The Mojo Birthday

Whenever your birthday is on a Friday, you get full birthday privileges all weekend long, so it’s been a rather nice weekend for me.

First of all, thank you to all that took the time to wish me a happy birthday, either through this site or Facebook.  I’m humbled that so many people took the time to tap me out a simple message; it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  (For the rest of you, what the hell are you waiting for, for cryin’ out loud?)

I had to share some incredible birthday presents I got.  (OK, I bought’em myself, but it was still very thoughtful.)  Last week, Café Press sent me a bacn notice that they were running a buy 2 get one free T-shirt sale.  I love their stuff, so I thought I’d take a look around.  I never got out of the Monty Python section.

First, I saw this, which made me laugh out loud for a solid minute. 

Obviously, this is based on one of my favorite sketches, the Ministry of Silly Walks.  That’s funny in and of itself, but add in the evolution factor along with the Darwinesque attitude of this blog, and it was a no-brainer.  Had to have it.

A page or two later, I saw this variation:

Cassie, Carly, and the rest of you youngsters, there used to be this band called the Beatles, and they had an album cover featuring the band walking across a street in a big crosswalk.  It was called Abbey Road.  (Yinz kin look it up.)  So I guess it was really John Cleese that was the 5^th Beatle.

For those that have no idea what I’m talking about, and also for those that do, this is the famous Ministry of Silly Walks sketch:

The last shirt is based on another of my favorite sketches, but it’s not one of their better-known ones… much less famous than the Parrot sketch, the Argument Clinic, or Spam, but no less funny.

This one is based on the Election Returns sketch, featuring the Sensible Party versus the Silly Party.  The candidates for the Silly Party are introduced with names that get sillier and sillier as the sketch goes on.  You have to see (or at least hear) this one to appreciate it.  Tarquin comes in at the 2:00 mark.

In all truth, I prefer the audio version from the album, because it’s funnier when they go through it faster, but I still think of this bit every election night.

Lastly, Pinky got me this little treat:

Don't you just love it when someone knows the exact thing to get you?

Rabble Rousing

As I’ve said before, we Steelers fans are everywhere, Baltimore included, and our office is no exception.  In August, I wrote about how a couple of us decided to band together and organize (albeit loosely) all the Steelers fans in our building.  So whenever our building has one of their "Purple Fridays," we make it our business to show up rocking the Black and Gold.

With the Steelers/Ravens game this year, we decided to make our first public show of force.  The Ravens fans have been planning the parade route since the pre-season, and they don't take kindly to anyone doubting them.  So our plan was to meet for lunch together wearing our team colors.  No need for any stunts or speeches, we just had to be there.

You should have seen all the stink-eyes we got.  Later as we posted for pictures outside the building, some guy and driving by in a van started hanging out the window and screaming at us.  I couldn't tell what he was saying but he was NOT joking.  He was seriously pissed.

Earlier that day, one of our guys got word that at their weekly "breakfast" for his department, some people were planning on decorating the room with Ravens stuff.  So they got into the room early and decorated it in Steelers stuff before anyone else arrived.  From where ever you are, I'm surprised you didn't hear the sound of all the jaws hitting the floor when those Ravens fans came in the room and saw all that black and gold.  Priceless!

The Steel Citi Underground having lunch amidst the Ratties.

Sweating out the drive-by.

We’re totally in their head.  Now, we just better win.  (BTW, I considered getting someone else to take the shot so that I could get in them, but I just didn't trust a Rattie fan not to mess it up on purpose.)

The Mojo Boogie

It’s been an interesting season.  I’ve watched the game in 3 different places, worn 3 different outfits and we won all 3.  Today will be the first time I have the opportunity to do the same thing in the same situation.

I have to decide whether to go with the ever-changing ensemble, or look for the commonality.  Last time the Steelers played at home and I watched the game from home, I wore my black #56 Lamarr Woodley jersey to work on Friday, and then at home watching the game.  I’m opting to do the same here.  My theory, at least early in the season, is to seek patterns and ride the trend.  If we win today, there’s a trend for watching the game at home.  Gotta start somewhere. 

So, today’s Mojo:

Wish me luck!

More Birthdays

Lastly, happy birthday to my nephew Sammy, who turned 5 on Tuesday.  I got to play with him and his brother today.  Well kind of… I handed them the ball and let them fight it out.

Earlier, before Sammy and his mom got home, their daddy and I had to step out for about 15 minutes, leaving 11-year old Daniel home alone.  (He’s a very responsible boy.)  Anyway, as we walked out, I said, “OK, no wild parties while we’re gone.”

He looked up and said, “No promises.”

I was so proud.