All Your Base Are Belong To Us — The Kip Lange Homepage

You know, a few years back, I read a story on a study that had shown that inhaling zinc (you can’t just take a zinc pill) lessened cold symptoms, and, more important, cut short the time of your cold by a day or more.

Since then, I’ve always had a bottle of “ZiCam” around. It’s a nasal gel that squirts zinc into your lower nostrils; you leave it there for thirty seconds, blow your nose, and then the zinc gets inhaled over the next few hours.

The idea, as far as I remember, is that zinc ions somehow bond themselves to the rhinovirii (cold germs) in your nose and neutralized them. Now, believe it or not, I’ve actually not had a cold in a good long while, so I’ve never had a chance to test the ZiCam.

I came down with one (a cold) a few days ago. Started in the muscles in my back, moved to my lungs, then developed into a full cold. As soon as I felt the symptoms come on, I launched into using the ZiCam. Now, about three days later, I’m almost completely over the cold. And colds usually last me about three days longer than this.

Could this just be a short cold? Yeah, I guess so, but I am going to go out on a limb and say ZiCam shortened the duration and severity of my symptoms (and yes, like most guys, I “suffer” a bit during colds, but not this time).

So, what the hell, the next time you feel a cold coming on — try it, you might be surprised.

You can also get zinc lozenges that do the same thing. However, remember, simply swallowing zinc does nothing at all.

Another little tip from the Kip.

Here’s a recent email I got. Instead of taking its advice and forwarding to eleven people (I forwarded it to a couple), I’m going to post it on the blog here, with email addresses taken out, of course. Here goes.

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Subject: Fw: Tuesday Sept 9/11

Get your flag ready for 09/11/2007

Please join us in this FLY THE FLAG campaign and PLEASE forward this Email immediately to everyone in your address book asking them to also forward it. We have a little less than one week and counting to get the word out all across this great land and into every community in the United States of America.

If you forward this email to least 11 people and each of those people do the same … you get the idea.

* THE PROGRAM:* On Tuesday September 11th, 2007, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States. Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this sixth anniversary of our country’s worst tragedy. We do this honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.

In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn’t take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds

* Action Plan*: So, here’s what we need you to do …
(1) *Forward* this email to everyone you know (at least 11 people). Please don’t be the one to break this chain. Take a moment to think back to how you felt on 9/11 and let those sentiments guide you.
(2) *Fly* an American flag of any size on 9/11. Honestly, Americans should fly the flag year-round, but if you don’t, then at least mak e it a priority on this day.Thank you for your participation. *God Bless You and God Bless America!*

Just a word to the wise. Every now and then you should re-evaluate your friend situation and try cut out any deadwood. I swear. It’s essential for your head. I just cut one away about two or three months ago.

The person in question continually claimed to be a “friend” but was really nothing of the sort; she was a first-class user, a hypocrite in the first degree. I stood back and asked myself, after all you’ve done for her, what the hell has she done for you? And I couldn’t come up with much of anything at all, so I just sent an email that insured she would get the message that I consider her a poseur and that her time as friend is *up*.

It’s been tremendously helpful, it really has. I no longer have to give any thought to this person — who really never gave any thought to me.

I’m not saying you should dump your friends, but yeah, maybe once a year, go through your head and see if there’s any one-sided friendships lingering around, ones where you’re putting in the effort as a friend and getting shafted on the other end.

Anyway, like I said, it’s been great to have this person out of my life. It also frees up space for other, real, friends. So, just, once a year, maybe, ask yourself if there’s anyone who’s on your friend list but who just isn’t acting like a friend at all, and if you feel strongly enough about it, cut the person loose. It’s a tremendous relief of pressure.

And that’s my stupid little thought for the day. 😉

There’s some jackass kid in Boston named Kip Lange. Wicked annoying, too, I ran into him on Facebook after someone mistook his profile for mine and was weirded out by the pictures (I do not Facebook or Myspace in a boat, I do not social network site with a goat).

Worst thing is he’s this gruny hippie-dippy idiotic looking asshole. I’d love to bitchslap him. 😉

There can be only one!

Yeah, you heard me. We’ve already lost Rodney Harrison for at least four games because the idiot ordered HGH (Human Growth Hormone) over the Internet (smart, Rodney, smmmmarrrtt). And he’s known as the “quarterback” of the defense, given his experience.

Now Seymour has been put on the PUPlist, and will be out for at least six games.

This is not good. We have a tough opener against the Jets and then the biggie — our second game, the Chargers at the Razor, and homefield advantage or no, the Chargers are most certainly going to be gunning hard for the team that tossed them out of the playoffs last season.

Oh well. If anyone can deal with juggling people into his defense when needed, it’s Belichick, I suppose.

We also dropped Vinny Testaverde, but don’t feel too bad for Vinny. If we need him, we’ll just re-sign him later in the season. Too bad we can’t just keep him, though, he’s a good guy, you have to at least admit that. And a hell of an athelete to still be playing at his age.

Anyway, I think us New England fans should calm down a little bit with our way-over-the-top exuberance over this team. Yes, we’re good this year, but anything can happen. And anything just did happen. We last two Pro-bowl quality players on our defense. Are you going to make me say it? Fine, okay, “defense wins championships”.

Don’t think we’re just going to roll over the Jets, either. Mangini has taken the New England system and almost exactly copied it over in New York. The Jets are a team to be reckoned with. I won’t exactly call the opener a trap game, but it’s mighty close.

Hey. Cal beat Tennessee. Good start.

You hear that, Booty? We’re coming for you.

Oh, we are coming for you, USC, God *dammit*.

Okay, what the hell, I’ll post all the changes made myself, save you the trouble of opening up a Word doc.

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TRANSACTIONS:

DT Darwin Walker – Traded to Bears
SS Chris Harris – Traded to Panthers
LB Odell Thurman – Removed (Suspended)
LT Tarik Glenn – Removed (Retires)
SS Mike Minter – Removed (Retires)
TE Erik Beverly – Removed (Retires)
S Mike Minter – Removed (Retires)
LB Shelton Quarles – Removed (Retires)
LT Jared Gaither – Drafted by Ravens (Supplemental Draft)
CB Paul Oliver – Drafted by Chargers (Supplemental Draft)
LB Robert Reynolds – Released by Titans
HB Cedric Houston – Released by Jets
WR Darius Watts – Released by Giants
WR Keenan McCardell – Signed to Texans
WR Eric Moulds – Signed to Titans
S Sam Brandon – Released by Broncos
S Jarrod Cooper – Released by Raiders
T Kyle Turley – Signed to Chiefs
HB Shawn Bryson – Released by Lions
DE Simeon Rice – Released by Bucs
G Milford Brown – Signed to Rams
WR Fred Gibson – Released by Falcons
T Kevin Barry – Signed to Texans
TE Courtney Anderson – Signed to Dolphins
HB Tony Fisher – Released by Jets
TE Randal Williams – Released by Raiders
HB ReShard Lee – Released by Raiders
CB Mike Rumph – Released by Rams
WR Chris Hannon – Added to Chiefs
T Ed Blanton – Released by Jets
G Toniu Fonoti – Released by Falcons
DT Corey Simon – Released by Colts
QB John Navarre – Released by Colts
DT Fred Evans – Released by Dolphins
TE Bobby Blizzard – Signed to Bengals
TE Ronnie Ghent – Released by Bengals
WR Bethel Johnson – Signed to Texans
QB J.T. O’Sullivan – Added to Lions
TE Troy Bienemann – Added to Cardinals
WR Kelly Campbell – Released by Dolphins
WR Brandon Williams – Added to 49ers
CB Rich Gardner – Released by Seahawks
SS Donovin Darius – Signed to Raiders
WR Troy Brown – Signed to Patriots
C Adam Treu – Released by Raiders
DT Jordan Carstens – Released by Panthers
CB Greg Brooks – Released by Bengals
WR Corey Bradford – Signed to Redskins
G Wes Sims – Released by Saints
HB Jamal Robertson – Released by Falcons

The players released will appear in Free Agents

Ratings Up

DE Mark Anderson – 84 to 85 OVR
WR Devin Hester – 70 to 72 OVR
LB Landon Johnson – 80 to 83 OVR
LB Ahmad Brooks – 78 to 80 OVR
CB Johnathan Joseph – 82 to 84 OVR
T Erik Pears – 74 to 79 OVR
LB DD Lewis – 78 to 82 OVR
WR Maurice Stovall – 78 to 79 OVR
T Mike Gandy – 74 to 80 OVR
QB Cleo Lemon – 72 to 75 OVR
LB David Harris – 76 to 77 OVR
CB Stanley Wilson – 77 to 79 OVR
TE Darnell Sanders – 69 to 74 OVR
QB JT O’Sullivan – 68 to 74 OVR
S Nate Salley – 70 to 77 OVR
TE Jeff King – 70 to 77 OVR
TE David Thomas – 73 to 77 OVR
C Jeremy Newberry – 80 to 83 OVR
WR Jerry Porter – 80 to 81 OVR
WR Ronald Curry – 78 to 79 OVR
TE Tony Stewart – 71 to 74 OVR
WR Demetrius Williams – 70 to 75 OVR
S Vernon Fox – 72 to 76 OVR
LB Mark Simoneau – 76 to 82 OVR
DE Ray Edwards – 74 to 79 OVR
T John Tait – 91 to 92 OVR
TE Greg Olsen – 79 to 80 OVR
G Stacy Andrews – 74 to 76 OVR
WR Tab Perry – 72 to 73 OVR
HB Dwayne Wright – 71 to 72 OVR
T Jason Peters – 87 to 91 OVR
QB JP Losman – 82 to 83 OVR
LB Louis Green – 60 to 65 OVR
WR Tim Carter – 69 to 72 OVR
DE Greg Spires – 80 to 84 OVR
TE Alex Smith – 79 to 80 OVR
S Aaron Francisco – 73 to 76 OVR
LB Matt Wilhelm – 72 to 75 OVR
LB Stephen Cooper – 72 to 74 OVR
S Jarrad Page – 72 to 74 OVR
QB Brodie Croyle – 77 to 78 OVR
G Ryan Lilja – 85 to 87 OVR
G Jake Scott – 85 to 88 OVR
T Ryan Diem – 89 to 91 OVR
FB Oliver Hoyte – 77 to 79 OVR
DE Trent Cole – 81 to 82 OVR
TE Vernon Davis – 86 to 88 OVR
S James Butler – 69 to 77 OVR
WR Steve Smith – 74 to 75 OVR
TE Marcedes Lewis – 79 to 80 OVR
DE Stanley McClover – 73 to 76 OVR
WR Lance Moore – 59 to 65 OVR
HB Travis Henry – 87 to 88 OVR
QB Jason Campbell – 81 to 82 OVR

Ratings Down

C LeCharles Bentley – 90 to 87 OVR
QB Trent Green – 85 to 84 OVR
LB Eric Barton – 83 to 80 OVR
CB Travis Fisher – 78 to 77 OVR
P Jon Ryan – 84 to 81 OVR
S Stuart Schweigert – 85 to 84 OVR
LB Brian Simmons – 83 to 81 OVR
CB Deltha O’Neal – 85 to 84 OVR
G Matt Lehr – 85 to 82 OVR
QB Damon Huard – 82 to 80 OVR
G John Welbourn – 85 to 82 OVR
S Jason Allen – 80 to 78 OVR
DE Darren Howard – 86 to 85 OVR
CB Patrick Surtain – 93 to 92 OVR

Contract Extensions

Rookie contracts have been updated

Grady Jackson
Dwight Freeney
Cory Redding
Troy Polamalu
Charles Tillman
Nathan Vasher
Marc Bulger
Darwin Walker
Donald Driver
Montrae Holland
Steve Smith
Brian Moorman

…and here’s the “official” list of roster changes in the first roster update for Madden 2008, in .doc format. Download it from here:

http://www.easports.com/maddennfl/news.jsp?url=blogs/news/archive/2007/08/16/madden-nfl-08-roster-update-1-is-available-on-xbox-360.aspx

To see the changes made by the first roster update in Madden, go here:

http://www.pastapadre.com/1477/details-on-the-first-madden-08-roster-update

The guy has made one mistake, though. He says Michael Vick is still available, which is true, but that he has been completely removed from the QB slot, you’d have to go manually get him. Now, it’s true you’d have to manually put Vick in there, but what they’ve actually done is simply move him to third string quarterback. So if you’re playing online (or offline), you can still sub Vick in, and he still has a 90 overall rating.

Pure idiocy. I hope he’s out for good in the next update. I’ve been enjoying watching people avoid Falcons receivers like the plague in the fantasy drafts I’ve been in.

Yep, well, the title pretty much says it all. The first roster update for Madden NFL 2008 is out.

It’s kind of sad the way you have to go about getting it, you can’t just directly download it — you have to start a game with an online player, then it’ll prompt you for an automatic roster download…download the roster and then just quit out of the game if you want (you don’t need to actually start the game to get the roster, so you won’t get a Did Not Finish for it).