Based on the frequent charge that we are just too negative around here, we've decided to set a precedent for happy, inclusive, uniter-not-a-divider rhetoric, by compiling a list of Things Which Don't Suck.  We envision this is as a rapidly-changing, frequently-updated list, which takes into account our reader's suggestions.  This, of course, means you'll be lucky to see it change more than once a week, and it will reflect entirely our overworked staff's opinions.

E-mail your suggestions to: truedorktimes@yahoo.com if you think a different strategy should be in order.

These are a few of our semi-favorite things, in no particular order.

1. Cable re-runs of canceled shows.
"Larry Sanders" on Bravo.  "Sports Night" on Comedy Central.  "Freaks and Geeks" on Fox Family channel.  Frankly, during baseball's offseason, these are the only reasons to watch TV outside of "Survivor" and Fox's Sunday night cartoon/"Malcolm in the Middle" block.  To which we say, bring on the Screen Actor's Guild and TV writers' strikes. It can't get any worse.

2. Elliott Smith
Especially "Either/Or" and "XO", although the other albums have their merits as well.  Good songwriting never gets old, no matter how many times you've heard these songs. Even when that's several hundred times.

3. Zelda: Majora's Mask for Nintendo 64.
Walks the fine line between precision jumping and puzzle solving.  As good as the original, thanks mainly to the odd, new, time travel-related obstacles.

4. Fantasy baseball on espn.com
There's nothing quite like the thrill you get from seeing the numbers 6 5 6 7 next to your player's name in a box score.  Of course, then he gives you five straight days of 5 0 0 0, plunging you into the depths of despair, last place in your league, and, all too frequently, a short-sighted trade.  Hmm, maybe this addiction actually does suck.

5. Rob Neyer's columns on espn.com
The most useful resource for No. 4.  If we could have one person's way of thinking beaten into the head of every person in America, this would be it.  It's rare that sportswriters think like scientists, but it's refreshing to read when it does happen.  Especially in a sport as superstition-laden as baseball.

6. Pooch Cafe, Get Fuzzy and Sherman's Lagoon
The best anthropomorphic animal-related comics you probably don't get in your morning paper.

7. The triumphant return of Mr. T.
Almost makes annoying 1-800-COLLECT commercials watchable.