Another defeat.

This time, to the hands of LSU.

In case you're wondering, Ohio State lost to Louisiana State last night, 38-24, in the BCS Championship Game. This comes after losing the championship game to the University of Florida last year.

Two years in a row.

I can just imagine the sports radio telephone lines at the sports radio station in Columbus, Ohio, this morning. And I can just imagine the headline of the local paper. I will have to call my sister who lives in Columbus. It should be worth a few laughs. I wonder how many people are complaining about:

A.) The OSU Buckeyes Football team.

B.) Coach Jim Tressel and his coaching staff.

C.) Both

If you are a sports fan from Ohio, you have to have really thick skin. Especially if you are from Cleveland.

I have seen more than my share of bad calls go against the Browns. I still remember "The Drive" and "The Fumble". "The Drive" hurt, but not as bad as "The Fumble". And they have never been to a Super Bowl. The last time the Cleveland Browns played in a championship game was in 1966, when they lost to the Green Bay Packers. That was before the NFL-AFL merger in 1967.

I thought I never would see the day when the Cleveland Indians would be in the World Series. The Tribe would return to the Fall Classic twice in the 1990s, only to lose to the Atlanta Braves and the Florida Marlins. And this year, they were one game away, with a 3-1 lead over the Boston Red Sox. You know how the story ended there.

The Cavs finally made it to the NBA Finals this past year, only to lose to San Antonio. The Spurs had the better team, though. And believe me, I have seen some really bad Cavs teams throughout my lifetime. So it was nice to see the team get there after all these years.

And then there is Cincinnati. The Reds baseball team has not fielded a winner in years, and Ken Griffey,Jr. never lived up to his potential as he did in Seattle. As for the Bengals, there is potential. Especially with a quarterback such as Carson Palmer. Coach Marvin Lewis needs to find players with good character backgrounds, and not the thugs he currently has on the roster. And he needs to remind wide receiver Chad Johnson that the word "team" is not spelled with an "I". I think the Bengals will be able to turn things around and get back on track.

Which takes me back to Ohio State. Now, I know that the team won a championship against the University of Miami some years back at the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona. But I remember there was some controversy regarding a few calls the officials made.

The last two years, however, was just a beating by the better team. No bad calls. It's just that the better team came to play. The better team showed up.

So Ohio State lost. The Browns didn't make the playoffs. If you think about it, there are many college teams out there, and OSU has made it to the championship two years in a row. At least that is saying something.

Many Cleveland fans always say, "Wait until next year." Maybe next year, the Browns will have even a better season. And as for Ohio State, maybe the third time will be the charm.

"So let me get this straight. I have an appointment to see the doctor at 2:45 p.m., but I have to be there at 2:15?"

"That's right."

"But I do not get off work until 2:30 p.m."

"Then you will have to cancel your appointment."

"But it will only take me five minutes to drive to the doctor's office."

"But you have to be here at 2:15 p.m."

"But I do not clock out of work until 2:30 p.m."

"Then you will have to cancel your appointment."



"I wish someone had told me this before I came into work today."

"When will you like to reschedule your doctor appointment?"



Since I was not told that I had to be at the doctor's office a half hour before my appointment, I now have to reschedule my appointment. So I reschedule my appointment for January 15, which is the only afternoon appointment that I could get.

"Okay. Your appointment is at 2:15 p.m."

"So does that mean that I come in at 2:15 p.m. for a 2:45 p.m. doctor appointment? Or does that mean that I come in at 1:45 p.m. for a 2:15 p.m. appointment?"

"It means that your appointment is at 2:15 p.m."

After I clocked out at work, it only took me five minutes to get to the doctor's office. After I introduced myself and told the receptionist my situation, she then apologized for any problem I may have had, then explained to me their policy for new patients.

She then told me that my appointment on January 15 would be at 2:45 p.m., but since I am a new patient, I need to arrive at the office at 2:15 p.m.

"Thanks. That's all I need to know."

Since I had my paperwork filled out, I turned it in to the receptionist, who thanked me and again apologized for any confusion.

So now I have to wait for another two weeks before I can talk to a doctor.

What makes me mad is that I received a recording on my answering machine Monday evening reminding me of my appointment for Thursday, January 3. Not once on the message does it say to come in a half hour before your scheduled time.

Makes me want to get a job at a golf course.

"Okay. Let me get this straight. Do I have to be at the golf course at 1:45 p.m. before a tee time of 2:15 p.m.? Or do I have to be at the golf course at 2:15 p.m. for a tee time of 2:45 p.m.?"

Figure it out, jackass!

Happy New Year, Everybody!

Yeah, I know. BFD!

I figured I would start off the new year by going to see my doctor today. I am not looking forward to it, but I have to. I am 46 years old, and it has been a few years since my last physical. So I decided to make an appointment for the new year.

Actually, the appointment to see a doctor was the suggestion of my brother. During my visit over the holidays, my brother and his wife had noticed that I showed some symptoms that could be related to sleep apnea. So it was basically, "Go take a nap, or go see a doctor!"

I know that they are concerned about my health, just as my sister is. But I have always put off going to the doctor as I get older. I know that I am to go to the doctor's office about once a year for a physical, but I am always afraid that I will hear something that I don't like.

But if I have sleep apnea, I might as well go now while I am still young and get it taken care of. But now I am afraid of having to take a prescription. I do not want to have to be on medication. I remember seeing my mother and father having to take all sorts of pills, and I do not want to go through that. Especially now , with all of these medications that are advertised on television.

My dentist is after me as well, because I need to have some dental work done. And we are looking at $800-$1,000. It's always something, is it not.

Well, I might as well bite the bullet and get that taken care of as well. But one thing at a time.

So I am starting off the new year by going to see the doctor. And then I will go from there.

Figure it this way. I am still alive, and my penis is still functioning, so it could be worse.

Good evening, everybody!

There is a saying that home is where the heart is. I guess there is a certain truth to that. I am sleeping in my own bed, I am playing what I want to hear on my stereo, and I am not waiting to use the computer.

I do miss my nephew and nieces, though. It is fun hanging out with them, especially my nephew. While I was in Atlanta visiting my brother over the Christmas holiday, I took my nephew to see "Alvin and the Chipmunks". If you have young ones, it is worth taking them to see it. I would suggest going to a afternoon show. Jason Lee is really good, and The Chipmunks are worth watching throughout the movie. We also got to watch "The Simpsons" on DVD. That is also worth checking out. Me and my nephew had some laughs watching that one. There is a scene with Bart riding his skateboard that is downright hilarious.

I am home right now, watching television and checking out the blogs here on blogstream. I am home, the place where my heart is at. But something tells me that I left a piece of my heart at my brother's place. It may be his house, but over the years, I feel that his place has become where I can refer to as "home". Because home is also the place where one feels loved.

I am tired now. It has been a busy day at work today, and tomorrow will be just as busy. After I turn off the computer and television, I will lay my head on my own bed and go to sleep in my apartment. And I will be thinking of my nieces and nephew. And of the next time we will be able to hang out again and check out a movie.

Good night. And if I do not get a chance to post another blog until the new year, then may everyone have a Happy New Year.

Al

Hello everyone!

I just came back in from Atlanta last night, so I am doing any errands and necessary apartment cleaning on this day off. After spending all day on Interstate 75, I would like to relax at home for a day. It seems that in between the Thanksgiving holiday and the Christmas holiday, time goes by fast. And there is always so much to do.

I had intended to post this recipe I had for pumpkin nut bread some time ago, but never got the chance to. I decided to take a break this afternoon and go through any mail that I had put on hold as well as check out my e-mail. So before I go off cleaning the bathroom, dusting the furniture, and putting up any new calendars, I would like to post this recipe. Good luck, and I will holler at ya' when I get a chance.

PUMPKIN NUT BREAD

2 cups sifted flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 eggs
1/4 cup softened butter
1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin, sugar, milk, and eggs. Add in dry ingredients and butter. Mix until well blended and stir in nuts.

Grease a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan and spread mixture in pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes. To tell if the bread is fully baked, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, the bread is done. Let set for a few minutes, then remove from pan. Let sit on a baking rack to cool.

Recipe yields one loaf of pumpkin nut bread.