How Many We're Left?

How many gears are left? When do we switch gears? For Kobe Bryant it was around game # 32. Ironically enough, it is not only my old number, or baby girls current number, it also happens to be Earvin "Magic" Johnson's old number. What's ironic about that? Well the Lakers are a sub .500 team, which for you math buffs and non-sports fans means they have not won as many games as they have lost. They have, however, improved. They are only 3 games below .500 (24-27) now and on a tough East Coast road trip. They've battled injury and managed to get closer to .500 in part, due to Kobe Bryant changing the way he plays. Now the heavy non-sports critic might ask, "Seriously, one guy really made that much of a difference?" The answer is, somewhat, yes he did. It's a collective (team) effort, but it has to start somewhere right? So goes life.

Kobe stepped away from the "me first, me only," scoring mentality and dared to be more like a previous Laker great Magic Johnson, and has began to get his teammates involved. The Lakers are more productive as a team, and gradually getting back to the Laker norm, and winning games. Also bettering their chances at another title. So how many losses does it take to realize it's time to switch gears?

With that said, how many are left? Meaning how many are left that would want to play with a ball hogging, shoot first, washed up scoring champion, that couldn't help "them" win an NBA Championship? Not many. But how many would desire playing with a past NBA Champion, that was also the NBA Scoring Champion, and made them a part of that championship legacy? Most!

What's better, telling your kids or grand kids that you played a solid defensive game, while Kobe did not, but that he scored 45 points that night as you lost by 12, or... telling them that he set you up for 3 wide open 3's that you drained like lay-ups, and he led you with a sweet pass that turned into a dunk? Let's say also, WHILE he scored 4 or 44 (who cares because you won by double digits), and took the NBA crown all in the same breath! Yeah the latter sounds much more appealing right?

So how about friendship? What about family? Do you have a me first and me only mentality? Yes, I'm speaking to self most of all. What are you going to do when there are none left that want to play in YOUR game, or on YOUR team? Will you switch gears keep family together, to keep old friends around, gain new ones along the way, or will you be all about self and retire lonely? YOUR worth, good times, and attractiveness are fading, what do you have left... money? If so I can assure you not near enough to buy love, just enough to fake it and get lost in it. Wait though, you don't need money or anything else, after all they're family and friends, right? They're family and friends, they have to love you, right? Isn't that a given, won't they get over my abusing them? Physical abuse might leave a memorable fleshy scar, but what if the physical or even verbal abuse cuts deeper? You can put a band-aid on a surface wound, or a cast on a broken limb. You can see those things. Smoking around your children and exposing them to second hand smoke or teaching them that smoking is cool and creating an illness like asthma, emphysema, or bronchial diseases you can't see. It's the me first mentality talking.

Yelling at your partner in front of your children, or parents for that matter, you don't physically see the trauma until they express it. Cancer works that way. The way you're acting in a situation like that is the same difference as cancer, you can't see it.

So was your action a scratch, cut, or broken bone or was it a cancer? Choose your words wisely, and your actions even more wisely, and make sure that they are not cancerous. You may kill off the love of those closest to you with no hope of remission. Who knows? Let's hope that's not true, but let's not test it either. You can only ignore the wrong so many times, and only say I'm sorry (if you even really mean it) so many times. So how many are left today? How many will be left, providing you, or they see another tomorrow? Just a little something to think about this week as you leave home, career, and any other activity I may have missed.

Thank you Andrew Gall and class for the Einstein quote:

Insanity is doing the same old, same old and expecting a different out come.

SWITCH GEARS before there are none! Peace...

The To Do(n't) List! (Who to Keep, Who to Drop...)

Most have "New Years Resolutions," or "To Do" lists. Well today I am starting a "Mid Year Rebellution!" A "To Don't List!" I am also dropping a few things along the (social media) way. And here is the list.

The To Don't List:

10. Don't believe everything at first glance. Dwight Howard is not a Laker, "yet"!
9.   Don't believe everything rumored. Dwight Howard is not a Laker "yet", but Steve Nash is!
8.   Don't make remarks that could misguide the government into believing you're a terrorist!
7.   Don't laugh at the poor sap that only has women friends on his social networks and deletes the ones that don't give him their undivided attention, or their...
6.   Don't laugh at the poor sap that believes that every negative post from the women that have turned him down, are all about him.
5.   Don't post before you're certain that your posts cannot be mistake for something that they're not. 4.   Don't drop it like it's hot, drop it like it's not!
3.   Don't follow anything that, even remotely, attempts to be negative.
2.   Do not watch any professional sports where athletes use performance enhancing drugs. Sports included:

              A) Bicycling
                 a. Tour de Farce
                 b. Giro d' It'sDopia
                 c. Cheata de España
              B) MLB (unless the Dodgers are playing for the Series)
And the #1 Don't....

1. Don't finish with a don't! The only pro sport that I can watch is basketball. The NBA is good to go. Their athletes take performance altering drugs, not performance enhancing ones. I don't have to worry about asterisks, or titles changing hands 10 years after they played the title game! Go Lakers, and Howard is not a Laker, yet!

Saying Goobbye...

George Lindsey portrayed the character "Goober Pyle" on the Andy Griffith show. His character was a big hearted auto mechanic that knew little about much, other than working on cars, and caring for people. He passed away today at the age of 83. A West African Congo word "Nguba" is where the slang term goober comes from. Mr. Lindsey made the word a Southern household name, and a Southerners favorite nickname, for a friend that has done something a little off beat. It is a name that is not easily forgotten and once used often. Goober as in goober peas, peanuts, and a term that I have been called a few times myself is a name that lives on. Goober Pyle (George Lindsey), God rest his soul, he will be missed.

Speaking of great names, the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby had some great names this year as well. This years line up featured the winner, "I'll Have Another," and he may do just that with a Preakness victory! Second place finisher, Bodemeister. Fifth place finisher Creative Cause, followed by Liason, and race favorite Union Rags. My favorite name goes to the eight spot, "Rousing Sermon." However Daddy Nose Best was a very close second on my favs list! Done Talking, Prospective, and Daddy Long Legs round out my Top Ten. I would love to see "I'll Have Another win the Triple Crown. That is the perfect name for the trifecta!

Nothing to do with names in this group, other than Mayweather remaining undefeated winning by unanimous decision over Miguel Cotto, in the squared circle. The name missing here? Manny "Pac-Man" Pacquiao. This should set up the fight that every boxing fan wants, but it's not happening! Mayweather said Cotto accepted the blood and urine tests, and they fought. Pacquiao has said previously, that the blood test is not necessary, and weakens a fighter before a fight. So the only thing note worthy name wise here, is the nasty ones that can't be mentioned in front of women and children. Therefore, I will move on the MMA. Diaz submitted Miller in the octagon, and Josh "Kos" Koscheck lost in a very close decision to Johny Hendricks.

Some familiar names in cycling finished strong today in Italy. It is the first big bicycle race of the year, being one of three Grand Tour events. The Giro (Italy's biggest race) started Saturday, and young American Taylor Phinney won the Time Trial Stage. The second stage was clean and smooth up until the last 500 meters of the second stage, and it was there that the races first nasty crash took place. What was even nastier, was watching Brit and Team Sky hopeful, Mark Cavendish leg his way to another stage victory. Like him or not that man has some killer finishing skills!

A NASCAR name that many are loving to hate "Keselowski," wins at Talledega, and a name unfamiliar to many in hockey (LA Kings), went on to sweep the St. Louis Blues today, and earned a spot in the NHL Western Finals. Nicely done Kings, nicely done!

Last but not least, and to conclude the Lakers should put away another seldom heard of name in the NBA (Denver Nuggets), or seldom in the sense that haven't been mentioned much as true contenders since the names Issel, Vandeweghe and English were mentioned in the same sentence. Go Lakers!

Goobnight everyone!

Behind The Scenes & In The Spotlight

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7195620/nba-owners-players-end-talks-deal-table-wednesday

OK we don't pay to watch the owners, but that doesn't mean that they aren't worth looking at in the news. Compromise is a tough for some people to swallow. Wonder what Paul Pierce would say if he were offered part ownership of the Celt's when his illustrious hoops career is over? Would he be barking about how wrong the owners are in taking 49% of the revenue, or would he say that the players are greedy, and it's his money that's being fronted for costs? It's his money that manages the moves, that make it a more suitable playground for his players... Are both sides (Players Union & ownership) greedy? Of course, but who allows them that power? Have you paid $150 for a pair of J's lately? Have you forked over just as much for the latest Bron-Bron or Black Mamba gear? Most players are not shelling out the money for these marketing ideas, or product, they are merely putting their names on it. Some, not all but some owners have already been down that road, so players please know that you have a whole host of young Americans, and fans world wide, that would like to see an end to the nonsense, and a beginning to a season! Or if 51% is not good enough, how about the Al Davis of basketball step forward, and start another league, oh wait, we already went thru the ABA-NBA merge didn't we!? Here's to college hoops, at least their still playing. So who's with me.... I say we go on strike and stop buying anything NBA for at least a year even if they start playing, just to teach them a little somethin' - somethin' bout greed!

Bodies, & Body's

Let's start out with bodies...

It was a typical cool, fall, Smokey Mountain morning. On the agenda: drop off baby girl at school, get the upcoming future Federal Agent to the Body Farm Lab, and then get a ride in before time to pick the ladies up.

The fog rose over the mountains just like smoke (henceforth the name Smokey), and set the scene (see third and final picture above) and mood for our trip. Baby girl insisted on walking herself to class as a watchful, proud papa, and protective big brother eyed her trek down the walk, and into the school building. We then drove out of the school lot, and hit the highway after being satisfied with her safe arrival to class. We drove out to the top of the mountain and took a few snap shots of the islands in the clouds. The peaks peeking through the puffy sky pillows can pique your imagination.

We drove from 3,000 feet of elevation to approximately 1,000 feet of elevation, and were at that point, driving underneath the low clouds and in the fog. Our mountain is one of the most beautiful vistas in the world to me. When I am not too shy to be biased I say emphatically, that it "is the most" gorgeous view in the world! Top top o' tha mornin' to ya, from top o' tha world!

We arrived on the campus of Western Carolina University, and asked a campus policeman to help us find our contact. We gave him the doctors name, and told the officer that we had a meeting with the doctor for my son's schooling, that pertained to information concerning the "Body Farm." He said he would take us there, and we could follow behind his car. Sweet a police escort and we weren't even in trouble! The officer led us back to the entrance, and began to lead us as if he were going to take us off campus. I jumped out of the car (stopped and in park of course) at the now red traffic light, and ran up to his car. I explained that the good doctor was also a professor, and gave him the name of the hall in which the doctor had instructed us to go to. The officer then told us to follow him again, and he would take us there, but we were on our own with parking. Perfect weather and perfect timing (thank you Lord), we found a spot first thing.

We made it in and went down to the lab. Skeletal remains have never really bothered me. What hurts me is holding someone when they are dying, and you can feel the warmth leave their body. Especially if it's a loved one, someone in your family, or that has become like family. I have felt that more than once, and the first time was one time too many in my life time. I hope that I do not have to do it again ever, unless there is no way around it, and it is to comfort someone that has to have "ME" be the one to be there. It just hurts so bad to go through that with someone.

Body's...

This old body is ready for rest. The ride up the mountain was great today! I rode with my middle son, and we had a blast. The mountain is a steady climb, but we gain over 1,400 feet of elevation. It's not straight up and down, but will make you work nonetheless. So now that the darkness has fallen over this body of land, it is time to make a few calls, to let folks know we love them, and check up on world events, sports, weather, and tomorrows agenda.

The Governing Body in many sports organizations can't seem to work well with the bodies they are supposed to be governing! The majors have finally gone beyond the "Juiced" days of baseball, or so we hope. At least for now, all is good in baseball. The Yankees lost, the Brew Crew won, no one has been accused of throwing a spit ball, or taking any shots that are disallowed, so all is well. Brewers - Cards! STL shutout, and shutdown the Phils! "Mel Allen this is for you sir, "How about that!" Brewers - Cards in the NLDS, and the Motor City Kitty (Tigers) - Rangers in the ALCS... baseball is sweet this year, welcome back, and thanks for making it entertaining!

The NBA however, is making me think about boycotting for a couple of seasons! I didn't watch baseball or cycling for a good number of years because of strikes, and dopes, I mean doping. Now the NBA can't come to terms! The legalese of the matter is not worth going into great detail, and trying to talk to the bone headed egos (players and owners) that are arguing is senseless as well. Therefore, sensible reader, as much as it pains me, and for as much as I love Laker basketball, let me make my plea to you... boycott all things professional basketball until greedy players come to appreciate the real reason that they are not playing pick up games on the playground, it is because of "YOU!" In the same breath, I believe the owners of these franchised teams will have a greater appreciation for you as well.

Did I mention that the Yankees lost? Yeah, ok, good!

Onto NASCAR! Now here's a sport that everyone can learn from! Down to the wire baby! Can Jimmy surge in Kansas, and win another Cup Championship? Will Gordon conquer Kansas and get back into the thick of things, or drum roll please... Will Harvick do it again for DEI!? Stay tuned this NASCAR season finale is sure to be a barn burner!

College Football:

Which student body will cheer for a Heisman winner, and which student body will celebrate a National Champion? Well my Heels will not see it in football, but in soccer (the other futbol) our men, and women have a stellar shot! So in futbol Norte Americana, I say, "On Wisconsin baby!" I didn't think that the Badger faithful would have a shot at getting their first Championship this year, because the defense couldn't hang with speedy offenses. Note to self, when you have a one-two, and three punch on offense, with the third punch capable of producing a lethal fourth shot, your defense can rest a little easier. Your D can rest a little easier because the oppositions D can't! They cannot rest at all because they can't stop you late in the game due to the dominance of your offense. Out of the back field Wisconsin has a bruising back that can keep the "Ball" rolling, and they also have a Brown man name "White," that moves like lightening! Then when they get tired of scoring, they allow Russell "Oh Mr. Wilson" to run one in on you, or use his arm to throw one to Toon, or a host of other (now open) receivers because of what your running game has done. Oh did I mention the fact that this backfield is protected a front line of giants? 16'5" 1315lb average, and have a heart as big as all outdoors. When they lean on you, you feel it. So yes, defense can be generated by offense.

Cycling:

What trade of governing body is being fair in China now days? I love the Chinese culture, but the way they do business is killing me. Now the UCI is in their pocket. Yes, it has been rumored that the cycling committee called UCI told all of the worlds top teams, that if they missed the starting line in Beijing, that they would be looked over when it came time for licensure in 2012. Hey no doping with roids, just noids! Go Trek go!

What's Sweeter?

I once played in a late afternoon black top classic. It was about 102 degrees in the shade at 3:30pm. It was a day when you could almost dehydrate from watching the heat lift from the pavement! We didn't care then, we were young, resilient, and having too much fun to care. Play for twenty, break for five, then run them back! My group had been playing game after game that evening. We ran about ten straight, then the sun started to drop, and along came another group. My group was feeling good, and ready to run with whomever. We had size, and a ton of talent, we felt invincible. We had (thought we had) a huge advantage. We had some leapers, we had height and most of us had been playing since we were able to hold a ball. We played against other guys just like us all day, and walked the dog with them! Then at the dropping of the sun round about 90 degrees, minus the heat index on the black top, the tide turned and the dog walked us! We played against a very cohesive unit, and they murdered us! Five guys (not one of them over 5'4"), lightning quick, and verbal! They were Vietnamese kids that did everything together. They ate together, did chores together, studied together, everything! They played unselfish, they played with a passion, and they took advantage of every mistake we made.

On this particular day we made plenty of mistakes. Our biggest mistakes were being over confident and casting blame on everyone but self. We didn't work at all, one pass (if that) and shoot. Then when you are lazy in transition that equals a slaughter! We may have looked to cast blame individually, but as with all team sports, we went down in flames as a "team!"

Word in Cleveland was that Bron blamed poor coaching for Cleveland's not winning a title! So, will that be the case in Miami as well? Well my boss, said something (as a Laker hatin' Celts fan) that shocked me. What he said shocked me, but gave me even more reason to be excited for the 2011-2012 season. He said something to the affect of how cool would it be for Coach Brown to go to LA and win a title with Kobe, and leave LeBron once again shaking his head in -or in near- tears thinking inside his head like Nancy Kerrigan said out loud... "Why, why, why!" Well greed, and self righteousness could be LeBron's Tanya Harding, and until he sheds them, he will be saying, why, why, why... for a long time! I don't know how long Kobe and Coach Brown will stay friendly, but I like Browns way of thinking. He said he would abandon the triangle offense, and run something similar to what they ran while he was an assistant under Pop (Greg Popovich) in San Antonio when Duncan and Robinson were their and they won titles. Well it would be sweet for Lakers fans everywhere and for Cleveland fans as well, not to mention all the LeBron haters if the Lakers or Cavs could win the coveted NBA Championship in the 2011-2012 season.

Photo via Cleveland.com

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What Just Happened!?

 

 

What happens when you take a group of guys that can bang in the paint, but do not play the transition game as well? You go to the low block right? Well what happens when the opposition collapses into the paint and forces the tough shots inside? You kick it outside right? What happens if the back court doesn't knock down the open J? Then you put in the slashers, and let them penetrate right? What if none of that works either? Wait, let's also throw in the biggest, "What Happens... What happens if you play poor perimeter defense, and the other team shoots lights out! Then you go home defeated! Phil thanks for the excitement in Tinseltown. It was a great run. Kobe, I hope you retire a Laker and your attitude changes for the better, as you look for positive ways to motivate your teammates, but just know that I am not holding my breath, for that, or for Koach K, to coach my beloved Lakers. I have heard that Byron Scott was content with where he is, but would consider being back in LA again, this time as head coach, and that would be a beautiful thing! So Mitch, what say you? You got another, "What Just Happened" in you for the NBA community? I hope so! Mitch "I Make It Happen" Kupchak, do it to it Mr. GM!

It would not bother me a bit to see the next generation in a tough, high flying, up and down, shoot two hundred and twenty shots between the two teams, at a very high percentage, fire fest! Bring on the Bulls and Grizzlies! Then let all the front runners ask, "What just happened!" I am not a fan J. Noah, but I would take them in 7 against the Grizzlies, although, I would be pulling for the Grizzlies, if I had to choose a team. Jerry West has them where they are today, like it, or believe it or not... Happy Mother's Day Hoop fans of the motherhood sorority!

I Saw The Light

I was happy and somewhat eager to see the final score of the Lakers and Mavs. I had anticipated that the Lakers would play with a hunger that would lead to a blow out. Kobe had 32 points and Bynum, Odom, and Gasol all had double - doubles. The bench out played the Mavs bench, and the Lakers won by 19.

Then the Dodgers, Andre Ethier had another hit and extended his hit streak to 30 consecutive games! What a perfect sports night. All this is great because I haven't jynxed him yet, and I am believing in his surpassing D'Maggio's major league record by three (3) games. Yes, I called it here first! Fifty-seven straight!

Well in an imperfect world, an imperfect Christian realizes that the perfect nights sleep is calm and ends well with a joyful wake up call. I was up on and off all night concerned about a sick mate and then ridely awakened too early by reality. I picked up my phone checked the Dodgers page and Ethier had safely reached base for the 30th consecutive time! That was great news, then came the not so great. The Lakers had dropped Game #2 at home to fall behind in the series by as many games. Am I panicking? No. I feel that they can still win this thing, but next year will be a reconstruction like no other, and I think it will be ugly. Beginning with a replacement for Coach Jackson. But in the mean time will Pau come thru in this series against Dallas, and can Mr. Ego refrain from taking that one nasty momentum shifting shot that turns the game around in favor of the bad guys? You know the double coverage, off balance, man open in the corner - but I'm a selfish non- passing shooter - shot.

Time will tell. But what changed my whole outlook on the playoffs was something by far bigger than the playoffs. I really believed with my entire being that the Lakers would be victorious in the game last night. I was nearly sick at my stomach when I saw the score. Frustrated I moved on to check my email,and that's when I received a prayer request that brought me back to earth. A request for intecessory prayer. A friend concerned for another friend, and it all hit me... it was sobbering actually. This is just a game, but today is a day that you have experienced life in. It was not guaranteed, nor was it promised, but it is here and so are you. As a Christian and a sports lover we should strive to face each challenge head on and help someone else make the best of their day and challenges along the way. So, needless to say I got over the loss quickly enough, and prayed. However, I'd be a liar if I said that I wasn't thinking hours after the prayer request about Game 3. Thinking about it with confidence and hopeful for another victorious series both on and off the court. Life is not just a game, but we should make it just as fun!

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What Are The Odds Of A Threepeat?

Lakers - Hornets:
OK I picked the Lakers up big over the Hornets last night in Game 5. I like most just have a hard time going against talent, experience, size, and home cooking! So what are the Lakers odds at a 3peat? Better than the odds that the racist, or the extreme right, or the extremely stupid, and yes even better odds than the Don in trying to say that OUR President doesn't have a birth certificate! A picture is worth a thousand words so here ya go...

OK on to the next series.
Heat - Sixers: I missed the call on the blow out, because it didn't happen. I felt that Miami should have won by an average of 20 points and swept the series. Well they say the big boys get geared for the big games, and I guess a W is a W in the first or last round as long as it's in your teams favor.

Spurs - Grizzlies: I felt that the Spurs would rebound in Game 5 of their series with Memphis as well, but it will be tough to take 3 straight from a young unafraid Grizzlies squad. Wow, what a barn burner in SA! Just what a young team doesn't want to give a crafty veteran squad, hope, and confidence! The Grizzlies not only gave the Spurs one shot at OT, but two, and they took full advantage of it and live to see another day! Great overtime game!

Celtics - Anthony/Stoudamire I mean Knicks: The Celtics get the benefit of waiting for their opponent after sweeping the Knicks in the first round. Shocked, not really, but definitely didn't see the broom coming in this series. I am telling you now, that even without Perkins, the Celtics may be a mature team, but they are not a dead team!
Magic - Hawks: I did see a big win coming in this game as well. The drubbing that Orlando put on Atlanta at home, was a confidence builder, but will it lead to over confidence for game 6? Time will tell.

Bulls - Pacers: I really expected the Bulls to sweep the Pacers, but they were one game shy of that. Leagues youngest team in the playoffs, and best record in the NBA regular season, but will drive and youth allow them a title? I say not yet, but again time will tell.

Nuggets - Thunder: George Karl, Ray Felton, Ty Lawson, brotherhood! Other than saying that Durant is a  beast, nuff said!

Mavs - Blazers: That is the other match up right?

OK on to more important issues, here's some playoff look-a-likes for you kiddies:

Ashton K, and Kyle K...

Kurt Thomas now a Bull could be a bigger thug double for Dizzell!

And last but not least... Steve Urkel said that Shane Battier should yell, "Oh did I do that every time he gets an assist to Zach Randolph who looks just like his best bud Eddie Winslow...

So who else has an NBA look-a-like? Marc Gasol does not count, his brother is not a great actor because he flops well in Hollywood, although he and a few others are deserving of Oscars, but he is also a Laker!

No Magic Act Today

Lord I want to thank You for the completion of the first phase. The LGM (a.k.a, The Little Green Men) took care of stealing game one away from Merlin's boys. There was no Magic act today! I think all of the basketball faithful in Orlando were left scratching their heads today. Now Lord if You could arrange it so the Lakers could beat up on the Suns (in a basketball sense) worse than Tim Duncan's shot on Steve Nash, we'll be in business! Thanks again Lord. See you in LA tomorrow. ;)

Racing For What?

NASCAR kicks off 2010 with a bang! Potholes and Pieholes; could we keep them both sealed just long enough to enjoy a race? Distractions and attractions, man what a weekend in Florida!

Hats off to Jamie McMurray on his first Daytona win. I can't speak of the sponsor in the lesser NASCAR race because, well just because, but I am wondering what would have taken place if Danica would have placed high, or better yet, what would have taken place if she had won? I can tell you now that it would have been tough to have taken the spot light away from her even on Sunday! Wait isn't that Sarah Palin? Spotlight adjustment please...

Sarah Palin was at Daytona for an entirely different race, perusing through the crowd on the infield taking pictures, shaking hands, and hugging everyone old enough to vote, and some of those that were not old enough to vote, but only if they were connected with someone old enough to vote. What could possibly be a worse for the winner of the race than to have the spotlight on someone else before the race had even begun? For Jamie McMurray the answer would be - looking up at the end of the race, and seeing Dale Jr. in your rearview mirror, and going through the anxiety of wondering whether or not he was going to put you into the wall! On the other hand at least it wasn't Keselowski, or Stewart. With one of them in the rearview it could have easily turned into a trip to the tracks medical facility.

Then there's Ashley Force Hood! Yes the ladies have the racing spotlight on the track and off, and I am not mad at'em! Ashley, and her father John Force are the first daughter and father team to reach an NHRA Final. The 14 time Champion as a driver and 16 time Champion as an owner couldn't have been more proud and honored to lose to his little girl in that Final. I know I would have been too happy! Now if we can just get her out of that Mustang and away from the darkside, and doing the right thing and using the "Force" for good and not evil...

Well looks like papa got this one! He won for the first time since the 2008 Topeka race, and capped of the first race victory over Ron Capps. 60 years young and busted him out of the gate. Oh big ups to my old North Hollywood neighbor Larry Dixon for winning the Top Fuel event.



OK here's the backatcha for the ladies. Johnny "On The Spot" Spillane takes home a Silver Medal for the US in the Nordic Combined for the first ever medal since the 1924 Inagural Winter Games took place. Good looking out Johnny.




We still haven't forgotten about the possibility of Lindsey Vonn not being able to compete, however, Johnny's Silver helps ease the pain of the possibility in not having Lindsey available to medal for the US.

Oh yeah, with all of the hype, and everything I almost forgot to mention that it is also NBA All-Star Weekend too! There are lady officials in the NBA now, but I do not know whether there is a lady calling the All-Star game. If there was, I would be happy for her too. I am just sad for the non-Philly fans that they are having to deal with Allen Iverson for one more All-Star appearence...

Well to the ladies in sports, and everywhere else, here's to you:

Happy Valentines Day!