Goodbye to the Godfather of Soul.

So, I heard back from The Greensboro Review. They're not interested in my poems this time, which is OK. It was a little disheartening, though, to get back the standard rejection slip. I graduated from the Writing Program there, and I wasn't expecting a critique or anything, but a "how've you been?" or a handwritten "thanks but no thanks" would have been nice.

That being said, I found a site where you can print your rejection letters on toilet paper. Nice.

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In other news, Frank Black is on the loose. As posted on Frankblack.net, the man is releasing a mail order only album for Christmas entitled, appropriately, Christmass. And, yes, I meant to type that extra 's'. The link to order is on the site. Frank has also posted two new videos on YouTube for two of the new songs - you can find them here.

I saw Frank in October in Asheville, and the show was everything you'd expect. I'm a fan of all of his music, including the later Nashville stuff, but the new songs kick like the Frank of old. The versions that are being released this month are acoustic, but I can tell you that they rock out when played live - particularly "(Do What You Want) Gyaneshwar." On Frank's short-lived blog it was revealed that the song was written recently as a Pixies demo - and it hits like one. A few of the new songs are expected to be released again next year (as different versions) on a new Eric Drew Feldman-produced album. I can't wait.

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Oh, and Jake Delhomme hurt his thumb against the Eagles on Monday. The Panthers are starting Weinke against the Giants tomorrow. I can't wait to see what happens. It can't be any worse than it has been.

Delhomme hones his interception-throwing skills in training camp.

This is the second week in a row that I've watched Jake Delhomme absolutely blow a game in the fourth quarter. Tonight, the Panthers were within three points of the Eagles with 1st and Goal, only 35 seconds or so left in the game. They have one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL, and rather than play it safe and run the ball before trying to tie with a John Kasay kick, freakin' Delhomme overthrew Keyshawn Johnson in the end zone for an interception. Massively overthrew him. He pulled the same thing last week against the Skins, throwing a mind-numbing, spirit-busting fourth quarter interception.

Why are we fighting to win games against the Eagles and Redskins? That ain't right.

The guy has a great game in the first three quarters, leads going into the fourth quarter, and then throws two interceptions. It's ridiculous - he's choking.

And maybe I'm just angry, maybe I should blame my teal Panthers jersey, because they NEVER win when I wear it during a game, and they ALWAYS win when I wear my black one. Maybe it's me. Maybe Keyshawn didn't run the route he was supposed to. Maybe he was pushed as he tried to catch the ball (that's what he was whining about at the end of the game). But I think a lot has to do with Jake.

This blows. Lucky for me, even at 6-6 in December, the Panthers are in a four way tie for a wild card spot in the lowly NFC. But check this out, if we take back the five games in which the Panthers have blown a lead in the fourth quarter, we'd be 11-1. That's right, 11-1. You've got to play the whole game, man. Fight the choke.

Blows.