One and Six

That's my basketball team's record. We lost a heartbreaker at the buzzer today, 22-20. With 10 seconds left, we stole the ball, and one of my boys went up for a 3; and got fouled. You get 3 foul shots, he made 2 - tie game. Then with 4.6 seconds left the other team inbounded and their best player (he's actually the best player in the league) ran the court and took an 8 ft jumper with the clock ticking. Nothing but net. Good shot, good win. Hats off to the other team.

In case I never mentioned it, I also coach a clinic team of boys in 1st and 2nd grade. My youngest son is in 2nd, and this is his last year playing at this level. This is a good group of boys, but the level is 100% not organized well - I have 12 boys and 1 assistant coach. Every other team has 10 boys and three coaches total. Rough. As all my teams in hoops, we are Tenacious D, and I don't mean Jack Black's side project. I can't wait until this is finished and we're on to baseball all the time.

I like basketball, don't get me wrong. When I was a lad, I used to attend the Pocono Invitational Basketball Camp annually. But my Irish genes stopped me just short of 6' - so when I got to HS, it was adios, muchacho. In my town, the people running hoops would seem to have agendas. Oh well, I'll survive.

So while I'm on my soapbox - it's time to begin a new blog soon, exposing the unrelenting BS that occurs in my town's government. I'm still mulling it over - but the dominoes are falling.

Tick, tick, tick.

Bowling Anyone?

Not me.

I get an e-mail today from one of the crew - "hey, my wife told me you (and your wife) aren't bowling on Saturday (PTO outing)".

Let me clarify. I don't bowl. Anytime. Ever.

Maybe it's because the patron saint of bowling looks like a televangelist. Could be I'm a little skeeved out about the bad Eddie Van Halen style shoes, or the fact that most bowlers look like they would benefit from a salad. Could be the whole league thing - the terrible shirts, untucked; the arm guards, worn by all, and looking like a bit of falconry is underway; the way people polish and shine their balls. YIKES.

Now I have no doubt that long-lasting kinship has evolved over a game or two. And that the incredibly sedentary get some exercise at the local alley. But I'll bet the no smoking rule has chapped the a** of many a striker, who wants to puff away, drink a couple of longnecks and high-five his teammates on that tough 7-10 split or 3-8 pickup.

Count me out chubby.

Wednesday Gomez

Had to have some name for this post. And I've decided to ramble.

What to report? Well, weather is still on the sh***ugary side, if you can grab my meaning. Snow and rain and sleet and wind and bitter cold. Nice if your an eskimo (what is the PC name for eskimos anyway?) or a polar bear. Not so nice if you don't like the cold and the joys of winter.

Boys Basketball team finally won first game - after 5 losses. We are hard luck. In six games we have only had a max of 6 players attend any single game due to injury, illness or parental stupidity. But we put an ugly one together to win one against a team who housed us in the first game of the season. Now we play another 6 regular season games, so maybe we can get back to a respectable level. At least the boys got the W and can feel a little better about themselves.

Boys Travel Baseball is on hiatus, due to SB Sunday - nobody wants to practice (well parents don't want to come down) so we leave it open. We have about 6 weeks to our first game and we need to get rolling.

Missed Lost tonight due to PAL meetings - so now I have to watch on the 'net to keep up. In other TV thoughts:
24 - dumb and dead. They should end this farce after this loooooong day is over.
Fringe - great show - but I have no idea what is going on. I do like the two Bishop fellas though. Funny guys.
Supernatural - has actually become the best show on TV - but only me and one other loyal viewer (Hey BM!) know it. I have no doubt some suit is drawing a redline through it right now...
Ghost Hunters - why does SciFi only show these one night a week. Hey SF - instead of the terrible movies you play on Saturday, how about a rerun of these great shows.
Cops/America's Most Wanted - if you don't like these shows you are a loser. And John Walsh deserves everyone's respect.
VH1 Reality Shows- a trainwreck, every one of them. Highly entertaining.
Smallville - can Clark become Superman already?

That's enough -now go away.

THE CAPS LOCK POST

HEY HOW IS IT GOING !~

NOTHING GOING ON HERE BUT U SHOULD CHECK _____ OUT !~

WHATEVER _ SO LET ME KNOW AND I WILL DO SAME... :)

(Dedicated to all of the people who send me e-mails or post on forums and refuse to turn off the Caps Lock button, use spell check, or use proper syntax!)

The Hitman

Just finished reading Hitman, an autobiography by Bret Hart, the wrestling legend. Fast and interesting read - even if your not a mark.

Back in the '90's, The Hart Foundation and the Hitman were some of the biggest stars in wrestling and the WWF (before they lost the name and changed it to WWE)- and the book covers all that and more including the early years in Calgary working for his father's Stampede territory. Pulls no punches and skewers the likes of Hogan, as well as Hickenbottom and Levesque (aka HBK and Triple H). The final quarter or so deals with Owen's death and Bret's stroke and family issues. Highly recommended.

SoulSlam was a big wrestling fan in back in the day... but never a huge fan of the McMahon brand. Now I watch occasionally, more like TNA, but it's not the same. After reading, I realized the guys I tremendously dislike (see above) had cause for my scorn. Funny how that turns out.

A Review of Sorts

I don't profess to be some type of TV maven who can critique the ins and outs of the old boobtube. I like what I like. Not a lot of shows hold my interest. When I find a show I do like, I watch feverishly. I like complex plots. Not big in comedies (since Seinfeld went away). Hate Dr. and Hospital shows. Like that.

Lost came back on Wednesday - two hours worth. And it was good, not great. Kind of jumped around and "answered" some questions, as the creators promised. Big deal. I did like the surprising character returning from the dead in LA. We'll see. I'm sure it will be fine.

Another show I watch is Supernatural. Love it. Which means it is probably going to get cancelled. But anyway, last night's episode was titled "Criss Angel is a Douchebag" - now that is a great name for a show, and I couldn't agree more.

And I can't get enough MLB Network. Hot Stove is the best show on TV.

I'm out, gotta go.

Day Off

Took today off since the kids had off from school. My sons invited a couple of pals for a sleepover, so I am relegated to the rooms they aren't in at any particular time. Good thing I got another Sony HDTV (sweet).

Had baseball practice last night, and one of the boys came down with his maternal unit to tell me he decided not to play anymore. I have always impressed on players and parents that travel baseball (that lasts 8 to 9 months) requires commitment, and this boy couldn't make that happen. Apparently he likes playing ball, but does not like the competition, which makes him a "Rec Star" - no disrespect intended. Good luck.

Lost starts this week. About time.

And Cardinals - Steelers in two weeks for all the marbles. I'm in third place in my fantasy playoff pool with Larry Fitzgerald and Heath Miller my remaining players. Problem is, somebody else has Warner, so unless Mr. Kurt gets hurt or the punter starts flinging TD passes, I am out.