Searching For A Rainbow

"Can't ya see? Ohhhh can't ya see..." 

What a lovely metaphor for ND football prognostication. Unfortunately, history suggests that virtually all of us cannot see.  Certainly not as it pertains to divining Notre Dame football success.  

But Hope, or Stupidity, springs eternal.  Get those wagers in - Vegas cares not what your IQ or pedigree is. Show me the money. 

A word about Marshall Tucker, a band I'm not even sure many of the 70's east coast hipsters are terribly familiar with - they of the "dude, I loved Springsteen before he made the cover of Time..." or "you know, I snuck into CBGB's and saw The Ramones and Television back in the day, it was epic..."  pretension.  Whatever.

Marshall Tucker was YUUUUGGGEEE in Iowa in the mid-to-late '70s - and I was reacquainted with the fact while visiting mom last weekend.  Such are the unintended benefits of living in a time warp.  

I was there to check on Life in her new Independent Living environs (she's rocking it), bring her a couple cases of wine (Cab + Chardonnay... variety is the spice of Life) and most importantly, get her insights into the coming football season. To wit:

* 10 wins are a mortal lock.  And if any of her sons think less, she considers them to a profound disappointment and should go to church more.  And get a haircut.

* Practice patience with Brandon "Jersey Boy" Wimbush but by October, he'll be The Real Deal.

* The D will be much improved under Elko's tutelage, playing significantly more assignment sure.  But she's concerned about their ability to generate a consistent pass rush.

*  They'll beat Sparty handily.  But UNC might be a trap game, given it's proximity to both mid-terms, the team looking ahead to USC and the Tar Heel's apparent lack of, um, real classes to attend. 

So there you have it, bitches. 

Word of the Week 

As Young Jerrence contemplated this year's prediction, he mused over the fugacious nature of Notre Dame's past performances - a worry, strictly speaking, that his mother reminded him required the team having any actual success to begin with.



Quote of the Day

"I Will Not Be Coming Back..."

Mavis Wanczyk, Powerball winner 
to her boss

An immediate $759 million prize will often drive such impulsive decisions.  

So let's be clear, the ND pool will not be quite so lucrative. One should therefore be cautioned from making such a proclamation, in the unlikely event you should win. 

Archduke Franz Ferdinand. French philosophers.  Dale Murphy. Bring it on.

Still, that's no reason not to be excited about the upcoming season, starting with the singular 'sure thing':  The Stayer Lot tailgater. 

- The ridiculous amounts (and variety) of food! 

- The drink.  The Behrens' Bloody Mary... mother's milk I tell you!  

And the luminaries you'll get to meet to discuss the topics of the day!  

The Arts & Majors representatives alone will keep you spellbound.  Believe me when I tell you "dizzying intellect" does not begin to describe them.

And don't get me started on the pithy insights from the College of Engineering grads. Three hours with those guys and you'll be changed forever.



While I'm on the 'looking forward to' subject, other things that have me all a-tingle:

* The new season of American Horror Story (is there a better metaphor for ND football, I think not), starting September 5th!

* John Mellencamp, tonight at Ravinia - courtesy of my patron, Ray Volk.  Hoosier Rock!

* Jason Isbell at Chicago Theater next Friday.  Best songwriter in America today - don't try to argue this point.

Mecca.

* Alumni Hall reunion weekend.  Mike Gordon wines, Brian Ward Irish coffees.  
Bliss.

* Ryan Corrigan wedding.  Navy SEAL's meet the Corrigan brothers.  

Reality TV gold, Jerry. Gold!

*ND vs. Wisconsin.  Return to Lambeau!   Granted, that's 2020 - but it's never too early to plan.

The Wager



One week left.  Serious business.  Sex and violence and rock 'n roll.*   Where is the late, smart (using that term very loosely) money gonna land?  Let me know.

$25 entry - some of you have prepaid (Sully, Joe S, Pat C, anyone else - let me know!)

*And bloody mary's. 

September

2      Temple                  

9     Georgia                  Linipalooza VII
16    @Boston College 
23    @Michigan State
30    Miami (OH)        

October
7      @UNC         
14                       
21    USC                

28   NC State                    

November
4      Wake Forest                   
11     @Miami                     
18     Navy              
25    @Stanford

Wins	Trumpian Rating	Contestant
12	Yuge. Greatest Achievement, In The History of The World.	Bryan G, Brian M, Joe S
11		Dave M, Raz The Elder,
10	Failure. Losers and Nut Jobs, All Of ‘Em.	Terry, Jay, Lini, JP, John P, Phillip, Ted, Peter B, Daryl
9		Matt L, Graham C, Mark U, Shea C, Dennis R, Bob J
8		Dave G, Kevin C, Jim S, Jerry P, Tim S, Alex S, Jim B, Brian W,  Spittler the Elder, Blair
7		Bill B, Jim T, Tim C, Mike C, Mike G, Jerry W, Kevin M, Tom F,  Ryan C, Garrett R
6		Ray V, Alvin B, John L, Randy Ri, Ward H
5		Jim R, Randy Ra,
4
3 or less

Final Thought.

Already planning The Retirement Years Vision...