The Bungles strike again! Never trust a ginger. And never trust Marvin Lewis. Cincinnati is what we thought they were. They are exactly like the Lions...just in different uniforms. Over 20 years of playoff futility and they lose to a team that has as big a reputation for choking in the playoffs as the Bungles do. A pox on both their houses. Enough of these clowns. Let's get to the REAL GAME: 49ers @ Packers!!!

Getting good news from my mom and great-aunt regarding some health issues they have been dealing with.

I didn't know you made picks, KB...missed your post first time around. Sorry. Welcome to the playoff rounds.

You could say that, although they continued to open their concerts with "Immigrant Song" for nearly a year after shaving their beards.

Main Entry: era Pronunciation: \er-, e-r, ir-\ Function: noun Etymology: Late Latin aera, from Latin, counters, plural of aer-, aes copper, money more at ORE Date: 1615 1 a: a fixed point in time from which a series of years is reckoned b: a memorable or important date or event ; especially, one that begins a new period in the history of a person or thing 2: a system of chronological notation computed from a given date as basis 3 ab: a period identified by some prominent figure or characteristic feature <the era of the horse and buggy> b: a stage in development (as of a person or thing) c: a large division of geologic time usually shorter than an eon <Paleozoic era> © 2014 Merriam-Webster, Inc. My understanding of "era" is different than yours, so I can't really use your list, as they are all too short. My favourite Led Zeppelin era is what I fondly call the 'Bearded Era'...that period from roughly the 1970 Summer tour to the 1972 Australian/New Zealand tour. Every show is a powerhouse!

I see dazedjeffy beat me to the punch, but yes, there are 13 known Dixies in existence. As other 1977 shows become available, more might be discovered...but until now, this is the Baker's Dozen. The longest versions are from the Houston and Ft. Worth shows: 31 seconds. The shortest, six seconds, is from Kentucky. April 20, 1977 Riverfront Coliseum Cincinnati, OH April 23, 1977 The Omni Atlanta, GA April 25, 1977 Freedom Hall Louisville, KY April 27, 1977 Richfield Coliseum Richfield, OH May 18, 1977 Jefferson Civic Center Coliseum Birmingham, AL May 21, 1977 The Summit Houston, TX May 22, 1977 Convention Center Arena Ft. Worth, TX May 26, 1977 Capital Centre Landover, MD June 10, 1977 Madison Square Garden New York, NY June 11, 1977 Madison Square Garden New York, NY June 19, 1977 Sports Arena San Diego, CA June 21, 1977 The Forum Inglewood, CA June 25, 1977 The Forum Inglewood, CA

One of my goals for 2014 is to eat more fish/seafood and less beef. Seared scallops and fettucine with garlic and butter.

^^^ That's almost how I feel about 1968. The earliest recorded show circulating is Dec. 30, 1968 Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington. So far nothing from the 1968 Scandinavian and UK tours has surfaced, nor anything from the first few dates of the '68-'69 North American tour. Somebody must have recorded one of the early shows before 1969. But it seems we'll never know for sure. Whomever has it has been hoarding it for over 45 years and if they wanted to share, it would have been out by now.

The only changes to the Whisky over the years have been mainly cosmetic...different paint jobs and such. But the size and capacity have remained the same. So you can imagine Jimmy and his Rickenbackers on that stage. I'm glad to hear you had a blast, henrybonzo. I meant to go, but after work I decided to take a little nap before going out, and unfortunately ended up oversleeping and waking up too late to make the show. Hope you don't mind me asking some questions. Was their setlist exactly as I posted above, in the same order? What equipment did the band use? Did they use Led Zeppelin circa January 1969 gear...i.e. Telecaster guitar and Bonzo's maple kit? How many people showed up? Was it an enthusiastic crowd?

Thank you for taking the time to reply, Whoopie Cat and SozoZoso. Whoopie Cat, I understand completely how you feel and I sympathize. I would hate New Year's, too, if I was in your situation.

Congratulations to your Saints, pottedplant! You and I were the only ones with the guts to take New Orleans on the road! Wild Card Weekend got off to a wild start all right. Looking forward to see if tomorrow's games can top today's. Also looking forward to another Ice Bowl in Green Bay...temps supposed to be 30 below zero. No he's not. Mike Curtis was a BALTIMORE COLT. You can bet he was not happy the Colts bolted to Indianapolis like thieves in the night.

If that's true, then Dallas ain't going anywhere, either...particularly anywhere near the playoffs. I don't get JJ's love affair with Garrett, Walter. Garrett's hiring of Monte Kiffin, his mismanagement of the offense and the game clock in end-of-half and end-of-game situations shows he's out of his depth as head coach. I don't see in Garrett one iota of an ability to lead and instill confidence in players that a good head coach must possess. It boggles the mind just like the waning days of Al Davis did for us Raider fans. Every year it was "What the fuck is Al thinking/doing?" I get the same vibe now from Jerry Jones. As far as I'm concerned, every coach fired so far DESERVED to be fired, starting with those sad sacks in Detroit and Washington. I still cannot believe Detroit missed the playoffs. But there's more dead wood to get rid of...starting with the idiot in Oakland. And Miami, too! The last two weeks of the Dolphins season was a disgrace. Seven measly points total against the Bills and Jets?!? Off with their heads, haha! Cold in Green Bay in January? What are the odds? STOP THE PRESSES!

Here are my stabs in the dark... NFL Wild Card Round Schedule: Saturday, Jan. 4 Kansas City at Indianapolis Let's be real...Kansas City took advantage of a shitty schedule to attain their 11-5 record. But while Indianapolis went 9-3 against AFC, KC was only 7-5. Thanks to KC playing the weak NFC East teams, they got 4 easy wins against the NFC. The Chief's five losses came against teams with decent quarterbacks: Denver (2 losses), San Diego (2 losses), and Indianapolis. There is nothing to suggest Indianapolis won't beat KC again. I know rematches are supposed to favour the team that lost the first time, but I'm not buying KC being a playoff-caliber team, especially on the road in the dome. There is no win on KC's ledger as impressive and legit as Indianapolis' win at San Francisco. And while Indy was up and down for a stretch in the middle of the season, they righted the ship and closed the season strong with four consecutive victories. My pick: Indianapolis New Orleans at Philadelphia New Orleans on the road has been disaster all season. But Foles and Eagle's coach Chip Kelly are new to the playoffs. It's going to be cold, no doubt...maybe snow? LeSean McCoy will have to have a huge game, in my opinion, to take some pressure off Foles. But something in my gut tells me the Saints have enough to eek out a win. My pick: New Orleans Sunday, Jan. 5 San Diego at Cincinnati What a joke it is that San Diego is in the playoffs. First, Miami had to choke against the Jets like Mama Cass eating a ham sandwich. Then, Kansas Shitty's kicker misses a game-winning field goal, and the refs miss a San Diego penalty that would have allowed KC to rekick the field goal. So, no matter how much I think Marvin Lewis and the Bungles aren't for real and have a knack for choking on the big stage, I loathe San Diego even more and think the football gods will be against them for cheating their way into the playoffs. Plus, Cincy was 8-4 vs. the AFC; SD only 6-6. My pick: Cincinnati San Francisco at Green Bay This could be the game of the weekend. It's really tough to pick, now that Aaron Rogers is back. But Clay Matthews is still out. Can Green Bay stuff the 49ers running game and force Colin Kaepernick into a one-dimensional quarterback? Will the frigid tundra of Lambeau affect San Francisco at all? In theory, the 49ers are made for cold weather...they are a tough-minded mix of running and strong defense. This game could be a defensive struggle or it could be a shootout. Either way, I think San Francisco has the guts to battle the cold and the Packers...and I think Boldin slips open enough to be the difference maker in the game. My pick: San Francisco

He was a stowaway in my backpack. Since I hadn't taken him anywhere since my New England trip, I felt sorry for the little fellow and let him out to enjoy the sun, sand, and surf. Gumby says "Hi!" CP!

Swimming weather.

Thanks stz and Ross. I've got another one with the pier and ocean in the background. The font ratio is a little off, I think...especially the first 'L'.

Happy birthday wishes to one Mr. John Baldwin. Our beloved Jonesy turns 68 today. Before there was a Plant...before there was a Bonzo...there was John Paul Jones. When Jimmy Page was abandoned by the remaining Yardbirds and a new band began forming in his mind, it was John Paul Jones that he first turned to and who was first aboard this nascent adventure that would become Led Zeppelin. In Jones, he not only had a rock-solid bassist, but a multi-instrumentalist, which was very important in realizing Jimmy's vision whilst keeping the band a quartet. He also had someone who could also write and arrange songs and orchestration and had a wide range of influences and musical knowledge...and played a wicked backgammon. Most important, John Paul Jones knew his way around the studio. What people often forget is that John Paul Jones also had done extensive session work in the 1960s before joining Led Zeppelin. So, like Jimmy, Jones knew his way around a studio and knew how to maximize your time in the studio and get the sounds in your head onto tape without dithering about. Which is one of the reasons Led Zeppelin seemed to explode out of the gate and immediately have a leg up on all the other bands around at that time. If Jones had turned Page down way back in 1968, there still would have been a Led Zeppelin...Jimmy would have found another bassist I'm sure. But it would have been a different Led Zeppelin...one without "Kashmir", "Black Dog", "In the Light", and countless others. Happy birthday John Paul Jones!

45 years ago tonight. January 2, 1969.

So are you going henrybonzo? Any other Los Angeles denizens of the forum going? Badgeholder? Ledzepfvr?

^^^ Bundled up safe and warm, I hope? Had a fabulous wine over the holidays that I think some of you would like. It goes well with lamb, duck and roasted birds...so, CP, since I know you enjoy the odd duck and lamb as well as I, you should look to stock this splendid Spanish red in your cellar: 2010 Venus la Universal Dido Montsant Tinto.

Happy belated birthday wishes to SozoZoso and Whoopie Cat! I am curious as to whether you two hate having your birthdays so close to the holidays...I have a sister-in-law whose birthday is close to Christmas and it's a drag for her. With everyone so busy with Christmas and New Year's, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle. Cheers to you both!

Yeah, the Whisky a Go Go is having an entire month of events celebrating their 50th Anniversary. Most look pretty cheesy...I mean, who the fuck at this late date wants to see or hear Stephen Pearcy of Ratt, (who were terrible even in their heyday)? There are some that might be interesting, and I haven't thought of Uli Jon Roth in ages...didn't know he was still playing. http://www.whiskyagogo.com/site/ I am curious about this Moby Dicks thing. The only recorded evidence of the Jan. 1969 Whisky shows is from January 5, the last of the four nights scheduled, so that's the only setlist available for them to go by. 1. As Long As I Have You (incl. Fresh Garbage/Shake) 2. I Can't Quit You, Baby 3. Train Kept a Rollin' 4. Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You 5. Dazed and Confused 6. Killing Floor 7. For Your Love There seem to be conflicting accounts of the week, too, from differing sources. Did they play all nights? Which shows were cancelled due to Jimmy's fever? Was the January 5th the only show they played? I'm tempted to go tonight, if only to hear how this band tackles ALAIHY. But I got an earful of the opening act, David Whalen and his song "Stand Up"...oy vey! Terrible schlock. I'll have to time it so I don't have to listen to him.

After ringing in the New Year with a few rounds of champagne and cocktails at the Frolic Room and Tiki Ti bars, around 2am this morning I headed to the Original Pantry to soak up some of that alcohol with my first meal of 2014: steak & eggs, hash browns and toast and coffee. The line to get in was ridiculous. Welcoming the first daybreak of 2014 with the last of the Moët & Chandon. After swimming and a little siesta in the sun, I needed something fresh and healthy...a burrata, nectarine, and arugula salad and orange-beet juice, dining al fresco at the Malibu Farm at the end of the Malibu Pier.

Putting a Led Zeppelin stamp to my New Year's Day at Malibu Beach.

The final rays of sunlight during the last sunset of 2013.