We're in the middle of the desert known as The Offseason where all the jokes and stories have dried up.  I'm out of Bama FoW pics and already used my Random Hot Women from Facebook card yesterday.  I've also told too many "I have a small penis" jokes that FireStarkey is starting to believe that it's true.

I suppose at this point I should cut to the news.

All links SFGate unless otherwise noted.

Some scientists think alcohol's not good for you (NYT).

Take this bible thumpers (NYT).

Swimming pools not so bug free anymore (NYT).

Good news on housing (The Big Picture).

Four horsemen of Wall St (The Big Pictrure).

Dave apologizes for his Bristol Palin joke.

"I feel that I need to do the right thing here and apologize for having told that joke," he said. "It's not your fault that it was misunderstood, it's my fault that it was misunderstood."

Letterman made several references to the issue during his monologue, introducing himself as "Dave Letterman, good will ambassador." He said he got a call from his mother earlier in the day telling him she was siding with Palin.

When he began a joke about Bernard Madoff, whom he called "the most hated man in America," he then amended that to a list of two.

"Me, Bernie Madoff," he said. "He was waaay out in front until a couple of days ago."

Mrs. Palin...your grandchild could use another paycheck.

Obama stands up for his values in front of physicians who, as I understand it, are largely Republicans (taxes, malpractice).

Sports

Former A's pitcher Mike Norris is giving back to his SF community.

 Chavez needs another back surgery...career is nearing the end

Nomah still loves baseball. 

Wilner's bowl lineup wishes:

No. 1
Current: Rose vs. Big Ten champ.
My choice: Rose vs. Big Ten champ
Comment: No reason to change what has worked for ages.

No. 2
Current: Holiday vs. Big 12 No. 3.
My choice: Alamo vs. Big 12 No. 3.
Comment: The Alamo currently matches the Big 12 No. 4 vs. the Big Ten No. 4/5 but is attempting to upgrade its profile and payout — it has already moved from late December to January. If it’s successful in climbing the Big 12 ladder, and if the Pac-10 could arrange to send its runner-up to San Antonio (popular city, Texas recruiting exposure, big-name foe, plenty of media exposure, a second January game), it would totally change the look and feel of the league’s postseason lineup.

No. 3
Current: Sun vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame
My choice: Holiday vs. Big 12 No. 4.
Comment: As the No. 2 bowl in the Pac-10 lineup and a non-January game, the Holiday is merely average. But it would be a strong, strong, strong No. 3, and in that slot, it could keep its December window without looking quite so yesterday. (Note: If the Alamo moves up in the Big 12 pecking order, it would presumably bump the Holiday down one notch to No. 4 from its current spot at No. 3.)

No. 4
Current: Emerald vs. ACC 5/6/7 … or Las Vegas vs. Mountain West No. 1
My choice: Emerald vs. ACC No. 5/6/7.
Comment: The Emerald matches two BCS leagues in a major league facility (AT&T Park) in a world class city (San Francisco) with a terrific ESPN broadcast window (Saturday evening). That opponent-location-exposure combination allows it to more than hold its own as a No. 4.

No. 5
Current: Emerald vs. ACC 5/6/7 … or Las Vegas vs. Mountain West No. 1
My choice: Las Vegas vs. MWC No. 1
Comment: Basically, this would eliminate the Vegas/Emerald partnership for No. 4/5 spot — just make the Emerald the permanent No. 4 and Vegas the permanent No. 5 and be done with it. Given Las Vegas’ status as a destination city, the Pac-10 should hold onto this game as long as it can.

No. 6
Current: Hawaii vs. WAC
My choice: Sun Bowl vs. Big 12/Notre Dame.
Comment: The Sun has been the Pac-10’s No. 3 bowl for years and, as such, is the greatest example of the league’s second-class lineup: Not only is it a bad matchup (recent opponents: South Florida and Pitt), it’s a bad matchup in El Paso, often on New Year’s Eve — only the most desperate Pac-10 teams/fans are excited about participating. However, as the No. 6 bowl in the Pac-10 pecking order, and without the Big East component, the Sun would be just fine. (Note: This will never happen, because the Sun has enough money to keep buying its way into a prime position in the Pac-10 lineup. Also, I’m not sure the Sun could maintain its tie with Notre Dame while dropping the Big East.)

No. 7
Current: Poinsettia vs. MWC
My choice: Poinsettia vs. MWC/WAC No. 2
Comment: The four-year-old Poinsettia is a more appealing option here than the Hawaii Bowl because it’s easier/cheaper for fans and the recruiting exposure in San Diego/Southern California trumps what Hawaii has to offer. And in my ideal world scenario, the bowl would have its choice of the non-champions from the MWC/WAC, providing a quality matchup for the Pac-10 entry.