Today, you're gonna be so sick, so sick
You'll prop your forehead on the sink
Say, ""Oh, Christ, oh, Jesus Christ
My head's gonna crack like a bank.""
Great 1981 documentary on the birth of the LA punk rock movement in the 1970's, Decline of Western Civilization. Not for the squeamish.
But I digress.
Dateline: Notre Dame, IN
Have you ever felt like the universe was talking to you, trying to send you a message?
Because, apparently, nothing says, "Merry Christmas!" like an undead Transylvanian stalker.
But hey, half the world thinks "Die Hard" is a Christmas movie so who was Jerrence to judge?
So when Saturday's pre-game festivities turned dark -- and by that I mean, post-Daylight Savings Time night fall -- with still two hours to go before kickoff... the tailgate lanterns hung in the tents lent an interesting Victorian Era creepiness to the campus tableau.
Jerrence loved it. Especially when out of the darkness came this Count Orlok-looking motherf*cker...
Hello, handsome!
Turns out it was only Gruley.
And while Jerrence was only mildly disappointed -- Gruley brings his own set of wonderful noir thrills with him -- it did get him to thinking of the possible parallels between F.W. Murnau's Expressionist silent film and the 2024 Notre Dame football season: an entity long forgotten about -- left for dead, hated by many -- yet now rejuvenated by preying on the weak. And making a lot of people really anxious... with avengers waiting ahead to kill it.
Coincidence? I think not. I hear you, Universe!
Quote of the Week
Lee Trevino
Trevino's immediate "Come to Jesus" epiphany after being struck by lightning at Butler National Golf Club in 1975 -- one week after holding up a club during another electrical storm (at Medinah) and declaring that he wasn't worried about being struck because "even God couldn't hit a 1-iron."
The expression, "f*ck around and find out" springs immediately to mind, Lee.
The moral of the story (other than don't bait God): there's hubris and then there's stupidity. And sometimes, it's tough to distinguish the difference.
Stay humble (and on task), Notre Dame!
Word of the Week
Yet, there he was, an hour before kickoff and he was experiencing sensations quite different than anything he'd felt during the season thus far.
Confidence.
How? Why? It couldn't be dietary. He'd maintained his usual rigorous tailgate regimen -- his body was a temple, after all -- a Behrens Bloody Mary, a Belknap brat (perhaps more than one), a little wine as stomach-settling digestivo... voila!
Oh yeah, there was also that 15 yr. Glenfiddich which his old agency work friend had brought. Just thinking about that bad boy, yum.
Still, none of that entirely accounted for how sanguine he felt about ND's prospects that evening. Perhaps it was simply that he knew Florida State was just a godawful team not terribly motivated about traveling north of the Mason-Dixon line.
Game 9 Thoughts
Because the night belongs to us...
 |
| Shaken, not stirred. |
For the record, it's not that I don't like night games at Notre Dame Stadium.
First of all, the tailgates are extraordinary and when sucking down a Bloody Mary at 3pm, one feels slightly less the degenerate than doing so at 11am.
And the games themselves are consistently very dramatic, the fans are exceedingly emotive (probably 'cause their tailgating time has doubled) and the team seems to always play extremely well.
No, it's just that I like viewing the contests from the comfort of my little man cave with libations (and bathrooms and beds) nearby.
Other pithy revelations from last week's game:
2. Fun fact #2. Notre Dame is 7-2 against the spread. And there have some pretty big spreads. At this point, we can't do anything about the teams we're playing, but if "style points" count for anything, ND is doing their part.
This being the start of the "Should I Stay or Should I Go" season, I happen think this matters more than it might seem. Every kid wants to see a path to playing - and at this point, minimally getting rewarded for all the grunt work you've done for three months
I guess we'll see.
4. Playoff Picture? The American people have spoken. And so has the BCS Playoff Committee -- at least for this week. Both inspire certain 'now what?' questions.
You're the one for me, fatty!
You're the one I really, really love...
With ND presently sitting at #8, it suggests that if we take care of business... a December home game awaits! And a December tailgate?!
That said, I don't pretend to understand the seeding system for the playoffs (somehow Boise St. gets an automatic bid because... I actually don't know why) but one shouldn't probably expect much further ranking 'ascension' for ND, at least for a couple few weeks. Outside of a pretty shocking upset or two (never out of the realm of possibility this year), you've got:
- This week, only #7 Tennessee @ #12 Georgia seems to have an immediate impact.
Fast forward to Thanksgiving weekend...
- Penn St. @ Indiana
- Michigan @ Ohio State
- Texas @ Texas A&M
5. Final Thought. Is it possible to both win ugly and impressively? While I'm going to let Pete Sampson expound on this a little more (below)... there's two almost polar opposite truisms one needs to retain at the same time:
2) Riley Leonard. As the philosopher Popeye once opined in a moment of brilliant self-reflection, "I yam what I yam."
So is Riley. Imperfect. Not always gonna look pretty. Never gonna win a style contest. But he's a gamer - and gets the job done.
Is he Tim Tebow? Dunno. Kinda. Undeniably, he is a huge contributing factor to pt. #1. And if ND wins out, he'll be a big reason.
Buddy's Buddy
In a game as lopsided as last Saturday night's game was, there's always going to be a bunch of players with great #'s and notable plays.
One would probably start with Rylie Mills, with his three sacks and consistent dominance -- even after Howard Cross III left the game.
You could probably name 3-4 other people... Jadarian Price certainly got things rolling, or Jeremiyah "TD every game" Love, or anyone else on defense to contributed to the humiliation of the Seminoles.
But not this week. This week doubles more as an 'In Memorium' tribute to fallen kindred soul.
Not sure where anyone stands on Kirk Herbstreit -- I happen to like him and think he does a pretty admirable job of being unbiased while providing solid analysis. But his game definitely got raised when he started bringing his golden retriever, Ben, along with him, even in the booth.
Sadly, Ben passed this week after a battle with cancer and it clearly devastated his family.
Me, too.
Say hi to Buddy for us, Ben.
Honorable Mention: How about Luke Talich, the Cody, WY walk on with the pick 6? That kid may never have another meaningful play in his life but he's always gonna have that. Night game, crowd ROARING -- it was a helluva play -- and my favorite part: check out his teammates reactions:
That rocks.
RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)
Fascinating -- and gratifying -- to see how the narrative of Notre Dame football has perked up over the last month.
I've always appreciated the weekly Pete Sampson -- Matt Fortuna analyses re the State of the Program. As "Insiders," there has to be a centrifugal pull for them toward The Mother Ship ("please put on your rose colored glasses as you enter"), yet I've found them to very willing to be critical.
Three weeks left in the regular season, a couple things stand out to this blogger: 1) win out and ND will be playoff-bound and 2) no single person remains more important to that goal than our QB. Thus, today's lift from a Sampson column earlier this week...
-----------------------------------
Was Riley Leonard excellent against Florida State or just pretty good?
It felt like bits and pieces of both. Running the ball, Leonard remains among the best rushing quarterbacks in college football. Maybe the best. He left two defenders in his wake on the 34-yard touchdown run. One was a missed tackle. The other just grabbed at air. And that’s before he went airborne at the goal line. Leonard will smash Brandon Wimbush’s single-season rushing touchdown program record for quarterbacks (14) considering he’s just one away.
But is Leonard the passer good enough when the defensive talent upgrades (like in December) and when the opposition is actually engaged (also in December)? Harder to say. There were a couple of drops against Florida State. Some of the incompletions were throw-aways without being throw-aways. Basically, just don’t let the opposition pick it off. But completing barely half his passes doesn’t move the needle.
Yet, there’s no point in separating Leonard the runner and Leonard the passer anymore. He’s both. The former is better than the latter. That’s fine. Notre Dame has figured out how to win with this version of Leonard. And it will give the Irish a shot in December, too.
Source: The Athletic
November 12, 2024
Cocktail of the Month
This time of year, when the world turns irrevocably darker, Scandinavia often comes to mind for me. Back in the day, I frequently traveled to Stockholm, Copenhagen, Helsinki and loved it -- in the summer.
In the winter, less so. It occurred to me there's a reason -- and perhaps it's changed although I wouldn't bet on it -- those countries had the highest alcoholism rates in the world.
When the sun is down by 3:30pm, everything gets... dark.
Hello, bartender, whaddya recommending?
William Seabrook's
Asylum Cocktail*
1884-1945
*From So Red the Nose or -- Breath In The Afternoon (1935)
Travel writer, occultist, cannibal and journalist William Buehler Seabrook was obsessed with a mysticism of darkness -- preoccupied in part by pain, sadism and the undead.
In fact, he popularized the term "zombie" in the West and was fixated on the art of voodoo.
He also spent plenty of time institutionalized, a fact that is crystallized in the name of this drink.
Seabrook claims that this heady libation will "look like rosy dawn, taste like the milk of Paradise and make you plenty crazy."
* 1.5 oz. gin
* 1.5 oz. Pernod
* 1 dash grenadine
Combine all ingredients in a large mixing glass, add ice and stir until chilled.
Pour into a rocks glass over "large lumps" of ice.
Source: How To Drink Like A Writer
Writing by Margaret Kaplan
Schedule 2024
August
31 @Texas A&M W
September
7 Northern Illinois L
14 @Purdue W
21 Miami (OH) W
28 Louisville W
October
12 Stanford W
19 @Georgia Tech W
26 Navy W
November
9 Florida State W
16 Virginia
23 @Army (Yankee Stadium) McSorley's anyone?
30 @USC
December
20 1st round playoff game at ND Stadium -- see you there?
Wager 2024
A month ago, after a victory over a truly awful Stanford team, this blogger remained unconvinced. "Ask me after the next 3-game stretch -- Ga. Tech, Navy, FSU. This was a team, after all who'd proven they play down below anybody...
Well, going 3-0 with a cumulative point differential of 134 - 30 has moved me attitudinally.
Albert and Garrett, it would appear you're soon to be on the clock...
Now I'm a believer...
Wins | Director - ND Equivalence | Domer |
12  Christopher Nolan | The Nick Saban of the film world - Nolan is Mr. Swing For The Fences Big Idea Guy, even if every effort isn't always a home run. But they are undeniably ... epic. Just like a 12-0 season. |
|
11  Martin McDonagh | Hello, he's Irish! Solidly predictable for always being really, really good. And as his reputation has been burnished, the star talent in his cast has followed. Sound familiar? | Jerrence, Daryl Jim S, Tim C. Jerry C, Mike C. Greg R., Bob S. George, Raz, Ted, Bob J. Peter, Tim S., Dave M |
10  David Fincher |
Pretty much a stud in both film and TV formats. Always interesting, albeit with palpably dark undertones... one is never sure how the story is going to end up. Much like a 10 win season will feel like. | Pat B, Mike B. Bill, Jim B. Sloane, Alex Phillip, Randy Mike G., Jerry P Gutsch, Mark Jim T., Brian W |
9  Yorgos Lanthimos | Do I always understand what's going on his films? Nope. | Alvin, Garrett |
8  Richard Linklater | Perhaps the product of recency bias - I quite liked 'Hit Man' - Linklater's films fall for this blogger into the "nice-fun-I see an interesting insight" category. They just don't feel especially memorable. Like we'd view an 8 win season. | |
7  Wes Anderson | When does quirky/idiosyncratic become tiresome? When you feel like you're watching - again - an inside joke that you're not included in. Anderson attracts an an all-star cast that no longer seems to add up to the sum of their parts. In a word, disappointing. | |
6  Lars Von Trier | Uncomfortable. Unpleasant. Disturbing. Often off the rails, his films might be 'art' but it's tough to call it many people's definition of entertainment. | |
Schadenfreude of the Week.
As has been already alluded, the world has become very disorienting for Jerrence. What was once schadenfreude lay ups -- things one could count on, like death and taxes (well, taxes for most of us), no longer are such sure things.
Case in point: The Detroit Lions.
They're good. Like, really REALLY good.
And outside of one douchey Safety on their team, they're actually pretty likeable as well -- especially their "I'll go for it on 4th down ANYTIME ANYWHERE" head coach.
What is the deal?!
Don't forget the Motor City!
This must be The New World...
Thank goodness the college universe can still deliver.
------------------------------------
1) Miami. The very definition of a win-win for Notre Dame: a team ranked ahead of them goes down (always good) and beaten by a team that ND defeated (yay, strength of schedule). Plus, it's the loathed Canes! That makes it a win-win-win trifecta!
Hey Bulldogs, your QB is objectively bad.
With the team now sitting on the outside of the 12 team playoff pool, there is one silver lining: more time for Driver's Ed lessons for the players!
3) Michigan. Staring down the barrel of a likely 6-6 season after their undefeated national championship season, minimally the Wolverines can look south and say, "At least we're not Florida St."
True. And at least you have your next 5-star QB all lined up.
Oh wait. You don't actually, do you?
Why, yes... yes I do!
And there is no fresher meat to throw to the lions (or in this case, perhaps a tiger) is Brian Kelly's flesh.
I didn't see any of the game --too busy reveling in ND's dismantling of a team that never wanted to get on their plane to South Bend -- but I saw pictures of the coach's face.
That was enough for me.
Terry's Tools.
 |
| The few, the proud... |
Upon further reflection, perhaps Nosferatu was not given a fair shake. Labeled as another shady immigrant entering a country illegally -- just because The Demeter arrived in port with no living passengers -- people immediately jump to conclusions.
Who amongst us has gotten a little obsessed over a woman and possibly overstepped... and misread the signals?
Nothing a really good PR professional -- or a well-funded super PAC -- couldn't fix.
Impressive. So what does he choose to rail on about in his latest post-game conference?
That Vanderbilt wouldn't allow them to bring their mascot -- a CHICKEN -- to the stadium.
"LSU can have a freaking tiger at their stadium tonight but we can't bring Sir Big Spur."
Really? That's your takeaway from the game? Yeah, and how did that work out for Kelly & Co.?
As one who has become something of an expert in chicken guardianship, may I humbly suggest to you, coach, two things:
1) I understand how high maintenance chickens are - they can be real divas -- but perhaps your time is better spent focusing on your next game plans rather than poultry-related injustice. Perhaps leave the latter to TMZ.
2) Should the Gamecocks ever play at Notre Dame while you're still coaching there, recognize we, too, don't allow live animals in the stadium -- Dillon Hall alumni notwithstanding -- but we're big fans of Chick-fil-a so maybe it wouldn't be prudent bringing Big Spur near the stadium anyway.
If you catch my drift.
Mattel. This one's for all the marketers out there! And perhaps the lawyers too. And of course those CEO's who read this and think, "You gotta be kidding me..."
Mattel has issued an apology following a packaging mistake directing customers to a pornographic website. The toy maker's new line of "Wicked" dolls, one of multiple collaborations for the Nov. 22 movie, contains a misprint that directs customers to an X-rated site, instead of WickedMovie.com, the landing page made for movie bookings and other information.
While Sloane will not be receiving this as a present from her grandparents this year, one can see the dual audience potential this unfortunate "typo" may represent.
I bet it sells like hot cakes in Thailand.
Lincoln Riley. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
I'm sure SEC leadership just rolls their eyes and thinks, "Amateurs."
Yet -- and here's where we true aficionados of irony revel -- SC's athletic department may just be doing the happy dance over this punishment. (Hell, they may have turned themselves in!)
Because Southern California agreed with the NCAA that Riley personally violated “head coach responsibility” rules. Meaning the school could fire Riley with cause and not have to pay off his estimated $90M buyout.
That’s right, fire Riley and not owe him a penny.
Ouch.
Desperation, thy name is University of Michigan.
And here's the kicker: there's considerable buzz that even after allegedly being offered a $10.4M / 4 year NIL deal... not only will young Mr. Underwood stick with his LSU commitment (the gravitational pull of Brian Kelly is strong) but the 4-star QB UM had committed, has bailed on them after hearding about the program chasing Underwood.
Very smooth, Michigan.
Name of the Month
I mean, it's not out of the realm of possibility -- especially considering some of the rogues that some of y'all have introduced into the friend group over the years (looking at you, Peter)...
So when I came across Mr. Beers and his Littleton, CO hometown, one thought, was Brittan holding out on us? Sure, he'll introduce us to guys that build urinals in their garage -- but that's up in the mountains where general lawlessness runs rampant.
However, down in the tony suburbs of Denver, one would think societal norms would be more locked down. I bet this kid's parents must be very interesting. Might they have another son named Stout?
Rowdy Beers
Bill, young Rowdy played for Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, so perhaps he's not as close of a neighbor as I'd wish him to be.
Final Thought
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