EX-EL-EYE..41...Hike!

Super Bowl (2 words) XLI fever is catching on. On Sunday, February 4th, 2007, the Chicago Bears vs Indianapolis Colts will play in the NFL last game of the season -- the Battle of I-65 - the midwest (1 word) Interstate Highway running in btwn Illinois' "capital" & Indy-No-Place.


Let the PREDICTIONS begin.(Enter your pick in Comments)
1. Who wins the game - Bears or Colts?
2. What's the score at the end of the game??

Starbucks-ADE

Good news for coffee drinkers/addicts in (I'm not making this up) The Journal of Pain.

Moderate amounts of coffee could help reduce post-exercise soreness...
(Key word: "could", Juan V.)

...The researchers recommended that people are cautious about using caffeine before a workout, as too much caffeine can cause side-effects such as jitteriness and sleep disturbance.
(Wake me up if I fall asleep during my workout.)

...muscle soreness could also be helped by methods such as stretching
(boring), ice-bathing (risky) or massage (yes, please!)

...there were many health benefits to drinking moderate amounts of coffee, as it is a source of antioxidants, improves alertness and performance, and can be used to aid sports training.
(Now consider from-table-to-mouth java biceps curls a boost to your athletic "training")

~~~Michael

DOJ-ball

After 25 years @ DOJ, the formerly bearded Assistant U.S. Attorney is paddling to the west banks of the Potomac River. His last day is Friday, 26th, 2007. He'll still be arguing, but hopefully not working every Sunday. Kudos being in the "game" for so long & best o' luck in da VA game.

And for those just starting a NEW job, here's a GREAT way to introduce yourself and show them...I'M SOOOO SORRY!...Frisbee War. This was Dodgeball played with frisbees instead of balls. [UHM...OUCH!] Usually there were two teams and a boundaries that you had to stay inside of. We usually had a few frisbees, 2, 3 or 4, depending on how many kids were playing (sometimes up to 15 or 20 at a time). We always played that if you caught someone's thrown frisbee then the thrower was out. You played until one person or team remained.

Picture Caption Contest #1

Similar to the fun contest in THE NEW YORKER, a provided picture is in need of a caption. You, the reader, submit your caption by adding a blog comment (click the lower right hand corner of this blog posting..."# comments"). As always, have fun!

Any Sludgie age eighteen or older can enter.

Look Who's Coming To Town!

Every October, Sludge visits OBX and passes by the famous (infamous?) resting place of GRAVE DIGGER. This weekend, January 12-13, "GD" is coming to visit us. It's gonna try to fit in some pickup whilst in town, but no guarantee. Another option is you could pay $23-$28 for a viewing at Verizon Center. Don't forget your redneck!

Rules to Play By

Yes, our recreational habit has some rules - 11th Edition(PDF) to be exact. If you think you're not technically breaking them because you don't KNOW them, then stop reading, James Dean.

Otherwise, below are some interesting proposed changes from UPA's Substantive Changes from the 10th Edition. You may have asked yourself...Tenth Edition?...Rules?...Why am I asking myself a question??

Proposed Changes
1. A perimeter line segment is defined by the two cones on either end of it (to clarify in/out of bounds on unlined fields with skewed cones).

2. The requirement for a one-second pause after the word “stalling” when initiating the stall count has been removed. In addition, a contested stall now comes back in at 8 instead of 9. There is no longer a requirement to say “stalling” when dropping the count due to a marking violation.

3. Touching the disc to the ground is required anytime the disc goes from live to in-play (for example when the disc is OB or in the endzone and is brought to the boundary line). Failure to touch the disc to the ground when required is now a travel.

4. The requirement of acknowledging a goal has been removed.
In addition, if an offensive player who has just caught a legal pass in their endzone of attack, and then throws an incomplete pass (not realizing they were in their endzone), any player with best perspective can overrule the turnover and award the goal. However, if opposing players who both have best perspective can’t agree on the call, the turnover stands.

Happy '007: License to non-Swill

Two thousand-six was a grand year;
Sludge kept growing, bonding and flowing.
Let any lookoffs or "missing" cleats in 2006 be bygones. May 2007 be a beautiful year of the brown.

*Remember: Write 2007 on those rent/mortgage checks!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!