During our past couple of trips to the movie theater my younger brother and I have seen the trailer for World Trade Center starring Nicolas Cage. I bowed my head during both times the trailer was played. I have no desire to see this film, to see the trailer or anything like it.
In just over a month's time five years will have elapsed since September 11th, 2001. I just don't think enough time has passed to begin doing movies in the theater. Maybe this is just me. But it's hard to look at movie images when I still have the real images ingrained in my brain.
I'm not trying to take anything away from the story that is being told in the movie, but why are we going through this again? The pain, the feelings of loss, anger, and shock?
Maybe I'm just angry. Well a little. I had class that morning. Christian Thought. We started class and then someone came in and turned on the TV. By that time the first plane had already crashed. Then came the second plane. We went on with class. We f***ing went on with class. We were let out a bit early, but then in Philosophy it happened again. We didn't even MENTION what happened. I never did agree with how the college chose to handle this situation. We shouldn't have had class.
So to conclude I'm not going to see the movie (reality was bad enough). Is the rest of America?
Tuesday, August 1, 2006
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
So the FCC won't let me be...
I'm a little upset. The government is trying to crack down on us again. How? Sports. Specifically broadcasts where dirty language slips by the sensors. Frankly I don't know how they are going to stop this. The FCC could press the silence button on bad language, or use a delay to weed out those naughty words during sports broadcasts but doing so would ruin sports. Live sports broadcasts are the last "live" phenomenon on TV and ever since Justin Timberbreast and Janet Jacko Jackson ruined things for everyone we now have to watch sports through the wonderful view of a five-second or longer delay (this is really trippy if you watch the game, but turn down the sound and listen to the radio broadcast; it's like being in a short time warp).
The FCC might be able to silence those athletes or fans that use very colorful language, but if said athletes or fans are caught on camera you'll still be able to figure out what they said by lip reading. What does the FCC take us for a bunch of idiots? In the heat of athletic competition words are going to slip. A swear word here and there isn't going to kill anyone who is watching the broadcast. I mean who wouldn't mutter a little nasty under their breath after striking out with the bases loaded, or throwing an interception during a fourth quarter drive to the goal line. Haven't there been times when you (*gasp* yes you) have used a bad word. I admit I have. I'm trying to stop; especially when I play pick-up hockey on Saturdays (I'm not advocating that you should, I'm just admitting that it does happen).
But to try and cleanse sports broadcasts from these occurences is to rob the general public of the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat. Watching an athlete use a swear word may give us a chance to explain to little Billy (or Jorge, or Kadeem, or Tico) why the athlete said what he said, and when (if ever) is the right time to use such language. I don't know. I guess I'm a little tired of having things censored all the time. I do believe in the censoring of some broadcasts (that's a whole other set of blog posts I could get into), but not when it comes to sport.
I know that .2 of you watched the Stanley Cup Finals but when the Hurricanes were celebrating after their game 7 victory over the Oilers, Ray Whitney exclaimed to his teammates, "F*** yeah boys!!" All this while hoisting the Stanley Cup over his shoulders. It was refreshing. It wasn't a watered down victory speech, or an, "I'm going to Disneyworld" expression, but rather another expression we may not see if the FCC had it's way. I don't know. I'm off my soapbox now. I just think it's interesting to see how people react to great accomplishments or trials especially in sports. If the FCC had it's way, sports watchers would be robbed of the genuine thought (or sometimes lack thereof) of athletes and fans. Okay, NOW I'm done.
Below Story From Reuters.com By Brooks Boliek
WASHINGTON (Hollywood Reporter) - In its continuing crackdown on on-air profanity, the FCC has requested numerous tapes from broadcasters that might include vulgar remarks from unruly spectators, coaches and athletes at live sporting events, industry sources said.
Tapes requested by the commission include live broadcasts of football games and NASCAR races where the participants or the crowds let loose with an expletive. While commission officials refused to talk about its requests, one broadcast company executive said the commission had asked for 30 tapes of live sports and news programs.
"It looks like they want to end live broadcast TV," said one executive, who spoke only on the condition of anonymity. "We already know that they aren't afraid to go after news."
NO SLIPS ALLOWED
While live programming always has been problematic for broadcasters, it has become even more difficult under tougher commission rules approved in 2004. The new rules found that virtually any use of certain expletives will be considered profane and indecent, even if it is a slip of the tongue. In a March decision, the FCC found that the CBS news program "The Early Show" violated its indecency rules because of a profane slip-up but did not issue a fine because the incident occurred before the new rules were instituted.
Live sports -- amateur, college and professional -- have long been a broadcast programming staple. Broadcasters have spent enormous amounts of money and energy to come up with ways to give audiences a better feel for the action. As broadcasters vie for viewers, technical advances that include such things as on-field microphones and in-car cameras have become as important as the announcers.
"I don't know how they are going to rule, but they asked us for tapes with a specific emphasis on crowd noise," said another TV executive, who also requested anonymity. "If some bozo in the crowd calls the ref an asshole, the commission is asking for a copy of the tape."
A live, on-field event -- albeit when no athletes were on the field -- during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, when Janet Jackson's breast was accidentally bared, helped reignite Washington's interest in the indecency issue. Since then there has been a highly charged fight at the commission about just how far the commission can go in restricting broadcasts.
OPINION DIVIDED
Broadcasters last week split over whether the commission should be allowed to get one of the premier indecency cases back from the federal court in New York.
In a series of motions filed Friday in federal court in New York, Fox and its affiliate group, CBS and NBC opposed an attempt this week by the FCC to get a key indecency case back from the court.
The commission this month asked the same federal court for more time to consider affiliates' arguments that the agency erred in March when it decided variations of the words "fuck" and "shit" likely are to be indecent whenever broadcast, even if the words are uttered accidentally.
A delay would let affiliates contest the decisions before the commission. The FCC contends that this is a necessary step before arguing in court. The agency said ABC, NBC and CBS affiliates backed its request.
Under federal court rulings and commission rules, material is indecent if it "in context, depicts or describes sexual or excretory activities or organs in a patently offensive manner as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium." Indecent speech can be aired safely between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Under a new law approved by Congress and signed by President Bush, broadcasters face fines of as much as $325,000 per violation, up from a previous maximum of $32,500.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
The FCC might be able to silence those athletes or fans that use very colorful language, but if said athletes or fans are caught on camera you'll still be able to figure out what they said by lip reading. What does the FCC take us for a bunch of idiots? In the heat of athletic competition words are going to slip. A swear word here and there isn't going to kill anyone who is watching the broadcast. I mean who wouldn't mutter a little nasty under their breath after striking out with the bases loaded, or throwing an interception during a fourth quarter drive to the goal line. Haven't there been times when you (*gasp* yes you) have used a bad word. I admit I have. I'm trying to stop; especially when I play pick-up hockey on Saturdays (I'm not advocating that you should, I'm just admitting that it does happen).
But to try and cleanse sports broadcasts from these occurences is to rob the general public of the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat. Watching an athlete use a swear word may give us a chance to explain to little Billy (or Jorge, or Kadeem, or Tico) why the athlete said what he said, and when (if ever) is the right time to use such language. I don't know. I guess I'm a little tired of having things censored all the time. I do believe in the censoring of some broadcasts (that's a whole other set of blog posts I could get into), but not when it comes to sport.
I know that .2 of you watched the Stanley Cup Finals but when the Hurricanes were celebrating after their game 7 victory over the Oilers, Ray Whitney exclaimed to his teammates, "F*** yeah boys!!" All this while hoisting the Stanley Cup over his shoulders. It was refreshing. It wasn't a watered down victory speech, or an, "I'm going to Disneyworld" expression, but rather another expression we may not see if the FCC had it's way. I don't know. I'm off my soapbox now. I just think it's interesting to see how people react to great accomplishments or trials especially in sports. If the FCC had it's way, sports watchers would be robbed of the genuine thought (or sometimes lack thereof) of athletes and fans. Okay, NOW I'm done.
Below Story From Reuters.com By Brooks Boliek
WASHINGTON (Hollywood Reporter) - In its continuing crackdown on on-air profanity, the FCC has requested numerous tapes from broadcasters that might include vulgar remarks from unruly spectators, coaches and athletes at live sporting events, industry sources said.
Tapes requested by the commission include live broadcasts of football games and NASCAR races where the participants or the crowds let loose with an expletive. While commission officials refused to talk about its requests, one broadcast company executive said the commission had asked for 30 tapes of live sports and news programs.
"It looks like they want to end live broadcast TV," said one executive, who spoke only on the condition of anonymity. "We already know that they aren't afraid to go after news."
NO SLIPS ALLOWED
While live programming always has been problematic for broadcasters, it has become even more difficult under tougher commission rules approved in 2004. The new rules found that virtually any use of certain expletives will be considered profane and indecent, even if it is a slip of the tongue. In a March decision, the FCC found that the CBS news program "The Early Show" violated its indecency rules because of a profane slip-up but did not issue a fine because the incident occurred before the new rules were instituted.
Live sports -- amateur, college and professional -- have long been a broadcast programming staple. Broadcasters have spent enormous amounts of money and energy to come up with ways to give audiences a better feel for the action. As broadcasters vie for viewers, technical advances that include such things as on-field microphones and in-car cameras have become as important as the announcers.
"I don't know how they are going to rule, but they asked us for tapes with a specific emphasis on crowd noise," said another TV executive, who also requested anonymity. "If some bozo in the crowd calls the ref an asshole, the commission is asking for a copy of the tape."
A live, on-field event -- albeit when no athletes were on the field -- during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, when Janet Jackson's breast was accidentally bared, helped reignite Washington's interest in the indecency issue. Since then there has been a highly charged fight at the commission about just how far the commission can go in restricting broadcasts.
OPINION DIVIDED
Broadcasters last week split over whether the commission should be allowed to get one of the premier indecency cases back from the federal court in New York.
In a series of motions filed Friday in federal court in New York, Fox and its affiliate group, CBS and NBC opposed an attempt this week by the FCC to get a key indecency case back from the court.
The commission this month asked the same federal court for more time to consider affiliates' arguments that the agency erred in March when it decided variations of the words "fuck" and "shit" likely are to be indecent whenever broadcast, even if the words are uttered accidentally.
A delay would let affiliates contest the decisions before the commission. The FCC contends that this is a necessary step before arguing in court. The agency said ABC, NBC and CBS affiliates backed its request.
Under federal court rulings and commission rules, material is indecent if it "in context, depicts or describes sexual or excretory activities or organs in a patently offensive manner as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium." Indecent speech can be aired safely between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Under a new law approved by Congress and signed by President Bush, broadcasters face fines of as much as $325,000 per violation, up from a previous maximum of $32,500.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Apparently Pat Robertson is one of the strongest men in the world...
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) - Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson says he has leg-pressed 2,000 pounds, but some say he'd be in a pretty tough spot if he tried.
The "700 Club" host's feat of strength is recounted on the Web site of his Christian Broadcasting Network, in a posting headlined "How Pat Robertson Leg Pressed 2,000 Pounds."
According to the CBN Web site, Robertson worked his way up to lifting a ton with the help of his physician, who is not named. The posting does not say when the lift occurred, but a CBN spokeswoman released photos to The Associated Press that she said showed Robertson lifting 2,000 pounds in 2003, when Robertson was 73. He is now 76.
The Web posting said two men loaded the leg-press machine with 2,000 pounds "and then let it down on Mr. Robertson, who pushed it up one rep and let it go back down again." The Web site said several people witnessed the event, and shows video of Robertson leg-pressing what appears to be 1,000 pounds.
Clay Travis of CBS SportsLine.com called the 2,000-pound assertion impossible in a column this week, writing that the leg-press record for football players at Florida State University is 665 pounds less.
"Where in the world did Robertson even find a machine that could hold 2,000 pounds at one time?" Travis asked.
Andy Zucker, a strength-training coach at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, said leg presses of more than 1,000 pounds represent "a Herculean effort, and 2,000 pounds is a whole other story."
"If he was able to lift that much weight, I take my hat off to him, but the numbers suggest that people who lift that much weight are few and far between," Zucker said. "One would have to see what type of leg press it was on and under what parameters it was done."
CBN spokeswoman Angell Vasko said Friday that Robertson was not available for comment because he was "out of pocket" for the long holiday weekend.
Vasko said she has not seen Robertson leg-press 2,000 pounds but that it's not "a huge shocker" that he could.
"Pat is so healthy," she said. "This is something he trained for over an extended period of time. He lives a very healthy, regimented life."
One of the photos Vasko released had a digital date stamp of 1994, although she said Robertson performed the leg press in 2003. Vasko said that perhaps the date was not set properly on the camera.
The CBN Web site attributes Robertson's energy in part to "his age-defying protein shake." The site offers a recipe for the shake, which contains ingredients such as soy protein isolate, whey protein isolate, flaxseed oil and apple cider vinegar. (Taken from APNews)
I saw this story last night on Anderson Cooper's 360 Slamma Jamma Dunk Show on CNN. At first I though "Oh great Pat's at it again; what did he say now". But from the looks of things Pat is a muscle head as well as a televangelist. Who knew? A man of God who can leg press 2,000 pounds??!!! Move over King David, Samson step aside because Pat "I can leg press 2,000 pounds" is in the house!!!
On Anderson's show he had some guy on who was introduced as "Mr. Natural Something Something Something". He was going to leg press 1,000 pounds 10 times. Okay, so he did it. Ten times. 1,000 pounds. On cable TV. It was impressive, though I don't think he brought the weight low enough on the machine. I think he could've gone lower. But whatever.
So Pat has some pictures of his alledged feat. I don't buy it for many reasons. He's over 70 years old trying to leg press over a thousand pounds?! Plus, in the picture above he's got his hands on his knees/lower quads, which means he's cheating. If anyone has ever done leg presses before the cardinal sin is to cheat by using your arms to help your legs push the weight. C'mon Pat!! You'd be disqualified on that alone!
Now don't get me wrong I'm not trying to rain on Pat's parade for trying to be healthy with his protein shakes and leg presses. But if you're going to make some amazing claims you better be ready to back it up. I hardly think Pat has done that. I want an independent organization to weigh the weights. I want someone to check the machine he's using (I don't know of too many leg press machines that can hold that much weight). I want his hands tied behind his back. And he has to take the weight down to a predetermined mark before bringing back up. I want ESPN to be there. Pat, don't just give us pictures and obscure, vague press releases from your people. I want cold hard facts.
Finally, I think Pat does this because he doesn't want the public to forget about him. He wants people to watch the 700 Club. He needs the exposure. I mean hmmmm it is May. It is sweeps month for TV right (at least I think it is; but does that apply for just broadcast TV)? I don't know. I just think it's a huge scam.
The "700 Club" host's feat of strength is recounted on the Web site of his Christian Broadcasting Network, in a posting headlined "How Pat Robertson Leg Pressed 2,000 Pounds."
According to the CBN Web site, Robertson worked his way up to lifting a ton with the help of his physician, who is not named. The posting does not say when the lift occurred, but a CBN spokeswoman released photos to The Associated Press that she said showed Robertson lifting 2,000 pounds in 2003, when Robertson was 73. He is now 76.
The Web posting said two men loaded the leg-press machine with 2,000 pounds "and then let it down on Mr. Robertson, who pushed it up one rep and let it go back down again." The Web site said several people witnessed the event, and shows video of Robertson leg-pressing what appears to be 1,000 pounds.
Clay Travis of CBS SportsLine.com called the 2,000-pound assertion impossible in a column this week, writing that the leg-press record for football players at Florida State University is 665 pounds less.
"Where in the world did Robertson even find a machine that could hold 2,000 pounds at one time?" Travis asked.
Andy Zucker, a strength-training coach at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, said leg presses of more than 1,000 pounds represent "a Herculean effort, and 2,000 pounds is a whole other story."
"If he was able to lift that much weight, I take my hat off to him, but the numbers suggest that people who lift that much weight are few and far between," Zucker said. "One would have to see what type of leg press it was on and under what parameters it was done."
CBN spokeswoman Angell Vasko said Friday that Robertson was not available for comment because he was "out of pocket" for the long holiday weekend.
Vasko said she has not seen Robertson leg-press 2,000 pounds but that it's not "a huge shocker" that he could.
"Pat is so healthy," she said. "This is something he trained for over an extended period of time. He lives a very healthy, regimented life."
One of the photos Vasko released had a digital date stamp of 1994, although she said Robertson performed the leg press in 2003. Vasko said that perhaps the date was not set properly on the camera.
The CBN Web site attributes Robertson's energy in part to "his age-defying protein shake." The site offers a recipe for the shake, which contains ingredients such as soy protein isolate, whey protein isolate, flaxseed oil and apple cider vinegar. (Taken from APNews)
I saw this story last night on Anderson Cooper's 360 Slamma Jamma Dunk Show on CNN. At first I though "Oh great Pat's at it again; what did he say now". But from the looks of things Pat is a muscle head as well as a televangelist. Who knew? A man of God who can leg press 2,000 pounds??!!! Move over King David, Samson step aside because Pat "I can leg press 2,000 pounds" is in the house!!!
On Anderson's show he had some guy on who was introduced as "Mr. Natural Something Something Something". He was going to leg press 1,000 pounds 10 times. Okay, so he did it. Ten times. 1,000 pounds. On cable TV. It was impressive, though I don't think he brought the weight low enough on the machine. I think he could've gone lower. But whatever.
So Pat has some pictures of his alledged feat. I don't buy it for many reasons. He's over 70 years old trying to leg press over a thousand pounds?! Plus, in the picture above he's got his hands on his knees/lower quads, which means he's cheating. If anyone has ever done leg presses before the cardinal sin is to cheat by using your arms to help your legs push the weight. C'mon Pat!! You'd be disqualified on that alone!
Now don't get me wrong I'm not trying to rain on Pat's parade for trying to be healthy with his protein shakes and leg presses. But if you're going to make some amazing claims you better be ready to back it up. I hardly think Pat has done that. I want an independent organization to weigh the weights. I want someone to check the machine he's using (I don't know of too many leg press machines that can hold that much weight). I want his hands tied behind his back. And he has to take the weight down to a predetermined mark before bringing back up. I want ESPN to be there. Pat, don't just give us pictures and obscure, vague press releases from your people. I want cold hard facts.
Finally, I think Pat does this because he doesn't want the public to forget about him. He wants people to watch the 700 Club. He needs the exposure. I mean hmmmm it is May. It is sweeps month for TV right (at least I think it is; but does that apply for just broadcast TV)? I don't know. I just think it's a huge scam.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Why Russ Springer Deserves His Suspension...
Major League Baseball has issued the following discipline stemming from incidents that occurred in the May 16th game between the San Francisco Giants and the Houston Astros at Houston's Minute Maid Park. Bob Watson, Vice President of On-Field Operations for Major League Baseball, made the announcement. Houston pitcher Russ Springer has been suspended for four games and fined an undisclosed amount for intentionally throwing multiple pitches at San Francisco's Barry Bonds during the top of the fifth inning. Unless appealed, Springer's suspension is scheduled to begin tonight, when the Astros are scheduled to host the Texas Rangers. If appealed, his suspension will be held in abeyance until the process is complete. In addition, Astros manager Phil Garner has been suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount for the intentional actions of Springer after warnings had been issued to him earlier during Bonds' at-bat. Garner is scheduled to serve his suspension on Monday, May 22nd, when Houston is scheduled to play at Washington. (MLB.com).
Please hear me out. I'm not trying to call attention to Barry Bonds at all in this blog. I'm a little shocked and frankly upset at how Russ Springer just went after a batter. It's one thing to pitch around someone, or get behind in the count and then just decide to walk him. But Springer's actions on this past Tuesday evening definitely looked like it was an intent to injure.
The first pitched ball in the at-bat to Bonds nearly hit in the high hip/buttocks area. However, due to the speed of the pitch (most likely a breaking ball) Bonds was able to get out of the way. The next pitch was low and inside nearly getting Bonds on the left foot (again he was able to get out of the way). The third pitch was again inside, this time higher near the San Francisco lettering on Bonds' uniform. The pitch was close enough to hit the knob of Bonds' bat. Pitch four. Inside. High. Bonds couldn't avoid it. He turned his shoulder and took the pitch (allegedly clocked at 92 MPH) on the upper right shoulder.
Now the good stuff. After the first pitch in the at-bat Springer was warned by the plate umpire, and also received a nice staredown from Bonds. After the fourth pitch in the at-bat Springer was ejected for throwing at Bonds.
More good stuff, and here's the stuff I can't understand. Why would and why do fans cheer when players get hurt, or something bad happens to them? This is exactly what happened to Bonds. Yes, Bonds is the source of much controversy for "unknowingly" taking steroids and being very close to tying and overtaking Babe Ruth's all-time home run record. But to cheer when he gets hit? What if he got hit in the head? What is the motivation behind such behavior? It happened again when Rasheed Wallace turned his ankle during the Pistons/Cavs playoff game. Yes, Rasheed opened his mouth and made a guarantee that the Cavs wouldn't win again on their home floor drawing the ire of Cavs fans all over the place. But does that mean that you cheer when he's injured?
So the fan says or thinks (speculation of course) I can do whatever I want. I paid my ticket and I'm allowed to boo or curse or do whatever I want to spur my team on to victory. That may be the case. But what does it say about you as a fan? Of course your able to do what you want within reason at a sporting event. However, I think that it shows a lack of class that you can't show some concern for someone who may be injured.
Now on to Russ. My question to you is what were you thinking? If you wanted to walk him (Bonds) then walk him. It was the top of the fifth inning and the score was 11-3 Giants. You can't tell me Russ that you were missing your spots. You were trying to hit him. You could've missed way outside, you could've talked it over with Mike Matheny and did an intentional walk. But the way you went about the whole at-bat was so blatant. I actually credit Bonds with showing restraint and not saying something to Springer or escalating the situation by doing something to provoke him (Springer) or his Astro teammates.
So that's all I really have to say. Springer deserves his suspension. It doesn't matter if he threw at Bonds or another batter (though the fact that it was Bonds makes the whole situation bigger).
Oh and I'm still not a witness.
Jonathan
Please hear me out. I'm not trying to call attention to Barry Bonds at all in this blog. I'm a little shocked and frankly upset at how Russ Springer just went after a batter. It's one thing to pitch around someone, or get behind in the count and then just decide to walk him. But Springer's actions on this past Tuesday evening definitely looked like it was an intent to injure.
The first pitched ball in the at-bat to Bonds nearly hit in the high hip/buttocks area. However, due to the speed of the pitch (most likely a breaking ball) Bonds was able to get out of the way. The next pitch was low and inside nearly getting Bonds on the left foot (again he was able to get out of the way). The third pitch was again inside, this time higher near the San Francisco lettering on Bonds' uniform. The pitch was close enough to hit the knob of Bonds' bat. Pitch four. Inside. High. Bonds couldn't avoid it. He turned his shoulder and took the pitch (allegedly clocked at 92 MPH) on the upper right shoulder.
Now the good stuff. After the first pitch in the at-bat Springer was warned by the plate umpire, and also received a nice staredown from Bonds. After the fourth pitch in the at-bat Springer was ejected for throwing at Bonds.
More good stuff, and here's the stuff I can't understand. Why would and why do fans cheer when players get hurt, or something bad happens to them? This is exactly what happened to Bonds. Yes, Bonds is the source of much controversy for "unknowingly" taking steroids and being very close to tying and overtaking Babe Ruth's all-time home run record. But to cheer when he gets hit? What if he got hit in the head? What is the motivation behind such behavior? It happened again when Rasheed Wallace turned his ankle during the Pistons/Cavs playoff game. Yes, Rasheed opened his mouth and made a guarantee that the Cavs wouldn't win again on their home floor drawing the ire of Cavs fans all over the place. But does that mean that you cheer when he's injured?
So the fan says or thinks (speculation of course) I can do whatever I want. I paid my ticket and I'm allowed to boo or curse or do whatever I want to spur my team on to victory. That may be the case. But what does it say about you as a fan? Of course your able to do what you want within reason at a sporting event. However, I think that it shows a lack of class that you can't show some concern for someone who may be injured.
Now on to Russ. My question to you is what were you thinking? If you wanted to walk him (Bonds) then walk him. It was the top of the fifth inning and the score was 11-3 Giants. You can't tell me Russ that you were missing your spots. You were trying to hit him. You could've missed way outside, you could've talked it over with Mike Matheny and did an intentional walk. But the way you went about the whole at-bat was so blatant. I actually credit Bonds with showing restraint and not saying something to Springer or escalating the situation by doing something to provoke him (Springer) or his Astro teammates.
So that's all I really have to say. Springer deserves his suspension. It doesn't matter if he threw at Bonds or another batter (though the fact that it was Bonds makes the whole situation bigger).
Oh and I'm still not a witness.
Jonathan
Sunday, May 14, 2006
I Love Mice...
So our property has been breached. Call the NSA, CIA, SWAT teams, Jackie Chan, Charles Bronson (for you old schoolers)...
Apparently the house has been infiltrated by the Meeces. No, not mice. Meeces. For months I've heard the pitter-patter of small rodent feet, but I could never find the point of entry or their dens (or whatever you call them). After some closer inspection I found that they were using the vast duct work in our house to plot their underhanded schemes. BUT as all rodent criminals do they leave a trail that can get them caught.
Last Saturday I was up to my usual chores and one of them involves getting our pool and spa water checked. Upon reaching our basement to get the spa water sample I noticed a small furry creature scurrying around on the floor. With my attention now turned towards the floor I also noticed two other meeces, both of which had passed on into meece eternity.
I toyed with the living meece for a while, chasing it back and forth across the floor. I tried to vacuum it up with the wet/dry vac but the thought of it being sucked into household cleaning oblivion was a little too harsh to fathom. So I left the basement and let the sucker live for a little bit longer...
Fast forward to this past Thursday evening. After dinner with the 'rents my mom noticed that little rodent scampering around the kitchen. I quickly cornered the little varmint between the water cooler and the heating vents that line our fireplace. Finally!! The meece's time had come. I was about to smoteth thee with the right, and left hand as well as left and right elbow strikes followed by an arm bar and then finish things off with a rear naked choke hold. Ummm yeah...the meece had other ideas...
With my left leg blocking a possible escape route near the water cooler, I tried to grab the little Mickey. Again more ideas by the meece...It jumped over my leg and found some temporary shelter underneath our dishwasher. Curses...
But take heart (I'm sure that you have) I had a fullproof plan to end this rodent tyranny. I decided to let some traps do the talking (umm catching rather). The trap of choice is the one with the really sticky substance with some seeds on top that tricks the meeces into walking right on the stickum while trying to get a midnight snack.
Sure enough Friday morning we got our boy (or girl, or it, or whatever). Still alive, but very stuck was the meece. It struggled for freedom but to no avail. My orders from the 'rents were to get rid of the captured varmint. But in an odd way. "Don't throw it away, wait until it dies and then get rid of it." What the dang is the difference? Who knows...
So I took the meece with the trap put it in a plastic garbage bag, tied it up and put it outside. Eventually it would die. I haven't gotten it and thrown it away yet. It's Sunday. 7:18pm. Think the meece is still alive? Hmmm. My dad asked me today after church if I was using this meece as an example for all future meeces who try and enter our home. No not really, but actually that's not a bad idea... Is PETA gonna come after me? Eh...Who cares...
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Tater Tot Thieves
Before I begin I'd just like to say that due to the subject matter of this blog I have become quite hungry.
A little over a month ago I was blessed enough to be in the great state of Illinois and in the great city of Chicago. I spent one night at a friend's apartment and the following morning there was a consensus to make breakfast. But this wouldn't be just any breakfast, oh no! This was going to be a breakfast of mass proportions.
It had already been a wonderful start to my small vacation and to cook breakfast with friends would be even better. However, a huge crime would be committed in the kitchen.
As the scrambled eggs umm scrambled and the turkey and pork sausage sizzled (oh the sights and sounds of food; I love it), some little greedy fingers decided they would hold some crispy brown tater tots hostage. When the fingers and the owners of those fingers were called out on their theft, the fingers quickly did away with the evidence. Poor tots, they didn't even know it was coming. Those small, warm, crispy pieces of potato goodness just gone (I know it's a fragmentdeal with it). Just gone down the digestive tracts of those thieves...oh the humanity. L.O. remind me to spank your fingers when I see you next. S.L.Y. did you take some too? I can't recall...
If those greedy little hungry fingers and mouths left the tater tots alone we most likely wouldn't have had to empty the rest of the bag to cook their cousins, uncles, brothers and sisters. Oh, the many tears I've shed since that morning
Ahhhnow the memories are flooding back to me!! Mornings in SAGA. Eating those beautifully little nuggets. I used to take my extras and dip half of them in ketchup and the other half in mustard and act as if the Lakers were playing the Bulls. Ummm okay maybe I didn't do that, but it would've been funny.
Why this fixation with tater tots? Because I read this story yesterday.
"Teen Shot in Fight Over Tater Tots
A teenager was shot Monday afternoon after he was arguing over tater tots with another teen, San Antonio Police said.
The shooting happened close to 5 p.m. at the Spring Hill Apartments off Raybon on the northeast side.
Neighbors told police the uncle of one of the boys told the teens to stop fighting. They were ready to stop, but investigators said a 20-year-old man would not let them.
"Another person out here in this apartment complex, I think wanted to see the young boys continue fighting," Sgt. Rudy Cran with SAPD said.
The man then walked into a nearby apartment complex, grabbed a gun and started shooting, authorities said. He fired several shots into the living room where the boys were watching television, police said.
"One of those rounds hit the young man in the back," Cran said.
The boy was rushed to University Hospital, officials said. His condition was unavailable Monday night.
The suspect remained on the loose Monday. Police were looking for him."
Here's my first set of questions. Who shoots someone because of a fight relating to tater tots? I mean where the two kids fighting over the taste difference between Ore-Ida and organic tater tots (by the way does anyone know if organic tater tots exist)? Did someone want extra crispy tots as opposed to softer tots?
Here's my second set of questions. What did the shooter have to gain from the fight? Is he a fight promoter and the kids who were fighting were part of his title bout? Was he siding with the one kid he didn't shoot over the kid he did shoot? Is there some kind of tater tot shortage in San Antonio and so he felt if he shot one of the kids he might get more for himself? Hmmm. Perhaps there is something wrong with Texas in general? I think the oil down there has gone to everyone's head
A little over a month ago I was blessed enough to be in the great state of Illinois and in the great city of Chicago. I spent one night at a friend's apartment and the following morning there was a consensus to make breakfast. But this wouldn't be just any breakfast, oh no! This was going to be a breakfast of mass proportions.
It had already been a wonderful start to my small vacation and to cook breakfast with friends would be even better. However, a huge crime would be committed in the kitchen.
As the scrambled eggs umm scrambled and the turkey and pork sausage sizzled (oh the sights and sounds of food; I love it), some little greedy fingers decided they would hold some crispy brown tater tots hostage. When the fingers and the owners of those fingers were called out on their theft, the fingers quickly did away with the evidence. Poor tots, they didn't even know it was coming. Those small, warm, crispy pieces of potato goodness just gone (I know it's a fragmentdeal with it). Just gone down the digestive tracts of those thieves...oh the humanity. L.O. remind me to spank your fingers when I see you next. S.L.Y. did you take some too? I can't recall...
If those greedy little hungry fingers and mouths left the tater tots alone we most likely wouldn't have had to empty the rest of the bag to cook their cousins, uncles, brothers and sisters. Oh, the many tears I've shed since that morning
Ahhhnow the memories are flooding back to me!! Mornings in SAGA. Eating those beautifully little nuggets. I used to take my extras and dip half of them in ketchup and the other half in mustard and act as if the Lakers were playing the Bulls. Ummm okay maybe I didn't do that, but it would've been funny.
Why this fixation with tater tots? Because I read this story yesterday.
"Teen Shot in Fight Over Tater Tots
A teenager was shot Monday afternoon after he was arguing over tater tots with another teen, San Antonio Police said.
The shooting happened close to 5 p.m. at the Spring Hill Apartments off Raybon on the northeast side.
Neighbors told police the uncle of one of the boys told the teens to stop fighting. They were ready to stop, but investigators said a 20-year-old man would not let them.
"Another person out here in this apartment complex, I think wanted to see the young boys continue fighting," Sgt. Rudy Cran with SAPD said.
The man then walked into a nearby apartment complex, grabbed a gun and started shooting, authorities said. He fired several shots into the living room where the boys were watching television, police said.
"One of those rounds hit the young man in the back," Cran said.
The boy was rushed to University Hospital, officials said. His condition was unavailable Monday night.
The suspect remained on the loose Monday. Police were looking for him."
Here's my first set of questions. Who shoots someone because of a fight relating to tater tots? I mean where the two kids fighting over the taste difference between Ore-Ida and organic tater tots (by the way does anyone know if organic tater tots exist)? Did someone want extra crispy tots as opposed to softer tots?
Here's my second set of questions. What did the shooter have to gain from the fight? Is he a fight promoter and the kids who were fighting were part of his title bout? Was he siding with the one kid he didn't shoot over the kid he did shoot? Is there some kind of tater tot shortage in San Antonio and so he felt if he shot one of the kids he might get more for himself? Hmmm. Perhaps there is something wrong with Texas in general? I think the oil down there has gone to everyone's head
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Bubbles Used To Be My Stripper Name...
"RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Heather Veitch is not your typical evangelical Christian.
The 31-year-old married mother of two visits one strip club a month, paying for lap dances so she can talk to the strippers about God.
The Web site for the ministry she formed with two other women JC's Girls Girls Girls features glamour shots of the three that were taken by a porn film director.
The three attend porn conventions, where they pass out Bibles wrapped in T-shirts that read Holy Hottie.
Veitch's approach is based on experience: In the 1990s, she worked as a stripper and, she says, acted in a handful of soft porn movies. She plays up her sex appeal because adult industry workers relate to that, she said.
"I understand the culture of these girls. They respect that," said Veitch, whose work has received national and international media coverage.
In a posting on the ministry's Web site, Veitch said she was a successful Las Vegas stripper but inwardly feared that her lifestyle was a ticket to hell.
She began attending church, became a Christian, went to beauty school and got married. A year ago, she began reaching out to sex industry workers.
She has an ally in Matt Brown, her pastor at Sandals Church of Riverside. The 1,700-member Southern Baptist congregation is contributing $50,000 to her ministry this year.
"What good would it do to send the 'church lady' to an erotica convention?" Brown said. "She's going to get laughed out of the building."
Veitch said she doesn't keep track of how many strippers they successfully reach. Ultimately, she and Brown hope to offer alternatives, such as college scholarships, to women in the sex industry. But Veitch doesn't think the women should have to quit their jobs before entering a church.
"What we say to that is, 'Do we ask gluttons to stop eating too much before they come to church?' " Veitch said. "Sin is sin."
Her ministry partners include a part-time first grade teacher and a stay-at-home mother.
On the 'Net: http://jcsgirls.com/ "
I guess my first reaction to this was one of shock, which quickly turned to amusement. But not amusement in the sense that I find this woman's new found calling laughable but rather, wow, this is really taking place and why shouldn't it?! When I was in college some of my friends and I had a running joke that we would start a clubbing ministry for those clubgoers in the city of Chicago. (The joke was born due to the fact that the college we attended had a no dancing policy. Yeah, I know, I know...but at least they changed it now...sort of.) So maybe my amusement was also because of my recollection of that joke. But THEN in talking to another friend the other day, she said that at her college they actually HAD a clubbing ministry! I just find it absolutely amazing how the Lord can put us in situations where we can minister for him! Which leads me to my next thoughts...
This woman was a stripper who came to know the Lord and now she's trying to spread the gospel to others in the adult entertainment industry. It shouldn't be a big deal, but I bet there are some Christians who might think what she's doing isn't the greatest idea. But why isn't it? Jesus was a friend to the tax collectors and the prostitutes; they needed to hear his message too. If anyone knows the sub-culture of the adult entertainment industry it would be her. And like her pastor said to send a "church woman" or someone who doesn't know anything about that industry to evangelize maybe not be the best course of action.
And though I wouldn't be the right fit to minister to adult entertainers, I could very much minister to the guys that I play with. At times I have. I invited some of the guys I play with to come to my baptism and also invited them to our church's Christmas concert. I pray for them. There have been limited times when I've been able to share my faith, but I guess the best way to show Christ sometimes is by how we act. So maybe in my actions I can be a witness as well. As exciting as the opportunity is, I'm still a bit daunted. It's not easy knowing how, or the "right" way to witness (if there is such a thing). But I'm still looking for the Lord to use me.
In the end I am in awe of how God uses us. We come from all different backgrounds, have different passions and desires, and live in different worlds. Yet he still knows where he wants us to be; where he feels that we will be the most effective for him. I think that's what I struggle with the most right now. I don't see his plan at all. I want to, I really do, and I pray about it daily but sometimes this answers don't come right away. I mean, I like being here and I'm content with my situation sometimes (well maybe a little less then sometimes) but it's far from where I want to be...But stories like these strengthen my faith because ultimately the story is saying that God can use his followers however he wants, in whatever situation for the glory of his kingdom.
The 31-year-old married mother of two visits one strip club a month, paying for lap dances so she can talk to the strippers about God.
The Web site for the ministry she formed with two other women JC's Girls Girls Girls features glamour shots of the three that were taken by a porn film director.
The three attend porn conventions, where they pass out Bibles wrapped in T-shirts that read Holy Hottie.
Veitch's approach is based on experience: In the 1990s, she worked as a stripper and, she says, acted in a handful of soft porn movies. She plays up her sex appeal because adult industry workers relate to that, she said.
"I understand the culture of these girls. They respect that," said Veitch, whose work has received national and international media coverage.
In a posting on the ministry's Web site, Veitch said she was a successful Las Vegas stripper but inwardly feared that her lifestyle was a ticket to hell.
She began attending church, became a Christian, went to beauty school and got married. A year ago, she began reaching out to sex industry workers.
She has an ally in Matt Brown, her pastor at Sandals Church of Riverside. The 1,700-member Southern Baptist congregation is contributing $50,000 to her ministry this year.
"What good would it do to send the 'church lady' to an erotica convention?" Brown said. "She's going to get laughed out of the building."
Veitch said she doesn't keep track of how many strippers they successfully reach. Ultimately, she and Brown hope to offer alternatives, such as college scholarships, to women in the sex industry. But Veitch doesn't think the women should have to quit their jobs before entering a church.
"What we say to that is, 'Do we ask gluttons to stop eating too much before they come to church?' " Veitch said. "Sin is sin."
Her ministry partners include a part-time first grade teacher and a stay-at-home mother.
On the 'Net: http://jcsgirls.com/ "
I guess my first reaction to this was one of shock, which quickly turned to amusement. But not amusement in the sense that I find this woman's new found calling laughable but rather, wow, this is really taking place and why shouldn't it?! When I was in college some of my friends and I had a running joke that we would start a clubbing ministry for those clubgoers in the city of Chicago. (The joke was born due to the fact that the college we attended had a no dancing policy. Yeah, I know, I know...but at least they changed it now...sort of.) So maybe my amusement was also because of my recollection of that joke. But THEN in talking to another friend the other day, she said that at her college they actually HAD a clubbing ministry! I just find it absolutely amazing how the Lord can put us in situations where we can minister for him! Which leads me to my next thoughts...
This woman was a stripper who came to know the Lord and now she's trying to spread the gospel to others in the adult entertainment industry. It shouldn't be a big deal, but I bet there are some Christians who might think what she's doing isn't the greatest idea. But why isn't it? Jesus was a friend to the tax collectors and the prostitutes; they needed to hear his message too. If anyone knows the sub-culture of the adult entertainment industry it would be her. And like her pastor said to send a "church woman" or someone who doesn't know anything about that industry to evangelize maybe not be the best course of action.
And though I wouldn't be the right fit to minister to adult entertainers, I could very much minister to the guys that I play with. At times I have. I invited some of the guys I play with to come to my baptism and also invited them to our church's Christmas concert. I pray for them. There have been limited times when I've been able to share my faith, but I guess the best way to show Christ sometimes is by how we act. So maybe in my actions I can be a witness as well. As exciting as the opportunity is, I'm still a bit daunted. It's not easy knowing how, or the "right" way to witness (if there is such a thing). But I'm still looking for the Lord to use me.
In the end I am in awe of how God uses us. We come from all different backgrounds, have different passions and desires, and live in different worlds. Yet he still knows where he wants us to be; where he feels that we will be the most effective for him. I think that's what I struggle with the most right now. I don't see his plan at all. I want to, I really do, and I pray about it daily but sometimes this answers don't come right away. I mean, I like being here and I'm content with my situation sometimes (well maybe a little less then sometimes) but it's far from where I want to be...But stories like these strengthen my faith because ultimately the story is saying that God can use his followers however he wants, in whatever situation for the glory of his kingdom.
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