The Rose Bowl draws nigh.

New comment:

Sandy Koufax is going to turn 72????

Sounds like Robert Landry is an avid Dodger Thoughts reader.

Any sign of you know who...?

Career innings pitched 2,324

1963 25-5, ip 311, era 1.88, so 306, bb 58

1964 19-5, ip 223, era 1.74, so 223, bb 53

1965 26-8, ip 335, era 2.04, so 382, bb 71

1966 27-9, ip 323, era 1.73, so 317, bb 77

Happy Birthday Mr. Kofax!

new post, let the commenting commence!

anyone for music? what's all the fuss over Vampire Weekend?

If we are going to spill the beans on prospects...I had a couple buddies who this past AFL season, set up shop in Phoenix for the AFL and did the whole scouting and prospecting thing. They went to games, talked to scouts, hung out with the players etc.

Well, my buddy had a friend that deals and he said Maybin was a regular customer during his AFL stay.

The latest hyped-up album that I don't understand was Les Savy Fav. Just sounds like a regular old rock record to me.

Sorry in advance for my ignorance on tinyurl, but everyone read this yet?

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7595262

It's been a topic of discussion (I work in the OC, so I was glad to see us above the AAA-Angels).

I'm sure Dayne Perry is a good writer & all but when he wrote that stuff about J.D. Drew I kind of lost some respect for him. I do like some other stuff he's written though.

It depends partly on Maybin's "tastes," but that's potentially huge news, with regards to health issues and the like; do big league teams have an inkling of his extracurricular activities?

WWSH

I didn't realize that, Bob. I actually have a vague memory of when Paul LoDuca was Union rep, and some fracas surrounding his statements that newly instituted steroid testing would also cover things like marijuana, when in fact that wasn't the case. Of course, I may have mis-remembered, or the more recent testing regimen changed that.

Of course, there are ways of evading testing for anyone determined or savvy enough to do so.

WWSH

"just" pot.

Looks like Prior is a serious underdog in '08

PEDs don't require "reasonable cause."

Giants are desperate for position prospects, particularly infielders, and probably would want an arm as part of a Lincecum move.

Lincecum, I think, is someone the Giants will move.

Not sure if this would be a good deal for the Dodgers, but it'd be pretty cool to have Billingsley-Kershaw-Lincecum in the same rotation. I also think Lincecum could be a very good closer.

If we didn't have such a huge offensive hole at 3b that would be a deal I would strongly consider.

Just having fun. Would love to hear what Ned and Sabean would say. Maybe I'm crazy, but I think the Giants would find it attractive. Hu could fill at 2B and then replace Vizquel. LaRoche fills a hole, hopefully, for 5-7 years (and it sounds like Villalona will end up at 1B). Elbert needs to throw more strikes -- couldn't hurt going to a pitchers park.

The BR comps for Lincecum aren't exciting. They're sobering. But two of them are Blass and Drabek -- darn good pitchers. The Lincecum evaluation would be difficult. Will he throw enough strikes? Will he hold up? His wipeout rates in the minors are pretty special, and that's a damn good rookie season at age 23.

From B-R:

Start with a thousand and then subtract the following deductions.

* One point for each difference of 1 win.
* One point for each difference of 2 losses.
* One point for each difference of .002 in winning percentage (max 100 points).
* One point for each difference of .02 in ERA (max 100 points).
* One point for each difference of 10 games pitched.
* One point for each difference of 20 starts.
* One point for each difference of 20 complete games.
* One point for each difference of 50 innings pitched.
* One point for each difference of 50 hits allowed.
* One point for each difference of 30 strikeouts.
* One point for each difference of 10 walks.
* One point for each difference of 5 shutouts.
* One point for each difference of 3 saves.

If they throw with a different hand and are starters subtract 10, relievers 25. For relievers you half the winning percentage penalty and the winning percentage penalty can up to 1.5 times the wins and losses penalty. Relievers are defined as more relief appearances than starts and less than 4.00 innings per appearance.

1. Chuck Estrada (981)
2. Frank Pastore (978)
3. Andy Benes (978)
4. Mark Buehrle (977)
5. Wayne Simpson (977)
6. Mike Nagy (975)
7. Bob Brown (974)
8. Dizzy Dean (973) *
9. Kerry Wood (972)
10. Bruce Kison (971)

On the other hand this could also mean that Billingsley could look forward to a career in religious radio ministry like Pastore.

I remember thinking, "No, that can't be possible..."

http://tinyurl.com/2zuxjo

on kershaw
Watson is equally effusive, saying, "This kid is mature well beyond his years. He features a well-above-average fastball that's anywhere from 92-98 on a given night. The curveball is something we're trying to tighten up, and we're also trying to improve the command of his changeup and get him to use it a little more frequently. He's got a power arm with some feel to pitch, and he's a great competitor."

Watson on McDizzle

"He's got a four-pitch mix with a really good ability to command all four," Watson says. "He's anywhere from 88-93 (mph). He's got a get-me-over curveball, a swing-and-miss curveball and a good changeup."

I think that was Schmidt...

Good point about the hole at 3B as an effect of my whimsical trade for Lincicum. Third base is a pretty strong position within the farm system. DeWitt has a chance to be decent. Baez and Bell are pretty exciting for their respective levels.

This is the kind of trade that probably would be more likely to happen in spring training. If I'm the Dodgers, I'd like to watch how Lincecum throws this spring. He had a pretty rigorous first full professional season. And if I'm the Giants, I'd like to see a bit more of LaRoche and see how Elbert is coming off surgery.

If this thing ever got going, Ned would be smart to see if he could cheaply obtain Rolen, provided he's showing that he's back to driving the ball and the shoulder checks out. Rolen reportedly can veto a trade to many places but would welcome a move to the Dodgers. After LaRussa's remarks, it's hard to imagine the Cardinals will keep Rolen. Who knows, maybe Ned could get Rolen very cheaply, for, say, DeWitt -- a bit like how the Padres bought low on Edmonds.

Certainly there would be risk in getting Lincecum. The scouts and other evaluators would be put to the test. Will he hold up physically? Will he throw enough strikes?

Still, it would be pretty exciting to project him as the No. 5 starter, behind Lowe-Penny-Billingsley-Kuroda (I consider Schmidt a virtual sunk cost; at the least, he'd benefit from a minor-league rehabiliation series of outings).

As a No. 5, Lincecum would probably give the Dodgers an advantage most of the time, and from that spot, you could soften his workload, send him into the ASB with maybe 70 innings. I think it would benefit his development.

Hard to think anyone else, save the Red Sox, would have more youthful starting pitching with upside as the Dodgers would have with Penny-Billingsley-Lincecum-Kershaw. And as the Red Sox showed, good pitching makes it easier to maximize the good pitching that you have. Beckett was a lot fresher than Sabathia entering October, and I think it showed.

Tiny bonus: It'd be easier to allow Lowe to walk next offseason and get two draft picks for him, or to deal him in July, though I doubt it would come to that.

For some reason, that reminded me of Buzzie Bavasi's infamous comment that he could replace Nolan Ryan with "two 8-7 guys".

In his last ten games, once he began starting consecutive games in Sept., LaRoche hit .278/.333/.389, which is only slightly more than Nomaresque (2007: .283/.328/.371), but one is - one hopes - still improving and learning to play in the majors, and the other is a season and one half into serious decline. I still don't get how some people think that 115 MLB PAs is enough to seriously sway Dodger brass's opinion on a prospect. Furthermore, the Betemit/Proctor trade was made despite Abreu's injury, in part, because LaRoche provided major league ready 3B depth, until he, too, was hurt. To me, that better indicates LaRoche's status with the Dodgers than whatever he did with the additional 60 PAs he got in September.

Besides Rolen's patched-up shoulder, have Bowa and Rolen patched up their problems from Philly?

I think Lowe is walking after the season, not matter what; he will be looking for more years and more dollars than Colletti will give him. I anticipate 2008 to be Lowe's last season in Dodger blue. Kuroda may be Loaiza/Schmidt insurance this season, but he may be Lowe insurance for the two after that.

BTW, Lowe did not have a great walk year the last time he had the chance, but his team did pretty well.

I guess 200 IP would be reasonable, though preferably that would include a built-in cushion for the postseason. Yes, it's a 13-percent increase in raw numbers, but pitching in the majors is more strenuous, no? I mean, in college and Triple-A, Lincecum appeared to be pitching against T-ballers, judging by the K numbers. 2008 would be his first full major-league season. And the lad is small in stature. In the view of some scouts, that matters where workload is concerned. Pedro Martinez is a notable exception.

As for Bowa-Rolen. Interesting blast from the past. But Bowa should be dismissed if he were unable to make peace with Rolen. Here is a 3B who has exceptional defensive ability to go with a .372 career on-base percentage. If the shoulder checks out, he's a very interesting buy-low opportunity. The Dodgers might have some trade leverage to get him cheaply if the reports are true about Rolen's no-trade powers. And by cheaply, I mean for less than LaRoche.

So in my whimsical brainstorming here, the Dodgers could come away with Lincecum and Rolen, yet still have pipeline talent to replace the players traded. 3B prospects such as Baez/Bell are projected to emerge about the time Rolen's contract comes due. To replace Hu, they would have DeJesus.

I agree that Lowe is likely to walk. I love the idea of getting two draft picks for him.

My biggest point here is that I hope that Colletti would explore such scenarios, whimsical and perhaps farfetched though they may be. The Dodgers may have some leverage on several fronts. If the Padres can buy low on players such as Edmonds who want to come to San Diego, maybe the Dodgers can do it for Rolen, if he's healthy. And I really do think the Giants would have to think twice about the chance to plug LaRoche and Hu into their infield for several years. Would be nice if Elbert is throwing free and easy in spring training, because he could be a chip. Crazy though it would be to see the Giants and Dodgers pull of a blockbuster, there might be a fit there, and it extends to the GMs.

1. 3B battle between Nomar and Andy.
2. Health and recovery of Jason Schmidt, Yhency Brazoban, Hong-Chi Kuo, Jason Repko, Scott Elbert, and Bryan Morris.
3. Utility infielder face-off between Tony Abreu, Wilson Valdez and Chin-Lung Hu.
4. How many times you see Ethier, Jones, Kemp vs. Pierre, Jones, Kemp/Ethier outfield.
5. 25th man spot battle including Delwyn Young.
6. Hideki Kuroda's adjustments to MLB batters.
7. First time we hear Larry Bowa had a sit down with some of the younger players.
8. Stories about Donnie Baseball working with Preston.
9. Does Jonathan Meloan pitch short relief or is he streched out as a starter?
10. First time James McDonald pitches in a big league camp game.

"Did you know: Herman Melville was a pin spotter in a Hawaiian bowling alley in 1843? That's true. Today he's considered a great writer. Back then he was just 'the Dude.' "

Also, from the Goes Without Saying Dept., the lead of CNN's tiger story today reports that the killing of a 17-year-old has "ruined Christmas" for his mother.

Might have to wait for the regular season for that.

the lead of CNN's tiger story today reports that the killing of a 17-year-old has "ruined Christmas" for his mother

Ruined Christmas for the tiger, too.

Billingsley's top five PECOTA comps heading into the year were Richard Dotson, Ryan Dempster, Freddy Garcia, Ben Sheets, and Pete Broburg. I expect that those names will be much nicer this year after the huge improvements he made.

I say "drive up the 5" because I think it sounds LA. Frankly, I've never done it in my life.

54 The way gas prices keep going up, unless the service charges bum you out, I would buy them online. Or wait until they go up on E-Bay, my recollection is that for non-season ticket holders, single game tickets go on sale in the middle of March.

Accept no Northern California or Oregon substitutes.

Freeway Series (regular season variety) sells out pretty fast now. I don't think single game tickets will be on sale until February or mid-March.

Presumably, she will be healed up enough to go to the movies after.

Pierre, "a factor offensively": .293/.331/.353, 75 OPS+
LaRoche, "star lost some shine": .226/.365/.312, 75 OPS+

Pierre, well he is what he is, enough said.

Of course, Lebowski will always be the real`dude'.

Since most of those guys were big time prospects who quickly flamed out, those comparables should get a lot better this year since Kemp has had some success in the bigs.

1) Who stands on what side of Andruw?

2) How do we get rid of Juan Pierre?

3) What else does this cost us?

4) Who's the third team?

5) Who do the Blue Jays get from team 3?

80 Can't speak for Bumsrap, but I assume it's Rios to the Dodgers, Lincecum to the Blue Jays, and LaRoche/Hu/Elbert to the Giants.

my speculation is that freeways have more cultural/social significance in los angeles, and therefore have assumed an article as an indicator of their importance. THE 5. more important than any other 5 could possibly be.

16 dude, LSF is one of my favorite bands. i haven't listened to the new one so much but "go forth" and "rome (written upside down)" are brilliant, the lyrics especially. and the live show is second to none. i can tell numerous stories but this probably isn't the place for it. suffice it to say that tim harrington is the most dynamic frontman i've ever seen.

-$1m guaranteed salary
-$1m in bonuses for being on 25-man roster (will top out at $750k if he is on the club by June 1)
-$50k for each start, 6 through 10
-$100k for each start, 11 through 15
-$150k for each start, 16 through 20
-$200k for each start, 21 through 30

http://tinyurl.com/2llxzv

This is the reason...
http://tinyurl.com/yvotbt
...you don't trade with the Giants.

http://tinyurl.com/2jrcgh

Killing/betting on a dog gets you 23 months, yet Leonard Little gets probation for killing a person driving under the influence?

So.....Any Jane's Crazy Mixed Up Salt fans here?

http://popvssoda.com:2998/

it would be interesting to see where this regional tic begins and ends.

1) Who stands on what side of Andruw? Rios in right and Kemp in left with Rios perhaps playing center on occasion and after Jones leaves.

2) How do we get rid of Juan Pierre? Trade him would be the preferable choice for me.

3) What else does this cost us? The given is we lose depth at third and shortstop and perhaps a very good pitcher in Elbert. The hunt continues for the elusive long term third baseman but for now Nomar and Abreu will work at third with the bats the outfield would provide.

4) Who's the third team? Giants, Dodgers, Blue Jays.

5) Who do the Blue Jays get from team 3? Lincicum.

Rios adds much more speed than Ethier provides, maybe a better ability to play CF, more power and much more arm strength than Pierre provides.

Hmm, I feel a regional tic coming on...

I'm not sure about the rest of the East Coast, but in NYC's outer boroughs, no one even knows what the "freeway" numbers are. They are all referred to - without exception - by their names: the BQE, the LIE, the Van Wyck, etc.

My local dialect ignores both state and federal cipher aesthetics.

Funny, I don't remember the number for it.

Charlie Wilson's War is kind of a waste...a political statement film...

and the underlying purpose for making that movie was to take a shot at the politicians in Washington

Whomever we receive in return for LaRoche.

Also, I agree with you on the two-headed, favorite-director part as well.

Thoughts on "No Country for Old Men" anyone? I'm thinking that should get some Award Nods as well.

So, um, how many days are we looking at until pitchers and catchers report? Can we just call for an early start this year? I've been so desperate for some ball that I've been watching old "Dodgers Live" segments on Tivo. It's a bummer too because the only ones I have saved are from the end of September. Ugly.

Basically, the Caltrans had an extraordinarily detailed plan of freeways to build in Southern California. This was back in the 1950s. The names and route numbers were not picked at the same time.

My girlfriend said, "You'll be seeing that one without me won't you?" But she did like "Atonement" as well. I don't think she noticed the "Touch of Evil" like tracking shot during it.

I'm back from a long absence, but I would feel better about Rios(a position player) than Lincecum (one arm and on inch away from Shmidt) to give up three potential MLs--Elbert,LaRoche, and Hu. As a matter of fact I think the trend is away from giving up much money or players for an arm--too risky.

PT Anderson will come out and talk to us ahead of time, but we'll all be too afraid to ask him any tough questions.

Merciful, not afraid.

Oklahoma is so small that people who don't live in Oklahoma City, just refer to it as, "The City." as if Oklahoma City is the end all, be all of cities.

I just got done watching the Kerry Wood 20-K game on a DVD I bought Helen. It's a piece of artistry, seen by an astonishingly small number of people (15,758 on a Wednesday day game).

Walk Hard had some funny moments, but it went for the easy route on seemingly every joke. I went into the movie expecting stupid but funny, and was really disappointed. The Dylan parodies were good and funny though.

There Will Be Blood sadly is only in limited release, so I will have to go tomorrow night at midnight to see it in San Diego. It looks so good that I'll probably go see it, even though I have to take The 805™ (not the Jacob Dekema Memorial Freeway) to get there.

I am also amazed at how intelligent adults get lost without a GPS, are clueless how N/S/E/W works, and can't read a simple Thomas guide.

Walk Hard was funny but as Eric said the laughs were all cheap. Easy screenplay to write but the songs are cool. I thought D4P would love it since he hates musical Bio's but if he never saw the musical bio's would he even get the jokes?

I sure hope Jim Leyritz had a good time and it was worth killing someone's mother. Idiots everywhere. Where is Dexter when you need him.

150 - Yeah, I guess it's because freeways in VA are pretty much all US interstates. The long form of "the 110" would be "the 110 freeway", whereas the long form of "64" would be "interstate 64," which does not contain an article. If anything gets a "the," it either refers to "the interstate," typically in such regions where there is only one, or a name or nickname for a road, like "the [capital] beltway" or "the Powhite parkway."

i.e. "Take 880, 280, exit main street" versus "Take 880 to 80, exit main street"

Stupid Nor Cal...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hof08/news/story?id=3170013

For the record, I think he does.

It amazes me that intellegent baseball fans would dis Blyleven based on number of wins. He had so many years with an ERA about 1.00 better than league average and wound up with a W-L record of 17-15 or similar. I can see the casual fan not looking past W-L records but anyone who writes an article on ESPN should know better.

I am through ranting now. I think I'll go for a drive on THE Freeway

I found CNET to be really helpful when I did the research for my tv. Look at things like room size, black and white contrast, and the number of HDMI connections. I made sure mine had two HDMI connections and a component connection, so I would get stuck needing to buy a main hub to plug it all into.

I ended up with a 32" Samsung, and I have been extremely happy with the purchase. Thank you, Amazon.

I have a 52" Panasonic and a 32" Samsung. The Panisonic is fine but the Samsung blows it away. I love the Samsung.

My TV and I get along well. However, analog or otherwise non-HD channels from my cable system don't look so hot on the DVR and then on the TV.

If buying online (really worth it - I saved $600) make sure you know what you're looking for in advance. There are lots of older models still being sold. Get a newer model - they're both better and cheaper for value.

and Routes Nationales
(Routes Nationale 20 or RN 20 is commonly known as "LE N 20", of course, with an article, and it will take you to the magical world of Périgord - magical that is if you like foie gras and truffles).
Autoroutes are toll roads, but RN are not.
------
Autoroutes are 'super freeways'.If you get on the autoroute, be sure that you know where you are going, because sometimes there are no exits for 10 kms(6,2 m)or more….
An RN can be like a freeway or like Rosecrans Blvd. I live on a RN - it sometimes gets quiet between 1:30AM and 5:30AM…
-----------
All the autoroute-like roads in the region of Brittany are RNs because part of Duchess Anne of Brittany's negotiations in the 17th century when Brittany became part ofthe Kingdom of France insured that there wound NEVER at any time in the future be toll roads in Brittany.
-------------
My sister lives in Alameda Co - I'm going to check on this "no articles before freeways in NoCal" - I find it hard to believe !

GEAUX DODGEURS !

I have a 37 inch Vizio that I purchased from Costco about 8 months ago.

The HD output is comparable to my 46 Samsung, but the blacks just don't seem to blend as well.

Still, its a great TV when coupled with HD service-- and my xbox360 looks great on it.

I believe you can get it for about 750 at costco still,

And San Bernardino County is bigger than several U.S. states.

Not saying you should feel guilty. Stores compete on price, and if a store can't compete with online retailers, that's not your problem.

On the other hand, this is why we don't have good bookstores anymore.

It's a first-class institution, but I'm committed to building a winning U.S. History class. I wish them nothing but the best in their future.

I think it came from the Prussian ambassador yesterday on the 2:30 autogiro.

Stan from Tacoma

If I needed to search for a TV myself, I'd go to AVSForum:
http://tinyurl.com/yuj27l

That forum answers should answer all of your questions. And the people there are probably more knowledgeable than your typical Best Buy CSR. You can create an account and make a new thread, though people would prefer that you use the search function first to find answers.

I'd do most of my research there and then buy the TV online or look for a deal from www.fatwallet.com . I'd only buy an extended warranty if the TV I wanted had common defects/problems. Otherwise I wouldn't bother.

By the way, AVSForum is also a good site for a quick TV calibration after you successfully buy your TV. If you don't want to bother getting a calibration disc and calibrating your TV, you can just search for "settings and tweaks" threads for your particular TV model. Then you can just plug in the numbers for contrast, brightness, color, etc.

Somebody talk me out of it.

Crazy.

Oh... boy ... exciting...

Yea... team....

If you want something that just works, the Macbook would be good. But I like Windows based computers more.

You people would know this stuff faster if you were watching the Meineke Car Care Bowl like I was.

Wasted so much time, just to give it to Rick.

And dial it down with the sweater vests.

Worth $5.

And I don't even drink coffee.

I want to keep Dean more than Knox.

I usually buy books at my local independent bookstore. But for technical books they don't carry in stock, I'll buy online.

It'll be nice when we can get back to baseball.

He may leave in a snit, but it would be a very dumb move on his part. Unless he expects Willingham to get the axe and to be a candidate for that job.

I'd like him to stay, but not to the point of holding the university hostage.

Also, what do you suppose Sandy Koufax dreams about?

I have information that someone may try to assassinate Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo.

I reject those sort of dire prognostications on Princip-le.

I'm thinking of selling my 20" iMac in order to get a MacBook and get more mobile.

Do it, Greg Brock.

So it's a tie game.

Q. If Jason Schmidt is healthy, the Dodgers' rotation looks formidable. Two questions: How does a team plan for the near future with such a significant question mark, and what are the chances that Schmidt returns to form? After all, he is young enough.
— David Nadel, Encino, Calif.

A. The Schmidt question sure is an important one for the success of the 2008 Dodgers, David. But the signing of Hiroki Kuroda has taken away some of the urgency for Schmidt to return to form. With Kuroda joining Brad Penny, Chad Billingsley and Derek Lowe, plus Esteban Loaiza, the Dodgers won't have to rush Schmidt back. When and if Schmidt is ready, Loaiza would become expendable, assuming the other four starters are healthy. And if Schmidt can't bounce back in 2008, you could do a lot worse than Loaiza as your fifth starter.

We won't really know for sure about Schmidt's progress until spring training and game competition. You're right, Schmidt turns 35 in January, so it's not as if he should be at the end of his career. He will pitch again; the question is, when will he be 100 percent, and at what level will he pitch — No. 1-2 starter, or more likely, a No. 3-4? He had shoulder surgery (to repair a torn labrum), and that is more serious and involves more recovery time than elbow surgery.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22412228/page/2/

Speaking of hookers and blow, I'm leaving for Vegas tomorrow for a festive New Years bash.

pray for my safe return.

That's crazy.

Everything in moderation.

Stan from Tacoma

Direct drive LCD is the only place you want to go in that area. All the makers have very nice products, but I have found that those sporting 120 Hz refresh are so far superior to the others (especially for sports, hint hint) that it is a must-have feature. We recently bought a 65" Sharp with 120 Hz refresh and it is da bomb.

Plasma sucks anywhere from 50-200% more power than a comparable LCD flat panel. Plasma contains many little cells of gas which will eventually work its way out of the glass it is encased in, thereby slowly destroying the picture. There is a little-presented specification for plasma TVs known as time-to-half-brightness. Plasma's big advantage over LCD used to be response time, but the newer LCDs are effectively just as fast as plasmas; about the only place where plasma beats LCD is black registration (LCDs are said to still have trouble getting really black blacks), but in practice I've never noticed this.

There are some interesting new display technologies that will see the light of day soon -- OLED being the most prominent -- but until we actually get products, I can't recommend anything.

If you don't mind buying relatively obsolete technology, you should be able to get a tremendous deal on Sony LCD rear-projection TVs right now. Sony has discontinued that entire technology and announced this week they will shut down their entire line. We have had a 42" Sony rear-projection HDTV for three years now and love it.

As to the buying... I went to the "king of big screens", Paul's TV in La Habra. Don't waste your time; they don't carry Sony (and from memory, several other prominent brands). We ended up buying our Sony HDTV from Ken Crane's (also where we ended up buying our home theater). With the big TV's, your best bargains will be online, partly because the out-of-state retailers can sell to you without sales tax. We bought our Sharp from PC Video Online in New York, and while it took seemingly forever to get to us, part of that was caused by the trauma of moving (electronics retailers won't ship to an address that doesn't match that on the credit card for security reasons, and we hadn't changed our credit card address yet).

187 - Both I and my wife have MacBook Pro's and love them. Highly recommended.

As I said, because of the size of TV in question, plasmas are out of the question anyway.

I wouldn't recommend an LCD rear projection TV because I much prefer DLP and LCoS (Sony's SXRD is an example of LCoS). However, I don't think there are any DLP's or LCoS TV's that are in the 35" range.

Yesterday at the movies, there was an ad to raise money to help restore Ellis Island. Joe Montana was featured in it.

Very interesting American history from the families who passed through at E.I.

Worth more than a look.

Be prepared to dislike any shows not shown in HDTV.

Great show.

179 - I know that Orange County seceded from Los Angeles County in 1889, but I would be interested to hear whether claims to Santa Ana River water formed a basis for doing so.