From "Pardon My Planet"

Well, isn't that disappointing. I guess I'm going to have to return mine.

Championship Alert!

Minnesota-Duluth 17, Northwest Missouri St. 13

Seems it isn't just the Ducks in a National Championship Game.

GO BULLDOGS

And some updates on the Natty (National Championship) celebration.

Perhaps the best start is to quote (okay, paraphrase) a conversation Richard and I had:

Mac: There is so much to do before the big day. I don’t know how we will get it done.

Richard: Don’t get overwrought. We’ll just do our normal minimal decoration. We’ll put up the tree the weekend before Christmas. A bough here and there and all will be…

Mac: What the hell does a tree or boughs have to do with Oregon being in the national championship? We’ve got walls to paint green and yellow, crèpe paper to hang, dogs and cats to color. Oh, I did you remember to check on porcelain paint so we can make the bathroom accessories match?

Richard: Mac, we will have a Christmas tree, we will do our normal greenery through the house. We will not paint any walls green or yellow. We will not dye the dogs. And I will never, ever check on lemon and lime porcelain paint.

Mac: You heathen, you heretic. If we don’t do all I say and the unspeakable happens, who do you think I will blame?

Richard: Mac, you’re going over the top. Don’t make me call the local insane asylum.

Mac: They would be on my side.

Richard: Damn, you have a point.

There are still some impasses to get over.

I find beauty in ice

Now, don’t be telling Richard I said any such thing. I will deny it vehemently.

Other thoughts:

I am saddened by the death of Elizabeth Edwards. I can’t truly say I know much about her, but I always felt she was honorable and good.

Let’s commemorate all those survivors, still here and since gone, and the victims of Pearl Harbor, some 69 years ago.

The Obligatory Picture

This time lifted KATU News.

The Quack Heard ‘Round the World!

Before it gets lost in the noise: UMD 24, Augustana (SD) 13. Go Bulldogs!

So, my four decades as a Duck fan has finally paid dividends. Gone are the 70’s and 80’s when, frankly, being a Duck wasn’t all that much fun. I will never again hear that the Ducks are the best winless team in the nation. There will never be another Toilet Bowl (1983 Civil War: Oregon 0, Oregon State 0, the last scoreless tie in NCAA Division I football.)

Today, I watched the Civil War on TV at my friends’ house in Washington. A bit odd, going north of the border to join a flock of Ducks, but it worked. Oregon 37, Oregon State 20. QUACK!!! QUACK!!! QUACK!!! Such a glorious day in the neighborhood.

And yes, there is much to do between now and January 10th. I’m wondering if Max and Spike would wear duck lips for 3 hours. Do you think Ralph and Trixie would let me dye them green and yellow? And will Richard let me paint his body in appropriately colored paint?

I guess only time will tell!

World AIDS Day

Remember the millions who have died: commemorate the millions who are living with AIDS. It's not over, folks.