Amanda Bynes is growing up quite nicely, huh? … oh a personal note, it’s great to read that nobody trusts King Henry Paulson … very, very nicely done, courtesy of Newsweek … the origin of the blogosphere! … we’re no longer the world’s financial superpower, apparently … anyone else starting to become a fan? … goodbye, Washington Mutual – is Wachovia next? … yes, we’ve slacked for a while, but we have a interview coming later today …

Can you spot the creepy hand? (Joe Sports Fan)

Better than the internet: The idea that someone was creative enough to put this together. (The Dark Bailout)

No more texting while driving in California – this should be a national law. (LA Times)

Cedric Benson is cleared of all boat charges; let’s hope he sues the cops who probably are part of the reason he’s unemployed. (Statesman)

Lotta love for a certain sideline reporter last night in Oregon State. (The Play in CA)

Dempster, DeRosa and other Cubs players do the humor thing. (Funny or Die)

Allan Houston? Really? (Basketball.org)

The Braves are rooting – rather heavily – against the Mets. (Mets Blog)

Those tree-sitters in Cal just got nailed with hefty fines. (SF Gate)

One vote to not fine Monta Ellis. (SF Gate)

The Providence Journal loses baseball writer Sean McAdam to the Boston Herald. (Scott’s Shots)

More on the Millen mess. (Pleats ‘n Cleats)

Knockout leagues were bananas last week with the Patriots losing; is Denver the pick this week? (Vegas Watch)

Mariners coaches overhead a player saying he wanted to knock Ichiro out. (Deadspin)