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.