Auditions ...
I told myself that I needed to audition for something in 2008. It really didn't matter if it was a play at The Driftwood Theatre, for one of the indie films in the area that post for actors, or something as an extra through an agency; I was simply going to do it ...
Well ... I did it. I went and auditioned on Thursday for a television commercial.
There is something both frightening and thrilling about standing there in front of a camera being grilled by a casting director (or two in this instance) and then waiting by the phone to see if you get the part. Maybe I would feel differently about it if I had big grandoise acting dreams, but that is not the way I am ...
... and then the phone rang a little while ago ... I got the part! Woohoo!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
The ridiculous soccer games lists #1 ... (Oxymoron project)
The ridiculous soccer games lists #1 ... (Oxymoron project)
This is the first post of the ridiculous lists that I have worked on for over five years as part of the Oxymoron Project ...
This list includes the now defunct teams like the original MISL Tacoma Stars, the CISL Seattle Seadogs, the USISL Everett Bigfoot, the PDL Spokane Shadow, and others ... the FC Seattle Storm and Seattle Sounders lists will be their own posts later ...
Some games show up on more than one list where there is overlap ...
There are a few details missing ... I left things out rather than be wrong ...
When the stadium has changed names I have left the name it was when the game was played ...
There are a few items where I have added information or notes to the lists ...
These lists are thanks to this wonderful internets thing, media guides, tciket stubs, programs, and my own bizarre and disturbing memory ...
Tacoma Stars – all at Tacoma Dome
02-16-85 W 11-4 New York Cosmos (Rail Concert)
01-25-86 W 4-3 Kansas City Comets
02-07-86 W 5-4 (OT) Dallas Sidekicks (1st Zungul game)
02-16-86 W 6-5 Wichita Wings
03-03-86 W 5-4 (OT) St. Louis Steamers
04-05-86 W 4-3 Los Angeles Lasers
04-18-86 W 3-2 Wichita Wings (Playoffs)
05-07-86 L 5-8 San Diego Sockers (Playoffs)
11-26-86 W 6-2 Cleveland Force
12-20-86 W 5-2 Los Angeles Lasers
03-08-87 L 3-6 Kansas City Comets
05-22-87 L 5-6 San Diego Sockers (Playoffs)
12-23-88 W 5-2 Los Angeles Lasers
03-30-91 W 10-1 San Diego Sockers
11-01-91 L 4-6 San Diego Sockers
11-30-91 W 8-7 Cleveland Crunch
12-26-91 L 4-6 Baltimore Blast
01-04-92 W 10-8 Dallas Sidekicks
02-08-92 W 9-5 Cleveland Crunch
03-27-92 W 5-4 (OT) – Cleveland Crunch - Final Home Game Ever
– (+ "wake" 06-07-92 @ Exh. Hall)
Seattle Seadogs
07-29-95 W 7-6 (OT) Monterrey La Raza – Mercer Arena
08-26-95 W 7-4 Pittsburgh Stingers – Mercer Arena
07-26-97 W 10-5 Detroit Safari – Key Arena
Everett Bigfoot
06-09-95 L 2-3 Inland Empire Panteras - Everett Memorial Stadium
06-02-96 L 2-3 Spokane Shadow - SVCC
Spokane Shadow
07-25-95 L 1-2 (ot) Portland Firebirds – SVCC - Inaugural Season
06-02-96 W 3-2 Everett Bigfoot – SVCC - Reg
08-10-96 W 2-1 Puget Sound Hammers – SVCC - Playoffs
08-02-97 L 0-1 San Gabriel Valley Highlanders – Albi - Playoffs
06-13-97 W 1-0 Bellingham Orcas – Albi - Reg
07-05-97 L 1-2 Vancouver 86ers – Albi – Exh
05-15-99 W 3-2 Willamette Valley Firebirds – Albi - USOCQ
06-10-00 L 0-4 Seattle Sounders – Albi - Exh
SPU (M)
11-29-86 W 2-1 Bridgeport – Memorial Stadium – NCAA Semi
11-07-91 W 3-2 UW – Memorial Stadium
10-27-93 W 1-0 (OT) UW - Newport HS
09-04-99 L 3-4 (OT) Chico State - Interbay
10-16-99 W 2-1 Wheaton - Interbay
Cup Finals
08-28-76 Toronto Metros 3 Minnesota Kick 0 - 1976 NASL Soccer Bowl - Kingdome
08-28-77 Seattle Sounders 1 New York Cosmos 2 - NASL Soccer Bowl - Civic Stadium
12-16-84 Indiana 1 Clemson 2 - NCAA M D1 - Kingdome
12-14-85 UCLA 1 American 0 (8OT) - NCAA M D1 - Kingdome
07-30-88 FC Seattle Storm 5 San Jose Earthquakes 0 - WSA - Memorial Stadium
10-06-91 Vancouver 86ers 5 Toronto Blizzard 3 - CSL - Swangard Stadium
10-01-05 Seattle Sounders 1 Richmond Kickers 1 (5-4 PK AET) - USL-1 - Qwest Field
09-29-07 Seattle Sounders 4 Atlanta Silverbacks 0 - USL-1 - Starfire
USA (M) Friendlies
02-03-79 L USSR 1-3 Kingdome
01-29-94 T Russia 1-1 Kingdome
05-23-98 W Kuwait 2-0 Civic Satdium
03-02-02 W Honduras 4-0 Safeco Field
03-29-03 W Venezuela 2-0 Seahawks Stadium
World Cup - Finals and Qualifying – Men and Women
M WCQ 10-20-76 Kingdome – USA 2 Canada 0
M WCQ 09-07-97 Civic Stadium – USA 1 Costa Rica 0
M WCF 06-10-90 Stadio Comunale – USA 1 Czechoslovakia 5
M WCF 06-13-90 Stadio San Paulo – Argentina 2 USSR 0
M WCF 06-14-90 Stadio Olimpico – USA 0 Italy 1
M WCF 06-19-94 Rose Bowl – Sweden 2 Cameroon 2
M WCF 06-22-94 Rose Bowl – USA 2 Colombia 1
W WCF 06-23-99 Civic Stadium – China 7 Ghana 0
W WCF 06-23-99 Civic Stadium – Russia 5 Japan 0
W WCQ 11-02-02 Safeco Field – Mexico 2 TnT 0 (Gold Cup)
W WCQ 11-02-02 Safeco Field – USA 9 Panama 0 (Gold Cup)
W WCF 10-02-03 PGE Park – Germany 7 Russia 1
W WCF 10-02-03 PGE Park – China 0 Canada 1
USA (W) Indoor vs. World All-Stars
12-12-99 L 2-11 Tacoma Dome
12-13-00 W 8-7 (OT) Key Arena
2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup (M) @ Qwest Field
07-07-05 USA 4 Cuba 1
07-07-05 Costa Rica 1 Canada 0
07-09-05 USA 2 Canada 0
07-09-05 Costa Rica 3 Cuba 1
2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup (W) @ Safeco Field
11-02-02 Mexico 2 TnT 0
11-02-02 USA 9 Panama 0 (Gold Cup)
CANADA (M)
10-20-76 USA 2 Canada 0 - Kingdome - WCQ
04-24-86 FC Seattle Storm 2 Canada 3 - Shoreline Stadium
05-28-94 Seattle Sounders 1 Canada 0 - Tacoma Dome
07-07-05 Canada 0 Costa Rica 1 - Qwest Field - Gold Cup
07-09-05 USA 2 Canada 0 - Qwest Field - Gold Cup
Vancouver 86ers (in Canada)
06-15-94 L 1-2 vs Benfica - BC Place
09-01-91 W 1-0 vs Hamilton Steelers – Swangard Stadium
10-06-91 W 5-3 vs. Toronto Blizzard – Swangard Stadium - CLS Final
07-04-92 L 1-2 vs. Hong Kong - BC Place
- (86ers games will also appear on the Storm, Sounders, and Shadow lists.)
MLS Teams
06-21-98 Colorado Rapids 4 Seattle Sounders 1 - MPHS (Exh)
04-07-01 Los Angeles Galaxy 2 San Jose Earthquakes 3 - Rose Bowl (MLS)
07-17-02 San Jose Earthquakes 4 Seattle Sounders 3 (2OT) - Interbay (USOC)
05-28-03 San Jose Earthquakes 0 Seattle Sounders 0 - Seahawks Stadium (Exh)
08-05-03 San Jose Earthquakes 0 Seattle Sounders 1 - Husky Field (USOC)
08-27-03 Los Angeles Galaxy 5 Seattle Sounders 1 - Seahawks Stadium (USOC)
06-05-04 Metrostars 0 Dallas Burn 2 - Giants Stadium (MLS)
05-11-05 Real Salt Lake 0 Seattle Sounders 1 - Qwest Field (Exh)
05-07-06 CD Chivas USA 1 Seattle Sounders 0 - Qwet Field (Exh)
08-09-06 DC United 1 Real Madrid 1 - Qwest Field (Exh)
07-18-07 Seattle Sounders 3 CD Chivas USA 1 – Qwest Field (USOC)
08-07-07 Seattle Sounders 5 Colorado Rapids 0 - Qwest Field (USOC QF)
09-04-07 Seattle Sounders 1 FC Dallas 2 (AET) - Qwest Field (USOC SF)
WSU (W) - since 1998 ... pre-98 in Pullman not included
10-24-03 L 0-2 UW - Husky Field
08-29-03 L 0-4 North Carolina - Husky Field
10-10-99 L 0-3 UW - Husky Field
UW (W)
10-29-99 W 2-1 (OT) Arizona State - Husky Field
UW (M)
10-11-74 L 0-3 Saint Louis - Husky Stadium
09-13-91 W 4-0 Southern Methodist - Interlake HS
09-15-91 W 2-1 (OT) UCLA - Interlake HS
10-11-91 L 1-2 San Diego - Newport HS
10-20-91 W 3-1 Whitworth - Husky Stadium
09-20-92 T 1-1 South Carolina - Husky IM Field
11-07-91 L 2-3 SPU - Memorial Stadium
10-27-93 L 0-1 (OT) SPU - Newport HS
Misc. College (M)
10-07-07 Seattle U Redhawks 4 CSMB Otters 0 - Championship Field
09-20-92 Simon Frazier vs. Portland - Husky IM Field
09-15-91 Portland 1 Southern Methodist 2 - Interlake HS
09-13-91 UCLA 3 Portland 1 - Interlake HS
09-20-90 Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Evergreen State College - Upper Field
10-11-74 Hawaii vs. (?) - Husky Stadium
Misc. College (W)
10-30-04 Portland Pilots 2 USF 0 - Merlo Field
09-06-04 Seattle U Redhawks 1 Chico State 1 - Championship Field
10-25-95 Gonzaga Bulldogs 2 Hawaii Rainbow Wahine 3 - Lower Field
Misc. Pro
06-17-87 Vasco da Gama 1 AS Roma 1 - LA Memorial
06-17-87 Rosario Central 3 Dundee United 1 - LA Memorial
08-10-96 Bay Area Seal 2 Puget Sound Hammers 1 - SVCC
08-16-96 Dallas Sidekicks 11 Indiana Twisters 4 - Reunion Arena
07-22-03 Manchester United 4 Glasgow Celtic 0 - Seahawks Stadium
07-24-04 Chelsea 4 Glasgow Celtic 2 - Seahawks Stadium
Seattle Hibernian Saints - incomplete 99-00 listing at Interbay
06-13-99 W 6-0 Kamloops Heat
07-01-00 T 4-4 Victoria United
05-12-01 W 2-1 New Westminster Khalsa
05-19-01 W 2-1 Skagit Valley Rapids
05-04-02 W 5-0 Penticton Pinnacles
07-13-04 L 2-4 Seattle Sounders - Seahawks Stadium
This is the first post of the ridiculous lists that I have worked on for over five years as part of the Oxymoron Project ...
This list includes the now defunct teams like the original MISL Tacoma Stars, the CISL Seattle Seadogs, the USISL Everett Bigfoot, the PDL Spokane Shadow, and others ... the FC Seattle Storm and Seattle Sounders lists will be their own posts later ...
Some games show up on more than one list where there is overlap ...
There are a few details missing ... I left things out rather than be wrong ...
When the stadium has changed names I have left the name it was when the game was played ...
There are a few items where I have added information or notes to the lists ...
These lists are thanks to this wonderful internets thing, media guides, tciket stubs, programs, and my own bizarre and disturbing memory ...
Tacoma Stars – all at Tacoma Dome
02-16-85 W 11-4 New York Cosmos (Rail Concert)
01-25-86 W 4-3 Kansas City Comets
02-07-86 W 5-4 (OT) Dallas Sidekicks (1st Zungul game)
02-16-86 W 6-5 Wichita Wings
03-03-86 W 5-4 (OT) St. Louis Steamers
04-05-86 W 4-3 Los Angeles Lasers
04-18-86 W 3-2 Wichita Wings (Playoffs)
05-07-86 L 5-8 San Diego Sockers (Playoffs)
11-26-86 W 6-2 Cleveland Force
12-20-86 W 5-2 Los Angeles Lasers
03-08-87 L 3-6 Kansas City Comets
05-22-87 L 5-6 San Diego Sockers (Playoffs)
12-23-88 W 5-2 Los Angeles Lasers
03-30-91 W 10-1 San Diego Sockers
11-01-91 L 4-6 San Diego Sockers
11-30-91 W 8-7 Cleveland Crunch
12-26-91 L 4-6 Baltimore Blast
01-04-92 W 10-8 Dallas Sidekicks
02-08-92 W 9-5 Cleveland Crunch
03-27-92 W 5-4 (OT) – Cleveland Crunch - Final Home Game Ever
– (+ "wake" 06-07-92 @ Exh. Hall)
Seattle Seadogs
07-29-95 W 7-6 (OT) Monterrey La Raza – Mercer Arena
08-26-95 W 7-4 Pittsburgh Stingers – Mercer Arena
07-26-97 W 10-5 Detroit Safari – Key Arena
Everett Bigfoot
06-09-95 L 2-3 Inland Empire Panteras - Everett Memorial Stadium
06-02-96 L 2-3 Spokane Shadow - SVCC
Spokane Shadow
07-25-95 L 1-2 (ot) Portland Firebirds – SVCC - Inaugural Season
06-02-96 W 3-2 Everett Bigfoot – SVCC - Reg
08-10-96 W 2-1 Puget Sound Hammers – SVCC - Playoffs
08-02-97 L 0-1 San Gabriel Valley Highlanders – Albi - Playoffs
06-13-97 W 1-0 Bellingham Orcas – Albi - Reg
07-05-97 L 1-2 Vancouver 86ers – Albi – Exh
05-15-99 W 3-2 Willamette Valley Firebirds – Albi - USOCQ
06-10-00 L 0-4 Seattle Sounders – Albi - Exh
SPU (M)
11-29-86 W 2-1 Bridgeport – Memorial Stadium – NCAA Semi
11-07-91 W 3-2 UW – Memorial Stadium
10-27-93 W 1-0 (OT) UW - Newport HS
09-04-99 L 3-4 (OT) Chico State - Interbay
10-16-99 W 2-1 Wheaton - Interbay
Cup Finals
08-28-76 Toronto Metros 3 Minnesota Kick 0 - 1976 NASL Soccer Bowl - Kingdome
08-28-77 Seattle Sounders 1 New York Cosmos 2 - NASL Soccer Bowl - Civic Stadium
12-16-84 Indiana 1 Clemson 2 - NCAA M D1 - Kingdome
12-14-85 UCLA 1 American 0 (8OT) - NCAA M D1 - Kingdome
07-30-88 FC Seattle Storm 5 San Jose Earthquakes 0 - WSA - Memorial Stadium
10-06-91 Vancouver 86ers 5 Toronto Blizzard 3 - CSL - Swangard Stadium
10-01-05 Seattle Sounders 1 Richmond Kickers 1 (5-4 PK AET) - USL-1 - Qwest Field
09-29-07 Seattle Sounders 4 Atlanta Silverbacks 0 - USL-1 - Starfire
USA (M) Friendlies
02-03-79 L USSR 1-3 Kingdome
01-29-94 T Russia 1-1 Kingdome
05-23-98 W Kuwait 2-0 Civic Satdium
03-02-02 W Honduras 4-0 Safeco Field
03-29-03 W Venezuela 2-0 Seahawks Stadium
World Cup - Finals and Qualifying – Men and Women
M WCQ 10-20-76 Kingdome – USA 2 Canada 0
M WCQ 09-07-97 Civic Stadium – USA 1 Costa Rica 0
M WCF 06-10-90 Stadio Comunale – USA 1 Czechoslovakia 5
M WCF 06-13-90 Stadio San Paulo – Argentina 2 USSR 0
M WCF 06-14-90 Stadio Olimpico – USA 0 Italy 1
M WCF 06-19-94 Rose Bowl – Sweden 2 Cameroon 2
M WCF 06-22-94 Rose Bowl – USA 2 Colombia 1
W WCF 06-23-99 Civic Stadium – China 7 Ghana 0
W WCF 06-23-99 Civic Stadium – Russia 5 Japan 0
W WCQ 11-02-02 Safeco Field – Mexico 2 TnT 0 (Gold Cup)
W WCQ 11-02-02 Safeco Field – USA 9 Panama 0 (Gold Cup)
W WCF 10-02-03 PGE Park – Germany 7 Russia 1
W WCF 10-02-03 PGE Park – China 0 Canada 1
USA (W) Indoor vs. World All-Stars
12-12-99 L 2-11 Tacoma Dome
12-13-00 W 8-7 (OT) Key Arena
2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup (M) @ Qwest Field
07-07-05 USA 4 Cuba 1
07-07-05 Costa Rica 1 Canada 0
07-09-05 USA 2 Canada 0
07-09-05 Costa Rica 3 Cuba 1
2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup (W) @ Safeco Field
11-02-02 Mexico 2 TnT 0
11-02-02 USA 9 Panama 0 (Gold Cup)
CANADA (M)
10-20-76 USA 2 Canada 0 - Kingdome - WCQ
04-24-86 FC Seattle Storm 2 Canada 3 - Shoreline Stadium
05-28-94 Seattle Sounders 1 Canada 0 - Tacoma Dome
07-07-05 Canada 0 Costa Rica 1 - Qwest Field - Gold Cup
07-09-05 USA 2 Canada 0 - Qwest Field - Gold Cup
Vancouver 86ers (in Canada)
06-15-94 L 1-2 vs Benfica - BC Place
09-01-91 W 1-0 vs Hamilton Steelers – Swangard Stadium
10-06-91 W 5-3 vs. Toronto Blizzard – Swangard Stadium - CLS Final
07-04-92 L 1-2 vs. Hong Kong - BC Place
- (86ers games will also appear on the Storm, Sounders, and Shadow lists.)
MLS Teams
06-21-98 Colorado Rapids 4 Seattle Sounders 1 - MPHS (Exh)
04-07-01 Los Angeles Galaxy 2 San Jose Earthquakes 3 - Rose Bowl (MLS)
07-17-02 San Jose Earthquakes 4 Seattle Sounders 3 (2OT) - Interbay (USOC)
05-28-03 San Jose Earthquakes 0 Seattle Sounders 0 - Seahawks Stadium (Exh)
08-05-03 San Jose Earthquakes 0 Seattle Sounders 1 - Husky Field (USOC)
08-27-03 Los Angeles Galaxy 5 Seattle Sounders 1 - Seahawks Stadium (USOC)
06-05-04 Metrostars 0 Dallas Burn 2 - Giants Stadium (MLS)
05-11-05 Real Salt Lake 0 Seattle Sounders 1 - Qwest Field (Exh)
05-07-06 CD Chivas USA 1 Seattle Sounders 0 - Qwet Field (Exh)
08-09-06 DC United 1 Real Madrid 1 - Qwest Field (Exh)
07-18-07 Seattle Sounders 3 CD Chivas USA 1 – Qwest Field (USOC)
08-07-07 Seattle Sounders 5 Colorado Rapids 0 - Qwest Field (USOC QF)
09-04-07 Seattle Sounders 1 FC Dallas 2 (AET) - Qwest Field (USOC SF)
WSU (W) - since 1998 ... pre-98 in Pullman not included
10-24-03 L 0-2 UW - Husky Field
08-29-03 L 0-4 North Carolina - Husky Field
10-10-99 L 0-3 UW - Husky Field
UW (W)
10-29-99 W 2-1 (OT) Arizona State - Husky Field
UW (M)
10-11-74 L 0-3 Saint Louis - Husky Stadium
09-13-91 W 4-0 Southern Methodist - Interlake HS
09-15-91 W 2-1 (OT) UCLA - Interlake HS
10-11-91 L 1-2 San Diego - Newport HS
10-20-91 W 3-1 Whitworth - Husky Stadium
09-20-92 T 1-1 South Carolina - Husky IM Field
11-07-91 L 2-3 SPU - Memorial Stadium
10-27-93 L 0-1 (OT) SPU - Newport HS
Misc. College (M)
10-07-07 Seattle U Redhawks 4 CSMB Otters 0 - Championship Field
09-20-92 Simon Frazier vs. Portland - Husky IM Field
09-15-91 Portland 1 Southern Methodist 2 - Interlake HS
09-13-91 UCLA 3 Portland 1 - Interlake HS
09-20-90 Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Evergreen State College - Upper Field
10-11-74 Hawaii vs. (?) - Husky Stadium
Misc. College (W)
10-30-04 Portland Pilots 2 USF 0 - Merlo Field
09-06-04 Seattle U Redhawks 1 Chico State 1 - Championship Field
10-25-95 Gonzaga Bulldogs 2 Hawaii Rainbow Wahine 3 - Lower Field
Misc. Pro
06-17-87 Vasco da Gama 1 AS Roma 1 - LA Memorial
06-17-87 Rosario Central 3 Dundee United 1 - LA Memorial
08-10-96 Bay Area Seal 2 Puget Sound Hammers 1 - SVCC
08-16-96 Dallas Sidekicks 11 Indiana Twisters 4 - Reunion Arena
07-22-03 Manchester United 4 Glasgow Celtic 0 - Seahawks Stadium
07-24-04 Chelsea 4 Glasgow Celtic 2 - Seahawks Stadium
Seattle Hibernian Saints - incomplete 99-00 listing at Interbay
06-13-99 W 6-0 Kamloops Heat
07-01-00 T 4-4 Victoria United
05-12-01 W 2-1 New Westminster Khalsa
05-19-01 W 2-1 Skagit Valley Rapids
05-04-02 W 5-0 Penticton Pinnacles
07-13-04 L 2-4 Seattle Sounders - Seahawks Stadium
Saturday, January 12, 2008
"2.19.1989"
"2.19.1989"
Oh, the things we find when we finally clean out those old boxes in the corner .... 40-45 minutes of a group of us in Waller Hall at Wazzu with a guitar and a songbook killing time late one cold weekend evening ....
This was not a drunken group either ... this was a group of guys just hanging out and singing in the halls of the dorm late one night ... and I think I have pics of it somewhere too ....
Now ... I just need to find these guys and to get this micro cassette audio converted to digital ...
Taking over the Big Screen ...
Taking over the Big Screen ...
Why I like Arena Football ... (Ephemera Project tangent)
I broke my ankle on August 8, 1993. I know this for two reasons; first of all because it had a huge impact on me, and second because it was my first wedding anniversary. Not long afterwards we went on a family trip to Reno. My folks used to love to go to Reno. But, I had this huge cast on my foot and was on crutches. So, Ron and I decided to head down to the sports book and watch some tv and bet on a game or two.
It turned out that it was Arena Bowl time and the game was on cable and there was a point spread. We each picked a team, plunked five bucks down each and took over the large screen in the middle of the viewing area. We had bet on the game, it was early, we were the only guys there and so the tv was ours. As the game progressed and other sporting events kicked off or whatever and more people joined us, the other tvs came into use. A few guys complained about what was on, but the sports book would not change the channel since we were there first and were betting on the game. I remember a lot of grumbling, but I also remember a number of guys watching and joining us. It was cool.
I had to look up Arena Bowl 1993 (all hail the google!) in order to find that the Tampa Bay Storm beat the Detroit Drive 51-31. If memory serves I won as I had Tampa and the points.
I have managed to attend a grand total of three arena football games, but only because there was a team in Everett for three seasons. On none of my other - albeit few and far between - trips have I managed to attend a game.
Everett Hawks (@EEC) - (06/07 AFL2 - 05 NIFL)
06.23.07 vs. Arkansas Twisters - (L) 60-64
04.30.06 vs. Central Valley Coyotes - (L) - 41-60
04.21.05 vs. Tri-Cities Fever - (W) - 64-62
Why I like Arena Football ... (Ephemera Project tangent)
I broke my ankle on August 8, 1993. I know this for two reasons; first of all because it had a huge impact on me, and second because it was my first wedding anniversary. Not long afterwards we went on a family trip to Reno. My folks used to love to go to Reno. But, I had this huge cast on my foot and was on crutches. So, Ron and I decided to head down to the sports book and watch some tv and bet on a game or two.
It turned out that it was Arena Bowl time and the game was on cable and there was a point spread. We each picked a team, plunked five bucks down each and took over the large screen in the middle of the viewing area. We had bet on the game, it was early, we were the only guys there and so the tv was ours. As the game progressed and other sporting events kicked off or whatever and more people joined us, the other tvs came into use. A few guys complained about what was on, but the sports book would not change the channel since we were there first and were betting on the game. I remember a lot of grumbling, but I also remember a number of guys watching and joining us. It was cool.
I had to look up Arena Bowl 1993 (all hail the google!) in order to find that the Tampa Bay Storm beat the Detroit Drive 51-31. If memory serves I won as I had Tampa and the points.
I have managed to attend a grand total of three arena football games, but only because there was a team in Everett for three seasons. On none of my other - albeit few and far between - trips have I managed to attend a game.
Everett Hawks (@EEC) - (06/07 AFL2 - 05 NIFL)
06.23.07 vs. Arkansas Twisters - (L) 60-64
04.30.06 vs. Central Valley Coyotes - (L) - 41-60
04.21.05 vs. Tri-Cities Fever - (W) - 64-62
Funny Subbing Stories (#2)
Funny Subbing Stories (#2)
These are excerpts from emails I sent out over the past half year or so about the misadventures I often have as a substitute teacher ...
Names and locations have been omitted for obvious reasons ...
---
Actual excuse from a 7th grader
"my mom recycled my math assignment"
---
in one day I overheard the following at a HS ...
"Oh my god, I just misspelled my own last name"
"You know who has long eyelashes? ... Robert."
"It's not a zit. It's a part of my ear. It's been there since I was born. Leave me alone!"
"No. wouldn't. I was raised better than that."
---
These are just random things I have been asked or have overheard recently ...
"Is Greece in Italy?" (HS female student)
"I'm a Tomboy, do I go with the boys or the girls?" (4th grader)
"I didn't realize Kentucky was a state. I thought it was a city." (7th grader)
---
email I sent to friends back in October:
today is Pajama Day at the middle school ... subbing all week
so ... I grabbed my Gene Juarez robe and wore sweats underneath and a pajama top ...
this is how my day is starting ... with a pipe you could call me Hef
---
Some of the boys were having a discussion about pop stars ... who's hottest ...
actual convo (9th graders)
"Man, did you see Freaky Friday? Lindsay Lohan was so hot."
"No, she had me in parent trap."
I cant make this stuff up ...
---
all in one week:
So ... there are aspects of subbing that they don't really give you a lot of help with ... one of them is when there is a special event, like last week when I had to try and help monitor a pep assembly at ***** ... go sit with your students in the Northeast corner bleachers ... by the time I get to the gym through the halls I have no idea which 33 kids are mine ... I am not certain where these mythical Northeast bleachers are ... and so I just go stand next to other teachers by the door ...
and then there are days like today ... when they have a fire drill ... I am at **** HS in **** and the alarm went off during my planning period, 2nd ... nice ... I grabbed my jacket and followed the crowd figuring this would be simple since I dont have a class ... nope ... I get to the Upper Field ... first finding out that they have an upper field ... and I discover that the classes are all lining up alphabetical like with the teachers holding these big signs with the teacher's name on it ... nice ... hmmm ... turns out the kids are not with their 2nd period teachers ... no, they are with their home room teachers ... home room is based on 4th period, something to do with splitting them up for 1st and 2nd lunch I guess ... so I now need to do several things ... I need to remember the name of the teacher I am subbing for ... I need to talk to a teacher to let someone know that I don't have a sign .... and I need to find the kids ... the math teacher next door sees me looking very confused and I decide to just fess up and tell him the above ... he walks me over to where my students are supposed to be .... and there they are ... whew ... suddenly, it appears to the administration that I know what I am doing under adverse circumstances like this and they compliment me on helping with the fire drill ... I think I owe the math teacher a beer ...
---
Last Fall:
let's see ... yesterday the students stood up when the announcements came on and faced the corner and did the Pledge ... nothing unusual, except that I could not see anything in the corner ... I saw a fish tank, a poster showing various fungi, another poster of a forest, an electric pencil sharpener, and a cd player ... turns out if I had opened the blinds I would see that there is a flag pole outside the window, visible from the room when the flag is raised ... in the meantime, it looked really random, like they were pledging a poster about mushrooms
also, there were two little chinchillas in the room, one with a very bad attitude that would nip at anyone that came near ... one kid was there so I told him, "be careful, you wouldn't want rabies shots," and he replied, " I know, I've had those, they hurt," very matter of factly, and went and sat down ...
it gets better
this period I am proctoring an algebra test for HS freshman at ***** HS ...
last year I subbed a bunch at ***** in ****, the 8th grade ... several of those kids are in the class and remembered me, very happy to see me, and asked if I had my dancing boots on ... I actually am wearing my boots today for the first time in a while given how my foot was feeling ...
---
More to come ....
These are excerpts from emails I sent out over the past half year or so about the misadventures I often have as a substitute teacher ...
Names and locations have been omitted for obvious reasons ...
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Actual excuse from a 7th grader
"my mom recycled my math assignment"
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in one day I overheard the following at a HS ...
"Oh my god, I just misspelled my own last name"
"You know who has long eyelashes? ... Robert."
"It's not a zit. It's a part of my ear. It's been there since I was born. Leave me alone!"
"No. wouldn't. I was raised better than that."
---
These are just random things I have been asked or have overheard recently ...
"Is Greece in Italy?" (HS female student)
"I'm a Tomboy, do I go with the boys or the girls?" (4th grader)
"I didn't realize Kentucky was a state. I thought it was a city." (7th grader)
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email I sent to friends back in October:
today is Pajama Day at the middle school ... subbing all week
so ... I grabbed my Gene Juarez robe and wore sweats underneath and a pajama top ...
this is how my day is starting ... with a pipe you could call me Hef
---
Some of the boys were having a discussion about pop stars ... who's hottest ...
actual convo (9th graders)
"Man, did you see Freaky Friday? Lindsay Lohan was so hot."
"No, she had me in parent trap."
I cant make this stuff up ...
---
all in one week:
So ... there are aspects of subbing that they don't really give you a lot of help with ... one of them is when there is a special event, like last week when I had to try and help monitor a pep assembly at ***** ... go sit with your students in the Northeast corner bleachers ... by the time I get to the gym through the halls I have no idea which 33 kids are mine ... I am not certain where these mythical Northeast bleachers are ... and so I just go stand next to other teachers by the door ...
and then there are days like today ... when they have a fire drill ... I am at **** HS in **** and the alarm went off during my planning period, 2nd ... nice ... I grabbed my jacket and followed the crowd figuring this would be simple since I dont have a class ... nope ... I get to the Upper Field ... first finding out that they have an upper field ... and I discover that the classes are all lining up alphabetical like with the teachers holding these big signs with the teacher's name on it ... nice ... hmmm ... turns out the kids are not with their 2nd period teachers ... no, they are with their home room teachers ... home room is based on 4th period, something to do with splitting them up for 1st and 2nd lunch I guess ... so I now need to do several things ... I need to remember the name of the teacher I am subbing for ... I need to talk to a teacher to let someone know that I don't have a sign .... and I need to find the kids ... the math teacher next door sees me looking very confused and I decide to just fess up and tell him the above ... he walks me over to where my students are supposed to be .... and there they are ... whew ... suddenly, it appears to the administration that I know what I am doing under adverse circumstances like this and they compliment me on helping with the fire drill ... I think I owe the math teacher a beer ...
---
Last Fall:
let's see ... yesterday the students stood up when the announcements came on and faced the corner and did the Pledge ... nothing unusual, except that I could not see anything in the corner ... I saw a fish tank, a poster showing various fungi, another poster of a forest, an electric pencil sharpener, and a cd player ... turns out if I had opened the blinds I would see that there is a flag pole outside the window, visible from the room when the flag is raised ... in the meantime, it looked really random, like they were pledging a poster about mushrooms
also, there were two little chinchillas in the room, one with a very bad attitude that would nip at anyone that came near ... one kid was there so I told him, "be careful, you wouldn't want rabies shots," and he replied, " I know, I've had those, they hurt," very matter of factly, and went and sat down ...
it gets better
this period I am proctoring an algebra test for HS freshman at ***** HS ...
last year I subbed a bunch at ***** in ****, the 8th grade ... several of those kids are in the class and remembered me, very happy to see me, and asked if I had my dancing boots on ... I actually am wearing my boots today for the first time in a while given how my foot was feeling ...
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More to come ....
Holy (^@?, I actually won this year !
Holy (^@?, I actually won this year !
In the annual Ron and Jeff bowl bet ... I actually won this year ...
Given how random our selection process is for who we get, it is really actually kind of impressive how Ron usually wins. It is sort of statistically improbable, yet it happens. Every year I find myself going over the opening scene of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990)
(from IMDB)
[first lines]
[Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are riding horses down a path - they pause]
Rosencrantz: [to Guildenstern] Umm, uh...
[Guildenstern rides away, and Rosencrantz follows. Rosencrantz spots a gold coin on the ground]
Rosencrantz: [to horse] Whoa - whoa, whoa.
[Gets off horse and starts flipping the coin]
Rosencrantz: Hmmm. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads.
[Guildenstern grabs the coin, checks both sides, then tosses it back to Rosencrantz]
Rosencrantz: Heads.
[Guildenstern pulls a coin out of his own pocket and flips it]
Rosencrantz: Bet? Heads I win?
[Guildenstern looks at coin and tosses it to Rosencrantz]
Rosencrantz: Again? Heads.
Nope. Not this year.
So ... thank you New Mexico, BYU, East Carolina, Texas, BC, TCU, Oregon State, Penn State, Alabama, Cal, Fresno State, Oregon, Kentucky, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Missouri, Virginia, USC, Kansas, and Rutgers ... I will enjoy the Cougs Vs. Oklahoma State at Qwest Field on August 30th just that much more this year ...
In the annual Ron and Jeff bowl bet ... I actually won this year ...
Given how random our selection process is for who we get, it is really actually kind of impressive how Ron usually wins. It is sort of statistically improbable, yet it happens. Every year I find myself going over the opening scene of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990)
(from IMDB)
[first lines]
[Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are riding horses down a path - they pause]
Rosencrantz: [to Guildenstern] Umm, uh...
[Guildenstern rides away, and Rosencrantz follows. Rosencrantz spots a gold coin on the ground]
Rosencrantz: [to horse] Whoa - whoa, whoa.
[Gets off horse and starts flipping the coin]
Rosencrantz: Hmmm. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads. Heads.
[Guildenstern grabs the coin, checks both sides, then tosses it back to Rosencrantz]
Rosencrantz: Heads.
[Guildenstern pulls a coin out of his own pocket and flips it]
Rosencrantz: Bet? Heads I win?
[Guildenstern looks at coin and tosses it to Rosencrantz]
Rosencrantz: Again? Heads.
Nope. Not this year.
So ... thank you New Mexico, BYU, East Carolina, Texas, BC, TCU, Oregon State, Penn State, Alabama, Cal, Fresno State, Oregon, Kentucky, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Missouri, Virginia, USC, Kansas, and Rutgers ... I will enjoy the Cougs Vs. Oklahoma State at Qwest Field on August 30th just that much more this year ...
Finishing a long series ...
Finishing a long series ...
I hesitate now ... my reading list is long and my reading time is somewhat limited. So, I see a book by an author I like or that looks interesting or that is recomended to me and I am uncertain ....
I have read the entire Harry Potter series, the Jack Whyte Camalud Chronicles, the Artemis Fowl books, Jean Auel's Earth Children ... and if more books in those ever came along I would read them so that I would keep up. But, there lies the problem, do I really want to start a new series given that there are so many books I want to read?
I like self-contained stories. However, the publishing industry likes series for some really good reasons that are simply obvious as those are the same reasons that Hollywood makes sequels. So, I hesitate.
I have read some first books of series and really liked them. Books like Redwall or the vampire series of Kim Anderson. Ringo likes the Pendragon books so I read the first book. For shorter or newer series' that I have dabbled in and am current in it is much easier, just pick up the new book and keep current. But, to look at a nine book series and just jump right in makes no sense to me ...
So, I will read the second book of Jack Whyte's Templar Trilogy. I will read the fifth Earth's Children book if it ever comes out. I will continue Clive Barker's Abarat series this summer. The third Eragon book is a given.
If someday my reading list allows it, maybe another series that is already established ... just not right now.
I hesitate now ... my reading list is long and my reading time is somewhat limited. So, I see a book by an author I like or that looks interesting or that is recomended to me and I am uncertain ....
I have read the entire Harry Potter series, the Jack Whyte Camalud Chronicles, the Artemis Fowl books, Jean Auel's Earth Children ... and if more books in those ever came along I would read them so that I would keep up. But, there lies the problem, do I really want to start a new series given that there are so many books I want to read?
I like self-contained stories. However, the publishing industry likes series for some really good reasons that are simply obvious as those are the same reasons that Hollywood makes sequels. So, I hesitate.
I have read some first books of series and really liked them. Books like Redwall or the vampire series of Kim Anderson. Ringo likes the Pendragon books so I read the first book. For shorter or newer series' that I have dabbled in and am current in it is much easier, just pick up the new book and keep current. But, to look at a nine book series and just jump right in makes no sense to me ...
So, I will read the second book of Jack Whyte's Templar Trilogy. I will read the fifth Earth's Children book if it ever comes out. I will continue Clive Barker's Abarat series this summer. The third Eragon book is a given.
If someday my reading list allows it, maybe another series that is already established ... just not right now.
Ephemera Project 2007 updates ...
Ephemera Project 2007 updates ...
Year in Review
I did not get to see The Police after all, or Loreena ... or Amy ... or Steve Earle ... but I did see Lacuna Coil (w/ Within Temptation), Buttrock Suites ... Live!Bucky Covington, and Ozzfest ...
Baseball - Major League
06-20-07 Seattle Mariners 7 Pittsburgh Pirates 0 – Safeco Field – W (Inter-League)
06-24-07 Seattle Mariners 3 Cincinnati Reds 2 – Safeco Field – W (Inter-League)
09-13-07 Seattle Mariners 8 Tampa Bay Devil Rays 7 - Safeco Field - L (AL)
Baseball - Minor League
07-24-07 Everett Aquasox 5 Vancouver Canadians 2 - Everett Memorial Stadium - W (NWL)
Football
06-23-07 Everett Hawks 60 Arkansas Twisters 64 – Everett Events Center – L (AFL2)
06-30-07 Snohomish County Vikings 21 West Sound Saints 20 – Edmonds Stadium – W (NWFL)
10-20-07 WWU Vikings 7 CWU Wildcats 24 - Qwest Field - L (NCAA DII - GNC Regular Season)
09-08-07 Washington State 45 San Diego State 17 - Qwest Field - W (NCAA D1A Non-Conf)
Basketball - Women
12-16-07 OSU Buckeyes 71 UW Huskies 54 - BOA Arena - W (NCAA D1 Non-Conf)
08-24-07 Seattle Storm 84 Phoenix Mercury 101 - Key Arena - L (WNBA Playoffs)
Basketball - Men
06-18-07 Everett Explosion 146 Chicago Heights Soldiers 105 – W (IBL Regular Season)
Soccer games ...
(plus 11-12-07 at the George & Dragon for the MLS Seattle Announcement)
(USL1 Regular Season)
05-05-07 Seattle Sounders 1 Portland Timbers 0 – Qwest Field – W
05-18-07 Seattle Sounders 1 Rochester Raging Rhinos 1 – Qwest Field – T
08-01-07 Seattle Sounders 2 Portland Timbers 0 - Qwest Field - W
08-04-07 Seattle Sounders 1 Puerto Rico Islanders 0 - Qwest Field - W
09-06-07 Seattle Sounders 4 California Victory 0 - Qwest Field - W
(US Open Cup)
07-18-07 Seattle Sounders 3 CD Chivas USA 1 – Qwest Field – W (3rd Round)
08-07-07 Seattle Sounders 5 Colorado Rapids 0 - Qwest Field - W (Quarterfinal)
09-04-07 Seattle Sounders 1 FC Dallas 2 (AET) - Qwest Field - L (Semifinal)
(USL1 Championship)
09-29-07 Seattle Sounders 4 Atlanta Silverbacks 0 - Starfire - W
(NCAA D2 Men Non-Conference)
10-07-07 Seattle U Redhawks 4 CSMB Otters 0 - Championship Field - W
---
Live Theatre
"The Skin of Our Teeth" - Greenstage - Mugnuson Park - March
"The Little Mermaid" - Missoula Children's Theatre - Hollywood Hill - May
"Don't Drink the Water" - The Driftwood Theatre - June
"Merry Wives of Windsor" - Wooden O Theatre - Lynndale Park - July 19
"Merchant of Venice" - Wooden O Theatre - Lynndale Park - July 26
"Richard III" - Greenstage - Lynndale Park - August 2
"Two Gentlemen of Verona" - Greenstage - Lynndale Park - August 9
"To Kill a Mockingbird" - Intiman Theatre - October 17
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" - The Driftwood Theatre - October 18
"High School Musical" - Disney - Seattle Children's Theatre - November 4
---
Football Ephemera
Snohomish County Vikings @ Edmonds Stadium
7-24-99 W vs. King County Jaguars 36-6
9-19-99 L vs. Puget Sound Jets 24-36 (NWFL Championship Game)
8-24-02 L vs. Eastside Hawks 0-57
6-30-07 W vs. West Sound Saints 21-20
The Eastside Hawks became the (now folded) Everett Hawks of AFL2
(Apparently the Hawks needed points for point differential in a tie breaker and so they ran up the score with onside kicks and deep passes over and over again.)
Everett Hawks
06-23-07 vs. Arkansas Twisters L 60-64 AFL2
04-**-06 vs. L AFL2
04-**-05 vs. Tri-Cities W NIFL
Year in Review
I did not get to see The Police after all, or Loreena ... or Amy ... or Steve Earle ... but I did see Lacuna Coil (w/ Within Temptation), Buttrock Suites ... Live!Bucky Covington, and Ozzfest ...
Baseball - Major League
06-20-07 Seattle Mariners 7 Pittsburgh Pirates 0 – Safeco Field – W (Inter-League)
06-24-07 Seattle Mariners 3 Cincinnati Reds 2 – Safeco Field – W (Inter-League)
09-13-07 Seattle Mariners 8 Tampa Bay Devil Rays 7 - Safeco Field - L (AL)
Baseball - Minor League
07-24-07 Everett Aquasox 5 Vancouver Canadians 2 - Everett Memorial Stadium - W (NWL)
Football
06-23-07 Everett Hawks 60 Arkansas Twisters 64 – Everett Events Center – L (AFL2)
06-30-07 Snohomish County Vikings 21 West Sound Saints 20 – Edmonds Stadium – W (NWFL)
10-20-07 WWU Vikings 7 CWU Wildcats 24 - Qwest Field - L (NCAA DII - GNC Regular Season)
09-08-07 Washington State 45 San Diego State 17 - Qwest Field - W (NCAA D1A Non-Conf)
Basketball - Women
12-16-07 OSU Buckeyes 71 UW Huskies 54 - BOA Arena - W (NCAA D1 Non-Conf)
08-24-07 Seattle Storm 84 Phoenix Mercury 101 - Key Arena - L (WNBA Playoffs)
Basketball - Men
06-18-07 Everett Explosion 146 Chicago Heights Soldiers 105 – W (IBL Regular Season)
Soccer games ...
(plus 11-12-07 at the George & Dragon for the MLS Seattle Announcement)
(USL1 Regular Season)
05-05-07 Seattle Sounders 1 Portland Timbers 0 – Qwest Field – W
05-18-07 Seattle Sounders 1 Rochester Raging Rhinos 1 – Qwest Field – T
08-01-07 Seattle Sounders 2 Portland Timbers 0 - Qwest Field - W
08-04-07 Seattle Sounders 1 Puerto Rico Islanders 0 - Qwest Field - W
09-06-07 Seattle Sounders 4 California Victory 0 - Qwest Field - W
(US Open Cup)
07-18-07 Seattle Sounders 3 CD Chivas USA 1 – Qwest Field – W (3rd Round)
08-07-07 Seattle Sounders 5 Colorado Rapids 0 - Qwest Field - W (Quarterfinal)
09-04-07 Seattle Sounders 1 FC Dallas 2 (AET) - Qwest Field - L (Semifinal)
(USL1 Championship)
09-29-07 Seattle Sounders 4 Atlanta Silverbacks 0 - Starfire - W
(NCAA D2 Men Non-Conference)
10-07-07 Seattle U Redhawks 4 CSMB Otters 0 - Championship Field - W
---
Live Theatre
"The Skin of Our Teeth" - Greenstage - Mugnuson Park - March
"The Little Mermaid" - Missoula Children's Theatre - Hollywood Hill - May
"Don't Drink the Water" - The Driftwood Theatre - June
"Merry Wives of Windsor" - Wooden O Theatre - Lynndale Park - July 19
"Merchant of Venice" - Wooden O Theatre - Lynndale Park - July 26
"Richard III" - Greenstage - Lynndale Park - August 2
"Two Gentlemen of Verona" - Greenstage - Lynndale Park - August 9
"To Kill a Mockingbird" - Intiman Theatre - October 17
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" - The Driftwood Theatre - October 18
"High School Musical" - Disney - Seattle Children's Theatre - November 4
---
Football Ephemera
Snohomish County Vikings @ Edmonds Stadium
7-24-99 W vs. King County Jaguars 36-6
9-19-99 L vs. Puget Sound Jets 24-36 (NWFL Championship Game)
8-24-02 L vs. Eastside Hawks 0-57
6-30-07 W vs. West Sound Saints 21-20
The Eastside Hawks became the (now folded) Everett Hawks of AFL2
(Apparently the Hawks needed points for point differential in a tie breaker and so they ran up the score with onside kicks and deep passes over and over again.)
Everett Hawks
06-23-07 vs. Arkansas Twisters L 60-64 AFL2
04-**-06 vs. L AFL2
04-**-05 vs. Tri-Cities W NIFL
They always turn to the old dude ...
They always turn to the old dude ...
Earlier this week I noticed a large number of those in the media seemed completely and totally shocked and stunned by the results of the New Hampshire Primary.
How could John McCain win?
How could Hillary overcome a double digit deficit in one day?
First of all ... the results of the Iowa Caucuses and the general indifference to the other major candidates amongst Republicans means that Republican Voters will do what they always do ... they will return to the old dude ...
So ... when the good voters of New Hampshire went to the polls they did what they typically do ... they thought about who they like, then they thought about who else they like, and then they voted for McCain ... the old guy that has been around and that they know and that they generally think could actually win suddenly becomes their choice and "poof!" all the polls and the lack of money suddenly do not matter ...
Does anyone really think that with McCain as an option that Republicans will actually nominate Huckabee or Romney or Rudy or Fred?
Secondly, polls in primaries are so volatile as to really need a disclaimer on their margin for error that reads, "Really, our margin for error is about 20 percent."
Hillary Clinton brings with her a frightening amount of negatives, but she is also the one that is generally perceived to be a national candidate. The polls reflect what people "prefer", but people do not always vote that preference. They "prefer" Obama or Edwards or whoever ... and then they vote for the frontrunner ... when Edwards drops out, even if many of his supporters "prefer" Obama, they will not be with the losing candidate twice in the same election cycle ... they will turn to Hillary ... and so will more and more of the super delegates to the convention ...
The New Hampshire Primary results merely reflect what was obvious last January ... Hillary vs. McCain in November ...
Earlier this week I noticed a large number of those in the media seemed completely and totally shocked and stunned by the results of the New Hampshire Primary.
How could John McCain win?
How could Hillary overcome a double digit deficit in one day?
First of all ... the results of the Iowa Caucuses and the general indifference to the other major candidates amongst Republicans means that Republican Voters will do what they always do ... they will return to the old dude ...
So ... when the good voters of New Hampshire went to the polls they did what they typically do ... they thought about who they like, then they thought about who else they like, and then they voted for McCain ... the old guy that has been around and that they know and that they generally think could actually win suddenly becomes their choice and "poof!" all the polls and the lack of money suddenly do not matter ...
Does anyone really think that with McCain as an option that Republicans will actually nominate Huckabee or Romney or Rudy or Fred?
Secondly, polls in primaries are so volatile as to really need a disclaimer on their margin for error that reads, "Really, our margin for error is about 20 percent."
Hillary Clinton brings with her a frightening amount of negatives, but she is also the one that is generally perceived to be a national candidate. The polls reflect what people "prefer", but people do not always vote that preference. They "prefer" Obama or Edwards or whoever ... and then they vote for the frontrunner ... when Edwards drops out, even if many of his supporters "prefer" Obama, they will not be with the losing candidate twice in the same election cycle ... they will turn to Hillary ... and so will more and more of the super delegates to the convention ...
The New Hampshire Primary results merely reflect what was obvious last January ... Hillary vs. McCain in November ...
New Hampshire actually ...
New Hampshire actually ...
Every once in a while I actually read those forwarded emails we all get. I try not to, but sometimes I do.
Well, recently I received one railing about Hillary's candidacy ... hardly shocking ... but I read it ... and it was actually clever ...
Bear in mind ... I am NOT a fan of Hillary ... even though I am a Democrat I have commented previously how I just would prefer the Clinton's were out of public office just to clear away the polarizing influence they have on American politics ... and I am not really a fan of the other candidates this year ... and I have posted that I would almost prefer a single term of McCain just to clear out this slate of candidates ...
The email has previously been deleted so I am going to recreate it to set the tone ...
"Please forward this to encourage Hillary to run. Just ad your name to the list and forward to all of your friends.
1. Bill
2. Chelsea
3. ____________"
The obvious intent of this email to comment how no one really wants her to run.
HOWEVER ... it is also easy to fill in the blanks and counter it ... since, she didn't raise all of the money in a vacuum ... she didn't lead the polls on accident ... she didn't win statewide election in New York to become a two term US Senator with no one voting for her ...
So ... here goes ...
3. New Hampshire primary voters
4. The majority of the declared super delegates to the Democratic Convention
5. The next groups of primary voters
6. all those donors
I am not looking forward to her being "The Next President of the United States" ... but a year from today I will be shocked if she is not preparing to take the oath of office on January 20, 2009 ....
Every once in a while I actually read those forwarded emails we all get. I try not to, but sometimes I do.
Well, recently I received one railing about Hillary's candidacy ... hardly shocking ... but I read it ... and it was actually clever ...
Bear in mind ... I am NOT a fan of Hillary ... even though I am a Democrat I have commented previously how I just would prefer the Clinton's were out of public office just to clear away the polarizing influence they have on American politics ... and I am not really a fan of the other candidates this year ... and I have posted that I would almost prefer a single term of McCain just to clear out this slate of candidates ...
The email has previously been deleted so I am going to recreate it to set the tone ...
"Please forward this to encourage Hillary to run. Just ad your name to the list and forward to all of your friends.
1. Bill
2. Chelsea
3. ____________"
The obvious intent of this email to comment how no one really wants her to run.
HOWEVER ... it is also easy to fill in the blanks and counter it ... since, she didn't raise all of the money in a vacuum ... she didn't lead the polls on accident ... she didn't win statewide election in New York to become a two term US Senator with no one voting for her ...
So ... here goes ...
3. New Hampshire primary voters
4. The majority of the declared super delegates to the Democratic Convention
5. The next groups of primary voters
6. all those donors
I am not looking forward to her being "The Next President of the United States" ... but a year from today I will be shocked if she is not preparing to take the oath of office on January 20, 2009 ....
Dear Sonics New Ownership Group (#4)
Dear Sonics New Ownership Group (#4)
You sold the Storm. You said you wouldn't. Good for us. You lied again.
Given the pattern of lies that has pretty much dominated the past year and a half, perhaps we in the Seattle area should take some comfort in your lies. If you weren't going to sell the Storm, perhaps the Sonics sale is coming soon. You say you won't. We know you never tell the truth. It must be in the works.
See, when you lie, and then lie some more, you become known for being a liar.
Why do I take comfort in that? Because the pattern of behavior of fighting to get out of the lease at Key Arena is consistent with trying to sell the team more than it really is about moving the team to Oklahoma City. All you have to do is coast, do nothing, and in two and a half years you take the team and there is nothing that is likely to be done about that. Wait! You have petitioned to move the team next season. True. But, it is also true that the Oklahoma City Council is voting to make improvements you claim are needed to the Ford Center. If those improvements are needed and must be done then the building will need to be closed for a period of time in order to complete them. Can they be completed before the start of next season? Doesn't seem likely. So, you couldn't really play there next year and get your improvements anyway. So, you are lying again.
Do nothing. Get your improvements. Then move. You win. But, that is not what you are doing. You are keeping the issue on the front burner and driving up the price for the franchise. We hear about how big money is making offers to keep the team. Even that idiot mayor of Seattle has said there is still a way to get the necessary improvements done at Key Arena. No, you aren't counting on moving the team, you are just waiting until the price is high enough.
If the real big picture is to be in Oklahoma. If the long term goal is to hold on to the team. If Seattle really is out of things ... you should be doing absolutely nothing. The fight you are waging is more consistent with the notion of driving up the price than with really expecting to move it next season, which you really could not do anyway given how much you also say the Ford Center needs to be improved.
You win no matter what. You win if you sell the team at a profit. You win if you somehow get a new building here. You win if you get the improvements to the Ford Center and move the team. You win if you simply wait it out and take away Seattle's bargaining chip in regards to the Key Arena lease. You aren't stupid so you know all of this.
The only really logical move to make for the big picture of being in Oklahoma City long term is to let the improvements be voted on and then let the work on the building be done so that when you do move in it is all ready. No, you are liars, so I have to imagine the team really is for sale, just like the Storm turned out to be.
You sold the Storm. You said you wouldn't. Good for us. You lied again.
Given the pattern of lies that has pretty much dominated the past year and a half, perhaps we in the Seattle area should take some comfort in your lies. If you weren't going to sell the Storm, perhaps the Sonics sale is coming soon. You say you won't. We know you never tell the truth. It must be in the works.
See, when you lie, and then lie some more, you become known for being a liar.
Why do I take comfort in that? Because the pattern of behavior of fighting to get out of the lease at Key Arena is consistent with trying to sell the team more than it really is about moving the team to Oklahoma City. All you have to do is coast, do nothing, and in two and a half years you take the team and there is nothing that is likely to be done about that. Wait! You have petitioned to move the team next season. True. But, it is also true that the Oklahoma City Council is voting to make improvements you claim are needed to the Ford Center. If those improvements are needed and must be done then the building will need to be closed for a period of time in order to complete them. Can they be completed before the start of next season? Doesn't seem likely. So, you couldn't really play there next year and get your improvements anyway. So, you are lying again.
Do nothing. Get your improvements. Then move. You win. But, that is not what you are doing. You are keeping the issue on the front burner and driving up the price for the franchise. We hear about how big money is making offers to keep the team. Even that idiot mayor of Seattle has said there is still a way to get the necessary improvements done at Key Arena. No, you aren't counting on moving the team, you are just waiting until the price is high enough.
If the real big picture is to be in Oklahoma. If the long term goal is to hold on to the team. If Seattle really is out of things ... you should be doing absolutely nothing. The fight you are waging is more consistent with the notion of driving up the price than with really expecting to move it next season, which you really could not do anyway given how much you also say the Ford Center needs to be improved.
You win no matter what. You win if you sell the team at a profit. You win if you somehow get a new building here. You win if you get the improvements to the Ford Center and move the team. You win if you simply wait it out and take away Seattle's bargaining chip in regards to the Key Arena lease. You aren't stupid so you know all of this.
The only really logical move to make for the big picture of being in Oklahoma City long term is to let the improvements be voted on and then let the work on the building be done so that when you do move in it is all ready. No, you are liars, so I have to imagine the team really is for sale, just like the Storm turned out to be.
Elsa Klensch
Elsa Klensch
Back in high school, my mother would watch a style program on CNN hosted by Elsa Klensch. Elsa had this really stern German (I guess) look and accent.
Well, my brother and I would scram, since it generally followed the sports highlights show. One night my mother joked that she would give us a dollar if we stayed and watched. We both did. To my mother's credit, she paid up. The next week, you guessed it, Ron and I hung out after sports highlights hoping for another dollar. Mom caught on, but she paid and it is a story she never seems to tire of telling.
Recently, I discovered that Elsa was a writer. I think the conversation had to do with whether or not she was still on the air so I googled her and found out she had three novels.
You know what I had to do, don't you?
Yep.
For her birthday recently, my mother received one of the novels written by Elsa Klensch. I have since located another of them for her.
Sheer morbid curiosity REQUIRED that I read one of them. So, I did.
Elsa, for you genre, you do just fine. Not my taste, per se, but so be it, I am hardly your target demographic ...
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Good Fortune (Part two) ... aka ooops!
Good Fortune (Part two) ... aka ooops!
Okay ... during my recent manic obsessive and massive reorganization of everything I own ... I found the fortune ... which is almost an admission of just how organized and obsessive this past couple weeks has been ...
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Good Fortune?
Good Fortune?
See ... taking the break from this blog that I took for a couple months caused me some problems upon dusting off the cobwebs ...
I have a number of blog entries to finish, some of which might actually have been timely at some point. Most of them are okay to spread out over time like this, but a couple of things have been lost to the mists.
For instance, I received a fortune from a fortune cookie on July 25th that informed me that in 3 months time I was to save the date for something special to happen. I saved that fortune and was going to scan it in and post it on October 25th to see if there was anything noteworthy to report. Didn't happen.
Then the other day I grabbed said fortune and went to scan it and somehow lost it in transit and so I do not have it to scan in any more. Lame. Had I simply scanned it at the time, this would not have happened. I cannot recall previously scanning it.
So, the report of October 25th is that nothing noteworthy occurred and I have no visual aid that would be relevant to this posting.
My bad.
See ... taking the break from this blog that I took for a couple months caused me some problems upon dusting off the cobwebs ...
I have a number of blog entries to finish, some of which might actually have been timely at some point. Most of them are okay to spread out over time like this, but a couple of things have been lost to the mists.
For instance, I received a fortune from a fortune cookie on July 25th that informed me that in 3 months time I was to save the date for something special to happen. I saved that fortune and was going to scan it in and post it on October 25th to see if there was anything noteworthy to report. Didn't happen.
Then the other day I grabbed said fortune and went to scan it and somehow lost it in transit and so I do not have it to scan in any more. Lame. Had I simply scanned it at the time, this would not have happened. I cannot recall previously scanning it.
So, the report of October 25th is that nothing noteworthy occurred and I have no visual aid that would be relevant to this posting.
My bad.
I am being a good Democrat by writing this ...
I am being a good Democrat by writing this ...
Make them all go away ...
It would be worth a single term of a Romney or a McCain if it meant a new slate of candidates for 2012.
Make them all go away ...
It would be worth a single term of a Romney or a McCain if it meant a new slate of candidates for 2012.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
I am not defending dirty players ...
I am not defending dirty players ...
... but The Mitchell Report is crap ...
Bud Selig needs to resign. It happened on his watch. And, when they finally start making SOME measure of progress he lets a report go public that only has the testimony of former employees and no actual evidence. Nothing can be proved. Nothing can be disproved. The players are never going to cooperate with owners ever again after this ... and shouldn't ... at least as long as Bud Selig is in charge.
You cancelled the World Series. You stopped an All-Star Game as a tie. You let the steroids into baseball when the game suffered due to the strike and needed a boost. Then, when everything became obvious and politically difficult, you acted all indignant. You are a bafoon and need to go for the betterment of the game.
Bud Selig must resign.
Rejoice!
Rejoice!
Seattle is getting an MLS team in 2009!!!!
Me and my new best friend Drew Carey at the George & Dragon Pub in Seattle's Fremont on Veterans' Day 2007 ...
Thursday, December 20, 2007
US Bank Sucks ...
US Bank Sucks ...
A $100 check is written on a bank account. The person who receives the check goes to the bank it was written on and finds out that for the first time ever the bank is going to charge to have the check cashed. So, the $100 check is actually a $95 check. The person with the check used to be in banking and knows that directly cashing a check is simple, safe, and with ID a very simple transaction. The bank is now double dipping, charging on both ends, despite the fact that the industry standard has always been different. The teller has to apologize for their corporation because they are clearly embarrassed to have to charge to do the transaction. The company receives a comment and tries to convince the person with the check that the company actually considers its policies to be some sort of five star customer service. The person with the check has a hard time not laughing while reading the response from the company, but will never do business with them ever again.
-----
Comment or Question
My mother has been a long time customer of your bank and previous incarnations which merged to form US Bank. She is a senior and has limited mobility due to near blindness. She wanted to pay me $100 without having to run out of the house in the dark so she wrote me a check. She has done this numerous times over the years for me running her errands and the like. Today I go to cash the check as I have done for years and am now informed that there is a $5 fee, since I do not have an account. All the teller must do is clear the check, perhaps the single simplest transaction they will perform that day.
Were I to open an account the fee would go away. Nice. However, if there are fees of this kind associated with US Bank accounts, it is not possible that I would ever want to bank with your company. Were I to bank with you and write my nieces or nephews checks, they would be charged this utterly ridiculous and unjustifiable fee.
There is no chance of me ever banking with you now. I have encouraged my mother to take her banking elsewhere and she is considering doing so.
It is clear that customer service is simply not something US Bank is concerned with. What is clear is that US Bank is trying to end the era of paper checks and discourage teller based banking by making it as inconvenient and costly as possible.
Bad word of mouth generated by customers such as my mother will hopefully cost US Bank far more in the long run than the accumulated $5 fees will be able to offset. I am certain this will be a topic of conversation amongst her circle of friends as she was severely upset upon receiving my call about the fee.
There simply comes a point where corporate policy makes it impossible to view a company in a favorable light. It is clear that US Bank is on the wrong track and I will be passing along my story to everyone I know.
-----
The next day a convenient response is in the email folder ...
-----
Dear (Deleted),
Thank you for using U.S. Bank® email.
I apologize for any disagreement with U.S. Bank®'s Service Fees.
Please note that at the branch's discretion, a $5.00 fee may be charged to provide a check cashing service to a non-U.S.
Bank® customer. This fee may of course be avoided when the Payee cashes or deposits their check with their own
Financial Institution, or by establishing a U.S. Bank® account. Please understand that the cashing of a check for a non-
U.S. Bank® customer is a service being provided, and as such, has a fee.
I am truly sorry to hear that this fee has resulted in your decision not to do business with U.S. Bank®. We value our customers
and hope that you will reconsider this decision, however, we also respect your right to choose your bank.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions or concerns.
Have a Great Weekend!
Sincerely,
(Name Deleted)
Email Operations
U.S. Bank 24-Hour Banking and Financial Sales
If you need further assistance, please feel free to call (DELETED) or go to (deleted) and select the 'Contact Us' link.
-----
Don't do business with US Bank.
Check cashing fees are a reasonable fee under many circumstances, this is not one of those circumstances.
A $100 check is written on a bank account. The person who receives the check goes to the bank it was written on and finds out that for the first time ever the bank is going to charge to have the check cashed. So, the $100 check is actually a $95 check. The person with the check used to be in banking and knows that directly cashing a check is simple, safe, and with ID a very simple transaction. The bank is now double dipping, charging on both ends, despite the fact that the industry standard has always been different. The teller has to apologize for their corporation because they are clearly embarrassed to have to charge to do the transaction. The company receives a comment and tries to convince the person with the check that the company actually considers its policies to be some sort of five star customer service. The person with the check has a hard time not laughing while reading the response from the company, but will never do business with them ever again.
-----
Comment or Question
My mother has been a long time customer of your bank and previous incarnations which merged to form US Bank. She is a senior and has limited mobility due to near blindness. She wanted to pay me $100 without having to run out of the house in the dark so she wrote me a check. She has done this numerous times over the years for me running her errands and the like. Today I go to cash the check as I have done for years and am now informed that there is a $5 fee, since I do not have an account. All the teller must do is clear the check, perhaps the single simplest transaction they will perform that day.
Were I to open an account the fee would go away. Nice. However, if there are fees of this kind associated with US Bank accounts, it is not possible that I would ever want to bank with your company. Were I to bank with you and write my nieces or nephews checks, they would be charged this utterly ridiculous and unjustifiable fee.
There is no chance of me ever banking with you now. I have encouraged my mother to take her banking elsewhere and she is considering doing so.
It is clear that customer service is simply not something US Bank is concerned with. What is clear is that US Bank is trying to end the era of paper checks and discourage teller based banking by making it as inconvenient and costly as possible.
Bad word of mouth generated by customers such as my mother will hopefully cost US Bank far more in the long run than the accumulated $5 fees will be able to offset. I am certain this will be a topic of conversation amongst her circle of friends as she was severely upset upon receiving my call about the fee.
There simply comes a point where corporate policy makes it impossible to view a company in a favorable light. It is clear that US Bank is on the wrong track and I will be passing along my story to everyone I know.
-----
The next day a convenient response is in the email folder ...
-----
Dear (Deleted),
Thank you for using U.S. Bank® email.
I apologize for any disagreement with U.S. Bank®'s Service Fees.
Please note that at the branch's discretion, a $5.00 fee may be charged to provide a check cashing service to a non-U.S.
Bank® customer. This fee may of course be avoided when the Payee cashes or deposits their check with their own
Financial Institution, or by establishing a U.S. Bank® account. Please understand that the cashing of a check for a non-
U.S. Bank® customer is a service being provided, and as such, has a fee.
I am truly sorry to hear that this fee has resulted in your decision not to do business with U.S. Bank®. We value our customers
and hope that you will reconsider this decision, however, we also respect your right to choose your bank.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions or concerns.
Have a Great Weekend!
Sincerely,
(Name Deleted)
Email Operations
U.S. Bank 24-Hour Banking and Financial Sales
If you need further assistance, please feel free to call (DELETED) or go to (deleted) and select the 'Contact Us' link.
-----
Don't do business with US Bank.
Check cashing fees are a reasonable fee under many circumstances, this is not one of those circumstances.
Tens
Tens
Pele and Diego Maradona both wore #10
Both quarterbacks in the 2007 Apple Cup wore #10
Bo Derek was a 10.
Pearl Jam has a record titled "Ten"
And now Jefferson has completed Marathon #10 ...
Pele and Diego Maradona both wore #10
Both quarterbacks in the 2007 Apple Cup wore #10
Bo Derek was a 10.
Pearl Jam has a record titled "Ten"
And now Jefferson has completed Marathon #10 ...
Monday, October 01, 2007
USL-1 Championship
USL-1 Championship
Seattle Sounders 4 Atlanta Silverbacks 0
Tukwila, WA - Starfire
09-29-07
-------
Was going to do a minute by minute thing and take pics but the camera had no batteries and I just ended up enjoying the game instead ... so this will have to do ...
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Who am I?
Who am I?
I get a bit of feedback from those who might not know me. Who am I? Who is Jefferson?
Well ...
Jefferson is a single dad of two great kids, a graduate of Washington State University (more than once) a fan of live anything over recorded anything, a former blonde, recovering caffeine addict, ex-rock magazine editor, former licensed flagger, marathon runner and triathlete, tae kwon do black belt, soccer fan/player/coach, published novelist, Seattle Sounders Supporter, Frosted Flakes fan, two step and swing dancer, Kurosawa movie buff, future cask aged micro brew owner, and failed guitarist ...
I get a bit of feedback from those who might not know me. Who am I? Who is Jefferson?
Well ...
Jefferson is a single dad of two great kids, a graduate of Washington State University (more than once) a fan of live anything over recorded anything, a former blonde, recovering caffeine addict, ex-rock magazine editor, former licensed flagger, marathon runner and triathlete, tae kwon do black belt, soccer fan/player/coach, published novelist, Seattle Sounders Supporter, Frosted Flakes fan, two step and swing dancer, Kurosawa movie buff, future cask aged micro brew owner, and failed guitarist ...
A tale of two prisons ...
A tale of two prisons ...
or ... why not Alcatraz instead of Gitmo?
After the attacks of September 11, 2001 the United States and others were faced with many choices of how to deal with the rise of international terrorism and Islamic Extremism. The opportunity in front of us was one that – if done properly – would clearly show that certain ideals about liberty, openness, and freedom were a direct counter to something ultimately as defeatist as we were facing. My understanding of history is one that shows that movements that are ultimately about consolidated power of a few over the rights of the vast majority lose out. The majority of the Islamic world is not interested in the goals and aims of groups like Al Quaeda, they want the basics of life like other cultures do, and they were also mostly horrified by the atrocities committed in the name of their religion.
Would the leaders with the task of facing up to modern terrorism live up to it by showing the world that the bar was high, a transparent and fair legal system was essential to democracy, and clearly show that the terrorists were leading their society down the wrong path by showing the strength of a society based upon strong civil liberties?
No.
The US government has turned on its own people; trampling civil liberties, blocking access to information at every turn, and focusing on secrecy above all else. Our government has taken the notion of civil liberties as a sign of weakness, when it is in fact our greatest strength in the long run.
Gitmo is a perfect example. We have essentially ignored and tried to create international law at the same time. The utter lack of transparency in government is a historical sign that something being done needs to be hidden because it is wrong. And why Cuba? It is clear to me that it was chosen because of the opportunity to function outside of scrutiny and that the Bush Administration was shocked at the reaction its plan met and continues to meet by Americans and the rest of the world.
No, Alcatraz would have been a far better choice of locations. The thought of terrorist suspects, real and legitimate ones going through a very public and open legal process in the heart of San Francisco Bay while being forced to look at the bright lights across the water would have been a far more powerful signal to the world and the terrorists themselves. We could have said, “We have nothing to hide,” and proceeded to give Americans a good solid look at the process with confidence in our government and its leaders.
That did not happen.
or ... why not Alcatraz instead of Gitmo?
After the attacks of September 11, 2001 the United States and others were faced with many choices of how to deal with the rise of international terrorism and Islamic Extremism. The opportunity in front of us was one that – if done properly – would clearly show that certain ideals about liberty, openness, and freedom were a direct counter to something ultimately as defeatist as we were facing. My understanding of history is one that shows that movements that are ultimately about consolidated power of a few over the rights of the vast majority lose out. The majority of the Islamic world is not interested in the goals and aims of groups like Al Quaeda, they want the basics of life like other cultures do, and they were also mostly horrified by the atrocities committed in the name of their religion.
Would the leaders with the task of facing up to modern terrorism live up to it by showing the world that the bar was high, a transparent and fair legal system was essential to democracy, and clearly show that the terrorists were leading their society down the wrong path by showing the strength of a society based upon strong civil liberties?
No.
The US government has turned on its own people; trampling civil liberties, blocking access to information at every turn, and focusing on secrecy above all else. Our government has taken the notion of civil liberties as a sign of weakness, when it is in fact our greatest strength in the long run.
Gitmo is a perfect example. We have essentially ignored and tried to create international law at the same time. The utter lack of transparency in government is a historical sign that something being done needs to be hidden because it is wrong. And why Cuba? It is clear to me that it was chosen because of the opportunity to function outside of scrutiny and that the Bush Administration was shocked at the reaction its plan met and continues to meet by Americans and the rest of the world.
No, Alcatraz would have been a far better choice of locations. The thought of terrorist suspects, real and legitimate ones going through a very public and open legal process in the heart of San Francisco Bay while being forced to look at the bright lights across the water would have been a far more powerful signal to the world and the terrorists themselves. We could have said, “We have nothing to hide,” and proceeded to give Americans a good solid look at the process with confidence in our government and its leaders.
That did not happen.
A Tale of Two Plea Bargains ...
A Tale of Two Plea Bargains ...
Idaho Republican Senator Larry Craig plead guilty, stood in front of cameras, and tried to make believe that his admission of guilt and signature did not matter. He has been unapologetic in his attempts to cast himself as a victim. Craig has claimed that he was “entrapped”. In order to be entrapped you have to do it in the first place. Larry, that is an admission. That tells everyone all they need to know. Larry Craig would have you believe that his signing his name to a guilty plea was the same thing as pleading “No Contest”. It’s not and his ongoing antics make it clear that he is desperate to cloud the issue to try and make it go away when all he has done is fan the flames.
Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick plead guilty, stood in front of cameras without a script, and apologized. In the process he chose to take a public account of his behavior. He made no excuses. He is going to go to jail and has little chance of being reinstated by the current NFL Commissioner Roger “suspend and fine everyone without mercy” Goodell. Vick’s choice to admit his guilt and face the public and take his punishment like a man is refreshing, even if his crime was grotesque.
I am a believer in redemption and forgiveness, especially when people take open account for their own actions. Michael Vick will see his redemption long before Larry Craig.
Idaho Republican Senator Larry Craig plead guilty, stood in front of cameras, and tried to make believe that his admission of guilt and signature did not matter. He has been unapologetic in his attempts to cast himself as a victim. Craig has claimed that he was “entrapped”. In order to be entrapped you have to do it in the first place. Larry, that is an admission. That tells everyone all they need to know. Larry Craig would have you believe that his signing his name to a guilty plea was the same thing as pleading “No Contest”. It’s not and his ongoing antics make it clear that he is desperate to cloud the issue to try and make it go away when all he has done is fan the flames.
Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick plead guilty, stood in front of cameras without a script, and apologized. In the process he chose to take a public account of his behavior. He made no excuses. He is going to go to jail and has little chance of being reinstated by the current NFL Commissioner Roger “suspend and fine everyone without mercy” Goodell. Vick’s choice to admit his guilt and face the public and take his punishment like a man is refreshing, even if his crime was grotesque.
I am a believer in redemption and forgiveness, especially when people take open account for their own actions. Michael Vick will see his redemption long before Larry Craig.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
The Swains - Live at Rancho Valenzuela ...
The Swains
Live at Rancho Valenzuela ...
August 25, 2007
Ballard's only Honky Tonk ...
Friday, September 14, 2007
Never Leave During The Seventh Inning Stretch ...
Never Leave During The Seventh Inning Stretch ...
Seattle Mariners 8
Tampa Bay Devil Rays 7
9-13-07 Seattle, WA - Safeco Field
Thursday PM (almost 2 hours before first pitch)
- Ticket left for Tim at Will Call. I go in early as there is no point standing around being irritated by scalpers. No money for beer.
- Free card giveaway. “First twenty thousand fans”. They’ll have leftovers tonight.
- I try and get a batting practice ball with all of the success I ever have. No mitt. No ball. Sun in my eyes for 40 minutes whilst I try. Good times.
- Free photo “with the Mariner Moose” … okay …
- I think I see an ex-brother-in-law and kind of creep the guy out by staring.
- Ohio State fans? Oh, that’s right, they are here to kick Husky ass this weekend.
- No radio. Dangit!
- Scorecard a buck. I’ll keep score tonight.
- Man, this place is prissy.
- It’s a sunny, nice, and still somewhat warm evening as we get through the first of 3 ceremonial first pitches. I deliberately do not wear my coat, trying to soak in the end of Summer for as long as I can.
- Tim and I match, which is kind of creepy, and he comments that we look like LDS missionaries. Worse yet, he’s correct.
Friday AM (about 15 hours later)
While driving to the bus Friday morning I listened to the news update on the radio briefly mention the Mariners come from behind win on Thursday night. I had to smile, because had I heard that report and had left early, I would have been very, very, very unhappy. There was a point in the game where I seriously considered leaving, but decided not to just in case something really cool happened. Something really cool did happen; the M’s came back from 7-1 down at the 7th Inning Stretch and won 8-7 in very dramatic fashion. The Sporting Gods would have smited me for my indiscretion had I left the game early. Instead, the Sporting Gods showed favor upon Jefferson and put him in position to really enjoy watching the go ahead run round third and head for home. Yes, the Tampa Bay manager was the one smited, for he is the one that walked Ichiro to get to Beltre and had to watch as Beltre pulled a horrible low and outside pitch he had no business swinging at in the first place down the left field line in fair territory whilst Jeremy Reed, of all people, scored as a pinch runner.
Thursday PM (Approximately 16 hours earlier, give or take)
She smacked her head, hard, with her right palm, then kept muttering and swearing about and at the Queen of England and bodily functions. The two guys across from me seemed like undercover security at first, sent to keep an eye on her. We had sat there at the bus stop a little too long for something not to be up; lingering after the obvious security guy on his cell phone finally stepped off the bus so we could depart; having followed her onto the bus after following her around the transit center due to her erratic behavior. The guy seated across from her, he leaned away sharply when he finally noted her behavior and the slap, making an “Oh #*($” sort of eye contact with me, but ultimately closing his eyes and listening to his headphones, likely turned up louder.
The same guy across from her, he could have turned his headphones up due to the guy that would not just shut the #*($ up about his partying with an acquaintance that wasn’t quite as loud but was still willing to participate in the conversation. Dude, I don’t care about your accidental candlelight party because your power was shut off two days earlier or about your thoughts on anti-heroes and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle characters or Pirates of the Caribbean.
I had seen the head slap lady walking around the transit center wearing a bath robe; a very, very old bathrobe over her rolled up pants with a hospital-ish type of stocking cap. She was muttering while walking and I noted the security guy eyeing her. I was kind of ticked that she originally sat across from me. She got up to get off the bus moments later, but turned and moved back when she noticed the security guy at the front of the bus. She stayed in that seat and somehow the woman next to her managed to remain asleep.
Oh. My. God. The loud guy is discussing Red Dawn. “No, they weren’t Russians, more like Cubans or something. It didn’t matter, it was just American propaganda … WOLVERINES!!!” I try to not keep listening.
She hasn’t done anything but stare at her transfer slip for a while now. I can’t tell if she is still muttering or not because that >!(#head won’t ever shut the #*($ up about television programming. I really should have brought the MP3 player today. No, I did not want to be burdened by carrying stuff around at the game tonight. The two guys who are apparently not security after all have a brief discussion about sitting in the accordion section of the bus before one of them plugs in his MP3 player and the other gets out a bestseller to read that I have considered reading myself. The transfer slip is now in her mouth, sticking out like an orange tongue. I need to stop looking.
This has already been a long commute from Bellevue to Seattle. He’s getting louder now. His friend is encouraging him. Clearing out my cell phone of old text messages is helping distract me. The tunnel noise helps. Heckler alert. Yes! The two not security guys and I start rooting him on quietly amongst ourselves. “Shut up!” the guy keeps squeaking from behind his newspaper a couple seats away. They argue a bit. One keeps talking. The other keeps heckling. I hope they have the same stop. They don’t. The two guys laugh at my comment about the same exit.
I get off the bus, nearly missing my stop due to the giggling. The guy just keeps being louder. He gets off at the same stop as me with his friends and keeps right on being loud outside. I cross the street quickly to finally get away from him. She stayed on the bus. I needed some hum bow; they’re cheap and filling. I just like saying the word.
Seattle Mariners 8
Tampa Bay Devil Rays 7
9-13-07 Seattle, WA - Safeco Field
Thursday PM (almost 2 hours before first pitch)
- Ticket left for Tim at Will Call. I go in early as there is no point standing around being irritated by scalpers. No money for beer.
- Free card giveaway. “First twenty thousand fans”. They’ll have leftovers tonight.
- I try and get a batting practice ball with all of the success I ever have. No mitt. No ball. Sun in my eyes for 40 minutes whilst I try. Good times.
- Free photo “with the Mariner Moose” … okay …
- I think I see an ex-brother-in-law and kind of creep the guy out by staring.
- Ohio State fans? Oh, that’s right, they are here to kick Husky ass this weekend.
- No radio. Dangit!
- Scorecard a buck. I’ll keep score tonight.
- Man, this place is prissy.
- It’s a sunny, nice, and still somewhat warm evening as we get through the first of 3 ceremonial first pitches. I deliberately do not wear my coat, trying to soak in the end of Summer for as long as I can.
- Tim and I match, which is kind of creepy, and he comments that we look like LDS missionaries. Worse yet, he’s correct.
Friday AM (about 15 hours later)
While driving to the bus Friday morning I listened to the news update on the radio briefly mention the Mariners come from behind win on Thursday night. I had to smile, because had I heard that report and had left early, I would have been very, very, very unhappy. There was a point in the game where I seriously considered leaving, but decided not to just in case something really cool happened. Something really cool did happen; the M’s came back from 7-1 down at the 7th Inning Stretch and won 8-7 in very dramatic fashion. The Sporting Gods would have smited me for my indiscretion had I left the game early. Instead, the Sporting Gods showed favor upon Jefferson and put him in position to really enjoy watching the go ahead run round third and head for home. Yes, the Tampa Bay manager was the one smited, for he is the one that walked Ichiro to get to Beltre and had to watch as Beltre pulled a horrible low and outside pitch he had no business swinging at in the first place down the left field line in fair territory whilst Jeremy Reed, of all people, scored as a pinch runner.
Thursday PM (Approximately 16 hours earlier, give or take)
She smacked her head, hard, with her right palm, then kept muttering and swearing about and at the Queen of England and bodily functions. The two guys across from me seemed like undercover security at first, sent to keep an eye on her. We had sat there at the bus stop a little too long for something not to be up; lingering after the obvious security guy on his cell phone finally stepped off the bus so we could depart; having followed her onto the bus after following her around the transit center due to her erratic behavior. The guy seated across from her, he leaned away sharply when he finally noted her behavior and the slap, making an “Oh #*($” sort of eye contact with me, but ultimately closing his eyes and listening to his headphones, likely turned up louder.
The same guy across from her, he could have turned his headphones up due to the guy that would not just shut the #*($ up about his partying with an acquaintance that wasn’t quite as loud but was still willing to participate in the conversation. Dude, I don’t care about your accidental candlelight party because your power was shut off two days earlier or about your thoughts on anti-heroes and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle characters or Pirates of the Caribbean.
I had seen the head slap lady walking around the transit center wearing a bath robe; a very, very old bathrobe over her rolled up pants with a hospital-ish type of stocking cap. She was muttering while walking and I noted the security guy eyeing her. I was kind of ticked that she originally sat across from me. She got up to get off the bus moments later, but turned and moved back when she noticed the security guy at the front of the bus. She stayed in that seat and somehow the woman next to her managed to remain asleep.
Oh. My. God. The loud guy is discussing Red Dawn. “No, they weren’t Russians, more like Cubans or something. It didn’t matter, it was just American propaganda … WOLVERINES!!!” I try to not keep listening.
She hasn’t done anything but stare at her transfer slip for a while now. I can’t tell if she is still muttering or not because that >!(#head won’t ever shut the #*($ up about television programming. I really should have brought the MP3 player today. No, I did not want to be burdened by carrying stuff around at the game tonight. The two guys who are apparently not security after all have a brief discussion about sitting in the accordion section of the bus before one of them plugs in his MP3 player and the other gets out a bestseller to read that I have considered reading myself. The transfer slip is now in her mouth, sticking out like an orange tongue. I need to stop looking.
This has already been a long commute from Bellevue to Seattle. He’s getting louder now. His friend is encouraging him. Clearing out my cell phone of old text messages is helping distract me. The tunnel noise helps. Heckler alert. Yes! The two not security guys and I start rooting him on quietly amongst ourselves. “Shut up!” the guy keeps squeaking from behind his newspaper a couple seats away. They argue a bit. One keeps talking. The other keeps heckling. I hope they have the same stop. They don’t. The two guys laugh at my comment about the same exit.
I get off the bus, nearly missing my stop due to the giggling. The guy just keeps being louder. He gets off at the same stop as me with his friends and keeps right on being loud outside. I cross the street quickly to finally get away from him. She stayed on the bus. I needed some hum bow; they’re cheap and filling. I just like saying the word.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
911 ... time has flown
911 ... time has flown
I was driving to work early that morning and listening to the radio ... The End was on and the talk was about a plane that had hit the World Trade Center ... I had to find out my first info on this from Steve the Producer ...
At the work place that day ... there were no calls more or less, the world was watching television ... I did talk to a guy who said could see the smoke from where he was in New Jersey and to someone whose car was parked near that area ...
My brother let me know we got our 2002 Olympic tickets in the mail that day ... would there even be an Olympics? There was. And, as we flew in to Salt Lake City several months later our plane was under military escort ...
I went to New York City in 2004 and saw the site, walked all the way around it, and got a story first hand of what it was like to be there that day from an old friend who works in Manhattan ... it was sobering ...
Sporting events that week were cancelled ... the M's ... the Cougs ... I went to the make up game for the 911 cancellation of the Cougs and Colorado a few years later at Qwest Field ... the 911 cancellation game ended up deciding who played for the BCS that year since the game never being played really screwed up the computers regarding Nebraska and Colorado in re strength of schedule for the 2001 season ...
Since then, we have been abused by our political leaders who still say that if you are not waving the flag, giving in to whatever they want, or question them at all, then you "Hate America" ... I love my country even when I do not agree with those elected ... in fact, people protest because they love their country ...
It has been six years since that horrible day ...
I was driving to work early that morning and listening to the radio ... The End was on and the talk was about a plane that had hit the World Trade Center ... I had to find out my first info on this from Steve the Producer ...
At the work place that day ... there were no calls more or less, the world was watching television ... I did talk to a guy who said could see the smoke from where he was in New Jersey and to someone whose car was parked near that area ...
My brother let me know we got our 2002 Olympic tickets in the mail that day ... would there even be an Olympics? There was. And, as we flew in to Salt Lake City several months later our plane was under military escort ...
I went to New York City in 2004 and saw the site, walked all the way around it, and got a story first hand of what it was like to be there that day from an old friend who works in Manhattan ... it was sobering ...
Sporting events that week were cancelled ... the M's ... the Cougs ... I went to the make up game for the 911 cancellation of the Cougs and Colorado a few years later at Qwest Field ... the 911 cancellation game ended up deciding who played for the BCS that year since the game never being played really screwed up the computers regarding Nebraska and Colorado in re strength of schedule for the 2001 season ...
Since then, we have been abused by our political leaders who still say that if you are not waving the flag, giving in to whatever they want, or question them at all, then you "Hate America" ... I love my country even when I do not agree with those elected ... in fact, people protest because they love their country ...
It has been six years since that horrible day ...
Monday, September 10, 2007
Cougar Football Saturday ...
In 1996 I attended Cougar Football games with a pager, in case of labor. In the years since, it did not make sense to drag the kids to these games, since the crowds are so large. I take them to sporting events, but ones with much smaller attendance. Now that Ringo is playing junior football and is understanding the game, it makes much more sense to take him. So, father and son had their first Cougar Football Saturday together ... very, very cool ...
Cougar Football Saturday ...
WSU 45 SDSU 17
Seattle, WA - Qwest Field
09-08-07
Cougar Football Saturday ...
WSU 45 SDSU 17
Seattle, WA - Qwest Field
09-08-07
Friday, September 07, 2007
Two, Two, Two Games in One (Post) ...
Two, Two, Two Games in One (Post) ...
Game 1
Seattle Sounders 1 FC Dallas 2 (AET)
Seattle, WA - Qwest Field - 8-4-07
US Open Cup Semifinals
Game 2
Seattle Sounders 4 California Victory 0
Seattle, WA - Qwest Field - 8-6-07
USL1 Regular Season
**********
A couple of notes:
Game 1
- 10K? nice ... good timing given that the Billionaire Disney Exec Future Grand Sounders Poobah was supposedly at his first game ...
- 0-0 after regulation, 2-1 after extra time? I still think an early goal would have turned this into a shootout ...
- as the 2nd extra time wound down I commented to Tim that it just wasn't going to happen, then there was 4 minutes of stoppage added to punish Dallas for their unprofessional conduct of time wasting and the Sounders managed to score and have everyone in the box for one last go at it as time expired and Eylander sent one into the box ... too bad Appalachian State used up all the upset karma in the universe for the foreseeable future ...
- stuff being thrown from the crowd; streamers, bottles, whatever ... will hopefully lead to a tape review of the section and stadium bans against the offending parties involved ... it doesn't matter why ... it just doesn't happen ...
- a great game ... one of the best played matches I can remember seeing ... the crowd was into it and drowned out the piped in music over and over ... people cared about this result ...
Game 2
- a lot less than 10k
- the Cougar logos on the field must have been a good luck charm for the Sounders and should remain there forever ...
- 6th minute goal 1 ... by the 27th it was 2-0, the California D was clearing balls off their goal line as often as not, and it was very clear that a flat back four had no chance against the Sounder midfield and forwards, and the first crack at the hat trick had already been struck ...
- the middle of the first half ball and tee shirt toss into the crowd had virtually everyone standing and trying to get a ball - my daughter and I each got one earlier in the year ourselves - and those that did not stand seemed not to be bothered by it ... well, there may have been a few people channeling Grumpy somewhere in the stadium ...
- a hat trick ... always nice to see ...
Game 1 - Where have you all been? We've missed you ...
Game 1 - I actually kind of like sitting here ....
Game 1- An example of how to really make your presence felt as an opposing fan ...
Game 2 - Opening kick and California is already going the wrong way ...
Game 2 - It didn't seem like The Victory got it past midfield very much ...
Game 2 - The first (of many) goals ...
Game 1
Seattle Sounders 1 FC Dallas 2 (AET)
Seattle, WA - Qwest Field - 8-4-07
US Open Cup Semifinals
Game 2
Seattle Sounders 4 California Victory 0
Seattle, WA - Qwest Field - 8-6-07
USL1 Regular Season
**********
A couple of notes:
Game 1
- 10K? nice ... good timing given that the Billionaire Disney Exec Future Grand Sounders Poobah was supposedly at his first game ...
- 0-0 after regulation, 2-1 after extra time? I still think an early goal would have turned this into a shootout ...
- as the 2nd extra time wound down I commented to Tim that it just wasn't going to happen, then there was 4 minutes of stoppage added to punish Dallas for their unprofessional conduct of time wasting and the Sounders managed to score and have everyone in the box for one last go at it as time expired and Eylander sent one into the box ... too bad Appalachian State used up all the upset karma in the universe for the foreseeable future ...
- stuff being thrown from the crowd; streamers, bottles, whatever ... will hopefully lead to a tape review of the section and stadium bans against the offending parties involved ... it doesn't matter why ... it just doesn't happen ...
- a great game ... one of the best played matches I can remember seeing ... the crowd was into it and drowned out the piped in music over and over ... people cared about this result ...
Game 2
- a lot less than 10k
- the Cougar logos on the field must have been a good luck charm for the Sounders and should remain there forever ...
- 6th minute goal 1 ... by the 27th it was 2-0, the California D was clearing balls off their goal line as often as not, and it was very clear that a flat back four had no chance against the Sounder midfield and forwards, and the first crack at the hat trick had already been struck ...
- the middle of the first half ball and tee shirt toss into the crowd had virtually everyone standing and trying to get a ball - my daughter and I each got one earlier in the year ourselves - and those that did not stand seemed not to be bothered by it ... well, there may have been a few people channeling Grumpy somewhere in the stadium ...
- a hat trick ... always nice to see ...
Game 1 - Where have you all been? We've missed you ...
Game 1 - I actually kind of like sitting here ....
Game 1- An example of how to really make your presence felt as an opposing fan ...
Game 2 - Opening kick and California is already going the wrong way ...
Game 2 - It didn't seem like The Victory got it past midfield very much ...
Game 2 - The first (of many) goals ...
Sunday, September 02, 2007
A Day at The Fair ...
A Day at The Fair ...
The Evergreen State Fair in Monroe
September 2, 2007
I seriously considered purchasing this item.
Mooooooooo ...
A guy was shaving the rear udders of goats with a disposable razor. I chose to take this picture instead.
Nothing runs like a Deere.
This bull was considering mayhem against Uncle Ron.
Dangerous chickens.
Where is your cousin Jar Jar?
The Klan is desperate for members.
El Gran Luchadore Sheep.
Why is this necessary?
Ron had not gone to The Fair in decades. His plan was to try and keep down a Deep Fried Snickers (on a stick). It stayed down.
Cliff Hanger (w/both).
1001 Nachts (w/Mantha).
Extreme Fusion.
Ringo: Dad, look at the ground!
Dad: I can only see the ground!
The Evergreen State Fair in Monroe
September 2, 2007
I seriously considered purchasing this item.
Mooooooooo ...
A guy was shaving the rear udders of goats with a disposable razor. I chose to take this picture instead.
Nothing runs like a Deere.
This bull was considering mayhem against Uncle Ron.
Dangerous chickens.
Where is your cousin Jar Jar?
The Klan is desperate for members.
El Gran Luchadore Sheep.
Why is this necessary?
Ron had not gone to The Fair in decades. His plan was to try and keep down a Deep Fried Snickers (on a stick). It stayed down.
Cliff Hanger (w/both).
1001 Nachts (w/Mantha).
Extreme Fusion.Ringo: Dad, look at the ground!
Dad: I can only see the ground!
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