

4-Cleveland

AFC SOUTH

1-Indianapolis 

2-Houston

3-Jacksonville 

4-Tennessee 

AFC WEST

1-Denver

2-Kansas City

3-Oakland 

4-San Diego

NFC EAST

1-Dallas 

2- Washington 

3-New York

4-Philadelphia 

NFC NORTH

1-Green Bay

2-Chicago

3-Minnesota 

4-Detroit 

NFC SOUTH

1-Atlanta

2-New Orleans 

3-Carolina

4-Tampa Bay

NFC WEST

1-Seattle

2-San Francisco

3-Arizona 

4-St. Louis

BUT, I wouldn't be surprised if .....

Arizona wins the NFC west.....

Any team wins the NFC south.....

Chicago jumps Green Bay....

So here we go...

AFC PLAYOFF TEAMS

New England

Cincinnati 

Denver

Indianapolis 

Baltimore - Wild Card

Miami - Wild Card

NFC PLAYOFF TEAMS

Atlanta

Seattle

Green Bay

Dallas 

New Orleans - Wild Card

San Francisco - Wild Card

It gets harder from here......any team in the WADE playoffs can go to the Super Bowl.....but with much thought, here are my thoughts.......trust me it was tough.....In the AFC I think it will be down to Cincinnati or Denver, but my gut tells me.........

In the NFC it is almost like a coin toss..the glamorous pick for many is Seattle, and they just might do it...

I'm not drinking the Dallas cactus juice or the West coast Peace train juice or eating the 49er bandwagon beans, but the NFC IS really up in the air......so with much thought (about ten minutes)......

SUPER BOWL MATCH UP

Cincinnati Bengals (my first thought was Denver, but i kept going back to the Bengals) VS.  Seattle Seahawks   

SUPER BOWL CHAMP

CINCINNATI BENGALS!!!!!!

There you go. 

3 Meals

While strolling Magazine St (New Orleans) this weekend, we picked up a copy of the September 2013 issue of OFF BEAT magazine. 

This happened to be the food issue.

On page 20, the article "Desert Island Dish" caught my eye. The writers wrote about anxiety after Hurricane Katrina on whether or not they would ever be able to enjoy some of their favorite New Orleans dishes.

I honestly think most of us had that feeling. I know I did. What if some of our favorite restaurants would not re open? 

We did experience this some with restaurants not opening when others did. Some raising their prices just so they can keep the doors open. It was a rough time for the owners and their patrons. 

The writers of this article interviewed several people in the New Orleans music scene on what 3 dishes they would recommend you eat.......just in case something happens (like Katrina) and you won't get to eat them again. 

The article was quite interesting with dishes ranging from the Double-cut grilled pork chop from Houston's, to the Blackened redfish at Jacques-Imo's, to the Peacemaker po-boy at Mahoney's, to the Shrimp and Grits at Grand Isle.

It was a very mouth watering list. (You can check the article out. Pick a copy in the city or go to www.offbeat.com.)

As usual, reading this got me thinking about some of my favorite dishes.

I always say that if you told me I can go eat at one restaurant and then I would never eat again, I would have to go to Broussard's in the French Quarter.  It is THAT good.

What 3 dishes would I want to eat if I knew I could never eat again?

This was actually a very hard thing to think on. I have had so many great dishes in the city. 

So I helped myself by making my own rules. 

I picked my favorite dish (this was the easy part). Then I made myself put a sandwich on the list. And then my last choice would be something great, but not necessarily hard to get.

The 3 choices I came up with can be put in front of me at any time day or night and I would be happy.

Of course there were MANY dishes that didn't make the list, but thats not to say they didn't deserve to be on it. 

So here are my three choices: 

The Louisiana Bouillabaisse from BROUSSARD'S in the French Quarter. 

http://www.broussards.com/

This is my favorite dish from my favorite place. It is a tomato saffron stock, chock full of fresh Louisiana seafood. I can literally die aft eating this. I get this dish ( except for three occasions) each time we go to Broussard's. I love it.

My next choice is a sandwich. 

The Corned Beef and Swiss ( with those delicious French fries at CAFE MASPERO in the French Quarter. 

http://cafemaspero.com/

Really you can't go wrong with anything at MASPERO. But this sandwich is my favorite. Also, I would have the get a bowl of their French onion soup. Every time!

My last choice is something you can get all over the USA. It is BBQ. But not just any ole BBQ. 

I LOVE the Brisket plate with 2 sides from UGLY DOG SALOON in New Orleans' Warehouse District. 

http://www.uglydogsaloon.net/

When you first step into the Ugly Dog, your nose will tell you that your belly will be happy.

The menu is small so it is easy on your brain. Each dish comes with 2 sides. I always get the Chilli beans (served in a mug) and either the Slaw or Potato salad. Since this is my blog, I will take both. The food is cheap and Awesome. 

Again, this list was hard but the three dishes chosen would make my stomach happy.

I could have picked several others. But this is my list.

I thank God often for the blessing of being born and raised in a wonderful area with so much great food. 

Not being biased but we are truly blessed to live in South Louisiana. 

So until your next Crawfish Boil or your next eating trip to the city, Aways thank the Good Lord for what you have and never take for granted the blessings He gives you.

 

Football is here ...Taking the High Road

LSU football that is.....

In the past, I have always tried to make predictions. I even went as far as picking champs in each conference, etc. but this year, I won't bore you with the gory details. Plus, I don't think my brain could take all of the thoughts. 

So I will leave it at this. 

Here are just a few predictions to get it started. 

Either LSU or Alabama will win the SEC and whoever does, will also win it all. If you "put a gun to my head" I would (sorry Tigers) pick Bama. But also look out for Florida and S. Carolina. 

Ohio State will play (and lose to) either Bama or LSU in the Championship game. 

Here are a few more NCAA Football predictions. 

Johnny Manziel will Not win the Hiesman Trophy. And it won't be Jadeveon Clowney from S. Carolina either. 

Tulane will win 6 games. 

The SEC will once again rule college football.

That's about all I have this year.

Look for my NFL predictions this week. Also we will re-visit my MLB picks to see how they are stacking up. 

GEAUX Tigers! 

TTMOLS or OPATAIS or...

I have a problem. Or a solution. Or neither. 

I think way ahead and obsess over it.

Like when we go on a trip. Sometimes I wish we could plan a trip and I not think about it constantly until a couple of weeks before. 

That, of course, would be impossible. Or would it?

I talk too much. I talk Too much about things in my head. 

Like books. I'm thinking I need to finish a short story I started reading, before starting a book I just downloaded.  The thought is normal, but I think I just said it out loud - twice. 

I don't think I have OCD, Or COD, or TTMOLS, or OPATAIS, or whatever. I can't even spell those. 

In my young adult life, if I would accidentally touch my left knee, I would make sure I would touch my right. Or if I had an itch on my right forearm, I would rub it, but then rub my left. You get the picture. 

Was there something in the water?

I make a lot of notes, but rarely look at them. And the stuff still gets done. Hmmmm?

Sometimes I say ( out loud ) that I will try to be quiet for awhile. This never works. 

I talk a lot and am comfortable talking to people, but yet I tend to shy away from the general public, If I can. Weird I know. 

Like this blog. Up until this point, I actually thought of deleting the whole thing ( this post) and moving on. But thoughts are thoughts. 

And if you ever offer me "a penny for my thoughts" you better offer up at least 10 bucks, because I have a lot of them.

Happy Saturday. Have a thought provoking day and talk about it as much as you want to. 

Back to Blog

For a long time now, I have had the desire and urge to get back to blogging on my page. Whatever blocked the actual "getting there" did a great job. If you look, you can see the huge time gap between blogs. 

It's almost embarrassing. 

But here I am. Going to give it another go. 

The blog will be as it was before. No real frills, but honest, random thoughts. I will write down what clutters my head and mind. Maybe if I write, I can think more clearly.  Who knows?  

I will write about things I like. Food, music, sports, God, etc. 

I will touch on sports, but don't worry, every blog won't be about the Dodgers or LSU. I won't make you listen to my music, but hopefully open up your music doors. 

You will get very little politics, if any. Politics actually bore me to tears. I do, however, think that we (as a society) find it very easy to blame politicians or religion on our problems. Maybe that's about all the politics you will get on this blog. 

Anyway, if you read, I hope you enjoy. If you don't.....

Paying bills

Paying bills is a blast. Seriously! Not really, but how can I complain about doing something that I cause.  I am the cause and the affect. I affects levy cause myself to have to pay bills. It's the way of the world. I live. I eat. I breath. I pay. I'm not complaining because I am blessed to have a job that affords me a way to pay these bills. One day, I might not have bills. Good Lord willing that day will be before I die. Paying bills is a blast. Now back to paying bills.

Sunday coffee

There is nothing like Sunday Morning Coffee. Relaxing, catching up on things. But mainly relaxing. 

Interesting array of searches and topics transpire on these relaxing morning. 

Some on the search list today......Damascus gas attack. Really sad and leads one to question the world. 

Also the sink hole in Assumption Parish. Crazy video on trees literally getting sucked into the earth. http://youtu.be/cp7no2B322E

This lead to looking at some news headlines. Strange stories: worlds tallest cat. A Massachusetts dentist who used paper clips instead of stainless steel posts for root canals.

On the search was a map of Damascus and thoughts of the time of Jesus and the Apostle Paul. 

The Tigris River was looked at. 

That is really an impressive river. It brought on thoughts of (which I have often) where exactly was the Garden of Eden? Could it still be there, hidden and tucked away?

I know there is only one true way to know.

Testing blogger app

Random pics. Now looking for spell check.  Maybe is I misspell a word. Like technology . Wow this thing works. 

Lance, Lance, Lance

The stories came out the other day that Lance Armstong will openly admit he used banned substances during some or all (not sure on the time frame) of his cycling career. 

When I read that he was thinking about it a while back! My first thought was "why didn't you just admit it a long time ago." 

Now that he says he will admit it, I have the same thought.

You see, when he first came into professional cycling, I did not care for the brash, young cocky kid from Texas. He had star potential, but he was cocky. In fact, his first Tour De France was not very successful. He did win a stage, but he finished 97th overall and he quit after stage 12.

But he stuck it out and trained hard and as most know, in 1996 he developed testicular cancer. In 1997 he was declared cancer free. 

His amazing story of cancer survival would have been enough for many to look up to and look for him for moral support and inspiration. But he took it many steps further. In 1997 he started the Lance Armtrong Foundation for Cancer support. And in 1999 he won the first of his record 7 Tour De France titles.

That was an incredible ride. Millions of people were inspired by his wins. And the notoriety helped springboard his foundation in massive ways.

Then the doping allegations began.  If you know cycling, doping allegations are a big part of it. If you win, trust me someone will accuse you of cheating. That's the way it is. And if you win 7 in a row, look out.  Armstong never failed a doping test. The proof, to me, was in the pudding. I was flabbergasted at the allegations. I was even disappointed in and had negative vibes against Greg LeMond who spoke out against Armstong. Greg LeMond was one of my cycling heroes. That was tough for me.

Through all of this, I became a Lance Armstrong fan. I rooted for his survival and his victories. I supported him in my heart because I knew and believed he was innocent of these doping allegations. I felt that he had one of those special places in sport. A place where not many make it. 

And throughout his testimonies and defense of the doping, I believed him. I actually argued with people about his innocence.

When the story first broke about him being stripped of his Tour De France titles, I made sure I wore my Livestrong bracelet that day. Not only for the cancer support but in support of him and in defiance of anyone who would curse his name.

But recently, I came to the realization that he did cheat. He did lie. And for that I am deeply disappointed.

So Lance just make a quick press conference and say you lied, say you cheated and admit to the doping. Done. Forgiven. Move on.

But now I hear that he is going to do an interview on the Oprah show to admit he doped.  Well actually it says he will apologize and he will make a limited confession. 

Come on!!!!! You can do that by announcing a press conference. 

I'm not saying this because of my feelings about Oprah. I don't really care for her actually. But Why do you have to go on a big stage like that? 

Just say it!!!!!!!!!!!

So with that said, I personally forgive Lance for the past and so should everyone else. But going on the Oprah show to give a "confession" leaves a bad taste. 

What's the agenda?

What's the motive?

And, for the record, I won't watch.

And now I take a step down ..... Off of the Soap Box. 

From the DVD rack

We watched some really good movies recently. Movies are such a great way to relax and enjoy time “away from life.”

Here is the short list of some of the movies we watched of late.

MOONRISE KINGDOM (Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Frances McDormand, and many others).

 This is one of those “quirky films. If you don’t like quirky, don’t watch this film.  The movie is about a pair of young lovers who flee from their New England town, which causes a local search party to look for them.  At some points in the movie I thought some scenes may be a little over the top, but basically the movie is an innocent tale of two kids who think they know how to get on with life. Set in the mid 60’s, this film has everything from a Great Storm, the Khaki Scouts, and an orphanage. It is a good DVD to watch with an open mind.

 

THE RAVEN (John Cusack, Alice Eve)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edgar Allen Poe fans (which I am) and non - Poe fans should like this one.  Don’t watch it expecting Poe’s life story (on the surface) but what you get is MUCH of Poe’s life in a Detective Thriller. The IMDB tag line for this movie is right on. : The only one who can stop a serial killer is the man who inspired him.” Cusack portrays Edgar Allen Poe brilliantly. You see, Poe is considered by many the inventor of the detective fiction genre. He also had a hand in contributing to the genre of Science Fiction.  The movie touches on many true aspects of Poe’s real life. His lack of money for some of it. The mystification surrounding the cause of his death, etc. Poe was found on the streets of Baltimore “in great distress” He was never coherent long enough to explain how he got that way. The movie touches on this with a small twist of fiction. I love this movie because of the great story and thriller that it is and the fact of the many true aspects of his life trickled in.  You will enjoy this film.

 

THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We saws (this is intentional – my small tribute to Gollum) THE HOBBIT: An Unexpected Journey, recently at the Cinema and when we came home, we agreed that we should watch the Lord of the Rings movies. So we did. These are awesome. Enough said.

 

HOPE SPRINGS (Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carell)

From IMDB: “After thirty years of marriage, a middle-aged couple attends an intense, week-long counseling session to work on their relationship.” This movie has comedy, but it also gives you a serious story about couples who drift apart, while being together. Streep’s character finally has enough and in her soft spoken, non - confrontational way, basically saves her marriage (in many different ways).

 

THE WORDS (Bradley Cooper, Dennis Quaid, Jeremy Irons, Zoe Saldana)

We saw previews t this while watching Hope Springs. This is a really excellent movie. It’s a story about a struggling writer who encounters a piece of work – by chance – but through circumstances, he becomes successful because of it. The tale follows the writer as he struggles, decides, does not speak up, and then encounters someone that could change his life. You won’t think of it as you watch, but the movie has a couple of mild twists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my opinion, any of these movies are worth the time to watch.