OK, so after complaining about the time Verizon was going to take to set up our DSL, I got an email from them today saying it was ready. Not that we've set up enough to have a computer ready. Heck, we're still moving the last bits out of the apartment.

We are moving forward - also slowly - with getting some of the necessary work done to the house. We have quotes for window replacement and work for our chimney, and while they're a little higher than expected, they aren't too far off of what we thought. We've still got a couple quotes to go, though. Even so, I can already see what work is going to have to wait. The joys of home ownership, from what I'm told.

Otherwise, it's been a week. I've been in training most of this week, and unlike previous trainings (we're changing the information system we use here), it's been very productive. Wonders never cease.

Going into tonight's first post-primary gubenatorial debate, answers to a couple of questions posed in the comments.

I'm OK with Deval Patrick winning the Democratic primary, even though I voted for Gabrieli. While I think he's a little too much style over substance, Patrick has managed to energize a fair segment of voters, including many who are new or newly-returned to the process. He's pretty solidly to the left, in favor of a variety of programs current and new, which when coupled with the vagueness makes it easier to hang the tired "tax and spend" label on him. I do think he's good enough on the stump - and backed by enough prominent Democrats - to get over this to some extent. Were the election held today, I'd likely vote for him.

Though looming in the background is Christy Mihos, a former Republican who is best known in these parts as the owner of the Christy's chain of convenience stores (most of which he's sold off to 7-11, though he kept about a dozen on the Cape). He was also a member of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, and managed to annoy Jane Swift enough so that she fired him. He sued, saying the governor didn't have that authority, and won. He later settled a lawsuit saying his First Amendment rights had been violated.

Expect this experience to come up a lot, especially on matters related to the Big Dig and a recent report on the Authority's insolvency. Mihos is also pushing something called Proposition 1, where 40 percent of income tax revenue would be returned to cities and towns in local aid. He's run some ads on this of late, pointing out how much selected cities and towns will get back under his plan.
It will be interesting to hear how he plans to do this while also trying to fund a major health insurance initiative.

Mihos will appeal to the big group of people in the middle who've been turning out for the Republicans of late, or at least that's the conventional wisdom. I've seen poll numbers from late last week that put Mihos at the 5 to 9 percent range. We'll see if tonight's performance, and his recent ad buy, will push that up.

A little late, thanks to a move and a Verizon DSL transfer that takes 2 to 3 weeks for some reason:

Blogalicious College Football Top 10

1. Ohio State (def. Penn State 28-6) - part one of a tough conference back-to-back match-up in the books, with the harder part on the road and against a QB less likely to give so many fourth quarter gifts to the OSU defense. Next opponent: at Iowa

2. Auburn (def. Buffalo 38-7) - I was going to drop Auburn down for not beating Buffalo by 70, but it looks like they gave the second string ample work. Can't knock them for that, both for the experience and for the chance to rest starters before a conference game on the road. Next opponent: at South Carolina (9/28).

3. USC (def. Arizona 20-3) - the Trojans were lucky they were playing Arizona this week. Thankfully, they've got another week to sort things out against a WSU team that's feasted on bad opponents. Next opponent: at Washington State.

4. Texas (def. Iowa State 37-14) - I'm tempted to drop them a bit, and while I'm not one to preach running up the score, the Longhorns better win big next week. Next opponent: Sam Houston State.

5. West Virginia (def. East Carolina 27-10), Florida (def. Kentucky 26-7), Michigan (def. Wisconsin 27-13) - I'm displeased with all of these guys, as they all got bogged down against less than stellar opponents. I should cut Florida and Michigan some slack as they were both coming off of big wins, but they should have done better at home. At least West Virginia has the excuse of playing on the road. Someone had better step up next week, or I'm going to work out a way to have a four-way tie, even with the Mountaineers having the week off. That'll learn 'em. Next opponents: West Virginia at Mississippi State (10/9); Florida v. Alabama; Michigan at Minnesota.

8. LSU (def. Tulane 49-7) - on the one hand, I figured LSU would take last week's frustrations out on the Green Wave. On the other hand, they at least performed to expectations. Expect more of the same next week. Next opponent: Mississippi State.

9. Louisville (def. Kansas State 24-6) - they've got wins over teams in the ACC, Big XII, and SEC. OK, they're not always the top programs in the conference, but they're wins that help recapture some football cred for the Big East. All of which they could give back in a couple of weeks, even if they still have to start some back-ups. Next opponent: at Middle Tennessee State (10/6).

10. North Dakota State (def. Ball State 29-24) - The Bison are in the third year of a five year transition from divsion 2, and even a win over lowly Ball State is something to crow about. It must have been a tough afternoon at David Letterman Stadium. Next opponent: Stephen F. Austin.

Out of the top ten:

Georgia - a one point win at home over Colorado? You know they're the only team Montana State has beaten this year, right?

Southern Illinois - yes, they beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff solidly, but a win over a lowly member of the SWAC doesn't trump a win over a D1 school.

So I'm checking the weather, and note that there's a severe weather alert link. It comes up in bold red letters, so it's pretty easy to see. I click on it, wondering what sort of dire weather is in the offing.

Turns out it's frost:

"...FROST CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND EARLY FRIDAY MORNING...

CLEAR SKIES...DRY AIR AND LIGHT WIND EARLY FRIDAY MORNING WILL ALLOW FROST TO FORM IN MANY PARTS OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND. LOCATIONS MOST AT RISK WILL BE THOSE AWAY FROM THE IMMEDIATE COAST AS WELL AS THOSE THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF URBAN CENTERS. THE FROST WILL BE MOST LIKELY BETWEEN 2 AM AND 8 AM ON FRIDAY MORNING.

GROUND LEVEL TEMPERATURES IN THE FROST AREAS WILL FALL TO THE LOW TO MID 30S.

IF YOU STILL HAVE SENSITIVE PLANTS OUTDOORS...IT WOULD BE WISE TO BRING THEM INDOORS DURING THE DAY ON THURSDAY."

The National Weather Service knows we're in New England, right? I especially enjoy the warning about bringing in sensitive plants. It sounds like Emily Post turned to writing a gardening column.

The Globe reported something today that may change the way you look at the Republican primary for the US Senate. Turns out that Kenneth Chase has an election day ritual where he listens to the album Silk Degrees by Boz Scaggs. Do with that what you will.

With the primaries looming tomorrow, it's time for the coveted Blogalicious endorsements! We'll start with the Democrats, given that they have more state-wide races:

Secretary of State - I can't say I agree with all of his politics, but I'm giving the nod here to John Bonifaz, an attorney and voting right activist who, perhaps most notably, filed a lawsuit to try to prevent a first-strike attack on Iraq by arguing that the plan would violate the War Powers Clause. He didn't win.

My main criterion here is that I'd like to see Bill Galvin go away to wherever party hacks go once they leave office. Given that the only non-Dem running for secretary of state is 2002 Green Party gubenatorial candidate Jill Stein, I may have to wait until 2010.

Lieutenant Governor - given the odds that the candidate for governor will be someone without experience in elected office, it would make sense to vote in a lieutentant governor candidate that has some. Given the choice between a past chair of the Brookline Board of Selectmen and the mayor of the state's second-largest city, I'm going with the latter. Nod to Tim Murray, the mayor of Worcester, over Deb Goldberg, who didn't even get the endorsement from her hometown newspaper.

Governor - based on the breakdowns in the latest poll, it should be no surprise that I'd be endorsing Chris Gabrieli. His highest numbers in the poll came from voters who were unenrolled in a party, and in my cohort for age, education, and financial status. Not sure what it is about dorky policy wonks that appeal, but I do prefer his approach, which gives you actual policy ideas, to that of Deval Patrick, who is very personable and inspiring, even if he's not giving you too many specifics to run with.

That latest poll has Patrick up big, though Gabrieli's camp says internal polling suggests a tighter race. We'll see if enough people like me brave tomorrow's middling forecast to vote.

And for the Republicans:

US Senate - really, you should just flip a coin and vote for the first name on the ballot if it's heads, and the second name if it's tails. Outside of knowing there are two candidates, and that both are male, I can tell you pretty much nothing about the pair who are vying to be the latest footnote in Teddy Kennedy's Senator for Life gig.

Blogalicious College Football Top Ten

1. Ohio State (def. Cincinnati 37-7) - kind of a breather for the Buckeyes after last week's trip to Austin and before next week. Next opponent: Penn State.

2. Auburn (def. LSU 7-3) - a big win over a conference opponent, with plenty of tune-up time to get ready for Florida. Heck, the third stringers could start next week. Next opponent: Buffalo.

3. USC (def. Nebraska 28-10) - there was a time this would have meant more. Still, a good win over a ranked opponent. Bill Callahan would probably just like to stay out of California at this point, though. Next opponent: at Arizona.

4. Texas (def. Rice 52-7) - the Longhorns held Rice to minus-12 yards rushing, which I guess shouldn't be surprising for a team called the Owls. Next opponent: Iowa State.

5. West Virginia (def. Maryland 45-24) - Steve Slaton rushed for 195 yards and 2 TDs, and you have to imagine just a little of that was motivated by having been passed over by the Terps as a running back. Next opponent: at East Carolina.

6. Florida (def. Tennesse 21-20) - a good win in Knoxville, putting Phil Fulmer back on the hot seat. Assuming he was ever off it. Next opponent: Kentucky.

7. Michigan (def. Notre Dame 47-21) - a huge win, and you didn't hear about anyone rioting in Ann Arbor afterwards, did you? Take that, Columbus! Next opponent: Wisconsin.

8. Georgia (def. UAB 34-0) - this may be a little high at this point, but the Dawgs are 3-0 and have pitched back-to-back shutouts. So they get some slack for now, though if next week is too close it may tighten right back up. Next opponent: Colorado.

9. LSU (lost to Auburn, 3-7) - it was a close loss on the road, so I can't drop them completely out. I assume they'll be able to work the offensive kinks out next week. Next opponent: Tulane.

10. Southern Illinois (def. Indiana 35-28) - the ESPN headline said the Salukis "shocked" Indiana, but the shock to me was that the Hoosiers went into the game 2-0. I guess that 1 point win over Ball State last week tuckered them out. The second week in a row that a Big Ten team loses to a 1-AA school. They must love that. Next opponent: Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Out of top ten:

Notre Dame (lost to Michigan 21-47) - I really figured the Irish would win this week and then lose to Michigan State. That the way they seem to like to do things, but I guess proving their overrated status came first).

New Hampshire (def. Stony Brook 62-7) - OK, they won, but they were playing Stony Brook. How'd UNH even let them find the end zone?

And to complete a story from last week, Fort Lewis ended the Gary Barnett curse, as they topped Nebraska-Kearney 21-16. That or the curse is in Boulder to roost, as the Buffs lost to Arizona State.

Well, the deed is done, so to speak. After spending the better part of an hour signing forms that a lawyer basically paraphrased for us (though we'd seen a few of them before anyway), the wife and I are now homeowners.

I'd intended to put together a bit of a virtual tour from photos we took at the start of the buying process, but can't as I'm currently unable to locate the USB drive that has the pictures. Part of me thinks it's still in the back of the in-laws computer in Maine, but I could have sworn I grabbed it before we left from our last visit.

That might not be a bad thing. The pictures show the house with the previous owner's stuff in it, and the decorating style is something I've dubbed Old Lady Classique. Lots of fake wood paneling and such.

We spent a little time at the house this afternoon, where we cleaned the front porch, and in doing so determined that we need a new vacuum. Which we bought and then spent a fair amount of time putting together, delayed by having a screwdriver that was too fat to fit in a couple of the holes. When we finally did get it to the point where we could use it, we made the further discovery that most of the rooms don't have overhead lights, so we'd be vacuuming in the dark. OK, we knew that the rooms didn't have lights, so I suppose it was more a timing thing.

I made my first run to the hardware store, and couldn't find what I needed. I have a feeling that's not going to be the last time, either.

The neighborhood is OK; the houses are pretty close, but most of the folks who live there are long-term residents, unlike our current location. So there'll be some scrutiny in the short term (such as from a guy across the street who seemed to spend most of the afternoon by his house just looking around; I've dubbed him Boo Radley, which I know isn't really accurate to the character, but it seems to fit), which is understandable given that the previous owner has been in the house since 1968.

A bigger problem is that we live about 5 houses down from a bakery. Thankfully, it's a commercial bakery, so we won't be stopping in every other hour, but we are going to be jonesing for rolls more often, I think.

More updates to come as we figure out what the hell we're doing. If ever.

Interesting times in the race for governor here, as the two latest polls for the Democrats have Deval Patrick with a high single-digit lead. Given that one of the polls had a margin of error of 6.8 percent - I think the Pepsi Challenge has a lower margin of error - I'd not put too much stock in the numbers. Though I'm a little surprised there hasn't been any solid polling of late, especially after the first debate.

Not surprisingly, the Globe endorsed Patrick, while the Herald endorsed Tom Reilly, which someone at the Globe surmised was done to draw votes away from Chris Gabrieli and leave the door open for Patrick, the farthest left of the three. I suppose it's no difference to the Herald whether or not they run two months' worth of liberal-bashing against Patrick or blaming Reilly for the Big Dig mess.

My other favorite endorsement news: the Brookline Tab tapped Andrea Silbert for lieutenant governor, even though the ubiquitous Deb Goldberg chaired Brookline's Board of Selectmen. Apparently, the paper didn't find her ads all that truthful. In turn, Goldberg took out a full-page ad in the paper in rebuttal. Finally, some life in a different race!

In the pot calling the kettle black department, Kerry Healey used the term "tycoon" in reference to Chris Gabrieli. She and her husband own four houses, so I suppose she'd know.

Book Log 2006 #42: You Gotta Have Wa by Robert Whiting

Probably the best English-language book about Japanese baseball, written at a time when Americans were just beginning to learn more about the Japanese game than team names. The book's main focus is the clash between American players and Japanese baseball culture, but there's also quite a bit about the Japanese approach to the game, the history of baseball in Japan, and the "new breed" of players who may not be all that new of a breed.

It's a bit of a time capsule at this point, what with the influx of Japanese players into the majors and the (somewhat forced) growth of international competition. But it's still a good read and a great introduction to baseball in Japan. Which you could then follow with The Meaning of Ichiro, Whiting's book about the influx of Japanese players to the US.

(Whiting also wrote a book called The Chrysanthemum and the Bat which preceds You Gotta Have Wa, which I've not read, but is apparently also a historical look at baseball in Japan.)

So you've likely heard by now that the alma mater is "banning swearing" at hockey games. I put that in quotes because, for the most part, an individual who drops the f-bomb probably isn't going to be shown the door. It's not Singapore.

Really, this is intended to curtail the more ritualistic use of curses by the student section, who've been using them with increasing frequency in various cheers. I won't say fans didn't swear back in the day - a familiar cheer when I first started to go to BU suggested that BC inhales excrement. The cheer gained popularity before my time, but it wasn't too long after I started going there that the word came down that that cheer was off-limits. The band didn't play the music associated with the cheer, and the cheer faded into history, for the most part.

I can't say I've been offended at the increase in swearing, but I do think it's a bit out of hand. And from the university's perspective, I can't imagine the cursing helps to bring people into the arena. Not to mention how it sounds during the increasing number of games that are shown on TV.

All that said, it's going to be hard to enforce. I think it's more likely that bench minors and NCAA fines will do the trick, but keep an eye on the news the night that BU opens at home.

So I went back to last year's blog to see how I'd marked this day, and it turns out I did so by not posting at all. I was on vacation, and didn't post until September 16. Odd thing is, several of the items I posted on that day would work for today as well (and, with apologies, they're all football related):

* Happy that Pats won opener, albeit in sluggish fashion. Hope for more running by Corey Dillon now increased as he's on my fantasy team.

* Won my first FFL game of the season again (OK, it's not official, but I'd need Antonio Gates and Chris Cooley to score a combined -13 points to lose, which is possible but highly unlikely). Unlike 2005, where an opening day win equaled one-quarter of the previous year's wins, taking the first game this year equals one-third of last year's total.

I don't like the direction that's headed in.

I was going to note how both opening wins were against the same team, but it appears that the 2005 and 2006 schedules are identical. Note to self for next year to mix it up... but keep the same opening game (sorry, Salome).

* Notre Dame opens 2-0, is in the top 10, and I think they're a bit overrated. That team in Chestnut Hill also gets ranked after opening 2-0, though this time around it's a little more warranted, as they beat a ranked team.

* Temple still needs to drop to 1-AA.

Differences: Ohio State beats Texas, and I manage to pick all winning teams in the cut-throat/eliminator games I participate in.

Not sure if this level of similarity is sad or pathetic. Or why limit myself when it could be both?

Blogalicious College Football Top Ten

1. Ohio State (def. Texas 24-7). Well, I guess that settles that. Expect the Buckeyes to roll into their annual tilt against Michigan undefeated. Next opponent: Cincinnati.

2. Notre Dame (def. Penn State 41-17). You expect Notre Dame to win at home, but this was a little beyond expectations. Even so, they looked a litle sluggish in the first half. Still not fully sold on them, but they're one of the few teams that didn't open up against at least one cream puff. Next opponent: Michigan.

3. Texas (lost to Ohio State, 7-24). I think the Longhorns did a second half gut check and got a little freaked out when they found butterflies. They'll mature. I still figure they're a good shot to win the Big XII, and who knows? We may see them get another shot at Ohio State in January. Next opponent: at Rice.

4. Auburn (def. Mississippi State 34-0). I suppose it was a good tune-up for next week, though the defense might have enjoyed more of a challenge. The Bulldogs haven't scored a point this season. Auburn won't have that luxury next week. Next opponent: LSU.

5. West Virginia (def. Eastern Washington 52-3). You know, I think I'm just going to keep the Mountaineers here until they either lose or beat Louisville. No one they play until then would merit a promotion. Interesting note: in beating Marshall last week, West Virginia apparently won the Friends of Coal Bowl. I believe that Maine and UMass get to play in the Acid Rain Bowl thanks to them. Next opponent: Maryland (September 14).

6. USC (idle). You snooze, you lose. That's my philosophy. Next opponent: Nebraska.

7. LSU (def. Arizona 45-3). Last week I noted that I hadn't seen LSU or Florida play, and were giving them both rankings based on rep. This week, both posted 42 points wins at home. I give LSU the nod for no particularly good reason. Next opponent: at Auburn.

7. Florida (def. Central Florida 42-0). But I could also give Florida the nod for pitching the shutout, and for Urban Meyer preserving his perfect record against teams from Florida. So what the hey, the first tie ranking in poll history! Can I vote in the BCS now? Next opponent: at Tennessee.

9. Michigan (def. Central Michigan 41-17). Both the Wolverines and Tennessee were home against teams where you'd expect a big win. Michigan delivered, Tennessee did not. Advantage, maize and blue. Next opponent: at Notre Dame.

10. New Hampshire (def. Northwestern 34-17). It was not a good off-season for Northwestern, as their coach, Randy Walker, died of a heart attack, and was replaced by the inexperienced Pat Fitzgerald. Then, after what had to be an emotional tribute to Walker, the Wildcats get schooled by the Wildcats (when did The Simpsons start scheduling football games?). Said Northwestern defensive end Kevin Mims, "I don't think we overlooked them. I feel they outplayed us." Ouch. To be fair, New Hampshire is ranked second in the 1-AA poll. Next opponent: Stony Brook.

This is the second week in a row where a team that had Gary Barnett as its head coach was upset. And as they're going in reverse chronological order, I'd suggest that Fort Lewis College better watch their backs. Thought I don't know if losing to Nebraska-Kearney would be an upset (probably not, given that they went 9-3 last year, but their nickname is the Lopers, which doesn't exactly strike fear in one's heart).

Out of poll:

Florida State. I think that when they saw Troy on the schedule, the Seminoles thought it meant the Men of Troy and prepared for USC. You think they'd still beat the actual Troy by more than a touchdown in Tallahassee. Troy turned the ball over twice in the last five minutes, and thus missed out on the biggest win in school history.

Montana State. Losing to a lower division team, for shame. Don Beebe must be proud, though. If this were club soccer, I think this would mean that Chadron State would be in the Big XII next year, while Colorado would toil in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. They'd then get to play Fort Lewis College and close the cirle on Gary Barnett.

Sadly, Chadron doesn't play a division III school next week. I was really hoping for a transitive chain that would have had an eight-man team from Wyoming beating Colorado.

As you can probably tell by the way I'm playing catch-up with the Book Log, I've got some time on my hands. I'm at work, as we're open for the first Saturday classes of the semester. It has not been busy.

And in unfortunate news, I had to pay for parking. I had a streak going, as the last four times I've had to drive in I got to park for free. Of course, I mentioned it to someone this week, so the streak was doomed. All good things...

Book Log 2006 #41: Two for the Road by Jane and Michael Stern

Writers of a regular column in Gourmet magazine and founders of Roadfood.com, the Sterns have made a career out of eating at roadside diners, small-town breakfast places, and sleepy cafes. This book chronicles how they got started, some of their favorite places, and all of the things they've loved about their career in food. Not that it's all fun and games; their car often doubled as their bedroom (at least in the early days), and eating 12 meals a day can get difficult. I'm just amazed that they're apparently still in good health.

This is their 31st book, and I now want to read the other 30. They write with a clear joy for the subject, and are as entertainingly observant about people and places as they are about their favorite (or least favorite) dishes.

If you like good regional food, and you've got some free time now that you've seen all of Feasting on Asphalt, check this book out.

Book Log 2006 #40: The Undercover Economist by Tim Harford

As someone who has never quite understood economics (outside of the basics), the idea of this book appealed to me. It would explain everyday events in economic terms, bolstering my comprehension of the theory while giving me a new way to look at things like traffic jams and the price of coffee.

Well, it didn't work. As much as it was taking a layman's approach, it's still a book about economics. I didn't finish it.

Book Log 2006 #39: Game of Shadows by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams.

While all the attention on Game of Shadows is focused on what Barry Bonds allegedly put into his body, there's a lot more to this book. It gives a very comprehensive look into the rise of Victor Conte and BALCO and how the company got into steroids and into providing them to top-level athletes. We spend plenty of time with Marion Jones and her crowd, and with the other baseballer caught up in the BALCO brouhaha.

But Bonds is the biggest name in the book, and he gets as comprehensive a treatment as Conte. It is, charitably, unflattering. The authors do this, I think, to give some background as to why Bonds would use steroids - his vanity and insecurities trumping his obvious talent. Regardless of the steroids, I can't escape the idea that Bonds will become this generation's Joe DiMaggio, living on his legend while he grows increasingly embittered in later years.

Denials aside, the book is well-written and well-documented. Where suppositions are made, they are done so clearly (though I don't think there are very many of them). I'd recommend this book highly; if you can stomach it, I'd also suggest reading it in tandem with Howard Bryant's Juicing the Game. I did not do this, but would have appreciated the baseball focus of the latter in follow-up.

Book Log 2006 #38: Desperate Networks by Bill Carter

The TV critic for The New York Times, Carter's book The Late Shift is the definitive story of the battle to succeed Johnny Carson. I don't know if Desperate Networks will turn out to be the definitive history of the changing TV landscape of the early 21st century - especially as it doesn't really address the way networks are reacting and interacting with new media to distribute content - but it does capture the way the network TV landscape has changed over the last 5 years.

The books is blend of show development stories and network politics. Both are interesting, and seeing the interplay is instructive for those of us who enjoy TV but don't really delve too deeply into the business end of it (outside of making mocking comments on fourth-rate TV blogs). I now have a begrudging admiration for Les Moonves, awe at Jeff Zucker's rise at NBC even as the network went into the toilet, and confusion over ABC canning Lloyd Braun even though he pretty much gave them Lost, not to mention sadness over the end of useful network news as we know it.

On top of being informative, the book was pretty well written, outside of some clunky transitions between chapters (which would be hard to avoid, trying to cover four networks). Highly recommended if you're interested in how TV is made.

Book Log 2006 # 37: The Pale Horesman by Bernard Cornwell

The second book in the trilogy about Alfred the Great. While still focusing on Uhtred, the Englishman raised by Danes who can't choose one side over the other, we do get to see much more of Alfred in this book, as he is sent into hiding by the Danes and plans a way to start winning England back.

It's a pretty good middle book, avoiding getting too bogged down in either carrying the story forward or setting up the ending. Looking forward to the conclusion.

Last night's debate did settle one thing for me: I'm not voting for Tom Reilly.

I have no problem with his being aggressive, given that he's in danger of going from first to worst. The problem I had was that his aggression was so often misplaced. Using a question on tax rollbacks to accuse Chris Gabrieli's campaign of leaking a memo about Jean St. Fleur's money problems? It was like the early days of keyword ads, when using a term like "bait and switch" would get you ads for fishing equpiment or electrical supplies.

It was clear that Reilly had some shots to take, but he was too quick on the trigger. The first question put directly to him was about some of his campaign's indecisiveness, a much better platform from which to make an accusation.

(For what it's worth, Gabrieli denies the leak, and the person who supposedly had access to the report denies ever seeing it. She's also not Gabrieli's campaign chair, as Reilly claimed.)

Reilly's tenacity would have worked for him if he had solid ideas to back them up. Instead, he said that voters knew what they were getting in him, which after last night may not be the most comforting thing.

For his part, Gabrieli stayed mostly above the fray. He had the most concrete connection between the big picture and specific ideas and policies. He used humor effectively in a tight spot - deflecting a question about his self-financed campaign by noting that his wife and kids were also curious about the spending - and came off as a bit wonky and endearingly dorky.

Deval Patrick was, not surprisingly, the best in terms of delivery. He was also quick with the jab, as he had some effective responses to Reilly's attacks on his finances. I thought Patrick gave a good summary of his tax position, and came the closest to successfully arguing why we should increase funding to state universities as a way to encourage growth, but was pretty vague about how he planned to pay for everything.

Everyone was vague about the way they'd fund the recently-passed health care plan, which is somewhat understandable. It's a law that, whoever becomes governor, will only bring criticism when it's either underfunded or funded at the expense of other programs. I don't think anyone wants to handle this one until they have to, but it'd have been nice to at least get an idea what the candidates were thinking outside of increasing efficiency and cutting overhead.

In any case, this was probably one of the more successful televised political debates in recent memory, in that it helped make distinctions between candidates. Perhaps too many, if you're Tom Reilly.

Desperation is beginning to rear its head in the Democratic gubenatorial primary, as Tom Reilly is running an ad asking what his opponents have to hide, given that neither are releasing their tax returns for public scrutiny. The ad tries to weave in a hint of fraud and milk the legacy of Ken Lay and his ilk.

And while I'm curious why neither Gabrieli nor Patrick have done this, neither has the attendant hint of scandal to make me think they are hiding something. More likely they're trying to downplay net worth in order to allow voters to keep thinking of the lieutenant governor as the wealthy candidate. Which is kind of a pipe dream, when you're either a venture capitalist setting records for campaign spending or a former general counsel for Texaco and Coke.

We'll probably see more on this tonight when the candidates debate. I also expect we'll hear more on a couple of the major themes brought out at a candidate round-table last night: Reilly's role in the Big Dig fiasco and Patrick's new interest in rolling back the income tax.

Finally got around to making a group for ESPN.com's Eliminator Challenge:

Name: Eliminator Challenged
Password: Eliminator

Time for a new regular feature which will have three benefits: it gives me something else to post about, will help get me back into college football a bit, and will annoy Greg. Announcing:

The Blogalicious College Football Top Ten

1. Texas (def. North Texas 56-7). As defending champs, they get to be number 1 until someone knocks them off, which may not take too long given their Next opponent:

2. Ohio State (def. Northern Illinois 35-12). I think they'll find going into Austin a bit more of a challenge than this home opener. But they've got the tools to pull out a victory and return the favor for last year. Next opponent: Texas.

3. Notre Dame (def. Georgia Tech 14-10). I tend to think that ND is a little over-rated (I know, you're stunned), but they gutted out a good win on the road, so I'll cut them some slack. Besides, they've got back to back top 20 games to prove that they belong this high. Next opponent: Penn State.

4. USC (def. Arkansas 50-14). They aren't as glamorous as the last couple of teams, but they can clearly score points. Arkansas is down a bit, but putting 50 on the Razorbacks at home isn't too shabby. Next opponent: Nebraska (Sept. 20).

5. West Virginia (def. Marshall 42-10). I know, slag the Big East all you want, but if the Mountaineers get by Louisville on November 2, they could wind up playing for the national title. Next opponent: Eastern Washington.

6. Auburn (def. Washington State 40-14). This might stand up as the most sluggish 26 point win of the season. Hope they find some urgency before they play LSU in a couple of weeks. Next opponent: at Mississippi State.

7. Florida (def. Southern Mississippi 34-7). OK, I didn't see a single play of this game, so I'm going off rep for now. That may be all they need next week. Next opponent: Central Florida.

8. LSU (def. Louisiana-Lafayette 45-3). See my entry for Florida. Next opponent: Arizona.

9. Florida State (def. Miami 13-10). It wasn't pretty, but it was effective. They've certainly got the defense to keep the score low. Now they just need the offense to make sure that their score isn't kept lower. Next week should be a good opportunity for a tune-up. Next opponent: Troy.

10. Montana State (def. Colorado 19-10). Remember when Colorado was good? If you don't, this season doesn't look primed to serve as a reminder. The Bobcats defend the honor of Big Sky country, as Montana took it on the chin at Iowa. Just hope they don't get caught by a lower-divison opponent in a twist of fate. Next opponent: Chadron State.

As we turn the calendar to September, there are only 18 days until the Democratic primary here in Massachusetts, and I have no idea who I am going to vote for at the top of the ticket. The choices are:

Tom Reilly, current state attorney general. He was the leader out of the gate, and it was his race to lose, a position he's lived up to in screwing up his choice for a running mate, losing the party endorsement, and admitting that he's not particularly political (although I admit that I find that kind of endearing).

Reilly's campaign has been the most traditional, with ads comparing his record to that of the Romney/Healey administration. He's also started the in-fighting, calling for an immediate rollback of the state income tax, which neither opponent favors.

Deval Patrick is running a more grassroots campaign, which is interesting given that he's got some national notice from his time as an assistant AG during Clinton's term in office. He clearly has some party cachet, as he won the state party endorsement at their convention.

Based on his ads, all I can tell about Patrick is that he grew up poor, got himself into Harvard, wants to improve education and create jobs, and has the tacit support of Barack Obama (he appears in one ad where Patrick is making a speech). A Reilly ad notes that Patrick wants to keep the state income tax at its current level, a stand Patrick defends by arguing that a lower income tax would lead to cuts in local aid, which would require increases in local (mostly property) taxes. Patrick had also put forward the idea that localities could increase the meal tax to raise funds.

Chris Gabrieli is the most visible candidate, given that he's bankrolled an ad push that's lasted most of the summer. The ads tout his experience in creating jobs in the private sector, and his role in improving education through after school programs. He's recently taken on all the major candidates over taxes, calling for a reduction plan that uses a percentage of surplus tax revenue to fund the next year's cut. He's also backing the Cape Wind project, but is for any idea that gets results. In fact, "getting results" is pretty much the theme of his campaign.

I'd also like to note that he has one entertaining ad where he's having a mock press conference on education where he's fielding questions from his five kids. Let's just say the idea of longer school days doesn't appeal. His wife then interrupts and says she wants to get results in Gabrieli taking out the garbage.

I suppose the biggest problem with any of these guys is that they've not taken too much time to differentiate themselves from each other. Only the tax issue has done that, and even then that's only flared up this week. I'd expect more differences to come out as election day nears, but this may be muted by a desire not to give Kerry Healey, the current lieutenant governor and putative Republican nominee (she's running unopposed), too much ammo for later.

Anyway, I'm pretty firmly undecided. And this hasn't helped at all. Great.