SWITZERLAND FORUM

[Emeritus]

I celebrate Passover meals.

[cklaurence]

Wish you could have shared ours last night--it was grand. In fact, we still have as much left over to do it again tonight! I was raised to believe if there wasn't at least half-again the meal left over, we were shorting our guests. The matzoh balls were the size of soccer balls and absolutely delicious. In fact, I'm just fixing to go downstairs and make a plateful of leftovers...
If they review the findings about New Orleans (after hearing the tapes of that coach...), I will be livid! How many players were maimed because of their greed for power and a Super Bowl win? My mind keeps running snapshots over and over of Brett Favre's body after that game a couple of years ago, where his body looked like ground beef. Does anyone remember those pictures? I've never seen a player look that badly ravaged. I also remember feeling those hits during the game--they were brutal and many of them late, with absolutely no interference from the referees (which are my next bitch). Something has to be done about the impossible situation with the refereeing. It has deteriorated so insanely that sanctions and firings must commence!!! The NFL cannot continue to turn its back on the continuing bad calls. In the Dolphin games alone, I can think of at least two games this past year that were turned around (NOT to our favor) by horrible calls--HORRIBLE calls that were confirmed by replay--that were so clearly wrong. It happened throughout the NFL not just this past year, but has been getting worse over the past five years and replay, which should have put an end to it, has made it even worse! Anyone?

[Emeritus]

While I'm a practicing Episcopalian (think Church of England), Sarah was a secular Jew. On the other hand, we both loved Jewish food (except that I draw the line at lox) and ate it often. Now I mostly stick to Cajun food, which is most available here and which I love. Around Passover I miss the Passover meals, though. I enjoy the Seder traditions, too. Enjoy the leftovers!

[cklaurence]

We had plenty of leftovers, but finished them off by Sunday. Tonight we took my visiting relatives to City Hall for dinner and they loved it as much as we do and decided that's where we'll be going the rest of the week for our dinners while they're her. Works for me! Always, always delicious. I had NY Strip steak tonight, with mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. Perfect! Chef Tom wasn't there--apparently Easter was a big day for everyone and it was all back-up crew tonight; but even the back-up crew at City Hall is first string as far as I'm concerned. Yummy!

[cklaurence]

COUNTING DOWN TO THE DRAFT. WAITING TO SEE HOW MUCH DAMAGE THE FINS CAN DO...

[Emeritus]

The Dolphins have a good defense. If they can step up their offense they can be a contender. Sometimes a team is better than its management, especially if there is leadership in the locker room.

[cklaurence]

Our locker room leadership left the building last year, Em--Jason Taylor retired. Yeremiah Bell was released. I'm not sure who is left to pick up the pieces. Matt Moore's ego has to be badly bruised. I like him a lot and thought he got better as the year progressed. His biggest problem was dropped balls by the likes of our former "pro bowl" receiver Brandon Marshall. Had he a Wes Welker, perhaps he would have looked more like a Tom Brady. Go ahead, laugh, but I am one who strongly believes that many QBs are a product of their O-line and receivers, and not so much their own incredible skills. Brady is no Dan Marino, and had Dan Marino the team and the rules that Brady has, no one in the world would have ever broken his records. Peyton Manning is another who is skilled and brilliant, and IMHO way beyond a Tom Brady. When Marino and Manning left their teams--well, need I say more? When Brady goes down, the Patriots keep moving along.
You are far more optimistic about my Fins than I, and I surely hope that you are the one with the winning perspective!

[Emeritus]

I was just reading an article about scientists discovering a "niceness gene." It and one's perception of how threatening the world is, strongly influences how kind and generous a person is. It means that the hard-hearted and selfish either lack the gene or see the world as a more threatening, dog-eat-dog kind of place. Now I know why there are conservatives and why they are so often gun nuts.

[cklaurence]

Where'd you read that, Em? That's fascinating. I'd really like to know more about it--and it sounds like it's true. I know people who are truly nice and people that are totally lacking in kindness, love or any type of understanding. Is there a link or can you give me more information? It sure sounds right (wing though, and I believe it completely...

[Emeritus]

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/art ... =100288913

[cklaurence]

That's so interesting, Em and it really makes sense. It's a damned shame more people don't have the niceness gene--it would certainly make the world a better place to live in, don't you think?

[Emeritus]

I've always wondered what made some people so mean-spirited and selfish. I've know people who lived hard lives and it only made them more compassionate. I'm not sure what make some children grow up with the view that the world is threatening and hostile. After thinking about it, I realized that I led a really sheltered life as a child. I grew up in a neighborhood where a little kid could safely roam around by himself, because every adult would look after me. There was always enough to share. On the other hand, I see public figures who were raised in wealthy families who are uncaring and callous. The paper is very interesting.

[cklaurence]

I've always felt there must be an explanation for the enormous variance in personality and just plain goodness in people, Em. There are those that seem to just be born good and those that are born bad--and there doesn't seem to be a way to teach goodness. It's either in someone or not. Same with mean-ness. There are those who have a cruel streak that may be hidden much of the time, but eventually it manifests itself in the most evil ways. I suppose, as a very old, very dear friend of mine used to say--when we were both young, "that's why there's chocolate and vanilla..."

[Emeritus]

Any time that I see somebody doing something selfish and self-centered - even as small as cutting in line or taking a handicapped parking place - I know that I have encountered another Republican. There's a sense of self-importance that is unmistakable.

[cklaurence]

I used to think that way, until the past few years. Things have changed a lot, though. One of the major events is my friendship with Ms Bags. She surely has the 'niceness' gene, Em, yet she is pretty conservative politically and makes no secret of it. Then there's the other thing--certain "Independents" who I also met here, and even some Dems, not only lack the niceness gene, but are deceitful and insidiously unkind and manipulative. I have definitely stopped assigning any personality traits according to political parties. Yes, the Dick Cheney syndrome has definitely (IMHO) been more frequently found in the Republican party in my past lifetime, but I'm seeing more and more evil everywhere as I get older. I can't seem to figure out why or where it's coming from--save for the fact that the whole world seems to have gone crazy. You know what I'm saying? I'm on the down side of my lifetime, but I fear terribly for my children. I remember why I was so adamant about ZPG, and can't for the life of me figure out how I let my cousin talk me into letting go of it (selfishness?). Had I never had children, I never would have known the warmth and joy they give you--how they change your entire life and being...
Oh my, I do digress. The draft is right around the corner. It seems we've lost Reeceykins and Utah again. It was so nice to have them around for the couple of days they visited though, wasn't it? I tried, Em. I guess it's just you and me. Try Thinking is so busy with the job of life right now. We are in touch, and he's promised that when things settle in for him, he'll be back here, but as it stands now, you know, we don't even see him at facebook.
As for the draft? I can't even begin to think how Ross and his resident Jackass will screw that up, but I am quite sure they will!

[Emeritus]

Sorry, to me it remains the party of the selfish and self-centered. Every time that I hear a representative of the party speak, it reinforces that conviction. The Party of Lincoln has become the party of redneck racists, religious zealots and Limbaugh dittoheads. What is attractive about people like Hannity, for example?

[Baglady]

Good Afternoon Swiss~

Believe the NFL schedule will be announced this week, draft the week after then OTA's .
Also not sure it's been mentioned here but I for one like the NFL adopting the same OT rules in the reg season they've been using in the playoffs.

Not sure about the "nice" gene but think Peyton may have it. He's always has been a class act and this just is another example imo:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutd ... 13723.html

[Emeritus]

Thanks for the link, Lady. Stories like that leave a person feeling good. Too many sports stars are too full of themselves to think of others. Everybody likes to be appreciated and it was a high-class thing for Peyton to do. It seems completely in character with everything else that I know about him. What a great role model for kids!
I'm looking forward to seeing the schedule. I know who we are playing and where, of course, but not when. Our division will play a lot of northern teams in the AFC East and the NFC North and I'm concerned about the weather. We like to play our bad-weather games in our covered stadiums.

[Emeritus]

ck, here's the link for the 2012 schedules.

http://www.nfl.com/schedules/2012/REG1

[cklaurence]

Being the loyal four hundred year season ticket holder, I receive an advance copy of the schedule as well, Em--but thanks for thinking of me.

It's time for us to turn our heads to football, especially since my favorite Lady has returned to visit with us. I feel awful when we say really mean stuff about the Republican talking heads, knowing that Ms Bags is as serious about her political beliefs as we are about our Democratic beliefs. The last thing I want to do is make her uncomfortable. She's one of us, you know, and we don't have a lot of loyal family members left here. Ms Bags is so special...)

My kids passed a Trader Joe's across the State last week and brought me a container of their Triple Ginger Snaps--it takes so little to make me happy in this world!!! Man, I'd buy a case of them in a heartbeat if I could...

[Baglady]

"Returned"??? CK, I never really left Switzerland, just can't be here as often as I'd like. Thank you for your comment, will leave it at that...

At least the Colts confirmed A Luck is the #1 pick so that 'drama' is over. Rounds 2-7??? Lots of needs, not much $$$$.

CK, your Dolphins play @ Indy Nov 4 - hope you can be here.

Em, agree on Peyton being a great role model for kids but I am just a little biased. Colts - TX's don't play till wk 15 then again in wk 17, twice in 3 wks

[Emeritus]

We will play Peyton on September 23. We can't get away from the guy!

[cklaurence]

I would imagine a team that has Peyton would play him--unless of course, they were out of their minds ! We will all, I'm sure, be glued to our televisions for that game, Em.

I know you're really busy, Ms B., but I always miss you when you're not around, and I'm always happy to see your posts.

I too have been swamped with book stuff. I now have a social media person onboard, which is going to take an enormous amount of work off my shoulders and free me up to tackle writing again, thankfully. Unfortunately, I was forced to start reading MYSTERY (for a number of reasons) too lengthy to write, however, if any of the Swiss family members are interested, please don't hesitate to call me and I will go into the whole thing in depth. I found numerous errors--not only typos, but in interpretation by the editor and because there was a screw-up and neither my publisher nor I got galleys to approve before it went to print and was released, they were not caught. It's no secret, because to read it, is to recognize it. I am in the process of going word by word, page by page making necessary corrections, after which my publisher will have it reprinted and pull all the copies out there and replace them with good copies. The good news is that MYSTERY has been selling well enough to make it worth the publisher's time and money to make that move. They haven't quoted the numbers to me, but I do know that they don't do that for a book that isn't cutting it, and MYSTERY has only been out a little more than a month, so it's all good...

As the draft approaches, my butterflies are wreaking havoc with my stomach, but what will be, will be... As for the game in November, I am planning on being there, save for one possible glitch, which I will be solved very soon. Peter and I are planning our long-awaited vacation cruise, and the ship we have been on before that Peter has his heart set on, sails in November and that week is one of the options. I personally think we should cruise much sooner than November because he is so burnt out that I just don't believe waiting that long is an option, so we just need to settle out on the whole thing and then we will know for sure.

Now, I must return to my new job as editor. Take care, and I'll see y'all later!

[Baglady]

CK, sounds like your literary world is busy but a good busy . Going through your book word by word, page by page sounds tedious but no doubt worthwhile - congrats on the encouraging sales news . Your vacation cruise sounds great and not sure you want to go much before Nov - you don't want to be on a cruise during hurricane season (depending on where you're cruising)... We'll see how the schedule works out.

Read an interesting article that has the Colts going 5-11 which is probably pretty realistic. Has them losing to Miami , splitting our games with the TX's and only winning the final wk 17 game because.... the TX's will be resting their starters - what a difference a couple of years and one QB make.
The Sept 23 TX's - Broncos matchup should be a good one

1st time since 2003 Colts season tickets are available - 4,000 of them . Seems there's more Peyton fans than Colts fans in Indy but a 2-14 season will do that. I do expect to see lots of #18 jerseys at home Colts games - both Blue and Orange

[Emeritus]

I'm curious about how well the Colts will do. Does Irsay actually have a plan, or did he just run everybody off because he was dissatisfied? It's been a pretty radical change and I'm interested in how it all works out. I hope that the Broncos have receivers that will do Peyton justice. The Texans finally figured out that Peyton was quicker than their defense. They started just rushing him to make him throw the ball and then jamming the receivers so that they couldn't get open by the time that he had to get rid of it. It was only fairly successful against the Colts, because they had good receivers. I guarantee that the Texans will test the Broncos receivers.

[cklaurence]

It's so cool to listen to the two of you speculate about what will be this season between the Texans and the Colts. As a Dolphin fan, I cannot even begin to think of speculating about any area of the game! We don't yet know ANYTHING about what or who we have, much less what they can or cannot do. The draft might give us some clues, but I can't help but infer from past actions of our owner and GM that they will continue to make bad decisions and further screw up any chances of building a team that will go anywhere until either or both of them have left the building forever. As you both know, my best case scenario is that they would BOTH have to leave the building. It is so sad. I'll know within the next couple of weeks where my new seats will be, and that will also be a clear clue as to how the rest of the season ticket holders see it as well. My new seats will be based on how many of the old ticket holders such as myself do not renew. I have had seniority for a long, long time, and have been offered seats on the home side of the stadium (out of the sun) for years and years, but due to the fact that I've been with all of the people in the rows around me since the stadium opened, I chose to stay where I am. Now, so many of them have given up and gone, when I got the call this year asking why I wouldn't consider coming over to the Fins' side of the stadium, I had run out of reasons. I'm simply waiting until they start weeding out the seats of those who don't renew, which begins, I think, this week. They give the oldies like me a long rope, but then as it grows more obvious they aren't going to re-sign, they start to throw them out of the data base, at which time I can choose where I want to be. I'm simply waiting for seats at the end of a row--don't want to be in the middle of a row, for sure. I'll keep you posted!

[Emeritus]

I notice that the Dolphins and Texans open the regular season against each other in Houston. I wish that they would schedule the game late in the season, when it is cooler. Instead, we will be playing in places like Buffalo and Green Bay when the weather is coldest. Whose idea was that?

[cklaurence]

I wish I knew, Em. Fins have been relegated to nearly all one o'clock games this year. In the Jimmy Johnson years that was because JJ wanted it that way. It was a definite advantage over our opponents, as you well know--the humidity is a killer to teams that don't generally work in it. Since Ross and Ireland have taken over, I don't believe there is a reason for anything they do. Neither of the two seem to understand even the tiniest nuance of the game, so we are just stuck with whatever comes down the Pike...

[Emeritus]

Have you been following the Dolphins draft choices? The Texans got another pass rusher and are still looking for another receiver. I don't think that they will be able to replace in the draft what they lost in free agency.
The Texans are more interested in fan comfort than the effect on the players. On very hot days they close the roof and air condition the place.

[cklaurence]

Sadly, once again the team of Ross/Ireland has proven their total incompetence when it comes to football. Tannehill is another under-achiever, who (from what I have seen and gather from all the analyses I've heard) has never risen to the occasion when it was time for him to stand up and be a star--actually do what it took to win a game, he was never able to do it.
I had hoped for a tremendous pass rusher; maybe a phenomenal receiver; oh dear Lord--there are so many areas we are needy in that I can't begin to think of how many ways we could have begun to build this team to get it to a place we can begin to compete again. BB has done what he needs to do that the talking heads have (AGAIN) put the Patriots up as the team to beat in the AFC East (DUH!).
IMHO, Matt Moore is not only coach-able, but showed some real talent last year. If we had a QB coach that could work with him and a couple of clutch receivers (tight ends? backs with sure hands?)--and I don't mean Brandon Marshalls who catch an amazing catch every now and again, but drop the sure touchdowns every single time. How he made it to the ProBowl is way beyond me, but I didn't shed a tear when he was traded. I cried buckets when they tossed Wes Welker over to BB--a gift that has kept on giving year after year after year... We've never come anywhere near replacing him.
I don't know how my stomach is going to make it through tonight, but last night? I kid you not, I was up all night--sick as a dog! I don't know how much longer I can take this. Sixteen QBs in thirteen years, Unheard of in the NFL. Aw, you've heard this stuff from me for--how many years have we been together here in Switzerland? All the other teams have cycled and either moved up to the top or down (sorry Ms B--but you know your owner/GM, et al., have already taken steps to turn it around for you after one bad season). I don't believe there is another team, and certainly not a top tier team as the Dolphins had always been, that sunk so low and stayed so awful for so long. I've always said "tincture of time," but I'm not even able to believe my own words anymore.
Hope the rest of you, Ms Bags, Em, any hooverers that are still hoovering (Dred? Absolute Truth? Paulie--I can see you! Kitty Kat?--You know who you are), are having a wonderful draft and all your wishes and needs are being answered so the 2012 season will be a tremendously solid one for you all...