Do You Love Your Children?

http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/failing-student-wears-sign-as-punishment-28585171.html

The NCAA didn't suspend Brazilian, 7' footer, Fab Melo, the Cuse did. Do you think his mother cursed out Coach Boeheim, or Syracuse? Or does she feel shamed by Fab's choices that led to his suspension?

You think taking a phone, or grounding your kid from playing basketball until his grades come up is harsh and unusual punishment? Take a look at the video.

It's a shame that a mother will not let her 3rd grader play in any sports, but will allow her 5th grader to do whatever. It is also a shame that she was too busy for one son to take him to practice or to games, but had plenty of time to ask a relative to take the oldest child to wherever the eldest needed to go, and then have the nerve too ask his father where he had been over the years. The father is wondering why volunteering at their son's school in grade school, and getting his transcripts lined up for high school, and helping him with his school work during both accounts, counts for nothing? Wait a minute... is this the same mother that swore that she'd "NEVER" let her son go to school in the same county in which his father lived? Why yes it is. This is also the same mother that told her son in front of his father, and several of her son's friends that it was ok to lessen his standards and fall back and away from achieving greatness academically. How do you think she would react to her son being taught a lesson, like the young man in the video? Apparently this father cares too. I wonder if the father in the video was told that he was being too hard on his son? I am guessing not. What's so sad about the situation with the son, that had the mother that "ENCOURAGED" him publicly to settle for mediocrity, is that her son had been on the A-B Honor Roll for the first time after moving in with his maternal grandmother, with a more than watchful eye from his father. The father encouraged him by means of incentive. Gave him a cell phone, signed for him to play football, and went to "EVERY" game, and school function. He asked then (legitimately), wonder where his mother is?

"Not everyone can be on the A Honor Roll..." Wonder what would happen if someone told the kid in the video that? Wonder what would happen to that valedictorian that was told that? We he/she drop out of school? Would he/she get petty jobs living check to check? Would he/she settle for getting his girlfriend/becoming pregnant in high school, never go to college, and work for a corporation itching to replace him/her, just before he/she could draw a pension? How can anyone live with themselves after pretty much telling their child that it's OK to settle for mediocrity!? Literally telling that child that they are not smart enough to be a good student and make good grades? Especially when that child after moving away from that mother and moving in with his maternal grandmother with the help of his father, had just achieved his first time ever being on the A-B Honor Roll. When you're not a thinker it seems to come very easy! Why would a parent tell their child this in front of anyone, or in private for that matter to their child!? Hmmm maybe because the parent that accused the other of not doing anything wasn't there, or smart enough away from there, to know any better?

To any young man looking to find a life partner, please, please, please take heed... make certain that your partner, and hopefully life long mate (spouse to be) can put legs on a coffee table properly, spell your name properly, and treats you properly even when you're not around. Most importantly, make sure she can treat your child well and take care of him/her if anything ever happens to you! Make sure she is true to what she says she is. If she says she's a Christian, don't settle for hearing that she is a Christian, witness it in every way, or stop and walk away while you still have the choice! I can't emphasize enough important it is that she is a woman that you can trust your child with if you die, because some day she may drive you to your grave, or the Lord may call you home earlier than you or anyone else anticipated. Not being able to help your child maintain a proper course, because of domestic separation, and difference is a horrible, horrible life for you, and your child. Choose wisely! Whom you choose as a partner to pro-create with, could be like mistaking gasoline or leaded paint for the apple juice or milk that was "supposed" to go into his/her bottle. Not everything is a sure shot, but a definite no go, should be just that... a no go! Healthy formula, or deadly poison? You make the call. God bless the father, and son in the above video, hopefully their journey will be one that is cherished, and appreciated by both!

I hope this blog doesn't send a message of "let me correct my child before the Department of Corrections does." I hope instead it sends a message that inspires you to say, "let me raise and inspire my child(ren) to rise to greatness, and be self disciplined enough to avoid needing correction!"

Defense wins CHAMPIONSHIPS!

I am taking a page out of two books:

1. This Gamble is a Sure Bet
2. Miami's Defensive Playbook


I wish I had a telestration editor to review the Miami - FSU game.


Since I do not, here's page #1 out of book #1:

Mickey Gamble once said to me, "A know it all has no business asking me for help."


I don't know it all, and Coach Williams has been winning games without my advise for years now, but if he will take a look at the FSU/Miami games, I think he will see his Heel's walk away from the Noles today.


Here's page #2 out of book #2:
I may be wrong but I doubt it...


If the Heels allow FSU open looks, and play soft on the screens, and allow kickouts, then it will be another long day for the Heels. I do not foresee a Tallahassee Part II, but I see a tougher than the Heels want kind of game if not a nasty loss.

If the Heels force the lengthy passes that Miami forced in the semi final game, then you might see the transition game that UNC is capable of playing. The Noles do not have shooters that create their own shot, but they have seniors that can get the job done as a team! Forcing them to shoot on the move, or taking them out of rhythm jumpers, will allow Carolina an opportunity to gather some long rebounds, and get the transition game started. But it will all depend on the D.E.F.E.N.S.E!!! See you after the game!

Tournament Brackets & Predictions

Aight, here are the two brackets that are heavily watched at my house...

THE BIG 10

Thursday Games:
The Illini upset Iowa in a thriller... advances to play MSU
Indiana going away, sorry Penn State, I know this has been a tough school year...  advances to play UDub
NW is better than they've shown, & will beat a tougher than they show Minnesota... next up the Wolverines
Purdue over Nebraska in the late game, all the favorites advance... whew, OSU next!

Friday Games:
Michigan State beats up a lesser Illini and moves onto Saturday.
Wisconsin out last the younger Zeller and Indy, and advance to Saturday.
North Western upsets Michigan, and looks to play Cinderella!
The Buckeyes eliminate Purdue and move on as well...

Saturday Games:Michigan State in transition cannot be slowed and the Badgers fall... MSU to the championship round.
NW's glass slipper was crushed by the Buckeye! OSU advances...

Sunday Championship Game:Ohio State's muscle in Sully, and hustle in Craft outlast Big Green and the Spartan machine.

THE ACC

Thursday Games:
Maryland takes the first game by 21... advances to play UNC
State by 6 in the second game... advances to play UVA
VT is a bit more athletic & if they play uptempo they win another squeaker... advances to meet Duke
Miami scores 70, & holds GT to 55... advances to meet  FSU

Friday Games:
UNC in transition walks away from Marylong gone...
UVA playing as if their big dance lives depend on it, make an example out of NCSU
Duke bitter from the UNC trouncing, annihilates VT
FSU w/ SR leadership holds off a pesky U Canes team

Saturday Semis:
UNC with the bigs defeat UVA 84-75
FSU with the senior leadership again stuns Duke 79-76


Sunday Championship Game:
UNC on the vengeance trail beats FSU 92-79 and claim both the ACC regular season, and tournament crowns... up next a bid for a #1 in the Big Dance!

What say you? Comments are more than welcomed...

Ride of the Century (Prepping 4 Trek 100)

This is how a pro dresses in the cold...

This is how a non-professional, (poor man) dresses in the cold...

Okay my attire wasn't that hideous, and I didn't fight the wind and the cold in coveralls. Today was actually a great ride, with the exception of my being scatter brained. I forgot my riding shoes in the kitchen, at home, had to wear my running shoes to ride in, then drove into snow to get started. It snowed pretty hard for about the first three miles, and fell at an angle as the SW winds blew hard across my body, forcing me into a slight lean to the right. Amazing the difference in just three to five miles! Almost five degrees warmer in one township, than the other! After I had cleared the snow it was just a bit breezy and the sun shone perfectly in a Carolina Blue sky. I made it back to my mountain top home just before the second wave hit, and in time to watch the Lakers beat the Heat. Kobe scored thirty-three points, D Wade fouled out, and the Lakers held on and won by ten. Plus my Heels won the ACC Regular Season Championship last night by beating the bad guys (Duke) by eighteen. Therefore, it was a great basketball and cycling weekend for me. Now I am trying to get back on track for the count down to the Trek 100! Time to figure out how to set up my Paypal account, get some funds in there for the MACC Foundation, and raise money to help those fine folks find a cure for pediatric cancer.

Oh but before I close this particular blog, let me say this in a picture...

You know you've ridden well when your much younger partner looks like the guy above. Now time for the old guy to go find some hot water and relax!

18>1

http://blogwieser.blogspot.com/2012/03/unc-beats-dook-at-cameron.html

Eighteen to one is the margin of victory that inspired this blog. I wrote the above blog (see the link) on Valentines Day 2012. I wrote it as a confident, but bitter Tar Heel. I was a bit upset for a few reasons. Upset because I knew that Roy Williams, and the 2012 Tar Heels, injuries and all, had the tools to beat a well coached, healthy, and full Duke squad. I initially had the score at 89-73 in the previous blog, but changed it, so as not to look arrogant. Afterwards, and after the obnoxious Duke remarks, I thought, "This is Duke, and always go with your heart when you are this confident about a victory over Duke! That would have been a pretty close prediction too. I was confident that UNC would win this game. I had the same feeling about this game as I had about them winning it all back in 2009. I was confident for two reasons:

1. Kendall Marshall said that he was ready to take back what rightfully belonged to them, the rest of the team had the same (confident not arrogant) swagger, and...
2. Coach K said that he knew that his team couldn't rely on making thirteen (13), three's (3's) to pull them through again.

Well Coach K was correct, and Kendall, and the gang were just hungry enough to make an example out of their conference foes, and erase the much talked about "3." I am also a firm believer, in the fact that if John Henson doesn't play soft, or too cocky, and the Heels stay healthy, that Carolina will also be ACC Tournament Champions. I also believe and am calling it here, saying Duke will not be their opponents in the final. If they were (but they won't be), then I would once again be going with my gut, not my heart and pick a final score of 85-79 UNC over the devils again.

As for the big dance, let me say now, that Kentucky has talent, but I don't see Kentucky and Coach Cal winning it all. I think "The Cuse" has the raw talent to get it done again and Coach B has the Orange playing a mean transition game, but I don't think Syracuse will be there either. I see a lot of people being shocked by who the new champs in Mens College Hoops will be. This is an election year, and in every election year a favorite has won the title, but not necessarily the Overall #1. Not to say that it can't be a year for Cinderella, but this is the year that will more than likely see another top notch, albeit unexpected major basketball school to shine. Excluding (but not excusing) 11 time champion UCLA this year. It would be nice during the tournament to see my Heels play with the consistency to give us (The Tar Heel Nation) the same confidence we had in '09 and in last nights game. So there you have it, and you may have heard it here first here! If you did/didn't, but are just curious to see how well my basketball prophecy is... you'll have to stay tuned to the blog here to find out if I am correct or incorrect. See in Atlanta, it's tourney time, Go Heels!

Peace...

UNC beats Dook at Cameron!

 

89 - 83
Coach Williams makes the adjustments to make the lead stick this time around. UNC beats conference rival Dook 89-83. Florida State drops another one, and Carolina goes into the ACC Tourney as the #1 seed, and first round buy. Next up meeting FSU in the ACC Tournament to avenge the earlier loss in Tallahassee, on our way to the ACC Crown, and a bid for a #1 in the NCAA Tournament, and on our way to avenge the loss to Kentucky! Meeting UNLV along the way would be a nice bonus, but won't happen.

The River was high in February, ran dry in March, and the Barnes rose above it! We don't need a cellar, that's to close to the devils den, we have a Zeller in our foundation!

The date on this blog should tell the story. Have a great March. ;-)

Cruising On A Sunday Afternoon...

The flat tire was overcome (caused by the point -speck on the sink edge- of the twig pictured above), and again we ride! Alberto Contador wasn't as fortunate, being stripped of a title, and suspended until August of this year!

http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug=ap-doping-contador

No matter what sports you may like, dislike, or may be involved in, this is a class act!!! Here is a quote from one of Alberto Contador's fellow cyclists (Radio Shack/Nissan/Trek rider Andy Schleck), and toughest competitors:
“There is no reason to be happy now,” Schleck said in a statement issued by his team. “First of all I feel sad for Alberto. I always believed in his innocence. I battled with Contador in that race and I lost.”

That's classy no matter what the sport may be!!! He embraced the pain of a fellow rider and didn't bash him, and say something along the lines of:
It would've been much better if they had caught this cheater in the first place, so I would not have had to win it this way! He realized that purposely or not, he is still a cyclist, and if it was contaminated meat that caused this, and the doping was not intentional, then it could very easily happen to anyone, even him!

What's even classier, however, is riding with a friend that will ride with you even though they haven't been on a bike in several years! ;) Sunday was a casual take it easy ride, but had great company, and a great day to enjoy! The sun, and the Sunshine were brilliant! Until the next one.