Hi Everyone, 
I'm looking at my last blog and realizing that autumn has come and gone. It doesn't take much in Calgary to miss it. We've had three snowfalls already, temperatures are currently hovering around freezing and the forecast is for 2-4 inches of snow overnight. It's not that bad because I love snow.
On the sports front, the NHL's Flames are off to a good start (tied for fifth overall), our CFL football team is in first place in the West and my favorite team, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, is 5-2 and ranked #23 in America this week.
To be honest, I can't think of anything to blog about. It's been a pretty quiet summer with a lot of routine things going on. Caroline and I did get out to Vancouver in September for three days to visit my mom, which was nice. My health hasn't been the greatest the last 2+ months. I have this persistent cough which turned into a chest infection awhile back. Antibiotics took care of that, but the persistent cough is, well, persistent. I've been resting and taking good care of myself: drinking lots of water, having naps and so forth.
When in Doubt 1, Blog About TV
One of the things I've been doing lately is watching lots of TV, especially NCAA and NFL football and some hockey. I also have editor duties coming up as the World Series starts on Wednesday and that's one of my guides.
Here's a list of the shows I've been watching this fall: Bones, Castle, Cold Case, CSI:NY, The Forgotten, Hank, Law & Order, Little Mosque on the Prairie, The Mentalist, The Middle and Numb3rs.
CSI:NY has a story behind it. I had only seen one episode of the show a few years back and didn't like it and I've never been partial to the other two. This summer, a station called Spike began airing the first four seasons at a rate of two per weekday. Somehow I got hooked and have now seen all of Seasons 1-4 and most of Season 5, which is currently airing. So, I'm waiting to catch up on Season 6. I have seen the season opener and was shocked at everything that had transpired. Anyway, not bad for three months.
When in Doubt 2, Blog About TV.com
One of the most relaxing things that I have been able to do is work on my guides here. I edit nine shows and five people now. By far the most involved guide is the NCAA March Madness one, which is comprised of 1,902 games (episodes). It has every game played from 1978 (the first year the tournament was televised in its entirety) to the present, which entails a tremendous amount of detail. My friend Gabriella has been helping me out with the guide.
I also got my hands on the Stanley Cup Finals guide, which was in horrible shape. As a good Canadian, this simply had to be fixed! A lot is left to do, but at least I have every game in there from the television era (1953-present).
The World Series guide is done. Every game from 1947 (first telecast) to 2008 has complete information, including full play-by-play, box scores and starting lineups. There are also tidbits in there about MVP's, records and quotes where available. One of the neat things I've been doing is trying to track down the full 25 man rosters for each team for each year. All of the main sites only list the players that actually made it into a game, which can be as few as 13. I've been doing a lot of research reading through the Google News archives and emailing reporters in various cities that cover the teams. I even had a nice chat with the L.A. Dodgers historian! The guide only got done with of the help of Madison and Gabriella, whose help I am grateful for.
Now I know it takes a nerd to find all this relaxing, but I am one 
and it's been a ton of fun. It's really neat when you can say that one of your guides has information that's nowhere else on the Internet! All this has landed me at Level 72 and close to 33,000 submissions. I've even managed to write a few reviews!
Country Story
The only other thing that's new is that I have been playing a game called Country Story on Facebook. It's a fun game and Caroline and I both play. Sometimes, she steals my crops. 
When I tried to steal some back, her dog bit me! 
I don't have a dog, but I do have a brown cow.
The Beauty of God's Creation
These are Great Smoky Mountains, which sit astride the Tennessee and North Carolina borders in America.
Quote of the Blog
It's from CSI:NY
Danny: Why do we do what we do, huh?
Flack: What do you mean?
Danny: Why do we wake up in the morning at three o'clock, stand at a crime scene in the freezing cold, living paycheck to paycheck, for what? To protect and serve? Serve who, the public? Sometimes it seems like they hate us, and then here we got the brass ready to throw us to the lions.
Flack: (shrugs) We do it cause we're good at it. Maybe we'd be lousy at anything else. I don't know. Maybe we do it for the one or two times somebody actually thanks us for finding their son's murderer.
Wisdom From The East
If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.
Buddha
Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child – our own two eyes. All is a miracle.
Thich Nhat Hanh
I hope all of you are doing well. Thank you for reading and I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Karl 
Comments
Great job on the guides. Good for you--going all out on the World Series guide. Hope all goes well during the upcoming games. I watched CSI:NY once during the first season and it was so depressing and gruesome I haven't watched it again. Maybe I'll give it a try sometime. Your pic of the Smokies is beautiful. I've never been to that area, but I'd like to visit. Take care!
It's great to have you "back" - I had to smile about your remark on Calgary autumns come and gone before you know it. I'm eager for snow, but enjoying the brilliant colors right now and milder temps. Congrats on all your hard work on the guides, especially the baseball stats. I am gaining an appreciation for that this year. In fact, after the World Series is over, my husband and I were saying how we really don't know what we'll do with our evenings...it's going to be really tough to withdraw from baseball!
You get Spike in Canada too?! I love catching all the reruns of CSIs on there, but sometimes their commercials are a bit.. guy-ish. Hmmm... yes, the WS... oh gee, I can't remember that team's name who got into it... I think they were from NY... Country Story is great, and Caroline's dog bites me a lot too. I need too work on getting a dog of my own for my farm. What a pretty pic!:O I'd love to see those mountains someday.
We are having crazy weather here, we shift from -0 cero temperatures here one day to over 20 degrees more the next, so yeah, from bikini to coat and back to bikini. The flu is happily taking over most of the people and it’s pretty crazy. At least your weather is consistent.
Too bad to hear about that chest infection, hope it leaves you for good in no time.
Not bad for three months to almost been caught up on CSI:NY, I’m glad you are enjoying it. And I love the quote you chose, by the way
Whoa! You’ve been indeed putting a lot of effort updating the guides you’re editor of, it’s highly commendable indeed, kudos mate!
Very nice picture of the Great Smoky Mountains and I loved the ” our own two eyes. All is a Miracle”. So very true!
I am doing well, although major changes have going on at work for the last three months and I’m not liking it a bit. It’s kept me rather down, but other than that I can’t complain: I’m healthy and I’m happy. *Huge huge hugs your way*
Also, you should start watching Flashpoint. Here in the US it doesnt air til 2010 so I've had to watch the episodes on the internet, but it airs in Canada so you should check it out.
Also, I vowed to start following hockey this season, but haven't watched too much yet. I'll probably get more into it once baseball finishes up. How are my Ottawa Senators doing? And don't ask why someone from New Jersey likes the Senators...lol.
Oh, a SWOOP is most definitely in order! I figured you might be first given the time I wrote the blog and how early you like to get up.
Thank you!
That would be great, but only staff can add pictures and since the Series is not a CBS property, I doubt that it will happen.I've never been to the Smoky Mountains - maybe one day. I'm glad you liked the quotes and I'll try to get better.
Thank you for stopping by.
Thank you. CSI:NY Season 1 was pretty grim but I thought that every season improved. In Season 3, they got a new, bright set and that really helped. It is a bit sexed up for my liking at times, but I like the characters. Melina K. has a lovely smile. You take care too.
Thank you. I never really "left," just stopped blogging for a while. As you can see, I still have a case of blogger's block. I'm sure you'll find some things to do with your evenings after the Series over.
It's nice to hear from you - I think.
Yes, we do get Spike and the ads aren't guyish, they're offensive. it's the one downside to it but that's why I record them all as fast forward through the commercials.To refresh your memory, the team that made the World Series is the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies.
We could help each other out with the CS dog quest. I just don't steal any more because I really don't like getting bitten.
Thank you.
Most of my contributions lately have been to the NCAA guide, which I am enjoying working on. I'll look forward to the next list. I wouldn't think there would be a change because everyone else is quite far ahead of me. That's OK, being in the Top 20 is nice. Thank you for stopping by.
How lovely to hear from you. I've been meaning to write you and haven't gotten around to it. I will though. It's nice to hear that you're healthy and happy.
*** big hugs **
No kidding! Do you play the game? If so, we could be friends and you could help me get that dog.
Thanks for stopping by.
It has been a long time! You could totally watch Little Mosque. Here's the best web site I've found for it: http://watchlittlemosque.com/. This is where I got caught up on the series. Start watching Season 4 (the current one) because it has new story lines and a new main character. The Season 3 finale was a wrap up to a long story line, so this is a good time to start watching.
The Sens are doing fine (see your PM), much better than Toronto, but then that's not saying much.
Great to hear from you and I'm glad you're doing OK. Thank you.
I wish we had longer autumns because it's my favorite season. I don't know what Farmville is, but judging by the name, it sounds similar.Not taken forever, but taking forever!! I'm enjoying it though.
Have fun on Facebook. Your wife is trying to get me to join, you know. Love your Wisdom from the East. Have a good one!
It was sunny today but the coooold kind of sunny and I actually wore my jacket in class. 
I hope your cough un.. persists itself. That cough has been going on way too long and there must be another way to cure it. LOL it does take a nerd to find all that relaxing.. a KRAZY one. By the way, what has been going on with Cold Case? Maybe you can get a dog next in Country Story. I'm glad you're blogging again! To be nice, I'm going to leave you 0 line spaces. Talk to you later.
So hello there bodyguard. How goes the lightsabering?
Wow, it's been a while since you last blog. I'll all happy though because first blog since knowing you!!! YAY! I love love love the weather in Calgary. My friend who lives there is always talking about it - I LOVE SNOW!!
Though at the same time I'm disappointed in myself because I do not know anything about the sports you're talking about. Maybe one day you can teach me about sports
hehe if you dare!!I would adore going to Vancouver. It's so pretty. I hope you had a good time with your mom, even if she did try to tell you what to do... I won't tell anyone if you lightsaber her a bit...
!!! You're sick??? *glares at persistant cough* Go. Away. There you go. All better!!YAY for Bones and Castle. I miss Numb3rs. I really should catch myself, math being my favourite subject and all
But you know me, when do I ever do normal things???*falls down in shock* 33000 SUBMISSIONS!!! Dude, that is intense. I think I have 6 so I am obviously winning
And once again, I must comment on how smart you are for blogging about TV and TV.com whilst being on here. I mean, who really would have thought of that??? Not me for sure. But seriously, I'm glad you've found a way to relax. Relaxing is important. How do I relax??? ... I do math homework so I think I am technically a bigger nerd than you. But it's so easy and therapeutic!! Is country story anything like Farmville? Because if it is, I play Farmville. I'm addicted. And it's cool that you and Caroline both play it. Awesomeness. Does your brown cow make chocolate milk? Mine does!!
I love mountains. Mainly because we don't really have any in Australia and the only ones near where I live are the Glass House Mountains which aren't that impressive. Though one does look like a Gorilla.
hehe that CSI:NY quote reminds me of our conversations about life. You and I do the things we do because we are made for them, not because people tell use we should do them
Wisdom from the east confuses me. I mean, Buddah is a mad dude and all people like that are such wonderful influences on our lives but half the time I have no idea what they're talking about. Translation anyone?
Was that a satisfactory comment? Did it make up for me not being first, which I should of considering we're an awesome duo and everything??
I'm going back to answering your PMs now!! Your friend, Jess.
Sorry to hear you've been sick lately, that sucks But Vancouver sounds great What's your favorite show? I realise you love crime dramas, but which one do you think is best? Congrats on the editorships Sounds you're doing a wonderful job with them! Lol at blogging about Country Story that was really random! I'll answer your PM soonish
I watch TV and and movies are on TV so it's kind of the same thing, isn't it?
YES! You can join and play Country Story with us - go for it! My wife can be quite persuasive so you will probably get worn down eventually. I'm glad you like the quotes.
Congrats on being the Top 30. It's kind of like a new car smell, I guess/ I'm not how many of these I can come up with given my serious case of blogger's block. I'll guess I'll have to steal your quizzes! Thank you - I hope so too. And what do you suggest, Dr. Ivy?
Cold Case has been really good this year. There aren't any deep new story lines but the cases have been interesting. There's something going on with Scotty's mom but we don't know what. I'm enjoying the new season. As for nerds - it takes one to know one.
Thanks for commenting even though there weren't any line breaks.
We ended up not getting that much but we did get some. You must get your fair share of snow. Thank you - I'll get over it eventually.
My favorite show? I guess it would have to be Numb3rs just because I've been watching it since Day 1 and I've seen a bunch of them twice. I've seen over 100 CSI:NY episode in the last 3 months or so and I'm really into it and I like all the characters. It's actually hard to pick one because all of them have had really great episodes to start the new season. The only one I've been a bit disappointed in is Bones. Do I really have to pick just one?? If I do, it's Numb3rs.
Thank you! I'm really enjoying doing the guide work. Well, I have to toss in a bit of random for all of you random types.
Lovely to hear from you - it has been awhile. I can send you lots of snow pictures if you would like.
I'm glad you like the "Wisdom from the East" - I do too. Thank you for stopping by.
Wow, where does one begin? Well, I guess at the beginning! I don't like to overuse the light saber - I figure the threat of having it should be enough of a deterrent! Yes, it certainly has been a long time since my last blog. It's been good though to cut back some and look after myself. That and I couldn't think of anything to write about.
I can do that. I'll catch both you and Ivy up. She's very interested in learning more about sports. ** he says with a completely straight face ** Well, none of these sports are popular Down Under so you shouldn't be disappointed.
Vancouver is a lovely city. I couldn't think of a nicer place to have grown up. It's much bigger now (2 million plus) and with the Winter Olympics coming in February, it's probably going to grow even more. Then again, Calgary was around 650,000 people when I moved here and now it's about 1.05 million.
Well, she's my mom and I love her. She's just the way she is and at 84 we'll give her a pass on the light-sabering.As I said to Daria, Numb3rs is my favorite. I just watched an episode tonight and am a week behind right now. I've loved the show since Day 1. My favorite part of Castle is the father-daughter relationship. Math was always my favorite subject too and I did well in it. Working with spreadsheets for a living is great!
As someone once told me here: normal is over-rated.Yup, 33,190 subs to be exact. I should be able to move up a level in the next week or so. Thank you for the kind words. You see, that's a good example why it's important to go to university and do well there - you learn these sorts of things and they serve you well in life. Relaxing is important. We all have to find ways to recharge our batteries and as for being a bigger nerd - not likely since I'm 6'3".
Besides, you haven't sen my submission spreadsheets. For the Basketball and Baseball guides, I have written programs to convert data into the format that works with TV.com's restrictive HTML formatting capabilities.I'm told that Farmville is like Country Story but that CS has better graphics. You could check it out if you would like. Oh no, not another addict.
Uh-oh. Caroline is waaaay ahead of me in CS so she has lots more resources. I bought a sheep today - he's adorable! Caroline gave me an apple tree for my farm, which was really sweet of her. I find CS to be a relaxing game, as opposed to some of the frenetically paced games out there. You plant some crops, feed and pet your animals, visits friend's farms and then you leave your crops to grow. Some crops take 22 hours to grow so there really is only so much one can do in the game, which is good. My brown cow does make brown milk - one batch every 20 hours!! it's worth 10% more than the white milk.We are very close to the majestic Rocky Mountains, which are a wonder to behold. Some of my blog pictures from this year are of the Rockies. I took the pictures myself.
It took me a while to find a CSI:NY quote that I liked. You're right - we try anyway. I just think it's so important to be true to oneself to the best of one's ability. Obviously it's important to be respectful of our parents' authority when we're minors, but once a person gets into university it's a very different world, especially if one moves out of home to attend college.
I thought Buddha quote was quite simple. To me it just means that if you're kind to everyone but not to yourself, your kindness in incomplete. I mean, it always seems harder - for me anyway - to look after myself than others. We also deserve our own compassion. See, not so complicated.
Thank you for the nice comment.
You don't have to be first - I just lucked out one time to get in ahead of your 'vast internet following.' Take care and thanks for stopping by.
AprilFox