RE: Dear AP Poll

Ducks 47 - USC 20...See I told you...

Dear AP Poll

Dear AP Poll:

I think there might be a small mistake in your latest poll release. Please clarify. You have USC ranked #4. Maybe you forgot, or the intern forgot the "1" in front of the "4", but they lost to a terrible Washington team 16-13 a couple of weeks ago. The rest of your ranks appear fairly accurate.

Thanks

Reading List

September was a big month for new books, for me anyway. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown was published mid September. I "read" (by read I mean listened to) that on the way to work. Not his best book, but it was still entertaining. Thank you audible.com for the free 14 day trial membership.

Jon Krakauer also published his new book, Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman which I am actually reading reading, not reading listening.

My brother sent me the review for Ocho Cinco's book, and I can't wait to get my hands on this instant classic. With a line like " 'If somebody died or they're in jail, tell me after the season.' ", how can I not read this book? It comes out Oct 27. Anyone want to start a book club?

Ocho Cinco: What Football and Life Have Thrown My Way

Sacrilegious

I literally laughed out loud when I saw the following picture:


That's Jeff Samardzija former Notre Dame WR, and current pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. By current pitcher, I mean he is making his second career start tonight, in hopes of making it permanent.

The reason I laughed, is because this is the picture he is trying to imitate:

We lived in Kansas City when Bo started playing baseball for the Royals and football for the Raiders. We worshiped him during baseball season, and loathed him when the Raiders would come to play the Chiefs. Regardless it was every 9 year olds dream to find the above baseball card (it was a poster as well) in their 50 cent pack of Upper Deck baseball cards. Or the card where it showed him holding a broken bat (he used to break them over his knee when he struck out....awesome). Rumor had it the card was worth a whole $5 dollars back in 1991.

Jeff, on the other hand, was a good college WR. I'll give him that. It's obvious that he was a pretty good baseball player as well, he is starting for the Cubs tonight. I don't believe that he is even NEAR the caliber of dual threat athlete that Bo Jackson was. Also, he's not as big or intimidating as Bo Jackson. Bo's picture makes me think he is going to hit me with his bat...Jeff's looks like he trying to look cool for a his senior picture. Nice try Jeff.

Here are some comparative statistics:

Bo Jackson:

• Played football for the Oakland Raiders and baseball for the KC Royals
  
• Pro Bowl selection (1990)
• 1985 Heisman Trophy
• 1985 Walter Camp Award
• 1985 UPI Player of the Year
• 1985 Chic Harley Award
• 2× All-American (1983, 1985)
• NFL Draft 1986 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1
• All-Star selection (1989)
• 1989 MLB All-Star Game MVP
• 1993 AL Comeback Player of the Year
• 1993 Tony Conigliaro Award
• MLB Draft 1986/ Round:1 / Pick: 1

Jeff Samardzija

• one of three finalists for the Fred Biletnikoff Award
• decided NOT to enter the NFL draft
• MLB Draft 2006/ 5th round/ 149th pick overall

James the Sailor

I'm trying to sell my bike on Craigslist and I am amazed with the offers I get. It's listed for $300, and one guy low balled me $75. Really?

One guy told me that he bought the same bike, and a year newer brand new for $325, so I should sell mine to him for $200. Right.

This email from James Sailor (navysailor11@gmail.com) is my favorite:

Hi

Thanks for the respond, I'm cool with your price. let me know if you will accept payment with Money Order as this is the only way i can make the payment for right now because i am out for a seminar and i really like to buy this for my in-law.. I don't mind offering you an extra $30 for selling the item for me and i will ask my assistant to make the payment out to you. She is located in South Carolina

I would have loved to come over and take a look at it though but i will not be able to do so due to the distance but i'll really appreciate a picture from you again if you have that. You may reply with your name and contact address where you will like to receive the payment ( no P.O.Box please, Cos UPS or Fedex will not deliver to P.O box ) and also your direct phone number . And concerning the shipment i will handle all the shipping expenses myself, I have a mover that take care of my shipment. I shall look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thanks.

Regards

My favorite part "really like to buy this for my in-law" and "I shall look forward to hearing from you soon"

Awesome

INCIPEK

Dear Gray Honda Odyssey (LP# INCIPEK):

Please don't cut me off anymore. It's rude. Don't try to deny it. I know it was you because I took the picture below. You're lucky we got rid of the Explorer or I wouldn't have slammed on my brakes.

Would you let your kids cut in line at the Cary Academy? I don't think you would. Please be a better example.



Thanks

Canada Day

Tomorrow is July 1. That also happens to be Canada Day. We (meaning my family) lived in Toronto for 7 years, so I get a little nostalgic on July 1. For those of you who aren't familiar with the history of Canada, I've posted some "Our Heritage" commercials that used to (maybe still do) air in Canada. Yes, there are TVs in Canada, but they only work in July when the snow melts. After that it is back to candles and dogsleds.

Here is a video about Maple Syrup. What they don't show is the Canadians killing the Indians after they showed us how to get the syrup.




This is about how Canada "tricked" immigrants into building the railroads




Oh yeah, and Canada created Superman



This is the best one. The translator screwed up the translation and next thing you know Canada is named "village". Where did it sound like the translator was from...

Sweetest Wife in the Carolinas

Heidi left for Utah on Thursday evening (I am at the airport on my way out as well). Since she is a sweet, thoughtful wife, she left me a friend to keep me company while she was gone. He was waiting for me outside when I got home (free Coke--see previous post-- for anyone who knows what kind of snake it is):

Jinx

Last week I jinxed one of the guys I worked with. It was Friday afternoon, and he's the same age, so it seemed appropriate. Not only did I jinx him, but I also added the non essential but important "Buy me a Coke" at the end. He walked away, and I went on working. About 5 minutes later he shows up at my office and puts this on my desk:

This was the first time in my entire life (and I played a lot of jinx as a kid) where someone actually paid up! And some people think we are in a recession.

Philanthropy

Wikipedia's definition of Philanthropy:

"Philanthropy derives from Ancient Greek, meaning "to love people".Philanthropy is the act of donating money, goods, services, time and/or effort to support a socially beneficial cause, with a defined objective and with no financial or material reward to the donor. In a more general sense, philanthropy may encompass any altruistic activity intended to promote good or improve human quality of life. One who practices philanthropy may be called a philanthropist. Although such individuals are often rich, people may perform philanthropic acts without possessing great wealth."

My definition of Philanthropy:

Playoff hockey streamed on the Internet through some random person's Slingbox...Go Canes!

Please Claim Your Text Message

I received the following random text message at 10 am EST from an unknown (801) number:

"Sorry for not getting gas in the car. I wanted to get home with dinner and figured i would get it this morning. Thanks for yelling at me again."

I would hate to be the person that was meant for. Hope dinner was good.

More Than Meets the Eye

These guys are awesome!

Speechless

I've got nothing, just watch and be amazed:

Bubble Tea: Fail

My sister has been talking about bubble tea for a year. We were going to try some when we went to see her in Palo Alto, but we didn't have time. She claims it is "fabulous". This is the sister that introduced me to Pearl Jam (the band), humus, sushi, and peanut butter and marshmallow sandwiches so she has built up some credibility over the years.

Heidi and I were in Chapel Hill a couple weeks ago and ran across a bubble tea café on Franklin Street. Heidi is going to California in a couple weeks for a weekend with the girls, so we thought she better taste some bubble tea before she gets out there. The menu had some pretty funky flavors like avocado and almond so we decided to go for what we assumed would be the safe mango bubble tea.

We were pretty optimistic even as she was pouring the black tapioca "bubbles" in the bottom. The coolest part was when they sealed the top of drink instead of using a cheapo lid. The first taste was incredible. The mango slush on the top was great, not too sweet or tart.

We were both a little surprised when we tasted the tapioca bubbles.

I was expecting some sort of flavor, but it was just chewy. I kept eating expecting them to taste like something but I was continuously disappointed. In fact the more I ate them the more I disliked them. I tried to suck up a little bit of the smoothie and then chew on the bubbles: fail. I tried to swallow them whole: fail. Eventually we ended up just spitting them out as we walked down the street. Really classy.

I'm hoping this place we went was just a terrible example of bubble tea, or my sister is going on food probation. I just asked Heidi what she thought of bubble tea and she "blah-ka". Anyone had bubble tea before? Should we try it again?

Man vs. Wild

Man vs. Wild is probably one of the coolest shows I've ever seen. I've heard all the arguments about the camera crew giving him food and "advising" him. Blah blah blah. It's still awesome. This video pokes fun at good ol' Bear Grylls and how he sometimes adds a little more drama than necessary:

Leafs

I was just excited to see that the Leafs did something (besides losing) that was drawing attention.

Spring Break 2009

This is what Heidi and I are doing for Spring Break this year. Anyone want to come?





My favorite part is that redneck number 2 has his hat on the whole time. Classic. I was also surprised to find out this form of insanity has a name instead of "drinking a 12 pack and then catching fish with my bare hands". The proper name of the sport is Noodling.

I Miss College Football

What do you mean this isn't a joke...

I recently turned 28. Heidi informed me that it was my "golden birthday" since my birthday is on the 28th. 28 on the 28th. 27 years and 363 days without hearing about a golden birthday.

On the topic of not hearing about stuff and getting "older" (30 is the new 20), I heard what might become the 2nd most terrible song of all time (Soulja Boy being number 1) for the first time 2 days ago. M.I.A Paper Planes. I was so stunned by how terrible the song was I had to keep watching the YouTube video. I sat in trance, mimicking the girl making guns with her hands when I saw that almost 30,000,000 people watched the video. That's just on YouTube. I couldn't hear anymore because of the bleeding in my ears, so I did some scholarly research (Wikipedia) and gave up on humanity when I saw that it was nominated for a Grammy. M.I.A told Rolling Stone she was surprised at the song's wide commercial success (translation: even I thought my music was crap).

Have I hit that critical "old" level where I think popular music is crap? I'm a little concerned.

I will say 3 positive things about the video:

1. It ended
2. One of the Beastie Boys shows up (see I'm holding on to the past)
3. The gunshots in the chorus are pretty cool

Here is the video so you can judge for yourself:

Christmas Story

Last Saturday I was rushing around trying finish some shopping. I was stressed out and not thinking very fondly of the weather right then. It was dark, cold, and wet in the parking lot. As I was loading my car up, I noticed that I was missing a receipt that I might need later. So mumbling under my breath, I retraced my steps to the mall entrance.

As I was searching the wet pavement for the lost receipt, I heard a quiet sobbing. The crying was coming from a poorly dressed boy of about 12- years-old. He was short and thin. He had no coat. He was just wearing a ragged flannel shirt to protect him from the cold night's chill. Oddly enough, he was holding a hundred dollar bill in his hand.

Thinking that he had gotten lost from his parents, I asked him what was wrong. He told me his sad story. He said that he came from a large family. He had three brothers and four sisters. His father had died when he was 9-years-old. His mother was poorly educated and worked two full time jobs. She made very little to support her large family. Nevertheless, she had managed to skimp and save two hundred dollars to buy her children some Christmas presents. The young boy had been dropped off, by his mother, on the way to her second job. He was to use the money to buy presents for all his siblings and save just enough to take the bus home.
He had not even entered the mall, when an older boy grabbed one of the hundred dollar bills and disappeared into the night.

"Why didn't you scream for help?" I asked.
The boy said, "I did."
"And nobody came to help you?" I queried.
The boy stared at the sidewalk and sadly shook his head.
"How loud did you scream?" I inquired.
The soft-spoken boy looked up and meekly whispered, "Help me!"
I realized that absolutely no one could have heard that poor boy cry for help.So I grabbed his other hundred and ran to my car.