Predictor Pete - Week Nine

Chris Simms was downright awful last week in a 15-10 loss to the Niners. The defense was solid, but let some runs for first downs hurt us. Our running game was non-existent and special teams, average.

This week the Bucs take on the streaking division rivals Carolina Panthers in the home confines of Raymond James Stadium. After starting 1-2, the Panthers have won four in a row. They come into the game with a solid defense, a good running game and an effective passing game.

The Bucs defense is extremely good... we would be undefeated if our offense had not turned the ball over, giving the Jets and Niners short fields and certain points... points which lead to losses. No team has effectively driven the length of the field this year, so if the Bucs can get a running game, convert third downs and not turn the ball over, they have a chance to win. My fear, however, is that Simms will under-perform, thereby allowing the Panthers D to stuff the line and stop our run. Simms will be forced to pass, turnovers will occur and that will be that.

My Heart: Bucs 21-17.
My Mind: Panthers 17-10.
My Colon: Panthers 30-17.

My Pick: Panthers 23-12...

Last week showed that anything can happen in any given week in the NFL. The Bucs certainly have the talent to beat the Panthers, but Simms is still looking for his first win as a starter and I don't think he'll handle the pressure associated with a divisional game for first place.

And next week it doesn't get any easier in Washington against their tough defense. In two weeks the Bucs could be 5-4 and wondering if they'll even make the playoffs.

My Record: 4- 3.

Divine Inspiration

There have been occasions in my life where I have had discussions with people who refuse to believe the Bible is real, accurate or relevant.

In my experience, most of the time these same people are of an artistic bent. So they believe that mankind can be inspired to create beauty in many ways... writing, painting, sculpting, poetry, song and dance. And, the greatest of each of these expressions achieve their greatness because they somehow touch a universal truth... that artistic work reaches each of us in a personal way.

Yet, mankind is incapable of expressing similar universal truths when it comes to faith and morals? If God does exists, does he attempt to communicate with us? If he does, how? Would not that same inspiration that creates a work of art be used to create a work of moral truth? If man can illuminate the human condition through works of art, cannot God inspire man to illuminate the divine condition through words, art, sculpture, poetry, music and dance?

Like Shakespeare's Works, would we not then collect those inspired works of divine mercy into a single book that encapsulates those beliefs, ties them together, gives us a blueprint on how to implement them in our daily lives... a bible, perhaps?

Would not such a book hold an even higher place in our societal consciousness than the current #1 best selling book or the top ten song of the week?

Any argument to the validity of artistic endeavors also holds true for divine endeavors. The only difference is that one is geared to elevate humans to greater humanity and the other is geared to elevate us beyond our humanity.

Pope Benedict XVI Praises Large Families

In honor of my brother Charles and his wife Betty, who are awaiting the birth of their 11th child, I post the following story that I found on www.LifeSite.com

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VATICAN, November 3, 2005 (CWNews.com/LifeSiteNews.com) - Large families need society's support, Pope Benedict XVI told his weekly audience on November 2. A large family, the Pope remarked, "constitutes a witness of faith, courage, and optimism." Moreover, large families provide wealth to society, "because without children there is no future!"

The Holy Father called for "adequate social and legislative" measures to support large families, repeating that they offer "richness and hope for the entire country."

The Pope's remarks were prompted by the presence of an Italian national family association at the Wednesday audience. He used the occasion to underline "the centrality of the family, the foundational cell of society and the first place where life is welcomed and served." He offered his special greetings to large families, and made a point, at the end of his audience, of meeting with a family that had 9 children.

In related news, Pope Benedict XVI's general prayer intention for the month of November is: "That married people may imitate the example of conjugal holiness shown by so many couples in the ordinary conditions of life."

The Greatest Generation

It is often been touted that my parents' generation is the greatest. They overcame the depression, they overcame fascism and communism, they sacrificed for freedom and they lived in years of post-war growth and moral clarity.

I look at today's world and realize there will never be a generation like theirs. Not because people are incapable of achieving the same greatness, but that the dispensers of information will not allow it to happen.

If the same media scrutiny and moral relativism was as strong during World War II as it is today, we would be a communist country or part of the Third Reich. We would not have had the stomach to make the tough sacrifices that were required to win that war. You look at the way the Iraq War is being handled... the media pounces on the bad and ignores the good. I had heard that, in all of Iraq, there are only three areas that continue to be problems... that the majority of the nation is secure and peaceful. Do we hear that? No.

If World War II were fought with our media focus now, would our participation in such a war have lasted past D-Day?

I don't think so.

I've said it before and I'll say it again... Our country has lost the meaning and value of sacrifice... as a nation and as people. We want it all without much effort. We are lazy and, like stagnant muscles, are weakening with each passing day.

So, I believe my parents were not only part of the greatest generation, but the last generation of greatness in America.

Fortune Cookie

I had Chinese for lunch again. Today's fortune?

"Learning is a treasure which accompanies us everywhere."

An educational 401k, so to speak.

Sweet Nirvana

In our new home theater room, I have a candy rack/concession stand location where we have candy and a mini-fridge full of colas.

There have been a few occasions where I have found my nine year old son simply staring at the candy.

I'll ask, "What are you doing?"

"Just looking at the candy" he'd reply.

Like just the thought of eating all of that candy equalled the joy of actually tasting it.

Don't you wish, as an adult, we could find such pure joy in these simple things? But, we look at candy and worry about our teeth, our health, our weight, our diet, our indigestion...

Kids? They look at candy and see nothing but sweet nirvana.

I envy that.

Happy All Saints Day

I just wanted to wish everyone Happy All Saints Day. As noted on theCatholic News Agency website:

"This feast honors all the saints of the Church, known and unknown. On this day, Catholics are asked to reflect on holiness and sainthood and to celebrate the holiness of men and women who gave their lives in faithfulness and service to God, and whose witness continues to inspire us today.

All Saints Day was originally a feast in the Eastern Church for martyrs, but it was extended to the Roman Catholic Church in the 9th century to include non-martyrs as well."

So spend today honoring those people who lived an exemplary holy life and lets try our best to do the same.

Home Theater Project Completed

After 10 months of design and four months of construction, converting my home office into a home theater is finally completed.

The room now has an entertainment center, a built-in desk, a candy stand and DVD storage, and a riser for two level seating.

We broke in the theater this past weekend by watching NFL football on HDTV and watching the ghost flick THE OTHERS as part of the Halloween Weekend.

There's still a lot of things I have to organize and put away. We won't have an official opening for a few weeks.

It's All About Me...

In a weak moment of vain self-interest, here is a questionnaire I am copying from microcinema great John Oak Dalton's blog, who got it from Gary, another microcinema geek. So, for the next few questions, it's all about me...

1. What is your occupation? Global SAP Manager by day, microcinema writer/director by night.
2. What are you listening to right now? 620 WDAE as they chatter about the Bucs ugly loss to the Niners yesterday.
3. What was the last thing you ate? A Big Mac... and I'm regretting it.
4. Do you wish on stars? On the rare occasion I see them, sure.
5. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Scratch and Sniff Mint Chocolate.
6. How is the weather right now? Beautiful. Low 80s, low humidity, cool breeze, sunny skies.
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My lovely wife about buying pumpkins for tonight.
9. Favorite drink? Diet Coke.
10. Favorite sport to watch? NFL
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? At my daughter's request, yes. Didn't last long.
12. Favorite past time? Watching movies, writing screenplays and dreaming of things I'll probably never get to do.
13. Favorite month? December. Birth of Christ.
14. Favorite food? A good juicy steak with a extra-large baked potato.
15. What was the last movie you watched? THE OTHERS in my newly finished Home Theater.
16. What do you do to vent anger? Bite my nails and vent through intense sarcasm.
17. What was your favorite toy as a child? Intellivision.
18. Fall or spring? Spring
19. Hugs or kisses? Both.
20. Cherry or blueberry? Blueberry
24. Living arrangements? Happily married for 13 years.
25. When was the last time you cried? Thinking of my brother being unable to get out of Houston with Hurricane Rita bearing down.
26. What is on the floor of your closet? Pergo flooring.
27. Who is the friend you have had the longest? JUSTICE star Tim Osterhout... 25 years.
28. What did you do last night? Watched the Bucs lose, watched THE BUSINESS TRIP and THE OTHERS on the big screen.
29. Favorite smell? My wife's perfume.
31. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Cheese, preferably Cheddar.
32. What is your favorite car? Saturn, we have two.
33. What is your favorite dog breed? Never had one.
34. Number of keys on your key ring? 4
35. How many years at your current job? 7 years
36. Favorite day of the week? Sunday
37. How many states have you lived in? 3
38. How many cities have you lived in? 8
39. Summer or winter? Winter... too hot in the Summer in Florida.
40. How many kids? 2

Monday Morning QB - 10/31

Happy Halloween!

And what a horror show the Bucs displayed yesterday against the awful 49ers. For the second time this season the Bucs played below lowly competition (see Jets game) and lost a sure win. The game was ugly and boring and ugly. It was the last game before we moved into the meat of our schedule and we blew a perfect opportunity to retain the overall lead in the NFC.

My prediction: Bucs 24, Niners 9

Score: Niners 15, Bucs 10

Offense: F. No running game. No passing game. No nothing.

Defense: F. A long run at the end of the half to allow a leading field goal. Allowing a fourth string QB to drive in the final half of the fourth quarter to basically put the game away. Sad, sad, sad.

Special Teams: C. Punting was average. We were 1 for 2 on field goals.

Coaching: C. This team was not ready to play. They had two weeks off and they looked uninspired. A pathetic display.

Outstanding Players: None.

Things That Drove Me Nuts: Everything.

Bucs Record: 5-2.

Next Opponent: Next week we begin the heart of our conference schedule. Before the Niner game, the Bucs needed to go 5-5 to end the season 10 and six, which would probably mean a playoff spot. We lost a very winnable game. Now, we have to face real opponents with better offenses and defenses.

I was one of the people screaming for Griese's removal and I guess I got my wish. That request, however, was with the expectation that the running game would not evaporate. I'll give Simms three games to show dramatic improvement. He sure set the bar low enough that he can only get better. After three years in the Gruden system, he should be much more adept than he's shown. It's his career to make or lose.

This season could get ugly quick.

Predictor Pete - Week Eight

Chris Simms gets his first start of the season in place of the injured Brian Griese. Starting against the rebuilding 49ers is a godsend for Simms. If Cadillac can return, it'll be even better.


My Heart: Bucs 28-3.
My Mind: Bucs 35-10.
My Colon: Bucs 17-16.

My Pick: Bucs 24-9...

The Bucs should be well rested from the bye week. They should dominate the 49ers.

My Record: 4- 2.