We made it to Sonoma for the second weekend of this years barrel tasting event. Had a great time with Jim/Janet/Mike/Cindy. Included a too brief stop in the Armstrong Redwoods preserve. People pic is Val and I after signing barrel at Windsor Oaks. Favorite new discovery? Mueller.
Here’s this years pool template, quick and dirty in Excel or PDF formats, prints in landscape on letter paper (with number cutouts). Enjoy!
super-bowl-xliv-pool
super-bowl-xliv-pool
Hey long time no blog! Facebook has assimilated me! ARGH! Woot!
2010 edit!
See http://www.binkydognose.com/word/archives/256 for this years template! Don’t know why it’s not popping up in the searches 
Here’s this years pool template, quick and dirty in Excel or PDF formats, prints in landscape on letter paper (with number cutouts). And if all goes well Phoenix may be taking even greater interest in the game this year than when we hosted last year!
super-bowl-xliii-pool (Excel)
super-bowl-xliii-pool (PDF)
EDIT!!!!
1/19 – We did it! Cardinals are going to the Super Bowl! 
It’s barely February and 2008 has “upheaval” as its theme. Personally, there’s been workplace role changes, a newlywed son away in the military. The very recent and very unexpected death of a father has shaken us. A 3D graphics company I’ve beta-tested for these past 8+ years has been absorbed by Microsoft. The world situation is contributing mightily. Nationally, more war, less work, a realigning election, public engagement driven by frustration.
Somehow, 40 years ago keeps coming to mind. I was a 14 year old growing up in Detroit in 1968. A last year of innocence transformed into adolescent messiness. It was the kind of year that changes everything and cements itself into your psyche, the kind of year scholars ponder ever after.
There’s got to be better things ahead in 2008 (after all, the Detroit Tigers beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1968 World Series and the Phoenix Suns just acquired Shaq). Despite dubious change and heartache I’m hopeful. How’s your 2008 shaping up? Will this be a benchmark year? Are you optimistic (or not)?
1/19/2009: Well, it certainly turned out to be a significant year and Loss was it’s theme so I’m glad 08 is gone. We lost Val’s dad, my Aunt Loey, both absolute shocks, and my brothers best friend Dan lost his battle with cancer. We also lost a bird and our 2 elderly cats (and those following our old dog Uma late in 07). Val’s job is in jeopardy, our retirement savings suffering mightily.
On the brighter side we’ve rescued a fantastic dog into the family and one loss was welcome, I’ve lost 35 unwanted pounds (and can run!). AND we voted for a winner. We remain hopeful!
Oh, and while the Suns haven’t panned out the Cards are Super Bowl bound. Life is so weird sometimes, always interesting…
Quick and dirty in Excel and PDF format, prints in landscape on letter paper.
Had to throw this together for next weeks Super Bowl XLII neighborhood party, wanted something simple and legible that can be filled out without digital intervention. The logo is just for kicks of course, the NFL certainly doesn’t endorse gambling or sponsor our little low budget neighborhood get together, even if we are just 11 miles north of University of Phoenix Stadium.
Click here to download PDF
Click here to download XLS
So hard to believe. Uma, namesake for binkydognose, has moved on. Seizures began the day after Thanksgiving. She was almost back to her usual self, but yesterday afternoon we returned from grocery shopping to find her in her bed having more troubles. Canceled a birthday dinner for Nick, watched over her for less than an hour, and by 4 pm we were at the vets and she was gone.
I love you. I miss you. I wish you were still with us being the daily pain in the ass and cutie you were.
