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Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Sports: The secret? 5 pairs of socks!

ESPN.com - NBA - Sheridan: Bavetta to break record for most games refereed: "At 66, Bavetta to break record for most games refereed"

Dick Bavetta worked his 2,135th consecutive game on Wednesday night. He is the iron man of ref-dom. He has never missed an assigned game.

"My secret is wearing five pairs of socks," Bavetta told ESPN.com. "I just believe in taking care of my feet."

His feet aren't the only thing Bavetta takes care of, but he needs those extra socks to withstand all the pounding he puts on his lower extremities. Bavetta jogs eight miles each morning and spends 3½ hours working out each day in the summer, mountain biking and rowing a wooden boat on Lake George in upstate New York, after taking a one-day vacation when the NBA Finals end to treat himself to a day of rest and his annual ice cream cone.

"It's added to my longevity," said Bavetta, who is a lean 160 pounds at age 66 and is the only official to work 31 NBA seasons.

That is an amazing story! I have seen him many times during Rocket games, but never guessed he had such a streak going. Amazing. Some people just absolutely shock me. I could never work every single day like that. How does he do it? Oh yeah, 5 pairs of socks! I might have to try that! (not... my feet would stink from the sweat)

My Life: I miss my Dad

Breaking News: Evacuation of a Capitol Building in DC - possible nerve agent

Pretty scary situation. Watching CNN. Blitzer is breaking the news that the Capital Building is being evac'd because of a possible nerve agent. They are on the phone with a woman who is describing what is happening inside. They are saying now it is one of the side buildings to the actual Capitol Building itself. SCARY

UPDATE: at 9:40 EST They are still running tests:

CNN ARTICLE: Nerve agent alarm clears Senate office building
"We are taking samples to our testing facilities," said Capitol Police spokeswoman Kimberly Schneider. "Subsequent tests have indicated it's not a nerve agent."

Eight senators and more than 200 staffers were evacuated after alarms sounded at 7 p.m. in the attic of the Russell Senate Office Building, just north of the Capitol, Senate aides said.

Good news that it is not a nerve agent. But they are being awfully careful.

Technorati Tags: evacuation, nerve agent, capital building

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Life, the Docudrama - Arts Extra - Newsweek - MSNBC.com

Life, the Docudrama - Arts Extra - Newsweek - MSNBC.com: "Life, the Docudrama
‘The Colbert Report’ succeeds as comedy, opened with strong ratings and seems destined for a long run. What does that tell us about the news business?"

Stephen is going nutz because he "made the cover of Newsweek." (actually it's a picture of him on the cover in the corner, that's pretty small) But the article is cool.

It does question the shows long term viability. But, I think they have a shot to do this from a conservative parody long after the Bush years. When a Dem is back in office, the Republican Right Wing Media steps it up. Remember the rise of Rush Limbaugh? Fueled by the power that was Clinton.

I am betting on Colbert! He da man.

Technorati Tags: Stephen Colbert, Newsweek, Comedy Central, TV

Salt Lake Tribune - Business

Salt Lake Tribune - Business: "Has BYU prof found AIDS cure?
Compound could be long-sought breakthrough"

This is good news that scientists even think they are getting close. Do you realize the impact on the continent of Africa if a cure is developed? Let alone the African-American community in America. Such staggering numbers of people that are impacted. It will be a wonderful day when discoveries like this pop up. Cure for cancer? Wow. That will be a tremendous day.

One can only feel good in reading a story like this.

Technorati Tags: AIDS, HIV, BYU

Blogging: coComment - the buzz of the blogosphere

I just got my confirmation account information for a new commenting system on blogs called coComment - clear conversation in the blogosphere. The purpose of this is to:
*Keep better track of your blog comments that you make on your site and others around the Internet
*Share your comments with others in a centralized location
*Get alerts when a blog you have commented on has had an updated comment.

Most of the people that are serious bloggers that I know will love this. A system that updates you with an alert when you have a comment is great. Modblog had this with an email alert and also a section in their control panel. EFX2 has it on their site in their control panel. But, I have never seen anything like this that will work acrossed different blogging platforms.

I haven't yet tried it out. Just signed up for my beta trial last night and got my confirmation this morning. I am signing up today at work and will start giving it a try this afternoon and tonight. I will let you know what I think.

If you are interested in joining and learning more about it, click this link. When the page loads, click the "Sign Up!" button to register for a confirmation code. I got my code within 24 hours so it is pretty quick.

Is anyone else using this yet?

Technorati Tags: cocomment, blogs, blogosphere, comments, conversations

Politics: Teachers, doctors protest budget cuts - Feb 7, 2006

This is the kind of story that makes me sick EVERY year. If I had a household budget that looked like this, I would be thrown out of that house and living under a freeway overpass. How our federal government gets away with this kind of recklessness is beyond me.

CNN.com - Teachers, doctors protest budget cuts - Feb 7, 2006: "Medicare, education cuts

Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pennsylvania, called Bush's proposed cuts in education and health 'scandalous' while Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, said she was 'disappointed and even surprised' at the extent of the administration's proposed cuts in Medicaid and Medicare."

Scandalous is the word. When Republicans are calling the President "scandalous" - you know he is in deep trouble. His new budget is just silly. It not only cuts programs that he campaigned to 'strengthen', but he under-estimates the costs of the war on terror. That will only add to costs in the future folks. This budget process is just a joke.

Our federal budget deficit is: $423 billion. FOR THIS BUDGET YEAR. Isn't that just CRAZY? C'mon folks. This is kitchen table common sense. You don't spend what you don't have. And then the President decides to cut programs that are non-negociable. The cost of education and programs like Medicare and Medicaid are set in stone. They know how much those things cost. It's the pork spending and the extra fat that needs to be trimmed. But, that never happens.

Mostly it never happens because Americans are too worried about who is on American Idol or too busy with their daily lives to realize what is going on. Their children's futures are at stake. All the while we continue the President's tax cuts at a cost of $1.35 trillion over the next decade.

Can this really continue? At some point a President is going to have to come along with a plan that makes sense. And at some point we are going to have to pay this money back. How do you suppose that is going to happen? Oh yeah, increase in taxes! It is only a matter of time. We can't keep mortgaging our future for the pet projects of today's administration.

Technorati Tags: Medicare, Education, Arlen Spector, Olympia Snowe, Medicaid,

Politics: Domestic Wiretapping or Terrorist Surveillance?

The debate raged yesterday in the Senate during hearings with Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez. But, today the hearings are over and it is unclear what will ever be done about this issue.

It is complex. But, we don't know enough about the program to understand the issue. I doubt the government will ever be forced to come clean and give the details. That is a shame. The citizens of this country deserve to know if their 4th amendment rights are being violated.

For those of you that forget your 12th grade civics:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Notice how it states in a very straight forward manner - Warrants must be issued. That is my issue. I do not question the need for "Domestic Wiretapping", or as the President calls it "Terrorist Surveillance". It needs to happen to keep us safe. Just don't tell me that the President can not go about this in a lawful fashion. He has no obstacles preventing that - other than his own arrogance. Use the FISA court that has been specifically created for this situation. You have 72 hours to start a wiretap without a warrant. Then file the paperwork. That is all there is to it folks. This is a simple solution.

If the President refuses to follow the law, I believe the only thing that will result is an impeachment. Eventually (hopefully next fall after the congressional elections) enough people in our government will see the light that the President's argument is wrong. What Bush should do now is come clean. Explain the program and then tell us he will go through the proper legal steps in the hope to protect us from terrorism.

I tell you now, if he did so - I would have a lot of respect for him. But it won't happen. That's why I support this ad and I think it is right on the money.

Bush or Nixon? Breaking the Law

Technorati Tags: Bush, Nixon, Domestic Wiretapping, Terrorist Surveillance, 4th Amendment, US Constitution, Alberto Gonzalez

Monday, February 06, 2006

Super Bowl XL Commercials on Google Video

Super Bowl XL Commercials on Google Video

Relive those precious moments of pop culture again and again.

The Secret Fridge

Clyesdale American Dream

FedEx's Stick

Personally I thought the commercials weren't very good while watching them. But, after thinking through a couple of these spots earlier today, some were pretty clever. I think my wife enjoyed the Clysdales the most. I liked the FedEx one a lot. Humor sells. Too bad neither of us drink Buds or send packages FedEx. :)

Sunday, February 05, 2006

Sports: Super Bowl XL Steelers World Champs

I think my Dad had the best seat in the house. I know he was enjoying the game. It wasn't pretty but the Steelers got it done. One for the thumb.

Thinking back to watching all those 1970 Super Bowl wins for the Steelers with my Dad... it made this ending bittersweet for me. The game ended and I was at the same time excited and happy... and sad and angry. I am so glad for the city of Pittsburgh and all of Western PA. The people there love their team and they deserve it so much. But, I was so upset that my Dad didn't get to enjoy it with everyone. He would have loved wearing his NFL Super Bowl Champion Steeler hat to work. He would have loved telling all the guys at work, "I told you so." He was a great fan because he never got down on his team. He always stuck with the Steelers through thick and thin.

My thoughts have been with him so much this week. It all kinds of culminates with this win. Like I have been holding my breath because I know this is the last Steeler team that we shared together. This is the team that will always be special to me. When I think of this win and see the highlight video years from now... I will remember my Dad. And I will try my best to remember things in the best light. He would have wanted it to be that way.

It's so hard. I still feel like he is going to call me. Or send me an email or instant message. It is so hard to comprehend that he has died... and his team has now won the Championship. I miss him so much.

I tried my best tonight to look at Aidan and realize that it will be him that fills a big void for me. My Dad has left us behind to now build our relationship. Believe me, my Dad and I were not always a perfect father and son pair. We both made a lot of mistakes. Sometimes I think those mistakes were made just to teach me how to be a better father for my son. I am certainly going to try to use the best of what my Dad taught me and share things like sports with him. It went through my head at the end of the game when they were giving out the Lombardi trophy that it will be so incredible when the Texans win their first Super Bowl. And I look forward to sharing that with Aidan. I look forward to taking him to games like my Dad took me to Steeler games.

But, if Aidan is not a sports fan, I will find room to be passionate about whatever he enjoys. The energy and excitement a Dad has with his son is important. It doesn't have to only be what I am interested in. All that matters is we share things together.

Now... on to the game. It wasn't pretty for sure... but it worked. I really think Ben's thumb was bugging him. And the very slick game balls the NFL uses for the Super Bowl were definitely bugging him. He did not play well at all. The touchdown run on the QB sweep was just a great call. And I loved that Bettis threw the block that got him in (even though it was soooo close; I understand the Seahawks being upset with that non-reversal of the call). Jerome so deserves this. All of the attention and the focus on his last game in Detroit. It is great. See you in Canton Jerome. The last stop was not Detroit. It is the Hall-of-Fame.

I have told my Dad a million times, I love Hines Ward. He is one of my favorite players of all time. He ranks up there for me with Jack Lambert. There is something so special about him. He is a true champion. He does whatever it takes to win. Tonight he is a Super Bowl MVP. His smile is simply infectious. I am just glad the rest of the country will now know more about one of the greatest Steelers of all time. And there have been some real Super greats!

Tonight is bittersweet for sure. I head to bed tonight feeling down, believe it or not. Excited by the win. I know it is one that I will think of often in the next few years when I think about my Dad's passing. I am just glad the Steelers were able to give my family something good to think about. And I know my Dad was in Detroit watching this game and savoring every minute.

Now he really can rest in peace. His Steelers are World Champions.

My Life: Relaxing on a Super Sunday

Norma and I decided that we would try to have some "Pittsburgh" food today for lunch. So we made the Almost Famous Primanti Bros. Pittsburgh original sandwhich. Or at least we gave it a shot. I know it is nothing like the real thing. But, it was the effort that counts. It's probably as good as you can get 1,500 miles away.

Aidan also was 'chillin' today!

Of course, the headphones aren't plugged into anything. It was a cute picture though.

As for the game, my prediction is:
Pittsburgh Steelers 30 - Seattle Seahawks 21

A close defensive game in the first half turns on the Steelers running game in the second. Steelers pile on the drives and points in the second half. Seahawks make a comeback in the 4th quarter, but the Steeler D wins it. I think the MVP will be Troy Polamalu as MVP. He should be all over the field as usual, despite a bad ankle. Look for #43 on your screen 90% of the time when the 'Hawks have the ball.

Go Steelers!