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Christmas Movies and Other Thoughts

    Hey, everyone. It is unseasonably warm in the southern U.S. this week, with temps yesterday hitting the low 70's.  I coaxed Carley into getting out in the yard and tossing around the football for a while. I have been teaching her to throw the spiral; I.E. putting a spin on the ball so that it will fly farther and truer. She has the knack of it.
    Speaking of football, The Falcons are now 11 and 1. Drew Brees had a tough night at the Georgia Dome. I respect Drew's abilities but he shouldn't have said that stuff about "We own the division, we know it and they know it".
    In sports it is impossible to ignore the luck factor. I'd rather be lucky than good. If you have a measure of both it would seem ideal. The Falcons have had more lucky breaks than normal and are talented as well. I began to follow them from the time of their creation, back in 1966. Up until then, there were not a lot of choices for southerners to pull for. Of course, I was a fan of the Baltimore Colts from the 1958 NFL Championship game. I was about 7 years old and it was the first televised game. Sudden Death Overtime, and I was hooked for life. The great Johnny Unitas was my hero. You know, it's weird. Since the owner of the Colts called Peyton Manning a "politician", I can't seem to pull for the Colts anymore. It was not a choice of mine, I just have no interest in them anymore. Funny, after 50-something years. Whatever. It would be really interesting to see the Broncos and Colts meet in the playoffs...
          As a Falcons fan, there have been a lot of bad times. It would be awesome to see them win a Super Bowl, but that is not to be dwelt upon as yet. Sort of like claiming you own a division. Even if you did, you shouldn't say it. Also, I wanted to mention Atlanta's tight end, Tony Gonzalez. I have been watching pro football since 1958 and I don't think I've ever seen his match as a receiver. He fights for possession of the ball, he fights for that extra yard to ensure a first down and sustain a drive. He goes across the middle and takes the big hits. His hands are like glue. He has a great work ethic. What an asset to a team! His life is a primer for young receivers. Do you have great speed? Can you jump really high? All that stuff is nice, but if you can't catch the ball, you shouldn't be a receiver. Superbly fit and professional, this guy is the real deal.
     I am re-reading a James Lee Burke novel called The Tin Roof Blowdown. It is a fictional novel but it is set in the days immediately surrounding the Hurricane Katrina landfall in New Orleans. Some of Burke's accounts will tear your heart out. Dark days, indeed.
     Oh, yeah, about the movies. The last couple of Christmas seasons have been a little weak on great movies. Before, it seemed like I couldn't find the time to see all the shows that looked good. This year, the one that leaps out at me is the Tom Cruise movie made from the book by Lee Child. Tom stars as the iconic Jack Reacher. This film comes out the 21st of December in the U.S. The title character is an ex-Army cop, turned civilian, who believes in getting the job done, legally or illegally. The series of books is not to be missed by action fans.
     Well, duty calls, so I'll bid you goodbye.
I'm C.E. Wills.

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