Yes. I'm still here. I haven't been taken captive, as I'm sure you all had feared; just stepped away from the keyboard for a few days to recharge the writing Rayovacs.

Now I'm baaack (hence the photo), and with the New Year upon us I've resolved to be more diligent in the frequency of our posts. The site's stats show you've given this address some outstanding support over these first four or five months — thanks greatly for that — and so, if you're going to come, it's only fair that fresh content comes frequently. Hopefully that will keep you coming back.

So let's get going with a look at a bunch of the things that strike me as we tack a new calendar up on the wall ... and I wonder if anyone else is actually on the same wavelength.

Am I the only one who couldn't have dreamed Saturday night would go any better for the Patriots? Ahead of time I was hoping the Giants would play all out, and force New England to win a tight game against a good team as a playoff tune-up. And then it came true. Appropriately, it was perfect.

Am I the only one who thinks that the longer the Twins keep Johan Santana, the more likely it is for an out-of-the-blue suitor (from the National League) that lands him? (And I'm cool with that.)

Am I the only one wondering why it's called the Bowl Championship Series? The champion is not determined by a series of bowls, but, rather, by one bowl. And if it does come down to a series, the BCS system has failed. Add it to the pile of reasons I hate it.

Am I the only one confused as to why Rutgers, Ball State, Tulsa and Bowling Green are playing bowl games the first weekend in January? What happened to the sanctity of New Years', and post-New Years' football?

Am I the only one who always knew they liked Chris Bosh, but — until now — didn't know why? And who never liked Conan O'Brien, but — until now — didn't know why?

Am I the only one who thought Tuesday's outdoor NHL game was made much better by the fact it was snowing at times?

Am I the only one who thinks the first technical foul for an NBA player comes way too easily, and the second doesn't come easily enough? I think if the reverse was true there'd be a more civilized/less cry babyish way to the whining.

Am I the only one who was stunned to learn Cam Cameron's real first name was Malcolm?

Am I the only one who realized a former Lynn English star, and the man who helped end one of the worst varsity basketball careers in recorded history (that'd be my own), was actually now playing pro hoops in New England?

Am I the only one who, after seeing his play plateau over the past few weeks, isn't expecting Kendrick Perkins to be the Celtics' starting center by playoff time?

Am I the only one pleasantly surprised by the play of Rajon Rondo of late? I still believe they could use a dependable backup at the point, but Rondo is getting better as he gets more comfortable, and by season's end may be on the second tier at his position in the East.

Am I the only one curious about when the Celtics may clinch a playoff berth? (Assuming they don't expand the 13.5-game lead they currently hold over ninth-place Indiana it'd be March 24. And that 13.5-game bulge is bigger than that which separates the West-best Spurs and any team but last-place Minnesota.)

Am I the only one who didn't know Longwood was a college, or a Division I college, or a Division I college with a basketball team until those giant slayers with the hellacious schedule, Boston College, beat them on Wednesday night?

Am I the only one who thinks Matt Ryan played himself out of the first round with his subpar performance at the Otherwise Irrelevant Bowl? If you want to use your first pick to take a guy with a sub-60 completion percentage, and a touchdown to interception ratio well worse than 2:1 in college, feel free. And enjoy mediocrity for the next decade.

Am I the only one who'd eat anything, as long as Giada de Laurentiis was making it for me?

Am I the only one hoping Gordon Edes gets hired by CBS sometime between now and Sunday and gets to do the 60 Minutes interview with Roger Clemens.

Am I the only one who can't help but think of his HGH suspension every time someone refers to Rodney Harrison playing like he did in 2004, or about how youthful he looks?

Am I the only one who came away from the Giants game wondering how Brandon Jacobs ever gets tackled?

Am I the only one who believes Bill Belichick should be the unanimous choice for NFL coach of the year? And don't give me that crap about Mike McCarthy or Romeo Crennel. Six coaches took teams to the playoffs this year that missed out last year. The year before, that number was seven. It's not rare. First coach to guide a team to an undefeated season in 35 years, though, that's a different story.

Am I the only one who thinks Brian Billick got a bit of a bad rap by getting fired one year after going 13-3? And who was shocked that Mike Nolan had personnel power to relinquish?

Am I the only one rooting hard against Kentucky basketball, and other schools where the get-a-life fanbase drives an excellent and successful coach out of town with ridiculous expectations?

Am I the only one who didn't realize the professional golf season started on Thursday?

Am I the only Celtics fan who believes their most impressive feat of the season was winning four games in five nights on the West Coast at Christmas time? And am I the only one who still considers Detroit the team to beat in the East?

Am I the only one fully believing that by dinner time on Sunday Tom Coughlin will be deeply regretting his decision to play his starters against the Patriots last week?

Am I the only one who thinks, after a season full of build up, Tom Brady's touchdown record has actually been overlooked this week because of the team's 16-0 accomplishment?

And, speaking of the new Mr. Perfect, am I the only one who doesn't think Giselle would've been quite so interested in this version of God's Quarterback?

Doubting that, at least, is something on which we can all agree.