De- ...

I close my eyes and I see a thousand bats flying in my head.

Swirling around furiously in the dark, with no purpose other than a blind, impulsive fear.

Every attempt to plead for an escape richocheting violently around.

With no way out.

The embrace of tiny arms feels like nothing more than the faint and distant vibration of someone trying to save you.

This is what happens when your body no longer belongs to you ... but you're still inside.

'Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, I'm Hungry. I've Got This Sweet Tooth'

I'm not a Raiders fan, but I am a newfound fan of Johnnie Lee Higgins.

I can't remember a more visceral, detailed, complex mixed metaphor to describe that tragic marriage of personal success balanced against team failure.

Here's what happened:

With little faith in the Oakland Raiders' offense to score a touchdown late in the game, Johnnie Lee Higgins took the punt from the 7 yard line and ran it back for a touchdown -- a back-breaker putting the Raiders up 15-14 with little time left.

It looked like the play would seal the Dolphins' fate -- and make a hero of Higgins -- but moments later he watched helplessly as the Dolphins moved the ball in the closing seconds and kicked one through for the 17-15 win keeping them unbelievably in the wildcard chase.

Here's how he described the feeling:

It's like you're a little kid, you're at a candy store ... and you can eat all the candy you want, all the muffins and cupcakes you want. But at the end of the day, your stomach is going to be hurting, and that's exactly what it feels like.

I did something great, I'm eating all this candy. Mmm, mmm, mmm, I'm hungry. I've got this sweet tooth. Later on that night, you're going to be crying for Mama. ... And that's exactly how I feel.

We all feel that way sometimes ... I think.