MESA, Ariz. -- Ryan Dempster plans to move from closer to starter for the Chicago Cubs this season. On the first day of spring training, he took on another role: prognosticator.

"I think we are going to win the World Series. I really do," Dempster said.

That's a bold prediction before the start of a season that marks the 100th anniversary of the Cubs' last World Series winner.

"Funny when people make predictions or they say things and people are like, 'How could you say that?'" Dempster said Wednesday, as pitchers and catchers reported to camp.

How?

"Like you believe it, you really do," Dempster added. "Enough of all the ... you know the curse this, the curse that, the goat this, the black cat, the 100 years, whatever it is. We're a better team than we were last year, I truly believe. And last year we made it to the playoffs."

Ok, I'm going to use this as a catch all to organize my thoughts  and what have you for planning the viewing party for the UFC show at the end of the month.

Attending:
Me
Marissa
Dad
Andy & Jess
Davin
Moira & Dick
Christy & Adam
Eddie & his neck AIDS
Rick & Karen
Ken

Maybes:

Megan Fitz
Leinie (85% sure)
Matt (target of berating)
Jodie

Food:
White chocolate Bread pudding (or else a beating)
3 (4?) Pizza loaves
Ranchero dip
Chips
Skylabs
beer
Coke
H&D baked goods
Variety of christmas candy

Provisions:
Folding chairs
TV trays

Things to do:
finish putting away things in basement
re-read Friday Foodie entries on Ladies... for more drink ideas
re-read bar assembly entry on Bendis Board for more drink ideas

The A shift (night shift) USO spot is probably the easiest job that Marquette has to offer.  1 round of buildings, virtually no one is around at night, USOs are paid for their knowledge more than for what they actually do, etc.  But Thanksgiving week is easily the best week of the year.  

Yeah, winter break's not too bad, but the university stays open for 90% of it, so there's always stairwells to open, and there's usually conferences of some sort.  Summer break isn't even really a break because of summer school.  Here's the quick summary of why Thanksgiving week is so awesome:

Tuesday night: Have to only check half the buildings since the 3pm-1am C shift USO gets the east side.  Only have normal morning buildings to open and no classrooms since there's nothing scheduled.

Wednesday night: A possible 20 hours of pay for 8 hours of "work" (8 hours of holiday pay + 8 hours regular pay at time & a half (the equivalent of 12 regular hours, natch) because the holiday automatically makes it overtime), although I've taken to banking the holiday pay and using it as a free day off later on.  No openings at all, other than the church.

Thursday night: See Wednesday night.

Friday night: See Wednesday night, minus the extra pay.  Nothing to open because who the hell schedules conferences or meetings or ANYTHING on Thanksgiving weekend, other than Jesus?

Saturday night: See Friday night and add the return of the 3-1 C shifter.

All in all, a fantastic week.  I'm going to get a lot of reading done, oh yes.

ST. GEORGE, Utah (Reuters) - Polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs, whose word was considered God's will to his fundamentalist church of breakaway Mormons, was convicted on Tuesday of being an accomplice to rape by forcing a 14-year-old girl to marry her first cousin.

Jeffs, the self-described "prophet" of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or FLDS, spent 15 months on the run and was on the FBI's Most Wanted list before his arrest in August 2006.

The tall, gaunt Jeffs showed no expression as the verdict was read. The rape victim, who is now 21 and remarried, sat in the front row of the crowded courtroom packed with media and Jeff's supporters.

Sentencing was set for November 20. Jeffs, 51, faces five years to life in prison for each of the two felony charges.

...

Prosecutors claimed during the two-week trial that the powerful religious leader had encouraged forced sex in arranging the wedding despite the girl's objections, and instructing the couple to "go forth and multiply."

The woman, who the court requested not be identified, said that when she later begged to be released from her union, Jeffs told her she should repent and instructed her to give herself "mind, body and soul" to her 19-year-old husband.

Within the community, Jeffs' accuser testified, women are taught to be submissive and "keep sweet," while dissent can lead to exile and religious damnation. Jeffs often punished men in the community by reassigning their wives and children to other men, she said.

From an email I got today:

The Milwaukee Brewers are making 1,000 tickets available - free of charge - to Marquette students, faculty and staff for both the Tuesday, Sept. 25, and Wednesday, Sept. 26, games at Miller Park against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Translation: We're in the midst of a pennant race and still can't sell out.  Please come be drunk rowdy college students at Miller Park.

SO fucking sad.

Here's what Crean had to say about the matter:

"Jerel's lack of effort in rebounding and his response to the response from the bench regarding that lack of effort kept him out of the game Sunday night," said Crean. "One of the hardest parts of coaching is developing leadership and helping guys become complete players. We want our players to get the most of their ability and some times the best way to help them gain a better understanding of that is with some time on the bench."