An Unexpected Visitor

Ah crap. Looks like all of the ghost hunting has drawn an unexpected visitor to the Big Raggedy.
I wonder who he's after. Where did he come from????
Alright, you can't go around scaring people. That's not nice.
Your're lucky she didn't hit JACK!!!! Get out of here!!!!!!!!
Will you put Steve down. Team Streetbeat is going to have some explaining to do with this one.

Return to The 13th Gate

Halloween is just around the corner and the terror of another months of sweeps is slowing approaching. With that those thoughts in mind it is time to continue a new tradition at the Big Raggedy and make our appearance at the 13th Gate. It was time to face our fears while dealing with the untold terrors of what was beneath the FEMA blue roof.

Last year was a new experience. We broke all kinds of barriers. No one in the group got separated by the gruesome monsters and the good looking Senatorial Gentleman lived through the movie. Unfortunately there were some rewrites for this year's sequel.
Cheryl, our leader, for fear of being called by the spirits of the haunted cemetery decided make a dash with the Nubian Princess and get out of harms way. Joe L., the smartest one of the group mysteriously disappeared. Maybe trying to figure out which will keep you lost longer, The Bermuda Triangle or the Twilight Zone. You decide.
So C-Line, Brandon, and I are the only originals. Enter Hayes, Meeks, and Kacie. A new group of targets to satisfy the blood lust of the ghouls inside. Just like the brutal Hollywood Horror movie franchises we should have stopped at the last one.
A new group now braves the unknown of the Mummy's Tomb, the Haunted Crematory, and the Endless Hall of Mirrors. It's too bad they got me in the cemetery. I didn't see it coming but I survived, after all I do work at the Aslyum on Government Street. Next time I'll be ready if the Sweeps Month doesn't get me first.

Walking Into Death Valley

It is known throughout the football world. Ranked as one of the hardest places to play. A place so loud that it once caused a small earthquake. A virtual house of horrors for opposing teams. As for me the only question on my mind....

....has it been that long???? Has it been five years since I was on the sidelines of LSU's Tiger Stadium, know to most as Death Valley. Indeed it has. The last time I roamed this field was coincidentally against Georgia. I see not much has changed.

The fans come dressed in the usual attire. Purple and Gold preferably.

The place can cause you to lose your senses with high noise level.

And since the field and the stands are almost on the same level, it will do murder on you knees. Good thing I lost a few pounds. I don't know how XRAY TED has done it all of these years.

It was time for the big game. The one that could shift the balance of power back to LSU in hopes of contending for the division and conference championships. Georgia had other plans dealing the Tigers another father taking his son behind woodshed beating. This one hurts more since it was in front of the home crowd.

There is still some time left but things have turn around very quickly. The elephants loom in the horizon. I sense a disturbance in the Force, did you know?

Where Are The Hard Hats???

Looks like we are getting some new gear. Because of a new federal law, starting in November anyone working on or near highways, including news crews, must wear federally approved safety vests. Since the travel stories are right around and it's a proven fact that people can't drive in this city you can't be too careful.

What do you know, looks like we have a model to showcase the new attire.

Turdpolisher and XRAY TED. I wonder how the reporters will look in these things?

The Final Faceoff

As the media descended to the North Rampart District we all waited for the shot. Alas we were disappointed. All we got were the two Senatorial Candidates exchanging pleasantries before the final debate before the elections. That was for the cameras but I had feeling that it would be different if we weren't there. Maybe something like this.

Sen. Mary Landrieu: "Hello John".

Treasurer John Kennedy: "Hello Mary".

Landrieu:"How are the wife and kids?"

Kennedy: "They are fine. And how is your family?"

Landrieu:"They are doing well".

Landrieu: "So this is it"?

Kennedy:"Yes it is".

Landrieu:"You know I'm going to win".

Kennedy:"Not while I'm in the race".

Landrieu:"I will destroy you John".

Kennedy:"I will dethrone you Mary."

Landrieu: "You are a confused politician".

Kennedy: "You are 'Scary' Mary".

After all of the talking the gloves go off and the fists start flying. Fight Night at the Old 7Up Plant. I place a call to the Boxing Commission to have the fight sanctioned. Senator Drewry starts collecting money for the side bets. Then Dana White, of the UFC, comes out and has the Octogon enclose the two combatants while they wage war against each other in a five round battle for the seat in D.C. That's what should have happened. Instead we got the usual gibberish of what they were going to do when they got back to Nation's Capital. My version is much more entertaining, did you know?

Got Tickets???

This is one that will get recycled every year in some form or fashion. Tickets. Sports, special events, and so on. Whether it's the demand for them. The hike in prices for them. Or the fact that some get special treatment to obtain them before everyone else. Tickets will dominate the news in these parts. Usually before the big event is suppose to happen.

Now what I can't figure out is how people will fall prey to the same timeless scheme of buying fake tickets. The schemers are getting smarter trying to stay ahead of the curve while some, namely the ones who will pay anything to get them, are falling behind.

Take for instance the latest incident. State Police and LSU PD were able to crack down on a guy who was selling tickets, that he didn't have, on the Internet to fans who gave him the some of the money with hopes of paying him the rest when he delivered the goods. Naturally once the guy got the money he ceases contact with fans and they are out of some hard earned cash. Not a time to be careless during these times.

The only solution to all of this is to think. If it's too good to be true, it probably is. Did you know???

The Equalizer Returns

All right gentlemen. This is the first warning. Be on your best behavior because...The Equalizer is coming back. What's that you ask???? That is the women's self defense class provided by the Baton Rouge Police Department. Women with the urge to kick ass, take name, and release some frustration is coming.

I remember like it was yesterday, the idea was being tossed around by the suits. KN and I were assigned to do this one. A 16 hour course for ladies to better protect themselves from would be attackers. As soon as I walked into the gym I knew I was in for a long one. The constant striking of the pads. The art of escaping attackers. The endless number of times the photographer was being tossed to the mat. I'm getting sore just thinking about this.

I hope that I'm not asked to pay a return visit. I might have jinxed myself sweeps is around the corner.

Congratulations....

.....are in order for the Golden Band from Tigerland. They managed to get enough votes to win the Battle of the Bands contest getting them an easy 25k to go towards construction of a new band hall. A nice bit of good news considering the beat down in the Swamp last week. At least they beat the Gators in something.

The Pink Campaign

It is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer and the fifth most common cause of cancer death. In one year it can claim over a half a million lives. It is Breast Cancer and it has to be dealt with. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and the pink ribbons are going out to pay tribute to the survivors who have face this illness. Time for us to do our part and help out. The annual Pink At The Polls campaign is back in full swing and the current incumbent Paul Gates needs some help. Looks like I've got some campaigning to do. Paul was the runaway winner last year but some stiff competition is in the chase this year. No mudslinging. No attack ads. Just some local celebrities coming together for a good cause and have a little fun. Just how series are we?
Just ask the Turdpolisher and the Nubian Princess. Don't worry Paul. We got your back and you got our votes, did you know?

The Princess' Amusment

After putting in the daily time at the Big Raggedy, it's time to start unwinding and getting ready for the next day ahead of us. And probably the easiest way for the staff to unwind....


....is to find the Fuzzy Mic. I see the Nubian Princess is finding amusement in polishing of all things the Turdpolisher. Is there anything the Fuzz can't do? Time to get some rest, don't what they'll want to do with the Fuzz tomorrow.

I'm melting....

...oh I'm melting, I'm melting. Well, not like the Wicked Witch in OZ but I am dropping some weight. When your favorite pair of jeans is falling is off while they are still button and zipped. Then you must be doing something right.

It started last year. I started to drink more water and cut back on the soda, I'm not that crazy you got have a caffeine fix in this business. Someone asked me was I losing weight and what was I doing. At the time, I wasn't doing anything. I just kept drinking more water and paid a little more attention to what I was eating.

Then last May, I started working out. Start off with some Carido then hit the weights. Nine weeks later the pants started fitting more loosely. I know at least 20 pounds have gone by the waist side. Some say I've lost more than that.

Don't know why I'm doing this. I'm not going to enter some bodybuilding contest but I'm getting use to this. Just have to go and get some pants that fit now, did you know?