'Twas Four Days Before Christmas. . .

And all through the magical land of Minnesota, was the sound of glea as the Vikings turned over the new leaf starting rookie quaterback Tarvaris Jackson. Many of the Viking faithful and "hometown boys" were convinced this "new leaf" would win the final two games for the Vikes, propel them into the playoffs and on to the Super Bowl. I however was not one of these "hometown boys". This scenerio turned not to be the case as the Vikings high-powered offense surged for a total of 0 points. The lone touchdown in the game came from an interception return. I however was not yet in this magical land of the northwoods, for this is the night that I would leave the purgatory that I call Louisville and make my annual trip through the fields of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Southern Minnesota, over the river, through the seven layers of the candy cane forest and the final destination, home (Anywhere from 14-17 hours, depending on whether). I recieved an update from my sister, Lori, that the Vikings were winning 7-6 with four minutes to go and the Packers had the ball. We said goodbye and I was left to call the game blind. Over the next four minutes, I sat in my car calling the plays as if I were watching it on TV. Passerbys were looking at my funny, but I did not care. With about a 1:30 left in the game I found the Packers had worked the ball into field goal range and took the lead 9-7. The high-powered Viking offense was left with one last chance to move the ball down field, but things were stiffled and the Packers ran out the clock, thus ending all hope of a playoof berth for my beloved Vikings. Mind you, I did not know for sure that things happened this way, but I had a hunch. When I reached my evening destination an hour later in the middle of Illinois, my friend asked me if I knew what had happened in the game. I told her and she immediately assumed that I had heard, much to her surprise, it was all a "guess." I really didn't know, but then again, as a seasoned Viking fan for more than 20 years, I just knew what had happened, I didn't need the TV or radio, the awful images that have plagued me low these many years had already scripted for me the final four minutes of this game.

A New Leaf

On Thursday night, the Vikings will turn over a new leaf. Brad Johnson will be benched for the future of the franchise, Tarvaris Jackson. He's a pretty fun guy to watch and even though the Vikings will most likely not make the playoffs, they have given me reason to stay exicited until the end of the season. Fun stuff.

Playoff Bound?

Well, I was right a few weeks ago when I said the Vikings would be playing meaninful games in December. (I really didn't, but how many people are really reading anyway.) They have however succeeded in continuing to keep their fans hopes up, but mark my words, they will be dashed, no crushed. If they don't lose one of the next two games, they will only have the Rams left to play and most likely for a playoff berth. That my friends, is when they will crush us. Brad Johnson in an almost '03-like Cardinals debacle will throw an interception late in the fourth quarter sealing the victory for the Rams and eliminating the Vikings from playoff contention. Oh well, I'm used to it.

Merry Christmas

A couple of weeks ago, I learned on "Fox and Friends" that people were going to start saying Merry Christmas again instead of Happy Holidays. A few years ago, people started to say Happy Holidays in order to not offend those who may not be "Christian." Well appartenly, in attempting to avoid offending people, we have offended a whole lot of people. This evening I heard the first installment of this new Merry Christmas as I went through the drive through at MacDonalds. It was a nice change of auditory (like scenery, but for hearing). So once again, I wish any of you who are still reading a Merry Christmas from Christmas, Girls and Sports.

I Never Thought I'd Say This

I long for the days of Wade Wilson, Darrin Nelson and Anthony Carter. Back in the late 80's, the Vikings had a similarily good defense like they do now, and their offense similarily sucked. However, They could at least score points. Now we've got Brad Johnson throwing three interceptions and wide recievers who can't catch a cold on a winter day in Northern Minnesota. It's been a long season that is hopefully coming to an end some day soon.