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It feels great
to be back

WHEN you're on vacation, the letters tend to pile up. So one of the first things I like to do is wade into the e-mail inbox. Let's take a look now. Here. Here's one:

"Thank you for printing my sensible suggestion about gladiators. ... However, I regret you did not give me credit by name. Since few people read your column, it certainly would not hurt my reputation. I imagine that Mr. Fink (KHNL/KFVE general manager John Fink) was mightily annoyed that you hinted my writing came from him! Well, if Mr. Fink sues you, just tell him how much you earn. ..."

COMMENT: It feels great to be back.

(Don't worry, the guy always includes one of those smiley-face things at the end of every letter.)

» Speaking of excessive alcohol consumption, I see that Hawaii is looking at a drinking ban for UH games at Aloha Stadium -- and more on that later this week. But you know there's a problem when the president of the school starts talking about the incidents he's seen at the stadium. Usually you would think a school president would say something like, "We've had some complaints and we'll look into it, blah, blah, blah." But when the school president starts getting into personal eyewitness accounts, you know there is something to be addressed.

» Who else noted this quote from Fresno State quarterback Paul Pinegar in this week's Sports Illustrated: "Coach Hill said, 'We always talk down on Boise, saying we have the better athletes and the better program, but really they're right with us -- maybe better than us.' "

Let's all use our teen girl golfing phenom voices in unison here: "Duh!"

"Maybe" better?

To be fair, Pinegar went on to tell SI: "Now that we can finally admit that we have a shot at beating them."

They do say the first step is admitting that you have a problem.

» They had to carry Tara Hittle out of the gym? Yikes.

» There is no way the Philadelphia Eagles can act innocent or play victim in this T.O. brouhaha. Yes, the man is a maniac, but the Eagles knew who they were signing when they picked him up. Payment just came due a little sooner than they had hoped.

» What will it look like when a few teams go without nicknames during bowl games and postseason appearances thanks to a new NCAA rule? Probably like this column. When referring to the local Division I football and men's volleyball teams I only use Hawaii or UH.

» Can't wait to get out and see how much fun the guys are having with the man in the cowboy hat.