TV: Lost... and the blast door

Last night's episode of Lost was pretty amazing. If you didn't see it... stop reading. But if you did, follow this link to view the blast door. Crazy. Some people really have a lot of time on their hands.

And I thought I was a nerd for rewinding and pausing Tivo to view it!

My thought at the time of seeing the blast door? That it was a map. That it was the island. That possibly their are lots of other hatches that have tunnels leading to something in the center. And that the island may be in the shape of the Dharma symbol... and therefore is probably man-made.

We'll have to keep watching to find out.

Technorati Tags: Lost, Blast Door, TV

Aidan: The Addiction Starts Early

Aidan sees us do something... he does it. It kinda drives you mad. You realize that there are two eyeballs on you at all times. Sure, he's going to pick up the good traits and qualities (we hope). And then there are the inevitable qualities that you wish you could steer him clear of and have him avoid.

A gross example is having Aidan clear his throat now because he's seen Daddy doing it while I have been sick. (yeah, I have a pretty nasty cold and that's why I haven't been posting much this week... I'm finally feeling at least 1/2 good tonight and mentally a little more clear) Cooking is a less-gross example compared to the of one's throat. The boy sees us make dinner every night. He knows where the pots and pans are and each night when we are making dinner... there he goes. It is cute. But, when I am looking for the top to the small sauce pan - FRUSTRATING. He tends to move things to the most remote corners of the house.

This past weekend it was Starbucks. Aidan began to get really pissed in the car that he didn't have a Starbucks cup of his own to use. So when we got home, Norma drank hers pretty fast and gave it to Aidan to play with and begin his Addiction. Unbeknownst to her, there was a lot of chocolate left at the bottom of her Decaf Grande Non-fat Mocha with no whip. So that ended up on Aidan's face after a few minutes of pretend chugging.

Here are a few pictures to document the beginning of his Starbucks addiction. It's all our fault.

Tags: Family, Baby Pictures, Snapshot

Politics: Things That Suck: House of Card

When I find a really good blog entry, I like to share it. I don't think I could have said much more about today's news that Bush's Chief of Staff quit. I guess it wasn't in the "Cards" for him?

Please do check out one of my more favorite blogs:
Things That Suck: House of Card

Good stuff over there every day.

Only thing I could add to his entry was... Card is out because he was "too tired" and was there from "day one". But, so was Bolton the guy that replaced him. So what's the difference? It's just another person that is going to speak Bush's language and agree with everything he says. This isn't a drastic change at all. Just more of the same.

Technorati Tags: Bush, Card, Chief of Staff

Aidan: Yum!

Pizza.
Milk.
Life is good.

Tags: baby pictures, family, snapshots

Sports: Bagwell - "I may never play again."

Today is a sad day for me. When we moved to Houston in 1994, Norma and I instantly became Astros fans. We also instantly became Jeff Bagwell fans. In 1994 Baggy won the MVP. If it was not for the strike we could have seen that '94 team in the World Series. Those were great times in the old Houston Astrodome.



Today is a sad day. Jeff Bagwell is done.

ESPN.com - MLB - Bagwell closer to retirement: "I may never play again," he said. "It's been 15 years with the Astros. I have to do what's best for me, what's best for the Astros and best for baseball."
"I can't imagine what the Houston Astros would have been the past 15 years without Jeff Bagwell on this ballclub," Astros manager Phil Garner said. "He made the Houston Astros what they are today."

I always said, "It is worth the price of admission when Jeff Bagwell hits a home run." I can't tell you how many times he made that statement true for me. So many games where he would turn on a pitch and take it out over the left field fence. So many games that I would leap to my feet and scream. Those days are over now. It's sad.

• Astros' career leader in home runs (449), RBI (1,529) and runs (1,517).
• 1994 NL MVP when he hit .368 with 39 home runs and 116 RBI in just 110 games of the strike-shortened season.
• 1991 NL Rookie of the Year when he hit .294 with 15 home runs and 82 RBI in 156 games.
• 1994 NL Gold Glove winner.
• .297 career batting average in 15 big-league seasons.

Technorati Tags: Jeff Bagwell, Houston Astros, MLB, Baseball

My Life: This and that... and the weekend is here.

It's time for the weekend and time to relax a little. It was a wild week at work. We met again this afternoon and for the last time with Atascocita High School prinicipals. It was the final "face to face" meeting before they make a decision on what their staff transfers will be from my school. I've written about this many times on this blog already, but I am really getting to the point (as everyone is) where we just want to know one way or the other what the deal is and where we are going to teach next year. It is starting to wear me out a little bit.

But, the good news is that they should have a decision on everyone in the next week to 10 days. [whew] The meeting was pretty good. They showed a video of the school at this point and boy is it beautiful. It is setup in "Houses" of about 200 kids and 15 teachers. Those 200 kids should have those 15 teachers as their core teachers (not counting electives and advanced classes) and all their teacher's rooms should be on the same wing. The house principal & counselor will be right there with them as well. It is a mini school in many ways.

I like the concept because I have taught at a middle school in the past that used a team teaching situation. The system works because in schools as big as we have in Texas (our current high school is one of the very largest in Texas with over 4,000 students) it helps to try to maintain relationships with kids on a smaller level. The houses will also have a 100 seat teaching theatre and computers out in the main concourse of the house floor. It is a very open environment.

One of the questions I asked in todays discussion with the principals was, "Are those computers going to be locked down to the desktops?" The teachers I was sitting with all laughed as if to say, "Of course they would have to be." But the administrators just looked at each other like, "Hmmm, I guess we might have to think about that." Of course, having an open atmosphere is nice, but as a former computer tech and a former Instructional Technology Specialist I know for a fact that computers sometimes grow feet and "walk away."

It will be great to hear some news soon on the whole situation. Today was nice to get an update, but everyone is getting itchy. It doesn't help that tons of kids are wearing their Atascocita Eagles gear in school all the time now. They have it available to buy at the local Krogers. I think it's one of the things fueling them to ask daily, "Mr. D are you going to the new school? Or are you staying here?" [along with the constant peppering this week of "I voted for you for teacher of the year Mr. D! Did you win?" Which we won't find out the answer to until next week. It is driving me a little nutz and is another reason I am glad it's the weekend. The kids mean well, but they are wearing me out.]



Tomorrow morning we are going to take some old clothes down to Town Center in Kingwood for a clothing drive for the homeless. I have a lot of clothes that I don't wear any more and this is a great opportunity to give them to a good cause.

After that we will probably do a little grocery shopping and get our "Saturday Special" at our favorite Chinese place. Spending time with Aidan has been fun and frustrating at the same time lately. He is at the age where he is just about to start talking and making some sense. But, he's not there just yet. And he gets frustrated with not being able to express himself. There has been a lot of crying this week for no apparent reason. But, he usually calms down and then goes back about playing and having a good time. It is just frustrating when you don't know what he wants.

He has also been chilling and watching some cartoons this week. That is very new for him. But, it has been nice to see him relax for a few minutes on one of our laps and chill out. Then he has some energy saved up to go back about his rigorous playing regiment. It will be nice to get out to the park a little this weekend. The weather should be pretty good after tonight. (it's actually going down to 37 tonight! brrr) But, tomorrow back up to a high of 68. Sweet.

Aren't weekends great?

Bush shuns Patriot Act requirement - The Boston Globe

Our President has been consistently signing his own amendments to bills that give him an out clause if he should break that law. Attached below his signature he'll write a paragraph or "signing statement" that absolves him from any wrong doing should he ignore the law that he is actually signing. How can the President get away with a blatant disregard for Congress and the law of the land?

Bush shuns Patriot Act requirement - The Boston Globe: "Bush wrote: ''The executive branch shall construe the provisions . . . that call for furnishing information to entities outside the executive branch . . . in a manner consistent with the president's constitutional authority to supervise the unitary executive branch and to withhold information . . . '
The statement represented the latest in a string of high-profile instances in which Bush has cited his constitutional authority to bypass a law."

"Unitary Executive" is Bush Administration code word for "We can do whatever the hell we want." Bush has used signing statements to reject, revise or put his spin on more than 500 legislative provisions. He has been far more aggressive than any previous president in using the statements to claim sweeping executive power - and not just on national security issues.

By attaching a signing statement to a law that he signs the President then claims he is not subject to following the law of the land. It's really amazing that this does not get more news coverage. But, then again, the media is so biased against Bush. C'mon. If they were really biased then maybe his ignorance with these signing statements would cease.

"They don't like some of the things Congress has done so they assert the power to ignore it," said Martin Lederman, a visiting professor at the Georgetown University Law Center. "The categorical nature of their opposition is unprecedented and alarming." KR: Bush using a little-noticed strategy to alter the balance of power

After thinking about this today, I am all in favor of a censure of the President. This "above the law" abuse is at the very least worthy of a censure by Congress. If the Dems win control of the House this fall (and I am in by no means predicting that they will) could an impeachment be too far behind? With the poll numbers on the President where they are the Dems just might have the support of the people to do so.

Other sources documenting Bush's signing statements:
Bush Could Bypass New Torture Ban
The Unitary Executive: Is The Doctrine Behind the Bush Presidency Consistent with a Democratic State?
Time: We Don't Need a New King George

Technorati Tags: signing statements, Bush, Censure, Impeachment, House, Patriot Act, Unitary Executive

CNN.com - Disabled Iraq war veteran wins Illinois primary - Mar 22, 2006

This is a really great story. I hope she wins!

CNN.com - Disabled Iraq war veteran wins Illinois primary - Mar 22, 2006: "Disabled Iraq war veteran wins Illinois primary
Will be Democratic nominee for House seat"

CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- A former Army helicopter pilot who lost both legs in a 2004 grenade attack in Iraq narrowly won the Illinois Democratic nomination for the House seat occupied by retiring GOP Rep. Henry Hyde. The 37-year-old, Thailand-born Duckworth had been heavily recruited by Democrats eager to give the national party more credibility on security issues. She lost her legs in combat two years ago and recovered in a military hospital in Washington, D.C.

In another really nice and personal look at this candidate on ABC News, it states:

With a style that's down-to-earth, Duckworth is quick with self- deprecating humor and matter-of-fact references to her injuries. The biggest problem with her injured right arm, she tells some friends after a morning rally, is her inability to use chopsticks when eating sushi. "I lose all street cred!" she jokes.

Someone with that kind of spirit and determination deserves everyone's best wishes. I hope she does well. I will be keeping my eye out for her in November.

Technorati Tags: Tammy Duckworth, Democrat, Illinois, Congress, Iraq War

Thousands still waiting for FEMA trailers - Nightly News with Brian Williams - MSNBC.com

This is why FEMA needs to go away. They need to level the organization. Restructure it outside of Homeland Security. Give it a direct link to the President and get the freaking WORK DONE.

Thousands still waiting for FEMA trailers - Nightly News with Brian Williams - MSNBC.com: "Thousands still waiting for FEMA trailers
Fewer than half the 25,000 promised have been delivered"

This is a CNN Video that is just unbelieveable to watch. Can you believe... 11,000 trailers just sit empty. And survivors of the world natural disaster in our nation's history suffer.

FEMA & our government need to wake up!

Technorati Tags: FEMA, Trailers, Katrina

TV: 24 Drops a Bomb

Great episode of 24 this week. Funny thing is that it was a great episode and NO ONE died! Amazing for the Killing Machine to take a week off. (although to be honest David Palmer's brother was just about to get his at the end)

The bomb that was dropped was that Audrey Raines may have leaked information from the DoD to terrorists. That sent Jack into a frenzy. The previews from next week show him strangling her. As much as I used to hate Audrey, I find it hard to believe she is aiding terrorists.

But, if she is... I could see a situation of Jack returning at the end of the season to his love interest from the beginning of this season. His daughter has disowned him. Now Audrey may be a an enemy of the state (another Nina Myers! oh my). So going back to his very cool and calm between season lover and her son might be just what the doctor ordered for some post season R & R. We'll see if he walks off into the sunset with her in his arms. I am kinda hoping for that actually. Audrey can be such a tight ass.

As for the terrorist plot to unleash a bioweapon and kill 200,000 people in LA... the Vice President will get his in the end. This dude is no good. Obviously he is the only one that knows that President Palmer's brother (Wayne) is on his way to the ranch. And when the van cuts him off and causes his car crash it is obvious the VP is behind it. Will my main man Agent Pierce gun down the baddies and allow Wayne to live?

My money is on Agent Pierce. He saves everyone.

To know for sure we'll just have to tune in for next week's 24!

Tags: 24, Jack Bauer, Kiefer Sutherland, TV

Good News: The Perfect Worker Retires

This guy is amazing!: The Perfect Worker Calls It Quits LOS ANGELES, March 22, 2006

Arthur Winston usually drives to work, but today he decided to take the bus. Mr. Winston turned 100 today, but that's not the only reason for all the hoopla. As CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker reports, it's also his last day on the job — he's retiring after 72 continuous years at a Los Angeles bus yard.

Amazing. he has only really taken one day off in his life. The day he buried his wife. Never sick. Always on time, never punched out early. He started his career in 1934.

I am just shaking my head over this guy. I hope you have a great and long retirement Arthur!

Technorati Tags: Arthur Winston, Los Angeles, retirement

My Life: Happiness sprinkled with sadness

Even the best news of the day can seem a little darker these days. I’ll hear of something that makes me smile or makes me feel good… then I’ll realize I won’t be able to call, email, or chat with my Dad about it. Kinda gives me a dampened spirit at times.

Today I was on the final cut for teacher of the year at my school. The final ballot was 11 teachers. We have a combined faculty and staff of about 200. We are one of the very largest high schools in Texas. In my subject area alone there are over 20 teachers. So it is an amazing honor to be in the top 11 before the final vote.

It is something that I would have called and talked to my Dad about. Not to brag, but because he loved hearing about stuff like that. He was always so proud of his kids and their accomplishments. Sometimes he could be a little too proud. But, he was always competitive himself. So he loved to see his kids do well.

Who knows if I will win or not? It has certainly been nice to have kids come in and say, “Mr. D! I voted for you!” And I have seen a few kids in the hall that I had last year that said the same kinds of things. It was neat to see some of them and have them chase me down. It has been a while since I have run into my kids from last year.

I certainly do not expect to win. Of the 11 teachers on the list, many are veterans that have been at my school for years and they are great teachers that deserve it. I have only been here two years. Plus, there are a few teachers that are actually coaches or sponsors that did not get chosen for the new high school. There has been a big uproar about that. And I suppose many will vote for those people because they were slighted. It makes perfect sense.

I voted for a person that is also originally from Pennsylvania, like me. She also lost her grandfather the same week my Dad passed away. So she deserves it, plus she’s been here a while and does a really great job with her seniors.

We’ll see what happens, but I am not holding my breath. It would be a nice honor. I told my students each period, “Thanks for voting for me if you did. Of course, I teach because of the chances to win awards (and I rolled my eyes). Oh no, I teach for the money… (rolled my eyes again). Oh yeah, it’s not that either.”

It would have been a great thing to tell my Dad though. And just hear him swell up with pride on the other end of the phone. All I can hope is that he is looking down and is happy with the effort and dedication I put into my job. I know he is.

CNN.com - Prosecutors drop sex case against teacher - Mar 21, 2006

This really bothers me. If she was a man she'd be going away to prison. If she wasn't blonde the case might not have been dropped. CNN.com - Prosecutors drop sex case against teacher - Mar 21, 2006

As a teacher myself I outraged with society just letting someone go scott free when they violate the sanctity of the teacher-student relationship in such an terrible way. Of course, she claims she is bipolar and is "very remorseful". And she regrets what she put that young man through. My opinion, she should be remorseful for herself and having to deal with the consequences of her actions. Instead she issues an apology, gives an excuse, says she's sorry and she's totally in the clear. Ridiculous.

Now she says she wants to be a journalist. Great. Just what we need in journalism... another pretty face and hollow soul.

Teaching is such an important part of our society. It has been said that "A teacher affects eternity he can never tell where his influence stops" -- Henry Adams. The truth is that it goes both ways. Bad effort in teaching can also lead to an affect and influence that can be just as devastating. It breaks my heart to see people in this profession that have no idea what a responsibility they hold in the lives they come in contact with each day.

Technorati Tags: Teaching, Education

Politics: Selective Memory - Bushstyle

This news story really jumped out at my today. First it's Bush being Bush in Ohio. He was asked a question by an audience member about his 3 reasons for going to Iraq. One of them being the connection between Iraq and Al Qaeda and 911. Bush actually refuted the fact that he ever linked Iraq and 911. Amazing.

Bush answering Q&A at a Speach in Ohio Today: First, just if I might correct a misperception, I don’t think we ever said – at least I know I didn’t say that there was a direct connection between September the 11th and Saddam Hussein.

In fact, Bush made this statement in the 2003 State of the Union Address:

Evidence from intelligence sources, secret communications, and statements by people now in custody reveal that Saddam Hussein aids and protects terrorists, including members of al Qaeda. Secretly, and without fingerprints, he could provide one of his hidden weapons to terrorists, or help them develop their own.

Before September the 11th, many in the world believed that Saddam Hussein could be contained. But chemical agents, lethal viruses and shadowy terrorist networks are not easily contained. Imagine those 19 hijackers with other weapons and other plans -- this time armed by Saddam Hussein.

And this statement to Congress:

The use of armed forces against Iraq is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations or person who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.

Who is this guy freaking kidding? When over 60% of Americans believed that Saddam had actually done the 911 attacks you didn't hear the Administration complaining. Notice how Bush said, "I don’t think we ever said – at least I know I didn't say there was a direct connection." Dude is only showing the coaching that was done to his talking head to mislead people by connecting the two topics - 911 and Iraq. They did a great job of it. Their goal was to invade Iraq and do whatever they wanted to do - some say: oil; others say to bring democracy to the middle east; others to liberate Iraq from a ruthless dictator. Regardless of the means in which they misled to get us there... they still have bungled the job of getting the war won. Three years have passed and it's all still a mess.

The guy just doesn't learn. All we hear is "I have a plan to win in Iraq." But, the American people are tired of the talk. Walk the walk Mr. President. You have already shown us you don't talk the talk... or even know what you said when you said it.

Technorati Tags: Bush, Iraq, 911

Music: Man of the Hour

I was sitting here putting grades into the computer at work and a song came on that got to me. It's called Man of the Hour by Pearl Jam. It's a song I haven't heard in a while. I surely haven't heard it since my Dad died. It has a new significance to me now.

Tidal waves don't beg forgiveness
Crashed and on their way
Father he enjoyed collisions; others walked away
A snowflake falls in may.
And the doors are open now as the bells are ringing out
Cause the man of the hour is taking his final bow
Goodbye for now.

Nature has its own religion; gospel from the land
Father ruled by long division, young men they pretend
Old men comprehend.

And the sky breaks at dawn; shedding light upon this town
They'll all come ‘round
Cause the man of the hour is taking his final bow
G'bye for now.

And the road
The old man paved
The broken seems along the way
The rusted signs, left just for me
He was guiding me, love, his own way
Now the man of the hour is taking his final bow
As the curtain comes down
I feel that this is just g'bye for now.

Yeah, a shed a tear or two. The song really hit how I feel on the nose. It's just g'bye for now.

My Life: Back to Work Tomorrow

A few thoughts...

Well, spring break 06 is coming to a close. It has been fun and I have had a real chance to get my batteries recharged, get a lot of work done around the house, and enjoy time with Norma and the baby. I have also watched about 1/2 of the first season of Battlestar Galactica. Great show. It has been tough week because of the passing of my Dad and the fact that he was planning on coming down here this week. Just makes me sad and makes me miss him more.

I am actually looking forward to going back to work tomorrow a little. We are going to head to the computer lab and I am having my students type up their letters to their congressmen and send them in email form. It is always nice to see the look on the kids face when they have done it. They feel pretty good about getting their opinion out and letting people know how they feel. It is one of the better things we do each year. We go to this website to send out the emails: Congress.org.

I am now 20-6 as a heavyweight in the game Fight Night 3 career mode. It has been a lot of work to get my fighter to this point. I am finally winning the majority of my fights by knockouts. I have 20 KOs now. In fact, none of my fights have gone the distance. I've either been knocked out, or I have knocked my opponent out. It is cool how it develops rivalries with the computer opponents that you sign contracts with to fight. So far I am 4-0 in rival matches.

I think another week or so and I could have a title fight. That will be cool. One of the crazy parts of the game is how the BK guy from the Burger King commercials is an unlockable. I used him as my corner guy last fight. Pretty silly. But, it's a neat idea. I don't mind advertising in games if it makes me laugh.

It will be interesting tomorrow to see my students. Hear stories about all the places they went to on Spring Break. See the new hair styles and the kids that got a tan. We only have about 9 weeks left and it's all over. Amazing how time flies. This has been my best and most favorite year of teaching by far. The kids I have are really really good people. They may not be the smartest or brightest kids ever, but each of them are nice. And that makes a huge difference.

I am looking forward to finding out where I will be teaching soon. Norma and I are just hanging out and waiting on the new school. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will be at the same school. It will be great if we are.

My Life: Spring Break at The Woodlands Mall

Norma, Aidan and I had a great time yesterday when we went to lunch at Chuy's Mexican in The Woodlands with my buddies from my old job. It is always great to see John and Mike. Aidan enjoyed running around the joint talking and laughing with people (with Momma chasing him, of course). The food was great as always. We really like going to that place because it's so down to earth and the people that work there are cool. They don't get uptight about kids.

Afterwards we went on to The Woodlands Mall. We wanted Aidan to go on the merry go round and ride one of the horses. Of course, he loved it. What a great bargin for $1 a ride. We got a few pictures, but most of them were blurry due to the movement of the ride and the glare from the windows. Still it will be neat to look back at these pictures in a few years.



When we finished with the merry go round we took him down to the playland area for kids. Aidan always loves those areas. So many big kids to watch and try to be like. And by be like I mean - screaming, jumping, running and going nutz. Aidan is such a boy and loves to see the big boys jumping in and out of areas that he can't get to. Of course, in Aidan's mind he is just as old as they are.



One boy ran in front of A and fell, of course my little guy tumbled right over the kid. I was scared to death that he hit his head or would be crying. But, he was fine. Such a tough little guy. If he fell like that in the house he probably would have screamed bloody murder, but all those big kids were there and he was acting tough.

It is really wild to see how much Aidan likes his Astros hat. He had it on through out the merry go round and kid's playland. Tonight we went to a store and I pulled him out of his car seat and Aidan started pointing to his hat on the floor of the car. Then he pointed to his head. He kept his finger pointed to his head until I put it on him. Crazy boy.



Spring Break has been really fun with him. But, he has been getting really clingy this week. I guess it is a normal stage for toddlers around his age, but it is odd. One day this week he just woke up and was more needy and huggy than the day before. It is so wild how much they can change even in the space of one week.

It is going to be great to look back and read these posts and check out these pictures in a few years. We will then be in awe of how much he has grown and how little he was here. Although if you asked us today, he sure seems big already!

Check out all of the photos from this week on my buzznet photo gallery.

Technorati Tags: Baby Pictures, Spring Break 06, The Woodlands

Movies: V for Vendetta

V for Vendetta. Great flick. One of those films that as soon as it comes out on dvd is an instant buy. Can't wait to see it again next holiday season. I won't spoil it for those that haven't seen it... but I HIGHLY recommend it. Action packed. It has a good story with plenty of twists to it. And Natalie Portman is incredible in it. Of course, a few hours later I found myself saying, "Hey Hugo Weaving (see Matrix: Agent Smith & LOTR Triology: Elrond) was great, too... even though you never see his face!"

Good movie and it really helped me today. I was feeling real, real down about my Dad not coming down here this spring. I woke up feeling awful and stayed that way most of the day. But, isn't it great when a good piece of film can sweep you off your feet, tell you a story, inspire you and put you back down feeling better?



Anyone else check out this flick? I give it two thumbs, way way up. My ultimate test of a great movie is one that keeps me thinking about it for days. V was poetic and violent. Beautiful and ugly. A love story and of course, a story about one man's vendetta. I can't wait to see it again for the dialog in the first hour that was captivating. V's speech on tv was really something. If only we had leaders today that challenged their audience and people with a bit of vocabulary, huh?

For those that saw the movie (I don't really want to give away the story too much) did you think there were plenty of present day themes in there? Norma kept tapping my arm, as if to say: "Hey there is Bush!" Kinda cracked me up.

Tags: Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, V for Vendetta, Movies

Sports: WORLD(not so)CLASSIC2006 - U.S. eliminated

ESPN.com - MLB/WORLDCLASSIC2006 - U.S. eliminated from WBC with 2-1 loss to Mexico

How can the US Team lose to both CANADA & MEXICO in the last week? Ouch. Our neighbors in North America can claim they are better than we are in the game we created.

What a mess.

Can't blame Rocket tonight. He threw a pretty decent game. No hitting for the USA. Again.

It's going to be a long 4 years between WBCs. (I guess, although I am guessing few in America really care about this anyway... they might start caring now that we sucked so bad) Roger Clemens says he is "done for now." We'll see about that in May when the Astros come calling with 15 million dollars and another chance to go to the World Series.

I will enjoy watching the Dominican Republic slug it out against the great pitching from Korea. That's my final WBC prediction with the DR coming out on top. Their lineup is a murderer's row.... scratch that... murderer's alley!

Technorati Tags: WBC, MLB, Baseball, Team USA, Roger Clemens

My Life: Trip to the Zoo Gone Bad

Well, how was our trip to the zoo? We never made it. We left the house around 9 or so got down to about 2 miles from the zoo in 40 minutes or so. No problem. Until we hit traffic. We inched along for over and hour and finally realized there was no place to park. So we decided to leave. Since there was so much road construction it took us another 40+ minutes to get out of there. Awful.

The baby was great the whole time. Which is hard to believe. But, he only cried over the last 20 minutes of waiting. It was the biggest reason we kept plugging it out and hoping we'd get there. Plus it was the most beautiful day of the year. 70 degrees, no humidity. We thought going to the zoo would be great fun. Didn't work out that way.

Next time I will park downtown and take the metro rail in to the medical center, which is right next to the zoo. Should have done that this week, but hindsight is 20/20.

When we got home we put the bike trailer together that we got at Target this week. Great deal on the thing. We tried it out that afternoon and went to the park. Aidan was a little leary of it, but did a real good job. We will get our money's worth out of that thing this spring and summer for sure. Anything that promotes us getting outside and getting some exercise is a good thing!

The assembly wasn't too terrible on the bike trailer and we had it together in about 20 minutes or so. Rides really smooth and there is plenty of room for the big guy in there. We'll probably take it out tomorrow for a little longer ride.

Tomorrow morning we are going to drop the baby off at the sitter and go have some breakfast and then see an early movie. We are going to go see V for Vendetta. Matrix Team + Natalie Portman + Hugo Weaving = Awesome. Love the tag line: "People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people." Indeed it says it right in our Declaration of Independence:

--That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

I'll be interested in seeing the movie for myself and making my own judgement regarding whether it glorifies terrorism or not. My guess is I'll love the movie. We'll see though, I am open minded. It's art. (& Natalie Portman is in it)

Looking forward to tomorrow and spending some "date time" with Norma. We don't get to do that very often. In fact, I don't remember the last time. Which is pretty sad. It might have been sometime last summer - like when we saw Star Wars. Wow. That's a long time ago. Without any relatives in Houston it makes it tough to leave him with just anyone. But, since we are paying our sitter for the entire week and only taking him twice for a couple of hours a piece, we felt we could get out.

Anyone else going to see "V for Vendetta"?

Tags: V for Vendetta, Movies

Music: Pearl Jam = 218 songs, 15.3 hours, 929.4 MB

Checked out my collection of Pearl Jam songs on my iTunes today. I have 218 PJ songs. If I just let only PJ play it would play without repeating for 15.3 hours. That's 930 MB of data. Crazy.

I didn't realize that it had been 4 years since the release of Riot Act. It seems like just yesterday since that happened. Norma and I attended the concert in The Woodlands here in the Houston area. Awesome show.

Did a little looking online and found the cover of the latest album is going to be:



The album will be released in a brown paper covering with "Pearl Jam" stamped on it, similar to Led Zeppelin's album In Through The Out Door.

I am looking forward to adding to my personal PJ collection of music.

Technorati Tags: Pearl Jam, New Release, Led Zepplin, Music

Music: PEARL JAM World Wide Suicide

Just what I needed, a little new music to look forward to. And Pearl Jam to the rescue! This one sets the world on fire (as you can see pictured to the left). I've heard the new pre-release single "World Wide Suicide" on the radio and downloaded it from iTunes tonight with the free version of "Unemployable". Great stuff from my favorite all time band. I have a lot of favorite albums, but I have more Pearl Jam than any other.

On May 2nd I'll have the new album. It's being called "Pearl Jam" -- which is interesting. A self-titled release for studio album #8. What I have heard Eddie Vedder say about the album is that it is raw and great. "Our band is like an old car, and this record is our new engine." It is supposedly raw and emotional. Vedder feels this way about mixing reality with escape in music:

"It's understandable why someone would like their entertainment to provide an escape from modern day worries and the reality of war," Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder tells Billboard.com. "We feel this record creates a healthy opportunity to process some of these emotions rather than deny them. It's easily the best stuff we've done but also some of the hardest stuff. It's very aggressive, because again, it's kind of a product of what it's like to be an American these days. It's pretty aggressive, especially when you turn it loud."

Can't wait to learn these songs and have them become a part of my Summer 2006. Just like Ten became a part of my Summer of 1992. It's amazing really. These guys are just pumping it out like always. There isn't another band remotely close to them in terms of staying together and serving their audience and fans. They gave away the first cd on this upcoming album for download on March 6th on their website. They have a set list on their website from every live show every done. They even let fans download or buy cds of their concerts that they call "bootlegs" - which is just wicked cool.

Anyway, the new song is receiving a ton of airplay and fanfare. The topic is, of course, the topic that really creates great rock: war. Read the lyrics. Download the song. Good freaking stuff.

WorldWide Suicide Lyrics
words by Vedder

I felt the earth on Monday
It moved beneath my feet
In the form of a morning paper
Laid out for me to see
Saw his face in a color picture
I recognized the name
Could not stop staring at the
Face I’d never see again

It’s a shame to awake in a world of pain
What does it mean when
the war is taking over?
It’s the same every day
I heard my name
Why can’t they say that
The world be left to hold her

The whole world
World over
It’s World Wide Suicide

The whole world
World over
It’s World Wide Suicide

Medals on a wooden mantle
Next to a handsome face
That the President took for granted
Writing checks that others pay
And in all the madness
Thought becomes numb and naive
So much to talk about
And nothing for us to say

It’s the same every day
And the wave won’t break
Tell you to pray while
the devil’s on his shoulder
Laying claims to the tainted soldier said
I’m not a quitting
The truth’s already out there

The whole world
World over
It’s World Wide Suicide

The whole world
World over
It’s World Wide Suicide

Looking in the eyes of the fallen
You’ve got to know there’s another
Another
Another
Another
Another

waaaaayyyyyyyyyyy

It’s a shame to awake in a world of pain
What does it mean when
the war is taking over
It’s the same every day
And the wave won’t break
Tell you to pray while
the devil’s on his shoulder

The whole world
World over
It’s World Wide Suicide

The whole world
World over
It’s World Wide Suicide

The whole world
World over
It’s World Wide Suicide

The whole world
World over
It’s World Wide Suiciiiiiiiiiide

Can't wait 'till May 2nd!

Technorati Tags: Pearl Jam, Eddie Vedder, World Wide Suicide, Unemployable

Happy Birthday to My Mom

Happy Birthday Mom. We wish you were closer! And wish you could be down here enjoying the beautiful weather. We miss you.

Have a great day.

"Hugs & kisses to Grandma Karen!" - Aidan.

Xbox 360: Fight Night Round 3 - Dodge Fight Bonus

Tonight I got through the Dodge Fight Bonus on the game Fight Night Round 3 on Xbox 360. I am now 10-2 with 10 KOs. I have learned a lot from my 2 losses. Man, I brewed after losing, but now things are starting to pay off.

What a great game. I created myself in career mode and have been fighting like crazy ever since. It is a very realistic game. The graphics are amazing. But the best part for me is the fighting styles. Some are tougher to beat than others. Tonight I had to beat Joe Frazier to win the Dodge Fight. Of course, it's not the Joe Frazier at the top of his game. This is a new Joe Frazier model fighter that was only 13-2 or something. But, still... I beat "Smokin'" Joe Frazier.

Next fight is on ESPN on Wednesday Night Fights. Should be neat to see how they do that. The game is really something. It is my favorite game for the 360 so far. Since I got it, I haven't played anything else.

Well, time for bed. Tomorrow we are taking the little guy to the zoo. I'll have lots of pictures tomorrow night.

Technorati Tags: Fight Night 3, EA Sports, Xbox 360, Video Games

TV: 24 Continues it's Purge

24 Airs on Fox: Episode Guide 6:00-7:00 PM

The show just isn't a safe place for actors to get work. Tonight two more bit the dust. Well and a red-shirt wearing security guard. I am sure he was like, "Hey, I died on 24, wooohooo!" I half expected him to tell his little girl on the phone to watch him on this week's episode. But that was a tear-jerker. Two weeks in a row 24 made me shed a tear.

Kim (hopefully after this episode she is really gone for good with Pony Boy gone goatee & old) says to her Dad, "Whenever I am around you somebody dies." Well, Kim if you haven't noticed... when ANYONE is around Jack Bauer somebody dies. It's the nature of the business when you are the greatest ass-kicking CTU agent American-hero that ever lived. Just go pretend you never had parents Kim. Don't be proud of your father that has saved the country from thermo-nuclear war time and time again.

As for my guess that Lynn McGill would get his... I was right. But, so were most people that predicted that. Second place in many people's book was Tony Almeda. So he got it, too! That was a surprise. Chris Henderson has a little Jack Bauer in him. Dude did a 'wake from the dead -- kill off your enemy & flee' routine. He'll get his at the hands of Jack Bauer in the end. That will be a sweet moment.

Next week they previewed that there will be a triangular showdown between a terrorist, Jack, and the second-favorite person on the show for me -> Curits Manning. The terrorist says something like, "I'll shoot the lone black guy on this show if you don't give me your gun Jack." Now, that is NOT going to happen. Not unless the Homeland Security crew that is coming to take over CTU is pre-equipted with a token black person. The show really needs to add more african-american actors. It's silly to have only one. The only other that they had is now selling insurance.

I also loved how 24 always has a chick in bed with someone that is secretly a super crafty terroristic spy. This one was more interested in the dood in bed with the 5 o'clock shadow than her laptop with Google Earth on it. Maybe that'll buy Jack a few extra minutes to save 200,000 people next week?

This season has been awesome. Hope it continues. Edge of your seat stuff every week.

Here are my favorite Jack Bauer Facts (in Chuck Norris style):

1. If Jack Bauer was in a room with Hitler, Stalin, and Nina Meyers, and he had a gun with 2 bullets, he'd shoot Nina twice.
2. If everyone on "24" followed Jack Bauer's instructions, it would be called "12".
3. Upon hearing that he was played by Kiefer Sutherland, Jack Bauer killed Sutherland. Jack Bauer gets played by no man.
4. If you wake up in the morning, it's because Jack Bauer spared your life.
5. Jack Bauer once forgot where he put his keys. He then spent the next half-hour torturing himself until he gave up the location of the keys.
6. Superman wears Jack Bauer pajamas.
7. When someone asks him how his day is going, Jack replies, "Previously, on 24..."
8. Jack Bauer was never addicted to heroin. Heroin was addicted to Jack Bauer.
9. Killing Jack Bauer doesn't make him dead. It just makes him angry.
10. If Jack Bauer shot you while quail hunting, it wouldn't be an accident.

Tags: 24, Kiefer Sutherland, Jack Bauer

Cartoon: New SD License Plates

source: Cagle Cartoons

Technorati Tags: Political Cartoons, South Dakota, Abortion

My Life: Missing my Dad

This weekend has been rough. Each morning I wake with the same thoughts. My Dad was supposed to come down to Houston this week. He had been planning it months ahead and way before his heart problem was diagnosed:

12/02/05Our tentative plans (need okayed by you and Norma) is to fly down to Houston on Friday, March 3rd ... leave the next day (4th) at 4 pm for Cozumel, Roatan, Belize City and Cancun. Return to Houston on Saturday, March 11th. Stay at your place for the week. Run that by Norma. We will
finalize plans in a few weeks.

DAD

It really gives me a hollow feeling inside. I have thought so much about his final email to me. Things were different by then, but he was as positive as ever:

12/10/02Dave:
My plans are to have my heart fixed which will help me with my breathing, start running and get into shape. When I come down, you and I can run a couple miles!!! You better get in shape.
DAD

I replied and said, "Thanks I can't wait. I need a goal anyway! Little did I know that just four days later he'd be gone.

Now is the toughest time really. It's a long, sad and lonely feeling. I think about him so much, yet each day is the same feeling. When my thoughts drift to him, I feel so alone.

That is what is making this Spring Break so tough. I had high hopes on Friday while I was still on cloud nine that I was getting a break from work. The beginning of the break was so nice. Then I woke up on Saturday morning and lie in bed just thinking, "My Dad was supposed to be here." I could barely get up.

Anyway, I know he is with me in spirit. But, what I wouldn't give to sit down with him at a ball game one last time. That was my dream I was having before I woke up on Saturday morning. We were at the Penn-Trafford football game. Just like we were last summer when I went down for my grandmother's funeral. My Dad and I went to see my old high school play. It was a special night for me. I hadn't been back in 15 or 16 years. So much had changed - astroturf, lights, a night game on a Friday night. We always played our home games on Saturday afternoons on grass. But, so many things were the same. It was a strange night and I never would have guessed it was the last full day I would spend with my dad again.

The next morning he drove me to the airport. It was so early in the morning, still quite dark. We were both exhausted from everything going on with the funeral. I know he was still trying to recover from that. But, we were both so quiet. It was strange for us to be that way. All I remember now is the hug he gave me before I went back into the airport. I was so glad to come home. If I knew then, what I know now... I would have never gotten out of the car.

My Life: Warm Weekend

Aidan, Norma and I are having a nice relaxing weekend. It is warm though. Going to 85 degrees again today. Kinda crazy how hot it is so soon in the year. Feels summer-like. Yesterday we worked in the yard for a good hour and then I went for a run. I am trying to ignore the pain in my knee and just push through it. The knee can be fixed someday. My heart can't be.

I also gave Aidan a new haircut. We have been trying to just clipper it. It's the second try at it and I think I just about have it down now. He looks a lot younger with shorter hair, but it is cut. The best thing is that it'll keep him cooler in the summer with shorter hair. As he gets older and can sit there longer (and I get better at cutting it) I'll try to let his bangs grow out a little more.

Today we are going to do some shopping. I really wanted to rent Battlestar Galactica: Season One but none of the video rental places in my area are carrying it. So it looks like I'll actually buy the thing today. Then I can just sell it after I watch it online. Unless I really, really love it and want to keep it.

The box includes the miniseries that premiered on SciFi Channel before season one. Last week's season three finale was 90 minutes, but it was crazy longer than that. The entire series has only been about 50 days chronologically since it began. But, suddenly with the Presidential Election decided the series leaped forward a year. Amazing and I was stunned.

After thinking on it for a day, I really feel like it is the death of the old show. Sure season four will be the beginning of a new era, but I wonder if they are going to be able to pull this off. It worries me. The old Battlestar Galactica is gone. It was so strange to see the characters on the show age a year in just a few seconds.

I recorded the show on Tivo and transferred it to my harddrive upstairs and I'll be watching it again some time soon, I am sure. It was a lot to take in - this big time change. But, really they might be doing us a favor. How many shows come back after their season break and flash ahead two years right off the bat. At least they cliff hangered us with the adjustment now. It might be easier to deal with the changes on the show next season now. But this blew my mind.

Great show and they really push the envelope. What will happen on season four? I have a few thoughts off the top of my head. Are the Cylons actually on New Caprica to invade and take over? They were led by the human cylons - and weren't the human cylons the one that wanted peace just a year earlier? My gut feeling is that the Galactica is going to have to jump back and do a rescue of some sort, but doesn't that seem far fetched? To believe they would be able to take on a fleet of Cylons that are already based on that planet? Hardly likely to succeed.

We shall see. It is one of the best shows on tv. And not enough people get to check it out because it's way over on the SciFi Channel. Too bad.

Technorati Tags: SciFi, Battlestar Galactica, TV

Blogcritic.org: 24 Entry

I recently signed up for a site called BlogCritic.org. It is a site where you can post blog entries. My first is my quick review of 24. You can read it here: 24 is a Killing Machine.

Check out BlogCritic.org. It's got just about any topic you can think of and people that write some compelling entries about them.

Technorati Tags: TV, 24, Kiefer Sutherland, Jack Bauer, Blogcritic

Norma and I ordered new Astros hats for the start of the season this year. I usually get a new one every year and wear it out over the course of the season. This year we got Aidan one as well. It is really, really cute. The nice Astros Open star with baseball behind it. Fits him great. I was so relieved. It is awfully hard to find a nice hat for a toddler.

I have on my school stuff because we got the package as we came home and popped the hats on and took a few pictures. You can still see my teacher's badge on my shirt. And I have my school football shirt on as well. Friday is jeans with a spirit shirt. Aidan has his after daycare milk sippy. And yeah, I'm smiling too much. I think I was trying to get him to smile so hard that I smiled too hard myself! (laugh)



It's so freaking cute how he was tugging on the hat, but not taking it off. He actually was psyched to wear it. We had him at the mall last weekend trying on some Astros hats and none of them fit. I felt bad like he was too little. Today I think he felt like a 'big boy'. He loves doing what Daddy does. Now we can both wear our new hats over Spring Break and during the baseball season.



There is a new little boy at Aidan's sitter that is just a few months older than him. He talks pretty well. He had a Rockets t'shirt on today and was saying, "ROCK-its" -- so cute. I can't wait until Aidan is talking more. By this summer it will be a reality. He already knows most of what we are saying. It will be great when he can respond.



Oh yeah, I don't think I have mentioned lately just how lucky I am. I told my students today in class that they have really gotten me through some tough times with my personal life this year. My students are the best. It is the very best group I have ever worked with in teaching. I love them to death. With everything that's happened, Norma's Mom passing, my grandmother, my father... all in just a few months... it has seemed the only good thing going for me was my classes and my kids. I thanked them today and said that I thought spring break will give me a new start. Hope spring eternal.

My Dad would have LOVED these pictures of me and Aidan. I just hope that he is smiling somewhere when Aidan and I are together and wearing our Astros hats and enjoying each other. I know he's looking down on both of us and is very pround. That's what keeps me going.

TV: 24 is a Killing Machine

Finally finished the double episode of 24 from this week. All I can say is that show is a death trap for actors/characters. This week Edgar Stiles bought the farm. Norma's kids told her in class that she'd cry during the show. So we both were like, "what?" until 5 minutes left and I said, "Oh no, Edgar is going to die." It was pretty darn sad. And I did shed a tear for the poor sap. Edgar and his lisp will be missed.

The show is just a roller coaster ride. Seeing a sprinting Curtis carrying the centox gas canister as it was about to unleash hell got my blood flowing. Norma made a good point though as I cried out, "No!!! Not Curtis, he's Jack Junior... he can't die!" She said, "He's the only black guy left on the show, he's not going anywhere." Of course, she was right... thank god! He is tough as nails.

The "Kim Bauer Returns" episode was really anything but that. That was just a diversion by the writers. It was all about CTU being invaded and 40% of the people in the LA Terrorist unit dying in the centox cloud unleashed by the Chechnian rebels. As I said in the title of this entry: "24 is a Killing Machine." The show just doesn't mess around.

So who will sacrifice themselves for the team next week? The previews show Jack risking his life by entering the contaminated air to get the detonation device. That's a good choice, seeing that we know Jack can never die. He has been killed many times, but always comes back to life. But they hint someone gets it. My guess... jerkoff/idiot Lynn. It's the least he can do for being a complete jerk and not reporting his key card missing. But, it could very well be Tony. He has nothing to live for now, except to maybe hunt down some Chechnian terroristic ass and unleash hell to avenge his hot wife's death in the first episode.

Regardless of who they kill off next, I'll be watching as ALWAYS.

Tags: 24, Jack Bauer, Kiefer Sutherland, TV

Coll StuFF: Speeling izint everyting

This is one of those "forwarded emails from hell" that I hate... but it is pretty neat. Norma sent it to me today. I have seen it before a few years ago, but it really is interesting.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. T! ihs is b cuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.

As a teacher I can tell you that spelling is indeed important. The appearance of your written word carries more weight when things are spelled correctly. However it is amazing to know how incredible a machine the human mind is. We are certainly lucky to have a mind so capable and so flexible.

It is a shame we don't use this great machine for more good in the world.

My Life: Spring Break Begins at 2:35pm!

It is almost time to play!

It has been a long haul to get to Spring Break '06. But, it is here today. I am reviewing with a Power Point "Hollywood Squares" game and giving a test on the French Revolution. And then it's time for Spring Break... whew.

It is going to be nice to have 9 consecutive days away from work. (one week of work off, 2 weekends... I count all the days I can get)

It has really been a tough year for me personally. But, my classes and my students have been the best I have ever had. It has really made thinks easier on me. I am taking a few minutes today to thank all of my students before wishing them a good spring break. So many are going to California, Colorado, Illinois, Florida.... it is really wild. I even have 2 students going to Italy with their Latin Club. Really neat that they have that kind of opportunity.

For me? My plan is to stay in Kingwood and relax. Take the baby to the park a couple times a day. Work out. Eat good food. And two entertainment items:

1) Play lots of Xbox360. Fight Night 3 is awesome. Love that game.
2) Rent the first season of Battlestar Gallactica. I got into it last season at the very end... so I am ready to catchup over the next few days. Great show.

It is a good time to take a step back, recharge the batteries and take a deep breath. The weather down here in the Houston area is just awesome this time of year. This weekend is going to be in the mid 80s and clear. The humidity is still manageable and we plan on getting out a lot.

As I tell my students, it is so great to finish hard and hit the finish line with everything you have. Then the rest after finishing the race is sweet. I have worked really hard this year and I am going to relax.

Sports: Beginning of the Ming Dynasty for Yao

Houston has waited a while to see if Yao was going to be elite. He is entering that class of player. Only two other players in NBA History have ever averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. Yao is averaging better than that this season.

ESPN.com - NBA - Recap - Rockets at Timberwolves: "Yao topped 20 points for the eighth straight game, scoring 30 points and grabbing 13 rebounds to lead the Rockets to a 93-87 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

With McGrady on the bench again with back problems, Yao dominated the paint and Stromile Swift added 11 points and nine boards off the bench for Houston, which used a 12-0 run to start the fourth quarter to get their third straight victory.

'Without McGrady our record is pretty poor,' Yao said of the Rockets' 2-13 mark without their star forward. 'Before today we only had one. I really feel a lot of pressure because my teammates look to me and my opponent focuses on me, double team a lot, but we're here, there's no way back. we can only go forward and we came out with the victory.'"

It is a shame that McGrady is hurt and the Rockets will probably miss the playoffs without him. I am actually hoping for the best of two scenerios. See Yao learn how to command a game on his own, and the Rockets get a good high draft pick for next season. Obviously this season has been so injury plagued that it has kept most of Houston sports fans feeling down about the Rockets. With the emergence of Yao, maybe we just might have something for the future?

Technorati Tags: Houston, Rockets, Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady

Sports: Beginning of the Ming Dynasty for Yao

Houston has waited a while to see if Yao was going to be elite. He is entering that class of player. Only two other players in NBA History have ever averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. Yao is averaging better than that this season.

ESPN.com - NBA - Recap - Rockets at Timberwolves: "Yao topped 20 points for the eighth straight game, scoring 30 points and grabbing 13 rebounds to lead the Rockets to a 93-87 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

With McGrady on the bench again with back problems, Yao dominated the paint and Stromile Swift added 11 points and nine boards off the bench for Houston, which used a 12-0 run to start the fourth quarter to get their third straight victory.

'Without McGrady our record is pretty poor,' Yao said of the Rockets' 2-13 mark without their star forward. 'Before today we only had one. I really feel a lot of pressure because my teammates look to me and my opponent focuses on me, double team a lot, but we're here, there's no way back. we can only go forward and we came out with the victory.'"

It is a shame that McGrady is hurt and the Rockets will probably miss the playoffs without him. I am actually hoping for the best of two scenerios. See Yao learn how to command a game on his own, and the Rockets get a good high draft pick for next season. Obviously this season has been so injury plagued that it has kept most of Houston sports fans feeling down about the Rockets. With the emergence of Yao, maybe we just might have something for the future?

Technorati Tags: Houston, Rockets, Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady

ESPN.com - MLB - Kirby Puckett dies day after suffering stroke

All I can say is that I am sad today. Losing Kirby Puckett is pretty sad. He was one of the guys that I loved during the 80s. What an underdog.

ESPN.com - MLB - Kirby Puckett dies day after suffering stroke

Sure, Puck had a lot of problems after retiring. But, I will never forget the kind of energy he brought to the baseball diamond. He was truly an all-time great in terms of attitude and effort. He will be missed.


RIP PUCK.

Video: McLatte

McDonalds serving good coffee? What-the?

I always love the funny reports by Jeannie Moos on CNN. This one is pretty interesting: McDonalds to challenge Starbucks & Dunkin' Donuts

It is pretty funny to see people's faces when they pick Mickey D's new gourmet brew over their favorites.

Technorati Tags: McDonalds, Coffee, Starbucks

My Life: My Dad's Legacy

My Dad has a big legacy. For one he has four great kids and four wonderful grandkids. But he also has had a big legacy in terms of his hobby. Raising pigeons is a strange hobby for sure. I have never met anyone else in my life that does it other than my family and the folks my Dad had met doing it. But, they are good people.

My sisters sent out the APRA Bulletin for this month. It is something my Dad used to do. He would send out these pigeon bulletins once a month. Usually at the time he was working on it I would get a phone call or an email saying, "How do I format this? Why is this not coming out right?" I miss those calls now.

The bulletin this month is 37 pages of a tribute to my father and to his hobby. The people he has touched with his passion for his sport write an awful lot of good things about him.

I posted it here for anyone to read. Someday I want Aidan to read this and realize what an icredible grandfather he had. It wasn't the pigeons folks... it was the people and how he treated them. It is very evident when you read how they felt about him.



During planning period today in the teacher's lounge I read most of this before the bell rang on me ending the period. Really left me in two different emotions:

Proud

&

Sad

I have been conflicted ever since.

My Life: It sucks to get old

Went to the doctor today for my knee.

Good news: I don't have anything wrong with it.

Bad news: According to the doctor I am just old. He said, "You see I played 4 years of college football and baseball and there isn't much about my body that doesn't hurt these days." Of course he was like 5 years younger than me at least. I said, "Funny, I told the nurse that I also played four years of baseball and football. I guess I am just old." (it sucks being 35, truth be known just about 36)

He said that the pain is probably tendonitis. And What I need to do is go see a physical therapist for a few weeks. If it is still bothering me (which he said it won't be) I can come back and maybe he'll do an MRI. But, right now that is too expensive. $1,600.

So I decided to just go for a 2 mile run tonight. Just got back. I figure this, if it is tendonitis and I have had it for 2 years... well, it isn't ever going to get better with all the physical therapy in the world. And on the other hand, if it is a torn meniscus, running on it now isn't going to hurt it any more than it already is. And if it does, I can go back and they'll just take it out down the road.

But at this point, I am not really up for going to a physical therapist 3 days a week to rehab something that isn't going to feel any better with someone icing and stretching it. I can do that on my own.

Man, do I hate doctors. I waited 2 hours to talk to the guy. He touched my knee once... never even looked at it. He just felt over my pant leg. And I talked with him for less than 5 minutes. What a ripoff. Needless to say, I am not going back. There just isn't a need for it right now. If my knee hurts, it hurts. What can you do? (it is probably just in my head)

TV: Daddy's Little Catastrophe Returns Tonight - 24

24 returns tonight with a 2 hour show. They unleash the beast that is "KIM" - Jack Bauer's daughter is back!

NY POST Article "Daddy's Little Catastrophe:

"During various seasons on '24,' Kim has been framed for murder and drug dealing, arrested, kidnapped (several times), believed to be dead, stalked by a psycho and even confined to a fallout shelter by a survivalist - where she suddenly decided it would be a good idea to take a shower.

The character became a laughing-stock during the second season of '24' when, while working as an au pair, she was stalked by a snarling mountain lion and soon after wandered into a convenience store - just in time for it to be robbed and turn into a double shooting."

Hopefully she won't be on screen long. I am looking forward to it though. My prediction? (and I really don't know any spoilers) tonight will see a conclusion to the storyline of the chemical weapons. But, who knows. Just seems like if they are going to unleash a 2 hour episode it would be a climactic one. We'll see.

Technorati Tags: 24, Jack Bauer, Keifer Sutherland

Politics: Bush wants line-item veto power - Mar 6, 2006

Isn't it funny that a President that has NEVER vetoed a bill is asking for a line-item veto power?

CNN.com - Bush wants line-item veto power - Mar 6, 2006

My question? If he had it, would he even know what to do with it? He doesn't seem to even know where his own veto stamp is. He was the as the first full-term president in 175 years not to have exercised his constitutional veto power during his first 4 years.

That’s quite a feat considering his father, Bush Sr., vetoed 44 bills in his one term in office. His successor, Bill Clinton, vetoed 37 bills in his eight years—a little under par for recent presidents: Reagan vetoed 78, Carter 31, Ford 66, and Nixon vetoed 43 bills before being impeached.

The bottom line of the line item veto... it would be easier for the President to cut spending. Good thing it's not a line item ADDITION. Bush might just tack on so much spending that he would be his own worst enemy. This President is a spender folks.

Movies: Poll Numbers

The verdict from Hollywood is in: CNN: Oscar Coverage

But, we all knew who would win before the show:

What should win for Best Pictures?

Brokeback Mountain 9% 1
Capote 0% 0
Crash 27% 3
Good Night Good Luck 0% 0
Munich 0% 0
I haven't seen any of them! 64% 7

11 votes total

My good blog readers have spoken. Those that saw the film pegged it. But most didn't see any of these movies. Neither had I. But, I enjoyed the Oscars and of course, Mr. Jon Stewart. Thanks Jon. You rock!

BTW - check out my new poll: "What is your favorite kind of food?"

Tags: Oscars, Academy Awards, Crash, Brokeback Mountain, Capote, Good Night and Good Luck, Munich, Jon Stewart

My Life: Off to see the Wizard (aka orthopedic surgeon)

Tomorrow afternoon I will venture to see a doctor about my knee. I have been putting it off forever. Well, at least two years. My knee pain is not severe. But, it has stopped me from being able to run. I enjoy running quite a bit. The exercise is obviously important. But the stress relief is a big factor for me.

I can run now. But, I feel weakness and aching pain in my left knee while doing it. The next day is when I feel the sharp pain. When walking up and down stairs it is pretty bad. A stabbing pain in the front of my knee.

The knee also clicks when I walk down or up stairs. The clicking has just gotten worse and worse over the years. It actually is as loud as snapping your fingers at this point. And if you place your hand upon the outside of my knee you can feel the pop anytime I move my knee. Pretty gross really. From what I read I should expect some of the twisting and turning the docs do:

McMurray Test

The McMurray test is used to evaluate the presence of a meniscus injury. To test the medial meniscus, hold the leg in internal rotation and apply varus stress while straightening the flexed knee. For the medial meniscus, hold the leg in external rotation and apply valgus force while straightening the flexed knee. A test that elicits pain or a reproducible click is a positive test.

They may also do an MRI and I am not really wanting that. I hope they can just figure it out by moving my knee around and let's get this thing done. Who knows?

I guess I have gotten used to it and put up with it because of the baby. I really didn't want to have any kind of surgery on it because of him. But, now I am realizing that if I don't have this looked at soon I am going to have some problems working out and losing weight. That is becoming more of an issue the longer I use my knee pain as an excuse not to work out.

So we'll see what the doctor says. I am guessing on this: Meniscus Tear. It isn't super serious - I have very little swelling in my knee. But I think there is a tear of some kind in there. From what I have read surgery is definitely an option. So that kinda sucks.

I have fractured my left ankle 4 times. Because of that my arch in my left foot has fallen and I have a heel spur aka - plantar fascitis in my left foot. That is also something I am going to mention to the good doc and see what he says about it. I have had that for about 5 or 6 years. But I just put up with it.

As I wait for tomorrow afternoon I am finding myself relieved that I am finally biting the bullet and going in to see someone. I can be real stupid that way. Also I have been telling myself that it's probably "nothing" and the guy will think I am just crazy. That's deep in my mind. It's a football thing, 'suck it up... it's only a little pain.' But, I know that this is something that needs fixing. Many years of pain isn't something you should have to go through. Hopefully the doc can fix me up.

I really miss running. There is a possiblity though that I won't be able to run anymore. And I am worried about that. If they have to remove the meniscus (which is really common) then the wear and tear on my joint would be a serious problem if I kept running.

A meniscectomy is a procedure to remove the torn portion of the meniscus. This procedure is far more commonly performed than a meniscus repair. Most meniscus tears cannot be treated by a repair for a number of reasons. Often the tear is in an avascular region of the meniscus, and will not heal even if repaired. Some tears are frayed and cannot be sutured together. In these cases, the meniscectomy is done to remove the damaged portion of meniscus. The meniscectomy has a faster recovery, but it can lead to trouble years down the road because of the absence of the normal meniscus.

Crap. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Movies: Clooney = Class

Watching the Academy Awards (yeah, just call it the Oscars) & best speach so far is easy to note:

"And finally, I would say that, you know, we are a little bit out of touch in Hollywood every once in a while. I think it's probably a good thing. We're the ones who talk about AIDS when it was just being whispered, and we talked about civil rights when it wasn't really popular. And we, you know, we bring up subjects. This Academy, this group of people gave Hattie McDaniel an Oscar in 1939 when blacks were still sitting in the backs of theaters. I'm proud to be a part of this Academy. Proud to be part of this community, and proud to be out of touch."

George Clooney, at the Academy Awards

Yep, proud to be out of touch. And right on the money.

Aidan: Little Devil

All that's missing are little red horns.

He is such a little devil sometimes.

I cut his hair with clippers today. It went pretty well for a first time. He used to do so well with going to the barber to get his haircut. But, that's over. He throws a fit. Plus, it's $15 bucks for a baby haircut. Not worth it.

Over time I'll get a lot better with using the clippers. For now it is cool. Shorter and cleaner.

Tonight we are going to get a pizza and watch a little of the Oscars. I must say, the only reason I am really into it is because of John Stewart hosting. Man, he is my favorite person on tv. I hope he rips tonight and really has a good time with it. He deserves the spotlight.

Honestly I haven't seen a single movie that is nominated this year. We don't get out to the movies ever because of the baby. Norma and I haven't been out alone since... well, I don't remember the last time. So tonight will kind of be a preview for some things we'll rent this spring and summer. I am looking forward to seeing some of the movies. But, none really jump out at me as must sees. Not yet anyway.

The Oscars should be fun, at least I have a reason to watch.

Go gett'em John!

Tags: baby pictures, family, snapshots, Oscars, Academy Awards, John Stewart, The Daily Show