I just read the KC Star has won more 'newspaper' awards than any other large city news paper in the country. Whitlock and Posnanski were both honored several times......
" The Kansas City Star dominated, winning the “triple crown” (Top 10 honor for the section, the Sunday paper, and special sections) for the third time in five years in the largest circulation category. In a city without an NBA team, one of the worst teams in baseball, and the equally-crappy Chiefs, how big of a surprise is this? It probably means the KC Star sports editor, Mike Fannin, has assembled quite the staff. But it should also be noted that he is the president of the APSE."
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Fantasy Baseball
Spring training is around the corner and March is less than a week away. What are we doing for fantasy baseball this year?
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Wanted: Someone to fill the 6th Best Job in College Basketball
Yesterday Jason Whitlock wrote an article and about how stupid Kelvin Sampson was for so blatantly violating rules that cost him the 6th best basketball coach in the country. I thought Whaaaaatt???? Is Indiana still considered one of the best jobs in the country. Maybe I was alone when I was surprised at how good Indiana was playing this year. Or maybe not.
Heres a quick run down of what I think are the best college basketball jobs in the country
1. Duke - sorry had to do that. hey its my list
2. UCLA - Still running the show in la la land
3. North Carolina - Although 6 people turned down this job in 2001, its still a prime job
4. Kansas - yeah, okay
5. Kentucky - man this job looked a lot better last year
6. Frank Beamer - just kidding Tim
heres where it gets tough....
6. Connecticut - It seems every time I think this program is on the way down they turn it around, which seems right about now would be a good time to start turning around.
7. Michigan State - see #6 (the second one)
8. Arizona - This has got to be one of the easiest places to recruit as you compete with UCLA for the best HS basketball talent in the country.
9. Indiana - There I did it.
Maybe I'll do a 'worst coaching jobs' list
Heres a quick run down of what I think are the best college basketball jobs in the country
1. Duke - sorry had to do that. hey its my list
2. UCLA - Still running the show in la la land
3. North Carolina - Although 6 people turned down this job in 2001, its still a prime job
4. Kansas - yeah, okay
5. Kentucky - man this job looked a lot better last year
6. Frank Beamer - just kidding Tim
heres where it gets tough....
6. Connecticut - It seems every time I think this program is on the way down they turn it around, which seems right about now would be a good time to start turning around.
7. Michigan State - see #6 (the second one)
8. Arizona - This has got to be one of the easiest places to recruit as you compete with UCLA for the best HS basketball talent in the country.
9. Indiana - There I did it.
Maybe I'll do a 'worst coaching jobs' list
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
LOST
Great episode last night! Anybody else expect Kate's "child" to actually be "Aaron" ?!?! Great shock value there at the end!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Stealing Sed's Thunder
I don't want to steal Sed's thunder but I picked up the little boy on the left from an Oklahoma Humane Society on Tuesday.
He is the final addition to our rescued bunch. We decided to wait on children and help the animals for now.
From Left: Pilot (age 7-10?), Dori (age 7-10) and, of course, the high maintenance Henry (age 10-13?).
13 Episodes of LOST this season
In the latest episode of TV Guide to hit my mailbox (Feb 25-Mar 2) they have reported that there will be 13 episodes of LOST this season and so we will only miss 3 espisodes. On another of the podcasts that I subscribe to they speculated that they would probably air 7 episodes and then a 2-3 week gap before returning to air 6 more episodes to gain momentum for May sweeps.
BS
I had heard that Missouri had a representative in the final 24 of American Idol. Somebody told me today that he was from Blue Springs. Anyone confirm this and whats his name?
Monday, February 18, 2008
Annabelle Grace
Guys, I've joined the ranks of Fatherhood.
My wife, Karen, and I welcomed our 1st child into the World early Monday morning. Annabelle "Grace (d)" us with her presence about 3:45 a.m. weighing in at 8 lbs, 4 oz and 21 inches long.
She's already got more hair than I do! Forget college, how much is a wedding going to cost me some 20+ years from now?!?!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Thoughts on LOST...
A few things about last nights episode. Sorry if you havent caught it yet.
1. How did Sayiid know to take off Naomi's bracelet? It seemed like he went right for it. I wish I remembered what it said. I should have paused the show. Can anybody help me out here.
2. The cabin probably was gone because only certain people can see it. Also it can change its location as we saw in the season premier.
3. Did Kate really choose to stay. We know that she eventually does get off and so she changes her opinion later, but does it have to due with
4. I want to hear more about the theory that Adam and Eve from the first season is actually Jack and Kate. Anyone else heard this theory.
5. The title of the Episode was the The Economist, and then later we learn that the man whom Ilsa worked for was said to be an economist as a cover. I dont think that was a good choice for an episodes title. They should have titled it "Unlikely Pair," That way it keeps you guessing on who the unlikely pair is, and then it is revealed in the end.
6. I'm guessing that the next episode is a Kate episode.
7. I watched the enhanced version of last weeks show and am hooked. Kind of like a pop-up-video style of show that gives you little clues.
On a related note with the writers strike ending I heard that they probably will only be able to get 3 more episodes done in time to show this year. Will this mean a longer Season 5?
1. How did Sayiid know to take off Naomi's bracelet? It seemed like he went right for it. I wish I remembered what it said. I should have paused the show. Can anybody help me out here.
2. The cabin probably was gone because only certain people can see it. Also it can change its location as we saw in the season premier.
3. Did Kate really choose to stay. We know that she eventually does get off and so she changes her opinion later, but does it have to due with
4. I want to hear more about the theory that Adam and Eve from the first season is actually Jack and Kate. Anyone else heard this theory.
5. The title of the Episode was the The Economist, and then later we learn that the man whom Ilsa worked for was said to be an economist as a cover. I dont think that was a good choice for an episodes title. They should have titled it "Unlikely Pair," That way it keeps you guessing on who the unlikely pair is, and then it is revealed in the end.
6. I'm guessing that the next episode is a Kate episode.
7. I watched the enhanced version of last weeks show and am hooked. Kind of like a pop-up-video style of show that gives you little clues.
On a related note with the writers strike ending I heard that they probably will only be able to get 3 more episodes done in time to show this year. Will this mean a longer Season 5?
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Mirror Images
A local sports\entertainment radio show was calling for look-a-likes. So maybe for some fun you might want to add a few of your own. There were numerous that the callers had, but my favorite was Neil Cavuto and Cards Radio Play by Play John Rooney.
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/team/broadcasters.jsp?c_id=stl
http://www.foxnews.com/yourworld/index.html
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/team/broadcasters.jsp?c_id=stl
http://www.foxnews.com/yourworld/index.html
Monday, February 11, 2008
Disney's 1.2 billion redux
Heres a good NY Times article on Disney's 1.2 billion dollar rehab of their Southern California Theme Park that has underperformed the past 7 years. A few things that the article doesn't say; It says that California Adventure draws 6 million guests a year to Disneyland Parks' 15 million a year. However what most people do is go to Disneyland for the day and then at some point when the crowd is unbearable head across the promenade (literally 100 steps) go to California Adventure and ride the 3 big attractions there. This boosts California Adventure's attendance on paper, but the park is basically a ghost town for most of the day.
I point the finger (I won't tell you which one) at former head of Disney Theme Parks Paul Pressler who cut the budget to protect his own bottom line and then left the company to be the CEO of The Gap; and now its underperforming as well (Gap Kids anyone...).
However Disney can afford the fixer-upper as on my latest trip to WDW I spent way too much money and I can't stop going back.
30 second overview of seasons 1,2 and 3 of LOST
In order to get this in in 30 seconds I will not talk about individual characters.
Plane crashes on tropical island. Survivors wait for rescue and think that they are alone on the island. They soon discover that they are not alone and the people who inhabit the island know a whole lot about the personal lives of those who survived the crash. Some survivors are intrigued by the mystical powers of the island while some believe that the everything can be explained.
In S2 more survivors are found, and some of the secrets of the island including a large abondoned science experiment is uncovered.
S3 lets the viewers in on more of the lives of the Others (those who were already there when the plane crashed), and how they are a blend of the abondoned science experiment and more that already inhabited the island and some who were brought to the island.
S4 has started to explore which survivors actually get off the island, their resons, and a rescue attempt that isnt exactly what it seems.
Plane crashes on tropical island. Survivors wait for rescue and think that they are alone on the island. They soon discover that they are not alone and the people who inhabit the island know a whole lot about the personal lives of those who survived the crash. Some survivors are intrigued by the mystical powers of the island while some believe that the everything can be explained.
In S2 more survivors are found, and some of the secrets of the island including a large abondoned science experiment is uncovered.
S3 lets the viewers in on more of the lives of the Others (those who were already there when the plane crashed), and how they are a blend of the abondoned science experiment and more that already inhabited the island and some who were brought to the island.
S4 has started to explore which survivors actually get off the island, their resons, and a rescue attempt that isnt exactly what it seems.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Can Someone Fill Me in on Lost
Ok, last night I caught my first two episodes of Lost. As you can guess, I'm a little lost on the series. I get that these are survivors of a plane crash. I also understand that they are scared to death of something on the island. Can someone give me the 30 second overview of Seasons 1 - 3?
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Can You Say Orwellian?
The FBI is gearing up to create a massive computer database of people's physical characteristics, all part of an effort the bureau says to better identify criminals and terrorists.
The FBI wants to use eye scans, combined with other data, to help identify suspects.
But it's an issue that raises major privacy concerns -- what one civil liberties expert says should concern all Americans.
The bureau is expected to announce in coming days the awarding of a $1 billion, 10-year contract to help create the database that will compile an array of biometric information -- from palm prints to eye scans.
Kimberly Del Greco, the FBI's Biometric Services section chief, said adding to the database is "important to protect the borders to keep the terrorists out, protect our citizens, our neighbors, our children so they can have good jobs, and have a safe country to live in."
But it's unnerving to privacy experts.
"It's the beginning of the surveillance society where you can be tracked anywhere, any time and all your movements, and eventually all your activities will be tracked and noted and correlated," said Barry Steinhardt, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Technology and Liberty Project.
The FBI already has 55 million sets of fingerprints on file. In coming years, the bureau wants to compare palm prints, scars and tattoos, iris eye patterns, and facial shapes. The idea is to combine various pieces of biometric information to positively identify a potential suspect.
As Yoda would say...to a scary place this line of thinking takes us.
The FBI wants to use eye scans, combined with other data, to help identify suspects.
But it's an issue that raises major privacy concerns -- what one civil liberties expert says should concern all Americans.
The bureau is expected to announce in coming days the awarding of a $1 billion, 10-year contract to help create the database that will compile an array of biometric information -- from palm prints to eye scans.
Kimberly Del Greco, the FBI's Biometric Services section chief, said adding to the database is "important to protect the borders to keep the terrorists out, protect our citizens, our neighbors, our children so they can have good jobs, and have a safe country to live in."
But it's unnerving to privacy experts.
"It's the beginning of the surveillance society where you can be tracked anywhere, any time and all your movements, and eventually all your activities will be tracked and noted and correlated," said Barry Steinhardt, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Technology and Liberty Project.
The FBI already has 55 million sets of fingerprints on file. In coming years, the bureau wants to compare palm prints, scars and tattoos, iris eye patterns, and facial shapes. The idea is to combine various pieces of biometric information to positively identify a potential suspect.
As Yoda would say...to a scary place this line of thinking takes us.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Incomplete Poll
How can this poll be valid when we only know a little bit of three of the losties, and we don't know who the other three are?
Supremicist
Screw you AFC'ers! Screw you AL'ers! You guys can take your AFC\AL Supremicist attitudes and stick'em where the sun don't shine. You guys chant all year long about how great your leagues are and then oh so often don't live up to it when it really counts. Choke artist, not to mention cheaters.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Rams Legacy Intact??
As the rumors swirl about Bellicheat and his spygate tactics, I can only think and hope that maybe the legacy they were creating will once again be recognized.
Friday, February 01, 2008
The Fed, Tax Rebates, and the Dollar
The Fed does not care much about the value of the dollar it seems to be more concerned with trying to control inflation. It seems to me that the devaluation of the dollar is something born of our ever growing trade deficit particularly with China which was at $177.5 billon last year and the American phenomenon of spending borrowed money and racking up large consumer debt. If anything the Fed appears willing to allow us to continue on with this imprudent spending spree, even if the long-term results create massive economic hardship further down the road. At some point if there is not a correction made to our current path the long-term economic reality could be a disastrous one. Think of the Federal governments own growing deficit, the massive off-balance social security obligations, and the nations chronically low savings rates. In the short-term these rate cuts are nothing more then an attempt to weaken the dollar to dull the pain of reality to make us feel good. I also view the upcoming proposal of giving massive tax rebate checks out to all Americans to “fight recession” more of the same. Sure it might give the economy a nice one time jolt, by lifting consumer spending when consumer spending appears to be down, but what does it really do for anyone in the long run? It certainly will not forestall a recession if that is what we might be heading for. To me it is bad economic policy. I have heard it called "feel good economics", because it’s only real effect is to make politicians feel good about themselves and buy re-election with public funds. Is it any wonder then that the international community is becoming increasingly skeptical of the long term viability of current U.S. economic policy? Is it any wonder that foreign investors continue to dump their holdings of U.S. securities by a record amount and are pouring money into global funds as global equities rise the more the dollar drops?
What is needed are “real measures” taken to strengthen our dollar. For the strength of our currency is a reflection of the perceived value of our country in the global marketplace. Maintaining and strengthening the value of our nation’s currency, would be in the best interest of American consumers, American businesses and investors in the U.S. economy. What this Country needs is a President and a Congress that is willing to take the steps necessary to curb government spending and work towards balancing the deficit. We need leaders willing to take measures to greatly simplify our nation’s tax code which would encourage greater productivity and achievement. We need a Washington willing to take a look at policies that they have created which have unnecessary and excessive regulations, which result in excessive artificial inflationary costs which are passed on to consumers. Of course you probably will not hear about any of this in this year’s Presidential race, nor is anyone in Washington likely to take any revolutionary steps toward this end. Unfortunately I think more gimmick economic plans will be tried and our path hardened before any real change is made, but what do I know?
What is needed are “real measures” taken to strengthen our dollar. For the strength of our currency is a reflection of the perceived value of our country in the global marketplace. Maintaining and strengthening the value of our nation’s currency, would be in the best interest of American consumers, American businesses and investors in the U.S. economy. What this Country needs is a President and a Congress that is willing to take the steps necessary to curb government spending and work towards balancing the deficit. We need leaders willing to take measures to greatly simplify our nation’s tax code which would encourage greater productivity and achievement. We need a Washington willing to take a look at policies that they have created which have unnecessary and excessive regulations, which result in excessive artificial inflationary costs which are passed on to consumers. Of course you probably will not hear about any of this in this year’s Presidential race, nor is anyone in Washington likely to take any revolutionary steps toward this end. Unfortunately I think more gimmick economic plans will be tried and our path hardened before any real change is made, but what do I know?
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