Yes. Yes. Yes.

If I were the type to use Internet acronyms, you’d definitely be getting an OMG from me. Heck, I’d even throw out a ZOMG after trying Toaster Strudel — Boston Cream Pie for the first time this morning.
Jennifer rolled her eyes and looked at me like I was buying edible dirt when I threw them in the shopping cart Sunday, saying, “It will be like eating hot Boston Cream Pie.”
True, Boston Cream Pie is best served cold … but you can’t eat a frozen Toaster Strudel … can you.
So I toasted it, added the chocolate cream and took a bite …
Yowza.
It tasted like one of my other favorite breakfasts — chocolate eclairs (I’m going to die of a heart attack, aren’t I?)
So chalk this one down as a future “eat-until-I-get-sick-of-them” treats in my kitchen.

Better news tomorrow …

Boy, between Wall Street biting the big one, gas failures, Wachovia’s buyout and me biting my tongue this morning (literally .. it was paintful), today’s paper was one big downer.

Well, tomorrow gets better. Middle school features, political news and other non-economy stories have been lined up.

So turn that frown upside-down, Charlie Brown. It’s going to be OK.

By the way, we went back to the smaller paper width this week. I know, I know … it seems like we’re just doing random things to mess with our readers’ minds, but we had to go back to the shorter width because A) it saves money and B) we only did the wider one for a few months as we adjusted to our new printing press in Durham.

The new width should be permanent (at least until we start printing on toilet paper to save money, and then at least your paper has multiple uses).

Uh oh … hope the bosses don’t read that last sentence.

Shhhh, it’s a secret …

Don’t forget … 7 p.m. Thursday at Depot Park — the 2nd Century Project unveils Sanford and Lee County’s new “image” campaign. Live music, free food, etc. etc.
But most will be curious about Sanford’s new “look.” I’ve seen it, and I like it. I’d go into more detail about it, but I’m not allowed. You’ll just have to show up Thursday (or read about it in Friday’s Herald).

To be honest with you … I’m being held against my will. The 2nd Century Project has hired goons to get me to do their bidding. There’s a gun to my back as I type … Help me … for God’s sake … help me.

Sunday column: Banking on a brand

Ahhh, the return of my Sunday column to the blog … only because we’re finally putting it on our Web site.

Click here for this week’s column.

Also, read my advance on this week’s 2nd Century “identity” unveiling this week:

Group to launch ‘brand’ new image (Sunday, Sept. 28 Herald)

NFL Picks: Week 4

BILLY: Well, last week was better for me, though I still trail Jennifer by two games. Against the line, however, I’m an awful nine games below .500. I would have no business bringing that kind of record to Vegas.

JENNIFER: I simply cannot believe that in the blink of an eye we are already in Week 4 of the NFL season. Before we know it, the Superbowl will be here and we’ll be in the sad off season.
Things are not happy for me with my Packers losing to the Cowboys and Favre getting beat down. Maybe Week 4 will bring better things.
Oh, and for the record, my picks were turned in BEFORE deadline last week.

Last Week
Jennifer — 11-5
Billy — 11-5
Billy (against the line) — 6-10

Overall
Jennifer — 29-18
Billy — 27-20
Billy (against the line) — 19-28

FALCONS at PANTHERS
LINE: Panthers by 7
BILLY’S PICK: Atlanta’s two wins have come against two very bad teams. Plus, they’re a different team outside of that dome. Panthers 28, Falcons 12
JENNIFER’S PICK: You’ll see the Panthers return to their winning ways this week. If not, they need to bench Steve Smith again. PANTHERS.

BILLS at RAMS
LINE: Bills by 8
BILLY’S PICK: I just feel an upset here. I know I shouldn’t be making odd picks like this while trying to catch up … but I just feel it. Rams 27, Bills 24
JENNIFER’S PICK: -Bor-ing. BILLS.

BROWNS at BENGALS
LINE: Bengals by 3.5
BILLY’S PICK: Cleveland’s still a better team … Brady Quinn sees time if they stink it up here. Browns 30, Bengals 27
JENNIFER’S PICK: Browns v Bengals–I’m going with the Bengals at home. BENGALS.

REDSKINS at COWBOYS
LINE: Cowboys by 11
BILLY’S PICK: The big line worries me … as these teams usually play it close. Still, who am I to pick against this juggernaut? Cowboys 40, Redskins 17
JENNIFER’S PICK: Ooooh! This is always a good game. COWBOYS.

BRONCOS at CHIEFS
LINE: Broncos by 9.5
BILLY’S PICK: Super Nintendo Broncos 38, Chiefs 12
JENNIFER’S PICK: Stupid Denver. BRONCOS.

TEXANS at JAGUARS
LINE: Jaguars by 7
BILLY’S PICK: Jacksonville saved its season against the Colts. It can lose it with a loss this week. Jaguars 24, Texans 22
JENNIFER’S PICK: I don’t know why, but I’m feeling an upset. TEXANS.

49ers at SAINTS
LINE: Saints by 5
BILLY’S PICK: New Orleans has lost a few heartbreakers .. it’ll be nice to have a crappy team at home. Saints 35, 49ers 17
JENNIFER’S PICK: Seriously. The Niners are looking better this year than they have in a while, but if the Saints can’t beat the Niners, they need to just go back home. SAINTS

CARDINALS at JETS
LINE: Jets by 1.5
BILLY’S PICK: Tough game … I just can’t see the Jet Favres dropping to 1-3. Jets 28, Cardinals 24
JENNIFER’S PICK: I’m just sad. But I’m still picking the Jets. Just sadly. Go Jets. Go Jets. Go Jets. JETS.

EAGLES at BEARS
LINE: Eagles by 3
BILLY’S PICK: Philadelphia’s looking solid. They’ll win another low-scoring one this week. Eagles 14, Bears 10
JENNIFER’S PICK: Eagles win again this week. EAGLES.

CHARGERS at RAIDERS
LINE: Chargers by 7.5
BILLY’S PICK: This one won’t be close .. Lane Kiffin’s a goner. Chargers 42, Raiders 7
JENNIFER’S PICK: Stupid Chargers. No matter what I pick here, the opposite will happen. CHARGERS.

PACKERS at BUCS
LINE: Bucs by 1
BILLY’S PICK: Aaron Rodgers is still good, Green Bay. Don’t let the Dallas game get you down. Tee hee. Packers 21, Bucs 17
JENNIFER’S PICK: If Aaron and Co know what’s good for them, they bring home the W this week. Go Pack! Go Pack! Go Pack! PACKERS!!

VIKINGS at TITANS
LINE: Titans by 3
BILLY’S PICK: Probably the most intriguing game on the slate this week. I say Tennessee’s for real if they’re impressive in this one. Titans 20, Vikings 14
JENNIFER’S PICK: Ooh, good game. TITANS. On a roll.

RAVENS at STEELERS
LINE: Steelers by 5.5
BILLY’S PICK: Baltimore’s Flacco bubble bursts Monday. Steelers 31, Ravens 17
JENNIFER’S PICK: Look for the Steelers to make up for last week’s loss against a tough Philly team. STEELERS.

Artist discovery …

A month ago, Jennifer and I were in Cary for the Lazy Daze arts festival (which by the way, was packed), and while there we discovered an artist formerly of Austin, Tx., who told us she was moving to Wilmington.
Her art — photographs of miniatures placed next to real-life objects. Her booth was extremely popular, as her photos were both creative and funny.
We ended up buying one of a miniature dog (imagine that) surrounded by “giant” dog treats. Below are a few more examples of her work. You can see more of her work and learn more about her studio at bigworldphoto.com.

Note: Images not used with permission … I’ll gladly take them down if asked.

Podcast: The Rant, Sept. 24

CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE SHOW

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road. Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go ….

We’re going to miss Chelsea Kellner here at The Herald (Chelsea’s moving on to Wilmington to work at the News Star … sorry, Star News), and we were glad to have her on this week’s episode of The Rant. Hear Chelsea talk about her first year as a Yankee in the south and why she’s not thrilled her house will suddenly become our beach house during the summer.

Also, we discussed …
• Doing fall right
• At what age should a man stop wearing cologne?
• Restaurant closings in Sanford
• Local politics
• and much, much (well, not that much) more

Wednesday’s notes

• Yes, it’s true. The Herald is losing reporter Chelsea Kellner, who’s accepted a job at a bigger paper in Wilmington. Our little Chelsea has grown up. That means we’re looking for a reporter to fill her shoes. If any of you are up to the task, here’s the job listing: Reporter in the heart of North Carolina. Chelsea was the guest on this morning’s episode of The Rant. The podcast will be available either later this afternoon or early tomorrow morning.

• I was going to respond to Linda Shook’s letter to the editor in Tuesday’s Herald, but local blogger Keith Clark, I feel, did a better job of explaining things than I could. Read his assessment of last week’s illegal immigration forum here. It makes for pretty interesting reading.

• I don’t know if this is real or not, but apparently, somebody left their apartment without paying the rent after Hurricane Ike, and this is what the landlord found when they opened the apartment. What leads me to believe that this is, in fact, Houston is the boxes of Shipley’s Donuts (a Texas and Louisiana staple) and empty Whataburger cups (I miss me some Whataburger). How anybody could live in this squalor is beyond me.

• So what do you think of The Herald’s new site? Has it grown on you yet? I know many of you had (are having) issues with the login process, but beyond that, it’s a definite upgrade over what we had. What’s great is now I can link to stories from my blog, like my column this past Sunday on great local restaurants, the maize maze at Gross Farms this fall, or an AP story about Clay Aiken or Lindsay Lohan being gay.

Blog neglecting

I had planned to pen a response to the letter that appeared in today’s Herald from District 51 candidate Linda Shook about our coverage and editorial regarding the illegal immigration forum … but perhaps that can wait a day.

Today’s been one of those days where so much is happening, that by the time you look up, it’s 5 p.m. and you’re barely halfway done with what you’re doing. Unfortunately, I don’t get to go home at 5 p.m. … so I’m just going to take a five-minute break and tend to my poor, neglected blog.

So … what’s up, Sanford?

This makes me smile

• Sign spelled wrong at new Raleigh convention center

It’s really a minor, minor thing. But I still got a chuckle.