Just random snippets

Hello there, choir. It's your prodigal preacher back to harangue you again. No focus this time, though: just stuff pulled out of nowhere with little or no relevance ...

My once-beloved U. of Kentucky men's basketball team gave eloquent testimony for the value of the one-and-done philosophy of coaching now practiced here by losing their first round game in the NIT (the Not Invited Tournament). But that's OK for most of the Big Blue Nation, because The Silver-Tongued Devil has another sterling batch of one-and-dones waiting in the wings for next year. Boo, hiss ...

My cable modem expired suddenly late last week, leaving me powerless in mid-battle on World of Warcraft (resulting in a super-jumbo can of whup-ass). Called my ISP forthwith, and though it was too late in the day to get a tech out, they had someone here the very next morning, who promptly and efficiently (and for free!) replaced the modem and effected my virtual resurrection. I mention this because it's the first real interruption of service I've had in, like, five years, and overnight rectification is purty danged good these days, so I think they deserve a pat on the back. The outfit: Insight Broadband, in transition to Time-Warner Cable. Now, if they'd just lower the monthly charge by a third or so ...

Rand Paul ... Rand Paul ... Tells you all you need to know about Kentucky voters. Finally got rid of the embarrassing Jim Bunning, but replaced him with ... Rand Paul! But you know, every so often he says something that actually makes a whole lot of sense ... go figger. And they keep reelecting Mitch McConnell election after election ... but ole Mitchy's scared shitless of Ashley Judd. And he's got a right to be: She's sharp as a tack, good lookin', and glamorous to boot.

Very encouraged to witness the accession of a Pope from Latin America (even if his parents were Italian), and especially by said Pope's affinity for Francis of Assisi. Not that I really expect much from it - I mean, who pays any attention to religious leaders? - but if he can lead by example, he could be a badly-needed addition to the forces for good in this world. He's got skeletons, though, apparently. We'll see ...

Boy, sure hope it starts to warm up pretty soon ...