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A Boy Named Muffin

It was the Spring of 1994 and I was in a tough spot with my girlfriend. I’m not sure if it was my fault or just life that had our relationship at this tipping point but I knew that I needed to express how much I loved this girl. So, I set out to show her like a broke 20 year old college student who doesn’t know any better should.

I started by decorating my room with the words from the Alan Jackson song ‘Wanted’. Next, I bought a 5 carat cubic zirconium tennis bracelet…yep CZ’s that’s how I rolled. As if this scene that was playing out in my parent’s basement couldn’t get any cheesier, I decided I needed one additional prop. I went to a local pet shop and spent the last $30 I had on a black kitten that at the time was just 1 of a million black kittens in the world. The tennis bracelet was placed on the kitten’s neck and I hoped for the best…I ended up getting lucky that night and I’m lucky enough to wake up beside that girl everyday of my life. The kitten was named Muffin and little did I know he would be a part of our lives for nearly 20 years. To say that Muffin was a family pet would be an injustice…he was a dear friend and the greatest wing-man I ever had.

Muffin was with us when we moved into our first apartment together and when we bought our first house. I would walk in the front door after work and call out his name in a high-pitched, drawn out voice…”mmuuufffffffiiiiiiiiinnnn.” He would come running to me only to fall over just a few feet short…rolling on his back and purring in happiness. We had games that we played, one was a petting game. Muffin would head butt my balled up fist in a loving manner with such force that it sounded like 2 football helmets crashing…he would be purring and so happy. The next step to the game was when I would rub my hand down the rest of his body and when I got to his tail he would spin around and hiss at me and bite me. He would then turn around, purr, head butt my fist again…I would pet his tail again, he’d spin around and hiss at me and bite me again and we’d repeat this cycle until one of us lost interest.

Muffin loved paper balls…the sound of a piece of paper being waded up into a ball was heaven to Muffin. He would show up out of nowhere to chase, fetch and bat the ball all over the house. Muffin loved “sun puddles”… all he needed was a ray of sunshine shining thru a window and he was napping in ecstasy.

Muffin was with us when we decided to move to Florida. By this time we had added another 2 cats to our family…Muffin was not so happy about this and neither was I. We drove 15 hours in the car only stopping for kitty breaks. 48 hours after arriving in Florida we were amazed to find out that we were expecting a child. As it turned out, Florida turned to be the perfect retirement destination for Muffin.

Muffin loved Florida, the warm climate was good for his bones and he had all the sun puddles he could handle. But, time is nobody’s friend and the years finally caught up. I eventually stopped yelling his name when I got home because he could no longer hear my voice. He would still curl up and purr beside a paper ball but no longer had the energy to do anything else with it. He’d still head but my hand but didn’t hiss and bite me when I pissed him off by petting his butt. He loved though…he still loved us with all he had left.

I was alone with Muffin today when he passed…the two of us together just like we were in that pet store in 1994. As I was petting him during his last breaths I realized that I got all I ever “wanted” back in my parent’s basement. I replaced the cubic zirconium with a certified diamond and married my soul mate. We have a beautiful son and live less that a mile from the beach…the place we always wanted be. It’s been a long and winding journey and Muffin was there for most of it. He wasn’t 1 of a million kittens, he was 1 in a million. Thanks for being part of the ride my friend…I hope kitty heaven is full of paper balls and sun puddles. Goodbye “mmuuufffffiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnn.”

Redskins vs Giants: My Thoughts

First, I’ll state the obvious. Robert Griffin III is a complete bad-ass. Forget about him being a rookie, he’s in the argument for who’s best player in the NFL.

Jason Pierre-Paul warned RG3 not to “bring it to my side.” Well, RG3 did…and I think an equipment guy had to pick up JPP’s jock.

The Redskins first drive of the game was 17 plays and 93 yards. The drive resulted in a FG which was a let down, but wow! The 2nd drive was 8 plays for 80 yards and a TD. This offense is for real.

Alfred Morris. He’s come out of nowhere to be a Pro Bowl caliber running back. When Larry Brown is comparing himself to Albert and Joe Theismann is comparing ALF to John Riggins…we got something here.

The Redskins punted 1 time, I repeat the Redskins punted 1 time!

I can only assume that London Fletcher is hurt. He had 20+ tackles a couple weeks ago but looked…dare I say old…today.

People love to hate on Reed Doughty. Sure he’s a liability in coverage but I still love the guy. He came back from a strained knee (doubtful to return per the Redskins) and made some big tackles.

Santana Moss with 2 big plays showing that he’s still a weapon. Santana Moss with a bad fumble, showing that he still knows how to do that too.

Josh Wilson had trouble with Victor Cruz all day. If Eli Manning hadn’t decided to throw like Nuke Laloosh when throwing to a wide open Cruz, Cruz may’ve had 3TD’s and 200+ yards easily. That being said…wtf was Madieu Williams doing on the 77 yarder?

Hate to see Fred Davis lost for the season. With the exception of Pierre Garcon, (what’s his deal) Davis is the Redskins best receiving threat. Davis was good for 15+ yards every time he touched the ball. In related news, 90% chance Fred Davis is getting high right now.

Logan Paulsen, I see you…stay hungry my friend.

How does a team rush for 248 yards and lose the game? Oh yeah, turnovers.

Game on the line, late in the 4th quarter and a huge 3rd down…we dial up an option play to Niles Paul? Are you kidding me with this?

Christopher K Cooley, back away from the kiln.

Here’s what matters most, playing front yard football with my 7 year old while imitating RG3…

Cheers and Hail

10 For 80: Redskins PR Faux Pas Part II

Yesterday I wrote a post arguing the fact that Chris Cooley and Santana Moss should be included on the ballot for the “10 For 80” vote the Redskins currently have ongoing. I realized today that I may have overlooked another current Redskins player, London Fletcher. An argument can be made that Fletcher is one of the 80 greatest players that’s ever suited up for the burgundy and gold…and whomever’s arguing on London’s behalf is probably right.

Here’s where things get funny and where my point about the “10 season rule” is validated by none other than the Redskins themselves. I was on Facebook and saw a picture of Fletcher posted by the Redskins, advertising fans to vote for the “10 for 80” roster. So, the Redskins PR department is luring fans to vote for the “80” roster by using a player that’s not eligible for the team?! The Redskins are smart enough to know that London Fletcher will drive more traffic than Vernon Dean yet they’re too dumb to put Fletcher on the “80″ ballot?

“It’s All You” is the Redskins marketing campaign for their 80th Anniversary. The premise is it’s all about the fans…and how the fans get to choose the team. I implore the Redskins to let the fans choose the RIGHT players that deserve to be on this roster and we can’t do that if the Redskins won’t allow us to do so.

Who made this “10 For 80” ballot anyway…Vinny Cerrato?

Cheers and Hail

RJ: Training Camp Day 24

Reggie Jones is posting his training camp journal on this site, please check back often to follow Reggie on his journey.

When I got home it was about 2:30 am…I was so tired…I slept in till about 11:30. When I wokeup my body wasn’t as soar as I thought it would be. Especially after playing the entire game. I guess that’s what putting in hardwork in the offseason will get you.

Once Team Jones wokeup we decided to go grab some lunch. We went to Macaroni Grill (it wasn’t that good) lol.. After that, wifey wanted to go home so I could rest, but I wanted to spend time with my family outside of the house, because during this time of the year it’s tough to do. So I took them to the mall and grabbed a few things, just enjoying each others company. (Dash Got the most stuff as usual) lol.

Stopped by the Redbox to grab a movie, then went to the store to grab some ice so I could run a ice bath. People kept asking me “WHERE’S THE PARTY AT” cuz they seen all the ice.. lol.. I got a good laugh out of that..

Came home ice tubbed while listening to the Kanye West and Jay Z “Watch The Throne” album and zoned out.

After I froze my legs off, I watched Jumping The Broom with wifey and Dash in the Man Cave. Ready for meetings and practice tomorrow. This week is gonna be fun preparing for the Ravens.

My impact circle is blinking. Ready to capitalize.

Goodnight World… #DREAMINabout: “#ICE” It takes time to get this cold.. ~$HOWTIME

1990′s Redskins Posters

Found these awesome Redskins posters while surfing the net. Well, some of them are awesomely bad. Click on the pictures to enlarge.

I still get mad thinking about how it took a decade to get Art Monk in the Hall of Fame. He was first ballot all the way…screw you Peter King.

This was a front all right, a front for embezelling money from the Redskins organization. In fairness, Big Daddy played pretty decent.

Say what you will about this poster…but that’s 3 Hall of Famers right there. Darrell Green was also on that team making 4 HOF’s on that team. The Redskins haven’t had 1 Hall of Fame player on the roster since.

This is an era that thankfully didn’t last long. This poster makes me wonder just how many “new eras” we’ve been thru over the last 2 decades.

I wanted to make a bad joke about this offense but I then realized that Norv Turner’s teams excelled far better offensively than any Redskins squad in recent memory.

Cheers and Hail

RJ: Official Day 1 Of Camp

Reggie Jones is posting his training camp journal on this site, please check back often to follow Reggie on his journey.

It's right in the palm of his hand

Wokeup took my roommate (Henson) to the facility at 9am and came back to the telly. I didn’t have to be there til 11, but it’s all good. That’s what WINNING teammates do. They look out for one another, even on the simplest of things.

Threw on my outfit (with a black Seattle fitted) and went to get my physical done. Met w/ the optometrist to get my black visor cleared through N.F.L regulations then went to meetings..
After meetings we had a conditioning run.. 100 back rest.. 90 back rest, etc down to 10… i made sure i finished in front everytime… WINNERS WIN!! yeah it made it tougher, but im better because of it..

During our break before meetings i stopped by the house to see the fam. Its tough being away from them.. Im glad I had time to get them all settled in before the lockout ended tho. At least i know they’re taken care of. (=

Left back for meetings til about 9:20pm Went to the telly and hopped in my playbook the rest of the night..

TOMORROW IT BEGINS!!! 1ST PRACTICE

Goodnight world… #DREAMINabout: “#CANDLES” Even in the darkest of times, I shine!!.. ~$HOWTIME