There's nothing like flying through holiday hell from Kansas City to Tampa so that I can spend Christmas with my family, to say nothing of heading out with my dad to see the last Bucs home game of the season. The warmth of the family gathering was fun, to be sure -- my 16-month old niece is running all over the place and being just the cutest little bug in a rug -- but come on...I was ready for the game! How often do I get to see my beloved Bucs live and in person? Additionally, the game was highlighted by the fact that a win just might keep the dim glimmer of playoff hopes alive. What's not to love?

I guess my name not only was on Santa's naughty list, but must have also been highlighted and had a few asterisks marked in the margins.

Naturally, the football gods did their thing on me -- stomping out the Bucs' last feeble hopes of playoff contention even before the opening kick off, thanks to happenings elsewhere around the league.

And then, just to make sure that all my remaining Wheaties got peed on, the Bucs go ahead and lose the game anyway.

Ah, well. Once more I offer the time-tested battle cry of the hardcore Bucs fan: "There's always next year!"