Another early day for me, as I have to go do some shopping, and then be around for a topsoil delivery ($100 for 4 yards delivered; a pretty good deal, I thought. One might even say ‘dirt cheap’). After finally getting some info on where shit (so to speak) is in my septic system, I was able to uncover what once was apparently the distribution box (it looks like there was a box sorta thing, over which they’d placed a very light concrete cover). The cover is all but disintegrated, and the ends of the lines had pretty much filled with clay over the year. More urgently, the outflow pipe from the tank to the DB was crushed (under a rather large – and quite heavy) rock.

So, today will be filled with more tractor work and digging (and the faint, sweet aroma of urine, fecal matter, and ancient, rotting hair & soap all mixed together). Mmmm. I’d have to say that – if we can get this repaired – the tractor will have come close to paying for itself in this one project alone (I don’t know what somebody would have charged for all this, but people who work with shit son’t come ‘dirt cheap’ – and rightfully so, IMHO). Assuming you count all the free labor my friend John is providing me. He and my sister have been invaluable (and by that, I of course mean I haven’t paid them anything).

In other news of interest only to me and other Orange fans, the SU football team plays its final Big East game tonight (though the season finale is next week against former Big East and one-time annual opponent Boston College) against UConn. A win secures a second place finish (while still having the potential for a shared or even outright league championship), no worse than an 8-4 regular season finish, and the chance for revenge against the Connecticut coach – Randy Edsall, a former SU player himself – who last year (with an 11-point lead, 55 seconds on the clock, and SU having no timeouts left inside the Syracuse 30) called a pass on 4th down that went for a TD. Now, clearly, it’s up to the defense to stop that, but unless one is a huge asshole, one does not run up the score that way – especially against one’s alma mater. But Randy is one (an asshole, that is), so it would be nice if SU could win.

Fortunately, the game isn’t until 7:00, when it’ll be too dark to be doing anything outside, so I’ll be able to watch (yes, I should be going to the game in person like a good little fan, but I just don’t have the time or money these days – but, well, it’s on teevee in HD, and the seats in my living room are much more comfortable). Whether I’ll want to watch the whole game is another question. We shall see.

Sadly, Syracuse’s offense isn’t what you would call ‘good,’ so every game is a challenge (especially this late in the season, where an already light roster has been further decimated by injuries). Still, one can hope. And, really, win or lose, we’re way ahead of schedule on the whole rebuilding thing. I believe our coach will soon be elected King of Syracuse – but if you’d like to see him named Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year, please feel free to go and vote for him here. That’s Doug Marrone – Syracuse. He needs to finish in the top 15 to make it to the next round, and not only will you be doing me a favor and making me happy if he gets your vote, but, given the sorry state of SU football affairs I’ve been forced to chronicle over the past five years or so, he actually deserves it.

But, anyhow, time for coffee and to get ready to hit Home Depot by 6:00.