Yes, I have done it. I have beaten my fantasy football league and I am the champion. The only reason I played and wanted to win was so I could boast about this very fact. I am the top dog. I had the best sleeper pick in the draft (Curtis Martin) who had his best season ever. I scouted the best wide receivers available in the early season: Muhsin Muhammad was the best fantasy receiver, Nate Burleson capped 1000 yards and 9 TD’s, Michael Clayton will probably be the rookie of the year, and Ashlie Lelie had a breakout year. Everybody doubted Brett Favre, but he was fourth in TD’s and fantasy points for QB’s. I had the best kicker, New England’s own Adam Vinatieri (2-time Superbowl gamewinner), the best ranked defense, Pittsburgh (who is 15-1 because of their defense), and some of the best defensive players in the league, including Julius Peppers who had an unbelievable second half. Finally, after sweating over the Yahoo Fantasy page for 4 months, I have conquered. Everybody doubted my strategy, rejected my trade offers, and never fully appreciated the potency of my team week in and week out. You all suck and I’m glad you lost.

Sorry, I had to get that out of my system. Needless to say it was a good weekend which ended a good holiday season. Let’s review some sweet gifts:

The Gandolf Pipe (I’ve wanted for 2 years, thanks honey), check Pipe Room link
Magazines with U2 covers and articles (sorry James)
U2 Book charting their touring history
A nice shirt from my sister (even though it’s from the GAP)

As you can see, I’m not a tough person to please. I will say these were my only gifts. But I like simplicity and appreciate when people look for things they know I will like, or if they don’t know ask me. Holidays just aren’t too eventful for me anymore, especially Christmas. I like a smaller, less decorated tree, lighting provided by a small gallery of white Christmas lights, instrumental music, eggnog n rum, seasonal beers, and fellowship by the fire. Gift-giving should be optional. In fact, I only gave one gift this year: to me beloved Kalila I gave a boxed set of the Lord of the Rings that we will read to each other once we are married. Awww.

Car Update: My car should be ready by Wednesday. The exterior damage is still there, they quoted me somewhere between $1000-1200 to get it mint again. Not gonna happen. At least not now.

Oh, Yeah. I showed James the Gandolf pipe today, which he liked. We hung outside for a while and we both enjoyed a clove cigarette. It occurred to me while I was smoking that I hadn’t inhaled a cigarette type substance in seven years. After we got back inside and got back to work, I was sick to my stomach. My face was green and I thought I was going to hurl. It took me about 2 hours to recover; I thought I would have to leave work. It wouldn’t have mattered, I was in no condition to drive home, I could barely take a phone call.