After Three Kids, Grabbers looking forward to AFFL season "More than Ever."

Axel Rose said it best in his rock ballad November Rain,: 'you know you need some time on your own. Everybody needs some time on their own.'"

Sassoon uttered those same words to AFFL reporters via conference call Tuesday night. When asked how the responsibilities of a 3rd boy has affected his preparations for the upcoming AFFL season, he sounded like a man defeated. A long sigh was followed by over thirty seconds of silence, and then Sassoon asked to repeat the question. It was clear that over the past year Sass had been putting in long days cleaning up baby food off the tile floor and changing diapers with his non-cellphone hand.  In fact, he hardly had time to formulate his own thoughts, as most of his responses to reporters were quotes from popular songs, probably listened to during long, exhausting drives home from work.

When asked if he felt pressure to win this year, he responded:

"So nevermind the darkness, we still can find a way. Nothing, and I mean nothing, lasts forever in the cold November Rain."

Sassoon continued, analogizing his life condition with lines from Metallica's Enter Sandman, Lynard Skynard's Free Bird, and Motely Crue's Dr. Feelgood. When he was asked what he "feels" he needs to accomplish this year in order for it to be a successful season, he responded by quoting Flashdance:

"I feel the music. Close my eyes feel the rythme. Wrap around take a hold of my heart. What a feelin! He's believin. I can have it all, I'm dancing for my life!"

While most of us may not understand what Sassoon is talking about, he does, and that is what is important. After becoming only the 4th team other than a Lalazarian to reach the AFFL finals two short years ago,  Grabbers knows that whatever success comes in his personal, or AFFL life, all the credit should go to the backbone of them both. His wife. As he so eloquently sang to us:

"And I... will always love you. And I, will always... love you. And I will always love.. Yooooou."

Lilit is truly one of a kind, as are all AFFL wives and girlfriends. You can't win it all unless you have that kind of support. It's a tough task juggling kids and managing your AFFL butt off.  And Sassoon, just remember, like Axel Rose said at the end of November Rain

"You're not the only one. You're not the only one."

Prime Time Tax? Ara hopes to Impose Draft hosting fees on managers.

After receiving bids to host the AFFL Draft from a variety of venues which included Carousel Restaurant in Glendale and Sako's Mechanic's Garage in North Hollywood, The AFFL Draft Selection Committee has narrowed down the choices to two: The house of either Vosgereechee Gyank owner Mardig Kasbarian, or Prime Time owner Ara Malikian. There is one snag however, Ara is mandating a tax on the league.

Paperwork submitted to the league office by Prime Time on Monday offers the league full access to all facilities on the premisses, including the pool, food, drink and after draft indemnities.  Malikian adds that a "draft tax" be placed on managers to help pay for cleaning and repairs needed after the draft, as well the amount still owed from his Armenian Wedding in March.

Here is a list of some of the taxes and fees:

$20 team enterance fee
$2 walk-across the wooden floor tax (backyard entrance free)
$1.45 restroom cleaning fee
$1.15 wife/kids inconvienced fee
$1.05 parking fee
$1 laptop fee
$.50 outdoor patio seat fee
$.25 Ara fee
$.10 exit fee

Also included:

$.55 per sheet toilet paper fee

and

$.23 speaking fee

Should the league allow the fees to go through, each team manager would be responsible for paying their portion of the $29.50 on top of their league registration fee.

The league has consistantly maintained that hosting the AFFL draft is a privalage and the AFFL karma that one gains from such an event is priceless. Aside from a few food items brought to share, it is unlikely that the Prime Time will get to turn a profit while the AFFL Draft is in his house of the most hated.

Using Prime Time's phrase, I'm sure he should pay us for the fact that we shall all have "A horrible day."