Your “Working In A Coal Mine” Thursday Open Thread

I mention the song because the line, “I am so tired!” really fits the bill these days. Retirement is on the horizon but the timeline is anywhere between 18 months and three years, depending on ‘some’ outside factors. I also recall my circle of server/bartender buddies saying this on Sunday night after working six of seven shifts from Thursday night to Sunday night. We were young then but doing that for a few years aged us tremendously but I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world. (except for the time I had an ashtray hurled at my head)

But now, let’s cherry pick some items!

Today In Doublespeak: Get out your acid-washed jeans and your neon t-shirts because it’s 1984 all over again! The reigning FIFA Peace Prize recipient has suggested that the Iran footed ball team not participate in the tourney this summer “for their safety”. Only the dumbest of folks would interpret this as an actual concern. T’was spoken by a man that is not concerned about anyone. One would think that a host country would put some effort into protecting any players and/or teams that might be subject to violence but when the state is…I’ll just stop now.

Redhawks Wings Clipped: Hippo called it, saying that Miami of Ohio were paper tigers and they went ahead and proved it by losing to a very middling UMASS squad. The WWL is among a few outlets that say they “should” get in. WTF? Say what you will of their conference and strength of schedule, teams that win 30 in a row deserve to get into the Dance. But you could see it coming, the kids faltering under the pressure-their last three wins vs Ohio, Western Michigan and Toledo were by a combined 6 points. The domino effect of this loss is that they force a bubble team to go further in their tourney in order to get in because now the MAC will have two entrants. Oh, the horror!

The NFLPA Does A Smart?: I’ve said before that this is a captured union but it’s Stopped Clock Time. There have been a great amount of three year contracts that players have signed and that is due to their governing body putting out the word that said players will benefit from this due to the ever upward-spiraling salary cap and the opportunity of sign multiple contracts. (more than the usual two that slightly above-average guys put their name to) Most of these agreements are two years in length anyway so a guy gets back to negotiating that much sooner.

Leafs Playoff Chances Update!: Pretty much dead in the water. The Leafs are the proud owners of an eight game losing skid and it’s all over but the fans’ whining. Something special happened when their captain Austin Matthews draped himself in the stars and stripes recently, no doubt. (can’t be capitalizing that fill-in for the flag these desperate days)

Any thoughts?