All Is Not Lost

First off, I had a great weekend with you and your friends, Dear Roxy. They were great. My personally favorite story was the Dawson's Creek days!
And then the next day, wow! Can you say sleep deprive? Thanks!

Oh, remember the table across ours??? Shhh... that's our secret.

Did I tell you what happened to me? My friend wanted to give me tickets to go watch the Heat game on Valentine's Day, but I told her no because I already had plans. Well, guess what? My favorite players were there: JETER and MANNING! Ahhhhhh! Look at what I missed ↑At least they didn't have dates. But I'm still losing sleep over that one ;(

Don't act like you don't own all of Kid Rock's albums, Dear Roxy. 'Cause you know I am all about Kenny Chesney- um, NEVER! LOL

The olympics are over. I definitely missed most of it. And I didn't even watch the women's skating championship. Once I heard Sasha fell, I wasn't interested.
And it's Snowboard Cross! It's different than just plain-old snowboarding.

Oh, Jerry Jerry Jerry. I'm so glad DREW won. He was definitely my favorite from the start. YAY!!! I was fairly disappointed in the 27 points, though. Doesn't that jump count for anything? Those judges! I definitely think they wanted to keep it real close between Stacy and Drew... I was surprised she was third, too!

I guess it's back to baseball... About your AAA Red Sox spring training game, all is not lost. You can at least see Millar take some grounders... Maybe he has nice ass-ets ;)

- Criss

AP Photo: Alan Diaz

Who Needs the Not-So-Smooth Skating When You Got Gabe

There is no skating connection to Gabe Kaplar. Sorry, Gabe-o.

Don't act like you don't own all of Kenny Chesney's albums, Dear Criss. 'Cause you know I am all about Kid Rock - um, NEVER!

So what happened to the figure skaters last night? I was incredibly disappointed. Sasha fell twice in the beginning of her program; Emily Hughes is a doll, but didn't hold on to her landing; Irina Slutskaya fell?! I was shocked by Irina! I have to admit, I really admire her skills. That girl from Hungary is someone to watch. As much as I huffed and puffed the other night about the Japanese girl making the top list during the short program b/c of her performance, she really did earn that gold. She out-skated everyone. Something strange about medalists having fallen in their programs (Not the Japanese girl, and what a nice blue outfit. Very elegant.). So snowboarding, huh?

Yes, totally shocked Jerry's still there with the meanies. Go Jerry! But you know they're cutting him, so we have to back Drew when that happens, okay? Definitely still sad when I see Lisa.

Listen, you don't have to crack jokes about me driving all over the state and Varitek not being at the games. I'm telling you, the idea makes me sick. JVar, please????!!! What are you trying to say, that my tickets will sell for like $3 on eBay? And what's the deal with Manny? There's always a deal with Manny, isn't there. I can't take this emotional rollercaoster, so I'm not thinking about it. He won't be at Spring Training until Mar. 1. I'm not buying a Manny Being Manny T-shirt either!

FINALLY, my friend in Cali told me she saw Tommy Brady at Pebble Beach. Where are the pictures, P.? I need to feature them here. She said the ladies were swooning. Control yourselves, people!
Roxy



Photo: Barry Chin, Boston Globe. boston.com

Blog Hog Moment: Jerry

I'm surprise on how great Jerry did on Dancing with the Stars, Dear Roxy. I was really happy to see him perform as well as he did. But not better than DREW! He was amazing!!!!!
Ok, bye ;)
-Criss

It all rocks!

I must admit I was super shocked when Jerry made it, Dear Roxy. In all honesty, Lisa is much better than he is. It was pretty sad watching her go. I think I shed a tear. But what's the deal with those judges? Can they be any ruder to poor Jerry? This week is gonna be insane. I'll be glued to the TV for sure!

How could I forget about Millar and the Orioles? Oh, yeah, I know, that's because I have a five-second span for anything relating to the Red Sox. Oh, are you not gonna see VTek in spring training? I say you boycott and sell your tickets on ebay! Maybe you'll get what they're worth ;)

I found my favorite winter olympic sport: Snowboard cross. That's the s***!!! Oh, man, it's soo cool. I was glued to the tv watching those people race to the finish. And you can't forget about some of the crashes. Pretty cool stuff!!!

Oh, and what's up with that blog hog moment? Who is he? jk. The first time I heard of him was when he married Rene, and from then on, he's been everywhere. Maybe we should get married to someone famous so we can become famous, too.

This weekend I went to Universal. And guess who was performing? Your favorite rocker, Kid Rock. He was awesome. Loved the concert! That's the only cocky man I like. And when I say cocky, I mean cocky!!! Oh, and we couldn't find hotel and the end of the night, so we had to drive back down that same night. The Turnpike could be a pretty scary place in the middle of the night I tell ya.

-Criss

Blog Hog Moment: Criss' Favorite Singer

Kenny Chesney's coming to town, Dear Criss. You're coming, right? Who's in? =) That Kenny sure knows how to put together an album. Green Day, who?

Roxy

Photo: Kennychesney.com

Jerry's Dancing Shoes

Meat heads?!!! Excuse me! Speak for your own goofs.

Oh yeah, Dancing with the Stars. I was really shocked, too, that Jerry made it this week. Talk about a fan base. Poor Lisa. I liked her, and she was pretty good. =( But I really think that Jerry is leaving this week. I mean come on. They are all about, "This is the semi-finals." They're so mean to him and so all about that wrestler. I mean, if she tripped and fell on their table, they'd give her a 10. So after Jerry, I'm voting 10 times for Drew.

Hello, Dear Criss! Millar went to Baltimore. Don't you remember me being so upset and you had a picture and couldn't post it, etc.? Um, so with this World Baseball Classic thingy, does this mean that Varitek's not making it to Spring Training, b/c I'm about to have a losing-my-mind session. I have tickets, and he needs to be there.

Okay, so when do they show skating and when can I watch Emily Hughes skate? Sorry, I'm not a Cohen fan and don't want to hear it from Kim in Arkansas. Oh, I can't believe you're all about Sammy Sosa. But then again, I'm talking to someone who backs Giambi, so whatever. Okay, I'm not accusing anyone of anything, so relax. I got the SI issue from after the Steelers won (we're really behind down here at the bookstores. Really behind.), and there's an article on Johnny Trader in it. They morphed his pictures from Boston to NY and I really wanted to barf. It was so insulting. I couldn't even read the thing. I just read a quote here and there and had to remember to chill. Okay, and I hate going into that section where they have SI 'cause there are always sketchy guys there who think you walked into the wrong isle. This time, Crazy Man asked me if I had a pen. NO, I DON'T HAVE A PEN!! I think he was a little upset , too. My purse was about 2 inches big; it wasn't even like I could have remotely fit one in there.

Guess, what? They're not showing Glory Road anywhere within 10,000 miles of us anymore. Guess it's DVD time. Just gonna have to watch Miracle in the meantime. Wow, that's annoying, huh?! ;)

Roxy

Photo: ABC.com

Skating and All

Where did Millar end up signing, Dear Roxy? I used to like Millar. A looong time ago while he was a Marlin. Then he got annoying and ended up with your team...

OMG! You like Dancing with the Stars, too? I can't believe it. I am soooo in love with that show! It's one of my favorites. My sister makes fun of me because I won't miss it for the world. Except last Friday's episode when George Hamilton got the boot. He was sooo funny, but stiff. I'm gonna miss him. I must say, Drew Lachey is my favorite (here's where you make fun of me). He is soooo good. I loveeeeed the thriller dance! I like Jerry too. But I think he might get the boot next. Who knows? Stay tuned for tonight's show!!! We'll be talking about this one :)

Are we watching any of the hockey games as if it was 1980? If only the had OC there. There's always Miracle.
I still don't know who I'm rooting for. I like Hughes and Cohen. Let's see what happens. I was hoping for Kwan but s*** happens. Hey, remember when you crashed into that innocent little girl while ice skating?!?!?! Poor thing is still hurting! LOL.

Did you hear about Sosa retiring? I kind of feel bad for the guy. After all those great years in Chicago, to go out like that... must be tough. He only needs 12 more homeruns for 600!

I must say that truck is pretty amazing. Is that where they ship all of your meat heads?

- Criss

First the Bus, Now the Truck?!

Re: Steve - You two are so setting the women's movement back by, like, 15 years! I'm not even gonna comment.

As for Jerry: Oh my gosh, I am a Dacing with the Stars JUNKIE!!!! I always watch it. How have we not discussed this before? You have to vote for Jerry. This week is going to be tough! VOTE JERRY, FOLKS!!!

I haven't been watching the Olympics, but too bad for Kwan, huh? I'm a little excited about Emily Hughs. It would be a great story if she got a medal - even gold!

"Jeter said, Jeter said." [Insert Jan Brady's whining voice here.] Well, if Roger's coming back to baseball and it's not to the Red Sox, then I certainly hope it's not with the Yankees! I'd even rather it be with the White Sox! Anyone!

You still haven't seen the Brett Favre pillow commercial, Dear Criss? It is soo funny! I love it and no, I don't have any Steve pictures in room! Hello?! Not a freak! Now my fridge, maybe (amongst others)...

Trot Nixon was talking to the Boston Globe about this season and mentioned how it's gonna be different without crazy Millar and the back-up jokester Mirabelli. Make me sadder, why don'tcha? But I love this quote about Manny: ''He'll be here. I don't think there's any question. I don't know the whole story of why he wants to leave so bad..." Then he says, "I think that shirt, 'Manny being Manny,' is going to be very popular this year."

How much do we love Trot?

Globe Staff Photo, Bill Greene

Field of Dreams

Pitchers and catchers are beginning to report to spring training. I can't wait, Dear Roxy.
Since you mentioned Roger, I read that Jeter thinks Roger will come back. Come on, Roger, whether you like him or not, is still in great form, better than some of the youngsters. I wouldn't mind him in my team. Although, I must admit, the Yankees need some young arms over there. They are getting better, though.

That Steve Young pic is very nice. Like Kim said, nice ass-ets! You know what I love? Dancing with the Stars. I am hooked on that show. Anyway, Jerry Rice is in it... It's so funny watching him dance. He's not that bad. I wonder what Steve has to say about that?

Have you been watching any of the olympics? I must admit I haven't seen much of it. I did see an interview of Chad Hedrick, the gold-medal winner for speed skating. He's very cute, but he seems to have better eyebrows than any men or girl I've ever seen! Can you date anyone whose eyebrows are better than yours? I know I can't! Also check out hotties Kris Freeman and Andy Finch!

And what's with this couch pillows commercial? I haven't seen it. I know you don't have the face couch pillows, but isn't your whole bedroom Steve-themed? The spread, the cut-out board, the nigth lamp... the list goes on and on. jk ;)

Happy belated Valentine's Day.

-Criss

Not the Only One

Okay, so now I'm CRAZY, Dear Criss?! I see how it is. You instigate and then make me look like the looney. I prefer "passionate." Well, look, I just don't want people thinking Ben & the Crew were a bunch of second stringers who stole the game. I'm just happy for the folks. I committed a lot of time to watching their games! And that's the last I'll say about that. Hey, did you tell me to get off the meds?!!! Wow! Some respect! ;)

So Kim in Arkansas (I'm still laughing about the Brady "free agent" joke.) was mentioning this whole Roger-Clemens-possibly-going-back-to-the-Sox nonsense. I already brainwashed myself into not liking him, so I'm not going to think about this until there's a final decision. It would be kinda cool. Make for a good ESPN feature story. But I'm leaning toward him saying no. I really don't see him coming back. I mean, call me Peter Gammons.. =) Okay, not even close.

Oh, if anyone is bitter about A-Fraud (don't need him, didn't need him for the ring), it's the one whose player got picked up and beat up and lost that year. Ahem, no names.

Am I the only one who watched some of the pre-Pro Bowl festivities? I watched the flag football game between Team Young and Team Elway. Steve still has it. Um, but he mentioned that it was good for him to play today b/c his wife doesn't quite get how he was a major player - and a good one. So now she gets to watch him and see. I wish I had a quote. I was kinda stunned at that one. Someone get her some film from the BYU days until 1998 and lock her in a room for a week until she understands.

Have you seen the commercial for one of those prescriptions where the lady's a crazy Packers/Brett Favre fan and she watches the games with her husband and all his friends? Well she has a couch pillow with his face on it and her husband is leaning against a Favre lifesize cardboard cut-out. HA! Am I that crazy? I don't have any couch pillows of players, I swear.

-Roxy

AP Photo, Ronen Zilberman; YahooSports.com

Not appreciated

EXCUSSSSSE MEEEEEE for stating my opinion, and that of millions, Dear Roxy. I never said the Steelers didn't deserve the win, I did however mentioned there were some controversial calls. That's it. Nothing more. No need to get all defensive there. I know your passionate about Ben, but jeez. Maybe it's time to get off that medication.

No, I didn't want to bother Arod. Only a hurt-and-annoyed-Red Sox-fan would have said something like that. Because you know you still cry yourself to sleep thinking about not only Arod, but Damon, and all that could have been... Oh, how good it is to be a Yankee...

Did you hear about The Great One: Gretzky? Somebody is in trouble. It sucks how one thing can damage a great career. Hopefully this is just a bump in the road.

I'm kind of excited about the Winter Olympics. Maybe they could have them here next time; we are plunging into the 60s you know?

Glory Road. We have a date!

-Criss

I Don't Want to Hear One More Word!

Okay, Dear Criss, are you saying that Seattle really won? 'Cause I'm gonna say this (besides that I'm sick of hearing about this):

1. REMEMBER the poor clock management by Seattle. They didn't play a good second half. Really, think about this. Seattle did not play so well enough that everyone should be crying foul. Frustrated, yes, but seriously, look at their game, too.

2. Controversial calls and all, you take away a touchdown and the Steelers still win.

3. Take away that Ben touchdown and they would've gone for it on 4th down and gotten it again.

4. Not too many hot calls made by Holmgren.

The Steelers weren't some team that got lucky all season and won every game by one point. Sure Ben's not fully polished, so his game wasn't Joe Montana. But those guys played excellently since last season (+/- a game here and there like Seattle) and beat the top seeds this year. They took charge of Denver, people. They deserved to be in the Super Bowl and Seattle just couldn't do it.

No one's gonna take this one away from the Steel City. They won it. They worked hard and got it done.

Ew, you saw A-Fraud?! I would've interrupted his dinner and asked him how it felt to be picked up and almost flipped by Varitek.

-Roxy

AP Photo, Keith Srakocic; YahooSports.com

Encounter

A big congratulations to the Steelers for winning the big one. It was nice to see Bettis and Cowher finally celebrate. I guess it was long overdue, Dear Rox. However, I do have to mention this: there were a lot of calls that were very controversial, especially the one where Ben scored (or not) that touchdown. I'm sorry, but it's true. And those holding penalties? Come on!!! It's the big game; no need to rob anyone. After all is set and done, the Steelers played better football, but it wasn't all fair. That's my take and I'm sticking to it!

How about the commercials... I really liked the Bud Light commercials, the ape FedEx one, the Ameriquest commercials and the monkeys/jackasses commercial... Your take?

OK, So I was at the Grove Sunday afternoon with my sis, cousin and friend trying to decide where to watch the game. After going to Moes for about 5 seconds, we decided to go to the Sandbar instead. As we were walking, guess who we saw? Another Yankee encounter: No, it wasn't Jeter (I wish) but Arod. Alex, his wife and their cute baby... I didn't want to bother him while he was with the fam. Kind of cute when you think about it. That's my second encounter with Arod. A loooong time ago, on Christmas Day, my fam and I went to the movies and saw him there with his girlfriend (now wife). We saw the same cheesy movie: The Family Man. I love Nicolas Cage, but the movie wasn't that good. Anyway, he looked very nice ;)

- Criss

PS I text messaged you when Steve came out... Did you get it?
PSS Baseball is so close...

"Something else you might not know: Roethlisberger's already won a Super Bowl. Sort of. 'Threw a pass to Jerry Rice to win it,' Roethlisberger said of the pickup games he and his friends played under streetlights as kids. 'The 49ers were always my team, as they always won the Super Bowl' in those imaginary games."

AP Story; Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2/4/06

Wow, Dear Criss, I couldn’t even focus yesterday at work. I was like, "Did that really happen?" It was unbelieveable. I can’t believe the season’s over. No more football?!! Wow. And if I have to hear one more person call up a radio show and complaaaain about the calls, I mean, sheesh. Okay, my fav moment was the trick play with Ben, Antwaan Rande El and Hines Ward. Loved it! Let’s replay that again. Now I know Benny didn’t play like we’ve seen him in the last few games, but people, give the guy some credit! And listen, he set the record for the YOUNGEST QB to win a Super Bowl. This guy has matured so much. Can you imagine what his future holds? No pressure, I mean he already hit the pinnacle. Let’s look at what he did well: he managed to juuust stay in the pocket to complete a great pass under pressure, he sacrificed his body for first downs and touchdowns – credit him with some effort. Did you notice the lack of Ben’s presence after the game? Interesting. He seemed pretty emotional and it reminded me of when Varitek was on the floor after winning the World Series and Millar had to come over and be like, "Hey, man, it’s cool." He needed Millar last night. (And see the connection is forming well. Steve, Tommy and Benny all together last night?! You like that?) I think I even read Coach Cowher’s lips when he said, "Where’s Ben?" It was like a movie. All of it, and they all, especially the Bus, got their happy ending. Great that the team stuck with Cowher all these years.

So whadja think? Did you fall asleep or something?

-Roxy

AP Photo, Gene J. Puskar; YahooSports.com

Just Super

Super Ben.

Super Bus.

Super Hines.

Super Steelers.

(Super tired. Write more tomorrow, Dear Criss. Did You see Tommy tonight?! Yay! That was nice. Um, was that a velvet jacket?)

-Roxy

AP Photo, Jeff Roberson; YahooSports.com

Stalkers

Wow, I have to admit those are some good stalking skills, Dear Roxy. You are too good for your own good. My sister says I have great stalking skills, but you've taken it to the next level.

OK, so the day is coming oh so fast. Just three days to decide who gets bragging rights for a whole year. This is gonna be good.
What's up with Porter's comments that he will try to make the Seahawks "tap out" and Steven's plan to ruin Bettis' retirement party?
I hate all this trash talk. I know it's part of the game and they do that to psych each other out, but I say first come to the field, play, win and THEN talk!

Talking about talking, Jeter said he's set to play in the World Baseball Classic. I can smell the green field, the hot dogs, popcorn and peanuts. Baseball is just a few weeks away. That means I gotta remember what channel ESPN is on.
Does this mean we're rooting for the same team; US?
The last time we rooted for the same team was during the movie Miracle.

-Criss

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

United by an Agent

Leave it to me to find the Steve-Ben connection. (That's their agent, Leigh Steinberg.) If only I could find a picture with Steve, Ben, Varitek and Millar smiling and laughing together. Possible?

I haven't been to a Marlins game in maybe 1-2 years, yes. That is true, Dear Criss. I do have to agree somewhat and say that when my teams are taking some "vaca," my SportsCenter viewing points drop. But, as you can see, I have been one with SportCenter, whose coverage has been a little lack luster. I mean this is the biggest news. This trumps anything except maybe Damon defecting back to the Sox b/c Theo's back. So I want to see real highlights. I want Chris Berman doing stories, talking more. Get Steve Young outta Utah and over to Detroit! I want interviews with high school coaches, moms and dads, sisters, dogs. I want to know if they ordered room service 30 times in one night. You get it. Feed me!!!! Okay, I know their saving it for this weekend. ESPN is having something ridiculous like 6 hrs. of pre-game coverage. And my t-shirt - oh, yeah, they don't guarantee that it'll get here before the Super Bowl b/c of the high demand, so we'll procrastinate one more day.

Oh, guess what the top selling jerseys were among women, according to the local sports radio DJ man? Yeah, that was my guess, too, but you're wrong. It's not Brady. 1. Donovan McNabb 2. BEN ROETHLISBERGER 3. Tom Brady... Oh, yeah, Benny beat out Tommy! Crazy.

-Roxy

P.S. Oh, and yeah, Rory's been seeing him since at least last season. I think that's weird. I don't know if I like that, but I guess that's not my call. I'm afraid Logan won me back when he pulled dinner out of the desk.

Photo: Getty Images, benroethlisberger.typepad.com