This & That: Reflections of a Schizophrenic Mind

If it's Tuesday, this must be Paul.

CUE THE TWILIGHT ZONE MUSIC

True story. Yesterday, I'm driving on Cahuenga Boulevard in North Hollywood, talking to a pal on the phone. Earlier in the day, I'd been reading David Montgomery's Crime Fiction Dossier and noticed that Charlie Huston's "The Shotgun Rule" was on one of the "favorites" lists of 2007.

Just as I asked my friend if he'd ever read Huston, I pass a street sign.

Yep, Huston Street. Same spelling and all.

Okay, no big deal. Not yet, anyway.

Call waiting beeps. My son Mike-the-Pipes is on the line from "The Stadium Formerly Known as Joe Robbie" in Miami. He's covering the Baltimore-Miami game for ESPN Radio. Weirdly, the 0-13 Dolphins, vying for the coveted title of Worst Team in History...win in overtime! Holy W00T!

How did they win? Unheralded receiver Greg Camarillo inexplicably scored on a slant that went for a gazillion yards.

I look up. The street sign says "Camarillo."

I am not making this up.

If these things come in threes, what's next?
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I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I ALWAYS ROOT FOR THE STEER

PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR JIM BORN

Jim's been waiting 20 years! Finally, Rhino has come out with this boxed set of DVD's: "Barry Manilow: The first Five Television Specials." (Here's Barry with Penny Marshall. Not pictured: Jim Born).

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WORDMEISTER AT A LOSS FOR...WORDS

I know there's a great caption for the Hatton-Mayweather weigh-in, but I can't come up with it. Cornelia? Anyone?
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JIM BORN SCARES UP GREAT REVIEW
Joe Hartlaub at Book Reporter names Jim Born's "Field of Fire" one of the ten best mysteries of the year. And good thing. As regular readers know, Jim is always heavily armed.

In case you missed his "Literature & Lead"" video last week, here's another peek. Warning: Not for the squeamish...or for that matter, the sane.
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CONGRATS TO LADY LION SPIKERS

Volleyball is a great sport. I tore up my knee (the first time) playing beach volleyball on Key Biscayne, FL. I was thrilled to watch the Penn State women's team claim the national championship last Saturday night by defeating six-time winner Stanford. Thrilling match with Penn State winning the first two games, Stanford roaring back with two games to tie, and Penn State taking the fifth game 15-8.

According to ESPN announcer (and famed player) Kirch Kiraly, there were a probable six U.S. Olympians on the court for the finals. So, now looking forward to Beijing.
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Finally, in the words of Captain in "Cool Hand Luke" (Script by Donn Pearce and Frank Pierson), "What We've Got Here is a Failure to Communicate."

May all your messages be received,
Paul