My enthusiasm for the new college hockey season - or perhaps I should say BU's role in it - appears to have been a little misplaced, as the Icedogs have limped out of the gate. (It didn't help that I thought we only lost 3 seniors last season - that was the season before - when we actually lost twice as many, including our entire first line).

2-1-1 doesn't look like too much of a limp, but consider that comes against RPI, Northeastern, Merrimack, and Lowell, who are a combined 7-10-6. Granted, NU managed to beat Michigan this past weekend (thanks to a goalie who made 45 saves), but this isn't exactly Murderer's Row.

(On the other hand, consider the sad case of UNH, who beat North Dakota out there twice, only to return home to lose to UMass and Yale. I saw the OT for the latter, where UNH had an overtime goal disallowed due to a quick whistle - some things never change in Hockey East - and then gave up the game-winner on the next shift down ice. Beautiful.)

I suppose I shouldn't complain - this start is pretty much on track with the last three editions of the Icedogs - but the way they're playing, and with an upcoming run of Maine, at UNH, and at Vermont, I'm nervous.

Blogalicious College Football Top 10

1. Ohio State (def. Minnestoa 44-0) - Now it's just avoiding injuries until Michigan. Next opponent: at Illinois.

2. Michigan (def. Northwestern 17-3) - see above regarding injury avoidance. Next opponent: Ball State.

3. West Virginia (idle) - continuing a thought from last week: both West Virginia and Louisville still have to play Rutgers. Are we concerned about the wrong Big East team making the BCS? Next opponent: at Louisville (11/2).

4. Texas (def. Texas Tech 35-31) - they did what USC couldn't do, and are thusly rewarded. Still, down 21-0 after the first quarter? Next opponent: Oklahoma State.

5. Florida (def. Georgia 21-14) - a little sluggish in the World's Largest Outdoor Non-Alcoholic Football Gathering, but they've got a week to tune up for their last big conference test. Next opponent: at Vanderbilt.

6. USC (lost to Oregon State 33-31) - almost another comeback, but for nought. I wish I hadn't changed channels, thinking that the Beavers had salted this one away. Still in good position if they can win out, given the run of ranked teams they get to play at home. This week is not one of those. Next opponent: at Stanford.

7. Tennessee (def. South Carolina 31-24) - Spurrier didn't have the weapons for his usual knife to the heart that Tennessee fans know so well. But he may have given them more than they wanted going into another big game. Next opponent: LSU.

8. Auburn (def. Mississippi 23-17) - If you're going to squeak out a conference win on the road, can you at least do it against a team that's going to go to a bowl game? Next opponent: Arkansas State.

9. Louisville (idle) - Louisville plays in a stadium named for pizza chain Papa John's. Hate to see their training table. Next opponent: West Virginia (11/2).

10. Cal Poly (def. San Diego State 16-14) - so much for back-to-back wins. The Chuck Long era slouches along. Next opponent: at Montana.

10. Temple (def. Bowling Green 28-14) - Sweet Fanny Adams, Temple won a game! Sure, it's a team that should be 1-AA beating a team that used to be 1-AA, but a win's a win, and snapping a 20-game losing streak merits notice. Duke is now your paragon of futility, riding a 16-game losing streak. Next opponent: Central Michigan

Out of the Top 10:

San Diego State - this is not going to help the Mountain West gain credibility. Not that it's an issue this year.

Book Log 2006 #50: The Nasty Bits by Anthony Bourdain

This new book is actually a compendium of stories, some (perhaps most) previously published. But as I don't often pick up Gourmet or the like, they were all new to me!

I still like Bourdain more as a writer than on TV, and if the writing is anything to go by, he seems to think of himself in the same way. The only thing I didn't care for in the collection was how comments about each story were put together at the end. It'd have been more useful to put them after each story. Not all of the stories are jewels, but in the balance there's no bit that's too nasty.

Book Log 2006 #49: The Rommel Plot by John Tarrant

OK World War II novel about a British agent who is going forward with a plot to assassinate Rommel, even though he's been warned off of it by his superiors in the hopes of Rommel leading Germany in the wake of Hitler's demise in the von Stauffenberg bomb plot. As you might be able to tell from the link it's out of print, so good luck finding it. I came across it during the same browsing session that landed me Dallas Down, so it wasn't hard to think positively about it in comparison.

I've been meaning to post about the governor's race, but it's gotten pretty dismal, and I'd prefer not to think about it. The dismality (dismalness?) comes from Kerry Healey's race to the bottom, as she seized on Deval Patrick's intercession on behalf of a convicted rapist to play the "soft on crime" card, devolving into a fairly controversial ad that is reminiscent of the Willie Horton ad that helped torpedo Mike Dukakis. Making things worse is that Healey's been spending pretty freely on ad time, so her spots are hard to miss.

Patrick didn't help himself in this by his lack of clarity as to his involvement in the case, saying he didn't know how often he'd written in the guy's behalf, when he did, or if he'd given money to help fund a DNA test. While some (Healey especially) have latched on to this as a sign that Patrick will open up the cell doors, to me it's another instance where Patrick is missing the ball when it comes to substance.

Patrick has had one ad air about his stance on crime, but it doesn't feature him. It features the Attorney General-presumptive, Martha Coakley. It does a decent job of pointing out Patrick's past and the deficiencies in the current administration's approach to crime, but it has one problem. It makes me want Martha Coakley to be governor.

In any case, Healey may have let the negative ads run a little too long. Polls had Patrick's lead down to the teens, but new numbers released yesterday put his lead back out in the mid-20s. Healey and Patrick have already sparred over the ads in the last debate. It'll be interesting to see what comes out in the next one.

Book Log 2006 #48: Baseball Before We Knew It by David Block

You've heard of baseball history books that are "scholarly," but this book takes a literal approach to the term. Growing out of a bibiliography of old texts that mention baseball or baseball-type games, Block went from cataloging sources to actually using them to show that the American Pastime is as much a European transplant as anyone who came over on the Mayflower.

I like that Block doesn't take a simple chronological approach to the task, but rather starts by showing how the widely-accepted myths about baseball's "invention" - be it Abner Doubleday or rounders - are false. This sets up his later examination of texts from Britain and Germany (!), showing how baseball came to the fore among the variety of bat and ball games that were out there.

This latter part of the book tends to drag a bit, though, and waiting until this part to define terms does lead to a little difficulty in reading the first part. For example, if you didn't know what the "old cat" games were before reading this, mention of them in the book early on may leave you a little lost. It's clear that it's a bat and ball game, but there are no details given until some time into the book.

In any case, though, it's a very readable and unique baseball history that comes recommended. The University of Nebraska Press has an interesting selection of baseball books, which is pleasantly surprising given the school's football focus. They also put out Fleet Walker's Divided Heart, one of the more interesting selections during my Baseball Book of the Week reading list.

Blogalicious College Football Top 10

1. Ohio State (def. Indiana 44-3) - Indiana opened the game with a field goal and then gave up 44 unanswered points. Is anyone surprised? Next opponent: Minnesota.

2. Michigan (def. Iowa 20-6) - solid win to segue into filler. Next opponent: Northwestern.

3. West Virginia (def. Connecticut 37-11) - what can I say, I'm feeling cranky. I do look forward to seeing this offense butting heads with a ranked team. Finally. Next opponent: Louisville (11/2).

4. USC (idle) - from watching things this weekend it sounds like a loss here is more a matter of when than of if. Which means that they'll run the table just to confound us all. Next opponent: at Oregon State.

5. Texas (def. Nebraska 22-20) - a good reminder that they can beat good teams, too. Now they just have to hope that there's plenty of BCS opportunity for a one loss team. Next opponent: at Texas Tech.

6. Auburn (def. Tulane 38-13) - see above re: BCS opportunities for a one loss team. It just may be that they won't be the SEC team that manages to only take one loss. Next opponent: at Mississippi.

7. Florida (idle) - OK, so not so much the party anymore, at least officially. I'd have to think that Bulldog fans may want to keep some spirits handy for this one, though. Next opponent: Georgia.

8. Tennessee (def. Alabama 16-13) - not the way you want to go into a testing three game stretch. Will Spurrier kill the Vols again? Next opponent: at South Carolina.

9. Louisville (def. Syracuse 28-13) - I was really looking for a 40 point win here. I feel cheated. With the big game coming up, wouldn't it be interesting if the Cardinals knocked off West Virginia and then turn around and lose to Rutgers? Next opponent: West Virginia (11/2).

10. San Diego State (def. Air Force 19-12) - The Aztecs not only avoided the worst start in school history, but they gave Chuck Long his first win as head coach. They may even win next week. No promises, though. Next opponent: Cal Poly.

Out of the Top 10:

Vanderbilt - They lost to South Carolina, allowing Steve Spurrier to keep his perfect record against the Commodores. That includes his time as head coach at Duke, so he pretty much has Vandy's number. He could probably beat them with a Pop Warner squad.

Book Log 2006 #47: Dallas Down by Richard Moran

An epic drought leads to the severe depletion of aquifers, with the result that Dallas in in danger of collapsing into a giant sinkhole. A Texas billionaire has a devious plan to prevent this (don't click the link if you don't want to know what it is), but a world-famous spelunker (on a mission to find a boy lost in underground caverns) may thwart his plans.

The plot is equal parts audacious and ludicrous, and in both plot and writing it seems to be trying for Clive Cussler, and falling short. Probably only worthwhile if you find the concept too interesting to pass up.

So tonight is the first home game of the new college hockey season (the Icedogs went up to Troy last week and salvaged a 4-4 tie with RPI). I have to say I'm pretty excited, more so than in past years. I've been walking around the office all morning supressing the urge to check co-workers into the walls.

I think I'm more excited because I have more optimism going into this season than in the recent past. The team is coming off of a great season (NCAA tournament result notwithstanding), and while they'll be pressed to repeat their run of Beanpot title and Hockey East regular season and tournament titles, they've got the players to do it.

There was some temptation to run a college hockey top 10 here to compliment the football top 10, but I think I'm a little too close to things. I'd probably keep BU too high, and would have significant problems the other way with the team up the street. I'd rather break my keyboard than use it to put them at the top spot.

Blogalicious College Football Top 10

1. Ohio State (def. Michigan State 38-7) - I assume the biggest hits of the day for the Spartans would have been John L. Smith slapping himself again. The best press conference schtick since the many personalities of Clinton Portis. Next opponent: Indiana.

2. Michigan (def. Penn State 17-10) - yes, I'm doing this to crank up the Ann Arborites. Enjoy! Next opponent: Iowa.

3. USC (def. Arizona State 28-21) - given how close run its been for them to get through Washington State, Washington, and Arizona State, I can't imagine how they're going to get through Oregon, Cal, and Notre Dame unscathed. Next opponent: at Oregon State (10/28).

4. West Virginia (def. Syracuse 41-17) - I know it's Syracuse and all, but I have to love a team whose QB runs for over 200 yards and 4 scores. So for this week at least, a bump. Next opponent: at Connecticut (10/20).

5. Texas (def. Baylor 63-31) - I think I may have been too high on the Longhorns given the amount of fluff in their schedule (Oklahoma win notwithstanding). No fluff this weekend, though. Next opponent: at Nebraska.

6. Auburn (def. Florida 27-17) - 27 points, no offensive TDs. I should really just rank the Auburn defense and special teams here. I have a feeling the offense will get back on track this week. Next opponent: Tulane.

7. Florida (lost to Auburn, 17-27) - they're still very good, the class of the SEC East thanks to their win over Tennessee. Now they just have to avoid getting too drunk to win the World's Largest Cocktail Party. Next opponent: Georgia.

8. Tennessee (idle) - speaking of the SEC East, what are the odds that the Vols will win the divison with remaining games against LSU and Arkansas? Thinking about that makes this week's game seem tame by comparison. Next opponent: Alabama.

9. Louisville (def. Cincinnati 24-17) - I know Brian Brohm is coming back from injury, but even the second string should be able to beat the Bearcats by more than six points. At least Brohm's got another week to get back into shape. Next opponent: at Syracuse.

10. Vanderbilt (def. Georgia 24-22) - winning between the hedges on the game's final play, Vandy registered its first defeat of Georgia since 1992. It's only their fourth win in the last 43 clashes with the Bulldogs. It was also Georgia's homecoming. Way to spoil a party, Vandy. Next opponent: South Carolina.

Out of the Top 10:

Detroit Tigers - beating the A's isn't nearly as gratifying (to me at least) as taking out the Yankees. Still, nice job on making the World Series.

Book Log 2006 #46: The Archer's Tale by Bernard Cornwell

So it turns out that I never actually wrote anything up on this book, the first in the Grail Quest series whose second book I mentioned a couple of days ago. Whoops.

In any case, the series is set during the Hundred Years War, and follows Thomas of Hookton, the illegitimate son of a priest who chooses being an archer over following in his father's footsteps into the church. A mysterious raid leads to the destruction of the town, the death of Thomas' father, and the theft of an artifact that is believed to be the lance St. George used to slay the dragon. Thomas enters military service to reclaim the spear and avenge the death of his father. Along the way he gets drawn into a much more complex quest - can you guess for what? - and learns about his family's equally complext past.

Cornwell started this trilogy before the one about King Alfred, and there are some clear paralells between the two main characters - both are dispossessed sons of nobles with a faculty for languages, a twisted family history, and a disdain for organized religion. History keeps them from being too much like each other, but there's similarity enough.

Given my comment on the second book, you've probably guessed that I liked this one. It's solid history fiction, focused more on the war than the Grail, series title notwithstanding.

So for all the talk about the governor's race here, I should mention that we do have three ballot questions to vote on.

The first is a measure that would allow grocery stores and related outlets to sell wine. Proponents of the question say it will give consumers more choice and lower prices through competition. Opponents argue that this measure would lead to an increase in drunk driving and the attendant accidents/injury/fatalities that come with it.

Standing lightly off to the side are the large supermarket chains and the liquor distributors, both of whom are looking to their bottom lines. Most of the money for ads are coming from these folks.

Question 2 would allow candidates for office to be listed on ballots multiple times, once for each party that puts the candidate forward. For example, if the Democrats and the Green party were to have the same candidate for governor, the candidate would be listed twice. Votes would be tallied by party, with all of the votes counting for the candidate. There are also some other changes to election laws, related to candidate party enrollment history and what level of voter support a party needs to be officially recognized by the state.

Proponents say that this will allow voters to support smaller parties while voting for a more viable candidate. Opponents point to the likelihood of voter confusion.

Question 3 would allow child care workers who participate in state-subsidized child care to bargain collectively with the state. Where both previous questions had someone writing pro and con blurbs, apparently no one felt strongly enough against this measure to write something on why we should vote against it. You think there'd be some anti-union group who'd bite the bullet.

In some towns, there's also a non-binding question asking if the local state rep should be instructed to vote for a resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq. We won't get to vote on this one.

Book Log 2006 #45: The Great Stink by Clare Clark

It's a story of murder and madness in the sewer system of Victorian London, as a respectable yet troubled Crimean War vet and a member of the city's lower classes have their lives intersect just enough to send both into surprising directions.

While I liked the book, I think it could have benefitted from being a little leaner. I found it hard to get engaged, and when I did it was never a full engagement. It may not be the best book to try to read during the commute.

Book Log 2006 #44: Vagabond by Bernard Cornwell

This is the second in Cornwell's Holy Grail trilogy. Pretty simple, if you liked the first book you'll like the second. And if you didn't like the first book, why are you reading this one?

I was just over at Boston.com, and they have a feature where readers can send in photos of their pets - in Halloween costumes.

Folks, no matter how much you think your pet loves being dressed up, please don't do this. There is no dignity in a dog wearing a ladybug outfit. And for those of you who had to use treats to get your pet to stay in costume long enough to snap a photo, be ashamed of yourself. And don't blame Fido or Fluffy if they leave you a "treat" of their own. You had it coming.

(Full disclosure: the second generation of Coen dogs all suffered dress-up at some point. Both of the daschunds got sweaters one Christmas, and it did not go well. We were risking back injury from the contortions they made trying to get out of them. Our yellow Lab was also made to wear antlers on occasion, with a resulting look that said "OK, I'm not enjoying this, and it's beneath both of us. Can we just take these off now? Thanks.")

It was clear from a young age that should any of the Coen children have a future in a line of work where the use of hands and some sort of creative capacity is required, it would be highly unlikely that I would be that child. I was always the kid who was coloring outside the lines and whose attempts at cursive writing looked less like English and more likesome undiscovered (or discovered and recovered due to its ugliness) language.

As I got older, this lack of skill shifted into the industrial arts, as I proved myself incapable of even the simplest wood shop tasks. The simple box that was one of our earliest projects turned out, in my hand, to be less of a box and more of a collection of wood that was nailed, glued, and otherwise fastened in relative proximity. I was able to do some things, but they were the most basic things. I could turn pieces of the lathe and use some of the less complicated machines to do simple, repetitive tasks, but it was clear that when I was called upon to find my life's work, it would not be anything requiring me to be handy.

Jump forward a couple of decades, to my entry into the world of home ownership with a domicile that, kindly, can use some updating. It is now where those failings in shop class have come home to roost. This was put in clearest relief this past weekend, when my father in law was down to help with some of that updating. Between the discussion of our beams, the problems with our basement stairs, and an earnest discussion of what tools I will not be able to live without, I was left wondering why we didn't do the smart thing and get one of the new, ready to move in condos that are sprouting up all over town.

Not that progress wasn't made. My father in law, while using me in my best capacity (carrying and holding things), was patient and gave me some pointers that will, hopefully, be the start of learning how to do some of the things that need doing around here. I'll still mostly be the guy in the Home Depot ads who goes to classes to learn about angle stock and such (as our hose attachment is actually broken), but when my father in law explained how I should use the pieces he cut to build a new staircase for our cellar entrance, it actually made a little sense.

Not that I'll tackle it myself. I'll rope my brother into helping. He's the one who got the handy gene.

Blogalicious College Football Top 10

1. Ohio State (def. Bowling Green 35-7) - wake me up in November. Next opponent: at Michigan State.

2. Florida (def. LSU 23-10) - a good win that made them the only undefeated team in the SEC. We'll see how long that lasts; once again, the SEC may be too competitive for its own good, BCS-wise. Next opponent: at Auburn.

3. Michigan (def. Michigan State 31-13) - who did Sparty piss off to get Michigan and Ohio State in back to back weeks? Anyway, the Wolverines are playing well, though the next couple of weeks should be more challenging than the last couple. Next opponent: at Penn State.

4. Texas (def. Oklahoma 28-10) - nice to know that Texas can beat a team that's better than Rice or Sam Houston. But it's back to the weaklings to tune up for Nebraska. Next opponent: Baylor.

5. West Virginia (def. Mississippi State 42-14) - back to their perch, with another laugher next week. Next opponent: Syracuse.

6. USC (def. Washington 26-20) - East Coast Bias, or concern over the Trojans difficulty with the representatives of the Evergreen State? You decide. Next opponent: Arizona State.

7. Louisville (def. Middle Tennessee State 44-17) - probably too high based on their schedule. East Coast Bias, or reflection of their talent? You decide. Next opponent: Cincinnati.

8. Tennessee (def. Georgia 51-33) - good win between the hedges, what will have to be the first of several big wins given their upcoming schedule. Next opponent: Alabama (10/21).

9. Auburn (lost to Arkansas 27-10) - so much for a BCS controversy involving the Tigers. Now they get to try to knock off the league's last undefeated team. Next opponent: Florida.

10. Detroit Tigers (def. New York 3 games to 1) - OK, they're not so much a college football team, but anyone who takes out the Yankees is OK in my book. Next opponent: Oakland.

Out of top 10:

LSU - even if they're to top teams, they've got two losses. Sorry, Tigers.

Rutgers - Took the week off, so they pay the price.

While I've not been able to watch either of the gubenatorial debates, I have come to the conclusion that Christy Mihos is crazy crazy rather than good crazy. Which is too bad, as he had some promise. For evidence of the crazy crazy, please watch the following TV ad:



It should be noted that the woman among the state politicians fairly resembles the current lieutenant governor (and Republican nominee for governor), Kerry Healey. Mihos has also spent most of the two debates attacking her rather than Deval Patrick, an odd strategy given that (using the latest poll numbers) even if he got all of Healey's support, Mihos would still be about 20 points behind Patrick.

Book Log 2006 #43: Denison, Iowa by Dale Maharidge and Michael Z. Williamson

Denison is the home town of Donna Reed, and they've taken "It's a wonderful life" as the town motto. Not all is wonderful in Denison, though, as the town struggles with both economic problems and a growing Latino population. Maharidge and Williamson spent a year in Denison, interacting with locals and documenting these problems.

It's a pretty interesting book, as the local views of economic, security, and immigration issues add depth to the usual arguments trotted out by politicians and the like. There's also a very interesting comparison of the new Latino population to the influx of German immigrants to Denison in the early 20th century.

Outside of these major themes, there's also a number of smaller insights on small town life and the occasional venality of local government officials.

Maharidge and Williamson have written on this sort of topic before, and their interest and experience is obvious. So is their left-of-center political orientation, which may prove irritating at times. But if you're interested in this sort of thing, I'd recommend it.

Blogalicious College Football Top 10

1. Ohio State (def. Iowa 38-17) - the only thing standing between the Buckeyes and being undefeated when they end the season against Michigan is several weeks of drudgery against mediocre (at best) teams. At what point will they dress the band to take a few snaps? Next opponent: Bowling Green.

2. Auburn (def. South Carolina 24-17) - I was thinking about dropping them a spot, but they held the ball for the entire third quarter in this game. I have to give them some props for that. Next opponent: Arkansas.

3. USC (def. Washington State 28-22) - so much for it being an easy week to get things back in order. Perhaps some home cooking will help. Next opponent: Washington.

4. Texas (def. Sam Houston State 56-3) - as expected, and probably a good week to take it easy heading into the annual border war. Next opponent: at Oklahoma.

5. Florida (def. Alabama 28-13) - good win at home, and I like the throwback unis. Something to build on given a looming nightmare stretch of games. Next opponent: LSU.

6. Michigan (def. Minnesota 28-14) - be sure to wash the Little Brown Jug thoroughly before using. Who knows who's been drinking out of it. Next opponent: Michigan State.

7. West Virginia (idle) - tempted as I was to maintain the three-way tie (or expand it into a four-way tie), it didn't seem fair to dock Florida and Michigan while you guys were on your duffs. Not that you'll really need to get off them this week. Next opponent: Mississippi State.

8. LSU (def. Mississippi State 48-17) - see above. Next opponent: at Florida.

9. Louisville (idle) - even with the week off, Louisville looked more impressive than Georgia. Throw in Virginia Tech's loss and ND still tainted by the big loss at home, and there you have two Big East teams in the top 10. Next opponent: Middle Tennessee State (10/6).

10. Rutgers (def. South Florida 22-20) - OK, make it three teams. With no division 1 teams knocked off by their 1-AA cousins (closest we could come this week was Northern Iowa falling one point short againt Iowa State), might as well honor a team who, in my lifetime, has mostly played like a 1-AA team. Nevertheless, Rutgers is in the top 25 for the first time since Gerry Ford was tripping over coffee tables in the Oval Office. Mr. Magoo would be proud (of Rutgers, not Ford, though perhaps both). Congrats, Scarlet Knights, even if your kingdom is built on wins over Illinois, Ohio, and Howard. Next opponent: at Navy (10/14).

Out of the top 10:

North Dakota State - Stephen F. Austin has been dead for 159 years. How can you only beat him 17-9?