Predictions

ESPN.com: Page 2 : Jason Whitlock
Scroll to the middle of the page to get past the Favre garbage. Once again, I rarely agree with Jason Whitlock but I do like what he's saying below:

ESPN.com: Page 2 : Trade Favre to the Raiders: "Of all the teams in the NFC, the Washington Redskins are the only team capable of winning the Super Bowl.

After being down on Joe Gibbs early in the season, I have to credit him for getting things together. If the Skins knock off the Eagles, they will enter the playoffs as the hottest team in the league -- hotter than the streaking Patriots, also winners of four straight.

Of course, we know the Redskins can play defense. What's been impressive is their offensive explosion the last two weeks -- 35 points in each victory, over the Cowboys and Giants.

The Skins have a good offensive line, three good running backs, a big-play receiver (Santana Moss), an effective tight end (Chris Cooley) and a QB who has thrown 22 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.

7. OK, while I'm on the subject, let me rank the NFC Super Bowl hopefuls.

1. Redskins: Outstanding defense and just enough offense to beat any team in the league.

2. Bears: Absolutely love the move to Rex Grossman. If Muhsin Muhammad holds on to the football, the Bears might score enough points to sneak into the Bowl.

3. Seahawks: Just feel like Matt Hasselbeck is going to do a couple of stupid things in Seattle's playoff opener and it's going to be curtains.

4. Buccaneers: Wouldn't be surprised if they were routed in their first playoff game. Wouldn't be surprised if they advanced to the NFC championship.

5. Panthers: You can rip Carolina's defense, but the problem with the Panthers is their running game. Lack of a consistent ground attack has exposed Jake Delhomme.

6. Giants: Eli Manning's happy feet and 52 percent completion rate will cost the Giants early.

7. Cowboys: You gotta make the playoffs to advance to the Super Bowl."

Bad Loss

No way in the world this game should have been lost. Memphis fought back but there were several questionable calls that allowed them to prevail. . . .an obvious missed call as the ball bounced off Damon Stoudamire's knee, Kobe's molestation on the final shot attempt .. . . .I could go on but what's the point?

Someone has to step up and be the wingman for Kobe here. Either step up or get shipped out. You can't expect Kobe to pass if there is no one that is a) confident enough to look for their own offense, and b) consistent enough to be a number 2 option. Lamar shows signs every blue moon. Kwame has improved since his injury but there's still a 50% chance that when he touches the ball, a turnover will occur. Smush Parker and Devean George are starting to look like our next two options. Smush isn't aggressive enough in penetrating. Devean still has a pretty limited game off the dribble. So now we're at Chris Mihm. He's got some decent game but he needs to be stronger, be an enforcer, know when to dunk a rebound and when to catch a rebound, and for Lakers sakes stop committing fouls.

What did Brian Cook do to get zero minutes last night????

FOXSports.com - NFL- Gibbs fumes after latest Arrington rant

FOXSports.com - NFL- Gibbs fumes after latest Arrington rant: "'Obviously, using me sparingly or not at all is a very clear message,' Arrington said. 'I'm not wanted here. I believe in my heart that the Redskins faithful love me as Ravens fans love Ray Lewis or Packers fans love Brett Favre. Some individuals hate it that there are more of my jerseys in the stands than anyone else's.'"

Great flippin' timing Lavar...we are on a four game win streak, last game of the season.....a win puts us in the playoffs and more importantly definitively knocks Dallas out....and you wanna go ranting and raving about stuff that isn't related to our last game.

Lavar, I've never been a fan of yours since you seemed pretty overrated to me. Nor did I like your contract negotiations when you've been injured....if you're hurt most of the time, which you seem to be, how are you going to ask for more money. More money for what? That free rehab you get in the Redskins training facilities....get over yourself dawg. Ask Rod Gardener about loving yourself more than your team!

Rude work folk

Don't you hate rude coworkers. I am in a position where folks only really talk to me when they need something. Generally speaking, if you need something of someone else, you tend to ask considerately, politely, and usually unsarcastically. Except for those that think they are owed support. Granted it is my job to provide my support but I am not at your service. So if you need something, show me the same consideration you would show anyone else or you best believe you will not receive the service you expect.....

ESPN.com - NBA - Turiaf scores nine in first game since heart surgery

ESPN.com - NBA - Turiaf scores nine in first game since heart surgery: "BOISE, Idaho -- Former Gonzaga star Ronny Turiaf had nine points and five rebounds in his first game with the Yakama Sun Kings. They lost 120-111 Monday night at Boise."

Moss Celebrates In Style

Moss Celebrates In Style: "For the season, Moss has caught 80 passes for 1,400 yards and nine touchdowns. The numbers proved deserving of a Pro Bowl nod last week. With 37 more receiving yards, Moss will have posted the most single-season receiving yards in franchise history, breaking Bobby Mitchell's record of 1,436 in 1963."

Washington Redskins, Mark Brunell, Patrick Ramsey, National Football League - CBS SportsLine.com

Washington Redskins, Mark Brunell, Patrick Ramsey, National Football League - CBS SportsLine.com: "Brunell: Knee injury 'day-to-day' with playoffs on line"

Loss Thoughts

We played a decent game tonite for it being a back to back. Still, this is a game we should have won. We came out flat in the second half, and were forced to rely entirely too much on three point offense and defense to pull back into it. Late offensive rebounds by the wizards killed us also.

Tough game coming up against Memphis. It's the first in Staples Center after splitting the previous two in Memphis, both by double digits.

Lamar Odom is starting to work his way into my favor (as if that matters). Initially, I just didn't feel like he fit in with the Lakers nor did I feel he wanted to but the past three weeks or so, it seems like he's getting to where we need him to be. He's not putting his game on the sideburner. Let's hope Smush can maintain his output and we get a step up from the bench.

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, National Basketball Association, Miami Heat - CBS SportsLine.com

For instance, following the lackluster win, O'Neal of course heard the question "why didn't you shake Kobe's hand? You shook everyone else's?" "Why do you refuse to even look at him?"

His answer, a great one, was dead silence. He no doubt realizes there are much more pertinent issues in his own house that need addressing.

I rarely agree with anything Tony Mejia has to say. In fact, I question how exactly he became the basketball expert for cbs.sportsline.com. But this time around, he makes sense. That's the most I can bring myself to say about him.

Police say Missouri woman swallowed cell phone whole to end fight | ajc.com

Police say Missouri woman swallowed cell phone whole to end fight | ajc.com: "Police say Missouri woman swallowed cell phone whole to end fight"

Womenfolk are crazy, just plain and simple...;)

ESPN.com - NBA - Report: Jackson thinks Kobe, Shaq will work it out

ESPN.com - NBA - Report: Jackson thinks Kobe, Shaq will work it out: "'They will. That'll happen,' Jackson told the Los Angeles Daily News on Saturday. 'We've all been through this in this game where we've had rivalries with players. Maybe not as intense or as close as Kobe and Shaq's, maybe not teammates."

That Playin Attitude

Lakers were victorious last night 104 - 88 over the Orlando Magic. I was impressed with their first half finish. I was sitting at my favorite Innebriation Vocational Institute when I noticed my need for restroom facilities. At this point it was 39 - 37 Orlando with about three minutes left in the half. After paying my tab both in the restroom and at the bar, I returned to my table to find that the score was now 54 - 40 as the Lakers had reeled off a 17 - 1 run. These are the things playoff teams do....

These Lakers are starting to get a swagger about themselves. A stagger that shows they respect themselves, they don't expect to lose or fail. This kind of thought process is necessary for winning teams to be competitive, for them to stay in games even if their 'A' game is leaning more towards a 'C' game. Let's hope they bring this with them tomorrow againt the Heat

ESPN.com - NBA - Lakers' Profit out 4-6 months after Achilles surgery

ESPN.com - NBA - Lakers' Profit out 4-6 months after Achilles surgery: "EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Los Angeles Lakers swingman Laron Profit had surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles' tendon in his left foot Friday."

This seriously messes with our depth. Laron had been handling his own off the bench. I would think that this may force us to work some kind of deal before the trade deadline in order to get our depth back.

ESPN.com - NBA - Rovell: Kobe gets signature shoe

ESPN.com - NBA - Rovell: Kobe gets signature shoe: "Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is finally getting his own Nike signature shoe, exactly halfway into a five-year, $45 million deal with the shoe and apparel giant."

Stupid Hip Hop Lines #2

Artist: Jadakiss

Song: Why (not sure if that's the name, but he asks why alot so I'm going with it)

Lyric: Why they make the new 20's, cuz I got all the old ones...that's why!

Stupidity: Really Jada, you went out and bought all the 20 inch rims that were available? Come on dog, you sound stupid saying that. Here's why, earlier in your song you say something about you're selling the least. So if your album ain't sellin', how are you buying all the 20's. Not to mention you would need a lot of cars for all those rims. It disturbs that your machismo came in and messed what was a decent song with social commentary, kind of devalued the rest of the song.....

Some more guidelines

Rules to proper drive thru etiquette:

1) If your window doesn't go down, don't use the drive thru. The car window and the drive thru work hand in hand. One works very well with the other. Opening doors in the drive thru is inefficient and quite frankly threatening (depending on your neighborhood, car type, style of dress, current song on radio, etc).

2) If you're buying more than just food, things like calendars, toys, promotional items, don't use the drive thru. Think of the drive thru as a prostitute at a seaport, get in and get out. No lingering, sampling the wares. Get food, get going.

3) If you're not sure what you want, don't use drive thru. Go inside, peruse the menu, see what fancies your delight. But don't make me sit behind you as you stare at fast food menu that has changed minimally in the last 15 years.

4) If you're buying for the office, don't use drive thru. It just isn't fair to the people who are using the drive thru for it's intended purpose which is quick orders--get in and get out. You office lunch purchasing departments are being lazy. 'I don't want to carry all that food'. Is your office coming down to your car to eat? No? Then the food will need to get to the eaters now won't it?

5) Exact change is great unless you are already at the cashier's window. At that point, just give them the dollars and get your change. The time wasted as you search for that which should have been in your hand already is longer than the time it would take for your fast food service professional to provide you with change.

ESPN.com - NBA - Lakers' draft pick Turiaf to sign with CBA squad

ESPN.com - NBA - Lakers' draft pick Turiaf to sign with CBA squad: "YAKIMA, Wash. -- Ronny Turiaf, the former Gonzaga Bulldogs star who had open-heart surgery just over six months ago, has signed a contract to play for the Yakama Sun Kings as part of his rehabilitation."

Balled Tonite

Played ball tonite and actually surprised myself a bit. I was jumping with the spring of a 27 year old xpinionated. Hustling, getting to the ball, hell if I could have made my layups I would have had a great day. But it felt good. Felt real good.......

The truth about Bread

Taken from www.eskimo.com
--
Research on bread indicates that:

1. More than 98 percent of convicted felons are bread users.
2. Fully HALF of all children who grow up in bread-consuming households score below average on standardized tests.
3. In the 18th century, when virtually all bread was baked in the home, the average life expectancy was less than 50 years; infant mortality rates were unacceptably high; many women died in childbirth; and diseases such as typhoid, yellow fever, and influenza ravaged whole nations."

Read More: "!!! BREAD IS DANGEROUS !!!

Historic 62

"'I've seen a few 60-point ballgames in my time, but none of them had been done by the third quarter... his 30-point third quarter was incredible.'"
Read more

Sixty Two - For really?

I knew something was going on last night when my wife uncharacteristically decided she wanted to come with me to watch the game. She rarely goes to the sports bar, after all she's not a sports fan. But alas, she went...and she drank. She rarely drinks, after all she's not a drinker.

So there we were. Me feeling a little weird with my wife actually with me at the bar. Her having a grand time with wine and one of her workout partners. Suddenly I notice something about the evening. Kobe's got 15 in the first quarter. Getting nervous because that can only mean the rest of the team isn't contributing. 32 at halftime and a nine point advantage. He's got 60% of our points. But my nervousness subsided when right before halftime, I saw something in Kobe's eyes that said tonite would be special indeed.

Kobe was discussing a call with the ref as they were headed to half time. Suddenly, Jason Terry of the Mavericks steps between Kobe and the ref, with his back to Kobe and starts a conversation with the ref. Yes, very rude. Kobe's face went from disbelief, to 'for really, who is this Jason Terry kid think he is', to a smirk saying your rudeness will be reaped tenfold. Kobe walked away with Jason still yapping, a smirk on Kobe Bean's face left that dangerous 'I'm kinda pissed by that' look on his face.

30 points later, Jason Terry wasn't doing much talking

Comments Working

For really, they are working...don't believe me...try 'em and see!

5 rules to using Wal-Mart Self Checkout

During my drive home yesterday, I needed to stop and pick up a couple of birthday cards for my Nephew and my Pops. I'm thinking run into Wal-Mart (bad idea during the holiday season) grab some cards and be on my way. Running into Wal-Mart wasn't the problem, grabbing the cards went pretty well, being on my way sucked. I go to self checkout because I just have two cards and didn't really crave the human interaction, plus the machine says 'Welcome to Wal-mart' with so much more sincerity. So my waltz through Wal-Mart's self checkout produced the rules below....and they apply to any self checkout actually...

Rule 5 - If you don't know how to use self-checkout, don't choose to start during the holiday season, at rush hour!

Rule 4 - If you have fruits or vegetables, just go to a human who knows how to quickly take care of that sort of thing....in fact alcohol requiring id checks is on the fringe for violating self-checkout consideration bylaws.

Rule 3 - Form a single line and let the next person go to the next available self checkout machine. Don't stand behind a machine even though you see other people waiting...shady ass!

Rule 2 - If you have more than 10 items, go to a regular line. You're gonna run out of bags and places to put stuff.....

Rule 1 - If you are paying by check....I shouldn't have to explain this one .. . . . please go to the regular line. The fact that you still use checks is a whole other post but don't make us relive the early 90's with you....

Playoffs ya say?

It's funny how football works sometimes....ya go into the weekend needing lots of help. Ya walk away with your playoff destiny in your own hands. . . . ehh for the most part anyway.

The 'skins can clinch this weekend with a win over the Giants AND losses by Minnesota (@Baltimore), Atlanta (@Tampa Bay), and Dallas (@Carolina).

Truth be told, I'm feeling pretty good about our chances. Now some of this could still be the beautiful afterglow of assaulting Dallas the way we did. And I know an upcoming game with the division leading Giants is gonna be a tough. But the way I see it, we have home field advantage and a 36 - 0 debacle to avenge. Tiki Barber is the only player I am concerned about. I know the hype about Plaxico and Eli but I think they still have a ways to go before they surpass Tiki as the Man of the Gameplan.

Unfortunately, I probably won't get to see this game Saturday which irks me a bit but we'll see...maybe Fox will make it the national broadcast.....

Comments broke again

I've been informed that the commetns functionality is functioning so I'll have to get on that....

ESPN.com - NCB - Virginia Tech 59, Stanford 52

ESPN.com - NCB - Virginia Tech 59, Stanford 52

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Virginia Tech's Coleman Collins had 16 points and Jamon Gordon added 12 points Saturday night as the Hokies overcame a nine-point halftime deficit to beat Stanford 59-52 in the nightcap of the Las Vegas Showdown."

ESPN.com - NBA - Shaq says Buss making excuses for siding with Kobe

ESPN.com - NBA - Shaq says Buss making excuses for siding with Kobe

I find it absolutely hilarious now. This big excuse of a man is still refusing to be 'the man'. Buss states that he thinks he made the right decision. That's it. And here comes the big ego with he's not an honest businessman.....uh...what?

Then to top it off he starts spouting off the number of Finals MVp awards he won...."How many years was Phil there? And how many years we went to the Finals? ... And how many points did I average and how many times was I the MVP?" You forgot one question, how many years was Kobe there and how many times did he bail you out of games where if you had made your flippin' free throws we all could have gone to be earlier? I'm sure you just overlooked that question Shaquille.

Really, why does the media still talk to this guy? Finally after his rant he says, "I don't take it personally. I haven't said nothing this year, but I am not going to let someone say something about me and then not come back." Uh, again, what did Buss say other than he feels he made the right decision. Big Idiot, it sounds like the only thing you are doing is taking this personally!

Quite Possibly

Quite possibly, the most least effective forms of human communications is trying to talk to a baby over the phone. If the baby can't speak to you in person, what reaction do you expect to get over the phone? It goes:
GLowing Grandma: Hi, hey, , hey
Baby:
Glowing Grandma: what're you doing, hey, (then a little louder, cuz volume will teach the baby to talk), HIIIIIEEEE, HEEEEEYYYEEEEE
Baby:
Mother: Guess he doesn't feel like talking now.....

Yes, useless communication......

Told ya

Consider the season tainted. I said two weeks ago that I didn't like the hype up before the game. How it felt like another Miami setup. It's taken me two weeks to come back here and say anything and still I get that bit of bile in the back of my throat.

Quite honestly, the Gator Bowl is a disappointment. No disrespect to Louisville, who may very well catch us with our pants around our ankles, but this season I was looking for at least, at least BCS game. I'm trying to muster some anticipation, some excitement but I find myself looking up Va Tech Bball scores just to avoid reading about another late season collapse (although that is somewhat harsh given the collapses of previous years which were true collapses).

My Problem With ACC Conference Championship Game

Personally, and this is not meant to be an excuse, I don't think the ACC Championship game should be in the state of Florida. There is no way in hell they can consider that mutual. It should be in Tennessee or Kentucky or even Washington D.C. (which is still a 4 hour trip for Hokies fans, not that it matters since our fans travel everywhere pretty well). But having the game in Florida is like telling FSU or Miami that they are playing in their backyard.

Divisions should be used for scheduling only. Instead of having Division winners meet in the Conference championship game, have the two best conference records meet. Hell, Va Tech's conference record is STILL better than FSU's even with the loss. This game cost Va Tech millions, and I truly think the outcome was one of those 2 out of times type of things. If these two teams played a season's worth of games against each other, I feel Va Tech would walk away from that 8 - 3.

Lastly, change the ACC's bowl affiliation if you're going to keep the championship game in Jacksonville. There's a pretty good chance that the team losing the ACC championship game will end up right back in Jacksonville for the Gator Bowl. The bowl games are meant to be a reward to these kids....go somewhere you've never been, see new things, these kids were here a month ago and didn't enjoy it then.....

On Another Note

Am the only purple and golder who finds the lack of information at Lakers.com depressing? They don't update daily as shown by today still showing the score of Friday night's loss despite the big win in big D last night. I never really find any info there that is not readily available on any generic sports site. It's really sad that this site represents one of the greatest franchises in sports history.

Great win over Dallas

The Lakers waltzed into Dallas last night and emerged with a 109 -106 victory over the stunned Mavericks. Who would have thought Kwame Brown would have his best night to date as a Laker? 6/6 for 12 points, and he was able to catch entry passes.. . . with his hands! Seriously, Kwame had a great game and gave us what we were hoping to get from him in the first couple of weeks of the season.

Lamar Odom showed the same aggressiveness he has shown on this recent road trip that has been making this guy writing a little more accepting of the big L.O. L.O. finished with 15 pts, 11 rebs, and 5 assists.

Smush Parker had his second consecutive down game with a 5 point effort. To his credit, there were some ticky tack calls in the first half that cost him quite a bit of playing time.

And oh yeah, Bean dropped 43 including a 3000 ft 3 pointer with hands in his face as the shot clock expired late in the fourth quarter that milked the soul from Mavericks for all intent and purpose.

This was a game we were supposed to lose. The experts say we just wanted to make a good showing. I must admit the current road trip has given me renewed hope in what's happening with this team. 4 -1 on a six game road trip. That total equals the number of wins we have at home all season(4 -5)!!!

NFL.com - NFL Conference Standings

NFL.com - NFL Conference Standings: "2005 NFC Seeding"

The AFC West has singlehandedly made this an uphill climb for the 'Skins. They are 7-6 overall, 7-2 against the NFC but losses to Oakland, KC, Denver, and San Diego have made playoff chances slim to none and we would still need some help.

The worst part is every loss this year except to the Giants (which as we all know when a member of a team's family passes away, it's almost inevitable that said team will put up an enormous performance), every game was winnable and\or suspect. Oakland - never should have lost to them. KC had something like 21 points off turnovers in 7 point victory. Denver held on for a 2 point victory. And the Chargers were dominated for most of the game until defensive collapses in the fourth and OT caused an 'L'. And let's not talk about the Tampa Bay fiasco....officiating cost us a victory there and unknowingly may change the face of the playoffs as Tampa now leads their division....

Why Can't I Own a Canadian?

This is such an interesting way to put things....

.500

Well, last week proved to be the most successful week of the season with some dominating wins (though against arguably sub par teams) and only a single loss. The most telling trend from last week's performance was the balance in all facets of the game. In our loss, Kobe had 35. I wonder how long before we can truly come together as a team and trust ourselves not to give the ball to Kobe due to our own lack of confidence.

Also, I hate to say it, but I am sort of glad the Kwame Brown is out. I never wish an injury on a player nor do I want him to stay injured. But not once has he shown that he deserves to be a starter on this team. His biggest problem? He can't catch...basketball is a pretty hard sport to thrive in iff'n you can't catch....

Eery

This week's game against FSU is starting to feel ominously like the Miami game. Every one saying it should be a blowout...everyone chalking it up....playing on a dreaded Saturday night! Hokies have to keep their heads on in this one. It's another fast defense and we've gotta be ready for it. A loss in this game would seriously taint the season.....

Florida State Seminoles, NCAA Football, Virginia Tech Hokies - CBS SportsLine.com

Florida State Seminoles, NCAA Football, Virginia Tech Hokies - CBS SportsLine.com: "The quarterback for fifth-ranked Virginia Tech figures to be severely tested by Florida State in the ACC championship game Saturday night. A heavy pass rush is anticipated, and Vick has strict orders to get rid of the ball."

FOXNews.com - U.S. & World - No Jail Time for Florida Teacher in Sex Case

FOXNews.com - U.S. & World - No Jail Time for Florida Teacher in Sex Case: "The deal provides that Lafave will not serve one day in jail in connection with multiple sex acts with a 14-year-old student unless she violates the terms of the plea agreement, which includes three years of house arrest and seven years' probation.

'To place an attractive young woman in that kind of hell hole is like putting a piece of raw meat in with the lions,' Lafave's attorney, John Fitzgibbons, said in July of the possibility of jail time. 'I'm not sure she would survive.'"

So no jail time because she's pretty? There's horse fecal matter....reverse the situation and have a male middle school teacher sleeping with a student...multiple times....and in the company of other teens and they would have thrown the book at him. He could have looked like Matthew McConannahguay and he still would have to be worried about his rectal virginity.

And house arrest as punishment? I think most people do all they can to spend as much time at home as possible. Who is going to pay for her 'house arrest' since she doesn't have a job? Ridiculous verdict...just like the Tampa Bay white girl who knowingly ran over some black kids and left the scene....her punishment...some house arrest...meanwhile in the same Florida city a black truck driver hits a minivan and gets like 5 or 15 (can't remember which) years in prison....and he didn't leave the scene.....

Photoshop of Magdeline's Shoes

Photoshop of Magdeline's Shoes
Originally uploaded by Xpinionated.

Here's a mockup with the front runners

Magdeline's Shoe Offers

Magdeline's Shoe Offers
Originally uploaded by Xpinionated.

These are the shoes currently being considered. It's down to a two rim choice really now with the front runner being the bottom right rim followed by the top left rim....

Ridiculous

Fucking pitiful. No offensive touchdowns. Mark Brunell threw the ball out of bounds an inordinate amount of times. THere is no reason in hell we should be beat by Oakland, especially if it's Jerry Porter bustin' our ass....really? Jerry Porter....ashamed I am.

Now, I will admit this is the second straight week that the referees have blown calls that have costed us games. But when you're up 13-3 and can't find a way to win the game, the refs are the last ones you need to hound. Started off 3 - 0 and now we're 5-5...

Get me to shut up about them

Go buy your rims if it will get you to shut up about them....

From a person spending four grand on unneeded bedroom furniture, 600 on unnneeded coffee tables and end tables, 500 on a Dyson....that hasn't done anything particular special.

I swear I don't ask for a lot. I covet things but deny the urge to go and get them. When she wants something, it's an immediate purchase. When I want something, it's find a good deal, save for it, etc. Was the four grand a good deal? I should say not since the frame broke within a week. It's been fine since being replaced but I'm sure rooms to go had something a little more responsible price wise....wait...we didn' t even need the furniture.

How can I get across to my wife that the only thing I feel is 100% COMPLETELY MINE is my car. The house is her playground. My car is my car. My entire driving life, I've wanted a car with rims, a nice system, a little custom touch to it. When I was single, never had the money to do it. Since I've been married, everytime I think I may do it, the money is either spent on something else or sent to a credit card or something happens where what I've saved is put back into the joint account. Quite honestly, I'm sick of it.

I'm tired of hearing 'I want...' and 'Can we . . . '. I love my wife dearly but I do not think she will ever be content, ever. Simply put.

I guess I have to come to grips with knowing that getting the bigger things that I want will be few and far between.. . . . . . . . . .

Comments are back

For those that care, I am allowing comments once again though there is now a verification process. Thoughts?

Oddly Enough News Article | Reuters.com

Oddly Enough News Article | Reuters.com: "A woman receiving treatment for diabetes at a state-run hospital in eastern India lost one of her eyes after ants nibbled away at it, officials said on Tuesday."

See, this is exactly why I hate ants! The poor woman can't really sue since it doesn't sound the hospital has riches worth going to court for....

50 cent is Garbage

Okay, now that 50 Cent owns hip hop and pop radio, I must admit that I cannot stand this new-age Mace.

Reason 1: Reason 1 is actually pet peeve 274. I can't stand when a person's mouth is never closed. I'm talking in a won't shut up kind of way. No, I mean, physically their mouth is never closed. Like a venus fly trap awaiting pray his mouth is always slightly open...I know he has big teeth but really? Never closing your mouth can't be healthy...

Reason 2: He is not a great lyricist. Hell, he's not even that good. 'Same two step with a little twist....'

Reason 3: Has he ever rapped about anything? I mean I know you have to put those three or four songs on your album that are made for the radio\club but usually there is something of content on your album....usually....

Reason 4: He feels responsible for Kanye West's success. No, the reason for Kanye West's success is variety. Even though he's sampled more than a fat kid at Baskin Robbins, at least he is talking about something...from Sierra Leonne to Golddigger, at least he's reaching people on more than just a Dre beat.

I'm sure if I didn't feel like I was adding to 50 cent's buzz by this post, I could continue until the wee hours. However, I feel like reading now....

Spammers

Unfortunately, spam has now hit comments, guestbooks, and so forth. That is part of the reason there have been less posts on here. I miss the response from the sparse readers I have but I was starting to receive comments daily from people (used loosely) trying to sell me penis enhancement creams and prescription drugs. And quite frankly, the side effects weren't worth it.

Maybe I'll put the comments section back up here and see if Blogger will do anything about it. If not, I may have to at the very least restrict commenting to only other blogger users.

Up and down

Up and down you're turning me.....

Nice win over Philly, although watching the game I felt that we should definitely have won by more than a touchdown. I almost felt like we dominated but kept floundering just enough to make a game of it.

Chris Cooley is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

Santana Moss has been quiet the past two weeks and it doesn't seem like we're as eager to go deep as we were the first couple of games after flagellating on Dallas. Wonder why?

Dreams

Last night I had a dream that I was playing with two babies. I don't know if they were mine or not but I was very much into playing with these two kids. They were probably around 2 and I can't remember if they were twins or not.

I've noticed that I find myself smiling quite a bit at the site of babies and toddlers lately (still don't like teenagers).

Smush Parker - New Fan Favorite

• Ranks #7 in the NBA in Field-Goal Percentage(0.6)


• Ranks #7 in the NBA in Field-Goal Percentage(0.6)


• Ranks #1 in the NBA in Steals Per Game(3.0)


• Ranks #10 in the NBA in Three-Point Field Goals Made(8.0)


• Ranks #13 in the NBA in Three-Point Field Goal Attempts(20.0)


• Ranks #1 in the NBA in Steals(12.0)


• Ranks #6 in the NBA in Steals Per Turnover(2.4)


• Ranks #6 in the NBA in Steals Per 48 Minutes(3.92)

Early Season report

I went to the Hawks - Lakers game last night and I saw some good things and some bad things...

Good Things:
-Though we don't have a definitive interior presence, we are still pretty aggressive defensively resulting in a lot of awkward offensive trips for opposing teams.

-Smush Parker. Where has this kid been? 17.8 ppg, 60% from the field, 40% from 3 pt range. And he does consistently for the entire game....oh and 3 steals per game along with nearly 4 assists.....

-Kobe Bryant. Four games into the season, four games of 30+ per game. Mid-season form in the first week.

Bad Things:
Lamar Odom. What's this new found love he has for shooting threes. He's not good at that. I don't ever remember him being good at that. And of course, he still has his fadeaway layups....I'm finding it hard to cheer for him, just not sure what he brings to the table.

Kwame Brown. Can't catch. Can't shoot. Can't make free throws. And he's a bit foul prone. Let's move him if at all possible by the trade deadline.

Lack of playing time for Bynum. Granted we haven't really had too many situations for Bynum to get some good run in but I'd like to see firsthand what the kid can do.

Slava and McKie are not seeing the floor. Although I like Slava, we are 3 -1 so I can't complain about lineups or rotation. I will say that I find it hard to cheer for Phil after some of the things I've read about him. Maybe Kobe should keep a diary....;)

Stupid HIP HOP lines #1

Artist: Lil Kim or Foxy Brown (sound the same to me in my ol' age)
Song: Put your lighters up (may be just the chorus, whatever)
Lyric: I come from Bedstuy, where niggas do or they don't die....
Stupidity: People do or don't die everywhere, it's kinda the cycle of life. Or living and not living. I woke up this morning and was lucky to 'don't die', so far anyway....I'm confused what do dying or don't dying have to do with Bedford Stuyvesant in particular....well I'm gonna get back to don't dying now....

50 Cent Disagrees With Kanye West | ajc.com

50 Cent Disagrees With Kanye West | ajc.com: "50 Cent Disagrees With Kanye West

NEW YORK — Rap feuds aren't usually about differing opinions on President Bush. However, that appears to be the case between 50 Cent and Kanye West."

Okay, this is ridiculous. The media is trying to create a feud where no logical feud exists. 50 cent (whom I dislike but more on that perhaps later) says that Hurricane Katrina was an act of God. Kanye West says dubya doesn't care about black people. What exactly do those two statements have to do with each other. 50 is talking about the hurricane, Kanye is talking about the relief effort....uh apples and oranges.

Then the fun begins when 50 says he is responsible for Kanye's success. Not necessarily feud material but it is a ludicrous assumption that folks were so tired of confrontational lyrics that they were looking for something different. However, many people, including myself, were tired of hearing 50's same ol, lame ol lyrics and style. Actually, for me anyway, to the point where I started listening to the Sirius Blues channel just to avoid 'the same ol' two step with a twist'....shot nine times, etc...

Anyway, back to the original point, for all the media claims to do that's helpful, they are the biggest propagator of divide and conquer....

Wartime "sluts" caused diplomatic waves

Oddly Enough News Article | Reuters.com: "Wartime 'sluts' caused diplomatic waves"

Never saw this on the history channel....?

ESPN.com: Page 2 : Sacred ignorance

ESPN.com: Page 2 : Sacred ignorance: "'Limitation of their attention span … due to too much rap music'? 'Prison garb and thuggery … that has come along with hip-hop music'?

Forget calling the kettle black, let's just call the hypocrite white.

Or should I say, hippie?

One who was a member of an anti-American culture that made marijuana mainstream, one that dressed in Woodstock and Vietnam garb.

But before we go there, let's deal with the greater issue: the cultural and racial ignorance of Phil Jackson."

Wow....Scoop Jackson writes an excellent article here that definitely has me thinking....

Great awkward moment

I asked a group of co-workers if they knew how much our health plans contributed to getting Lasik surgery. One of the coworkers, who has a glass eye states, 'I so wanna get that done but I'm worried about the risk, having just one eye and all'.

It was funny. Funnier than the laugh she received. But I didn't realize just how ironically funny it was. And I wanted to say, 'well at least it would be cheaper'. I know, I know, I'm bad.

ESPN.com - NCF - Gilmore: Is USC really No. 1?

ESPN.com - NCF - Gilmore: Is USC really No. 1?: "At the midpoint of the college football season, it's always a good idea to step back and re-examine our perspective on things. For me, one of the top topics is USC. Has USC established itself as the best team during the first half of the season? I don't think so. In my opinion, Virginia Tech and Texas have outplayed USC in the first half.

USC certainly deserved to start the season as the No. 1 team after routing Oklahoma 55-19 in last season's BCS championship game to win its second consecutive title. The Trojans have a win streak of 27 games, which includes season opening blowouts over Hawaii and Arkansas. Immediately, the comparisons started: is USC the greatest team ever, with the greatest player ever (Matt Leinart)? However, USC has struggled in conference play the last three weeks while Virginia Tech and Texas have recorded impressive wins on their way to undefeated records. Are we blinded by the bling-bling of Reggie Bush, Matt Leinert, LenDale White and the Trojans pursuit of a third straight title?

If you simply look at performance during the first half of the season, Texas and Virginia Tech have had more impressive first halves than USC. Texas had a big road win against a top 10 Ohio State team and dominant wins over Missouri (on the road) and nemesis Oklahoma. Virginia Tech had impressive road wins over solid NC State and West Virginia teams and also blew out everyone else (including a good Georgia Tech team). In short, Texas and Virginia Tech have met the bar set for them as title contenders."

The BCS Blundering coming

Texas Longhorns, NCAA Football - CBS SportsLine.com: "Not only is Texas No. 3 in the BCS standings behind Virginia Tech (source: collegebcs.com), it will probably debut that way when the first official BCS ratings come out on Monday. This is news because any human poll you want to use has the Longhorns as the country's consensus No. 2."

Offshore outsourcing sucks! What good is saving money on the consultant's fees if you can't understand the consultants. Inevitably, that will lead to delays in the project plan, which means paying lower fees for a longer amount of time and poof goes your savings. Especially when the consultants would be pretty suspect regardless of the communication gaps!

Death of Movie theatres

A lot has been made of Hollywood not making the money it once did. Critics and reporters say it's due to other forms of entertainment. Some say it's due to movies just not being as good. Well, after another theatre going experience ruined by other patrons I think I have my own spin on why Hollywood isn't getting the moolah from movies the way it used to:

People are rude. They go to the theatre to show off their cell phone. They come in late and leave early. They talk through the entire movie just loud enough to be heard by everyone in their near vicinity with hopes of drawing laughter from a stranger outside of the party they came to the theatre with. This is what's killing Hollywood. I personally am having second thoughts about ever going to a theatre on a Friday or Saturday night again.

I need to win the lotto so I can buy my own theatre and actively enforce my right to refuse service to folks. In fact, upon entering my theatre, you will be given a ticket that corresponds to a bin in which your cellphone and any other electronic products will be placed for the duration of the movie. Theatres will be actively patrolled for habitual conversations. And folks would be thrown out after only one warning. Thrown off the premises.....

No posts

I have been pretty bad at keeping the blogs updated. I don't have an excuse for it, just not enough or being lazy....

In any case, Va Tech is looking really good this year. They are finding ways to snatch the momentum from any team they face at critical junctures in the game. A blocked field goal against Ga Tech to a recovered punt return fumble against WVA, things definitely seem to be going the Hokies way.

This week, we're up against Marshall. This should be a pretty easy win for the Hokies but I don't want to look past anyone. The thundering herd has had their fair share of upsets and we're not looking to become one of them.....

New Jersey

Well I'm in Jersey after one of the longest flights I think mankind has ever had the displeasure of traversing. Airlines should have a baby section in the back of the plain that has some kind of soundproof barrier so the rest of the world can enjoy their flight.

People seem to talk louder here. Just an observation...and they talk alot, almost like their scared to be alone with their own thoughts so they keep talking even if they are just saying the same thing in a new and exciting way.

I'm here for a wedding for one of Mrs Xpinionated's friends. Not really looking forward to being away from home but gon' try to make the best of it. Gonna go to sleep now though.

Los Angeles Lakers, National Basketball Association - CBS SportsLine.com

Los Angeles Lakers, National Basketball Association - CBS SportsLine.com: "Ronny Turiaf was simply taking another step in his recovery from open-heart surgery.

'I'm feeling great. I'm feeling fantastic. I'm alive,' Turiaf said. 'I'm working out every day. I'm just doing everything I can to be on the basketball court, so I'm doing good.'"

It's good to see the association with the team. Get well soon Ronny!

Oddly Enough News Article | Reuters.com

Oddly Enough News Article | Reuters.com: "SEATTLE (Reuters) - An Oregon woman whose doctor convinced her that he could cure her lower back pain by having sex with her is suing him and his medical clinic for $4 million, according to legal documents obtained on Monday."

She really shouldn't get any money though. He definitely should be punished but sex as a cure.....how hard is this cure to research? How stupid/naive/gullible would one have to be to fall for this?

Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever get all the toys I want in life. It just seems like anytime we get a bit of money, there's something else waiting that it is to be used for. Is this what we spent our youth rushing towards, to times where we have jobs to earn money that we can't spend on the stuff we really want....?

Unfortunately

I have to disable commenting on this blog because I have been getting spammed through the comments link. As such, until Blogger has a way to stop this or I figure out a different solution, there will be no commenting here. I hate spammers and con artists and spammers....jackasses...

Movie depiction irks flight attendants | ajc.com

Movie depiction irks flight attendants | ajc.com:

Flight attendants boycotting a movie...uh oh...that movie is destined to flop now....wait... shouldn't their asses be on the damn plane anyway....there's no new releases on planes....silly flight attendants...

Statements Recant?

I guess my loyal readers are expecting something in reference to the last post and the results of last night's amazing game......wells, though I am excited as any Redskins fan in regards to the thrilling 14-13 victory over the Cowgirls, I am not quite ready to jump on the Brunell/Gibbs bandwagon.

In fact, I can only hope the success of the offense in the last 4 minutes will lead Gibbs conservative playcalling in another direction. Instead of the ineptitude of the WR Screen, perhaps speed down the middle will calm these blitzing defenses to back off a little bit...in turn opening the middle for Portis to do some damage.

No, friends, it's gonna take more than 4 minutes of true Redskins caliber football to pull Gibbs and Brunell out of the shithole section of my opinions.....

31

I've denied, resisted, and passionately fought against the aging process, and mentally I've won that battle. I still act like a mature 26 year old. However, my 30.9753425 year old body just officially announced is retreat to the aging process. For the second time in a year, I have eaten McDonald's and everything that is me is rejecting this food. I feel horrible, not strangely happy as in years past.....disgusted, thick McDonald's spit in my mouth.....just bad.....and I had to wait ten minutes to get this atrocity called lunch!

Football Season

Ah, this beautiful time of year when the pigskin is a'flyin' and the hot days of summer aren't so hot.

Check the Hokies and the Redskins blogs over thataway in the sidebar for updates on the teams I love. I haven't been updating them as I should but hopefully I will get back to it and you'll have a layman's view of the sport that is fit for kings....particular the king of beer....BUDWEISER!!

Bad News

After the excitement of finding out that we were expecting, we were hit with the disappointment of a miscarriage. Initially, we found out last week on Wednesday. The wife had symptoms that are common to a miscarriage but that are also common in an early pregnancy. After her doctor's appointment the following day, there was a slim chance that a miscarriage had not occurred but given the evidence it was unlikely.

I took the news kind of hard. I don't think I showed it outwardly so much as I tried to stay optimistic hoping the follow up appointment would result in us still being pregnant. I think the absence of 100% proof helped my wife handle it better as she was able to fortify herself for bad news this week should the miscarriage prove to be true. It helped me as well. Even though I remained hopeful, in the back of my mind I think I knew what the follow-up would show. In any case, I think we've handled it quite well.

We've also found ourselves becoming much more knowledgeable concerning pregnancies, particularly early pregnancies and the exact biological processes occuring that make it happen.

Unfortunately, I sometimes wonder if karma is rearing its head due to the two previous abortions I went through with ex-girlfriends in college. Though I am pro-choice, I can certainly say that I will never advocate an abortion if there is any other possible solution.

Tuesday Morning Recap

The 'Skins came out on top of a defensive battle that either highlighted two really good defenses . . . .or lowlighted two really bad offenses. Oddly enough, some fellow skins fans and I predicted the score would be 9 -7 early in the first quarter. Sitting at the sports bar, we were discussing how fans of other teams were shouting and carrying on because they were scoring and how we were calmly watching our game reminiscing about the special feeling a touchdown gives you . . . .

ON a side note, Gibbs has really fallen very far from my most popular list. He shows this fake faith in Patrick Ramsey saying he's the starter etc, the kid gets a minor injury and I swear I think I saw Gibbs smile. The kid says he's ready to get back in the game and Gibbs holds him out. Now P-Ram is 6/11 for 102 yards. Ol' Brunell? He finished with 70 yards passing.....Then after the game Gibbs, being the honest upfront man he is, says he'll wait a couple of days to determine his starter based on how folks heal up.....so a couple of hours later he names Brunell the starter.

Gibbs should be ashamed of the way he's treated P-Ram. He should be upfront with the kid and say I'm going to do my best to not play you. YOu may want to look elsewhere. Gibbs has been through two offseasons and managed to pick qb's both seasons....no support for the incumbent. I wish P-Ram the best and sincerely hope he leaves the Redskins high and dry as soon as he gets a chance. And then I want him to go on and have a phenomenal career to spite Gibbs.....

I never thought I'd say it but I'm really not feeling this Gibbs guy.......

Letting Folks Know

We told the parents last night about our pregnancy. My mom was clearly excited as was my dad. I think her mom almost cried. I'm still in shock for some reason. I guess I need something physical to see or touch because I don't feel any different, my wife doesn't look any different.....there's not that thing that puts it smack dab in my face that says PREGNANT. I am excited though.....

Nike Air Blacksburg Michael Vick, Nike Air Blacksburg Michael Vick Atlanta Falcons

That there is clout....when you can get Nike to name a shoe after THE TOWN that your college is in....that's clout....

Official

I'm going to be a father, a pops, a daddy, a role model. I will be responsible for another human being. Feeding, housing, protecting. I'm going to be a daddy.

I must say that I'm still in shock. Don't doubt that I'm happy because I'm ecstatic and relieved that we are able to have children. But still shock is pretty prevalent too.

I found out Friday night around 10:15 after arriving home after a two week business trip. 'I'm late', she said with a slight smile. I was overwhelmed, instantly antsy despite a long drive. I couldn't stop moving. She went to the doctor this morning and found out she is 6 weeks along.

I'm going to be a daddy!

And the meek shall inherit the earth

Bishop's charity generous to bishop | ajc.com: "Bishop's charity generous to bishop
New Birth's Eddie Long got $3 million

By JOHN BLAKE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/28/05

In 1995, Bishop Eddie Long established a nonprofit, tax-exempt charity to help the needy and spread the gospel.

But it was Long, leader of the largest church congregation in Georgia, who became the charity's biggest beneficiary."

ESPN.com: Page 2 : Don't blame Huggins

ESPN.com: Page 2 : Don't blame Huggins: "Yes, the saga continues. Another institution used poor blacks for its benefit, disrespected them in writing and then kicked them to the curb. Some will blast Zimpher and UC for its callousness. I won't. Again, I offer her praise. I respect her honesty. What must be questioned is the sanity of the black community that continues to allow its youth to be used by institutions that don't respect them."

ESPN.com - NBA - Kreidler: Phil of the future

ESPN.com - NBA - Kreidler: Phil of the future: "Lakers' three-year plan might be too farsighted for Phil
Kreidler
By Mark Kreidler
Special to ESPN.com
Archive

On so many levels, the Los Angeles Lakers' approach to the next few seasons appears straightforward and even sensible: Cut payroll, limit most players to short-term contracts and try to free up scads of money for 2007 or 2008, when a fresh crop of high-profile free agents comes to market.

It's a plan. It has at least an intermediate goal set within it. It may yield a longer-term payoff.

Phil Jackson
Phil may need to meditate more with this Lakers team.

Just wondering: What in the seventh concentric circle of Hades is Phil Jackson doing in the middle of it?"

Eminem's Relatives Sue Rapper Over House | ajc.com

Let me get some understanding here: the man GAVE you $165,000 dollars and a home for two years and now you're suing him. It would be different if you were providing some service other than freeloading. It would be different if there was some kind of contract but this doesn't even sound logical. I'm sick of people suing somebody for something instead of just working for your money. No house payment for two years and you have the nerve to be distressed. I say carry yo' ass and welcome back to the real world!

ESPN.com - NCF/PREVIEW05 - Pat Forde: The second coming

ESPN.com - NCF/PREVIEW05 - Pat Forde: The second coming: "Humbled Vick ready to take over Hokies
By Pat Forde
ESPN.com

If Marcus Vick's offensive line protects him the way the Virginia Tech hierarchy has this preseason, they won't have to wash the quarterback's jersey once all year.

Nobody will lay a hand on him.

Tech did not take its prodigal QB to ACC media days in Hot Springs, Va. When media members inquired at that event about the possibility of a short jaunt to Blacksburg to talk to Vick, they were given the David Spade Capital One response: no, nyet, nein, nunca, saint happenin'. Since fall camp started, Vick's availability has been limited to twice-weekly group interviews, with Tech personnel present. There have been no one-on-one interviews. And those planning to be part of the group interviews are given a preemptive warning that the junior is not very receptive to questions about 'the past.'"

Prodigal son returns home

By H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY

"He's too good," Marcus says.

No such rule follows Marcus in real life, where he is expected to be his big brother, or at least a right-handed mirror image, each time he takes the football field.

Marcus Vick will lead Virginia Tech in its Sept. 4 opener at North Carolina State on ESPN2. It will be his first start as quarterback at Tech, where his brother memorably made his name on his way to video-game fame.

Hokies fans expected to see Vick's debut as a starter long ago. But he missed all of last season due to a school-imposed suspension following a pair of criminal cases.

"I was young," says Vick, 21. "I made a lot of crucial mistakes."">USATODAY.com - Prodigal son returns home: "Prodigal son returns home
By Erik Brady, USA TODAY
BLACKSBURG, Va. — When Marcus Vick and his friends play Madden, the NFL video game, they follow one house rule: No one gets to be Michael Vick.
Marcus Vick spent time with older brother Michael during his suspension last year. 'I wanted to spend time with him and, you know, get his mind right,' Michael says.
By H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY

'He's too good,' Marcus says.

No such rule follows Marcus in real life, where he is expected to be his big brother, or at least a right-handed mirror image, each time he takes the football field.

Marcus Vick will lead Virginia Tech in its Sept. 4 opener at North Carolina State on ESPN2. It will be his first start as quarterback at Tech, where his brother memorably made his name on his way to video-game fame.

Hokies fans expected to see Vick's debut as a starter long ago. But he missed all of last season due to a school-imposed suspension following a pair of criminal cases.

'I was young,' says Vick, 21. 'I made a lot of crucial mistakes.'"

The upside....

I am so tired of hearing every sports reporter, commentator, or expert use the phrase 'upside'. When exactly was it declared that if you can't think of anything specifically good about a player to say, but you still felt the player was good, that 'upside' is how you would describe the player? Why does upside trump potential? Potential is a much more powerful word in my opinion. PO TEN TIAL . . . hell potent is in the word. Upside....geez....it would be different if it were only one or two folks saying it but now you hear it pretty much when the expert has run out of ideas. 'With that said, this kid has a lot of upside....' People, I say again, are sheep.....

Hair

So I have been growing my hair out since our matrimonials. I was starting to ponder the idea of getting dreads. I just don't know if I have the commitment. It could take 12 months for the hair to lock and I have rarely had hair longer than a year before cutting it completely bald.

On top of this, I brought it up in passing with my boss and she intimated that she's not a dreadlock fan. She feels they look dirty. I tried to 'splain to her that it's based on the person who has them but she didn't seem to sway.

On top of THAT, the twists in my hair were on their way out so I tried to retwist them myself because $70 for a week and half long hairstyle isn't something I can commit to either. The sides and the back went weel but the top ended up a true mess. It may be better if I let Mrs. Xpinionated do it but I wasted 3 hours the other night doing my hair and have been slightly jaded.

So now I have to decide if I wanna get it cornrowed if for no other reason because that's cheaper and buys me some time as far as a final decision or twisted again, somewhere else that may be cheaper?? Suggestions??

CNN.com - Jury convicts video game defense killer - Aug 10, 2005

CNN.com - Jury convicts video game defense killer - Aug 10, 2005

So this kid kills three cops and then claims the video game Grand Theft Auto made him do it. Well, the jury says bullshit and convicts him of capital murder. Now the family of the victims is suing the video game manufacturer. ?????????????????? Remember the good old days when a family member's death was a tragedy and not a financial opportunity?? My take is that if the jury said the video game has nothing to do with it, then the civil case shouldn't even make it to the courtroom. It would be different if the kid had been found guilty because of insanity or something which would indicate the video game had a stake in this. But he wasn't.

The family is even trying to sue two stores, presumably for selling the game. Why two stores, did each store sell half of the game to him? There definitely needs to be some kind of laws put in to determine when civil suits can be filed....let's put tax money into figuring out when someone has really been wronged by a corporate entity and when personal responsibility is the deciding factor. Instead of wasting our money so these gold diggers (and not just the victim's families in this case, but all instances of random civil cases) can find a get rich scheme and make them work like the rest of us.

A common rule of thumb in my opinion for civil cases, if you wouldn't sue a janitor for doing whatever, then don't sue someone else 'cuz they got money. In this specific case, if you're not going to sue the person who actually killed your family members, don't sue a company with some indirect, unproven link to the tragedy.

Updates From Camp:

From Fanball.com:
Redskins: Arrington close to returning
Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington passed a conditioning test on Tuesday and is close to returning to practice. Arrington is recovering from multiple right knee surgeries, and Tuesday's test involved him running 14 40-yard dashes. "He passed it with flying colors," director of sports medicine Bubba Tyer told the Washington Post. "We're real proud of him. He did great. We're getting close." Arrington could practice on a limited basis starting next week.

Redskins running back Clinton Portis told reporters on Tuesday that he added roughly 20 pounds over the offseason. He was listed at 205 last season but claims to be at 225 right now. "I picked up 20 pounds getting in the weight room," he informed the Washington Post. "Pretty much it was just working [out]. I knew what it was going to take. I knew I needed to pick up weight for the type of offense that we're running. In the two-yard gains, I probably need this weight to turn 'em into four or five."

Arrington? Who is this Arrington of which you speak? I seem to remember signing someone of that name that had amazing (as the 'experts' love to say) upside but he vanished. Could this be the same Arrington? Lavar has maybe one more season in Washington to prove his worth before it's time to start calling for a trade in my opinion. I also remember reading recently that he is involved in a contract dispute for 17 months. How can you dispute your pay when you haven't worked?

Jackson Lawyer Ridicules Unhappy Jurors | AccessAtlanta

Jackson Lawyer Ridicules Unhappy Jurors | AccessAtlanta

These two jurors should be charged themselves. One, for trying to capitalize off being a juror and in order to do so changing their story now. I hate to say it but I agree with the lawyer. These fools won't get any of my money....

Washington Redskins - 5 things from CBS Sportsline

Washington Redskins, National Football League - CBS SportsLine.com

Everything said here I agree with. As such, I provide it to you for your analysis.....

Not Exactly Related

Found this on the MaddenNation.com website in reference to Auburn fans complaining about not being named National Champions.

It's a photoshop based on NCAA Football 2006 but it is hilarious.

Not Exactly Related

Found this on the MaddenNation.com website in reference to Auburn fans complaining about not being named National Champions.

It's a photoshop based on NCAA Football 2006 but it is hilarious.

Ramsey's Turn

Clipped from: AP article by Joseph White posted at Washington Times, 8/2/05

Patrick Ramsey opened training camp as the starting quarterback of the Washington Redskins, but not necessarily as the quarterback of the future.

Ramsey looked at ease - much more comfortable than last year - as he tossed passes Monday to newcomers Santana Moss and David Patten and the rest of the receivers. Always the optimist, he spoke of making the best of his opportunity, even though his status has been muddled yet again by the team's decision to select a quarterback in the first round of the draft.

Of this year's quarterback threesome - Ramsey, Brunell and Campbell - Ramsey is the only one not hand-picked by Gibbs. In essence, Ramsey has been given the job with a one-year lease, knowing that Brunell's career is on the wane and that Campbell - came to terms with the team late Monday - will probably need a season of grooming.

"Patrick's been up here a while now," Gibbs said. "He's been through some stuff a lot of young guys go through, to be truthful. He's established himself as the lead quarterback, and I would say he needs to take this thing and go with it now. Our opportunities in life - this is one where he's perfectly situated."

If Ramsey succeeds, he'll bring stability to a position in flux more or less since the days of Mark Rypien in the early 1990s.

Physically and mentally, Ramsey is miles ahead of where he was 12 months ago, when he was coming off the foot injury and shaking off two seasons of unorthodox coaching from Steve Spurrier. Just the fact that he gets to go first in the practice drills helps his rhythm and confidence - and affects how he is viewed by teammates.

"Where you stand with the guys is what's different," Ramsey said. "But it's not something I'm going to assume. I want to produce early. ... I want to play well in the preseason and show that I deserve the distinction I have as a starter."

Ramsey's career quarterback rating is a modest 74.4, but he played well at the end of last season, completing at least 64 percent of his passes in five straight games. He has always had a strong arm, but he's worked to improve his touch passes this year. He's excited to have speedsters Moss and Patten, who should help him get the ball downfield more often and improve an offense that ranked 30th last year.

"I see potential," said Patten, who spent the last four years working with one of the game's best, Tom Brady, in New England. "I see the way he's running the huddle. He's just gotten more and more confident. He's really starting to take control of the offense."

"I have an opportunity," Ramsey said. "I need to continue to earn the opportunity. You can't ask for more than that."

I personally have been a fan of P-Ram since the Spurrier days. I was captivated by his perseverance through the fiasco known as Spurrier Pass Protection. Let's hope he can take full advantage of this opportunity.

Ah

My lip is all busted up. Swole like Jay Z. Mrs. Xpinionated beat me up. Don't get it twisted, it wasn't a fight. We were playing around and her shoe somehow left her foot with velocity and trajectory that I, to this very minute, still find hard to believe. Now, I'm walking around work trying to hide my huge lip like I'm a battered husband...not looking folks in the eye, turning away to avoid giving them a clear shot of the grotesqueness known as my left upper lip...My normal cockiness is not to be found today.....I've kept conversations limited 'cause I didn't want anyone to see my malformed mouth.....

Ok, Mrs Xpinionated should feel bad enough now...if she even reads this...

'Tis Official

Kwame Brown and some cat I've never heard of (Laron Profitt), as well as some cash, are coming to the purple and gold in exchange for Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins.

I liked pre-March Chucky Atkins. Post-March Chucky got a little to mouthy with the reporters and started to be a distraction in my opinion. So I'm not particularly sad to see him go, especially if Smush Parker is as solid as his play was in the Summer Pro league. I don't think Smush is going to be ready for a starter's role but we should be able to find a decent point before the season starts.

I will miss Caron (especially since my mom in law bought the jersey for me). It's sad to see him go because I felt he was making strides toward the end of the season and I thin khe would have been a very legitimate number 3 if not number 2 option.

Kwame better step up.....

Signing Day

Well, all the collective bargaining agreement delays are done, words are on paper, and the fun of the offseason began at noon eastern. The Lakers have yet to make the Kwame deal official. Let's hope there are some other surprises in store as well. So far, Bonzi Wells to Sacramento is probably the biggest news. Actually no it's not....The big faker, Shaquille O'Neal has duped Miami for $100M over 5 years....I'll give him two before he a)starts some feud\negativity with D-Wade, or b) injures his widdle toe or big stomach and decides to retire to fake being a cop. Yeah, I hate that dude...and what?

In other news, a nice tribute to Chick Hearns is on the Lakers page today.

At the bank

I ran to the bank at lunch and lo and behold, in walks Kordell Stewart. At first, I was like 'I know that face' but I couldn't quite get the name then I it came to me. My next thought was, 'Hasn't training camp started?' Alas, he played for the Ravens last year and I'm assuming he's slipping into a quiet retirement....

CNN.com - Woman sues video game manufacturer - Jul 27, 2005

CNN.com - Woman sues video game manufacturer - Jul 27, 2005

You wanna know how frickin' pitiful our society, nay our parenting has become in this society. This 85 year old 'grandparent' (using this term loosely) is suing Rockstar because of the recent controversy with nudity/sex in a game rated 'M' for mature. She bought the game for her 14-year old grandson. 'M' rating is 17 and over....grandson is 14.....'M' rating is 17 and over......find the missing link here. Perhaps you shouldn't be buying mature titles for your little sonny boy there if he's not ready to handle it.

GTA: San Andreas is a game where you are supposed to rob and kill...anything and anyone. In fact, you can pick up a prostitute and have simulated sex (though not shown, the sounds are there) in a car rocking the suspension like Ron Jeremy. So the fact that now that there's nudity, the game is no longer safe for 17 and above. We need to change the rating to 'AO', adults only . .. . . which makes it 18 and over....WHOA. . . .you got pissed 17 year olds goin' crazy all over the place. The real difference is intended to slice at the company's profit as the game now will not be sold at the ever moral Wal-mart, Target, Best Buy, or Circuit City.

But the real problem lies with the parents who are buying games, and this goes for music and any other form of entertainment, for their kids without knowing what they are buying. Then they get mad at the company producing them because they didn't have the 'time, energy, passion, love, discipline, or respect' for parenting to look into what their kid was doing. Hell, the game is called 'GRAND THEFT AUTO'; it's safe to say that you shouldn't let your kid play a game that is named after a crime!

Lastly, Congress is so ridiculously slow right now that they have time to investigate a video game. I mean, seriously, a video game. It's not as if the video gaming industry will bring the country to it's knees. Today's parentless kids will do that long before any kind of media. Shouldn't Congress investigate oil alternatives, or oil companies ridiculous profits right now, or North Korea, or anything outside of the entertainment industry!?! I was indifferently positive to Hilary Clinton but now....notsomuch....

Ronny Turiaf Update

Ronny Turiaf underwent a successful heart surgery yesterday. In addition, the second round pick may once again play basketball in the future. Prayers go out to Ronny for a speedy recovery.

It's weird how I've become attached to Ronny even though I have yet to see him play. It's reading about his spirited, though limited, performance in Summer League play as well as every photo I see him in, he's smiling though he has to be scared ridiculous inside. The Lakers do have the rights to Ronny should he continue his career. Let's hope he recovers well and is able to resume his life, regardless of whether it's on the court or not.

Passing as News: Some Vets Condemn 'Wedding Crashers' Site | AccessAtlanta

Some Vets Condemn 'Wedding Crashers' Site | AccessAtlanta
Really? Some vets are not happy about a fake purple heart at the movie's website with the inscription: "Carrying a Purple Heart in your jacket guarantees you attention, admiration and plenty of free booze."

It's a joke based on something that happens in the movie. That's it. Are we as a society that desperate to have a battle to fight? 'Walk through the hospital....' yes we know the sacrifices of our military veterans and regardless of the thought that seems to be pervading through our vet population, we don't take it for granted. We're just tired of being reminded now.

Also, maybe you like the movie, maybe you don't. I haven't seen it. But the fact is it's art. Just because it's not 'Platoon'-like drama, you feel offended. It's all good to talk about a purple heart in a movie until you use it in a comedy and then rah rah rah.....

Vets who are offended can walk out of the movie. But please don't take valuable internet space with this non-issue....this damn political correctness BS is getting ridiculously blown out of proportion....

The External Role Model Parenting Theory

A new parenting paradigm is sweeping the country. This paradigm renders biological parenting efforts to a minimum. No longer do you need to worry about the welfare of your kids, or how they will grow up and deal with society. You simply give them shelter, food, and money. That's it!!! The only other effort you need expend is making sure that the world behaves like you want so you don't have to teach your child.

Don't like something on TV? Complain about it, make sure TV caters to your children without the need for your supervision!
Kid not showing good sportsmanship? Blame it on pro athletes, after all, these people that you and your kids have never met should have WAY more influence in your kids lives than their actual parents.
Not comfortable having your kids eat in bars? Well, lobby your local lawmaker until they make every adult facility in the state kid friendly!
Kids want to play in the street? Tell your homeowners association that you need speed bumps for your house! After all, your kids have every right to not get out of the way of two ton moving vehicles.
Don't like the video games your kids are playing? Water them down with a strongly worded email to your local congressman. After all, why should there be video games for adults explicitly?

See, with ERMP, there are no morales, no lessons, and no manners that a parent need worry their head about. You simply set your kid free in front of a television and periodically (every 4 months or so) check out what the little rugrat is watching. If he or she has any bad behaviour, blame it on tv, radio, sports whatever your heart desires. You never have to worry about actually teaching your child. Ever!

Learn more about the ERMP for only 14.95!!!

I think the scariest thing about this Harry Potter thing is the number of adults discussing the book as it if it weren't originally intended for children. Not meant to offend you adult Potter readers, but if an entire country embraces a book for children, what does that say about our reading levels???

ESPN.com: Page 2 : Lance finally comes up short

ESPN.com: Page 2 : Lance finally comes up short

I was determined not to mention Lance Armstrong as I have made my position abundantly clear on this topic. But after reading the article above, I could only post it here. For it says what I've been trying to say for years....

Turiaf out Indefinitely

Ronny Turiaf, the Lakers 2nd round draft pick out of Gonzaga, will need to have open heart surgery in the next 4 - 6 weeks. He has an enlarged aorta. It is believed that the condition existed previously, as reported by CBS Sportsline, but the abnormality wasn't considered serious. It is not yet known if the condition will be career ending. The Lakers fans send their best regards to Ronny and his family.

This incident got me to thinking. It seems that someone in the Lakers organization must have sold their soul to the devil. After years of success, it seems as if one disappointing, negative, or plain bad thing happens over and over. Much like the Celtics demise in the early 90's. I am still looking forward to seeing Ronny come back from this and wear that purple and gold. Here's to hoping that Kwame Brown can grow up . . .fast.

Addictive

Seriously, go here when you have time, it requires plenty of time.....Stress relief

Just an Observation

I'm currently reading 'Another Country' by James Baldwin. Something I noticed about myself last night is that whenever I'm reading a book that has a gay character in it, my mind's eye automatically pictures this character to look exactly like Leonardo Di Caprio....weird huh?

Year later, L.A. sitting pretty: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Year later, L.A. sitting pretty: South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "

Interesting article. When put like this, I don't mind Kupchak's approach so far. Let's see what the rest of the offseason has in store....

Los Angeles Lakers, Vlade Divac, National Basketball Association - CBS SportsLine.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Vlade Divac, National Basketball Association - CBS SportsLine.com

Finally! Still not 100% sure why we signed him last year. I loved Vlade during his first stint in L.a. before he became a notorious flopper....ironic how he's known as a flopper and he's retiring due to back injuries...

In all seriousness, I wish Vlade well in his new life....

Holloway's Mother Wants Suspect Held | ajc.com

Holloway's Mother Wants Suspect Held | ajc.com

She is really making it extremely hard to have sympathy for her daughter. Now the mom is claiming to have evidence against the van der Sloot kid. She will not say what evidence she has but she has it. She has apparently been conducting her own 'family investigation' which in light of the number of press interviews, conferences and appearances she's made seems hardly possible.

I know I've spoken on this before but really, how many more interviews with this woman can be done where she says she 'knows' something but never qualifies the statement???

Funny stuff

At College Football News.com they have their ACC conference preview. They have Va Tech finishing 2nd in the Coastal division behind Miami. THey also have the Hokies ranked 10th in their preseason rankings. Alas, in their quick summary, they predict (though not boldly, more riding the fence with 'if this' and 'if that's) Va Tech winning the ACC. Hmm. In order to win the ACC they would have to be ahead of Miami....especially with this whole championship game stuff.....

Deal reportedly Done

Apparently, management thinks extremely highly of Kwame Brown. ESPN is reporting that the LA Times are reporting that the Lakers are trading Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins or Devean George to the Wizards for Kwame Brown.

Is Kwame Brown really worth two players? I can only hope that this is done in order to match salaries. I have no strong allegiance to Chucky or Devean (used to love Devean but last year's injury that was supposed to heal by November lasting until March soured me a bit) but I don't want us to get screwed. We are giving up Caron who showed us a little something towards the end of the season. And that for a player who missed the playoffs due to injury....I'm sorry, excuse me, what's that you say....ah....correction, missed a majority of the playoffs due to suspension for missing a practice . . . and a game! Mitch, Phil, and Jerry I hope you two know what you're doing....and if you do can you holla at me....I know we need an inside presence but is Kwame the answer??

Video Games vs. Sex

Today, NCAA Football 2006 comes out. I was telling a coworker how I hate the fact that if I go buy this game tonite (available at 8am), by the time I get a game under my belt there will be some 12 year old online who has already learned every nook and cranny of the game and be 17 - 0 in online competition. The coworker quickly responded 'Yeah, but you can have sex'.

Ah, good point I thought....but after further contemplation I came up with
Top 10 Reasons Video Games are better than Sex

• 10. There is no performance anxiety with video games....none whatsoever.
  
• 9. A video game can have all kinds of endings. Sex, well, pretty much ends the same way every time.


• 8. You have full control of video games. No partner instructions, movements, etc....Sex, yeah, not so much.


• 7. No unnecessary foreplay, no setting the mood, no dinner. You sit down you turn it on, and you git er done!!


• 6. When you finish a game, there are no nine month time delayed surprises awaiting you.


• 5. When you want the video game, you can have the video game. Video games don't have cycles, or headaches, or WB shows to watch.


• 4. Honestly, you could care less how it was for the video game. You got yours!!!


• 3. Video games are not nearly as messy....no random hairs, no wet spots, not a whole lot of sweating (and if you are sweating playing video games, you should probably find another hobby)...just clean old fashioned fun!!


• 2. Video games don't have herpes. Nothing further need be stated.


• 1. When you have video games online, no one thinks twice about it. When you have sex online, now you're a pervert!!


So given all these reasons, it became clear to me that video games are way better than sex. Oddly enough, I still like sex better....heheeheehee...mmm....intercourse.....(wow if having sex and intercourse doesn't get my visitor count up, I don't know what will!!!).....

Wizards discussing deal for Caron

Posted on Tue, Jul. 12, 2005 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Wizards seeking Lakers' Butler in deal

By David Aldridge

Inquirer Staff Writer

LAS VEGAS - The Washington Wizards, stung by the loss of free agent Larry Hughes to the Cavaliers, may be able to stanch the sting.

Sources involved with the discussions say that the Wizards are talking to the Los Angeles Lakers about a sign-and-trade deal in which forward Kwame Brown, the top pick in the 2001 NBA draft, would go to the Lakers in exchange for swingman Caron Butler.

The Wizards have other options on the table that could bring them a much-needed big man in return for Brown, but Butler would make a lot of sense.

Butler has been available during most of his yearlong stay in Los Angeles. If the Lakers move him and, as expected, release forward Brian Grant in order to save money under the luxury tax, they would have precious little to show for their blockbuster trade of Shaquille O'Neal to Miami.

Kwame Brown has been a bust for all intents and purposes so far. Butler has been coming into his own particularly towards the end of last year. I really don't see what advantages, pros, etc there are to this trade. Can somebody explain to me the goods of this transaction??

Age is a creepin'

Played some ball yesterday afternoon. Besides not having the stamina, which is understandable given my time spent in bars vs gyms, I realized quite a bit. The game has just about passed my by now. My quick first step surprised no one, mainly because it's no longer quick. My hops can no longer be leaned on. I may jump and get up like the ol' days every once in a while but on average my knees prefer not to exert themselves.

And this being the second time in a week that I've played, I've noticed considerable back pain the next morning. I guess I need to stretch.

Oddly enough, knowing that the game is/has passing/passed me by makes me want to play more. I almost want to get back into shape....we'll see how long this feeling lasts.

Offseason Top 25 --- Hokies #6

Here is CBS sportsline's offseason top 25. Hokies get to number 6...not bad. Every 'expert' is saying are most crucial game is the Sept 4th matchup against N.C. State...the only team to beat us in conference play last year. It's gotten to the point where I'm a little worried about the game. But for the record, the Hokies missed a game winning field goal and our offensive line was atrocious that game. Not to mention all of their points came from our mistakes....I don't see that happening again....

IOC drops baseball, softball from 2012 program | ajc.com

IOC drops baseball, softball from 2012 program | ajc.com

For years I've said that this baseball thing isn't a sport....thank you International Olympic Committee for providing further evidence of this fact.

Lakers Draft and Odds and Ends

Andrew Bynum, Ronny Turiaf, and Von Wafer. Two out of three ain't bad. Although I am a little suspect about the Bynum kid but I guess he's more for the long term plans than for next season. Ronny Turiaf is probably my favorite pick out of the lot. I could see him being the Luke Walton of the 2005-06 Lakers, pace changer, playmaker (not necessarily big play maker but effective). Can you guess who my least favorite pick is.....Von 'who the hell is this' Wafer. It was a bit disturbing when the choice was made and the commentators chided in with 'He probably won't even make the team'. There's a blow to the ol' confidence level....

Speaking of Luke Walton, in this article, Luke is discussing his restricted free agent status. I like Luke. Who doesn't like Luke? I'm not sure if I like his consideration of talking to other teams to force a bid war for his services tactic. I understand it's best for him and I would no doubt do the same thing. But Luke's stock in my book began to fall this past season when in New York I think it was Kobe passed him the ball after collapsing the defense with less than 5 seconds in the game and down by 1 or 2. Instead of making (or even attempting) a lay-up, Luke passes the ball back to Kobe whose momentum has taken him to the corner....don't even get a shot off. At that point, I think I stopped letting my genuine 'like' for the guy excuse his play.

Georgia sucks

The local watering hole is choosing family. Tonite may be my last chance to go to an adult establishment and act as if I 'm around adults. The owner was there last night and normally I speak to him but I couldn't. I kept thinking, no matter what I say it's gonna come back to his decision to make the place a family joint. It's funny, the best quote I've heard in a minute was in the AJC today, "If they can drink beer at Chuck E. Cheese, then I should be able to smoke in a bar." How friggin true is that?!?!

I really wish I could post about something else but right now I am truly pissed off at this. Hell, it took an hour and a half before I spoke to Sammy (a manager). I said my goodbyes last night but I'll probably go tonite and smoke my ass off as close to the non-smoking section as I possibly can. I plan to spend Friday looking for a place reasonably close to the house where I can enjoy a smoke WHILE I sit inside....if I can't find one, I plan to boycott restaurants and bars as much as possible only going to please Mrs. Xpinionated when necessary (and to watch football games but I may go and just not drink in protest!!!).

Passing as News 6/29/2005

FOXNews.com - U.S. & World - Holloway's Mom: Dutch Dad Hiding Something

Seriously, for such a 'grief-stricken' mother, this woman has released more interviews, press releases, and press statements than Tom Cruise over the past two weeks. I don't mean to trivialize her situation, but as I mentioned last week, I'm disgusted by the way 'supposed' victims seem to tan in the limelight lately.

So you mean to tell me that the fact that she thinks the father of someone arrested in connection with her daughter's disappearance (which I have issues with but maybe I'll touch on that later) is hiding something is news? That's the state of journalism now? Duh....we'd expect him to hide something. The kicker is when the mother states that she will remain on the island to 'see what happens'. Hmm, Alabama. . . Aruba. . . Alabama. . . .Aruba . . . .

Once again, I don't mean to make fun of the true tragedy here but this mother's constant voice in the press has truly made me a little lless sensitive to the case. It's sad but at the same time disappointing on a few levels. For example, why is it you can rarely find an article talking about how she was abducted? From what I've read previously, she got into a car with three dudes she didn't know at a club. For an honor student, there is some common sense missing there...this is not to say she deserved what happened to her in any way...no one deserves that type of fear and trepidation. I'm just pointing out that she did do something that could have possibly prevented the entire situation.

But I digress...This is not news, the mother's statements should no longer be news. Especially since it almost seems that she's doing it just to keep in the short attention span of the media....

More on the smoking ban

Yes, I still do not know what the local watering hole is going to do. It really does piss me off that they haven't made a choice. They recently attained pool tables which makes boring nights there that much more entertaining. They may think their family friendly environment is the way to go but remember those nights where the only customers still in the joint are 1) smoking and 2) drinking alchohol. In a business whose money is based largely on alcohol consumption, I hope they think long and hard before making the 'sentimental' choice.

I know of one bar in the area that has already said it will allow smoking but it's a Mexican joint and that's not my thing. I would always be hungry there. Plus, I don't like having to start over and build my reputation as a regular up again. Plus, I highly doubt that they are a true sports bar so I wouldn't be able to see Lakers games like I'm used to.

I find it odd that the government can issue a smoking ban on public places and the term public places includes private property. The bars don't receive any local, state, or federal funding so how exactly are they 'public'. They are private properties owned by private citizens or business. Just as a police officer can do nothing for you in an accident in a bar parking lot, nor should the government be allowed to tell bars what the clientele is and isn't allowed to do.

Mrs. Xpinionated is in favor of the ban and thinks that the ban will cause me to quit smoking. What she doesn't seem to grasp is that I smoke because I enjoy it. Do I plan to quit? Yes, I have every intention of quitting, but right now I enjoy it. I go to Jeffrey's (the local watering hole) for three reasons (during non sports season - Baseball is not a sport): 1) I can smoke in peace, 2) I can hang out with the closest thing I have to friends, 3) I like bars, that bar in particular.

All these non-smokers say things like 'why should I have to breathe in your smoke'. I guess for the same reason I have to watch where I walk in a bar because your non parental ass isn't watching your little careless rugrat as they run roughshod throughout the joint! They say things like they will go out more often now because of the smoking ban....chances are you won't go out anymore often than you did before. Secondly, if you're so worried about your health and the health of others, perhaps we should close down restaurants serving food that doesn't fit a standardized healthy diet law, or maybe restrict to less than obese people only. Screw civil liberties and personal freedoms, it's all about political fuckin'friggin' correctness (an 'excuse my language' goes out to my parents and Pastor Bill - by the way Pastor Bill, here's your shout out....go visit Pastor Bill here.

I keep hearing all these stats about a majority of the population favors a smoking ban. Funny, I wonder if a majority of bar patrons favor a smoking ban since those are the ones that will be affected the most. Screw it, perhaps I will only patronize 'adult friendly' establishments starting Friday. And I think I'm gonna have a smoke fest at Jeffrey's on Thursday in protest if they decide to go non-smoking.