Can you even learn this stuff in a class?

Well, my childhood interests have caught up with me yet again. I've signed up to take a night course called Basics of Sequential Storytelling (otherwise known as drawrin' comics), starting tonight. It's being offered through a community arts center here in town. I also haven't taken an art class since I was in 9th grade. This will really be interesting. Perhaps I can share some of my work here on this forum. Then you will really stop reading it.

EXCELSIOR!

And now for something from the sports desk

Let's title this post "Your Corn-Fed Guide to the NFL Playoffs, or How to still care after your team goes 5-11 and the coach quits in disgust."

I admit it. I like it when historically crappy teams somehow manage to pull their way over the top and win it all. We've seen this frequently in recent years, especially in baseball, with historic losing streaks coming to an end. But even in football we've had celebrations in oft-forgotten places recently - St. Louis, Tampa Bay, and though they were the big boys for a while, New England. This explains why I had been pulling for the Colts this playoff season. I also admit to always being a Peyton Manning fan. But the poor golden boy still can't get to the promised land. So....

Who's left to cheer for? Seeing as I used to live in Illinois, I could have pulled for the Bears, but they yet agains squandered one of their few great regular season runs with a pitiful playoff performance (man, this stuff just writes itself!). I also used to live in North Carolina, so perhaps the Panthers can be my new dream team. However, I lived in NC during the season when the Panthers were unquestionably the worst team in the league, managing to win only one game. So in my eyes, they'll always be kittens (born to be a sports writer, I tell you!).

No, the team that ought to get it's due this year - the Seattle Seahawks. Think about it! Seattle has had little to celebrate in terms of sports victories (one NBA championship back in the late '70s is about it). The Seahawks were for years the very definition of mediocrity - never cringingly bad, never stunningly good. So here's to hoping that the sodden citizens of Seattle can watch their boys with the sea-toned uniforms hoist the trophy this year.

Cartoons have arrived

Three classic Chuck Jones cartoons have recently been added to Roger Ebert's list of great films. I have nothing but fond memories of all three of these cartoons - uh, I mean films - even though they were produced back when my parents were just children. They're finally getting their "propers" for being enjoyable classics and exemplars of the genre. One thing Ebert does not point out (though I'm sure he agrees with me on this) is how much fun it is to watch these three cartoons over and over again through the years. They never get old, and never fail to make you laugh.

More from the music room

Yet another live music feast was had yesterday evening. Some co-workers and I went to see Loudon Wainwright III, and a good time was had by all (BY ALL!). Even the drunk guy in the blazer shouting out requests - no, ESPECIALLY by the drunk guy in the blazer shouting out requests. Loudon handled this tomfoolery just fine. He also riffed on an audience member's cell phone ringing for about a minute. He's got my vote for most unflappable performer of our times. And hey, Albany people - he's going to be at the infamous Egg in May! I recommend it, if you like well-written acoustic songs with a sardonic edge.

The venue was all right, I guess - it was a dinner theater of sorts, and we were crammed in the back. Dinner came right as Loudon took the stage, so I was busily chowing down on pasta and trying to watch at the same time.

Also, that is twice now that I've linked to the Egg web site. What is wrong with me? It should have been called the Football to begin with, I tell ya.

Man.... robots

Seems that some people just hate on robots all day long. Wossamatta for them?

No, I am NOT high.

Happy New Year, though.