Editorial: Ahhh. You feel that? It's the feeling the "family" holidays are ending.

10P.M. What a holiday season is has been. It is shocking that I've played tackle football with friends (all are at least a few years younger than I am...) 2x since Thanksgiving. When you are my age, that is a lot of tackles and running for your life in fear of getting tackled or otherwise pummled by other bald guys, a marine, 6'7" brothas and even a human bowling ball. You heard that right, and I am fortunate enough to say so. And since this is an editorial I wanted to put football behind me once and for all for 2008. My fantasy teams sucked, the Jets got finished off today by the Phins and playing tackle football is over. It's been one of those years. The recent economic downturn has made it very difficult to blog a lot, but it's like a daily meditation so I keep it in the routine. Very few people I know of blog every day, and of those very few, I really can't say I know them much more than by what their blogs and miscellaneous writings reveal. Blogging is such a great area of interest that it has taken the place of television in my life. The profit potential is pathetic, so you know it must have a deeper meaning if this blogmaster would testify as such... Thank you very much if you have read this blog and continue to return. It is part of the allure, though mainly it's a blog filled with brainless banter and awful critiques... the point of it all is fuzzy, so I would be a liar if I said there wasn't some profit prowess involved. Defining the direction of my blog has been a fun endeavor, and on this, Daily Mael's 100th post, I can only conclude there isn't a clearly defined point yet. After 1,100 posts on another blog (over 4 years) I never found a clear point. That's why I have blog "friends" I am confident will, over time, become personal friends as there are few places Daily Mael goes without making friends.

What I have learned about the transfer from a personal blog to a blog I consider to have more potential requires more thought, but not less reckless abandon. This inverse relationship creates a tough balancing act. Do I involve friends or keep it a benign entity? Bowling Ball Steve was actually the first person I know outside of my personal "world of blog" to actually present what I refer to as "the bet". A few weeks back, our fantasy fb teams went head-2-head and were I to lose, and he to win, I would write a post about him. I wound up winning the week so it became a moot point, but I still liked "the bet" idea to begin with. The ironic part is, the bet was never even made, in fact it was only presented by my roommate, Detroit, not BBSteve - so I don't even know if he was down with that bet. And since it's the holidays, and since he's a pretty good poker player, and despite the fact he's a Bear's fan, and since he can help me in future business opportunities, and since he offered to buy me lunch just for playing in Sunday's football game he organized ((I kindly refused the bribe) to guarantee 12 players, and since I know he reads at least one blog, and because when I tried tackling him on a short-n-out pitch that I read perfectly & attacked & got carried 10 yards before being tossed to the ground where I belonged as he continued another 30 yards downfield - I'll give him 2008 kudos for all-around friendship achievement.

So you all know, this editorial post is not this site's norm. But it is late December and as always I like to mull over some of my most memorable times during the year. I have a pretty small immediate family, so I am not innundated with family outings - I'm single, so no dreaded in-law parties to attend, just a lot of emails, phone calls and a few fun get togethers in an otherwise weird December. I have rolled the $100k grant for this site over to a horse in the fifth race at Aqueduct tracks tomorrow night based on a hot-tip from a former boss. I normally don't like betting gray horses, but I'll b rootin' Hooter Troupe on! Ok, that is just more non-sense as I kill more time thinking of the other big things of 2008. Kinda holding my breath to see what will transpire at the Gaza strip on this, the 8th and final night of Chanukah. I've decided this story, while coming late in the year, overshadows the Bernard Madoff story and the car industry woes if it continues to escalate. Of course there were amazing stories too - such as the end of the Bush reign and the beginning of something new... the housing bust, oil and stock market turmoil, Palin, UFOs in Stephensville, Texas and the surging growth and power of Facebook. Sirius and MySpace and LT are going downhill fast. For a GOOD Year in Review, check out Reuters'.

As a special gift to Daily Mael readers, I would like to include a digital link to the 11th editon of Republic Magazine. It includes my fourth article to the magazine. In this issue I got a chance to do an information profile on a very interesting writer named G. Edward Griffin. I don't even know if I'm supposed to be offering this link, as this is a print magazine y'all should be buying to help support it's growth. There, I just saved you 5 bucks, now get back to work! Enjoy your short week, and if you like the magazine enough, buy a copy and mention my name. Hey, it worked for Radiohead in 2007.

Done. 11:15P.M.

Coming soon: Goals for 2009! You won't want to miss this, so come on back.
Picture: Taken a couple weeks ago at Brice Canyon, Utah by me!

Nothing Better Than Warming Up

It's one of those nights... stuck in the misery of choice-less boredom. I could head out to the valley, but I have to be up and out of the house by 9 tomorrow... that would never happen if I walked out side and into my car, so here I am - about to throw down more pictures of my recent trip.

They are uncharacteristically scenic. I like faces, but like I have already said - these are good...



This is a collection of the signs I took pictures of...


I was going to talk about a couple websites but these pictures took precedence.

Enjoy December

I was We were lucky, to have ditched town right before every state I we drove through got bombarded with winter goodness. When we got to Utah it was cold already - but the snow was slowly dragging a day behind us. The result was being able to capture the last bare pictures of 2008 up in Brice, Utah.


As we drove, we found places to get out and socialize a little with local creatures...


The higher we drove, the closer we got to the snow.


At first, I was more interested with looking at the scenery. That was until I started to understand the camera I was using to help document the adventure. It made a big difference because this camera was saving bits and pieces I was compeletey missing by making only quick glances. More of Utah coming, but first expect to see a post or two about some "dailies" I've been observing lately...

Took a Walk with Absurd

And wandered into a tiny museum in city called Hurricane, in Utah because of the guy who was begging us to enter.

We took a browse - this city with a rich in history and very few people was impressive...


It was a nice way to check out the surroundings and talk to people and get a feeling for where we were. But this was just a stop on the way to the big mountains up the highway, so onward we pushed.

Best 2008 Holiday Card I've Received So Far...

Just Getting Started

At this point in my recent vacation, we were just getting started. This was just a piss break from the first leg that turned into as nice a place as any to take a picture or two. For me, two, for Absurd - 30.

I don't even remember the exact point here, but I am sure he has it well-documented. And as co-navigator, I felt it was important to note that going "this way" was the Wrong Way. Fortunately, we got back on the hwy the right way and it was ON (as one waitress put it..) Like Donkey Kong!

Daily Mael 2008 Sports Round-up

This year comes to an end very soon (16 days?) and Tony Romo has screwed me for the 2nd straight December. His sack-taking ass will soon be a memory to my otherwise unstoppable offense. Oh yeah, and no traveling during fantasy playoffs if at all possible.

By the way, if you weren't sure, LT is done, lets be honest. However, the Chargers are using him like a wise franchise should - allowing him to bow out in grand style. LT is a class act, but I've been saying it since before week1, he's rounded the turn and is heading for home. His role is on the decline, but he is still productive enough to make SD a contender.

Anyway, screw Romo - and screw the Cowboys for that matter - I hate his game, I can't stand his grin and I hope he caught something from Jessica Simpson.

The Clippers began the season sucking it bad, but have since gotten rid of Cuttino Mobley, finally, and retrieved a true basketball stud - Zack Randolph. Nobody was more excited than I at the news - and so far he is showing he's as good as I have been telling people. I realize some people will never listen to my sports analysis, but this move will make the Clips a playoff contender this season. Believe in something, right? Right. Go Clips. I am still trying to erase my memories from ealier in the year when the Celtics rolled to another championship. Then the Timberwolves announce Kevin McHale will be the head coach - a great move for the franchise. I just wish sometimes the Celtics would breed anything but great basketball and hatred, but this has been the case more than not.

Former Angel and big hitter, Willie Mays Aikens was released from prison after serving 14 years of his 20 year sentence for selling crack to a FBI entrapper ho in the early 90s. He got the raw deal, but is being released because of a change in the crack laws. Flashing back to 1983, I remember when he went to jail for crack, 3 years after being the 1st (only) ball player to ever drill back to back multi-homer games in a World Series. I'll never forget the moment when I asked my parents "what is crack?" Willie helped me make the right decision and I was really glad to hear of his release.

A ton of sports figures died in 2008 ... probably not more than usual, but one sure sign I am getting older came when I realized there were a lot more of these sports folks who died that were players with names and faces I remember from when I was growing up. Even worse was the staggering % of these who died due to their involvement with drugs or alcohol.

2008 March Madness in Las Vegas was horrible. This is just a reminder and I will not be going back in 2009 even if I discover a brick of gold or it's equivalent by February.

I did not watch a single event of this summer's Olympic Games. I don't know what country received the most or least medals, and I don't care. I didn't watch any of the major sports all-star games, but nothing new there.

After scoring 3 TDs in the 2008 Turkey Bowl, fellow old geezers and I beat the younger, far more out of shape team, proving once n for all that it is NOT all about fantasy sports. Go outside, you lazy fucks! Reality check: Fact is, pride is useless, particularly in the face of losing 50 bucks...

(I hate Tony Romo, coming soon from the creator of I hate Tom Brady)

Taos is Nice...

Won't be seeing many sights like this for a while...

All aboard! Get yer ass on the TRAIN!

Should be skiing but we are on our last leg and heading home. I don't know which way to go.


Just a quick look ... wait til you see the Canon pix, tough guy!

typing with gloves is tough

So now i am in New Mexico. Thing would only be better if I wasn't wearing gloves while typing but - well - the fingers are cold and need warming.

Hiked through several National Forests, and just missed entering a sweet one - Four Corners which touches four of the states right at their joining middle - Colorado, NM, Utah, Arizona. No signs of John McCain or John Stockton - but plenty of buffalo and American Indians. I was scared at a bull I stupidly pointed a camera at - when he looked directly at me I jumped back in the car and yelled "Punch It!" and off we went.

I'm tired - but getting ready to go get a beer and discuss the happenings with Mr. Absurdity who has done a fine job navigating this trip thusfar. Being on the road with someone can really test one's nerves - but we're two easy going peeps and no carnage or road rage has occurred. We got an $80 year round pass to enter National Forests - which have averaged nearly $25 each to enter. OMG the sites. The people. The animals - the moon and sunsets have been crazy fun... sorry if you want to see the pics I just haven't been able to even come close to messing with them yet. Oh yeah.. saw an amazing fireball streaking across the sky tonight - turned green and disappeared off into the distance - wow. Made my trip that much more fantastic.

What's up in Illinois?

Spotted our first Walmart of the trip today in a dive-town in New Mexico... drove through a montrously large American Indian reservation all day. Got some postcards and little nic-naks...

And what is that? Oh, beer. Right.. later!

Live from Moab, Utah

Updates are slower than expected as some of the motels have had REALLY slow, like terribly slow wifi, so after checking out my horribly disappointing fantasy results yesterday (fuck you, for the 2nd year running, Romo,) I slammed the laptop shut, leaving the DM in the dark. UNBELIEVABLE pictures coming your way, but that won't be til oh... next week. But they are worth the wait and if you helped with a donation, I took one picture especially for you. Cash is always a problem so thanks again.. Well, lets see,what have I seen... numerous national parks that are mind blowing and happily uncrowded. A night at a hotel at a casino in Mesquite, NV - I didn't sleep til' 3 as I played some nickle machines while getting free drinks. At one point - around 2am, I got into a conversation with some locals- and our pregnant bartender (bless her heart) had set me up with 3 beers on one serve cuz some jerk was a dick to her. Thanks to Mr. Dick and preggo-in-a-super-smokey-casino bartender. Couldn't risk gambling, so settled on talking to some locals at a blackjack table - while he won 800 bucks just shootin' it with me. Unreal, he didn't know how badly I wanted to cry, so I went to bed- he even offered to "put me on the payroll" if I hung out longer while he won, and I'm like "dude, I'm not your BJ muse, go get a hooker with your cash!" zzzz. Woke up hurting but I didn't have to drive so all was good. Otherwise, a couple decent dives/seedy dump diners, truck stops, a snow blizzard about two hours ago coming through hwy 95 and two breath-taking hikes that almost made my lungs explode cuz we're at 10,000 ft elevation... almost slammed three deer to their bloody demise, but thank you anti-lock break system. Took a picture of a woodpecker, because there was one sitting next to me wondering if he could have one of my Wheat Thins. "No problem lil' man." Most of the steakhouses are closed for winter down here... but I still think Utah is a decent place. Little drama, beautiful to no end. We're near Cortez, Colorado - so maybe tomorrow or the next day, then ... well, hopefully I'll have some Wifi along the way for more updates. Thanks for reading, see ya!

Great New Pictures: Meteorites from the Lone Rock, SK Strewn Field

One of the Greatest Things I Ever Did Was Meet a Canadian

When I got to S Korea in 2003 to teach English for the year, I met a Canadian dude named Beard. I didn't know what to make of him at first, but I took nothing for granted because I was loving every second of being in a foreign land and I had all the time in the world to get to know him. And over the course of my time there, I really got to find out there really are good people out there in this world. His then-girlfriend, now-wife came to visit him and even she was cool. There was no question this was a smart guy, smarter than me for sure, but at the same time, he was a very down to earth guy who wasn't afraid to show his weaknesses, yet still defend them to a respectable level. Is that even possible? Was I just being too trust-worthy? It didn't matter because I blew his mind in one way that will always make us friends - I had the one thing from home he missed most besides his girlfriend - a "j". We had a few laugh-to-the-verge-of-tears moments together with our other Korea teachers and friends. Eating doc-kalb and ho-duc and singing karaoke... at 3 in the morning, drunk. It's all too nostalgic to get into at this point in history, but today he sent me a link to a fantastic website that has pictures from that meteorite that smacked down close to his part of Manitoba, Canada.

I had emailed him immediately after I first heard about it, because as curious as I am about such things, there is no such thing better than having a good friend in an area of newsworthy interest in another part of the world. Thanks for the link, Beard!

Pictured: "The first meteorites were located by Ellen Milley, a PhD candidate at the University of Calgary, in a frozen fish pond near the agricultural community of Lone Rock, Saskatchewan. (Photograph: Bruce McCurdy, Edmonton Space & Science Foundation / Royal Astronomical Society of Canada)"

The Plight of the Fiscal Liberal

It gets really annoying to hear people who say they are social liberals, fiscal conservatives, liberal-liberal with a twist of conservative-reformation-primordial decaf. As if to sound that they believe in tightening up their control of money while being able to hang out with all the cool people.

Stop it!

Just stop. Everything we understand about money is tweaked (unless you already have a grip on how to make it already...) and it's going to get worse and it's going to evolve so that everyone who thinks they know is not going to know and - too bad. This as big of a prediction as I can make, we're all playing with Monopoly money as it is, it was a matter of time before the shit hit the fan, and that time is now. Splat. I've met a lot of people along the way, all of whom make more money than I do, who have expressed this much and way more. Don't be afraid, adjust accordingly. Go on a road-trip.

I'm going on a 10-day road-trip Friday and though I should be home working I will instead be driving through canyons, prairies and cities throughout cattle country and more. It's going to be incredible. But is there a point? Wait for the pictures and prose...8 states, 10 days. Tic... toc...