Saturday, May 31, 2008

Top 10 Plays....from Friday

Courtesy of Red Lasso and ESPN.....

Enjoy............


Finally........the Finals






At last........finally......The NBA final is here. Well, sort of. Game 1 of the championship series won't be played until Thursday, but at least we know the match-up.


This is the series we've been awaiting........East versus West.......... Beantown versus Hollywood....



The Celtics and Lakers are meeting for an unprecedented 11th time. Boston has won 16 championships, the Lakers, 14.





From Wikipedia........the previous finals these two teams have battled:


Year Champion Opponent Result
1958-59 Boston Celtics Minneapolis Lakers 4-0
1961-62 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4-3
1962-63 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
1964-65 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4-1
1965-66 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4-3
1967-68 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
1968-69 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4-3
1983-84 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4-3
1984-85 Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics 4-2
1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics 4-2
2007-08

0-0


Boston
has dominated......winning 8 of 10, mostly during the Red Auerbach coached and Bill Russel lead teams. The Lakers wins came in th 80' s while being lead by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar.


This years Lakers are lead by Kobe Bryant..........the best player on the planet.....However; Boston has not one, not two, but three superstars in Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce.


My pick? Boston..........in six games........4-2.

Friday, May 30, 2008

TGIF...........thoughts


Western Conference Champs.......

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the San Antonio Spurs last night . Yes , Kobe Bryant, and those young Lakers ....got it done. Speaking of Kobe........Who's better now? Kobe? Or Michael? The debate continues..........But..........Kobe ...........is........awesome!



Bum knee?


A
ndruw Jones was placed on the disable list for the first time in his career............With the Los Angeles Dodgers.......I.....personally admired Jones. Well.......up until the past couple of years. It's sad, because I saw him as the best centerfielder ever to play the game........until he signed that contract..........and got fat.....and ...got content. Now , he will be sidelined for 4 to 6 weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee.



The back pages......of the New York tabloids......are getting civil again......

T
he New York Mets have won three in a row.......Willie Randolph is breathing easier.......Amazing what winning will do in the big apple.



Braves win a road game..........

Y
es, the Atlanta Braves won yesterday..........a road game. Interesting stat.........The Braves outscored the Brewers in the 3 game series, 10-5........yet lost two of three......oh, those one run games.


It's the weekend, baby.....

H
ere's to the weekend..........most folks are off from work.......as I have said in the past.....I am not ......most folks.....(I in fact work tomorrow night). But .......for the rest of you.......

Have a great weekend!


The French Open.........Closed.....On Venus & Serena


In a stunning turn of events across the Atlantic..............

Both Venus Williams (right) and her ever sexy sister, Serena , were ousted in the French Open Invitational Tennis Tournament.

We really don't follow tennis all that close........however.....we do follow Serena.

And we do pay attention to the fashion.....the outfits.....

Thus........just another reason to sneak a peek at that body.....












































Thanks , Serena..........We'll see next tournament.







She Throws......Like a Girl!

Check out Mariah Carey throwing out the first pitch of a Japanese baseball game......

Courtesy of You Tube:


Thursday, May 29, 2008

Vanessa Bryant......Has some serious Issues


For some reason, this story was missed by us......




T
hanks to our friends at Young, Black, and Fabulous for getting to t
he heart of it:


Apparently Kobe’s wife Vanessa Bryant cursed out reporter Laura Lane the other day in front of Vanessa and Kobe’s kids–ages 5 and 2. Why, you ask? Word has it, according to the L.A> Observer, this was all partly due to Reporter Laura saying some type of snarky comment about Vanessa’s random purple tutu outfit at a past game and maybe it had to do with Kobe’s alleged affair with a (now former) Laker girl named Vanessa. Here’s the scoop from an LA Observer

article from Reporter Laura’s p.o.v.:


Blockquote

So as I’m walking out of the Lakers locker room after some post-game interviews with the players, I pass Vanessa, who is sitting outside the locker room as usual with her two girls.

“Laura!” she screams (yes, she apparently knows my name). “Fuck you! You fucking bitch!”

“Excuse me?” I say, completely baffled as I look around me to see if there is someone else named Laura. No, there’s not.

Her daughters – ages 5 and 2 – are sitting next to her on the bench looking at their mom as she screams.

[More f-words ensue. Many more.]

I just stare at her. I’ve heard many stories about her from reporters, but this was unbelievable. Two of my friends from the LA Times told me how she cussed out one of them last season, because he said hi to her daughter. “Join the club, this means you’ve arrived,” said one reporter when word spread of my run-in with Vanessa. “She’s insane,” said another. “Everyone knows it.”



We think Mrs. Bryant is too full of herself.......but then again......she did get her hubby Kobe under control. Do you think he even looks at other women now? Without fears that Vanessa will come out of nowhere and gouge his eyeballs out?



Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Hump Day News........& Views

Welcome Back Kotter.......

For those of you born in the 80's..........you probably have never seen this show......unless as a rerun on Nick at Nite........This is where John Travolta got his start as Vinnie Barbarino and Gabe Kaplan was an up and coming comic.

It seemed much longer, but the show only aired ( on the ABC network) from 1975 to 1979. Who could ever forget the mean, old, and crabby principal, Mr. Woodman? Or the adorable Arnold Horshack (and his laugh). What about Mr. Cool
himself, Freddie "Boom Boom" Washington.....and .....master practical joker, (also our favorite Puerto-Rican Jew) Juan Luis Pedro Philippo DeHuevos Epstein. For obvious reasons........he was just known as, Epstein.




Wait a second!!!!! Did I say, "Welcome back Kotter?"...........My bad. So sorry.




What I meant to say was, "Welcome back Carter"..............

As in Quincy C
arter.......The former quarterback of the University of Georgia / Dallas Cowboys / New York Jets /Montreal Alouettes (CFL) /Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings (AF2)...who snorted and smoked his way out of professional football. The gifted athlete who could not say .....no .....to blow.

Well, Mr. Carter is getting yet another chance. The Arena Football Leagues' Kansas City Brigade signed Carter to a contract Tuesday to again play the quarterback position.

Drug arrests............failed drug tests.......frequenting re-habs .........have haunted Quincy his entire life. At age 30........this maybe his final chance to make something of his life.

Even spending four years in college on a scholarship ( of course) , Mr. Carter never quite found the time to earn a degree......so the only marketable skill he owns.......is throwing an oblong pig-skin covered ball........around a football field.

What a waste.






Welcome back..........D J


This is in contrast to the above story.........Atlanta Falcon backup QB , D. J
. Shockley was cleared by Doctors today to take part in all football-related activities and even ran some sets with the first team offense at today's offseason workouts.

Last year , Shockley tore ligaments in his knee in a preseason game at Buffalo, and missed the entire season.

Listed as the number 3 QB, Shockley will try to make the team. We wish him well.





Five things........I think ....I think..........

1.
It is officially summer in this southern college town........just about time to crank up the old AC.

2. Last night's game between the Lakers and the Spurs was the best so far of this year's playoffs.

3. I think, Danica Patrick..............is a whinny little ........B'............

4. The 0-4 WNBA Atlanta Dream............is turning into a nightmare.

5. I think my body has finally adjusted to this daylight savings time.......it took a couple of months......but ........I think I'm there now.

Happy Hump Day..........





Another Road Loss......By 1 run......Of course!



6-17......and 2-13!!!

As in 6 wins, 17 losses on the road......and 2 wins, 13 losses in one run games. This years nine that plays major league baseball in the city of Atlanta, has everybody scratching their collective heads and wondering out loud, "What the hell is going on here?"

How can a team with the 2nd best home record in all of baseball ( 22-7), be so dreadful away from Turner Field?



Last night against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Braves had a 2 run lead after two innings with solo home runs from Kelly Johnson and Gregor Blanco. Starting pitcher, Tim Hudson was brilliant.......shutting out the "Brew-crew" for 6 innings.

Then what happened ...........has become too common place........for these Braves. Milwaukee scratched across a run in the 7th..........tied it in the 8th.............and ..........won it it in the 9th.

How bazaar.......how eerily similar to previous one run losses. Deja vu....... all over again. A batted ball.......hat right back to Hudson in the 8th........only to hit off his foot.....no play....every one safe. Then a shot past third base ( Chipper Jones missed by no more th
an an inch).....And just like that.......the game is tied.

In the top on the ninth, Jones lead off with a single.....That Jones....who leads the majors in hitting at .418. But up steps Mark Teixeira who promptly hits into a double play.....and that ....is that.

In the bottom of the 9th.......the Brewers showed us some ABC baseball.....Get 'em on....get 'em over....& get 'em in. A single..........a sacrifice bunt..........a stolen base......and one sacrifice fly later..........the Braves had loss for the 17th time this season, and the 13th time in one run games.

History tells us these things tend to even out over the season..........but I'm beginning to wonder. It's getting mental with these Braves.......You got the feeling last night.....they thinking about trying not to lose.......rather than win.

The good thing about baseball, though, you only have 24 hours to wallow in sorrow......First pitch tonight........8:05 pm. Go Bravo's!!!

Game results from the AJC:

Box score StandingsStats



Tuesday, May 27, 2008

A Thought.......From a Long Weekend


Three day weekends...........

Saturday, Sunday, and Monday...........Then it's back to work.......when Tuesday feels like Monday. And your entire week is discombobulated ...........We Americans take our three day weekends serious.

We had baseball........we had the Indy 500.......we had Nascars' 600 mile race in Charlotte.......The NBA playoffs are in full swing. We had our cookouts..........parades......

It is nice to be in America........for these three day weekends.

Enjoyed mine..........hope you did too

Monday, May 26, 2008

The Ultimate Price


As we observe another Memorial Day, let us pause to remember the soldiers in so many wars who gave so many of their lives. Too often, we take our armed forces for granted. And if it means a Holiday has to be created for us to remember them..........so be it!

A closer look ..........at all those casualties... From Wikipedia:

Wars ranked by total deaths

Rank ↓ War ↓ Years ↓ Deaths ↓ Deaths per Day ↓ Deaths per Population ↓
1 American Civil War 1861–1865 625,000 599 1.988% (1860)
2 World War II 1941–1945 405,399 416 0.307% (1940)
3 World War I 1917–1918 116,516 279 0.110% (1920)
4 Vietnam War 1964–1973 58,151 26 0.003% (1970)
5 Korean War 1950–1953 36,516 45 0.002% (1950)
6 American Revolutionary War 1775–1783 25,000 11 0.899% (1780)
7 War of 1812 1812–1815 20,000 31 0.345% (1810)
8 Mexican-American War 1846–1848 13,283 29 0.057% (1850)
9 Philippine War 1899–1902 4,196 5 0.006% (1900)
10 Iraq War 2003–present 4,079 2.34 0.001% (2007)


That is an awful lot of lives lost for causes..........good ....and bad. In their memory..........we offer salutes.......

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Who is Julianne Hough......and Why is she singing ...at ...Indy?


Maybe..........I live in a vacuum.........

M
aybe....I'm just not hip.

But...........in the name of Indy car racing.....world wide.....(Not to mention, A. J. Foyt, or Mario Andretti )......What was this child doing singing the national anthem at a major sporting event?

Who is she?.................Do you know?

Please feel free to comment on her performance...........

Courtesy of ABC Sports and my friends at Red Lasso.....You be the judge........and tell me what you think........


Staying in Shape?


Some of us are at that age.......

T
he battle of the bulge........that middle age fatty fat.......that beer belly that keeps on growing.

But I never thought I would see the day where a former heavy weight champion of the world would let himself go..........to these extremes. And ..........he's still in his 30's.

Mike Tyson ..........once feared around the globe as the most fierce fighter ever.........has sadly let his body go. To where? I have no idea............But this photo tells so much.

Where at an earlier time .....Mike was just muscle.......nowadays ..........the tummy rules.....Is it age? Money? Lack of discipline? All of the above?

How can he still pull women........like the one in the photo?

Must be doing something right........But ..........Mike.......lets' visit a few more salad bars......okay?

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Not just Your Ordinary ........Weekend.....

Memorial Day Week-end..........2008




Three day holiday for most normal Americans...........I'm not normal.....I'm working tomorrow (Sunday).

That being said, I do plan on firing up the grill come Monday........It's the first Holiday of the warm weather. The Holiday that ushers in the summer. The Holiday that used to be a platform for towns all across the United States to present their parades and fireworks to the masses.


Memorial Day.............A time to remember those who paid the ultimate price........All those soldiers who gave their life........so we can live in a free world.

WWI........WWII..........Korea.........Vietnam.............Dessert Storm........Iraq............All of us ........have lost a loved one in one of these.

So as you flip that burger.......or take that dive in your favorite lake..........take a moment to remember what this week-end...........this Memorial Day...........means.

It is ............a ............memorial......If you have a United States flag............fly it............If there is a parade in your town..........go to it............and take a couple of moments.......just a couple.......to pause........and remember........

After all................it is .......a ........memorial.........

Baseball History.......On this Date

A lot of stuff has happened on this day, May 24th.........Thanks to the good folks at nationalpastime.com for compiling this info:


This Day in Baseball History
May 24
"Hitters are like snowflakes. No two of them are alike." -TONY TORCHIA, Red Sox coach (1985)
1909 After beating the Cardinals a record 24 consecutive times, Giants' legend Christy Mathewson finally loses to the Redbirds, 3-1. The winning streak spanned five seasons starting in May of 1904.
1935 At Crosley Field, the era of night time baseball begins as 20,000 fans watch the Reds beat the Phillies 2-1 in the first major league game ever played under the lights. During the pre-game ceremonies, President Franklin D. Roosevelt pushes a button at the White House to illuminate the field.
1941 'Big Poison' Paul Waner is signed by the Braves after being released by Brooklyn. The former Dodger joins his brother 'Little Poison' Lloyd on the Boston roster.


1950 Nat Clifton’s Harlem Globetrotter contract is purchased by the New York Knicks making the talented athlete the first black to sign a deal to play in the National Basketball Association. Prior to his career in the NBA, 'Sweetwater' played first base for the Chicago American Giants in the Negro Leagues.
1956 Mickey Mantle goes 5-for-5 with an intentional walk in an 11-5 victory over the Tigers.
1964 The major league mark for shut-outs in one day is broken as seven teams do not cross home plate.
1967 Tommy McCraw drives in eight runs, including three home runs, to help the first-place White Sox beat the Twins, 14-1.
1978 In an inning which last over an hour, 15 runs score before the first out is recorded as the Florida State League's Tampa Tarpons beat Daytona Beach,18-2.
1984 The Tigers tie a major league mark set by the 1916 Giants as Detroit defeat the Angels, 5-1 for their 17th consecutive road victory.
1994 At Busch Stadium, the Cardinals set a major league record as they leave16 men stranded on the bases. The Phillies take advantage of the Redbirds lack of timely hitting and beats St. Louis, 4-0.
1994 In a game against Milwaukee, Cal Ripken hits his 300th career home run.
2000 Shawn Estes pitches a seven-hitter and becomes the first Giants pitcher in 51 years (Monte Kennedy-1949) to hit a grand slam en route to handing the Expos their worst defeat in franchise history, 18-0. The San Bernardino native just misses joining Tony Cloninger as the only major league pitcher to hit two slams in a game.
2000 Mark McGwire becomes the fastest player to hit 20 home runs in one season reaching the mark in 35 games, six less than Mickey Mantle (1956) and his own record (1998).
2000 Sixteen Dodger players and three coaches are suspended by the commissioner's office for going into the stands during the Wrigley Field scuffle with fans on May 16. The suspensions totaling 60 games for players and 24 games for coaches is the harshest penalty ever handed down by major league baseball.
2001 Cincinnati is finally shut out as Cubs' starter Jon Lieber one-hits the Reds, 3-0. The span of 208 of games without being blanked establishes a new National League record with the 1931-33 Yankees (308) and the 1978-79 Milwaukee Brewers (212) being the only teams with longer streaks.
2001 Lana Blefary, the wife of former Oriole outfielder Curt Blefary, scatters the ashes of husband's remains at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium. Although little of the stadium remains as the site is being demolished, she is still able to fulfill her husband's last wishes.
2002 After a container is seen being dropped from low-flying plane hitting and bouncing off the stadium roof onto the street, Seattle hazardous materials crews close off the roads around Safeco Field for about an hour. The object turns outs to be the remains a unidentified man's cremated ashes.
2006 Helping the Devil Rays to beat the Blue Jays, 10-8, Carl Crawford goes 5-for-5, to tie the franchise record for hits in a game. The Tampa Bay left fielder collects five hits including a home run, scores five runs and steals four bases in his career night at the Rogers Centre.

Forward comments and suggestions to
lepan@nationalpastime.com

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Willies' ........... Woes

Nobody said it would be easy......

Managing any team in New York can be trying.

Managing a losing team in New York......can be .....well close to suicidal. Willie Randolph has graced the front and back pages of the tabloids much too often lately.

This is a sampling of just one of the 5 New York area Dailies.....and this is just for last week.

Enjoy........








About Last Night............

These NBA west coast games start so late on the east coast.....But ........thanks to ESPN.......you won't miss a thing.

Catch these high-lights:




Wednesday, May 21, 2008

So.....You want to break up a Double Play?

Your Dad always said there would be days like this.....Your Mother insisted baseball was a non contact sport......You can't get hurt playing baseball....or can you?

New York Mets right fielder, Ryan Church tried to break up a double play against Yunel Escobar and the Atlanta Braves in the 9th inning of a game last night.

Well.......after sliding a good 3 feet to the center field side of second base......and one concussion later......he may think twice......before attempting this feat ever again.

Courtesy of ESPN and Red Lasso..........take a look:


Hump Day News & Views

Finally........the final four.....

The marathon we know as the NBA play-offs, is nearing an end........Well, sort of. Boston and Detroit will battle in the east, while Los Angeles and San Antonio will knuckle up in the west. Some time in late June a champion will be crowned. The Spurs bested the sentimental favorite, New Orleans Hornets, Monday night in game 7, played in New Orleans. A day earlier, in the new Boston Garden , the Celtics out lasted LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in yet another game 7. Don't go placing bets.......but our picks are Boston in 6......and the Lakers in 6.




It's getting a little hot in here........you think?

N
ew York Met manager Willie Randolph is feeling the heat of being the leader of an underachieving team. Since Randolph took over, in the Nation League east, the Met
s have finished 3rd (2005, 83-79), 1st (2006, 97-65, losing in the NLCS), and 2nd ( 2007, 88-74).

That 2nd place finish last year was tough on New Yorkers. The Mets blew the single biggest lead in the standings in the shortest
amount of days in the history of baseball. With 17 games left in the season, the Mets had a 7 game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies..........They would go 5-12 in those final games and be stamped, "the biggest chokers....ever".

This year the Mets are languishing in 5th place with a mediocre 22-21 record. Over the weekend , Mr. Randolph lashed out at the New York media.......(Never a wise thing to do..."You're out numbered, Willie.") He said the media treated former Yankee manager, Joe Torre with more respect. Huh? Memo to Mr. Randolph, "Torre won 4 world championships.......You have..........how many?" Willie, Willie.......come on! This is New York, New York........You of all people should know what comes with
managing in this town.

Be that leader.......That leader the Mets are paying you to be. You are a good man and a good baseball man. But ........you've got to win............or ........you've got to go.



Happy trails.....Mike Piazza ....

Former Met, Mike Piazza is calling it quits.......After a 16 year career, Piazza announced his retirement from baseball. And what an unlikely though highly successful career it was.

The year was 1988. Major League Baseball held its' annual amateur draft. 1,026 players were drafted ahead of Piazza. As a favor to Piazzas' father, then Los Angeles Dodger manager, Tommy Lasorda , used the teams final pick to select Mike in the 62nd round.


The rest.......as they say......is history. This future Hall of Famer amassed stats which puts him atop of the heap......of the elite. He is the greatest hitting catcher........ever. With more home runs (427 ) and more RBIs (1,335) than any catcher before him. A .308 life time batting average.......is not too bad either..... Mike, we applaud you.




Ryan..........gets rich! Quickly!

$72 million..........six years.........$34.75 million guaranteed. Now that's a contract! The Atlanta Falcons signed its' franchise savior and number 1 pick, QB Matt Ryan, to a contract Tuesday. It's only been a little more than a month since the Falcons made Ryan the 3rd overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft.

Lets' just hope Mr. Ryan is up to the challenge. That's an awful lot of money to give to person who has yet to sell a single seat in the Georgia Dome........Has yet to throw a single pass......or gain a single yard........Has yet to get an NFL completion........much less a touchdown.

$72 million..........six years........$34.75 million guaranteed..........It's not my money...... but.....



Another National Champion for UGA......


T
hey have a pretty decent athletic program at the University of Georgia in that small southern college town of Athens. Yesterday , the Mens Tennis team won its second NCAA title in a row as the Bulldogs defeated Texas, 4-2. The gymnastics team (the gym dogs) won its championship earlier this year.

The baseball team (the diamond dogs) is currently ranked 7th in the nation with hopes of competing in this years' college world series.

Seems ....that.....football team ( which some will rank 1st or 2nd in the pre-season polls ) will have some tough acts to follow come fall......

Finally..........

I think there was a winner on American Idol...........but I don't know who.......just wasn't interested......but you can google it ........and find out.

Finally.....Finally......

The WNBA season has began ...........again.....just not interested.....but you can google the WNBA also........Come to think of it........you can google any thing......at any time..... and that's .......a good thing.


Monday, May 19, 2008

Things we Learned .......from the ....Weekend


I'm not as young.......as as used to be........or I think I am........

So......Saturday seemed like a perfect day in this southern college town......Clear skies........Temperatures in the mid 80's.......Low humidity..... Perfect to work the property. Mow the lawns, trim the hedges, and put the weed eater to work.


So I did it all. I mowed this acre of lawn...........I raked.......I trimmed the hedges....I took the weed eater to the unwanted weeds. I did it all. Mind you.........it was with a riding mower......but I still used a Sears self-propelled to get between the oak and pine trees.


I even took the old hoe to unearth that most hated weed of all........the southern crab grass. It w
as awesome.......and it looked damn good too.


Fast forward to around 6 pm Saturday..........My chest was congested..........my nose was running...... had to breath though my mouth.......my throat hurt..........the muscles in my arms were sore........My breath was short ( as in an almost asthma attack)............I had this severe sinus headache...........But ........the yard looked good.........


So I did what most Americans do..........take that sinus pill.....which meant I could not partake in the consumption of any type of alcoholic beverage.....even on a Saturday night....they just don't mix...........so.......I just..........I just..........dozed.......and slept.....and dozed........but .......the yard sure did look good.


People........we may be watching history here........and now!


I did stay awake long enough to see this horse, Big Brown , win another race. We may be the witness to the first triple crown winner.....in 30 years. This is a ........bigggggg horse!


Big Brown won the Preakness going away.........bringing back memories of Secretariat and Affirmed . Gifted race horses who won that elusive crown.






The Boston Celtics are glad they have ..........home court advantage........


O
k...........it's happened yet again...........the home team wins.........But this was not your ordinary game.......this was a game 7. The Cleveland Cavaliers were the opponent. With LeBron James no less. Still, the Celtics found a way to find a happy ending ..........at home. I just ..........still..........don't get it.......Same ball...........same court dimensions........why can't these guys play the same on the road?




Random thoughts...........I think........I think....

T
he Atlanta Braves........are not as bad as I once thought they were.......earlier in the season.

The Chicago Cubs maybe the best team in baseball........

Will there be a real blockbuster movie this summer? Indiana Jones?.......be ........real.

Will there be anyone........that will challenge..........ESPN? Talk about your everyday monopoly!!!!!!!

I have been taken to task........but ..........I still cannot get into ..........a female.....broadcasting NBA play-off games........on national TV.

Finally...........

A
dvice...........to those of you ...........in my age group...........trying to be a master gardener........on week-ends...........All I'll say .......is...........Wear your protective mask...........pace yourself...........or you ........will............feel ....... and..........or experience..............my ............pain!




Friday, May 16, 2008

Another Letterman Top Ten

Annika Sorenstam reads Letterman's top ten..........

She's ........a little stiff.....but .....watchable .......You decide.....


Thursday, May 15, 2008

Barbecue Rules? The Females Strike Back!


With Memorial Day just around the corner..........

GaPeach913 gives us this:





BBQ RULES
We are about to enter the summer and BBQ season. Therefore it is important to refresh your memory on the etiquette of this sublime outdoor cooking activity, as it's the only type of cooking a 'real' man will do, probably because there is an element of danger involved.
When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are put into motion:

Routine...
(1) The woman buys the food.(2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert.
(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the grill - drink in hand.

Here comes the important part:

(4) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL.

More routine...
(5) The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery.
(6) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is burning. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another drink while he deals with the situation.

Important again:

(7) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.

More routine...
(8) The woman prepares th e plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table.
(9)
After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.
And most important of all:
(10) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.
(11) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed "her night off." And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women...

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

"Happy Trails"......Wednesday


Normally, we have "Hump Day News & Views..........But today.......it's "Happy Trails".

Happy Trails.....Orlando Magic.....

You guys have just been eliminated from this years' NBA play-offs..........The Detroit Pistons disposed the Magic last night without their all-star point guard, Chauncey Billups . Detroit is making its 6th straight eastern conference final. What ever the outcome of the Boston-Cleveland series..........you've got to lean toward the Pistons.

Happy Trails........Justine Henin........


You are 25.......ranked number 1 in the world of tennis...........yet today you announced your retirement. Must be something about womens' tennis. They do get old ........fast.......but at 25?

Happy Trails........Annika Sorenstam...........

The "Tiger Woods" of womens' golf called it quits yesterday........The 37 year old Swede.......who is still at the top of her game........wants to raise a family and pursue other options.....You go girl.....retire while on top. We applaud you.

Happy Trails....."Old man winter"..........

I
t is now the middle of May....That old man winter has finally left this southern college town. He didn't leave quietly.....but he left just the same. And it feels........so good. See you in December, old man............



Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Not one....not Two.........but Three?

I remember.........when I could do this....



Monday, May 12, 2008

Thoughts on a Monday........


Don't know who was more impressive, the Georgia Dome....or Georgia State?

I
had the privilege to attend a graduation at the Georgia Dome for the commencement ceremonies for Georgia State University. I was indeed impressed. GSU put on a show. But I was equally impressed with the Georgia Dome staff for presenting an atmosphere of .....just....GSU. Everything was blue and white. If one didn't know any better.......you would have sworn this was Georgia States' home stadium. The Dome can make an event look bigger than life .....but yet create the intimacy of a small college atmosphere. And the keynote speaker? None other than .........the great Reverend Andrew Young........former mayor of Atlanta......former congressman..........former Ambassador ........His speech was short.......yet inspiring......Georgia Dome? GSU? You done good!


Family..........is .....still Gods' greatest gift..

Did I mention my niece got her masters at that ceremony? Yes indeed.....and she is 9 months pregnant. And her water broke at the end of the graduation. Well........it was a false alarm.....We had dinner reservations for 5:30 pm.........but her doctors had to make sure..........so we ended up dining at 9 pm......but it was well worth the wait. The family stood tall . You know, there is only one. One as in ........family.......And just seeing her wobble in and sit...........and eat.......and be happy.......was........well ........priceless.

Will the Braves ever win again........on the road?

We have just dissected the NBA. The Braves are 14-4 at home.......yet 4-14 on the road. Why? This is easier to dissect than the NBA.....The Braves suck........In baseball, the home team always has the final inning. With no hitting, no pitching...........no wonder the Braves suffer on the road. Thank goodness.....there are 81 home..........and 81 away...........win 70% at home..........and 50% away..........and you are in the play-offs. I will save my anger toward these Braves........for another post.

It's good to be a Bulldog......A Georgia Bulldog

Georgia has just won it's 6th SEC baseball championship. It's football team is going to be ranked in the top 5 come September...........The gymnastics team won it's 9th national championship...........the womens' softball team is hosting a super regional........In this southern college town..........they live and breath ...........red and black...........Mostly...........it's football red and football black..........but.........it's also about just being........a dawg..........and that's .....a good thing.


Hazardous Roads.......


There have been 15 second round NBA play-off games. Only once have the road team come away with a victory. The home teams have a 14 - 1 record.......Why?

We here at 5 on Five have put our crack research department on notice......
..We want to find out why these play-off caliber teams .....play so well at home..........yet so poorly on the road.

There are theories..........there are facts......

First ...........let's examine the facts:



The ball itself...........courtesy of Wikipedia........

The National Basketball Association (NBA) allows only one official ball: The ball must be the official NBA game ball manufactured by Spalding. The ball is orange in color, 29.5 inches in circumference and weighs 22 ounces (size 7). It must also be inflated to between 7.5 and 8.5 pounds per square inch. Starting in the 2006 season, the NBA switched to a new ball from Spalding that had a synthetic surface and a modified rib pattern (See section below).

Until 2005 the ball had a leather surface. On December 11, 2006 the NBA decided to revert back to the old leather ball due to numerous player complaints, lawsuits and injuries from the synthetic ball. Spalding has manufactured the official NBA game ball since 1983.

OK ........so it's the same ball.......every game.....


But what about the dimensions of the basketball court? Again, here is Wikipedia:



This diagram is for the dimensions of every court in every arena for every team.


All courts are the same..........home and away....... the basket is the same height ........the ball the same size....


So ...........then............what is it?

You just saw some very factual information........now .......let us theorize..............


Is it travel time?...........Every team has charter flights........Every team uses plush hotels.....

What about pre-game meals..........girl friends? Rental cars? The rides on the bus to and from the hotel? Too many trips to the local bars? Couldn't find a barber? Couldn't speak the language? (Toronto)..........

The referees perhaps? Well........maybe a little....(they're only human)..........but no........they are not the answer to all these blow outs.

The answers may lie in the unknown..........home crowds creating an adrenaline that flows through the home team players veins......an adrenaline flow that is still a mystery to scientist. On any given home court...........that player........runs a little faster, jumps a little higher, sees that basket a little bit better.......... and sends a psychological message to the road team.


We........still ..........don't know.........14-1..........and the games weren't even close. If some one out there has the answers...........please come forward........and solve this mystery........once and for all. It can't just be the crowds........or could it?