By Keith Mitchell on 9/5/2008 12:22 PM

After going to my son's soccer game Saturday morning, I will be going into a full-on football coma with college all day Saturday and then an all-day schedule of NFL games Sunday (and two games Monday on ESPN).  It's no wonder I don't get anything done at home again until February.

I'm looking forward to seeing how U.C. fares against an elite team like Oklahoma.  I don't like their chances but I think it will be closer than the 21 point line.

In the AFC North, I like the Bengals over Baltimore, Pittsburgh to beat Houston and Dallas to beat Cleveland.  It will be interesting to see how much of the Bengals offense Baltimore will be able to pick up from Willie Anderson who's now a Raven.  Baltimore must think Big Willie has a lot more in the tank than Mike and Marvin did.

By Keith Mitchell on 9/4/2008 11:29 AM

Not that anyone asked, but since it's my page, I'll make my predictions for the season.

AFC North - Pittsburgh (Bengals probably no better than 6-10, that defense won't be any better than last year.  I don't think they have much of a pass rush, linebacking corps is still thin and the secondary doesn't scare anyone.  Cleveland comes back to earth at 8-8, Baltimore is horrible.)

AFC East - Patriots (Easiest schedule in the NFL, nice.)

AFC South - Jacksonville (Colts have too many injuries, they'll get one of the wildcards though.  Jags are the new Bengals in terms of arrests, team turmoil.  That could hurt them down the stretch, but their defense is stout.)

AFC West - San Diego (Denver may surprise with wildcard.)

NFC East - Dallas (Although I'm not sold on them and Tony Romo.  The Giants lost too many guys on defense to defend title.)

NFC ... Read More »

By Keith Mitchell on 9/3/2008 11:45 AM

Just one day until the NFL season starts and I believe my 17-year old daughter has finally found a job. 

Speaking of 17-year olds, I am the same exact age as VP candidate Sarah Palin and I'm not sure how I would handle my daughter being pregnant at her age, having a newborn and three other kids and then running for the second highest office in the land.  This is playing out like a made for TV movie.  They could get TIna Fey to star as Palin.  Easily the most fascinating story in politics in a long time. 

Log in and leave a comment if you like. 

 

 

By Keith Mitchell on 9/2/2008 12:37 PM

Okay, technically, summer still  has 18 more days or so and it's sweltering but my kids finally went back to school after a long three months.  It was the usual ordeal with alarm clocks not going off, lacing up new sneakers, forgetting some sort of supply, etc.

Is Labor Day becoming the most useless holiday?  It seems fewer and fewer people have it off and we wind up spending the day watching the Weather Channel to see what part of America is going to be torn apart by a hurricane. 

Finally, I heard on Chris & Janeen's show this morning that the little bugs that are biting me relentlessly are called "itch mites" that fall from oak trees.  I guess cicadas weren't plague enough.

Bring on the cooler temps and the NFL!

 

 

By Keith Mitchell on 8/26/2008 11:51 AM

If you listened to WGRR at all the past couple weeks, you know I was the honorary Burgermeister for the Gemania Society Oktoberfest.  I had a great time all three days and want to thank the great folks at Germania for letting me have fun and wear leiderhosen. 

 

The great battle of wills is over - no, not Obama and McCain, the battle between Time Warner and the Big Ten Network.  Breathe easier Buckeye fans, you can watch your team play every football game this season.  I have the BTN on my DirecTV and watched my beloved MSU Spartans all last season.  You'll like it if you're a sports lunatic. 

My kids don't ... Read More »

By Keith Mitchell on 8/7/2008 12:26 PM

I can't wait for my favorite local event of the year, the Germania Society Oktoberfest Aug. 22-24 at Germania Park on Kemper Road.  I'm the honorary Burgermeister this year so I get to tap the keg at 5pm that Saturday.  Hope you and your family can make it out for all the fun. 

www.germaniasociety.com

 

By Keith Mitchell on 7/22/2008 12:22 PM

Thanks to Ed Hartmann and everyone with Furniture Fair for inviting me to play in the Celebrity Golf Tournament at the TPC course at RIversbend Monday.  The tournament benefitted the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 

Yes, I was the "celebrity" in my group (stop laughing) and we were bad, really bad.  The tournament was a scramble and usually most groups finish at least a couple strokes under par since the group uses the best shot each time.  We finished over par, way over par.  But it was a lot of fun and I enjoyed playing with Mike, Nancy and Billy Ray from Serta and Peggy from Furniture Fair. 

As for the course, it was brutal.  I lost at least 10 golf balls.  The course is set up for pros, and if you leave the fairway, you get in trouble, often not being able to retrieve the ball.  The greens were unbelievable and gave me a true appreication for what pro golfers are able ... Read More »

By Keith Mitchell on 7/17/2008 1:45 PM

Come listen to a story about my backyard shed...

This started about six years ago when I had sliding glass patio doors installed and some french doors taken out.  Instead of throwing the french doors away, I decide to install them on my backyard shed, which was in bad shape.  I was using a tarp as a door, so these glass doors would class it up, right?  My wife laughed as I am no carpenter but I pursued my dream and after a weekend's worth of work, I had installed the doors.  One coat of paint later, my terrible carpentry was hidden (unless you got close) and I had a conversation piece.

Fast forward to last fall when my 13-year old son decided to use a baseball bat to remove black walnuts from the yard.  You guessed it, he put one into the glass on the shed's french doors.  These doors had survived numerous bangings, storms and my clumsiness.  Fortunately he only broke one pane so the shed survived w ... Read More »

By Keith Mitchell on 7/14/2008 4:24 PM

Back on my regular 2-6pm time slot after filling in last week for Chris and Janeen.  One thing I'm doing once my kids are out of the house is to go on a vacation like they took to England.  (If I can afford the air fare 9 years from now.)

While I was walking downtown to get some lunch, a woman yelled "nice shirt" at me out her car window.  How exactly do you respond to that?  I didn't make the shirt so I don't really think its a compliment.  I laughed and said "thanks."  Whatever.

If you listen while I'm doing mornings, you might know that I like to cook.  Tried a new recipe for chile'-lime marinated chicken.  It was great - look for the recipe at www.allrecipes.com if you're interested.

 

 

By Keith Mitchell on 7/11/2008 2:37 PM

This week filling in for Chris and Janeen flew by.  We didn't get to go to England with them but the updates they sent every day were very cool. 

We had teen actor Josh Hutcherson in Friday - what a great, engaging you man.  Go see his new movie "Journey To The Center of the Earth", it's in digital 3D and getting pretty good reviews.  Refreshing to see a young actor who's level-headed, polite, witty and proud of where he's from (Union, KY). 

Also, Chef Debby Spangler is your go to chef if you're having an event and need delicious food and want to impress your guests.  She brought in a marinated pork tenderloin and creamy dill potato salad for us.  I think J.D. is still eating the tenderloin.  Check out her recipes through the link on Chris and Janeen's page.

Thanks for putting up with us for the week, C&J return Monday.