Quote of the Day 11/30/04

"I hate losing more than I like winning." Titlelist commercial

Down Goes Jennings!

Tonight America found out that Ken Jennings is indeed human. After a stunning 74 consecutive victories on Jeopardy, Ken Jennings finally met his match. And his match came in the form of an actress turned real estate agent named Nancy Zerg. Zerg trailed going into Final Jeopardy, but unlike almost all of Jennings' previous challengers, Zerg was in mathmatical range of victory when the final clue was posted. Jennings needed to answer Final Jeopardy correctly in order to assure victory. The final clue was: Most of this firm's 70,000 seasonal white-collar employees work only four months a year.

Zerg's reply was posted first. Zerg correctly wrote, "What is H&R block?" Then Jennings' answer was posted. He incorrectly answered, "What is Fed Ex?" An audible gasp went up from the audience and from Ms. Zerg herself. It was a stunning moment.



So, tomorrow will start the beginning of the Zerg era on Jeopardy. No doubt it will be a lot shorter that Mr. Jennings' reign. Jennings' run of 74 straight wins was a game show record as was his $2.5 million dollars in winnings.

Didn't you used to be Michael Moore?

Last night I flipped on the Tonight Show and was greeted by a shocking image. I saw Michael Moore wearing a suit and sporting a clean shaven face. No scruff. No Michigan State hat. No slop at all. Moore looked downright respectable. But the shock didn't end there. In addition to dressing like a grown-up, Moore was also talking like a grown-up. Now, I'm not saying that I agreed with his perspectives, but I will say that Mr. Moore was not smug and that he showed the proper respect for the office of the President. Since I spent a lot of time bashing Mr. Moore during the course of the summer and fall, I thought it was only right that I point out his good behavior on a big stage last night.

Quote of the Day 11/29/04

"The mind ought sometimes to be diverted that it may return the better to thinking." Phaedrus (15 BC - 50 AD)

Back in Action

Our long national nightmare is over. Wild Banshee's computer is repaired thanks to the yoeman work of Katy Underwood. That means that I no longer need to post with fear and trepidation of overstepping the proper use of a government issued computer. So, the brash posting you've come to know and love can now return. Once again, you'll be able to turn to this blog if you wanna read declarations that the French are cheese eating surrender monkeys, that the only organizations more currupt than the UN are the IBF, IBC and the WBO, and that the BCS is a silly system that has gotten lucky every year.

Banshee Polling

Yeah, this is a day late. But after all the computer problems I've been having, a Monday edition of the Banshee Poll isn't the worst thing in the world.

Poll results: Last week's poll asked what was the proper time to begin decorating for Christmas. The choices were (1) after Halloween (2) after Thanksgiving (3) Christmas Eve. 12% of voters said that after Halloween was the proper time. 12% also said that Christmas Eve was the best time. An overwhelming 75% said that after Thanksgiving was the appropriate time to begin decorating for Christmas.

New Poll: As frequent readers of Banshee Blog know, the Banshee loves movies. Now that the holidays are officially upon us, Banshee Blog wants to know: What is your favorite holiday movie?

Quote of the Day 11/26/04

"More people commit suicide with the fork than with a gun." Unknown.

Holiday Traditions

As far as I'm concerned today marks the first day of the Christmas season. I spent much of the morning and afternoon decorating and preparing for holiday cheer. And nothing adds to holiday joy like the great traditions that we have all developed over the years. Every family has it's own special ways of celebrating Christmas and the New Year. Some traditions last forever and some change and evolve.

Since Christmas is a perfect time for sharing, Wild Banshee is calling on each of you to share some of your family's Christmas traditions. It can be special foods. Decorations. Activities. It can also be things you remember from doing on Christmases from your past.

Please send these contributions to Wild Banshee. On Saturday, December 18, I will put together a compilation of the stories and notes that I have recieved and post them on this blog. And don't worry. I will be reminding you all periodically about this project.

Quote of the Day 11/25/04 Thanksgiving Day

With praise and thanksgiving to God ever living
The tasks of our everyday life we will face.

Our faith ever sharing, in love ever caring,
Embracing his children of each tribe and race.

With your feast you feed us,
With your light now lead us;
Unite us as one in this life that we share.

Then may all the living with praise and Thanksgiving
Give honor to Christ and His name that we bear.


-- Verse 2 of "Sent Forth by God's Blessing" as taken from the Lutheran Worship hymnal

Wild Banshee gives thanks

On this Thanksgiving Day, I would like to take an opportunity to express my thanks for some things for which I am particularly grateful this year.

1. The re-election of President George W. Bush.
2. That the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners saw fit to admit me to the Virginia State Bar.
3. That I got to know my grandfather for 25 years.
4. Sports.
5. The support and encouragement that I have received from Banshee Blog readers.