“Excited for this next chapter, I promise it’ll be my best one yet,” new Texans receiver Christian Kirk sets high goals

Now that the Texans have traded for Christian Kirk to upgrade a receiving corps thin on health and proven talent except for Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins, the next steps are having the veteran wide receiver get acclimated to an overhauled offense.

Kirk issued a statement on social media saying goodbye to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who dumped his $15.5 million salary to an AFC South division competitor in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round draft pick. And Kirk, coming off an injury-shortened season due to a broken collarbone, is setting high goals with his new NFL employer.

“My preparation for the upcoming season is already under way, and the only way from here is up. I’ll be back stronger than ever, and I’m excited for this next chapter with the Texans. I promise it’ll be my best one yet.”

Whew… thank goodness it’s the weekend.

I’m taking my wife to see Reba at the Rodeo today. She’s very excited.

Apropos of nothing, here’s my top ten favorite albums that came out while I was in college:

(listed in order of release date)

• Rockin’ the Suburbs by Ben Folds (2001)
• American IV: The Man Comes Around by Johnny Cash (2002)
• The Light of Things Hoped For by Brave Saint Saturn (2003)
• Permission to Land by the Darkness (2003)
• In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 by Coheed & Cambria (2003)
• Room On Fire by the Strokes (2003)
• Hopes & Fears by Keane (2004)
• American Idiot by Green Day (2004)
• SMiLE by Brian Wilson (2004)
• Show & Tell by Silvertide (2004)

Since the Oscars are this weekend, here are my thoughts on the Best Picture nominees…

I loved Dune: Part Two and Wicked, as did most theater goers, although I don’t think either one will win. Anora was surprising and heartbreaking, and The Substance, while bizarre, featured an incredible performance by Demi Moore and served as a scathing satire of unrealistic beauty standards. Conclave was… fine, I guess. Well-acted but kinda boring until the final act. I feel like it was only nominated because of its provocative look at Vatican politics. I watched The Brutalist last week, and all I can say is that the acting, cinematography, and sound design were all excellent, and the story was tragic and thought-provoking, but it’s not a movie that I would ever want to watch again. Most recently I watched A Complete Unknown, and while the musical performances were excellent and Timothée Chalamet did a fantastic job channeling Bob Dylan, the story was just okay.

If I had to pick, I’d give Best Actress to Demi Moore, Best Actor to Timothée Chalamet, and Best Picture to Anora.

Other movies I really liked this year that weren’t nominated:

Nosferatu was amazing and should have gotten a nod. Both Deadpool & Wolverine and Alien: Romulus were great fun, but those aren’t the kind of movies that get Oscars, obviously.  The Wild Robot was really good as well, and it should probably win Best Animated Feature.

R.I.P. Gene Hackman.