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The frickin Redskins. If I pick you to win, you cant lose youre divisional games. So, the Giants have all butt clinched a playoff spot and their division. And with todays loss the Redskins cant win the NFC East so Im forced to accnowledge the Giants as the division winner. (I know the Cowboys technically could win the division but thats not going to happen.)

Its 58° and raining out. This makes me happy.

Week 10, 2008

Week 10 has come and gone and that means everyone has played their bye week and with that, the same number of games. Here are my updated playoff picks.

East: Patriots
North: Steelers
South: Titans
West: Broncos
Wildcard: Ravens,  Dolphins

The AFC has been playing out pretty much how I expected it too ever since week 3. Pretty much, that is, with the exception of the Bills who decided to lose their last 3 games, which just happen to be division games. So I dropped the Bills in the wildcard and am now officially routing for the Dolphins. I also think there is a good chance that the Titans go undefeated this year. Their only real competition is the Steelers and Colts.  I dont think it will happen but their set up for it.

East: Redskins
North: Bears
South: Buccaneers
West: Cardinals 
Wildcard: Giants, Panthers

The NFC is a mess. First of all the Giants are now playing good teams and winning. Whats worse is Eli Manning is getting all the credit. Second, the Cowboys and Redskins both lost to the Rams. Third, the Cardinals have almost clinched their division. There is one constant you can look to for stability though. The Lions are 0-9, and it looks like their only chance to win a game this year is going to be in week 14 against the Vikings. And Im only saying they have a chance because its a divisional game and theyll be playing at home. In the end, I can no longer support the Cowboys. I hope they prove me wrong but I dont think they make the playoffs this year. In the NFC its going to take an 11-5 record or division win to guarantee a playoff birth. There will be several teams at 10-6 and one of them might make it. 

This leaves my Super Bowl picks. Obviously Im not going to pick the Cowboys anymore since I dont even think theyre going to make the playoffs. So I think its the Bucs beating the 15-1 Titans.

Magical Mystery Tour

Warning: This post is stupid long and bitchy. Read at your own risk.

The grand parent parade has ended. I know they had the best of intentions and Im not saying that I wasnt glad to see them but I sure am glad to see them go. They came under the guise of being here to help. Im sure it was their intent to help. But more often then not they were just in the way. And when they were not in the way they were holding the baby, not helping.

Im pretty sure Im just being an ungrateful asshole with all this but its my website and if you dont like it, dont read it.

It needs to be said that I put a lot of pride into the fact that I help out around the house. I do most of the cooking, and laundry. And with the baby here now I also do most of the cleaning. I also take a lot of pride in the face that we are able to provide for ourselves. Sure were up to our ears in debt but we get by. It should also be noted that, in my house, there is a place for everything and everything is in its place.

The first day Jaimes parents are here, I come home to find that Im locked out of my house. (We have a dead bolt that doesnt have a key hole on the outside.) Purely coincidental, but extremely irritating. Then, Im not aloud to cook dinner, which is something that I enjoy doing, a lot. OK fine, theyre helping out. They bought groceries and want to cook dinner for us. After dinner I start cleaning up, which I enjoy doing. Jaimes mom looks at Doug and basically tells him that hes not aloud to be sitting around (while shes sitting around holding the baby). I tell Doug that I enjoy cleaning up and that he should just go sit down. Well he doesnt, which pretty much means hes fumbling around, getting in my way while Im trying to clean my kitchen up. I LIKE CLEANING MY KITCHEN UP AT THE END OF THE DAY. Its cathartic. I used to think that I would pick up the house at the end of the night because I like waking up to a fresh start every morning, but its also a wonderful way to wash the day away.

After they leave the second day, Im reorganizing the fridge because everything was in the wrong place and I notice theres blueberry yogert. We get the Dannon Activia from Costco and it comes with strawberry, peach and vanilla. Why is there blueberry Activia in my frige? Oh, I know, Nancy had a yogurt the day before because she wanted to try the Activia and apparently she bought 8 yogurts to replace it. Now you may not think this is a big deal but i find it gratuitous. If she wants a yogurt she can have a fucking yogurt. Dont insult me by replacing it. I am not so poor that I cant provide a simple yogurt cup for my guests.

On my lunch break the third (and final) day I make a quick trip up to the grocery store. I decided that Id make chili for dinner that night. When I get home they decide that theyre going to leave. Apparently Doug has a stomachache. I tell them that they should stay because Im going to make chili for dinner but Nancy insists they have to go. Doug has to lay down. Whatever! You dont want to see me because you know youve crossed some lines, fine. Go back to your hotel. Well see you some other time. In the end they did come back for dinner. And I was able to clean up afterwords.

                                                                                                       

It was my moms bright idea to fly into Vegas rather then Phoenix. It saved them around $100 on their plane tickets. And then they had to drive 600 miles round trip to Phoenix and back costing them, Id guess, around $100 in gas.

They got into Phoenix late Sunday night so they went to their hotel. The plan was that I would call them Monday morning when we were ready for them and they could come over then. While we were getting ready, she calls and wonders if were ready yet. We didnt call them so I cant imagine what would make her think we were ready.

The whole time they were here my mom kept insisting that we go out and do things. Its almost as if she doesnt realize that theres a 3 week old baby here. Lets go to IKEA she kept saying. Over and over and over. Nothing was more important the going to IKEA. Finally we agreed to go. Partially just so she would stop bringing it up.

She also wanted to take Jaime out to get pedicures. And Bruce would stay and watch the baby. Well, he would of but since Dave will be home... I told her many many times that I would have Monday through Wednesday off to spend with them (so Jaime wasnt alone with all day). Perhaps she should listen to what other people say once and a while.

Thursday they were going to spend with her cousin Sharron who lives in Scottsdale and then they leave Friday for Vegas so they can leave Saturday for Grand Rapids. I guess Sharron didnt plan to spend any time during the day with them so they came over here and then went to Sharrons for dinner. I was at work and we had planned on seeing them later that night to day good bye. All week we had been going to bed at 900 and they should have seen this. 915 rolls around and I still havent gotten a call from my mom saying there on their way yet. So I call her:

Mom: Helllllooooooo
Me: Hiii
Mom: What are you guys doing?
Me: Were getting ready for bed. What are you doing?
Oh, were just having some drinks and talking.
OK, so.. when were you planning on coming over?
When would you like us to?
Well, were going to bed now.
Will you still be up if we leave now and get there in half an hour?
(I really really really wanted to say no, but I also was afraid that would mean them showing up early the next day or at my work.)
If you hurry well stay up.
OK, well see you soon.

 It infuriates me that she is so unaware of other peoples feelings. Lord only knows how long they would have stayed if I hadnt called her. They finally show up around 1000 and she asks to hold Jack. She reeks of alcohol and Jack isnt diggin it so hes fussing. They wind up staying for another half an hour and then finally leave.

NFL Week 5

OK, so here are my revised picks for the NFL playoffs this year.

AFC
East: Patriots
North: Steelers
South: Titans
West: Broncos
Wildcard: Bills
Wildcard: Ravens

NFC:
East: Redskins
North: Bears
South: Buccaneers
West: Cardinals
Wildcard: Cowboys
Wildcard: Packers

So the AFC stayed the same from week 3 even though I should probably be bailing on the Ravens and choose the Jaguars or Dolphins (yeah I said the Dolphins)  who have ridiculously easy schedules for the rest of the year.

As for the NFC, I dropped the Cowboys and Packers down to wildcards because the Skins and Bears have ridiculously easy schedules too. I probably should drop the Pack all together and go with the Panthers or Vikings but I think Rodgers is going to turn it around. As for dropping the Eagles, their division is just too hard this year. They needed to beat the Skins if they were going to contend.

And dont think Ive forgotten the the Giants are currently undefeated. Good job beating the Rams (0-4), Bengals (0-5) and the Seahawks (1-3) Eli (douche-bag). You got lucky the Redskins didnt have it figured out yet week 1 when you beat them. Theyll probably win the next 2 games (Browns 1-3, 49rs 2-3) but after that, its all down hill for them. Ill be surprised if the finish over 500. Thats right, Im predicting 2-8 for the Giants last 10 games.

I still think the Cowboys are going to beat the Steelers in the Superbowl. Itll just be harder for them to get there.

Name: Jack Henry DeVries

Race: Human
Height: 20½ inches
Weight: 7lbs 9oz
Age: 1 Day

Class: Baby

Proficiencies:
Opening eyes
Pooping
Making People Smile
Sleeping

For more details check out the family website.

The Good Shepherd

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Well Everything Falls Apart

With the Lions on a bye week, the Cardinals returned to their old habits to fill the need for an atrocious display of professional football. Basically, the NFL was like, we need to have a team totally blow every opportunity given to them, turn the ball over 64,000 times, and then, when all appears to be lost, stage a grand comeback that falls just short. The Cardinals filled that need with vigor today.

On other NFL news, every team that I picked to win their division that played today lost, with the exception of the Titans and the Bucs (who beat the Packers who I picked to win their division). This hasnt prompted me to change my picks. We must be resolute. Ive got this fancy spreadsheet that I made up that helps me rank all the teams. Each team gets a score based on their wins, losses and the wins and losses of the teams the played.

Week 3 Playoff Picks

Were half way through week 3 of the 2008 NFL season. Here are my picks

AFC
East: New England Partiots
North: Pittsburgh Steelers
South: Tennessee Titans
West: Denver Broncos
Wildcard: Baltimore Ravens
Wildcard: Buffalo Bills

NFC
East: Dallas Cowboys
North: Green Bay Packers
South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
West: Arizona Cardinals
Wildcard: Philadelphia Eagles
Wildcard: Washington Redskins

As for the Superbowl, I pick the Cowboys beating the Steelers.

Tootsie

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Live Together Die Alone

Fall is upon us. The weather has really cooled down here over the last couple weeks. We only got into the 100s a couple days this week. I can take the dogs out at any time of the day without worrying about the blacktop burning their little pawsies. Our morning walks are down right pleasant. And the electric bill was under $200 this month.

Weve started the LOST again. were working on the second disc of the first season. Ive never watched a TV series as amazing as this one. Every time I watch it (and this is my 4th time through season 1) theres something new. I cant get over it. I just want to watch it over and over and over again.

Its getting really close to baby time. We have baby Jacks room all ready ready already. The hospital bag is packed. ill probably be putting the car seat in the Patriot in the next couple days.

The Sentinel

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Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town

Every Sunday our apartment complex has a continental breakfast in the clubhouse. They have things like bagels, yogert, fruit and muffins. Jaime and I have been going almost every week since we found out about it.

There is a group of old women who are there also every week. They line up at the door while they wait for the doors to open. They push their way in and scrounge up all the food, all the while yelling at one another about who wants coffee and who wants sugar and who doesnt want milk. Then they sit at the table and "under their breath" yell about every single person who is remotely different that happens to walk through.

Example: There was a family that came in who, as best as I can tell, was from the middle east. The woman was covered and this was not acceptable. Quite enough for the whole club house to hear, the old ladies went on to express their disgust with this family and their decision to dress as they were raised to dress. "They live here now, they shouldnt dress that way."

I could go on and on and on and on and on about how horrible these women are. Some day I might go sit with them. And when I do Ill probably be the only one at the table without coffee burning the flesh off my face.

When I become a bigoted old man who doesnt have any volume control and constantly display my complete lack of social order, please, lock me up in an old persons home and dont come visit me.

Sonic Boom

Jaime, Dan and I went to the Sonic today. It was great. Wed seen the commercials all the time since moving to Phoenix but never went. Dan wasnt very enthusiastic about it because he had gotten Sonic before. The problem was that he had only gotten Sonic, he didnt GO TO Sonic. See, Sonic dubs themselves as "Americas Drive In". Sure theres a drive thru for losers who just want fast food to bring home to their fat kids but the real patrons sit there and eat. You pull up to one of the dozens of menu boards and when youre ready to order you press the big red button. The girl comes on in what can only be described as "drive thru stereo" and you tell her what you want. Then a different girl comes out on roller skates and brings your food right to the car.  Most importantly, you get to have clever conversations with your friends in your car while eating the food just like in the commercials.

Learn to Swim

We finally got what I consider to be monsoon weather. Last night, as we were getting ready for bed, the sky filled with lightning. Within moments the winds started. A couple minutes later, rain, rain and more rain. We went out and sat on the patio and watched the parking lot flood in a matter of minutes.

After wed been asleep for a little while the power went out. About an hour later it was getting hot in the apartment. By this time the wind had died down so for the first time in months we opened the windows during sleepy time.

Today we watched the news and apparently this was the worst storm in nearly 15 years. We had nearly an inch of rain and hurricane force winds. Roofs were ripped off houses, trees were blown over, tens of thousands of people went without power. It was glorious.

16 Blocks

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Lord of War

Dont watch it.

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Strong Bads Cool Game for Attractive People

Dont Play it.

New Shirts With Be Available

Check them out.

Marathon

I cant believe NBC. They showed the entire womens marathon. Can you say boring? I can. WOMENS MARATHON. I understand that there are people who like distance running and I think the event should be shown. But for those long 15 miles stretches that nothing happens, show me parts of other sports. I know they did break away a couple times to show some sprinting. But that should have been the entire segment. Come back from commercial to up date us on the marathon. Go show a different even for 5 minutes. Check back with the marathon and then commercial. If this is how they intend to broadcast the manathon I have no desire to watch it.

How Can I Undo the Damage I Have Done

I love my sister very much, but sometimes, shes not too smart. She was back home for Jaimes baby shower last month. She stayed with my mom for a couple nights and while there, decided to check everyones favorite website, 64tacos.com. Heres the not too smart part. She did not clear the browser history when she was finished.

Yesterday, I get my usual Sunday phone call from my mom. It starts out normal and then she, in a very serious tone expresses that we need to talk about something. And that I should know shes been to my 64tacos website. Well shes read all the mean and terrible things Ive said and all the corresponding comments and blah blah blah. Naturally this infuriated me but honestly, I should have expected it. Its been more then 6 years, it had to happen.

The rest of the night, I pondered whether or not to lock up the blog, start a new 1, move it to another subdomain, or just keep it available for all to read and not change a thing. Well Im going with the final choice. Im going to continue on as before. I completely understand why some of you have locked yours up. Ive always said that anyone is welcome to come read my blog and comment if they see fit. Its up to them to decide not to read it if they dont like whats being said.

So I make no apologies and continue on with full knowledge that my mother is both reading and passing judgment on every word written.

Bandidas

Dont watch it.

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Now they sit in the Bathroom with their IKEA Furniture Catalogue

We got an IKEA catalog in the mail today. It was the only thing we got, and it was free.

Pump up the Volume

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Frida

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I Robot

Dont Watch it.

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Mumford

Watch it.

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The Dark Knight

Watch it!

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The First Ones on the House

I took the Jeep in for its first oil change today. Last week the automatic message came on telling me that, according to the miles driven and driving behaviors, it was time. So I tried to bring it in Friday but the dealership was all booked up. Apparently, without an appointment, theres a 3 hour wait. Well, I didnt feel like waiting more then 5 times as long as the service would take for them to start. I made an appointment and went in tonight. The service was fine and they were pretty quick. Ill probably go back as long as were living in Phoenix but hopefully well get a house with a garage when we move and Ill be able to do the work again.

Who Wants to Live Forever

Weve been in our new apartment for a month now. Its wonderful. As much as I hate moving, theres something exciting about a fresh start. Were the first people to live in this apartment since the major remodel and everything is in good working order and clean and nice.

Weve received all of Jacks bedroom furniture and many of the other wonderful gifts and have begun putting everything in its place so that when he comes home hell have the best bedroom a newborn could ever want. Many thanks to everyone who went to Jaimes baby shower and to those who couldnt make it and sent us gifts. They are all greatly appreciated.

All, that is, except my mothers. The Sunday prior to the baby shower my mom calls me up and asks, "What big items are left on your registry that you really really want?" This took me by surprise. My mom doesnt like showing her love by buying things or spending money. She prefers using guilt and manipulation. I took a moment to think about it and told her that we would really like the "travel system" (super fancy stroller that can also be used as a car seat) or the "pack and play" (fancy play pen). Both of these are on our registry at Babies R Us. Well, she was going to get the travel system, says a reliable source, but it was too expensive. Now Ill admit. $270 is a large price tag, but your the grandmother, very well off financially, AND ASKED WHAT BIG ITEMS WE WANTED. In the end, we received the $80 crib mattress that we registered for. Yes, thats right, $80 from grandma for the first grand child. Im pretty sure some of the people Im not related to (and didnt raise me) spent more then that and Im certain almost all my relatives spent at least that much.

This past week was quite exciting. Dan is living in Phoenix again, Jenna came out for a few days and my lovely wife returned from her week in MI. On top of all that I got myself a big birthday present. I got my truck. The one that I intend to veggie convert. Its a 1996 Ford F250 4x4 with a 7.3L Powers Stroke Turbo Diesel. Its glorious. Now I just need to figure out how to pay for the conversion kit and Ill be driving cheep.

Fracture

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The Third Man

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Surf and Turf

I love the grilling. I love the swimming. Well, lucky me, theres a grill right near the pool at our apartments. We grilled up some butterfly cut pork chops and corn on the cob this evening. While it was cooking we went for a dip. Its been kinda cool (in the low 100s) all week and there was a garden hose filling the pool with cold water so it was nice and refreshing. We worked up an appetite and then ate a delicious dinner.

Week 5

7 Years

Happy anniversary Jaime.

Week 4

A Guys Guide To Pregnancy

Dont Read it!

1981

Happy Birthday Jaime.

Patton

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Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Dont Watch it.

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Week 3

Week 2

Iron Man

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Dad Day

If youre a dad, I hope you have a happy day. The rest of you, I hope your day is terrible.

The Bodyguard

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Flag Day

On this day, 6 years and 4 months ago, I first registered the domain, 64tacos.com. Since then, the site has gone through many changes. It started off simple, with a fan base of about 8-10 people, and now Im certain, at least that many, perhaps a couple more, check it on a weekly basis.

I just recently remembered that I still have all the Taco Trio "adventures" flash movies on the site. They arent linked to from anywhere. You have to guess where they are. And if you find their main page youll also find links to other things that you probably forgot about.

Since its creation, on April 17th, 2003, 64stores has sold 13 items, only 8 of which I purchased myself. The most popular of which is the Angry Neil Value T Shirt. For a limited time there is now available a 64tacos 6 year 4 month anniversary logo.

Charlie Wilsons War

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Titanic

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5 Days too Late

Happy Birthday Pheesh.

Week 1

School of Rock

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Munich

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2 Days too Soon

Happy birthday Bri.

Week 0

Live Free or Die Hard

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