A buncha stuff. May or may not be related.

* As was the case when I turned 30, I quit smoking just after my 40th birthday two weeks ago. I enjoyed that last smoking weekend, the one in Ann Arbor and in East Lansing, as much as possible, buying a pack of Dunhills to supplement the Camel Lights that have been a staple of my life since I was 18. Fred and I finished the Dunhills on the Saturday night after the Michigan State game, standing outside the hotel and tossing the crumpled pack in the garbage.

I haven’t had any smokes since then, but I have been grumpy as hell. Not all the time, but little things that I would normally find slightly irritating are sending me into conniptions these days. I probably have about another week of fun like this before things start to calm down.

* I’ve had some kind of illness. Lots of congestion and a touch of stomach difficulties that kept me awake most of Wednesday night. I don’t think the bathroom issues were related to the illness, and I’m wondering if the respiratory stuff is related to all the fresh air I am suddenly breathing.

* The illness won’t keep me from attending the Minnesota game on Saturday. Should be a pretty good tailgate, even though the weather looks a little iffy. And, believe it or not, it’s the last one until … the … last … one. Grilled sammiches from Fred and Ethel, assorted slaws from Mr. and Mrs. Coochie Doctor, latke courtesy of The Wife and cookies from Juan, even though I still have to call him and tell him that’s what he’s bringing (Juan, if you read this before I call, don’t panic: Go the Giant Eagle on Fifth. Go to the bakery section. Get two dozen; say, a dozen chocolate chip and a dozen of something else. If you show up with all sugar cookies, The Wife will be disappointed. And by “disappointed,” I mean “pissed.”).

* There will be more about that … last … one … later. Got three more games to go first.

* The Wife helpfully pointed out that the OU-Akron game is in Athens, not Akron, which would make it difficult to attend on the Thursday before that … last … one. I think the lack of nicotine is making me delirious.

* Finally, it occurred to me that Dirt Merchant could possibly be involved with fighting the California wildfires that killed a few Forest Service firefighters two days ago. I don’t know which agency DM works for, but that could be the one. DM, hope you and your compatriots are doing well.

OK. We’re heading to Columbus. See you there.