The Root of the Week I

Hello my lovelies, my beautieus, and welcome to another great and glorious year of the Swami Pool. For those who do not know, the Swami shall visit this space each and every week to post his own particular picks, so as to ensure honesty and transparency in a crazy mixed up world.

There will be witticisms and the occasional reference to this or to that, smiles and laughs encouraged if not required. This particular week, the first week for some, a week yet to come, a week long past, the Swami will roll into the beginning with the men of Poe, who will toil and labor greatly en route to sizable victory over the Ta-Tonka Men of Northern New York.

Normally, the Swami saves Baltimore for a later week and then inserts some fun little paragraph quoting the Raven -- "Nevermore" -- but this week sees the clock turning well into the morning hours, and the bed beckons.

Therefore, and for the newbies, a simple Swami Picks Baltimore for the Win will suffice, along with a comment that many different teams have been picked for this first week, although the Saints seem to be getting significant action, and onward we merrily roll -- those who survive -- into Week Two.

That is all.

The Root of the Week XII

"Alea Iacta Est."

Yes, my friends, the die is cast. There is not turning back, and the end of this Suicide season will come now only after long struggle and much devastation.

Do not make the mistake of taking this point lightly; others have done so, and others have perished. Cast your dice in the face of suffering and prepare yourself for the unknown tumbling, for there can be no controlling them once they leave your hand. Tumble they will, and tumble true, but the truth may not be that which you envision.

And so in Week Twelve, as 133 participants watch from the safety of their homes, licking their wounds as they begin the countdown to 2014, I ask those who remain to stand boldly, and proudly, and cast in their lots.

My own lot lies with Poe this week, who as in years past has granted use of those immortal words: "And so open here I fling the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter, in there steps a Raven of the yesteryears of yore . . ." Yes, I return to Baltimore to make my mark, while the masses are most heavily upon the Texans (at 2-9) and the Lions of Detriot. Good luck to all, and to all a good night.

Alea Iacta Est, and greatness awaits.

That is all.