My wife and I decided to absentee vote this year to avoid the long lines. Probably the best decision, besides voting for (insert name here), we’ll make these next few days.

She filled out her ballot during the Colts-Titans game, while I was busy trying not to toss the remote control as I watched Indianapolis’ defense give up third-down conversion after third-down conversion. I think she asked me a few questions about the props but you know men and watching TVs. I didn’t have a clue as to what was going on.

Despite the Colts loss, I managed to fill-in the ovals with a black ink ballpoint pen, and pray I picked a few winners. I’m not going out on a limb when I say, I know this ballot is a lot like my college gambling days when I played parlay cards *For entertainment purposes only of course. I missed a lot of games then, and I’ll miss a few here, too.

Today, I took the short jaunt to the Kern County Elections office and waited in line for less than a minute to turn in my ballot. It was as simple as Kerry Collins finding an open receiver against the Colts defense. How fitting?

larger view

It was a sad night in the Priest household. We watched Ken Griffey Jr. gun down Michael Cuddyer at the plate, then watch Jim Thome belt the solo home run that probably should have counted for two runs.

But one run was all the Chicago White Sox needed to beat my wife's beloved Twins.

It was a tough loss but not a devastating loss for us. We'll move on, actually I already have, there's always 2009 for my wife.

As for me, I'm going to make my selections for the playoffs, and if they're anything like last year's picks you want nothing to do with them.

Let's start with the National League because everyone knows the Senior Circuit is the best of the leagues.

NL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

Cubs take it to the Dodgers in 4. A guy named Ramirez bashes the ball into the stands at Dodgers Stadium, and onto Waveland Avenue. Unfortunately for Dodgers' fans, its Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez.

Phillies slip by the Brewers in 5. Ryan Howard should be the MVP in the NL. A turnaround second half and he helps put the Phillies in the playoffs.

NLCS

Cubs need 6 games to get past Philadelphia, and I'll say Aramis Ramirez wins MVP. Ramirez can mash taters.

AL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

Angels sweep a battered and bruised Red Sox. Chone Figgins, and the rest of the Angels raise their OBP by bunting toward Mike Lowell (torn labrum in right hip) every chance they get.

Tampa Bay puts an end to the White Sox misery. Seriously, the ChiSox are aging every minute. I loved Junior Griff when he had Cincinnati across his uni, and I'll still root for him, but his throw to home plate reminded me of Juan Pierre's pea shooter.

ALCS

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim survive a scare and win in 6 games. My MVP goes to Garrett Anderson. G.A. lives for playoff games.

World Series

Los Angeles has the home-field advantage but Chicago has the will of the people (alive and deceased). 100 years of misery ends and a massive earthquake hits the Midwest from the swell of bodies rolling over in their graves, including my grandfather's. The Chicago River turns Cubbie blue, and Old Style flows freely from taps across the city.