Things that suck
 

Hauling your slightly hungover ass out of bed and into work at breakneck speed because you thought you had a 9:00 meeting that actually is at 11:00.

Political ads. Even worse, the ads that I'm being plagued with are for Tom DeLay. I can't really remember the last time I saw an ad for the Presidential campaign. There are advantages to not being a swing state.

First Blood
 

Something weird is going on over there.

1. Francona was supposedly thinking about pushing his start back a day because of the tendinitis in his ankle. He didn't, presumably because (a) lining up their starters so that Schilling was number 1 is of supreme importance, (b) supposedly all the doctors and trainers (and Schilling) said he was fine and ready to go and (c) he was very impressed with the way Schilling threw in the bullpen session between starts.

I understand there's pressure in Boston and great expectations for Schilling, the Yankee-killer, but do what's best for your team. If the guy will be stronger pitching in Game 2 (and I doubt now that he would have been, but before last night, you had to assume an extra day of rest would have done him some good), pitch him in Game 2.

How is it possible that no one knew the guy was hurting? Is Francona just covering his ass? I think he was hoping that 85% of Schilling would be better than 100% of any other starter not named Pedro and that Schilling would get him 5 or 6 innings and recover fully for his next start. Not so smart.

As for his performance between starts, Schilling supposedly had a cortisone shot before his bullpen session because he was in so much pain. That's got to tell you something. And that something is: This guy ain't 100%.

2. Why the fuck do you leave him in the game against our lineup when Schilling is peaking at 90 mph and can't seem to find the strikezone? What did you think was going to happen? Were the Yankees going to just fold because we know we can't beat Schilling? Pull the guy. Clearly he's hurtin'.

I will say this, though: Matsui hit his first double off a really good pitch.

3. What does Francona do now? Does Schilling make another start? If he does, will it be in his normal slot in the rotation? Does he rest him and hope for a Game 7?

4. I still think it's going to be a good series. It's just too bad that when the Sox lose, the Sox fans will have another, "If only Schilling had been healthy" what-if.

5. Why didn't Schilling learn from Pedro? Pedro once said, "Wake the Babe up and I'll drill him in the ass." He then got injured and missed the rest of the season. Schilling said something like, "What could be better than making 55,000 New Yorkers shut up?" and then got spanked like a naughty little Catholic school girl. Take a page out of the Yankees' playbook when it comes to making statements. Respect the other team and don't give them locker room material.

6. Does Pedro step up and show some heart in Game 2 or does he fold like a wet napkin?

Thurgreed(I think the Babe tripped Schilling in Anaheim when no one was looking)Marshall

First Blood
 

If you haven't already, you'll realize after this series that the main reason the Yankees are that much better than everyone else is their manager, not any of their $200m lineup. Put Francona in charge of this year's Yankees and they're maybe an 85-win team.

Be very glad that the Yankees beat the Sox last year because of Grady Little's fuck up, rather than player failure. Their quick firing of Little forced big Stein to re-sign Torre before the Red Sox could get him.

Leaving the US until after the election: Poll
 

I would add to your list drug commercials that tell you what the drug is for and it's side effects.

Leaving the US until after the election: Poll
 

Since I live in a "swing" state the political ads are completely out of hand. I can't stand them. If I have to hear, "I am whomeverthefuck and I approved this message," one more time, I might have to borrow a gun and shoot my tv set.

The Levitra ads just make me laugh or roll my eyes, for obvious reasons.

I would like to add to the list of hate the bulk of the medical profession. Trying to navigate the maze of medical care when you have a sick person in your life is hellish.

Leaving the US until after the election: Poll
 

They're problematic in some households. They do a good job of being vague, but explaining what's being sold to the pre-teens can be amusing. ("Well, dad, Julie's mom told us it's to help people kiss, but then she got all red and left the room.")

Leaving the US until after the election: Poll
 

In a strange twist, improper punctuation is not on my shitlist today.

And I agree. But the 4-hour erection does sound intriguing. To a point.

Leaving the US until after the election: Poll
 

Ohio (hi Spooky!) is a swing state as well. I am getting crushed by the creepy Bush/Saudi link radio ad on every station at any time of the day.

aV

First Blood
 

Ha! That's hilarious! You think Steinbrenner would ever let Torre go to Boston? You're crazy.

Little was partially to blame last year, but so was Pedro. Francona is partially to blame for Game 1, but so are Schilling, Wakefield and Timlin.

Why don't you guys ever focus on who is actually on the field? If Timlin had gotten lit up like Pedro in Game 7 last year, would you still be bitching and moaning about Little?

TM

First Blood
 

Because we have a hell of a team on the field when they're managed right.

I'm perfectly willing to put half the blame on Pedro for last year, but last night Terry did what he does worst - managing pitchers. I was yelling to yank Timlin last night before he gave up the last couple - you could see what was going on. And your points on Schilling are exactly right. In a game where the offense scores 8 and the manager just sits there and doesn't do anything until after the disasters happen, though, I put Francona's blame first.

Leaving the US until after the election: Poll
 

I hadn't thought about parents having to deal with those ads. That's pretty funny.

Here's a question for you, Mr. Dad. If you are with your kids and you happen upon a couple engaging in a minor PDA, say they are looking at a view and one person is holding the other one, would you walk the other way with the kids, walk past and say nothing, completely disappear from the area? How do parents deal with this generally?

I ask because this weekend we had a family stop dead in their tracks when they saw Mrs. Eaze holding me while we were looking at a lake, they stared at us in horror and then completely disappeared from the entire area.

I am wondering is this because it was two women and they didn't want to explain to little Timmy the concept of why two women would be holding each other (which by the way I do understand) or just a general response of some parents to PDA?

Why, Bilmore, why?

Leaving the US until after the election: Poll
 

There is a drug for side effects? Huh.

Leaving the US until after the election: Poll
 

There's a drug for everything.

Leaving the US until after the election: Poll
 

My six-year-old boy came in the room when I was watching Six Feet Under one time, and (natch) it happened to be a scene where Keith and David are kissing. My son looks at the TV, and then looks at me with wide eyes and says, "Two boys kissing?!?"

I tried to be as nonchalant as possible, and I just said, "Uh-huh. Some boys do that." Then I changed the subject to what he was doing out of bed. I think he forgot about it.

Leaving the US until after the election: Poll
 

Thanks, for your patience.

It's not so bad. It's just a little embarrassing when I have to leave my desk.