The Card

Interesting at times to view entrepreneurial innovation, as applied to personal success, within stilted social confines.

Note then that in many a Dickens novel it can be quite difficult to earn a living, the Victorian era accordingly much stricter, and manifestly less forgiving.

Characters often run into difficulties and at times wind up in debtors's prisons, habitually stuck there for years on end with family in tow and scant means of escape. 

The Card takes an alternative approach to the uptight predicaments of the era, and shines forth ingenious particulates which fortuitously illuminate Edward Machin's (Alec Guinness) fortunes.

Oddly enough, while venturing forth, I often take note of random phenomena, striking ephemera that catches me eye, and results in poetic expenditure.

Whether it's the way the moonlight happens to highlight the bushes in a hearty swamp, or how indicative fluid movements seem to be naturally mimicking filmic discretion, unaware, I often take note of something, which then undergoes mutation.

In The Card, Machin approaches life in a corresponding way, yet his ideas inspire commerce to the general aggrandizement of his purse.

Thus, rather than thinking, egad, a mushroom, he comes up with creative ways to collect back rents, which result in hardly any evictions, and genuinely please worried landlords. 

Much like a Dickens hero, he isn't a cad or a vicious scoundrel, he even dutifully looks after his family as time passes throughout pressing life.

It's fun to watch as an ambitious upstart universally excels without recourse to cunning, his profits shared with his trusted mates, his honest success to their mutual confidence. 

It's like the opposite of many a ruthless tale of lucrative desire, so often celebrated indeed it's no wonder we're lodged in metaphysical disillusion. 

But cheerful stories still emerge posthaste and it isn't all übermensch versus union, I'm thinking of the quizzical Yes Man and even Belfast or Bohemian Rhapsody. 

Is it just that the mainstream's losing its audience and has to therefore resort to cataclysmic reckoning, or is this how people practically theorize the evolution of visual narrative through neomonarchism (The Trump Effect)?

Who knows really I can't imagine but I always thought blockbusters financed exceptions.

With the Oscars emergent new data materializes. 

Civilized millennia?

Recalcitrant scope! 

Onendlech onfehlbarkeet! Quintessential Ukraine!

Anypochórito aláthito! I pemptousía tis Oukranías!

Jackal

Chinchillin' sloporiffed skedaddle

glazed somnambulistic saddle

giddy galavanting gallop

woodland Worcestershire unballot

teddy burlesque paunch preponding

shivers slack panoptispawning

acro cardiaudible

extemporaire centripetal

a' doldrum diagnostic mutant

fertilized synoptic nuisance

conchordant trailblazing tempered

off road gastro gradient gremlered 

scampy certified cappella

unhypothesized quiniela

reverie rhapsodic rhizome

grainy earthen sedate sylo

terrapin.

NFL Playoff Picks, Conference Championships Round

San Francisco 49ers/Philadelphia Eagles: nice to see two evenly matched teams facing off in both Conference Championships, super looking forward to this Sunday, what are the freakin' odds? The Giants were a really good team this year but Philly certainly wasn't phased, I thought that game would be closer, could be different in 2023. Later in 2023. San Francisco's D is reputedly much stronger and I imagine the Eagles will have a tougher time scoring against them, Dallas certainly struggled last Sunday, it was close, I was hoping for more. The Eagles offence didn't score much more than Dallas during the season and therefore put up impressive numbers, picking up more than 30 points six times, imagine the playoffs had started in late November. They did lose to New Orleans however whose defence played rather well in 2022, I imagine San Fran's paying close attention to the tape 😜, not that Philly hasn't since adjusted. I have to admit that Dak Prescott in the Conference Championships seemed like a really cool story, the Cowboys finally making it back, that would have been outstanding. But with his win last Sunday Brock Purdy becomes even more incredible, he has to be the coolest story the NFL's seen in years. I knew the 49ers were playing their backup but I didn't know he was a third string rookie until recently, I mean this is like a bedtime story for school children, the pop culture exposure goes way beyond football. Thus, even though I love the Eagles and find it hard not to pick them, I'm rooting for the resurgent 49ers. Plus, I imagine Broncos nation may be a bit pissed since I haven't consistently supported Kyle Shanahan (someone really has to change Mike Shanahan's Wikipedia photo). Picking Brock Purdy and San Francisco! Can they do the same thing to Philly?   

Cincinnati Bengals/Kansas City Chiefs: damned impressive last weekend both these quarterbacks redefined leadership, pulling out huge wins and punishing adversity, it's mind-boggling how often this game surprises. When I saw how heavily it was snowing in Buffalo, I thought there might be multiple turnovers, and that the team to emerge victorious would have simply managed to hold on to the ball. But Joe Burrow and the Bengals made it look like it was a balmy 85 degrees outside, I didn't see the entire game but what I saw was strictly business, marching up and down the field, stable drives, no complaints, in conditions that couldn't have been worse, Cincinnati made it look totally easy (I'm not saying it was easy, I imagine it was extremely difficult). Seriously, when I'm in situations where I have to work and the weather's brutal I tell myself just do what you always do, and try not to make a mess of things, persevere, keep moving forward, I'm actually just applying how I learned to pass piano exams as a kid, never stop if you make a mistake, nothing can be done, on to the future. It was like Cincinnati didn't make any mistakes and it was totally freakin' commendable. I imagine Buffalo will be ready in 2023 (and Denver damn it!). But for now, it be Cincinnati! And I haven't even started to write about Patrick Mahomes who kept playing through a piercing injury. Hobbling on the field. Idyllic drive to win another. Is he hoping to challenge Brady and his death-defying 7 Super Bowls? After last week's performance there's no doubt. Perhaps he just might do it. Still hoping for the Bengals however, they've never won, KC's won two, the fans in Cincinnati deserve to reckon incarnate, I'm picking the Bengals/49ers rematch, again. What are the odds of three of the same teams making the Conference Championships two years in a row? Somebody must have bet on it. I wonder if they also took Philly? 

Calabuch

Perhaps a playful precursor for the age old mischievous Prisoner, Calabuch examines similar themes from a much less lethal angle. 

Thus, rather than finding himself cloistered away in a remote coastal village, every movement monitored by sympathetic yet grasping authorities, Calabuch's lead successfully escapes from his panopticonic confines, and finds amusing sanctuary along the isolated Spanish coast (while spending his nights in the local jail).

He's like a child at play and has no criticisms to impart, he's productively enthusiastic beyond vitriol or lament, it's classic emancipation, without forlorn regret.

The small town's rambunctiously engaged in harmless reverential mischief, the police and smugglers no doubt at odds even if they've been friends for some time.

The doctor (Edmund Gwenn) having left behind ceremonious stilted shackles, a leading nuclear scientist indeed, in possession of multidimensional clinical knowledge, and eager to help out in any way he can.

It's an absurd scenario generating lucid compassion for the locked-down doc, who clearly wishes he could freely engage with the world at large without reservation. 

He does possess valuable secrets which call into question his largesse however.

In a comic duel between individual and nation.

With lighthearted trim finesse.

It must be unnerving at times to possess highly specialized volatile knowledge, violently sought after by entrenched no-goodniks hoping to capitalize on cultural misfortune.

I suppose you can't just trot off to the market or delicately chill unmonitored at the beach, you would hope you would have access to some kind of private facility but who knows how often you'd get to go there.

You may be stuck in meetings overflowing with polemical tactical verbiage, extremely serious all the time, imagine you could escape!

That's what Luis García Berlanga did in this remarkably entertaining comedy, which may revel in grand distortion, but certainly does so with grand vivacity. 

Must even the hardworking public's precious time off be subject to rigorous scrutiny!, with no constructive comedic outlets, like it was throughout the pandemic?

Imagine years of bleak totalitarian experimental pestilent intrigue, only broken up by even crazier conspiracy theories which are still troublingly shockingly popular.

What to make of the independent cinema which takes them seriously in the forbidding future?

I thoroughly loved the romantic Calabuch.

Throughout which they still listen to doctors. 

Infailibilitate neclintită! Ucraina prin excelență!

Pagabueshmëri e palëkundur! Ukraina thelbësore!

Plácido

A bustling bright town nimbly nestled in the Spanish countryside, hectically prepares for an unusual Christmas Eve, the local council having coordinated an imaginative spiritual initiative, wherein which the wealthy and impoverished dine together, to celebrate the season.

Other higher-ups have taken note of the concordant equanimity, and sent movie stars to take part, with an adoring crew to film and frolic.

Industrious Plácido (Cassen) has been tasked to drive a ceremonious auto, but he's rather worried throughout the day since the next payment's almost due.

He's trying to acquire enough to deal and encounters set back after set back, rhyme and reason no doubt merciless since he thinks they'll repossess on Christmas.

Within his determined struggle lies inherent ingenuity, clashing with authoritative conceit, which requires absurd motivation.

As you watch what he goes through the impossibility of attaining wealth, satirizes the festivities with uptight stultifying flair.

The cameras on, the vedettes beaming, so many hoping they won't miss church.

While age old prejudice obscures the message: it shouldn't be an imposition.

Plácido presents perpetual motion with innovative active meticulous style, it's rare to see such a fast paced film preponderantly overflowing with vital detail.

Form capturing Plácido's struggles along with his family's and those of the village, you can't help but feel latently disillusioned yet manifestly glib and chipper.

Through the abandonment of discretion he's able to attain his reasonable goal, to be repeated ad infinitum, resolute rigorous particulars.

Few complaints throughout the film it alertly instructs through grand immersion, interpretive duels intently following no doubt lively and everlasting.

With Christmas on the horizon director Luis García Berlanga points out, that the genuine communal message is unfortunately overlooked at times.

The resplendent spirit which ubiquitously unites the adoring Whos in tranquil Whoville, is ostentatiously dismissed as irony deconstructs munificence.

No doubt duties are performed and responsibilities met sans tension.

But would there be less of a need for distinct strata?

Through democratic invention?

Remarkable difference multiplied by millions exceptional mirth expressive volubility. 

Livelier communities, resonant pastimes.

The sprightly flow of offbeat goods. 

I'm wondering if reincarnation actually works backwards, like you wind up reincarnated in the past instead of the future. This would explain déjà vu, you aren't actually remembering things that you did in the past, but things you read about while you were living in the future. 😜

Nepreklonna nepogreshimost! Tipichna Ukraĭna!

Nepopustljiva nezmotljivost! Najpomembnejša Ukrajina!

I really thought this was Buffalo's year.

Totally shocked.

Entwhistle

Rambly brumal tartan trekking

correspondent rivuletting

quartzy callow haberdashin' 

earthen enigmatic fashions

resident sing song assertive

flighty effervescent fervid

troupes intrepid acrobatic

pumpernickel retroactive

lattice lyrical surmise

lithe stratospheric lullabies

lay woodland frosty glazed acoustics

intimate parlayed accout'ment

onwards swaying mach meander

aught allayed gossamer gander

nutty nestling aliment'ry

tough tenacious torpid cent'ries

dwellin'.

NFL Playoffs, Divisional Round Picks

Jacksonville Jaguars/Kansas City Chiefs: sometimes in life, the world opens up with its generous bounty and delivers an incomparable treat, something so objectively bewildering that it reckons beyond science and industry, how then could it indubitably be that Trevor Lawrence will face Patrick Mahomes this Saturday?, appearances at least critiquing military discipline, is this indeed a postmodern first? I was cheering for the Chargers, this is an ironclad fact, but how can I deny a quarterback who threw 4 interceptions, followed by 4 touchdowns, how is it possible to make such a turnaround at half-time, what did he tell himself, what did his coaches say? That stat has to be pretty unique, to throw four interceptions followed by four touchdowns and still win the game, the playoff game, has anyone done that before?, it must be a pretty select group. And role modellesque, never give up, keep givin' 'er no matter what. As Patrick Mahomes frequently does in the regular and postseason, the most unique quarterback I've ever seen, as I mention year after year. KC picked up another 14 wins this season. Including two more versus Denver 😡! How have they beat the Broncos 11 straight? It's a tailspin. My thoughts and prayers. My first instinct is to pick the Chiefs hands down with no regrets, but when I think about what Jacksonville did last weekend, I can't just suddenly dismiss them. Imagine what the score would have been if Lawrence hadn't thrown the interceptions. The Chargers are a good team, 10 wins this season, toe to toe with Kansas City twice. It was one of those games where you keep thinking, they only need a couple more field goals to ice it, and then they don't get them, and the opposing team slowly chips away and finally wins in the dying seconds. Jacksonville's defence played exceptionally well and KC collapsed in the second half versus the Bengals last year. But I'm hoping for a Bills/Chiefs rematch. And am therefore picking KC! Note: the Chiefs beat the Jags 27 to 17 in Week 10. 

New York Giants/Philadelphia Eagles: nice to see the resurgent Eagles winning big games again. Somewhat quiet since their first Super Bowl win. No doubt eager to reassert themselves. On their way to picking up the bye, with a coveted 14 and 3 record, they beat the Lions, Jaguars, Steelers, and Packers, picking up two huge wins versus the Giants, plus one versus Dallas, and another against the Commanders. What a division, it's classic NFC East, with three of four teams still alive in the playoffs, I wonder if this postseason has in fact seen the highest frequency of divisional games ever, with potentially more still to come, rematch after rematch after rematch? Last week was strange, New York certainly played well, and were in command for much of that game, perhaps a sign of what's to come this weekend, perhaps a fluke, I really can't say. I do know that I doubted the Giants both times they beat Brady and this year's similar, they're not favoured to win. The Giants have traditionally had more success than Philadelphia. But that's only historically factored in. The Eagles go way back as well, to 1933 in fact, that's a huge number these days. They've played the Giants in the postseason 4 times since then, the first in 1981, they've won the two most recent meetings, who's to say if they can pull out another. They did score a bunch more points than New York and let around 30 fewer in. Their wins versus the Giants this season were also huge. Boring to see both bye teams win. But I once again doubt New York is Super Bowl bound. Picking the resurgent Eagles.  Note: the Giants beat the 49ers 15 to 13 in the 1990 postseason. 

Buffalo Bills/Cincinnati Bengals: the simultaneously awe-inspiring and confounding conceivably inevitable playoff matchup, between two of your favourite teams, if only they could both win! At least one makes it through but how do you reasonably choose between them? Teams which you've always picked before! How do you suddenly let one down? Playing in Buffalo may seem like an advantage, at least it's more hospitable to play at home, but so many players thrive on bellicose challenge that road teams aren't so often at a disadvantage. I doubt the cold bothers the Bengals much either way, Cincinnati's more or less close by, I wouldn't want to play there in January either, incredible conditions to play in. That's actually the reason I started to like football more than other sports in my youth, I loved how they still played in the rain or snow, it made it seem extraordinarily tough. Both the Bengals and the Bills are extraordinarily tough indeed, and both have exceptional records this here postseason. They've met twice before in the playoffs with Cincinnati picking up huge wins, one in 1981 in fact, that year figuring prominently in the 2022 playoffs. Buffalo's won three of their last 5 meetings including a 27 to 24 overtime victory, leading the head to head series 17 to 15, these teams are super well-matched. I want to see them both win the Super Bowl in my lifetime, it's such a shame they have to play each other, they've competed so well this season, a playoff matchup did seem inevitable. The Bills survived a scare last weekend when the Dolphins capitalized on turnovers, and I was close to embracing despair before a fumble was returned for a touchdown by Cincinnati. Don't get me wrong, they played super well, they're amazing teams, luck's on their side, even if can't favour both. Nevertheless, Buffalo's kind of like the home team when I visit my parents. The deciding factor: I'm picking the Bills!

Dallas Cowboys/San Francisco 49ers: Dallas looks pretty impressive after having picked up a huge win versus Tampa, just a couple regular season wins shy of Philly, just one of the imposing 49ers. The rivalry may not seem as intense to newer generations of loyal fans, but these teams have both won 5 Super Bowls, setting the bar in the tenacious NFC (only trailing the AFC's Pittsburgh and New England).  They've met 8, count 'em 8 times in the playoffs, have any other two teams met so often?, San Fran pulling off the upset in 2021, the Cowboys looking to do the same this postseason. They've only met once in the Divisional Round with Dallas picking up the win, can you believe they've met 6 times in the Conference Championships, that impressive stat way beyond wild conspiracy (the Cowboys winning 4). As mentioned last week, Dallas had quite the daunting schedule, not only contending within an incredibly competitive division, but also playing Cincinnati (W), Detroit (W), Green Bay (L), Minnesota (W), and Jacksonville (L) (11 of their 17 games were against teams who made or almost made the playoffs).  The 49ers had an easier time of it but they still defeated Seattle three times, while also facing the Chargers (W), Kansas City (L), Miami (W), Tampa (W), and Washington (W), only 7 huge games as opposed to 11 (Kansas City was the only big time threat they faced in 2022 and the Chiefs won 44 to 23). Thus, I'd say it's crucial that Dallas score early and develop a huge lead. San Francisco's so used to winning by a bunch that they might not be able to make the comeback. Honestly, I don't know why I write anything when these two teams play each other, why not just flip a coin? But that'd be so much less fun. Picking the Cowboys, for their second road win. 

 

The Millionairess

An exceptionally talented man of business gains a vast imposing fortune, and only has one adoring daughter after his life comes to an end.

A rather sporting man full of chide and eccentric flourish, conditions must be met to legitimately acquire his colossal resource.

Thus, his flamboyant progeny (Sophia Loren as Epifania) can only marry if rather fortunate, and her prospective husband can turn 500 pounds into 15,000 in just three weeks. She realizes she can fix things and proceeds to do so for a sheath of muscle. 

But he's unable to grin and bear it.

Soon she must find another.

As fate would have it, during a mock-suicide attempt she's saved by an impoverished doctor (Peter Sellers as Dr. Kabir), who's sincerely dedicated to the sick, and has no genuine interest in money.

The habitual "impertinence" soon ignites an inextinguishable flame, she's determined in hot pursuit to become his betrothed alluring patron.

He's a student of the mind and has not interest, nevertheless, but still gives Epifania a challenge which must be definitively met.

Yet in his disinterested haste he generously gives away the 500.

Leaving her to embrace despair.

And impecunious improvisation.

Strange to see a conscientious individual sternly refusing limitless abundance, not that such an occurrence itself is odd, but since there's so much obsession with material these days.

Indeed it seems the more difficult it becomes to astronomically endow oneself, the less ethical concerns emphatically refine an inner voice.

In terms of programming and aesthetic shallows which grossly overlook collective objectives, and blindly uphold vain personal strategies with misperceived monopolistic psychology.

The Millionairess presents an alternative time when respected self-sacrificing age old duty, still made its way to populist markets and produced miraculous effects.

It's like mass collaboration has been disingenuously disdained, and too much of an individualistic bias is creating a lack of faith in public institutions. 

Healthcare and education remain the backbone of a multivariable cultural thrust.

With millions of people developing interactive loci.

Structurally stable.

Resiliently sound. 

With Alastair Sim (Sagamore). 

Infalibilidade inquebrantable! Ucraína por excelencia!

Healthy things to eat every day: garlic clove, chocolate, unpasteurized honey.

Could a garlic clove covered in chocolate and unpasteurized honey save valuable time and energy?

🧄🍯🐝🍫

🤔

Neo-mhearachdachd gun toradh! Ucràin iongantach!

Green for Danger

Pejorative pressure, incredulous and puzzling, weighs heavy or a war torn team, tasked with stitching the sick and injured back together, while sublimating the anxiety and at times encouraging mischief, above and beyond heroic duty, panegyrical par for the caustic course.

Strong wilful personalities playfully contend with objective whimsy, habitual fatigue and interminable destruction rambunctiously relaying unjust brawl.

One slips is pushed too far their transgressions passing unnoticed at first, before bold proclamation startlingly upends the otherwise fanciful well-earned night off.

It turns out the inexplicable amplifications which disastrously brought about dire moribund reckonings, were not incidental to the regenerative cause, but in fact produced through murderous provocation.

Who has indeed perpetrated with primordial perfidy remains a compelling inconclusive mind-boggle?, which none other than Alastair Sim (Inspector Cockrill) himself has been tasked with definitively elucidating.

He's rather bumbly and indelicate as if crime-solving required smooth parlay, and irritates several members of the staff simply because he's undeniably enjoying himself.

His eccentric methods conceivably convince the doctors and nurses that he's quite mad.

But logical liaison is litigiously immersent. 

With modest mischievous disconsolate fun.

A rather odd setting for an offbeat comedy which efficaciously blends the austere and the radical, entirely dependent on your love of Sim and his personable vivacious uncanny rhythms. 

Perhaps somewhat like a theoretical blend of Robert Downey, Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes and Peter Sellers's Inspector Clouseau, even if it's easier to say "like none other", it's worth checking out what he brings to the role.

Stress and lassitude bilaterally converging to unhinge otherwise tranquil minds, there's no telling what such circumstances would engender, one is therefore duty bound to help prevent them.

Such a treasure trove of great detectives thoughtfully awaiting inquisitive minds, within the clever British cinema no doubt first cultivated by wide-reaching books.

I imagine at least that since Sherlock's origins are indeed British, he drives contemporary denizens in whatever age to write intricate spellbound murder mysteries.

Do cultural origins truly play such a role within national literary traditions, with international multivariability available if elastically eager and diplomatically drawn?

I know I certainly love animals and it's possible that comes from Canadian and Québecois orthodoxy.

Would I have loved them as much if I'd been born elsewhere?

I'd wager probably (they cute!).

Impossible to know! 

Hajlíthatatlan tévedhetetlenség! Alapvető Ukrajna!

Niezachwiana nieomylność! Kwintesencja Ukrainy!

Lollygag

Experimental incidental

frayed tempestuous sequential

inarticulate outstanding

phase reconna reprimanding

chordate choral quipped quotation

unexaggerated latent

lisp celestial latitude

invigorating unimbued

computed micro machination

indiscriminate libation

disco digital dispatching

audiovisual didacting

proto precedent primordial

glazed inconsequent a' foibled

frisk unfathomed festive focal 

multifaceted hot chocoa

butter. 

NFL Playoffs, Super Wild Card Weekend Picks

Seattle Seahawks/San Francisco 49ers: the classic divisional rivalry extraordinarily played out during the Super Wild Card round, the mighty 49ers of San Francisco having seriously impressed this 2022 season. They've won 10 in a row to finish 13 and 4, and throughout that stretch scored more that 30 points 7 times. Not only that, their defence also played exceptionally well, in fact they let in the fewest number of points in the NFL this year, with only the Bills defence legitimately comparable. The Lions had so many huge games in 2022 after they turned it around (nice coaching) that I wagered no one wanted to play them in the playoffs, but the 49ers may have been the only NFC team to approach such a game with modest confidence. The Seahawks were still impressive, I didn't think they'd make the playoffs, that's coach and team working together as a courageous unit, super impressed with what Pete Carroll's done. Carroll's done such a great job this year that I bet Seattle keeps it closer than many people are anticipating, but San Francisco did beat them twice, and has been crushing teams at will since October. Interesting how Dallas has been playing rather well too as of late this year. But it's too early for a 2021 rematch call! And the Cowboys still have to outwit Brady. Picking the 49ers. 

Los Angeles Chargers/Jacksonville Jaguars: it's a shame both these teams can't win but at least one of them will make it through, they're well-matched in terms of records and lack of playoff experience anyways. Note that I made it through! Wednesday Jan. 11th equals one year without a cigarette for me. Not even a freakin' drag. I still really miss it. But am happy to have saved so much money (and to be healthier [if not more bored all the time]).  When I first saw Justin Herbert I have to admit I felt old. I thought, how could someone who looks that young be a quarterback in the NFL? It was mind-boggling. Totally unexpected. And then he started winning huge games by scoring tons of points. How many times has he almost beat Mahomes in games where both teams scored more than 25? But Mahomes had the success and Herbert didn't, Kansas City kept pulling out the win, I felt bad for ye olde San Diego 😎, and wanted to see them emerge victorious.  I guess they might play KC in another round, but it's too early to get my hopes up, and LA still has to make it past the Jaguars, who have won 6 of their last 7 (5 in a row). I do often imagine the playoffs like they're a book that I'm reading, not something that's totally off the wall, but one that does engage in relevant improbability. Thus, it struck me that a Lions/Jaguars Super Bowl would be incredible, after seeing how well both teams were finishing 2022. And if I were to think of a quarterback to play for Jacksonville, one who fits my literary pretensions, why not go with Trevor Lawrence, who seems as chill as an emboldened (yet oddly fierce) manatee? It's cool to see both Herbert and Lawrence experiencing success and furiously facing off this Saturday Night. When it boils down to it however. I've gots to pick the Chargers. AFC West forever! Jacksonville did crush them in Week 3. 

Miami Dolphins/Buffalo Bills: another classic divisional rivalry generously showcased to uplift adoring fans, the Bills forced to play the very same Dolphins who definitively shocked them earlier on this season. Indeed Miami almost beat them twice and of the two games Buffalo only holds a one point advantage, the Bills were out of sight this year, yet still must face a threatening rival. They certainly came up huge versus New England last year in the Super Wild Card Round and may produce similar results versus the Dolphins, I used to always pick Buffalo at home versus Miami post-mid-November, no matter what their respective records (the 49ers did shock the Pack at Lambeau in the Divisional Round last year).  The Bills and Dolphins have met four times in the playoffs but not since 1998, Miami's only win of the bunch, the Dolphins actually haven't won a playoff game since the 2000 season. Miami seemed to show up and score a ton of points in 2022 which led to many wins, but at other times they struggled, the classic 9 and 8 record. If the team that often scored 30+ shows up the Bills will have their hands full. But I think Buffalo will be waiting. Picking the famished Bills. 

New York Giants/Minnesota Vikings: earlier on this year, I dared dream that Buffalo would face Minnesota in the Super Bowl, and one of them would finally reach the heights which so many franchises have previously ascended. Shortly thereafter Minnesota surprisingly lost to Dallas 40 to 3, I was somewhat shocked and dismayed, but they still managed to win 5 of their next 7 (some weekends everything just goes wrong). Cool to see the Giants playing well again, can't believe they've only played one postseason game since 2011, strange the seasonal ebb and flow, especially for a team that started playing in 1925 (the Vikings started in '61). They've met three times in the playoffs with New York holding a 2 to 1 lead, their last meeting 22 years ago, a Giants onslaught that didn't let up. But Minnesota won this season and won many a close game in 2022, they're much like the Broncos from 2015, I admit I love seeing the Vikings play well. But so far for this Super Wild Card weekend the potential for upset seems to favour New York, Miami or Seattle or Baltimore?, I can't see those teams winning anytime soon (Brady winning in the playoffs isn't an upset even if he had a rough year, the Jaguars and Chargers are pretty evenly matched). Note: I'm way off at times and it's just one game not a 7 game series (or even best of 3). I want to see Cousins win big games, he's been around so long and deserves more success. Winning the Super Wild Card game which seems to me the most likely to encourage upset would be impressive, another hard fought daring Vikings playoff win. Picking the Giants nevertheless, that's just the way I read it. Will veteran fortitude dam the tide!? Or will youth revel in victorious intoxication!

Baltimore Ravens/Cincinnati Bengals: sad to see a team struggling after having done so well, the loss of a starting quarterback always frustrating to say the god-forsaken least. The Ravens lost 3 of their last 4 after previously winning 9, methinks the situation's bleak, but the more time a backup practices, the more tenacious he gets. The Bengals are hot off a Super Bowl appearance that scant few thought they would aggrandize, they came close to winning the game, only falling short near the bitter end. Another divisional game brought to light during the Super Wild Card round, the teams having split their meetings this season, Baltimore falling short without Lamar Jackson. Their points against were similar in 2022 with the Bengals scoring 68 more, solid numbers from a feisty Cincinnati team, who's won 10 of their last 11. Including victories over Tampa and Kansas City, there was really only one game in 2022 where they didn't play well, winning many close ones like the courageous Vikings, if only Denver had generated more offence. Nevertheless, Cincinnati does seem fated to win with indubitable formidable flexibility, but if Baltimore was looking for hope, note that Cincinnati struggles in the playoffs. So many times I thought New Orleans would win and so many times they came up short. This may be the first time the Bengals have been picked to win a playoff game in many a decade. Picking Cincinnati. I would have either way. 

Dallas Cowboys/Tampa Bay Buccaneers: I suppose it's not as hard as I think to find "nevers" for Tom Brady, since he spent the vast majority of his career in the AFC, but that doesn't change the fact that he's never played the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs, which makes this rather exciting. From an old school perspective, you may not remember when Dallas ruled untouched incarnate, setting the gold standard for many a year, picking up 5 Super Bowl wins between 1971 and 1995 (strange that they haven't even made it back to the Conference Finals since then). But how do you pick against Brady?, who's breathed more playoff resilience than any other, it's just one game and how many times has he indefatigably adjudicated incomparably with everything laid-down on the line? This Dallas team needs postseason success to cultivate a new layer of noteworthy variability, they were a solid 12 and 5 and that's even better than it appears, considering they played Philadelphia, the Giants, and Washington twice a piece beforehand (winning 4 of those games [they didn't lose twice to Philly {they also beat Minnesota, Detroit and Cincinnati /but came up short versus Tampa!/}]). It seems unfair in a way to have to play Brady in the playoffs, when he's been excelling with so much distinction for such a long long period of time.  But the road to the old school ways in which Dallas used to be distinguished travel through the most highly-decorated postseason and regular season quarterback ever, this Monday Night. And I'm afraid I'm picking Brady. Why does it feel like Dallas is the serious underdog?

*Stats from Wikipedia. 

Quartet

The Facts of Life

The free sharing of age old wisdom oft accrues psychological check, as mantra and adage delicately condition economic tumult and ethical expenditure.

But with myriad personality distinctions effervescently flourishing with multifaceted largesse, the germane likelihood of symbiotic sanction may prove disheartening or indeed quite fun.

A father shares his paternal advice only to find every moral qualm deconstructed. 

His son winds up with a new car. 

Who's to say what's to be done?

The Alien Corn 

Theoretically in possession of everything one might hope to desire, yet longing to achieve the ultimate incomparable brilliant maddening incandescence.

Friends and family generally confused as to why the goal's so profoundly meaningful, considering how many other professions remain available, and he doesn't even have to work.

He's crushed by a virtuoso who didn't mean to hurt his feelings, and even though he's still quite talented, can't find the will to go on.

You can write Bazooka Joe comics or even Shakespearian sonnets, it makes no freakin' difference.

As long as you love what you do.

Beware destructive prejudice.

The Kite

Perhaps at times the parental bond is somewhat too tight, and the desire to be appreciated commensurately by others too unreasonable, so that when an imperious grown-up dispute arises, there's no applicable stratagem to discursively relay.

Sometimes incumbent smothering and a voluminous intent to orchestrate obsessively, may stifle the productivity you rely on, and leave a gaping void where you once harvested.

But in theory at times they say mental health professionals can attain results. 

As in the case of this marriage in question.

With Mervyn Johns (Samuel Sunbury), Hermione Baddeley (Beatrice Sunbury), and George Cole (Herbert Sunbury).

The Colonel's Lady

Worst case for an austere admirer of poignant pomp and reservéd circumstance, the unexpected emergence of imaginative scandal ceremoniously upsetting his stilted life.

No doubt many would remain uncertain if such a surprise suddenly diversified, especially if a tried and true dependable routine had gregariously governed for ages past.

Yet the truth residing in fiction can fortuitously lead to regeneration.

With newfound amenities previously unexpected.

Bit of a shocker, still, no doubt.