Meet Sparrow, an average man passing an average life…

Saturday, October 22
A tuff day, no two ways about it.

We sent Wayne to his grave today with a first-class funeral…Actually, we were part of – a big part of – the funeral service his pastor put on…At least I think it was his pastor…I don’t really know…The Wife and I have gone to his church once or twice over the years…It’s one of those non-denominational churches where everyone where the pajamas to services…If your jeans are clean your overdressed.

Anyway, Tony, who commands the VFW post, and I marched in carrying his urn and our nation’s colors and we shared a reading…I ended my portion by saying Wayne was a veteran’s veteran and I admired him…Then Tony gave commands for the firing squad and flag squad to render appropriate honors and we presented Tony’s mother of all things, still hale and hearty at 95.

That’s gotta blow, outliving your kids…Actually, I know it blows seeing what mom went thru when my brother died.

Anyway, it was a beautiful day and there was a nice crowd, probably couple hundred or so and at the end we stood in line and filed thru and we each tossed a small amount of dirt on the urn…Two of his kids had placed it in the ground and if you don’t think that’s moving you’ve got another thing coming.

Afterward, a lot of us gathered at the VFW post/bar…Wayne was an officer of the VFW post and Tony and I led the toast…The Wife came by after her shift at the retailer, too, and we spent no small amount of time talking to Ron and Sharon…Ron and Sharon grow hay just outside of our small town and Ron is a member of the small town post, tho he has cut down his involvement somewhat the past year or so…Sharon is trying to get The Wife to sign up for the small town post’s auxiliary and Ron grilled me on some issues.

Also happened to run into Dave and his wife Candy…Dave is a post member, he wasn’t at the funeral but I was out back getting some air and he and Candy happened to drive by…We talked about our post baseball team, which didn’t have much of a season…In fact, there wasn’t even a Commander’s Award for me to pass out…I am not entirely sure what the deal is, except some parents aren’t happy with Coach Rusty because boy, he sure works the kids awfully hard…They parents were so up in arms Coach Rusty said screw it and sat the year out, preferring to be in his native Texas watching a granddaughter play softball…Evidently, a lot of kids weren’t happy with the replacement coach, either.

Well, I’ve said this before, Rusty has my full support…I don’t know what in the hell is going to happen…Dave and Candy are heading south for the winter here in a bit, but I think I will call Rusty and see what the deal is here in the next couple of weeks…A lot of it has to do with drama with the high school baseball team, which I tend to ignore…I don’t understand this…It’s ski country up here and baseball is the 30^th most popular sport, right behind snowboard cribbage…There should be zero drama, but there appears to be a lot.

Got quite a bit of feedback from some of the guys about my candidacy, too…They had read my Op-Ed and Q&A in the local paper…Most, but not all, said I had earned their vote…A couple of malcontents were honest enough to say they were staunch Republicans so I made a mental note to have the IRS mess with them after I’m elected.

The Diary of a Nobody is a novel. All elements are either made up or are used fictitiously. Any other use is a coincidence.

It was inspired by the 19^th century British novel of the same name.

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The Bottom Ten/NFL Week 8
By Gaylon Kent
America’s Foremost Humorist

The torch may well have been passed.

After winning The Dan Henning Trophy – symbolic of NFL Bottom Ten supremacy – the past two (2) seasons, the Tennessee Titans appear to have passed the torch to a new generation of losers, sending Cleveland to an 0-6 start in their showdown game Sunday.

Hold on to your hats, though, as Cleveland has yet another Bottom Ten showdown this week, invading Cincinnati to face a Bengals squad themselves seemingly striving for Bottom Ten glory.

This week’s mess, as the nags approach the backstretch:

1. Cleveland Browns (0-6; lost to Tennessee 28-26) – Browns save best for last in Titanic struggle with two (2)-time defending B-10 champions, scoring two (2) late touchdowns to show two (2)-time defending B-10 champion there’s a new sheriff in town…Browns 0-6 for first time since 1999 squad hailed triumphant return to NFL by starting 0-7…The NFL’s only 0-16 team, the 2008 Detroit Lions, also started season 0-6…Next Loss: at Cincinnati

2. San Francisco 49ers (1-5; lost to Buffalo 45-16) – 49ers hold down runner-up spot with five (5)-game losing skid, best among teams not from Cleveland…Defense showing way to B-10 glory, losing games by average margin of 17.2 points…In order to appease fans offended by national anthem protests, 49ers looking to have singer Lee Greenwood start at quarterback…Next Loss: Tampa Bay

3. New York Jets (1-5; lost to Arizona 28-3) – Blowout, Monday Night Football loss would have been complete embarrassment if anyone watched MNF anymore…Turbo-charged Jets offense rushes for 14 (14)-yards, tosses two (2) interceptions while alleged ‘defense’ really makes Cardinals earn with touchdown drives 14, 14 and eleven plays…Jets getting outscored 25-9 during current four (4)-game skid…Next Loss: Baltimore 

4. Cincinnati Bengals (2-4; lost to New England 35-17) – Bengals back in familiar territory – knocking on door of B-10 medal stand – following fourth loss in five (5) games…With 120 rushing yards and zero (0) turnovers, coaching staff, B-10 pollsters impressed – though not particularly surprised by –  Bengals ability to lose when they’re not playing their worst….Next Loss: Cleveland 

5. AFC North (9-15 ) – With AFC South surprising everyone with (relatively) strong start, AFC North takes first Pete Rozelle Award of 2016 – issued to NFL’s worst division…Anchored by Browns six (6)-gamer, entire division riding losing streak…B-10 pollsters “pretty sure”  ‘rebound for strong .500 divisional play’ line used in college survey wouldn’t be as funny in professional poll. 

6. Baltimore Ravens (3-3; lost to New York Giants 27-23) – Ravens squarely on B-10 radar following third straight loss…Ravens show mettle of B-10 champions, blowing two (2) leads, including one in final two (2) minutes…Ravens can make big pitch for B-10 medal stand with loss in showdown game Sunday, and against Browns on Nov 10…Next Loss: at New York Jets

7. AFC South – Stunned, betrayed B-10 pollsters – who had declared AFC South the favorite for B-10 Division of the Year Award – has  put entire division on double-secret probation as half the division has won two (2) straight and two (2)-time defending B-10 champion Tennessee is at goddamned .500.

8. Gaylon For Congress – Genius behind Bottom Ten looking to follow-up receipt of 2.6 percent of vote in 2014 Colorado United States Senate election with repeat triumph in 2016 US House race…Campaign just under $5,000 threshold required for FEC reporting by mere $4,925…

9. 2016 Presidential Campaign – Sewers look better than the show Mr Trump and Ms Clinton are putting on…The American electorate appears to be tolerating it though, able, but unwilling, to demand better…Next Loss: The American way of life, after entire country collapses, probably before this half-century is out. 

10. Chicago Cubs – A 2-1 deficit vs the evil Dodgers will just make their inevitable World Series triumph that much sweeter…Kinda need to start hitting, though…B-10 pollsters frantically trying to time travel to 108 years in the future to see what year Cubs actually end World Series drought.

This Week’s Clash of the Titans: Cleveland at Cincinnati
This Is Don Criqui Reporting: Baltimore at New York Jets

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The Bottom Ten
NCAA/Week 8
By Gaylon Kent
America’s Foremost Humorist

And then there was one.

The Rice Owls are it: the last remaining winless team in college football following a tough, one-point loss that has Owl fan(s) dreaming of hoisting the ESPNCup – symbolic of Bottom Ten ineptitude – for the first time.

It ain’t over yet, though. Not only do C-USA and the always-tough MAC have multiple contenders in the hunt for coveted B-10 medal stand berths, but UMass – known as UMess to Bottom Ten staffers – is back on the medal stand and defending ESPNCup holders Kansas are dismissed at your peril

This week’s mess:

1. Rice (0-6; lost to Texas-San Antonio 14-13)
   Mitigating Factors: Owls putting it all together, outgaining their opponents, scoring on their opening drive and only turning ball over once and still pulling out close, hard-fought home loss…Rice puts “special” in special teams, missing to field goals…Though minefield of C-USA schedule still remains, first ever B-10 title is theirs to lose – literally…Owls off to best start since 2009 squad started season 0-9 and are looking for first winless season since Reagan Administration.
   Broad Historical Perspective: 206 Owls can lay foundation for B-10 Hall of Fame membership with loss this week to lower level team that once lost galaxy-best 80-straight games.
   Next Loss: Prairie View A&M

2. Florida Atlantic (1-6; lost to Marshall 27-21)
Mitigating Factors: Owls blow two (2) leads in type of morale-depleting conference loss that tends to lead straight to the B-10 medal stand…After second quarter touchdown, FAU finishes strong, turning the ball over or punting the rest of the way…Current six (6)-game skid tied with Rice for nation’s best…With only win coming in opener, FAU in prime position to claim first ever Tostitos Plaque – issued to team with longest losing streak in season that actually includes a win.
FunFact: With bye week coming up, FAU must remain focused on lousy week of practice, Oct 29 game vs Western Kentucky and not be caught looking ahead to Nov 5 showdown with Rice.
Next Loss: Western Kentucky (Oct 29)

3. UMess (1-6; lost to Louisiana Tech 56-28)
Mitigating Factors: Offense takes center stage with two (2) missed field goals and two (2) turnovers, while turning two (2) Louisiana Tech turnovers into two (2) punts…Minutemen still have not had winning season as major division program since 1904 squad finished 5-2-1, leading athletic staff to seek to resume series with Williams, Wesleyan and Worcester Tech.
FunFact: Minutemen not putting a whole lot of drama into B-10 run, losing games by an average of 17.8 points.
Next Loss: at South Carolina

4. Kansas (1-5; lost to Baylor 49-7)
Mitigating Factors: Jayhawks – the defending B-10 champions – show their “all in” for two straight with obligatory blowout road loss to established national power…After blowing shutout with third quarter touchdown Jayhawks coaching staff  calls off dogs by putting in fifth string to compete with Baylor PE majors getting some extra credit work in.
Carry On, Wayward Losers: Jayhawks one of 735 teams who can earn Tostitos Plaque – issued to tam with longest losing streak in a season that actually includes a win – by losing out.
Next Loss: Oklahoma State

5. Notre Dame (2-5; lost to Stanford 17-10)
Mitigating Factors: Leading 10-0 at half and seeing B-10 medal stand hopes fading, Irish offense takes command, allowing both fumble and interception returns for touchdown, plus safety in second half…Notre Dame enjoying best B-10 campaign since 2007 when they earned Sgt Bilko Trophy – symbolic of service academy lousiness – with losses to Navy and Air Force…With ND having lost to Duke, who lost to Northwestern who lost to Illinois State, B-10 staffers searching for path to national title to Kankakee Prep.
Bottom Ten Jesus: Irish losing games by only an average of 5.6 points, impressing B-10 pollsters with ability to lose close ones.
Next Loss: Miami, Florida (Oct 29)

6. Kent State (2-5; lost to Miami, Ohio 18-14)
Mitigating Factors: Golden Flashes throw MAC B-10 race into complete chaos, snapping Miami’s nation’s best six (6)-game losing streak…Kent State actually not too bad on defense, getting it done with passing game that couldn’t toss screen pass against eleven (11) nuns, ranking 122^nd in Passing Offense…With only wins coming against lower level team and MAC squad, Golden Flashes still in contention for B-10 medal stand thanks to strength of schedule points.
FunFact: Recruits tab on football home page actually leads to text page advising high schoolers “DON’T COME HERE”
Next Loss: Ohio

7. Conference USA
Mitigating Factors: With emergence of Kent State and Bowling Green, C-USA staves off big challenge from MAC to barely hold on to coveted B-10 Conference of the Week award…Six teams in country have lost five (5) or six (6) consecutive games, three (3) are from C-USA, most in country…Conference so weak nine (9) teams have a Future Opponents Winning Percentage of less than .400.
The New Material Budget Is Still $0.00 I see: Despite winless teams, conference bravely mustering strong .500 mark in conference play.
Next Loss: Affiliation with Fritos Bean Dip Bowl Presented By Mobile Prostitute Alliance

8. Earlham (0-6; lost to Mount St. Joseph 61-7)
Mitigating Factors: Division III Quakers retain Continental Cup – issued to team with longest all-division losing streak in country spied on by the NSA – with 29^th straight loss…Quakers rank Dead Last in Rushing Offense (22.8 ypg), only 381.4 ypg behind D-III leading Washington and Lee…Earlham setting the pace in tough Division III, as Quakers followed closely by Lewis and Clark (28 straight losses) and Grove City (27 consecutive losses).
This Is Casey, Counting Them Down: Quakers rank 200^th or worse in 15 D-III stat categories, up from twelve (12) last week…Gentlemanly Quakers do rank 67^th and 43^rd in Fewest Penalties and Fewest Penalty Yards Per game.
Next Loss: at Hanover

9. Bowling Green (1-6; lost to Toledo 42-35)
Mitigating Factors: 21-point fourth quarter means Falcons good enough to turn potential blowout into heartbreaking road loss…Current five (5)-game skid second best in nation…Defense showing way to B-10 glory, as Falcons rank Dead Last in Scoring “Defense”, allowing 45.9 ppg…Defense also ranks Dead Last in Turnover Margin…Though B-10 pollsters not bright enough to completely understand this stat, they’re “pretty sure” Dead Last is still “like, really bad and stuff”.
FunFact: With Week 1 blowout loss to Ohio State, followed by win against lower level team Falcons can construct classic B-10 run by running table in MAC play.
Next Loss: Miami, Ohio

10. Fresno State (1-6; lost to San Diego State 17-3)
Mitigating Factors: Bulldog fan(s) filing official B-10 protest, claiming usual East Coast bias that sees Bulldogs as only West Coast team in survey this week, and no higher than number ten (10)…Offense shows way to fifth straight loss, sleepwalking to inspired ten (10) first down, three (3) interception, one (1) field goal performance…Defense allows 292 rushing yards but only two (2) touchdowns, leading coaching staff – hell bent on B-10 glory – to wonder if they should just stop tackling people entirely in order to pad points per game stats.
FunFact: With only win coming in Week 2, Bulldogs need help to win Tostitos Plaque – issued to team with longest losing streak in a season that actually includes a win – even if they lose out.
Next Loss: at Utah State

This Week’s Clash of the Titans: Miami, Ohio at Bowling Green
This One Isn’t Going To Be Any Good, Either:Fresno State at Utah State

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