SWITZERLAND FORUM

[cklaurence]

Why thank you, Emeritus, sir. I try--I surely try!

[Emeritus]

I hope that Waverly finds peace and happiness. I have lost those who were dearest to me, but I am so grateful for the time that I had them. They left me feeling loved and lovable, which is really all that we ever need. I was also blessed with a sense of place, growing up in a home where my family lived for generations and with a feeling of belonging. It has been my refuge since I lost my family. I wish that everybody could have that feeling of being centered and secure.

[cklaurence]

Unfortunately, not a lot of people do have that sense of security, Em. It's hard to find, and so many people look to other people for it, instead of looking inside themselves (like Dorothy from Kansas). I know I find a tremendous sense of peace in my home. I raised my children here, had all our holiday dinners here--when all my mom's family was still here--so this house is so alive with memories, I can't see leaving it. My husband on the other hand, would leave tonight if I said the word! At least he says he would. I don't know where he thinks we'd go. He sold his plane and got back into model airplanes, so he uses the garage, the front room (which is/was a full wet bar), the dining room and half of our bedroom with his model stuff and planes. We'd end up with a house or apartment this big all over again, lol!

[cklaurence]

Hmmm. I just realized that Utah hasn't been around since Friday. Wonder what happened to him. Hope he didn't get a hernia carrying that beautiful dolphin carving to the post office to send to me!!!

[Emeritus]

Good morning. Like you, ck, I'm wondering where everybody is. There's nobody on Fox Sports and only a few on Facebook. I guess that people are out doing things, now that the weather is nice.

[cklaurence]

I'm surprised--only because Utah looked like he was settling back in, and it was really nice to have him back. We had Bags, Utah, you and me and it was starting to feel really good. I guess I have to be patient, right?

[Emeritus]

This time of year people come out of hibernation. They have the urge to dig in the dirt or to grill something. I'm thinking of going to the hill country to look at the wild flowers. Somehow the need to communicate on line slacks off compared to getting out and doing. It doesn't mean a lack of interest, it's more distraction.

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That's the Texas Hill Country in the spring.

[cklaurence]

It's a little different here in South Florida, I guess. The closer it gets to summer, the more I want to close myself up inside and enjoy the cool air. Once the humidity goes up, it's just too damned hot for me. My arachnoiditis is definitely a cold weather illness--just my luck! It's good for my writing, though. Excellent, actually.
I saw a blurb on one of the Dolphin news apps I have on my phone that really tickled me. I actually laughed out loud, Em. NFL owners are offering encouragement to Ross to stick with it. It "takes time" for someone to "get the hang" of running an NFL team. Is that a hoot or what??? Yeah sure--"stick with it" indeed! The longer he stays in the NFL, the longer there's a team that guarantees every other team a good shot at an easy win! I still laugh every time I think about it...

[Emeritus]

It usually doesn't bother me, but for some reasons my sinuses have been killing me this spring. Everything looks beautiful, but it's had to appreciate it when you are sneezing and blowing your nose.

[cklaurence]

[size=150]My hubby suffers from allergies, Em, so I know how awfully they can affect your appreciation of every and anything, Em. I've been lucky in that respect and have been reasonably free of that stuff all my life. It must be tough with magnificent fields of flowers like those you've posted and you not being able to enjoy them because of your sinuses!!!!! [/size]

[Baglady]

Spring has bloomed all over IN. Lots of redbud and dogwood trees are beautiful right now, tulips, etc. Way too early for 80 degree weather but we really had no winter to speak of. Last chance of a hard freeze is typically Mother's Day here so although I'm tempted, won't plant flowers for a while. Heard when we were in FL, allergies would be especially bad this spring due to the unseasonably mild winter weather. Lucky for me, I've never suffered from them but I know it's miserable for folks who do.

At least we'll have the NFL draft later this month. A whole new era for the Colts, have no clue what to expect except odds are our #1 pick will be QB A Luck. Having lost so many players the Colts do have 3 'compensatory' draft picks. New GM, new HC so it should be interesting if nothing else. Don't have high expectation for next season, "rebuilding" - ugh

[Emeritus]

The Texans have lost their pass rusher, their best offensive lineman and their best linebacker and team leader to free agency. The team is in cap hell and just couldn't keep them. I have no idea what to expect next season.

[cklaurence]

You two are singing songs of spring and the ravages of summer finally has shown its face here in Miami. Although the humidity is slowly creeping up , which promises us a hot, hot, hot summer--no surprise, of course, because we had no real winter to speak of, we do have some mangoes blooming surviving the rains, promising and promising us some wonderful, sweet fruit to send North to my father's family, who last year had none..
I'm exhausted from a day in the dental chair. Going through the "neuro-muscular dentistry that I'm pretty sure I've mentioned before. It is a highly specialized (and very expensive) procedure that (as I understand it) re-aligns your bite/jaw (whatever) and in so doing, helps to alleviate pain you have/are suffering from (Arachnoiditis). I won't bore you with the details, no one likes to hear about the laser-cutting of tissue and all the goodies that go along with the fun and games of heavy-duty dental work--but I am so stressed and exhausted, I'll just say good-night and hope all of you are feeling far better than I this evening... Big Hugs to you all...

[Emeritus]

Sorry for your suffering, ck. As you obviously recognize, sometimes you just have to tough it out. There are times when we are reminded that we are but dust. It's a bitch, but we endure.

[cklaurence]

Ouch, that hurt Em! Where do you think Utah disappeared to, hmmm? : I'm beginning to wonder what happened to him...

[Emeritus]

I'm sorry, ck. You know that if there was anything that I could say that would easy your pain I would be chanting it night and day. We just aren't in control. The Buddha said that pain is the basic fact of life and that the only way to live with it was to accept that fact. We have nothing permanently, not even those that we love. We just have to love them as much as we can and then let them go with love. Being a person of faith, I can hope that it all serves a greater good. It isn't much, but it will do.

Are you familiar with the poem Rabbi Ben Ezra, by Robert Browning? I like to listen to Mendelssohn and read it.

[cklaurence]

Aside from the fact that you absolutely refuse to discuss my books with me, including accepting them as gifts or getting them and reading them on your own so you can give me your critique, I hope you know how very dear you are to me, Em. You always have a kind word when I'm down, and a kick in the butt for me when I spend too much time whining as though I'm the only one in the world who has problems in this world. I would love to have you come here for a game this year. Any game--the game of your choice. It would be such a pleasure for me to finally meet you and spend some time actually talking face to face.
I've been so lucky to have met many of the terrific friends of Switzerland over the years. Ms Bags, Dred, even finally Reecey! I'm trying hard to get them all down here this year too. Reecey and Dred have never been here. Shadow, Bags, and Maine have become so close to me--I mean, hell, I wrote a book, started a blog and actually got some true, very special friends as a result. Doesn't get much better than that. I hear from Waverly all the time and of course, Smitty and his wife, Allison. I keep hoping Utah will find his way back here--I was enjoying his posting again. He always makes me laugh. Oh, and there's The Absolute Truth who could be my brother! I wish he would post here regularly (as I wish most of the people I've mentioned would), but he is such a sage--and like you, Em, is always able to say the right thing to settle my heart and my mind. If only I could get him to bring his dear wife Robin and son Quinn down here for a stay and a game or two, WOW, I'd surely love that as well. Oh, don't think I've forgotten Try Thinking, who has been extremely busy the past several months. He hoovers, I promise you that, but his time is not really his. When he settles, he'll be back in full form, he has promised me that and he's never let me down. I had the great pleasure of his staying here for awhile. He had as much fun (or more) with my hubby--who took him flying, although I'm pretty sure I got some points for his first Dolphin game in Joe Robbie Stadium . I can't wait for his life to take the high road again so we can visit here more often. He does send his regards to you all, however, so a big shout out from Try!!! Let's see, I've also had Steve from Colorado visit here. We had that wonderful weekend early on in the days of Swiss for which I have no regrets; unfortunately, the only person that actually disappointed me and hurt me for what I could find no reason, and no reason was ever offered, was HawkGirl; however, people do what they want to do and in their own minds justify it. I've never been one to be able to leave friendships without a careful closure--with no hurt on either side. I tend to make friends carefully and most always keep them forever. No, I don't have a lot of friends, but I have loyal and caring friends, who would do anything for me, and I in turn would do anything for them. It's a really good feeling. I know I left a lot of names out, but they're in my mind and heart and thoughts so much of the time, and when I look back over the "members" list, I think, "where did he/she go?" "I wonder if he/she will surprise us and come back some day..." As time goes on, I am thinking, maybe not. I thought perhaps the offer of the ten books to the first ten oldie goldies to return was a fun offer that might bring back some people, and I was prepared to give away a lot more than ten should more have returned. It is a smack in the ego that no one chose to come back--even long enough to get a book, but what's an old author to do? I know my news feed doesn't go to everyone, and I had hoped that people would hit "share" and it would spread around so it would be seen by those who don't hoover or get my feed any longer, but I guess that didn't work either. Hell! I'm having a bitch of a time getting many "Likes" on my web page. I have a huge number of 'hits'--it's only been up a couple of years and I've over 61,000 hits. It locks people out after they've gone onto my site and it doesn't count them again for 30 days--so technically, they could get locked out forever if they keep going back before 30 days--you know what I mean? We wanted legitimate numbers.
I did not forget to mention my darling Keeping the Peace. I had to switch from the original early on because too many people thought they knew who he was, so I had to get an outsider. He has been wonderful, although no one on the Boards ever sees him because he has no reason to show himself. He does so much behind the scenes, you wouldn't believe the crap that goes with a blog. I don't know what I'd do without him, but I wish he had a chance at the fun stuff on the Boards. Maybe some day...
Anyway, thank you all, should anyone happen to *hoover by, or actually come by to say hello. To you, my dearest Em (don't blush), why don't you consider a trip to my world this year? I believe your team will be playing here. All you have to do is get yourself on the plane. We shuttle you from and to the airport; put you up in either the guest house or one of the rooms inside Laurence Manor (your choice); food and game are included. Hard to resist? I sure hope so!!!

[Reecey]

I'll give blogging from my phone a try. The pc that I used to use from work fried some time back, and the new one I was given has internet restrictions on it. Also had a company merger that's shaken up management and has brought about drastic changes in policy around here. But, let's give it a go, and see if we can get back to rocking the 'ole fashion way in Switzerland.

[cklaurence]

WELCOME BACK REECEYKINS!!!!! LOOKS FINE TO ME... SEND ME YOUR ADDRESS AND YOU GET YOUR FREE BOOK. DID YOU WANT AN EBOOK OR PRINT? I CAN'T SIGN AN EBOOK, BUT I CAN SIGN A PRINT COPY. YOUR CALL, BABY DOLL. I AM SO SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU HERE. I'M GOING TO START THE BBQ RIGHT NOW!!!!! EM, EM--C'MON AROUND AND SEE WHO'S HERE--REECEY'S COME TO VISIT!!!!!

[Emeritus]

Wow, I haven't seen Reecey except on Facebook in the longest time. I remember when we tried to keep the Texans page at Fox Sports going by ourselves. We thought that it might be shut down for lack of interest. We copied and pasted pages and pages to get the page count up to one hundred. Reecey was the very first person that I invited to the old Switzerland. I like smart, funny people.

[cklaurence]

Yes, Em--and Reecey is both smart and funny--and now, he's getting a free book! He's got to send me an address though.What with the draft only twenty-something days out, it would be nice to have a few more people over here to discuss the goings on. I shudder to think what horrors are in store for my Dolphins. After the mess the boneheads have made of free agency, I can only have nightmares about how badly they can f*ck up the draft. They are so inept it's frightening. How do you feel your Texans will do?

[Emeritus]

After being ravaged by free agency, we have a lot of holes to fill. But what is the chance of finding somebody in the draft to take the place, say, of Mario Williams? Lots of luck with that! We also lost a great middle linebacker and our team leader, plus our most important offensive lineman, a multiple Pro Bowler. It doesn't look good.

[Reecey]

Hey Em! Hey CK! Is the buzz about Tannehill coming to Miami heavy down in South Florida as heavy as it is here in Texas? Of course with him being a Texas A&M product, we will stand behind our own like they can do no wrong. I know the Chad Henne experience was Underwhelming, but maybe this is the time that Ireland finally gets it right? Even the worst of GMs accidentally get it right here and there. We had a definite top five worst GM of the past decade here in Charlie Casserly, and he did manage three good picks. Andre Johnson of course, Dunta Robinson who is fringe Pro Bowl caliber, and the last of which is Jason Babin whom finally came of form two years after he was moved from here. But all of his other picks...Yuck!

[Reecey]

Another thing that surprises me is that after Parcells latest NSA exploit with you guys that anyone would even take him seriously as a coach, front office personnel, or even a consultant for that matter. My next statement, could be wrong, but give it a thought for a second. Do you think that Parcells exploits over the last 9 or 10 years have factored into his delayed entrance into being selected for the Hall of Fame? I don't really see it as too farfetched.

[Reecey]

After being ravaged by free agency, we have a lot of holes to fill. But what is the chance of finding somebody in the draft to take the place, say, of Mario Williams? Lots of luck with that! We also lost a great middle linebacker and our team leader, plus our most important offensive lineman, a multiple Pro Bowler. It doesn't look good.

"You're right. To lose three team captains in the same offseason is just surreal. And the fact that we jettisoned them as opposed to them opting for another team makes it all the more tough to stomach. It completely changes our draft strategy too, to the point that we will be filling holes afterall, as opposed to drafting for depth etc etc. Trying to resign Mario Williams was a pipe dream. We all knew he as going to become the highest paid defensive player in the league, and there was just no way we would be able to scrounge up a contract like that. But the fact that we literally pissed away our chances at resigning other key free agents, and we basically let them get away. Our OLine has been a huge strength for the last three plus years. Now here we are now and its one of our biggest question marks! The success on either side of the ball starts up front. Of all last year's playoff teams there were only two with average- below average offensive lines. They were the Steelers and the Packers whom lost a starter or two on their line during the course of the season. And due to that, they both had early exits. Coincidence? Nope!

[cklaurence]

Well, you lost stuff you had, Dolphins didn't have anything to lose. Some folks are still all riled up about losing Marshall, but really, he was nothing to me. He was tied for most dropped balls in the league. He caught a couple of amazing balls, but more often than not, disappointed with easy catches, killing touchdown plays for us over and over again. It must have been sorry pickings out there for him to have been chosen for the Pro Bowl was the only thing I could think. We have no QB to speak of anyway, although I was not unhappy with Matt Moore last year--much more disappointed in his receivers who just made him look bad IMO. If he'd had two class receivers, we would not be in such a desperate place right now, but as we have since Danny left, we continue to work with third class everything: owner, GM, coaches and players. We kept cutting the players with heart--Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas, Ricky Williams--all the guys who (even if they'd lost a step) knew how to get extra steps out of all the young and inexperienced players, as well as the mediocre players. The foolishness continues and continues and continues with no end in sight...(

[cklaurence]

Wow, Reeceykins--I started posting earlier and kept getting interrupted, so I hadn't seen any of your posts before I finished. Let me try to address all of the issues.
Parcells. Well, if the fiasco he brought to Miami (and left, taking that 30 million dollars knowing we were in an impossible situation with an owner who hadn't a clue, the GM he wrought on us who was no better than our moron owner) hasn't played a big part in his delay in getting into the Hall of Fame, then it sure should! If he had an ounce of class in any part of his body, he never would have left as he did. He and Huizenga set up that fraudulent deal to suck in a quick buyer because Huizenga wanted out. It was a win/win for them both. Huizenga got a fat paycheck for the Fins; Parcells got a big fat paycheck as well, PLUS the guarantee he could get up and leave with a thirty million dollar bonus--no strings, should he desire--regardless of what condition the team was in. Anyone with a conscience could not--WOULD NOT have walked out on a team that had been his responsibility stripped of a decent head coach, quarterback, receivers, defense and GM. Parcells? Left the building in the middle of the night, stuffed the 30 mil in his pocket and never looked back. If he never goes to the Hall of Fame it will be too soon. There should be a special place for him--in HELL!!!
Tannehill? Between Ross and Ireland they have yet to make a smart move. Reeceykins--I have never seen two stupider people running a football team in my life (unless I go back to the MckAY days in Tampa Bay, which pre-dates your birth, I believe). Between Ireland's abrasiveness and lack of people skills, and Ross' just plain inept manner and inability to manage things properly (he really wants to have a movie studio and be around movie stars)--they can't get anything right. They will surely screw this up. The draft is in twenty-something days and I have nightmares every night about it. I know I'm facing another year of Fin misery. Are you thinking of coming down this year to watch your team get their "W" inn Miami? Your invitation, as always, is open!!!
Smail me your address for your copy of my book, Reecey--unless you want it as an ebook, in which case, let me know what kind of ebook you have and your email address and I'll send it to you that way. It's really good to see you back here. I know it's got to be great for Em as well, as you were the first person he brought to Old Switzerland back in the day.
Take care, talk later...

[Baglady]

G' Afternoon CK, Em, Reecey, anyone else?

Changes every season for most NFL teams but I cannot remember a more complete turnover in personnel than is going on in Indy. New GM, HC, Coordinators and a whole new team. No Peyton (THE cornerstone of the Colts), no D Captain Brackett, no starters TE Clark, WR Garcon, RB Addai etc etc. Only good news is C Painter is gone, hopefully far, far away And the Colts just can't afford much - 38 mil in dead cap $ and unless Freeney restructures his contract, he counts $19 mil ag the $120 cap - ugh At least the new rookie salary cap rules will limit Luck to about $4.5 mil. And R Wayne resigned for less than NE offered

CK, some have your Dolphins taking QB Tannehill @ 8 unless the Browns snag him @ 4, then maybe you go w/ DE Q Coples / WR M Floyd?

EM, Reecey, your TX's @ 26, WR K Wright or maybe DE N Perry?

I love the attitude HC Pagano brought to his 1st day in the Colts locker room this week w/ the shirt (pic below) - not sure how it'll play out but hey, I prefer it to 'rebuild' and the Colts have to be better than last season, right - lol

[Baglady]

Forgot to say Happy Passover CK and
Happy Easter to others~

[cklaurence]

Ms Bags--if you can picture me with my mouth shut, my breath held and my mind in total disarray, then you've got the picture of me about now and until the Fins show me something I can take a breath about. Whether I'll be in a total panic or just crying my eyes out is yet to be seen, but nothing this off-season has given me any kind of hope at all. I hope Bill Parcells never sees the inside of the Hall of Fame for what he has done to my team, and that is for damn sure, but other than that, I hope he and his 30 million dollars keep one another happy, because it was money that was ill-gotten gains. He left that building in the middle of the night knowing that the coach he put in place was incapable--as was the head coach and the GM. As if that wasn't ugly enough, the players, save for the ones that were there before he came, were simply abysmal. He and Huizenga set Ross (who was none-too-smart to start) up, and if Parcells had the first lick of honor, he would have seen the team through, rather than slithering out like the snake he is with his millions in the dark of the night...

Happy Easter everyone!!! (I think I'm the only one celebrating Passover...)