The Dobieville Blog

Ultrasound Experience

2008-06-27T17:18:00.001-05:00

So, we had our first Ultrasound on Thursday 6/26 (one day after '6-months 'till X-mas'.) Everything looks perfect, head, heart, belly, toes, and surprise surprise, female body parts. For the record almost everyone we called confessed they were sure we were gonna have a boy. The technician performing the measurements tells us we're 21 weeks 3 days though our doc holds solid at 20 and 2 and a delivery date of Nov 14th. I'm saying definitely between Halloween and Turkey-Day. Oh and by the way, the Glucose Test, and Quad Screen came back clean.

We are naming her Zoë Elizabeth Dobelstein (after herself.) We're envisioning dark curly hair, and blue to greenish eyes, and yes we're sticking to the Peter Pan theme for the nursery; although now I'm liking the illustrations shown at www.peterpanandwendy.com.

For clothes and blankets and such, the obvious move would be to drown ourselves in pink, but we've never been the most obvious couple. So we're thinking yellows, greens and patterns (pinks mixed with earth tones are nice.) We've begun online window shopping and everything looks cute. I like frogs, Liz likes sock monkeys, our little pickle might like ducks in the end.. who knows.

More Nursery thoughts,
We also may be incorporating illustrations from Terry Pratchett's books like Hat Full of Sky, which actually is the first in a trilogy of the adventures of Tiffany Aching (picture Alice in Wonderland meets the Smurfs in Middle Earth - Ooh Liz's gonna smack me for that one) Here's an illustration of a nursery from a Pratchett kids book, Where's My Cow http://www.jackiemorris.co.uk/images/may07/sam4.jpg

So much to do on that front. We gotta thank Shari for getting us a free crib, and Edy and Jarred for a free rocker/glider. We're good on the changing table (converting an antique chest of draws that's the perfect height) and the only thing for sure is we're gonna hang our wedding kite in the kid's room (the one shown here http://dobieville.com/Wed%20Pics/25.html.)

Okay, so more to come. I'll be posting here my rambling thoughts whenever I find the time. Love to all the friends and family :)
Keep in Touch!

Tony Got Whacked!

2007-06-21T09:39:00.001-05:00

Okay, so Liz and I have loved the Sopranos from the begining. Hell, one of the main reasons we're together is 'cause she had HBO in her 16th St. apartment and I needed a place to get my Mafia fix. We've watched every episode together, even the last two seasons when it really sucked. When we watched "Made in America", the last episode in the show, we were ready to be let down again, and for a few minutes there (while the credits were rolling) we were. However, as we're both incurable over-analyzers especially when it comes to media, we hadda pick apart this ending until we found it to be a many layered (albeit most likely glass) onion of death references, dark foreshadowing and even religious symbolisim. All of which seemed to point to the fact that when the screen went black, we did not in fact lose our satelite reception, but were experiencing Tony's last seconds of conciousness before death from his POV. This killer? The man in the "Member's Only Jacket" (as he was credited) coming out of the bathroom in the blind spot to Tony's right. Remember the last time Tony was shot was in an episode titled "Member's Only". The best, and most complete, interpretation of this ending as we see it can be found not in this blog, but in this one: www.bobharris.com (Wasn't 'Bob Harris' the name of Bill Murray's Character in Lost in Translation?) Anyway, this lead me to a bit of creativity, which of course is the real reason for my posting today, and here it is:

Yes, it's a shallow attempt to ride the most current wave of pop culture but I'm not the only one. Lookit the Clintons fer God's sake!

Okay, so visit my new Cafe Press store, but a T-shirt if ya wanna, and thanks for lookin' at Dobieville.

Ciao

Dobie

Dobiebowl Conference Champs

2006-02-02T00:17:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody,

Thanks for playing the Dobiebowl! And a Big Congrats to Myself - Booya!

The Dobiebowl is now fully operational, g'head and make your Superbowl pick =)

Well, it's official, the Jacksonville Jaguars have beaten the Superbowl winner of the '05 - '06 NFL season! (Seattle in week 1 and Pittsburgh in week 6.) Now this may not necessarily indicate that the Jags are a the best team in the NFL, but I say a win is a win is a win.
If you doubt my logic, you must at least agree that my team is better than the team that looses the superbowl. The team with the lowest score on Sunday will have not only lost to the Jags, they couldn't beat a team the Jags already whooped! I think this qualifies them solidly in second place (with an asterix*!) Feel free to get into the debate with me on the Message Board.

The bobblehead sways in the balance. Sunday's game will either solidify my future Mother-in-law's place in the victory circle, or lead to a long and complicated run off with my Father. (I'm actually pulling for the tie.) The key is for them both to pick opposing teams, I've denied myself from looking.

The Steelers have already made history in bringing their 6th seed team to the big one, however the Seahawk 'nation' has written in the history book this year as well, in Shaun Alexander's handwritting. Who's gonna hold aloft the chrome plated pig skin this time? I'm just excited about the commercials.

Thanks again for playing, now Keep it up!

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com

P.S. A very special Birthday wish to both Chicken (Jets fan) and DrSeuss49er (San Fran fan) who will celebrate their 32nd on Sunday! Whoa, instant party! Mine's on Jan 25th, so here's a list of Superbowls that have landed on my B-day:

Super Bowl XV
January 25, 1981
Louisiana Superdome
New Orleans, LA
Oakland Raiders 27
Philadelphia Eagles 10

Super Bowl XXI
January 25, 1987
Rose Bowl
Pasadena, CA
New York Giants 39
Denver Broncos 20

Super Bowl XXXII
January 25, 1998
Qualcomm Stadium
San Diego, CA
Denver Broncos 31
Green Bay Packers 24

*The Jags are the best team in the NFL

Dobiebowl Divisional Playoffs

2006-02-02T00:15:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody,

Thanks for playing the Dobiebowl! A Big Congrats to Jutsman! (Total Score = 
159) Since we're currently tied at 172 I'll leave the praises till after the
Superbowl :)

I'm sorry but I haven't had time to link up the site, but if you click on 
(or cut n' paste into your browser) the below link you can make your picks. 
You'll need to login first.

http://www.dobiebowl.com/conchamp/conchamp_2005.php

If anyone has any problems logging in or making picks, just reply to this 
email with your selections + scores. Remember the games are this sunday:

Pittsburgh at Denver 3:00pm
Carolina at Seattle 6:30pm

Thanks again and keep it up!

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com

P.S. How 'bout that Bus route in Indiana?

Dobiebowl Wildcard Week

2006-01-12T23:48:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody,

Thanks for playing the Dobiebowl! A Big Congrats to footballking! I’d do the whole score breakdown thing but he’s the only one who posted a score at all and it’s late and I’m tired J

The Divisional Championship games are all loaded up and ready to go. Will the Colts go undefeated in the post season? Will the Seahawks get speared by the Redskins? Will the Bus’s final stop be in Detroit? Will Denver’s hopes be Mile High? Well, what do you think?

Keep on playin’!

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com

P.S. Yeah the Jags lost L I’m dealing with it =)

Dobiebowl Week 17 (Farewell, and we thank you)

2006-01-05T15:42:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody,

Thanks for playing the Dobiebowl! And a Big Congrats to smseigle! Well, she started out the ‘05-’06 Dobiebowl season with a week 1 win, it’s only fitting that she nudge out the powerful jutsman by actually picking scores. (I’ve got the break down below, and seigle was 143 points away from the total which beat out juts and SarahGrr who were 703 points away! J )

WILDCARD WEEK IS ON!

Simply click on the Playoffs button on the left side of the Dobiebowl screen or just go here: http://dobiebowl.com/playoffs.html (click on or cut n’ paste into your browser)
Since there’s been no Perfectomundo week in the regular season, I’m extending the offer to the Playoffs.
Yes you still have a chance to win! But here’s the rub, to get the keychain you must correctly pick all 12 games in the playoffs (heck, you guys were getting’ 12, 13, and 14 right each reg. season week, this should be no problem-o!) I’ll leave off the Super Bowl from the keychain chase as a courtesy =)

Week 17 spanning the New Years Gap was a time to say farewell to a number of great players. Even though he and many members of the Steelers team agreed to pay cuts, Jerome ‘the Bus’ Bettis may not return next year. (I say he’s gotta career in celebrity poker, so long as he doesn’t run up against Wanda Sykes again.) It was an emotional time in Pittsburg, and I can only hope he’s phenomenal against Cincinnati in the Wild Card. Brett Favre may not return to Lambeau field next year, but coach Mike Sherman of the Packers definitely won’t. Also, Kansas City’s coach Dick Vermeil will make a teary exit… again. Believe me, Sunday was the last time you’ll see a coach kiss that many individual players in an NFL game, (a fact I find a little saddening)

Alright, on with the game… The Clash of the Titans continues. My Father, Daddio vs. my future Mother-in-law smseigle locked in a dead-heat at 182 going into the playoffs. Two will enter, one will leave (unless both trip up entirely throughout the playoffs and codurre wins the Perfectomundo keychain.) Any side bets on who will revel in Bobble-Headed glory? Make ‘em on the Message Board!

Viva-la Playoffs! Now Keep it Up!

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com

Dobiebowl (better than no bowl) Week 16

2005-12-30T11:07:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody,

Thanks for playing the Dobiebowl! And I gotta say, and it’s long over-due, a Big Congrats to Me! *Happy Dance*

And how much does it blow to have no college bowl games on New Years? Since I tuned out of the whole college scene as soon as the entire UF Gator team lost to Steven “Game-Cock” Spurrier who beat ‘em single-handedly up in S. Carolina, it don’t hurt me a bit. (Still it was something to see Steve run, pass, block, and kick the extra points all while wearing the ‘Cocky’ Mascot suit.)

I actually loved being able to quell the pre-stocking jitters on X-mas Eve with a full day of NFL action, followed by watching a Green Bay matinee on a cushion of wrapping paper X-Mas Day. I really thought we were gonna see a Brett Farvre Miracle on the 34th yard-line. Sadly, he was intercepted in his last minute drive for a TD to take it to OT. The Ravens put up quite a show at home, as their X-Mas present to Baltimore (wrap it up and put it under the tree for next year, hey Uncle Ross?) and we say farewell to Monday Night Football on ABC, “Turn out the lights, the party’s over…” I’ll personally be following its less-than-grandiose move to ESPN, but I say they bring back the Yellow Blazers! (For the record, the N.Y. Jets played in both the first and last Monday Night game on ABC… and they lost ‘em both, fitting ya?)

There’s alotta play-off scenarios that I could take time to explain to everyone in detail, but the Jags have clinched their Wild-Card slot, so frankly I could care less J (That is until after Sundays games are done when I’ll hafta motor to get playoff picks ready for you guys, you hearin’ me Juts?)
Remember that there are once again Saturday Games, Denver at San Diego 4:30 p.m. and N.Y. Giants at Oakland 8:00 p.m. so get those picks in today.
Have a Very Happy New Year, Don’t Drink and Drive, (but feel free to blow up pretty colored gun powder anywhere but in Texas)

Thanks again for playing, now Keep it Up!

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com

Dobiebowl Wintery Week15

2005-12-23T13:21:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody,

Thanks for playing the Dobiebowl! And a Big Congrats to Daddio! Once again a thrilling run off (see below for total score breakdown).

I’d like to laugh derisively at the Colts for losing to the Chargers, thus stepping on the “perfect season’s” toes in their dance with history. However, I must take pause for Coach Dungy’s loss of his 18 year old son James Dungy yesterday, 12/22/2005. The tragedy could not come at a worse time, days before the holidays and their grueling ‘on-the-road’ match-up with the Seahawks. No Super Bowl ring could balance these scales. Please send good thoughts to the Dungy household as we enjoy our sports this holiday.

On a happier note, our stockings will be stuffed with NFL action this weekend with most games being played tomorrow, Saturday - Christmas Eve, two football games on Sunday – Christmas Day, and a frosty New York/New England Monday game for those eggnog hangovers. All I want for Christmas is a Wildcard for the Jags.

After chilling my bones in the North End Zone of Alltel Stadium, I have only one question… where is DrSeuss49er?!? She dropped off around week 10 never to be seen again. Tina, your 9’ers almost did in my Jags. I was really hopin’ to get some smack talk on the Message Board. Ah well, you’ll getta better draft pick next year too. J
Thanks to my Mom for getting me tix to the game, and to my friend Dierdra for tagging along (and taking pictures – see below). I promise to have the whole slew of photos up on the Dobiebowl Hall of Fame/Shame as well as any I can get from chicken of the Fins Jets game in Miami.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Seasons Greetings to Everybody!
Now get those picks in!

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com

Me and Jags Head Coach Jack Del Rio! WooHoo!

Dobiebowl Week 14 - for the Birds

2005-12-16T01:41:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody,

Thanks for playing the Dobiebowl! And a Big Congrats to my man chicken who won week 13 with a solid 14 correct picks. Way to go Bird-Man!

Some have said that I’ve become too Jaguar-centric in my weekly rants. Specifically that I failed to mention the Monday Night 42 – 0 blow out of the Eagles and the following rout of San Francisco 41 – 3 last week by the Seahawks… (who were beaten by the Jags 26 to 14 in week 1)

Due to that omission, I am compelled to mention the remarkable win by the New York Jets who beat the Oakland Raiders 26 to 10 despite playing without Curtis Martin or quarterback Chad Pennington… (who went out due to injury in their crushing defeat to the Jags in OT of week 3, 26 to 20)

Chicago’s 8 week winning streak was finally broken on Sunday in a snow-bowl featuring a 100 yard game for ‘The Bus’ of the Steelers… (who lost in another overtime defeat to the Jags 23 to 17 in week 6)

And yes, even after scoring a 4^th quarter touchdown, recovering an onside-kick, and scoring another touchdown followed by a 2 point conversion by back-up QB David Garrard, Jacksonville lost last week to the Indy Colts… (a team who has yet to be bested by any opponent to face them this year)

So, now that we’ve gotten that into perspective, let’s move on to the upcoming week’s games. Remember, in lieu of college action, there are 3 games this Saturday including:

Tampa Bay at New England
Kansas City at N.Y. Giants
And Denver at Buffalo

So get those picks in early.

Also, I’m pleased to announce that I’ve tripped over backwards into tickets to Sunday’s Jags game against the ‘49ers. That coupled with the fact that our illustrious winner chicken will be easy-ridin’ it down to Miami to watch N.Y. lose again means that we should have a hefty batch of photos for the Dobiebowl Hall of Fame/Shame next week!

Thanks again for playing. Now Keep it Up!

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com

Dobiebowl Week 13 4-Way

2005-12-09T00:33:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody,

Thanks for playing the Dobiebowl! And a Big Congrats to mssunshine! Yes there was a 4-way tie in week 13. So once again I need to do the breakdown. Remember, the player with the closest total score is the winner. Since everyone went over this week, it should be pretty simple:

mssunshine 597 – 575 = 22!
codurre 648 – 575 = 73
Daddio 694 – 575 = 119
smseigle 784 – 575 = 209

Now the only proper thing for you to do is contest the results and fight it all out on the Message Board!

And now to business…

ESPN this week gave the Jags a 50% chance of defeating the, as yet, undefeated Colts – the best percentage they gave any of the teams left in Indy’s season. The spread of the game is 7.5 in Indy’s favor. Every single host of HBO’s Inside the NFL has picked against Jax: (Dan Marino, Bob Costas, Cris Collinsworth, and Cris Carter) Still, I have an offer for all of you. Come with me. In the last 3 years, no one’s kept the Colts to fewer points inna game than the Jags. The last time these teams met, Jacksonville gave Peyton his worst record in recent history (44.0 passer rating, No touchdowns and an Interception). This is an away game for Manning, on real turf, in the open air. Come with me. If you’re far from the leaderboard’s penthouse, if your week’s weak and you’re nowhere near Perfectomundo; Pick the Jags! Fer one thing, it’s always more fun to root for the underdog. Fer ‘nother, if they win we’ll be the only one’s who’ll be able to rub it in, in the office, at school, and at home “I picked the Jags!” (Imagine of you picked the Colts and they win, how boring will your Monday be?) Finally, I want you to think of it as a Karmic Movement. With enough positive energy we can turn the tide, it’s the same reason we yell at our TV screens.

For the rest of you Chiefs Chargers and Steelers fans, good luck with your Wildcard bids. I’ll be rooting against all of ya.
Thanks again for playing. Now Keep it Up!

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com/

P.S. I hadda typo in the last Dobie Bowl email. The correct title of the fund for my future Father-in-law is "FABA Memorial Fund" (not 'SBA Memorial Fund' as I said in the email) Thank you to all who loved and supported him.

Dobiebowl Week 12

2005-12-02T12:55:00.000-05:00

Hello Everybody,

Thank you for playing the Dobiebowl. A Big Congrats to smseigle, sorry tincup close but no bobble-headed cigar.

It is with a heavy heart that I tell you my future Father-in-law passed away at 5:48 p.m. Saturday November 19, 2005 of Lung Cancer. I didn’t want to mention it in the last email as it was still the holidays, and frankly I don’t think it had really set in with me yet. In lieu of flowers, etc. I’d urge you to send a donation to the fund started by the FABA in his name:

David Mark Niederpruem FABA Memorial Fund
1580 N. Monroe St.
Bldg C16
Tallahassee FL 32303

Money collected will be used to further the education of emotionally, behaviorally, and physically challenged students. It’s a cause David believed in very strongly, and I think it’s a great way to memorialize all the good work he did teaching students who struggled with these limitations.

Please visit the Dobiebowl Message Board for my week 12 recap, and other more NFL-centric fun.
Thanks again for playing, now Keep It Up!

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com

Dobiebowl Week 11 "No pick?"

2005-11-23T16:31:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody,

Thanks for playing the Dobiebowl! And a Big Congrats to codurre! Remember him? He used to be cool. He was like the Panthers and the Lions back in the pre-season, when everyone thought they’d be in the XL Superbowl, back before the Saints beat Carolina in week 1 and Chicago beat Detroit twice! I had him pegged for Bobble-Headed glory. How’s it feel to be back in the winner’s circle man? You’re still in the hunt duder.

Thank you to everyone who emailed in about the “No Pick” listing for the Turkey-Day ‘Atlanta at Detroit’ game (as well as the Match up between ‘Thursday’ and ‘Nov.’ which was apparently scheduled for Monday Night). These have since been fixed, so feel free to go back and pick ‘em. I’ll except no excuses come Tuesday morning, you’ve been warned J My only explanation is that somehow when I was carving out the Turkey-Day picks, I spilled gravy all over the database. Now I’m the one who’s gotta do the dishes =(

Where are my highlights? Fer some reason the 7 an’ 3 Jags aren’t kool enough for SportCenter. Wat up with that?
The Colt’s Poll is dwindling on the Message Board. With only 7 options left, someone’s gotta pick it right yeah? One would think.

Okay, that’s all I’ve got today. Before you’re all tripped out on tryptophan, make your Dobiebowl picks!

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com

Dobiebowl Windy Week 10

2005-11-18T15:28:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody,

Thanks for playing the Dobiebowl! And a Big Congrats to footballking! However, there is dissension over this result on the Message Board. Technically it was a tie between him and superdan, but officially the Total Score runoff left Dan feeling less than ‘super’. There were a lot of runoffs in week 10, so I’ve posted the Total Score at the bottom. Think you shoulda beaten your rivals this week? Feel free to get in on the debate!

Didja see that missed field goal kick that was brought back by the Bears for the longest recorded return? Didja see the 15 yarder that was smacked right for a lost 3 points? With winds gusting up to 47 miles per hour, I think the fans that day were the ‘13th man’. Maybe the Windy-City is at the head of their division because they’ve made a deal with the Autumn Wind. (ß Actually one of my favorite NFL MP3’s).

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I didn’t get to see one play of the Jags game, and they finally break away with a phenomenal 30 to 3 win over the Ravens. I tried to get my Uncle Ross’s goat on the Message Board about it, but I think he’s decided to trade in his season tickets for golf lessons this year J (I kid…I still owe ya for SB XXXVI)

Okay, time’s a-wastin’. G’head and make your picks already!
And thanks again.

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com

Week 10
Detroit 29 Arizona 21
Jacksonville 30 Baltimore 3
Indianapolis 31 Houston 17
Buffalo 14 KansasCity 3
Minnesota 24 N.Y.Giants 21
NewEngland 23 Miami 16
Chicago 17 SanFrancisco 9
Denver 31 Oakland 17
Carolina 30 N.Y.Jets 3
GreenBay 33 Atlanta 25
Seattle 31 St.Louis 16
TampaBay 36 Washington 35
Pittsburgh 34 Cleveland 21
Dallas 21 Philadelphia 20
Total 384 + 227 = 611

Dobiebowl Week 9 - Abbreviated

2005-11-11T11:30:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody,
Thanks for playing the DobieBowl! (sorry, no hyperlinks today)

A Big Congrats to BFG who won week 9 with 13 correct picks (1 away from Perfectomundo) Whodathunk the Colts woulda pulled it off? BFG, that's whodathunkit.

I've been told my DobieBowl emails are gettin' really long, so I'll just say - go to the new DobieBowl message board if you wanna read more of my rambling. Here's the direct link: http://dobiebowl.com/board/phpBB2/index.php It's all free, post as a guest, or create an account, create an avatar (buddy icon), and talk all ya want.
Thanks again,
Dobie
http://dobiebowl.com

Dobiebowl Week 8 Injury Report

2005-11-04T01:58:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody!

Thanks for playing the Dobiebowl! And a Big Congrats to beer4uni who lead the pack by 1! This beer’s for you alone! (No really, click the link. It’s funny)

I apologize for getting this edition of the Dobiebowl email out late. I was up all night tryin’ to make good on a belated promise to Slim and beckydoodle. Back at the beginning of the season (well 9/11/2005) Slim and I went to Jacksonville to see the Jags wail up on the Seahawks. (Sorta an additional kick-back fer winning last years Dobiebowl, and also a sadistic urge to see him squirm when my hometown team makes his hometown team cough up the ball 5 times inna game) Then on 10-16-2005, beckydoodle went to go see Ricky’s return to Miami inna game against the Bucs (The pirates harpooned ‘em L) I got pictures from both games and never got around to posting them… that is until now! Here they is:

http://dobiebowl.com/Bucs-Fins-10-16-05/pictures/home.html

http://dobiebowl.com/Jags-Seahawks9-11-5/pictures/home.html

(Click on or cut-n’-paste into your browser. OR just go to the Dobiebowl Hall of Fame/Shame) Remember, if you’ve got pictures of a game you went to, or any team-spirited tailgating, send ‘em to me and I’ll be sure to post ‘em on the ‘Bowl… in about 4 to 6 weeks.

Next thing on my Dobie-to-do-list is to fix the gosh-darned message board (Juts, you hearin’ me? A lil’ help mebbe?)

Ok, on to business. The Rams beat the Jags 24 to 21 without Marc Bulger (shoulder) Torry Holt (knee) Isaac Bruce (turf toe) and their Head Coach Mike Martz (heart). And now it looks like Jax will have a couple-a injuries of their own (Big John Henderson and Marcus Stroud). Pittsburgh is gonna be without Big Ben against the Packers. Moss hasn’t been practicing for the Raiders. I could go on, but I’m almost over my quota on email web links.

They named the dog Indiana, but can they beat the New England “Super-Bowl Dynasty” Pats in Massachusetts on Monday Night? With a 7 and 0 record, it’s hard to pick against ‘em, but are they due? Only 2 more Sundays of bye weeks, so shoot for the Perfectomundo Keychain now, ‘cause come Nov. 20th it gets a whole lot tougher!

Thanks again for playing, now Keep it Up!

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com

Dobiebowl Week 7 - Place-Kick Holder: Lucy Van Pelt

2005-10-27T19:13:00.000-05:00

Ghoul Eeevening Everybody,

Thanks for playing the Dobiebowl! And a Big Congrats to beckydoodle – the Out and Out winner of Week 7 with 12 correct picks! Way 2 go Beck! Whew, am I glad I didn’t hafta put together another tie-splittin’ NFL breakdown. (So with the free time that gives me, I’ve posted last Sunday’s Peanuts strip below =)

Week 7 had more close games won by 3 points (or less) in the last minutes of the game than you could shake a proverbial stick at, and here they are: Detroit 13, Cleveland 10 , Minnesota 23, Green Bay 20 , Philadelphia 20, San Diego 17 , Seattle 13, Dallas 10 , and N.Y. Giants 24, Denver 23 .

Indy remains undefeated (and who’s surprised?) At this time I’d like to ask you all to bow your heads and have a moment of silence for the entire town of Houston Texas. Yeah, I know South Florida got hit by Hurricane Wilma inflicting billions of dollars worth of damage and devastation, but Houston is still winless in the NFL and last night their MLB World Series hopes were annihilated in a Shut-out / Clean-sweep, loss to the White Sox! Houston, we have a problem (‘course as long as they’re in the same division as the Jags I’m cool with it).

Oh, yeah… Happy Halloween! Once again, we’re set to celebrate All-Hallow’s Eve this Monday by watchin’ the Spooky Steelers eat their victims alive, or will the Ravens say, ‘Nevermore’? If you remember last year, it was on Halloween that the Pats had their perfect season snatched away from them like a big bag of candy by Big Ben Roethlisberger (then I heard the ‘Bus’ ran over their jack-o-lantern). Maybe we have a tradition at hand? Just like the Cowboys and Lions play each year on Thanksgiving, maybe the Steelers’ll become our annual Halloween treat! Hey, at least it’s something to watch while your house is getting’ egged.

So, tell your wife it’s okay to call your jersey a ‘costume’ this weekend only, put down the beer nuts and reach for the M&M’s, and if there’s a knock at the door when it’s a 4 an’ 1 at the goal line, g’head and answer it. There’ll be a replay anyway and who knows… it might be the Great Pumpkin!

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com

Dobiebowl Week 6 - This is not Spam!

2005-10-20T23:24:00.000-05:00

*Due to Hurricane Wilma, the Dolphins-Chiefs game will be played tonight, 10/21/2005, at 7pm*

Hello Everybody,

I swear I only hit the button once! Somehow, my Outlook spat out last week’s email 4 times to all of you. Once a week I send an email to more than 1 person atta time, and that’s the one that gets plastered all over your inboxes! I am so sorry.

I don’t think I’ve said it this season yet, but please if you do not wish to receive these emails just reply with ‘remove’. I don’t wanna annoy anyone.

Okay, ‘nuff said,

Thanks for playing the Dobiebowl! Oh man, where do I begin? I could say that smseigle and Daddio tied for week 7 with 13 correct picks outta 14 games (one pick away from a Perfectomundo week!) However, truth be told there was an actual winner... A Big Congrats to smseigle! The actual Total Score of week 6 was 626. Daddio picked 534 – a difference of 92, smseigle picked 686 – a difference of 60. (Yes, you can ‘go over’ the Total Score and still be counted closer) Way to go both of you!

Now, what’s even more bizzarro than that is both players missed on the same game... oh yes, the Jacksonville Jaguars upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers! Never underestimate the power of Rashean Mathis! For the record, I didn’t snoop to find out, they told me, (It happens to be my Dad and future Mother-in-law, so I prolly shoulda kept it as a tie =) Still I gotta give this game the Dobie Shuffle! Sure Pitt didn’t have Big Ben, or Hines Ward, but to be fair there was a lack of Freddy Taylor on the Jax ‘O’ line. Still, you can’t deny it was one helluva game!

And what else happened this week? Indy remains undefeated at 6 n’ 0, Two games end in OT, Tampa loses it’s quarterback and trades up to San Fran’s 49ers Tim Rattay, and Houston still hasn’t posted a ‘W’ all season. Who knows what’ll happen next week? Is it you? for

Keep Playing and find out =)

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com/

P.S. Here’s the break down for the tie-breaker:

Atlanta	34	New Orleans	31
Carolina	21	Detroit	20
Cincinnati	31	Tennessee	23
Baltimore	16	Cleveland	3
Jacksonville	23	Pittsburgh	17	(OT)
Tampa	27	Miami	13
Chicago	28	Minnesota	3
Dallas	16	N.Y. Giants	13	(OT)
Kansas	28	Washington	21
Denver	28	New England	20
Buffalo	27	N.Y. Jets	17
San Diego	27	Oakland	14
Seattle	42	Houston	10
Indianapolis	45	St. Louis	28
Total	393		233	626

Dobie Bowl Week 5 (A tie at 10)

2005-10-13T23:37:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody!

Thanks for playing the Dobiebowl! A big Congrats to Ladd… (now lemme explain)

Week 5 generated a 4 way tie in the Dobiebowl winners circle. The rules clearly state the winner will be the player with the closest total score to the actual total score. Yes there are rules. They’re on the rules page. Yes there is a rules page, I’ve linked to it 4 times already and you still haven’t clicked on it, so I’ll just sum it up here: Jutsman got 10 correct picks, his total score was 0. This means he picked 0 for all the scores of all the games in week 5 for a combined total of 0, which is what Mleckey did, as his total score was also 0. Slim’s scores added up to 443 but as the actual total score was 625 Ladd wins the brass ring with his total score of 519 (there is no actual brass ring, how many prizes do you guys need!?).

Everyone follow me on that? Alright good, now nobody tie again, ever. Onto the big picture: Cedric has announced on the message board that his “reign” is “over”. Don’t buy it for a second. That’s just what he wants you to think. I for one will not be lulled into a false confidence by Ced’s self deprecation. Having said that, kudos to Mleckey who took the overall Dobiebowl lead away from Ced-head like Bobby McCray took the ball away from Carson Palmer in the last minute:28 of the Jax v. Cinn game Sunday night. Go Jags! (Also be on the lookout for a new message board, this one keeps deleting people’s posts. A new one’s in the works – I mentioned it before, but I said it on the message board, and naturally it got deleted.)

And then there was 1. Indy, 5 and 0 stands alone as the only undefeated team in the NFL. I’m so thrilled (sense the irony). They’re in our division, so I can’t wait for week 14 when they gotta come to Jacksonville (probably toting a 13 and 0 record, tying the ‘72 Fin’s record – officially ending the champagne flow in Miami forever) only to be beaten by Byron and the boys who will then go down in history as the ones who kept the record tied. Then again, the Colts could lose in week 6… to St. Louis… at home… on Monday night. Er, maybe not.

Okay, so to amend my last email, Superdan pointed out to me that according to http://babelfish.altavista.com/ “Por favor mantengase se a la hada de las puertas” translates as “Please the fairy of the doors mantengase” Alls I can say about that is, is Disney’s Monorails don’t lie. And now, a cute picture of a dog:

Go Jags!

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com

Here’s the math for the run-off :)
[35+17+20+10+20+14+31+28+52+3
+37+31+14+12+34+20+28+3+24+20
+33+10+21+19+23+20+24+22=625]

35 to 17 Baltimore at Detroit
20 to 10 Chicago at Cleveland
20 to 14 Miami at Buffalo
31 to 28 New England at Atlanta
52 to 3 New Orleans at Green Bay
37 to 31 Seattle at St. Louis
14 to 12 Tampa Bay at N.Y. Jets
34 to 20 Tennessee at Houston
28 to 3 Indianapolis at San Francisco
24 to 20 Carolina at Arizona
33 to 10 Philadelphia at Dallas
21 to 19 Washington at Denver
23 to 20 Cincinnati at Jacksonville
24 to 22 Pittsburgh at San Diego

Dobiebowl Week 4 En Espanõl

2005-10-07T11:15:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody!

Thanks for playing the Dobiebowl – Now in its Halloween Makeup! & a big nepotistic Congrats to Daddio (Me dear ole’ Dad). He raised me as a Dolphin’s fan, converted me to the Jaguar camp, nurtured me into the man I am today… and all he got out of it was a weekly win on the Dobiebowl =) Happy Birthday early Pops!

Right, in honor of last Sunday night’s game in Mexico City I will impart to you all the full extent of my Spanish. (Drum roll please)

“Por favor mantengase se la hada de las puertas” as far as I can tell it means “Please keep your hands clear of the doors.” – It’s what they say on the Monorail at Disney world & I’ve gotta thank Brad Bergdoll for that one (where ever you are). They say our next international game may be in London. By then I hope to be able to offer an English version of the Dobiebowl (right now I’ve only got it in American). I imagine they’ll be a lot of “Ye braggart scribes, writ thou epistles upon thee board-o-message!” Heh… I kid the Brits.

Now, on to football. For those keeping score, the # of undefeated teams is 4 (yeah I forgot to mention Washington in the last email –sorry Brunell, we miss you in Jax)
Washington 3&0, Tampa Bay 4&0, Indy 4&0, Cincinnati 4&0… But I’ve just gotten a message from the ’72 Fins and it simply says, “Ain’t Skeer’d”.
So we’re still lookin’ for a keychain winner and it’s shaping up to be a challenge and a half. Last year we were confident in our Patriots Picks, but the 1&2 Chargers dominated ‘em 41 to 17, Favre's cheese heads have completely curdled as they share the throne of the winless with the Texans. Detroit, a pre-season lock to win their division, has only beaten the Packers, and the ‘Super-bowl bound’ Panthers are a mediocre 2&2. And yes, the Jags lost at home… Grrr. I‘m thinking of picking all my games this week opposite to what I really woulda picked, just to try and get my numbers up. You should try it too… Cedric! Then again, with your luck you’ll end up Perfectomundo!

And finally, I apologize for the lateness of this email. I try to get ‘em out by Friday mornin’, but this week I’ve been spending extra time tryin’ to teach my baby football:

This is our Baby ‘Bailey’-Bear and as soon as she learns to fetch, she’s gonna be drafted as a Jets QB!
(Sorry Chicken, it’s just too easy)

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com/

P.S. Mi gato es muy grande!

Dobiebowl Week3 in OT

2005-09-29T23:07:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody,

Thanks for playing the Dobiebowl!

For the second week inna row, a Big Congrats to Cedric or C-dog as he claims he’s called in the ‘hood’
Does he have the mustard to muster up a “Turkey” or will the rest of you turn him into turkey salad… with honey-mustard dressing?

Now, for those of you who’s names haven’t yet been placed in the ranks of glory, don’t give up hope! I’ve just added a new incentive that should keep you coming back for more. In the history of the Dobiebowl, a Perfect Pick has eluded even the best of players. For the first one of you to pick each game correctly in a single week, I will award (insert drum roll mp3 here) the Dobiebowl NFL Week Perfectomundo Keychain! – pictured below. It’s been engraved, the lil’ ball in the center spins around… for no apparent reason, and I’ll ship it out free of charge to the first player to post a perfectomundo pick!

And then there were 3. Yes, how quickly the mighty fall. The last undefeated teams left in the league are as follows:
Cincinnati, Indy, Tampa Bay
Can the Bucs best Detroit? Will Indy ignite the Titans? Will the Bengal’s bye week buy them time? Make your guesses on the Message Board.

Last but not least, I’ve gotta give it up to my Jags for walking the tight rope in overtime against the Jets. In the words of Marty McFly, “Why do we have to cut these things so damn close?”

Thanks again for playing. Now, keep it up!

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com

Remember, there’s only 14 games a week till Nov 20th so pick while the pickin’s are good!

Dobiebowl Week2 - Undefeated

2005-09-22T22:22:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone,

Thanx for playing the Dobiebowl, and a big Kudos to Cedric who’s on top and in charge!

…And then there were Seven.

One of my favorite NFL traditions is carried out by the remaining members of the ‘72 Dolphins who meet in Miami to toast champagne when the last undefeated team is vanquished. Last year they needed an awful lot of ice to keep the bottle’s chilled, but they got their bubbly on after Philly lost it in week 8 to the Pittsburgers. Already this year we can put a big “L” on the forehead of McNabb and Brady, but Big Ben of the Steelers is ringing in his second win, thus continuing his perfect regular season winning streak from ‘04. Here’s the list of the current undefeated teams:

Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis (Boo!), Kansas City, N.Y. Giants, Washington, Tampa Bay (Arr!)

Anyone care to wager a guess as to who will go the distance in ‘05? Post it on the Message Board for eternal “I toldja so” rights. Remember, in ’72 there were only 13 regular season games, which means Shula and the boys could dry out as early as December 4th.

Why am I going on about “undefeatable” teams when it’s only the second week? Well, I hadda put off mentioning the crushing defeat put on my Jags up in Indy this last week. Frankly, I’m getting’ a bit tired of my, “Go D!” mantra. How ‘bout a little “O” guys? Can I getta “TD”? It’s got me yellin’ “WTF”!

Anyway, the good news… I finally bit the bullet and got the NFL package from Direct TV. WooHoo! So, you’d think I’d be sated, but Nooooo. The first thing they do to me is hit me over the head with the “Superfan” ads. Anyone ever hear of this? For a measly $100 extra I can get 8 games on one channel, the Red Zone channel which does nothing but deliver the choice plays from every game around the league as they happen, and short cuts which shows each play of each game minus commercials, huddles, a cutaways to the cheerleaders.. then again, maybe it’s not so great :-
If anyone out there happens to be a Direct TV “Superfan” clue me in, ‘cause I’m convinced as soon as I get it I’ll find out there’s a “Super-Duper-Fan” package $100 above the Superfan plan that allows you to hear the audio in the quarterback’s helmets and displays the game in 3-D holographic-ultrahigh-definition. Of course, then I’ll be wantin’ to lay down another Benjamin so I can control the instant replays and actually influence the refs.

Thanks again for playing along. I’m gonna go superglue the remote to my hand and velcro my hinder to the recliner! Happy viewing everyone!
Keep playing, the Game’s Afoot!

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com

Dobiebowl Week 1 Upsets!

2005-09-16T15:41:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody,

Whatta week huh?!

Who-da-thunk we’d see 3 upsets in the season opener? Well, according to the Dobiebowl it’d be smseigle, way to go! A full 13 correct picks above those of you who didn’t play and 1 pick over footballking who I just wanted to mention in this email “lost” week one. But for the rest of you, don’t consider it a loss, think of it as a first step on a long journey to a bobbleheaded future!

I also wanna give a shout out to the Saints and all the Nawlin’s fans who collectively willed in the last 3 seconds of the game a ball through the uprights to win it over the well favored NC Cats. (Carolina was favored by FOX Sports to win the XL SuperBowl the Thursday before opening kick off if you remember (and if you don’t I’ve got a link to the article on the Dobiebowl Message Board). Also, Miami and San Fran brought it on Sunday, looking like what they are, teams with something to prove. How’s that for the “Stupid-Bowl” of last season when both teams met to see who would be ranked #32 and officially get the 1st round draft pick for the ‘05 season. Also, I’ll quote Tom Coughlin in saying, “There was no way this team in this town was going to lose at home on this day!” when talking about his NY Giants 42 to 19 victory on September the 11th.

It was an emotional day for all of us. It definetly was for me as in a drunken haze in Alltell Stadium I did the Dobie Shuffle (not actually shown here) for my Jags as they crushed the Mudducks 26 to 14, and I know it was for Slim who, although he bore witness to the crushing of his beloved Mudducks 26 to 14, got 7 signatures on his hat from Seattle starters and a free beer @ half time for being up 14 to 13. (Pictures will be posted to the Hall of Fame/Shame later this weekend).

So are you ready for the Weekend? Are you ready for some Football!?! Are you ready… to make your week 2 picks on the DOBIEBOWL!?!
Then get to it!

Thanks again for playing. A FUN pool’s that much more fun when everybody’s in.

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com

P.S. For those of you who do read the Dobiebowl Message Board you’ll note that smseigle is my future mother-in-law and no I did not give her any answers, tips, nudges, nods, winks, etc. She’s seen the bobblehead trophy in person and she simply wants it more! Although I dunno how much longer she should be allowed to gloat un-challenged online. Footballking? Gonna defend your honor? Or are you content with the nickname “# 2”?

New DobieBowl Season!

2005-09-05T23:30:00.001-05:00

Hello Everybody!

The New Dobie Bowl is ready for you!
http://dobiebowl.com

If you’ve never played before, or have forgotten how it works, allow me to explain. The Dobie Bowl is an online NFL FUN pool. You can create an account for free, login to the site, and start picking who you think will win each regular season NFL match up. Visiting teams are shown on the left with the Home teams on the right. Then choose how many points you think each team will score. (The points are used solely as tie-breakers – so you can leave ‘em blank iffya want). You can change your picks right up until kick-off, but after that you’re locked in.

When the games are over check out the Winner’s section to see how you ranked! Your name will be displayed along with the total combined score of each game you picked. The winner of a tie will be the one with the closest total score to the actual total score. The player with the most correct picks at the end of the season wins the Grand Prize! This year, the pièce de résistance is the illustrious Dobiebowl Bobblehead of Champions! Only one will win, but there’s plenty for the rest of you, including NFL Films, Fan Pictures, Tailgating Recipes, and a Message Board for all your un-sportsman-like gloating!

All the old accounts are still there, so if you’ve played before you can play again. If you’ve forgotten your username and/or password, shoot me an email at nfl@dobiebowl.com and I’ll email your info back to you. Remember, this site is free and open to the public. The more people that play the more FUN it is, so feel free to pass the link along to any mailing list, group, or organization you think might be interested.

This coming Thursday, 9/8/2005, the Oakland Raiders will travel to the Gillette Stadium in New England to officially kick-off the 2005 – 2006 NFL Season. Personally, I can’t wait to kick back the lazy-boy, get my fist into a bag of beer-nuts, and celebrate the greatest sport ever to toss a pig-skin! Join me, won’t you?

Mark Dobelstein
http://dobiebowl.com

P.S. Kudos and Thanks to my good buddy Juts for orchestrating all the programming. The site couldn’t exist withoutcha!

P.P.S. Please take a moment to Donate to the Red Cross to help out our brothers and sisters affected by hurricane Katrina. Thank you.

Welcome 0dd T0dd Fans...

2005-08-09T17:29:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody! Sorry for the delayed reaction, but I just found out I made the Sunday Blog on 0ddt0dd.com. Normally T0dd's a daily fix for me, but things have been pretty crazy as Liz and I have been in the process of *crosses fingers* getting our dream house! If you've seen my stuff on T0dd's "New to Flash" section then you may have already visited my main site dobieville.com, but if not drop on by. I'll play frisbee withya =)

The Potter Fiasco of '05

2005-07-21T21:07:00.000-05:00

Okay, I'mma creep. Not an hour ago I unknowingly did about the most hurtful thing I think I've ever done. All I can do is plead ignorance, but even I wouldn't buy that it could be possible for me to be so stupid. In reality, I am just a ruiner and rather than attempt to feign innocence let me be the first to publicly announce my heinous acts so that I may plead forgiveness from my friends, family, and the general public. I only hope my confession will in some small way help to atone for my atrocities.

After work today, Liz and I decided to search the web together. Do you know how this works? It's the sorta thing where one person sits at the keyboard and types while the other reads the web pages over the shoulder of the first from a "side car" position. Both parties frequently murmur directives such as, "I'm done." and "Scroll back please." to make sure all the page's content is fully digested. We don't do this often. Most of the time we're at our own computers emailing links to each other. I suppose it's more intimate side by side, but it also gets damn annoying. Anyway, after Liz finally relinquished her command of the U.S.S. Browser, I told her I wanted her to check out the Dobieville link of the week... She wanted to go upstairs and read. How I wish I had let her.

But of course not. I had to show her the link Seth sent me that was all quirky and neat: http://ytmnd.com/. I still haven't figured it completely out yet. It's just little pages people are creating with a text line, a background image, and an audio clip. They’re like tiny HTML Haikus. Their refreshingly short 'quick reads' (as my painting professor would say) that loop over and over until you get tired and move on to the next one. They're being rated, and organized, and gabbed about on message boards. A real online community... Fueled by the DARK SIDE!!! So Liz is now side-hacking to my keyboard mastery as I whip up the link, and shoot straight for the Top 15 Viewed list. The number one viewed site, oh please dear God don't click it if you go there, had one word I could read in the interim between my seeing it and my lightning quick reflexes performed a flawless left-click; "Potter". Had I known would I have clicked it? Could I have? I wanted her to like it! The full title of the link I clicked is "Potter spoiler booksite crash". The background picture was a line of kids waiting to buy the latest installment in the most popular publication in the history of the English language. Well, that involves witches anyway. I don't have the foggiest what the text says, but the audio was of some other 'punk' kids running across the line screaming out loud the surprise ending to the novel.

I instantly shut the link and gave a quick look to Liz... 'She didn't just hear that did she?' But it was too late. I can't publish the text of her reaction as this is a family oriented site.. for the most part anyway. Regardless, it became apparent that what I had done was clearly not cool. She ran upstairs, she called her mom. I was in real trouble. She told me how each Harry Potter book has it's own surprises, and written in are leads that make you think you know what's gonna happen, then it totally surprises you.. and I, in my dolt-hood, had completely ruined it. She was planning her whole weekend around reading the book. She was limiting herself to small doses of the thing, to prevent herself from accidentally staying up all night and finishing it. She was 'supping' this novel, and I force fed dessert to her.

What can I say... well... it was all Seth's fault! He was the one who first showed me ytmnd page with the song composed out of Darth Vader’s infamous first James-Earl-Jonsean line "NO!" It was he who sent me the link to the main site via AIM. I am a ruiner only by proxy of Seth's actions... but to be honest, I can't truly stay mad at him. Really, I should never have changed my link of the week from http://spreadtheslack.com, a cleverly written and well performed site extolling the wonders of slacking. Cecil, I gotta wonder if I had slacked a little more could all of this been avoided?

Zombie Santa?

2005-06-25T21:04:00.000-05:00

So, I'm woken this AM by my Mom who is petitioning Hallmark for the inclusion of a new holiday; '6 Months Till X-Mas Day!' To date there are no official cards, however last year I photoshoped up my own to send to my Mom, who had for the first time forgot. Today, she got me. To celebrate, Liz and I went to go see Romero's 'Land of the Dead'. We had just previously rented 'Day of the Dead' and were ready to get served up a couple-a hours of pure cheeze. We were not dissapointed. Although it's hard not to like a movie where characters kill zombies with shotguns in their spare time, I'll be the first to admit it was on the 'cult' side of good. However, the cheeziness actually staved off the Hollywood factor that was the only thing I didn't like about the remake of 'Dawn of the Dead'. Well, that and the fast zombies. I don't care who ya'are, slow zombies a better movie make than fast zombies. What I will say for 'Land' is that the setup actually got me interested. I don't particularly like the actor playing the lead which imdb.com tells me is named Simon Baker, but I did like his character and his slow witted, sharp shooting buddie. I dug the big Samoan dude who teamed up with them in the end, and there was a cameo by Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, the lead actor/co-writer and director of 'Shaun of the Dead'. So that was cool. I think I'll start a tradition myself. I'll make 6/25/2005 a day to watch zombie flicks, just to help remind me that it's only 6 months till X-Mas... Mom's right, there's no good holiday in June.

A League of My Own

2005-06-07T21:53:00.000-05:00

Ok, so not many people are aware of the fact that I am actually on a Bowling League. This is most likely because I don't find it a fact worth bragging about. The sport of bowling has but one outstanding hero and that's Jeff Lebowski. I bowl for Gumby's Pizza / Court of Hero's, my local sports bar / pub. Take a lookit the website I made for them that they still haven't picked up yet. If I had known better, I woulda held out for the new Jedi League they're starting up. However, we are actually defending our title as the reigning champions of the "hospitality night" at Alley Katz. I was there last... um wouldja call it a 'season'? I played 2 actual games as a sub-in player, got to present the winning 'loving cup' to an applauding bar-crowd, but dipped before everybody started drinking Yagerbombs from the trophy. I heard they all got sick ;) Anyway, defending a title totally sucks. Especially when all the other teams suddenly decide to show up. So I was more than relieved when I noticed this last Monday that our opponents were strangely absent. It took us a while, but we soon figured out they had made it out the Monday prior, which was Memorial Day, which meant no league play. Their team was given the option to 'pre-bowl' and they took it. They played their 3 games which was electronically recorded and stored for us the following week. Then we saw their team name; 'Rick James'. We quickly changed that to "Rick James Bitch" and of course re-listed ourselves as 'Gumby Damnit'. Then, as we played their scores magically appeared as if the ghost of Rick James were actually knockin' down the pins. This also meant that we could bowl a lot faster, rolling on both lanes at a time. This didn't help. Instead of staying in the zone, it amplified our mistakes, and there was just something eerie about getting schooled by a ghost. Well to be honest, we didn't all get screwed. Sam was gleaming the cube with his knee-cap shattering ninja-rolling style. He literally dropped to the ground before releasing the ball each time resulting in a resounding crack from his right knee, but he bowled like a demon! My final round, I didn't close a single frame; No strikes, no spares. Last time I did that, I was like 12, bowling in a kids league for an action figure as a prize... come to think of it, that Star Wars league might not be sucha bad idea =)

BeeBeeQueue

2005-06-01T14:08:00.000-05:00

Hello Everybody! Liz and I had such a good time last weekend, and we hope you all did as well! The Meeting of the Clans Barbeque went off without a hitch. In fact, we don't think it could have gone better! The weatherman predicted rain, and yet it held off 'til Tuesday. This allowed us to extend the festivities through the Monday holiday when our friends arrived with Meat and Beer! We quickly gobbled up the rest of the leftovers (save for the potato salad which has been gobbled at by a total of 20 hungry BBQ'ers and has so far only sustained a shallow dent - Thanks David and Joyce =) I've got the pictures taken from both events posted here for everyone to take a gander: http://dobieville.com/clans/home.html We're just so happy that our families got to meet and hang out, and for those of you who haven't met yet, we look forward to the March introductions in West Palm Beach! Thanks again to the families for making the trip out, and thanks to our friends who made Monday a real blast! We hope we can do it again real soon... but maybe next time it'll be at your place! Much love to all, Mark and Liz :)

Episode Anticipations...

2005-05-19T16:38:00.000-05:00

Today, I am experiencing a phenomenon. Imagine, if you will, that Halloween was a holiday that came around 6 times... and then it was done. Now imagine that it didn't happen every year, but every 3 years, with a big 16 year gap in the middle. That's what it feels like to be a Star Wars fan today. (Well yes, technically there have been sneak previews dating back to last week, and the 'true' fans went to the midnight show early this morning / late last night - but I'm getting too old and am not lucky enough for stuff like that). The whole multi-media culture of the 21st century is practically throbbing with the whole spectacle of it all. Star Wars is in our stores, in our food, on our television, and it's saturated our Internet. The synergy of the Star Wars vehicle has only taken hold in this fashion 5 times before, and after this one... it's all over. You see the thing that makes today bittersweet is I know that this will be the last time. As I type this, I am in a state I will never be in again - the bliss of ignorance. One of the most magical things about all the waiting between these movies is the power of the fan's imagination. From the first release of "A New Hope", George Lucas created what is now a truism in today's film... anything you imagine can happen in the movies. The fame the first flick got was mostly due to the fact that the movie reflected what so many people had already dreamed of, and it made it seem so undeniably real. In between each episode, we've been able to do what Lucas did as a kid watching Flash Gordon serials after seeing those big cliff hanger endings... We've been able to ask ourselves, "what happens next", and since my childhood, this Willy Wonka of the sci-fi space saga has provided me with an infinite number of toys and games to play my guesses out. In my early adulthood, I've internalized this form of play in a more 'novelized' way, by theorizing about plot points, characters, and having endless debates with my friends over the myth of the force... And therein lies the rub. The first trilogy was fed to me. By the time the prequels began, I had already learned how to cook (well, in so far as this analogy's concerned). I had imagined what would happen before the original 3 movies took place only to realize that I had out-imagined the first two prequel movies. I think this is what happened to a lot of people as the 'fans' began panning both ep. I and II. Say what you will about the failure of these movies to own up to the original 'trinity', the real downfall is that they crystallized what until then had been ethereal dreams, and a dream always looses power after you've written it down. So I have decided, above all else, to enjoy this last movie in spite of it's inevitable downfalls and in reverence of it's assured glories. In a few hours time, I'll have seen all the movies there are to be. To be honest, I can't wait. In the mean time, I'm enjoying this moment of anticipation, like the delayed gratification of a present yet to be opened. Who knows, maybe they'll come a day when even these movies are re-released with brand new features, characters, and effects. Then, it'll be like that special kind of Halloween all over again. =)

Guide Gushing...

2005-04-29T22:50:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I just saw 'Hitchhiker's Guide' and I'm afraid I'm gonna hafta geek out on anyone reading this. Alot's happened since my last post, Liz and I went to our Family Reunion, I saw Patton Ozwalt, we've been fighting off allergies... and sleep, but I'll skip to the end and say the movie's what's worth writing about.

I've been a Douglas fan since Jr. High, and apart from being wonderful books, they're exactly the kinds of things you read that demand that you ask the question, "Wouldn't this make a kick-ass movie?" Which inevitably lead to such statements as, "They'll only screw it up." or, "It'd be impossible to do this, they'd have to cut all the good bits out." This was so not the case. The film does take from things done in both science fiction and comedy movies. The opening is very 'Python', and there are some clearly 'Gilliam' moments to it, but there are bits that either in the comic timing, or by pure wit are uniquely it's own. The special effects are a mixture of Henson Film life sized puppets and Lucas Film-calliber CGI. There were a number of throw backs and nods to the previous incarnations of the story. If you've seen the BBC television show, you'll recognize the original 'Marvin' robot on the planet of Vogsphere... or perhaps I've said too much. Mos Def is excellent as Ford Prefect proving he really can do anything, even comedy. Sam Rockwell's insanity rivals that of Alice's Mad Hatter on this trip through the looking glass, playing his President of the Galaxy with a not so subtle 'W' twist, and Martin Freeman's Arthur is every moment hillarious. Look out for a cameo from Simon Jones the original Arther Dent from the Radio series and the TV show, a nice touch.

More than anything, I left with the feeling of complete satisfaction that's rare to get from any individual Sci-Fi, Comedy, or Novel Adaptation, let alone one that is all three. It's apparent that the movie was taylored to please Douglas himself, and in doing so pleased the audience on both sides of the pond. It is specifically a british comedy, but it's balances the tighrope well as being open to American audiences without becoming the least bit 'Hollywood'. In short, it's just what I wanted in Jr. High. I know I'm supposed to be critical and cynical and pick apart the plot points, but what's the point. It's actually an entertaining flick.

For those who didn't know, Douglas Adams passed away May 11, 2001 at only 49 years old. At the end of the movie, the words "For Douglas" appeared, and Liz and I began clapping. It was a total 'slow-clap' experience where we began, then our row, then someone yells out "Yay Douglas!" then the whole crowd applauds. Then we left, therefore missing the stinger at the end of the credits, which MSN's review says is worth the wait. I'm not upset, I will be seeing this movie again in the theater. I haven't done that since the last Star Wars (I said I was geeking out) and I've already planned ahead of time to be semi-disappointed by the next SW flick. Okay, enough slobber over this one. I'm sure they'll be a sequel, and there are 3 more books waiting after that. So see the movie, read the books, pick up 'Salmon of a Doubt' and 'Dirk Gently' while you're at it. You'll thank me. =)

Dobie

Newlyweds, Newly-friends

2005-04-15T17:38:00.000-05:00

Before the week winds down completely, I wanted to file another post to the site. I'd been meaning to do this first thing on Monday, but to be honest, it amazes me I made it this far without taking a day off to crash. Last weekend, Liz and I drove up to Athen's Georgia to see Liz's friend from high School, Katrina, get married. The wedding was really nice, and I say this having attended a slew of weddings within the last couple-a years. Now, since 'nice' doesn't really sum it all up, I'll go into a little more detail. The wedding was outdoors behind a big Georgia brick house (which unlike a Florida brick house would include a basement) The gowns and suits were well done, traditional with an orange accent - which I thought was bold, and yet it really worked. The thing that I really liked about it all though was the company. After half a dozen "Family" and "Friends of Family" type affairs, this was the first "Friends" wedding I've been to since my friend's Jim and Mandy got hitched. We stayed with Nancy and Micheal (and now that we've met I can call her Nancy, not "Nancy Liz's friend from High School") who were absolutely the best hosts I've even known, (sorry Jim and Mandy =) Also, Nancy and Liz's friend (also from HS) Daniel and her sig. other Mitchel stayed with us. Then at the actual gig, we met up with my old roommate Carrie and her sig. other Ed, who I had met a couple-a times, both of which new Liz from before my time with them. So here we are, 8 of us 30 somethings, or soon to be 30 somethings, Gen X'ers er whatever, keepin' it real and all that jazz and suddenly I feel like I'm in the 21st century version of The Big Chill. Which actually was kinda nice. You ever experience that nervous feeling before meeting the old friends of your spouse/sig. other (by the way, I love the term sig. other. I think it's a super-cool new thing people are doing. Not that marriage isn't for me, I can't wait for Liz to be a Dobie too, I just think it's good to break the trends of "marriage first, get-ta-knowya later" thing). Well, we weren't havin' it. I totally bonded with Mitchel and Micheal, and felt like Nancy and Daniel were really on Liz's wave-length, which is cool because it kinda fleshed Liz out even more for me, ya know? Connecting with that whole HS experience, lookin' over old pictures an' stuff (I still want a copy of the 'forbidden' video tape guys =) I'd have liked to spend more time w/ Katrina, cause the reception was right there after the wedding, but by the time the party decided to take it on the road, we were all too beat to bounce. That Sunday, before Liz n' I took off, we had a fabulous brunch at The Last Resort Grill the six of us. It felt like we had known each other forever, but in truth we were all either meeting each other for the first time, or re-meeting the versions of ourselves that we all turned into after HS. I'm so glad that all of them (including Carrie and Ed, and Katrina and Raul, and yes Mandy and Jim =) will all be invited to our wedding. Hopefully we haven't given them all enough time to come up with excuses not to show. So, inclosing I'll say Congratulations to the newlyweds, I'm glad I metcha to the newly-friends, and Have an excellent weekend! I for one, will be sleeping in :)
P.S. Friday night we stayed up late and watched Showgirls on USA where they digitally manufactured bras to cover up the nudity which made the flick 1/2 way watchable in the first place. We all agreed it was the best worst movie ever, and even worse on television. So, that's why for the movie of the week (sorry Ma).

"The Heist"

2005-03-29T12:54:00.000-05:00

Okay, after an intensive sweep of my boxed up VHS tapes, I found some old skool animation I had done for a once-local TV show; the "Fer-Real World". It was basically a 30 minute show broadcasted outta my alma mater, UF. It ran opposite Simpsons on Sunday nights, and as it was geared towards college students, it had a Net viewership of 1... being me. (I've tried to find their website, but alas it appears to have evaporated into the ether of the Internet.) I saw that they accepted submissions so I sent 'em an email and a few days later they showed up at my house to digitally swipe whatever footage I had available. What I had put together in the interim was an animation drawn on 3x5 cards and shot with one of those huge video cameras that takes the whole VHS tape. I didn't have a proper tripod either so each shot was a little off frame. The whole thing gets a "kooky" rating of 10.5, but I think the guys were thrilled just to have some filler. I've since lost the original but found the tape I made by recording the program - adding to the deresolution of the whole project. Anyway, the plot is pretty straight forward, and I think I was a little too hung up on the whole Tarantino crazy that was sweeping the nation and corrupting the youth back then, (in the mid 90's). I also had some black and white footage of my friend Hicks and I running around our apt. complex in alien costumes in a piece dubbed "Alien Laundry" but I'll have yet to find it. So, without further ado, I give you - The Heist

Whimsical Airbound Elephants

2005-03-24T14:24:00.000-05:00

So, I know this week everyone's Blogging about the big news stories: life and death cases in the courtrooms, guns in the classrooms, and the eternal debate over which came first the Chick-Peep or the Cross. I however have decided to chuck all that and run away to the circus! This Monday morning as I was driving to work, I noticed around the bend of 62nd Blvd, where my view of the Oaks Mall usually appears, a red and orange tent instead. My first reaction, crazy as it sounds, was that the Mall was infected with termites - and by this I mean the little wood gnawing insects, not the normal patrons of said establishment even though I've described them as bug-like creatures in the past. I've become so accustom to seeing the fumigation tents around whole buildings here in Florida (er Dobieville) that it was my natural first response. That was until I saw the Cannon. Right outside the billowy canopy was an extraordinary large cannon, with flames painted on, pointing in the general direction of the Mall. Obviously, this was not a way one deals with bugs. It was in fact an impromptu stop of the Cole Bros. Circus and they were setting up shop right before my eyes. Of course, then I ended up having to lookit the road and worry about how I was gonna explain being late to work again. On my way back that afternoon, I saw that they had set up a row of booths outside the tent for games and whatnot, had several long white trucks parked in a semi-circle around the booths, and had taped a number of 8x10 red arrow print outs on the light posts leading to the show, as if the 3 story striped tent wasn't a dead giveaway. Liz and I decided that since this was definitely the closest a circus was ever gonna set up shop to us, we should go and check it out... Possibly Friday. The next day, on my way to work, I was craning my neck to see if I could spot a trapeze artist or a bearded lady having their morning coffee or something. Alas all I could see was the Tent, the Cannon, the Trucks, and a large man in a wifebeater eating a hoggie. That afternoon, I hadda stop by the Mall to pay a bill - I'm convinced one suit bought at Burdines is gonna be the lynch pin in my financial downfall. As I was walking across the parking lot I could hear people in the tent 'Ooohing' and 'Aaahing' followed by a muffled applause. I wondered if they had any animals. Wasn't too long ago that I was watching reruns of that elephant who escaped in Manila or someplace and killed a guy with it's trunk or something and it was almost eerie to think of one barreling down the blvd blocks away from my pad. Still my interest was peaked and I was even more excited about hittin' the gig. That night there was a pretty bad storm. I say pretty bad, because there were tornado warnings going on till dawn and we could hear persistent thunder rumbling throughout the night, but we only got a couple inches of rain. The next day, on my commute I was just as surprised to see the whole affair was gone, vanished. They just, as they say, pulled up stakes and left town. Now, as this is more than the obvious but expected procedure of a circus group I shouldn't have been surprised. However, our Friday date was now kaput. We wondered if they had moved to our local fairgrounds, where circus-types are more typical , and to give hope to that thought, at the end of 62nd were three of those red arrows turned around and taped up on a light post facing in to town! I thought I could just follow the arrows and I couldn't miss the big top. (Then again there was the work thing and the lateness). Today, I've found out that their schedule has brought them to Georgia, so I didn't have a lick of a chance to catch 'em anyway. Ah well, easy come easy go, and yet it was kinda fun to think for a moment that the random appearance of a circus could be swept into the air, elephants and all, by a passing tornado. Allowing me to think on more whimsical things.

"...Wind a watch or bark at the moon."

2005-03-10T14:42:00.000-05:00

So, I hadda update the song of the week today. You can still get NWA's Express Yourself by clicking here, but it totally slipped my mind that this was Rather's last week... It wasn't that long ago that I was razzing REM and their new song, "Check Out My New Wa Wa Peddle!!" as I was calling it. Monster was the first album they put out that seemed old hat to me. I had praised REM and idolized Micheal Stipe for being such an anti-idol. Then "Shiny Happy People" and "Everybody Hurts" killed off their underground status, and clinched the group's pop-culture commerciality. Now-a-days your band hasn't made it until you've been featured in a car ad, but as far as I was concerned my REM fandom had kicked the proverbial bucket by the time Monster hit the shelves. So frustrated, I dismissed the album and only listened passingly to "Frequency" on the radio. I forewent (yes it's a word) my ritual of dissecting their song's lyrical message and chalked the whole album up to "SSDD" with an added Wa Wa. By the by, you can read the full lyrics to "Frequency" here. It wasn't until last year that I heard the story of the Rather assault, and it's connection to the song. I've been assuming most readers already know this one, but if you're still in the dark: in 1986 Dan Rather was accosted by William Tager on the streets of New York. Tager was convinced CBS was sending signals to his head and needed to know the frequency in order to block them out. No one's figured out yet why Billy-boy thought Rather's real name was Kenneth, maybe it was being piped in on Tager FM. The song had basically been affixed to Dan's lapel by the time he took the seat behind the CBS news desk for the last time Wednesday night. (He had even stood onstage with REM on the Letterman Show when they performed it in 1994). Although I wasn't a regular CBS News watcher, (I prefer ABC), I did listen to him during the last two Presidential Elections. I saw him interview Hussain a week before the bombing started, a feat no one seems to find as impressive as I do, and I was fond of his many Ratherisms. Some of these are as follows:

"We had a slight hitch in our giddy up, but we corrected that."

"Two hands worth of white knuckle still hanging ten."

"If a frog had side pockets, he'd carry a hand gun."

and...

"Now, ladies and gentleman, if you believe that, you'll believe rocks can grow."

You can also see a video clip of Rather being socked in the belly here. Shows to go ya that the news isn't what it used to be. Find me an anchor man who can give a fair report and take a punch today, and I'll give ya all my REM albums (on cassette tape =). For anyone who's still reading this, the actually frequency WCBS broadcasts on in New York City is 880 kHz. Ciao, Dobie

Amazing Amantez!!!

2005-03-03T14:16:00.000-05:00

Okay, before you read another line of this blog, you should all go to the following link to see the great photography work at Amantez Photography! Alright, I prolly should have said, bookmark Dobieville first incase you have a problem getting back here. That is unless you've already made this site your homepage (which I highly recommend). In that case, when you're done just hit the button that looks like a little house at the top of your browser... Everybody back? Okay, here's the good news: Through an online raffle, Liz and I won a $400 credit towards our wedding photos from Amantez Photography! We heard about the contest on the radio from 100.5 the Buzz (also a cool website people should be checkin' out) and they told us to go to WeddingRaffle.com (which is actually the same site as Amantez but no biggie). We filled out their questionnaire, and boom, we're winners! Bit of a culture shock really after being losers for so long ;) We came in 2nd place, (1st place people got a golden chariot and their weight in cheesecake, but we're not bitter). We can use the credit for engagement photos, or roll it over to use for pictures of our actual wedding! I hadda long conversation with Liegh, our photographer, and got a real cool vibe from her. The best part is, we get to keep the digital artifacts of the actual pictures, so we don't have to keep going back to her in order to get more pictures developed! This totally rocks, which is why we'll prolly be using Liegh for the wedding proper. Speaking of the wedding (I know finally!) I'll be updating very soon with new info concerning the meeting of the clans, the location of the events, and all the rickita rackita. Anyway, I gotta go do my happy dance now. Hope everything is going well with all my homies. Ciao!

Dwayne Hickman Decapitated?

2005-02-25T10:29:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note on the whole Dobie Gillis thing. I dida search on IMDB for the old TV show and came up with: "Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis" Obviously poking fun at the old Peckinpah movie Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, but whoda thunkit? This came out before Tivo, so someone woulda hadda put it on VHS to keep this alive. Anybody out there know where I can score a copy? It's gotta be one of those, so bad it's good kinda shows. Besides, anything's better than reality TV.

The Dobie Song...

2005-02-24T15:18:00.000-05:00

Complete with creepy black n' white horror show footage! I was tooling around on Google trying to see what place Dobieville is coming in line today, and about the time I got to the 40th page of my "dobie" search, (yes I really need to find, secure, and live an actual life) I found this: LINK. It was just weird enough that I hadda give a shout out to the peeps that posted it. Good thing I've already got "a girl who's dreamy". =) If anyone knows where that song came from, drop me a line and I'll give ya a key to the city! Also, I've found that apart from being a town unto myself, I'm a Theatre, a Wonder Sponge, and of course, an ever popular 50's/60's TV show, but I'm sure you knew about that one. Now, in the words of Maynard G. Krebbs, I gotta get back to "WORK!"

Not the only Town in Town...

2005-02-16T13:42:00.000-05:00

And to be clear, we are not Frogtown either... After setting up the Blog and getting the home page to look, well a little more homie-er, I hadda see what would happen if I Googled 'Dobieville'. Unfortunately, it did not come up as the most viewed website in the history of the Net as I had foreshadowed to my friends and family. (To be honest, it didn't even make the first 3 pages of the Googled word 'dobie' which deeply concerns me). There was of course one reference to Doberman Pinschers, but I've gotten used to that and am glad for the fact that the one dog that shares my name is the kind that can rip people's throats out as soon as they will fetch a ball =) The one thing I didn't know was that there really was once a town called Dobieville. Its name was derived from the fact that it was entirely populated with Doberman Pinschers which ran off any human settlements by ripping out people's throats as soon as they would have fetched a ball. Actually, that's a big fat lie. The name was really derived from the fact that all the buildings in the town were made of Adobe brick (back before they invented Photoshop, those guys were way into brick production). Here's the link I found: Dobieville or Frogtown It really doesn't sound like too bad a place: lots of drinking, gambling, an occasional circus, and it says they even had a bowling alley! Although I find it's a bit more difficult to pick up a 7-10 split when you're 'rolling' on Adobe brick, I'm sure I'd be plastered on enough moonshine to prevent me from caring about it! Anyway, if anyone knows how I can get Dobieville to the top 10 'Dobie' searches, (without selling my name on some Spam list) lemme know, and I'll be sure to put the dogs on a leash next time you come to town.
Ciao,

Dobie

Welcome to Dobieville

2005-02-15T13:10:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody! The Blog is up and running.