Ketchup Bomb

These ketchup packets are making an interesting statement. I'm just not sure if I think it's appropriate. I'm going to open it up to debate. Take a look and make your case...

Video (Christmas 2009 #8): Matthew's Begats

This song is called Matthew's Begats by Andrew Peterson. It's the genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew's gospel, chapter one. Enjoy.

Video (Christmas 2009 #7): Santa Baby

Kellie Pickler   More CMT Music   More CMT Music Videos

Photo: Emo Superheroes

I saw this and it made me laugh. Click on the image to enlarge the image.

News: Punished Funny Face Student

Student punished for making funny face in school photo

I don't know this San Antonian student, but she may be one of my favorites.

Seriously why is this school punishing this girl?

It seems as if our school systems could find more productive ways to be spending there time.

Video: Wedding Update

This kinda reminds me of Taylor & Frankie's wedding. Except T&F weren't this brave.

Photo: Twilight/Blade

Here's a still from a vampire movie that I think I actually would want to watch:

Video (Christmas 2009 #6): Put the Lights on the Tree

Here's a little ditty to play while doing some decorating.

Prevent Asthma

A recent study by the University of Arizona has shown that having a dog around children will not cause asthma, and may actually help prevent it. The National Institutes of Health were so impressed with the results of the study that they are investing almost a million dollars into a grant to have the researchers make their results more conclusive.

“Several longitudinal studies have shown that exposure to certain domestic animals, for example, indoor dogs, during a person’s early life (even possibly before he or she is born) is associated with strong protection against asthma and asthma-related conditions later in life,” Serrine Lau, a member of the research team said.

So if you were hesitant to get a dog because they were afraid their children may develop breathing problems, you may want to reconsider.

(I copy and pasted the above from Mental Floss)

Mom. Can I get a puppy? Actually can we get a DeLorean and outfit it as a time machine and then travel back to my youth and get a cute little bulldog puppy? I don't particularly want one now because I don't really want to deal with house training Tank, that's what I would name this cute little guy, nor do I want to pick up and clean the "droppings". But I would love to cure my asthma years before now.

NFL Week 12 Picks: Wrap Up

Each week, usually Wednesday or Thursday morning, I blog (via e-mail) my NFL picks. However what I noticed this past weekend that for some reason those e-mails were not making it to Blogger and not posting to this blog. Dang it. Because I've been on a slight roll.
Here's my wrap up from this past weekend.:

Packers @ Lions = Green Bay
Raiders @ Cowboys = Dallas
Giants @ Broncos = New York
Redskins @ Eagles = Philadelphia
Seahawks @ Rams = Seattle
Dolphins @ Bills = Miami
Buccaneers @ Falcons = Atlanta
Colts @ Texans = Indianapolis
Browns @ Bengals = Bengals
Panthers @ Jets = New York
Chiefs @ Chargers = Chargers
Jaguars @ 49ers = San Francisco
Bears @ Vikings = Minnesota
Cardinals @ Titans = Arizona
Steelers @ Ravens = Pittsburgh
Patriots @ Saints = New Orleans

Last Week: 12-4
Season: 105-55
---------------------------------------------
This Week: 12-4
Season: 117-59

Video (Christmas 2009 #5): Little Drummer Boy

Does anyone know the origins of this song? When did the Christmas story first incorporate a little boy playing his drum into the nativity seen? I suppose I could wikipedia it, but I'm going to let one of you reader do it.

Video (Christmas 2009 #4):

We are creating a Christmas playlist for this holiday season. Today is day 4.

Today's song comes via the recommendation of Rachel. It's All That I Want by The Weepies. Merry Christmas.

What song would you want to add to this year's playlist?

Christmas 2009 Set List

Day 1: Winter Song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson

Day 2: O Come, O Come Emmanuel by Joshua James

Day 3: Last Christmas by Wham!

Video (Christmas 2009 #3):

Day three as we build our Christmas 2009 set list. This amazing classic comes via the recommendation of Julie. I went ahead and looked up the lyrics for some reason; despite it's catchiness it's kind of a sad depressing song, especially for the holidays. Nevertheless, it is a fun song. So enjoy Wham!'s Last Christmas.

Christmas 2009 Set List

Day 1: Winter Song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson

Day 2: O Come, O Come Emmanuel by Joshua James

Video (Christmas 2009 #2):

So I am building a Christmas set list, with your help of course.

From the day after Thanksgiving (b/c it just ain't entirely right for Christmas tunes before Turkey day) until Christmas there are 29 days. One new tune per day.

This Christmas song comes via the recommendation of Allison Hibbard. It's O Come, O Come Emmanuel sung by Joshua James.

What song would you add to this playlist?

Christmas 2009 Playlist

Day 1: Winter Song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson

Video (Christmas 2009 #1): A Winter Song

I believe that there are 29 days until Christmas. I think I want to share a song a day until then. I'm going to start with this amazing song that has been stuck in my head since my sister shared it with me yesterday.
Winter Song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson

Sara Bareilles - New Music - More Music Videos

Sorry I think there is an ad at the beginning of this video.

Let's build this 29 song list together. What Christmas/Holiday song would you want to share this 2009 holiday season?

Video: Balanced on 2 Fingers

Apparently only two people in the whole world can do this. This guy is one of them...

...and I would be the other...hahaha!

Photos: Images of the Southwest

Found this interesting website displaying some images of Native Americans from this book:

Glass Plates & Wagon Ruts: Images of the Southwest by Lisle Updike and William Pennington

As a military child I grew up with the opportunity to live in several places. One of those, twice, was South Dakota. If you have ever seen the film Dances with Wolves that's where I grew up. In fact several locations on that movie are creeks and plains that we fished or hunted (rather my dad and brothers hunted, I was never a hunting type of guy, but I did fish on a few occasions).

School in often consisted of lessons on Native American culture, specifically the Sioux people. Actually I attended high school with one of the young men who was in Dances with Wolves.

I say all that to say that I have an interest in Native American art and culture. I even recently learned that I have some family tree descendants along those lines. (I know, I know, when you look at me that's instantly what you assume).

Visit this site to see some of the images that are in the book I mentioned above. Here are a couple to wet your whistle:

Website: Missed Connections NY

I have a friend who likes reading the missed connections on craigslist. I haven't really gone there before until just now. I have a strange urge to add some fake missed connection. Something like:

We were both having lunch at Chuck E. Cheese this past Tuesday afternoon. I was dominating on skeet ball and you were on stage singing along with the robotic bears. People were looking at you and complaining that you were distracting to the family celebrating their 2 year old's birthday. The Chuck E. Cheese staff asked you to leave since you were not there with any children of your own. That's when I really noticed you. It's not often you find single childless women who enjoy hanging out at Chuck E. Cheese. We briefly said hi to each other as we were turning in our prize tickets. You got a plastic slinky and I got water gun. Since you are no longer welcomed at Chuck E. Cheese I thought it would awesome if you and I tried out Peter Piper's Pizza together. I will be there every Tuesday between noon and 3:00pm. See you there.

Someday I'll do that.

I, however, do enjoy visiting the blog Missed Connections NY. The blogger, whoever it is, readings the missed connections in New York and then draws interpretations of them. Check it out. Here's an example:

Saturday, October 17, 2009

- m4w
We shared a bear suit at an apartment party on Saturday night.
I asked for your number and you gave it to me, but somehow I don't have an area code written down. I had a great time talking with you, and I don't trust Chance enough to wait until I see you in the elevators...

Video: A Christmas Carol

Here's a pretty cool preview for the upcoming Advent series at Granger Community Church. I love creativity like this. Mark Beeson, senior pastor at GCC, share it on his blog.

A Christmas Carol from Granger Community on Vimeo.

Best Craigslist Ad Ever

I didn't know you were allowed to post an ad like this:

NFL Week 11 Picks

Dolphins @ Panthers = Miami
Colts @ Ravens = Baltimore
Steelers @ Chiefs = Pittsburgh
49ers @ Packers = Green Bay
Bills @ Jagars = Jacksonville
Browns @ Lions = Detroit
Seahawks @ Vikings = Minnesota
Cardinals @ Rams = Arizona
Jets @ Patriots = New England
Redskins @ Cowboys = Dallas
Falcons @ Giants = New York
Chargers @ Broncos = San Diego
Bengals @ Raiders = Cincinnati
Eagles @ Bears = Philadelphia
Titans @ Texans = Houston

The Price of Sex: Women Speak

Visit this site HERE:

"Since the collapse of communism in 1989 millions of former Soviet bloc residents have migrated abroad looking for opportunities. These waves of migration breathed life into one of the oldest yet darkest criminal enterprises - the trafficking of human beings into sexual slavery.

"Hundreds of thousands of Eastern European women have been sold into prostitution. Photojournalist Mimi Chakarova, a Bulgarian who immigrated to the United States in 1990, has documented their journeys from villages in Moldova and Albania to the streets of Turkey and nightclubs in Dubai - where prostitution is the equation of supply, demand and desperation."

Photos: "Ian Fisher: American Soldier"

You should take a few minutes to check out this photo essay of young Ian Fisher's journey with the Armed Forces. It begins with his piqued interest in joining the Army to the return from his first tour in Iraq. Below I provided a few photos, but it would be best for you to go to the website and see the essay in it's entirety.

The Office Kid

Finally! Now I too can take advantage of the time off that comes from taking care of one's children. For the low price of $19.95 I can finally use up all my sick leave.

Purchase your's here: The Office Kid.

I'm Looking Forward to:

Movie: The Blind Side

On Monday I went to an advance screening of The Blind Side, the new Sandra Bullock movie. As a movie it has some flaws, but as a story it is incredible. I think the movie flaws root from the fact that the story is based on a true story and writers held closely to the truth of the story. While some creative licenses were taken more could have been taken in some scenes and less in others. But whatever. Here's the trailer:

I remember seeing Michael Oher's story during the 2009 NFL draft. This story is incredibly challenging. It makes me ask myself how far am I willing to go to love someone else? I wanna be about this kind of redemption work.

NFL Week 9 Picks - Wrap Up

Redskins @ Falcons = Atlanta

Chiefs @ Jaguars = Jacksonville

Packers @ Buccaneers = Green Bay

Texans @ Colts = Indianapolis

Dolphins @ Patriots = New England

Ravens @ Bengals = Baltimore

Cardinals @ Bears = Bears

Panthers @ Saints = Saints

Lions @ Seahawks = Seahawks

Titans @ 49ers = 49ers

Chargers @ Giants = Giants

Cowboys @ Eagles = Eagles

Steelers @ Broncos = Steelers

 

Last Week: 8-5

Season: 78-38

---------------------------------------------

This Week: 7-6

Season: 85-44

 

So far this season, no that we are at the half way mark, this are some of my observations and questions:

-       I am not that great at picking winning teams.  I think I’m just over 60%; I’ll let someone else do the math.  I’m going to shoot for 80% here in the second half of the season.

-       No one else likes to share their weekly picks here with me; but that does not deter me in the least from continuing to post my weekly picks.

-       Despite their really strong opening to the season, my original hopes for the 49ers of an 8-8 season is still the bench mark by which I’ll judge the team this year.  I don’t know if they’ll win their division and make the playoffs, but since the Cardinal won the division with a 9-7 record and even went to the Super Bowl you never know.

-       Already looking forward this upcoming draft. There are 5 teams at 1-7 (Browns, Chiefs, Buccaneers, Rams & Lions) and 3 teams at 2-6 (Redskins, Titans and Raiders); and I’ll throw the Dolphins, Jaguars, Seahawks, Bills and Panthers into the “who drafts Tebow, McCoy, and Bradford” discussions.  We can dismiss the Lions from the discussion since they draft Stafford last year.  The Bucs, after this weekend’s big win, seem to be satisfied with last season’s draft choice of Josh Freeman.  The Chiefs already spent a lot of money on Cassel.  We don’t know if the Dolphins are really committed to their wildcat scheme.  And will the Raiders really invest in JaMarcus Russell.  So teams in need of Tebow, McCoy and Bradford are the Browns, Rams, Redskins.  Oh.  And don’t forget about Michael Vick.

-       Some of the playoff picture is already starting to come clear.  Most likely we’ll see these teams post season: Colts, Patriots, Bengals, Steelers from the AFC and Vikings, Saints, Cardinals (?) should win their NFC divisions. 

-       I’m guessing Steelers repeat as Superbowl champs over the Saints.

Video: SNL Digital Short Firelight

Here's the funny Twilight parody from last night's SNL.

What I really think is funny about it is that it's a "how to" for acting like Kristen Stewart. Taylor Swift gets the constant biting of the lip and touching of the hair. If I was a drinker I'd make a drinking game for when I ever watched one of her movies.

But in the mean time just watch this clip:

Video: Why I Don't Play Women's Soccer

No one has ever asked me why I don't play women's soccer, but if they did here is why I would say I don't:

Oh yeah...and because I'm not a chick.

NFL Week 9 Picks

Redskins @ Falcons = Atlanta

Chiefs @ Jaguars = Jacksonville

Packers @ Buccaneers = Green Bay

Texans @ Colts = Indianapolis

Dolphins @ Patriots = New England

Ravens @ Bengals = Baltimore

Cardinals @ Bears = Bears

Panthers @ Saints = Saints

Lions @ Seahawks = Seahawks

Titans @ 49ers = 49ers

Chargers @ Giants = Giants

Cowboys @ Eagles = Eagles

Steelers @ Broncos = Steelers

Post your picks!

Video: Dog Save Dog

As my bible college preaching professor would say, "That'll preach."

Guess Where I'm Moving

Carolina in My Mind – James Taylor Music Code

View Larger Map

Congratulations

Congratulations.

It was a long season.

After a rocky start you righted the ship and had the best record in baseball.

You fought through a tough post season.

You are the Champions of the world!

27 and counting.

(But next year...beware the Rangers!)

NFL Week 8 Picks: Wrap Up

Houston @ Buffalo = Texans

Cleveland @ Chicago = Bears

Seattle @ Dallas = Seahawks

St. Louis @ Detroit = Rams

Minnesota @ Green Bay = Packers

San Francisco @ Indianapolis = Colts

Miami @ New York Jets = Jets

Denver @ Baltimore = Ravens

Jacksonville @ Tennessee = Titans

Oakland @ San Diego = Chargers

New York Giants @ Philadelphia = Giants

Carolina @ Arizona = Cardinals

Atlanta @ New Orleans = Saints

 

Last Week:  10-3

Season (as of last week):  70-33

--------------------------------------------

This Week: 8-5

Season: 78-38

 

Thoughts from Week 8

-          Who will be the last undefeated team?  New Orleans Saints or Indianapolis Colts?  The Colts have the Titans, Patriots, Ravens and Titans next.  The Saints have the Panthers, Rams, Bucs, and Patriots.  Looking that that four game forecast I think you have to saw that the Saints will be the last undefeated team.  However I won’t dare say that Saints are going 16-0.

-          The Cleveland Browns are horrible.  And I can’t figure out why they so quickly gave up on Brady Quinn in favor of Derek Anderson, because Anderson is just plain awful.  Quinn’s quarterback rating is almost double that of Anderson’s. 

-          My Niners may have lost this weekend against the Colts, but I was really impressed with their play.  And they almost won.  I’m also feeling good about Alex Smith’s return to the starting lineup as QB.  And Crabtree in his second game was the leading receiver for SF’s WRs.

-          They are winning so I’m sure we won’t hear anything.  But I am still convinced that Brett Favre’s passing game is taking precedent over Adrian Peterson’s running game is going to be a problem at some point of Minnesota.

-          With the Rams’ victory over the Lions, the Buccaneers are the sole winless team.  Since the Bucs draft Josh Freeman last season, and their constant QB questions I’m curious if they would draft a QB with the #1 pick.  This draft may have the most QB talent since 2004 (Eli Manning, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger).  And would the Florida based Bucs consider Tim Tebow?

 

Video: Transformer Costume

I saw a lot of Transformers this past Saturday night, but I didn't see any like this:

Also I watched Transformers 2: The Rise of the Fallen Saturday evening. Why? Why do I do this to myself. Clearly I knew what I was in for but I still made the poor choice. Why?

Lights, Camera, Action: Update

I thought it was time to give an update on the quest to watch all of AFI's Top 100 movies. I think the last time I had it was around April.

Remember there was two different list, one in 1997 and one in 2007. I'm working on both of them.

I am more than half way there. And I expect to see 5 or 6 this week.

1997

1. Citizen Kane

2. Casablanca

3. The Godfather

4. Gone with the Wind

5. Lawrence of Arabia

6. The Wizard of Oz

7. The Graduate

8. On the Waterfront

9. Schindler's List

10. Singin' in the Rain

11. It's a Wonderful Life

12. Sunset Boulevard

13. The Bridge on the River Kwai

14. Some Like it Hot

15. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

16. All About Eve

17. The African Queen

18. Psycho

19. Chinatown

20. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

21. The Grapes of Wrath

22. 2001: A Space Odyssey

23. The Maltese Falcon

24. Raging Bull

25. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

26. Dr. Strangelove

27. Bonnie and Clyde

28. Apocalypse Now

29. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

30. The Treasure of Sierra Madre

31. Annie Hall

32. The Godfather Part II

33. High Noon

34. To Kill A Mockingbird

35. It Happened One Night

36. Midnight Cowboy

37. The Best Years of Our Lives

38. Double Indemnity

39. Doctor Zhivago

40. North by Northwest

41. West Side Story

42. Rear Window

43. King Kong

44. The Birth of a Nation

45. A Streetcar Named Desire

46. A Clockwork Orange

47. Taxi Driver

48. Jaws

49. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

50. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

51. The Philadelphia Story

52. From Here to Eternity

53. Amadeus

54. All Quiet on the Western Front

55. The Sound of Music

56. MASH

57. The Third Man

58. Fantasia

59. Rebel Without a Cause

60. Raiders of the Lost Ark

61. Vertigo

62. Tootsie

63. Stagecoach

64. Close Encounters of the Third Kind

65. The Silence of the Lambs

66. Network

67. The Manchurian Candidate

68. An American in Paris

69. Shane

70. The French Connection

71. Forrest Gump

72. Ben-Hur

73. Wuthering Heights

74. The Gold Rush

75. Dances with Wolves

76. City Lights

77. American Graffiti

78. Rocky

79. The Deer Hunter

80. The Wild Bunch

81. Modern Times

82. Giant

83. Platoon

84. Fargo

85. Duck Soup

86. Mutiny on the Bounty

87. Frankenstein

88. Easy Rider

89. Patton

90. The Jazz Singer

91. My Fair Lady

92. A Place in the Sun

93. The Apartment

94. Goodfellas

95. Pulp Fiction

96. The Searchers

97. Bringing Up Baby

98. Unforgiven

99. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

100. Yankee Doodle Dandy

2007

1. Citizen Kane

2. The Godfather

3. Casablanca

4. Raging Bull

5. Singin' in the Rain

6. Gone with the Wind

7. Lawrence of Arabia

8. Schindler's List

9. Vertigo

10. The Wizard of Oz

11. City Lights

12. The Searchers

13. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

14. Psycho

15. 2001: A Space Odyssey

16. Sunset Boulevard

17. The Graduate

18. The General

19. On the Waterfront

20. It's a Wonderful Life

21. Chinatown

22. Some Like it Hot

23. The Grapes of Wrath

24. E.T. the Extra Terrestrial

25. To Kill a Mockingbird

26. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

27. High Noon

28. All About Eve

29. Double Indemnity

30. Apocalypse Now

31. The Maltese Falcon

32. The Godfather Part II

33. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

34. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

35. Annie Hall

36. The Bridge on the River Kwai

37. The Best Years of Our Lives

38. The Treasure of Sierra Madre

39. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

40. The Sound of Music

41. King Kong

42. Bonnie and Clyde

43. Midnight Cowboy

44. The Philadelphia Story

45. Shane

46. It Happened One Night

47. A Streetcar Named Desire

48. Rear Window

49. Intolerance

50. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

51. West Side Story

52. Taxi Driver

53. The Deer Hunter

54. MASH

55. North by Northwest

56. Jaws

57. Rocky

58. The Gold Rush

59. Nashville

60. Duck Soup

61. Sullivan's Travels

62. American Graffiti

63. Cabaret

64. Network

65. The African Queen

66. Raiders of the Lost Ark

67. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

68. Unforgiven

69. Tootsie

70. A Clockwork Orange

71. Saving Private Ryan

72. The Shawshank Redemption

73. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

74. The Silence of the Lambs

75. In the Heat of the Night

76. Forrest Gump

77. A President's Men

78. Modern Times

79. The Wild Bunch

80. The Apartment

81. Spartacus

82. Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans

83. Titanic

84. Easy Rider

85. A Night at the Opera

86. Platoon

87. 12 Angry Men

88. Bringing Up Baby

89. The Sixth Sense

90. Swing Time

91. Sophie's Choice

92. GoodFellas

93. The French Connection

94. Pulp Fiction

95. The Last Picture Show

96. Do the Right Thing

97. Blade Runner

98. Yankee Doodle Dandy

99. Toy Story

100. Ben-Hur

2001: A Space Odyssey

I watched 2001: A Space Odyssey this week.

It's part of my quest to watch AFI's top 100 movies of all time. (I need to post an update on my progression).

It was a difficult movie to watch. Trippy.

Due to the lack of dialogue and the slow pacing of the film I struggled to pay attention. The slow pacing of the film was actually the most frustrating part of the movie. In fact it took a few attempts to watch this movie.

Because of my struggle to pay attention I couldn't have told you what the heck that movie was about.

So I did some Googling and found this website.

Oh-h-h-h-h-h....now i get it.

Well I guess that's kinda a cool movie.

Have you seen it?

What did you think about it?

Metrosexual Worship Pastor

This is hilarious.

Inspired by Jon Acuff's blog post(click here) this blogger dressed up for her church's Trunk-or-Treat as a metrosexual worship pastor. Read more about her here.

Should You Get the New ___________________?

New fancy electronic toys are coming out every day it seems. How do we decide which ones we should purchase or not. This should help:

NFL Week 8 Picks

Houston @ Buffalo = Texans

Cleveland @ Chicago = Bears

Seattle @ Dallas = Seahawks

St. Louis @ Detroit = Rams

Minnesota @ Green Bay = Packers

San Francisco @ Indianapolis = Colts

Miami @ New York Jets = Jets

Denver @ Baltimore = Ravens

Jacksonville @ Tennessee = Titans

Oakland @ San Diego = Chargers

New York Giants @ Philadelphia = Giants

Carolina @ Arizona = Cardinals

Atlanta @ New Orleans = Saints

Video: Grocery Musical

I love these Improv Everywhere people.

Seriously I think I could get a group together and do something like this.

Anyone want to join me?

Maybe we can do a Remember the Alamo musical at the Alamo.

Or we could do a river dance at the River Walk.

I'm just spit balling some ideas...let's work on this together.

In the mean time enjoy this:

Video: Amazing TD pass

A behind the back touchdown pass. This is something we would have tried playing around in the backyard, but never in a game. I'm assuming this QB's team was already winning when he tried this, which makes you wonder if he was publicly scolded for this and privately praised.

Update: apparently it was a two point conversion.

NFL Picks Week 7 - Wrap Up.

I did much better than last week. 

 

Niners @ Texans = Houston

Colts @ Rams = Indianapolis

Chargers @ Chiefs = San Diego

Packers @ Browns = Green Bay

Patriots @ Buccaneers = New England

Vikings @ Steelers = Pittsburgh

Bills @ Panthers = Carolina

Jets @ Raiders = New York Jets

Saints @ Dolphins = Miami

Bears @ Bengals = Cincinnati

Falcons @ Cowboys = Dallas

Cardinals @ Giants = New York Giants

Eagles @ Redskins = Philadelphia

 

Last Week:  6-8

Season (as of last week):  60-30

--------------------------------------------

This Week: 10-3

Season: 70-33

 

McGwire: St. Louis Cardinals' New Hitting Coach

Mark McGwire is heading back to baseball. 

It’s been reported that McGwire will serve as the hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2010. 

And I’m thrilled by this. 

Certainly Mark McGwire will always be known for being a power hitter, anyone who smacks 49 round trippers their rookie season would be, but McGwire was an astute student of hitting.  Read this SI article from 1992 (six years before his historic record chase) which describes McGwire’s rebounded success after a dismal ’91 season, and pay attention to the details of adjustments McGwire made to his hitting stance, the eye exercises and, yes, the weight gain.  Years before his historic ’98 season McGwire was dedicating himself in the weight room, to what was already a Herculean frame, but credited his success to his stance and reaction time. 

The blogging community is already up in arms about the kind of coaching McGwire will offer to the Cardinal players as being of a steroid nature.  

For years McGwire has been hounded for his refusal to participate as congress carried on their steroid witch hunt.  But I don’t blame him.  Yes McGwire never denied using steroids.  And yes, his silence virtually declared his guilt on some level.  But when McGwire said he was not there “to discuss the past”, he acknowledged that he was in a damned if he does damned if he doesn’t situation.  And it was absolutely true.  There was nothing McGwire could do to prevent the fallout of bad press and rumors and guilty-before-proven attitudes, and that’s unfortunate. 

Congress summoned together these athletes (McGwire, Canseco, Sosa, Palmeiro  and Schilling) under the guise of addressing the presence of steroids in sports, specifically baseball, and the effect it was having on Americas youth.  Then it became a series of “Did you take steroids? Did you see anyone take steroids? Did you take steroids? Did you see anyone take steroids? Could you serve as an ambassador to young players on the effects of steroids? Did you take steroids?...”

I think our congress and national pastime missed out on a huge figure who could have effectively served as an ambassador to young players on the harm of steroids because they were too busy trying to crucify the man.  I do think the Cardinals, thanks to Tony La Russa, have found a jewel of hitting coach.   

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Eliminating the Bottom 5%

via the strange map blog.

What if we redrew the world map to reflect the elimination of the bottom 5% of global GNP contributors.

Video: Not the Gospel

I saw this on Justin McRoberts website and thought it was incredible. Thought I needed to share it with you.

I remember as a child rubbing the belly of the little Buddhas that were located in BX (base exchange) we would shop at on Guam. I'd made my wishes and dream about how amazing Christmas was going to be that year! There is something incredibly wrong about asking Buddha to improve Christmas. But I was young, naive and not yet a believer.

However, as foolish as I was there are many adult confessors of Christ who treat Jesus as if he were their personal genie in a bottle. Say a prayer, send in an offering, and watch him grant your every wish.

John Piper's view on The Prosperity Gospel from Jared Duba on Vimeo.

What could you loss and still love Jesus?

I really want to answer "everything" to that question.

E-mailing Heroes

I got an e-mail reply from one of my favorite authors. I wasn't really expecting it so I thought I should definitely share it. And why not here on the ol' blog.

A.J. Jacobs

He wrote couple of great books.

He has a new book coming out.

Here is the e-mail conversation.

ME:

"A.J.

Can I can you A.J.? Or Mr. Jacobs, because that has a nice ring to it too.

I just wanted to quickly communiate how much I enjoy your books and other writings.

Thank you.

No need need to respond. Enjoy those "three loveable but time-consuming kids".

Happy Sabbath!

Trevor Harrison"

AJ:

"Thanks so much Trevor! You make me commit the sin of pride.

AJ "

I might just e-mail some other favorite celebrity heroes.

Who would you e-mail?

Have you ever got a reply for some kinda hero/celebrity?

NFL Week 7 Picks

Niners @ Texans = Houston

Colts @ Rams = Indianapolis

Chargers @ Chiefs = San Diego

Packers @ Browns = Green Bay

Patriots @ Buccaneers = New England

Vikings @ Steelers = Pittsburgh

Bills @ Panthers = Carolina

Jets @ Raiders = New York Jets

Saints @ Dolphins = Miami

Bears @ Bengals = Cincinnati

Falcons @ Cowboys = Dallas

Cardinals @ Giants = New York Giants

Eagles @ Redskins = Philadelphia

 

Let’s hear your picks!

 

Last Week:  6-8

Season (as of last week):  60-30

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This Week:

Season:

 

NFL Picks Week 6: Wrap Up

I forgot to post this early in the week. 

But as you can clearly see, here is why I don’t gamble.

 

Wrong Predictions

Correct Predictions

 

Texans @ Cincinnati = Bengals

Detroit @ Green Bay = Packers

Baltimore @ Minnesota = Ravens

New York Giants @ New Orleans = Giants

Cleveland @ Pittsburgh = Steelers

Carolina @ Tampa Bay = Buccaneers

Kansas City @ Washington = Redskins

St. Louis @ Jacksonville = Jaguars

Philadelphia @ Oakland = Eagles

Arizona @ Seattle = Cardinals

Tennessee @ New England = Patriots

Buffalo @ New York Jets = Jets

Chicago @ Atlanta = Bears

Denver @ San Diego = Broncos

 

Last Week:  7 - 7

Season (as of last week):  54 - 22

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This Week: 6 - 8

Season: 60-30

 

ReImagine Perspective

Why reinvent the wheel? From one angle it's just a rectangle.

NFL Picks Week 6

Texans @ Cincinnati = Bengals

Detroit @ Green Bay = Packers

Baltimore @ Minnesota = Ravens

New York Giants @ New Orleans = Giants

Cleveland @ Pittsburgh = Steelers

Carolina @ Tampa Bay = Buccaneers

Kansas City @ Washington = Redskins

St. Louis @ Jacksonville = Jaguars

Philadelphia @ Oakland = Eagles

Arizona @ Seattle = Cardinals

Tennessee @ New England = Patriots

Buffalo @ New York Jets = Jets

Chicago @ Atlanta = Bears

Denver @ San Diego = Broncos