Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Monday, December 03, 2007
Miles Decision Was Bottom Line Driven
Miles sounds great talking about his love for LSU and the people and life down in Baton Rouge, but I am not buying any of it for one second. While the Tigers backed in to the BCS title game versus Ohio State, when he looks across the sidelines, he sees the team he was born to loathe.
Miles and will always be a "Michigan Man." The problem is he would have had to take an almost $2 million dollar pay cut to go coach "Michigan Men." Plus he would have been stuck with Lloyd Carr's assistants for a few years and have Carr watching over him as an assistant athletic director.
Why would you want that when you can coach in the SEC, lose two games a year and still have your team be better than anyone in the Big Ten? Sure it would be great to have a cupcake schedule like Ohio State had - but in the end, Miles made the right call. His career and legacy in coaching will be a heck of a lot better at LSU than it would have been in Ann Arbor.
By the way, don't be surprised if Jon Tenuta from Georgia Tech ends up as LSU's next defensive coordinator now that Bo Pellini is in Nebraska.
Hey Lloyd, enjoy retirement, but before you go ... how about one more game this year versus the spread offense in the Florida Gators. Rut roh Astro!
Back to the BCS for a minute, if there are any Georgia fans complaining today, SHUT UP! All you had to do was beat Tennessee and you would have had a one game shot at LSU with the winner take all for the title game bid. Sad to hear coaches wining about the system. If you don't like it coaches, aren't you the ones with more power than us at home??? Fix the damn thing would you so that we don't get stuck watching Kansas - Va. Tech and Georgia - Hawaii.
And in case you were wondering, this may have been the craziest season in college football ever, but there's no way I would bet on Ohio State to cover, nevermind win the BCS title game.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Horrific Bowl Championship Choices
But go beyond it - look at the other match ups. Who in the hell wants to watch Kansas-Virginia Tech? Seriously are you staying up late to watch Georgia-Hawaii? How does Missouri get shutout of a BCS game, but Kansas gets in?
The BCS is BS and everyone knows it - no one wants to do anything about it. It is sad, but it won't change because the bowl system is better protected than Michael Corleone.
Did anyone notice that the Giants beat the Bears with two solid drives to end the game? Hey Bear fans... how did you blow that game? Just classic.
Friday, November 30, 2007
What Will It Take?
Holiday Entertaining With Seafood
Can I tell you how much fun it is to work with the gang at Red Lobster. Check out our latest video on holiday entertaining.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Big Blue Mess Gets Worse
He was awful. He was unmoved and as calm as he always is. Yesterday, I wanted to see him pissed off, but that ain't the way Eli is. He isn't and never will be Peyton and I am fine with it. What I am not fine with is that this team is now 1-2 in the last three games and are heading down the same path as the last few years.
If they do that, you can blame Eli all you want, but it's got to hang on Tom Coughlin at some point, doesn't it? At what point will the coaching staff actually help this team win and stop yelling and being disappointed?
Maybe the Giants are quitting on their coach to get him fired. I usually do not stand for that - but by all means boys, PLEASE... get it right!
I understand all the yelling about Eli - but I wonder what he can do with a REAL coaching staff???
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Takes One To Know One
Was going to take the day off, but then I was reading the game story from last night's Thrashers-Caps game.
The Thrashers dominated the game and check out these three paragraphs from the AJC:
"Fire Hanlon," they chanted in unison, frustrated with the losses piling up
under coach Glen Hanlon.
From the perspective of Thrashers captain Bobby Holik, the Capitals
played like they agreed with the crowd.
"They played like they wanted to get their coach fired, but that's
another story," Holik said.
Oh my god, did Holik say that??? The same guy who is the captain of the team that quit on his coach and got him fired this season as well? Is this not just classic????
By the way, the Capitals did fire Hanlon this morning, but is Holik kidding me?
The Thrashers are now 11-4 since they fired Bob Hartley. So the question is this - were they that bad before? And if they did play to get their coach fired, can season ticket holders get their money back for the first games of the year when players who are paid VERY WELL to do their jobs, played like crap so they can get what they want??
When you want to know why the world is turned upside down remember, the most important people in the world, our children’s teachers, get paid horribly. While these whiny, spoiled athletes get rich off of us and then act like children when they don’t like their coaches.
And by the way, if Don Waddell wants to continue winning, I would trade Kari Lehtonen as soon as he gets healthy for a top line center or a power-play quarterback of a defensemen.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Vegas Turns Spotlight on Pole-Dancing Competition
LAS VEGAS — Clear evidence that pole dancing has made its way out of smoke-filled strip clubs and into the heart of America's playland: "Pole-A-Palooza" 2007.
The packed JET night club in the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Tuesday hosted 25 bikini-clad contestants who showed that it takes not only beauty but incredible strength to be a winner.
Each contestant got the chance to use legs, arms and torsos to climb up, down and around a metal pole in carefully choreographed routines.
The winner, who goes by the name Anika, won the top prize of $10,000
Great Coverage of Carr's Retirement
To me - the only other papers to consider in the best sports departments are the Boston Globe, Washington Post and the Dallas Morning News.
Top to bottom - those folks get it done day in and day out like no one else in the business. And I know the business ain't what it used to be, but I am a newspaper junkie and will always be one.
As much as I love and embrace Digital Media, there's still nothing like newsprint to me. I can't travel anywhere without picking up the local rags and reading them cover to cover. Makes me a dinosaur to my pal and boss, Paul Walker, but hey what can I say. I am what I am.... or as Dennis Green once said, "We are who we thought they are!"
What papers do you love? Who's got the best sports sections?
Monday, November 19, 2007
Lowell Stays In Beantown!
SWEET!
Nov 19th, 2007 by Curt Schilling
Per ESPN Mikey Lowell is back. How cool is that? Leaving years and dollars on the table to come back here for three more years, good stuff. Pretty nice to think you are fans in a town that is now a desired destination for athletes across the major sports. Come a long way for sure.
Congrats to Mike and I’ve already spoken with a few guys on the team and suffice to say we’re all ectstatic. Now to get back to the FF beatings he’s been taking all year!
Shocking News From Vick Case
Vick will begin prison term early
By Bill Rankin, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Suspended Atlanta Falcon Michael Vick has made arrangements to begin serving his prison sentence immediately so he can get out of prison as soon as possible.
U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson of Richmond, who will sentence Vick on Dec. 10, signed an order Monday to allow the U.S. Marshal's service to take Vick into custody as soon as he turns himself in.
Vick is to be put in custody "based solely on his desire to begin his period of incarceration prior to his sentencing hearing and not because of a violation of any condition of his bond," Hudson wrote.
Two media reports said Vick would begin serving his sentence today. The Richmond Times-Dispatch and ESPN both cited unnamed sources in their stories.
In August, Vick pleaded guilty to be a part of a dogfighting operation known as Bad Newz Kennels at his former property in Surry County, Va. Vick acknowledged financing the operation beginning in 2001 through this past spring. In a plea agreement, Vick admitted the operation involved the "victimization and killing of pit bull dogs."
Under federal sentencing guidelines, Vick faces between 12 and 18 months in prison, although Hudson could impose a sentence below or above that range if he sees fit.
Sad Day For All Charmin Users
Actor Who Played Mr. Whipple Dies
By JEFF WILSON Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES — Dick Wilson, the actor and pitchman who played the uptight grocer begging customers "Please, don't squeeze the Charmin," died Monday. He was 91.
The man famous as TV's "Mr. Whipple" died of natural causes at the Motion Picture & Television Fund Hospital in Woodland Hills, said his daughter Melanie Wilson, who is known for her role as a flight attendant on the ABC sitcom "Perfect Strangers."
Over 21 years, Wilson made more than 500 commercials as Mr. George Whipple, a man consumed with keeping bubbly housewives from fondling the soft toilet paper. The punch line of most spots was that Whipple himself was a closeted Charmin-squeezer.
Wilson also played a drunk on several episodes of "Bewitched," as appeared as various characters on "Hogan's Heroes," "The Bob Newhart Show," and Walt Disney productions.
The first of his Charmin commercials aired in 1964 and by the time the campaign ended in 1985, the tag line and Wilson were pop culture touchstones.
"Everybody says, 'Where did they find you?' I say I was never lost. I've been an actor for 55 years," Wilson told the San Francisco Examiner in 1985.
Though Wilson said he initially resisted commercial work, he learned to appreciate its nuance.
"It's the hardest thing to do in the entire acting realm. You've got 24 seconds to introduce yourself, introduce the product, say something nice about it and get off gracefully."
Dennis Legault, Procter & Gamble's Charmin brand manager, said in a statement that Wilson deserves much of the credit for the product's success in the marketplace. He called the Mr. Whipple character "one of the most recognizable faces in the history of American advertising."
After Wilson retired, he continued to do occasional guest appearances for the brand and act on television. He declared himself not impressed with modern cinema.
"The kind of pictures they're making today, I'll stick with toilet paper," he told The Associated Press in 1985.
Procter & Gamble eventually replaced the Whipple ads with cartoon bears, but brought Wilson (as Whipple) back for an encore in 1999. The ad showed Wilson "coming out of retirement" against the advice of his golfing and poker buddies for one more chance to sell Charmin.
"He is part of the culture," his daughter said. "He was still funny to the very end. That's his legacy."
He was born in England in 1916, the son of a vaudeville entertainer and a singer. He moved to Canada as a child, serving in the Canadian Air Force during World War II, and became a U.S. citizen in 1954, he told the AP.
In addition to Melanie, Wilson is survived by his wife, Meg; a son, Stuart; and another daughter, Wendy
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Sunday Thoughts - Police Rock Atlanta
What was incredible was how great Stewart Copeland was on the drums. Most remember The Police for Sting and how he was the front man. I was reminded of why this band was awesome - Copeland's playing absolutely filled the arena and was the driving force. He has to be one of the best I have seen and heard.
Only thing I was upset with is that they didn't play Murder By Numbers ... but they nailed everything else and closed with Next To You. Just awesome.
Another crazy college football Saturday starting with Michigan's offense being held to 91 yards. Maybe Mike Hart and Chad Henne shouldn't have played as much as they did when neither one of them was up to snuff? Lloyd Carr has a press conference for Monday to announce he is retiring. He's legacy will be tarnished by the fact that he went 1-6 in his last seven versus Ohio State. I had the fortune to meet the man and talk to him and some of his players - he deserves to be recognized for more than that.
OK, I am getting closer to buying into the Flying Mangino's and Kansas. They have to beat Missouri and win the Big 12 title game, but they have set themselves up. Who would have thought when the season started that Kansas-Missouri would be this big? Heck College Gameday is going to be there. Usually basketball with those two - not football.
Oklahoma and Oregon took themselves out of contention this week with losses. I know this may be nuts, but Georgia is now up to seventh in the BCS rankings. If Tennessee loses to Kentucky, they play for the SEC title and have to play LSU. Anything can happen - we have learned that this year, haven't we?
And by the way, think it will be easy for Les Miles to have to answer all these questions about going back to coach his alma mater in Ann Arbor? There's no question he is gone - but man, this is going to be a wild month of questions for him.
Speaking of which - Michigan State won its seventh game in Mark Dantonio's first season. They could have beaten Michigan and Wisconsin as well. Great coaching job by Dantonio - can't wait to see what he can do when he gets his own guys in place.
Marty Brodeur won his 500th NHL game. Only Patrick Roy is ahead of him with 551 win. Two incredible goalies that have played a long time and Brodeur has done it with so many different guys in front of him that play incredible defense. But as good as his defense has been, he has been that much better.
Friday, November 16, 2007
No Modesty in Modesto....
http://videos.modbee.com/vmix_hosted_apps/video/1565333
Fear the Huskies!!!
They have lost two games to Illinois by eight and Maryland in OT on the road by two. They should have won last night but were screwed by the ACC hometown refs. Total garbage. Way to go Huntington Hounds!!!
Maryland just gets by NU in OT - Associated Press / November 16, 2007
James Gist scored a career-high 27 points, including two free throws that put Maryland ahead for good in overtime, and the Terrapins survived a scare from Northeastern in a 74-72 victory last night in College Park, Md.
Gist's foul shots put Maryland up, 70-69, with 50 seconds left. After a Northeastern turnover, Eric Hayes made two free throws for the Terrapins, whose final 6 points came at the line.
Bambale Osby had 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 blocks for Maryland (3-0). He was 14 for 20 at the line and 1 of 9 from the field.
Matt Janning led the Huskies (0-2) with a career-high 26 points, Manny Adako scored 15, and Nkem Ojougboh added 13 rebounds.
After Northeastern closed to 60-58 with 28.7 seconds remaining in regulation, Landon Milbourne made one of two free throws for Maryland. Adako then nailed a 3-pointer from the corner with nine seconds left.
Story of the Day!!!
PORTLAND, Ore. — A Las Vegas bound plane was diverted to Portland International Airport Thursday afternoon when at least one passenger said a couple was trying to join the "mile high club," FOX 12 Oregon is reporting.
"The people across the aisle from us were fooling around in their seats and they decided to go to the bathroom and fool around and they threatened the flight attendant,” said passenger Jessica Smith, according to FOX 12 Oregon.
The couple was escorted off the plane, according FOX 12 Oregon.
ATV Safety
Friends,
When I was a kid of about 13, my friend Greg Knox and I would ride my father's ATV the mile or so to and from hockey practice nearly every night. In rural areas and small towns like the one where I was raised, ATVs are a pretty common mode of transportation for kids.
Greg and his wife Stephanie lost their seven-year-old son to an ATV accident while visiting our hometown this past May. While their recovery is a painful on-going process, and their faith and strength are amazing, Greg and Stephanie have recently had the courage to post their story on a web site called Concerned Families for ATV Safety.
If you have children, or if you someday may have children, or if you have friends with children, I hope you'll take a few minutes and read, and share, the words they have written about their son Wade.
http://www.atvsafetynet.org/stories.php?page=wade
It's an eye-opening reminder of how fragile children are, and how these powerful machines, designed for adults, are simply not safe in the hands of children under 16. It's stunning to read not only Wade's story, but dozens of other, similarly tragic stories of accidents that happen nearly every month in every part of the country.
The hope is that sharing a story like this one can help save more children from becoming the subjects of similarly tragic stories.
Thanks for listening,
Jess
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Shocker From Thrash Land
Not shocking considering the issues the Atlanta Spirit are having financially. Heck, they even cut the intern program things were so bad. Still that little issue between the Spirit and former partner, Steve Belkin, going on. Doesn't look like it's going away any time soon.
So that means either Don Waddell or Brad McCrimmon will coach the team the rest of the season. If Don wanted to name Chicago Wolves coach John Anderson the team's coach - he would have done it by now. Something there between the two men that has never really sat well, so I don't see it happening.
Heck, if the team doesn't make the playoffs this year, the whole staff might be out anyway so it's easier to look for a new general manager and then have him find his coach.
By the way, it's weird that Les Jackson and Brett Hull are co-general mangers in Dallas, but I am happy for Les. He's a good man who has waited a long time and I hope he get s a fair chance to do what he needs to do to get that franchise back on track.
Ho-Ho-Holy Cow
Santas warned 'ho ho ho' offensive to women
SYDNEY (AFP) - Santas in Australia's largest city have been told not to use Father Christmas's traditional "ho ho ho" greeting because it may be offensive to women, it was reported Thursday.
Sydney's Santa Clauses have instead been instructed to say "ha ha ha" instead, the Daily Telegraph reported.
One disgruntled Santa told the newspaper a recruitment firm warned him not to use "ho ho ho" because it could frighten children and was too close to "ho", a US slang term for prostitute.
"Gimme a break," said Julie Gale, who runs the campaign against sexualising children called Kids Free 2B Kids.
"We are talking about little kids who do not understand that "ho, ho, ho" has any other connotation and nor should they," she told the Telegraph.
"Leave Santa alone."
A local spokesman for the U.S.-based Westaff recruitment firm said it was "misleading" to say the company had banned Santa's traditional greeting and it was being left up to the discretion of the individual Santa himself.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Another Fine Mess For The Knicks
Most of the reasons can be summed up in a situation going on right now with Stephon Marbury and Isiah Thomas. How either one has a job is beyond me. Oh, I forgot, James Dolan is in charge, silly me for forgetting that.
Ian O'Conner of the Bergen Record (the paper of record in my hometown of Ft. Lee) had a great column today on the buffoonery of the two men and what happened in mid-flight on their way to Phoenix.
Hey David Stern, you awake? Paying attention at all?
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
usa vs russia u17 brawl
Just got this from a friend of mine that works at USA Hockey and was there.... wow.
Bet on Blue
But the time might be right to gamble on the boys from Ann Arbor as there is a rumor that Carr will announce his retirement after the game. If he does that, be sure he will let his team know beforehand and they will come out with a purpose to win this for the coach.
Then the rumor mill will start, and I think will end, in Baton Rouge as the time is right for Les Miles to return to his roots. I think he goes whether he wins the title or not. This is his dream job and he's one of Bo's guys.
Google May Eye Sprint
Monday, November 12, 2007
Does Anyone Care?
I know, you are all shocked!
Heck, two of you probably looked around and said, "who is Gary Bettman?"
Well the NHL commissioner will be in Toronto tonight to induct what I think is the greatest class into the NHL Hall of Fame tonight.
Four players are inducted tonight and their last names are Francis, Messier, Stevens and MacInnis. Two of the greatest defensemen to ever lace up the skates and the second and fourth leading scorers in league history.
Wow.
Did anyone know that this was happening tonight? Did you know you could watch it on the NHL Network starting at 7:30 p.m.? Does anyone care? It's an embarrassment that this isn't more of a story that it is.
Heck, it would be even nicer if maybe no games were played tonight so that Messier's teammate for many years, Wayne Gretzky, could be there instead of behind Phoenix's bench. What about the fact that the New Jersey Devils are playing on a night that their former captain and blue line mainstay, Stevens, goes into the Hall.
Just shameful on so many levels. The NY Post's Larry Brooks rips into everyone in his column today.
Great job Larry.
Fanilow!
What prey tell is a Fanilow, you may ask? It is someone who loves Barry Manilow's music.
I tell you this because they ran a great story and video on USA Today.com. Check it out.
He's on tour and the wife and I are going to see him in Atlanta.
I am proud to be a Fanilow!!!!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Time To Change The Movie In Big Apple
It's bad enough that it's losing to that team - but as most of my loyal followers know, it's tough because with Tom Coughlin as the head coach, the script was written way before they stepped on the field.
The only time I laughed the whole day was when Joe Buck said something on national television that I have said for ages. He said that Coughlin was supposed to be a disciplinarian and that the team he was watching was nowhere near to being disciplined. Was that a 93-yard touchdown return that was called back because of holding? Was that a touchdown run from Brandon Jacobs called back because of holding? Yes and yes. Good discipline Tom.
I know that I am going to read about Eli Manning and how he can't win the big one. Ya know folks, if wunderkind Tony Romo had to play with the line Eli had, let's see how good he is. I am sick and tired about hearing about how Eli isn't good. Maybe if Coughlin's son-in-law offensive lineman and his pals upfront gave the kid time, we might find out.
Now, I know many of you out there in blogland are going to say that the Giants are 6-3 and still have a good shot at the playoffs. Wow - isn't that impressive in a garbage conference? This is not a playoff team and when they play the New England Patriots in December, you will see what I mean.
I am sick of writing, watching and talking about this - but Tom Coughlin MUST GO! This horrible cycle of garbage we watch will not change until he does.
To steal from a sign that flew over Giants Stadium when I was a kid, "Mara, Tisch - how do you sleep at night?" Oh I forget, you have your money from us idiot fans... you sleep quite well.
For the rest of us, we won't sleep well until Coughlin and his band of coaches are gone.
Now that I am over that, for today, how about the Georgia Bulldogs? Makes ya wonder where they would be if they showed up and beat an average Tennessee team?
How impressive is Jimmy Johnson? His Lowes 48 car just won its fourth straight race to all but lock up the NASCAR title for the second straight year.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Chefs in iTunes!
Need a bit of help from all of you. If you can go on and subscribe to the podcasts and please pass along this link to friends and any one else you think would enjoy cooking and seafood tips.
As like all podcasts – this is a living, breathing thing – so if you have any suggestions, please let me know what you think.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
The Future Looks Bright at MSU
While disappointed about losing to those Maize and Blue clowns this past week ... this is why I am so excited about our future at MSU! Go Green!
Monday, November 05, 2007
Someone Will Buy This....
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A woman who doesn't want her breast milk to go to waste has taken out a newspaper ad in hopes of selling it.
Martha Heller, 22, took out an ad in The Gazette newspaper offering 100 ounces of her breast milk for $200 or the best offer.
Heller said her freezer is overflowing with breast milk she has pumped since August. Her 4-month-old daughter won't drink from a bottle and the supply is piling up.
Heller now donates to the University of Iowa's Mother's Milk Bank, but the 100 ounces of milk she wants to sell were pumped before she went through the screening process for the bank and cannot be donated.
Linda Klein, a lactation consultant at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, said breast milk can generally be stored in a freezer for up to six months.
Heller said she researched laws regarding the sale of breast milk and couldn't find any in Iowa.
Don McCormick, a spokesman for the Iowa Department of Public Health, said he was not aware of any laws in Iowa restricting the sale of breast milk, but that state health officials advised against it.
Heller said she hasn't received any legitimate calls about her ad.
"There was one prank caller," she said
Stuff That Never Happened To Me, Part 789
School officials say the photos of the 19-year-old coach and the 15-year-old cheerleader -- both females -- were
posted online.School superintendent Charlene Thomas says 19-year-old assistant football coach Andrew Emerson held a party at his house last weekend and the cheerleading coach and student posed for photographs.
Officals say neither coach taught in the Goshen school district, and declined to say where they coached.
The cheerleader, a freshman, could face disciplinary action in accordance with her school's code of conduct.
Sad Day In Sports
Fabulous Moolah of wrestling fame, dies at 84
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Lillian Ellison, professional wrestling's Fabulous Moolah, has died. She was 84.
Ellison died Friday, according to Dunbar Funeral Home in Columbia.
Born Mary Lillian Ellison in 1923, she was dubbed the Fabulous Moolah after saying she wrestled "for the money ... for the moolah."
She was a longtime champion and the first woman inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame. Her autobiography, "The Fabulous Moolah: First Goddess of the Squared Circle," was published in 2003.
"She was famous, but I never looked at her that way," daughter Mary Austin, 66, told The State newspaper. "She was just Mom, someone that was always there for me. Someone I could turn to."
Ellison grew up in the small community of Tookiedoo, S.C., the youngest of 13 children and the only girl. Austin said her mother had six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, loved her family and wrestling.
Her obituary from the funeral home lists 63-year-old Katie Glass of Columbia as Ellison's adopted daughter. Glass, known as "Diamond Lil," was a professional midget wrestler for 25 years. She said she was just 17 when she moved to Columbia to live with Ellison and learn to wrestle.
"She just taught me the basics, the holds, how to get somebody down, lock them down and everything," Glass told The State.
Glass said she will miss Ellison.
"It's going to be hard, I'll tell you," Glass said. "We're doing the best we can. She was there for me. She's a very nice lady. I'm going to miss her dearly and I love her very much."
Friday, November 02, 2007
Father First, Coach Second
Great stuff - Jess.
Your World is Smaller than Kevin Bacon
You know the game where you name an actor and actress and you have six steps to connect them to Kevin Bacon through other actors/actresses in their movie roles.
In the last few weeks I have come to realize that in my life there’s only one degree and I am not in any movies. The one degree is usually Facebook or LinkedIn, but for others it’s MySpace and other social networking sites.
Let me give you an example of what I am talking about. As many of us get older (yes, it’s true, I am 39), we have made many friends along the way and lose touch with them as we go down this windy, rocky road we call life.
For me, I grew up in New Jersey. I left to go to college in Boston and have worked in East Lansing, Mich., Washington DC and for the last 10 years in Atlanta. It’s awfully hard to keep track with those chums from college never mind the folks I see on a regular basis in Atlanta.
From time-to-time, I yearn for one more night on the “Banks of the River Charles” and time with my college friends. Well, last week out of the clear blue, I was poked on Facebook by an old-college pal named Tom Kozaitis. He is one of those friends that I met on the first day of college and spent our first year in Stetson Hall West together. We grew up near by in New Jersey and would hang out on the holidays when home as well. Over time, we lost touch. That was until two weeks ago when I got a poke on Facebook from Tom. It had been over 15 years since I had heard or seen him and there he is with pictures of his son and him. It also has tons of causes and information about him that I feel as if I know him as well if not better than before.
In my estimation, this is why social networking is so incredible. It’s not just for the high school or college kids – it’s for those of us who would love to be back in college for at least one day to reconnect with the past.
The big question is how does this translate into advertising dollars for Facebook? Advertising Age’s Matthew Creamer is skeptical to whether this can translate into real dollars and questions whether or not the 30 and 40-somethings will really hang out Facebook.
So when you see what Microsoft spent on a small percentage of Facebook and the estimated 15 billion dollar valuation, take it in stride. It could be the start of things to come as more and more people become part of Kevin Bacon’s game in their own lives.
The question I have is are you on a social network and if you aren’t why not? You would be pleasantly surprised to see who is out there. It just might make you smile within a couple of degrees.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Dodger Blue A Grand Idea
The ironic part is that he would replace Grady Little, who had a good season last year at 88-74, but who was managing the Red Sox when Aaron Boone hit the homer to send the Yankees to the World Series in 03. He was fired and then the Red Sox won the World Series the next season. LA Times Columnist Bill Plaschke says it's fine to go after Torre, just wrong to do this to Little.
I will say this much, should the Dodgers be bold enough to make this move, they might as well clean house and fire GM Ned Coletti and bring in Walt Jocketty to run the club.
Teaming Jocketty and Torre will bring the Dodgers to the elite part of the National League quickly and keep them there often.
Supposedly Don Mattingly would be Torre's bench coach in LA - imagine how weird he will look in that uniform. Only way it would be better is if they got to the World Series and beat the Yankees.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Great Promotion In Boston....
Jordan's rebate has Sox fans sitting pretty - from the Associated Press
When Marty Rodweller uses a $2,000 windfall to either remodel her bathroom or take a trip to Ireland next spring, she'll be thanking the Boston Red Sox.
The 53-year-old academic counselor from Danvers was preparing today to send an application for a rebate on a mattress and bed frame she bought last spring from Jordan's Furniture.
The chain ran a promotion offering full rebates if the Red Sox were to win this year's World Series -- a statistical long shot that came true Sunday night when Boston beat the Colorado Rockies in a sweep.
Rodweller decided to go to bed before Game 4 ended and the Red Sox clinched. When she couldn't sleep, she returned to watch the game's final hour-and-a-half.
She didn't have trouble nodding off the second time, though, knowing she could expect to see her $2,000 rebate check in a few weeks.
"Because they won, I slept like a baby," she said. "Now, I can't decide if I'm going to spend the money on the bathroom or a trip to Ireland next spring."
Rodweller said she bought the bed because she needed it, not out of any premonition that the Red Sox would win it all for the second time in four years. But because of the Jordan's promotion, "I followed the team more closely than I usually do," she said.
The four-store chain promised free sofas, chairs, dining tables and beds to customers who bought between March 7 and April 16 if the Red Sox won the championship. Jordan's took about 30,000 orders during the promotion.
Chief Executive Eliot Tatelman hasn't disclosed how much the rebates would total, but he won't have to pay it all. He bought an insurance policy to cover the losses.
Twice In A Lifetime
It took 86 years to get one World Series for Boston, now they have two in four years.
Seriously - wow.
What's scary is that the core of this team, along with the rookies, set the franchise up to win a couple of more of these things. Anyone wanting to see what one of the best sports sections in the world does great go to the Boston Globe.
Check out Curt Schilling's blog today - just awesome that he did this last night.
The one thing Theo Epstein needs to do is sign Mike Lowell. Whatever he wants - there's no question he is a leader, great clubhouse guy and a very good baseball player. It was Lowell that hit behind David Ortiz when Manny Ramirez got hurt and his defense was just awesome.
As great a night as it was, wouldn't you know that Alex Rodriguez couldn't let the Red Sox have their moment without being an absolute jackass.
To start, why couldn't he show up and accept his award from Hank Aaron? Is he too good for Hank? Is he busier than Hank? Prince Fielder made it Alex, where the hell were you?
As if that wasn't bad enough, somewhere in the middle of the game, all of a sudden ARod (or is it AHole?) and Scott Boras decide to tell the media that he is opting out of his contract. They didn't even take the time to let the Yankees know this, but the media in Denver all knew it. ESPN's Buster Olney wrote about ARod trying to upstage the World Series.
It is the second time he tried to screw the Red Sox. He turned them down for the Yankees last time and since then the Red Sox have won two World Series. The Yankees haven't. Now he goes into the great abyss known as either San Francisco, Chicago or Anaheim. Buyer beware before you spend 30 million on the new Mr. April - Dustin Pedroia has a World Series ring ... what does ARod have?
Money - that's it ... and with all of it he still can't buy the ring or a hit when it really counts!
FYI - Terry Francona is 8-0 in World Series games. Not horrible.
Here's a question for you college football fans. Georgia coach Mark Richt yelled at his team after beating Vandy for jumping up and down on the 50-yard line logo. Why then was it OK for him to tell his team that they better get a celebration penalty on the first score? The double standard is embarrassing for a man who is supposed to be setting the tone. This wasn't setting tone - this was obnoxious - the team still takes too many stupid penalties and beats Florida once or twice a decade. He is lucky they won because people would have been on him for this if he had lost - they should still be on him.
For those of you who like the New York Football Giants - they we 6-2 last season and ended the year 8-8. Don't get too happy with 6-2 this year either - bye week and then hosting Dallas. If they win that game, I will reconsider my pessimistic state of mind. That said, I still don't like Tom Coughlin!!!!
Video Killed the Radio Star....
AMY FISCHER'S SEXY VIDEO
LONG ISLAND LOLITA TAPE IN PORN DISTRIBUTOR'S HANDS
By DAVID K. LI, NY POST
The world soon could be seeing more of the Long Island Lolita - a lot more.
A sex tape of Amy Fisher and her husband, Lou Bellera, is in the hands of a Los Angeles porn distributor, and the onetime teen temptress isn't happy about it, her former business partner said yesterday.
Fisher and her husband apparently made the tape earlier this year, before they filed for divorce, according to David Krieff, a TV executive who has produced reunion specials with Fisher, her ex-lover Joey Buttafuoco and Buttafuoco's ex-wife, Mary Jo Buttafuoco.
But in the time Fisher and her hubby were in Splitsville, Bellera hawked the tape to L.A. smut peddler Red Light District Video, which is expected to start selling their steamy footage next month.
"I was told she was a willing participant at the time it was made, as a private video with her husband," Krieff said.
It wasn't until August that Fisher, who has since reconciled with Bellera, learned of the Red Light deal and wants to stop the video's release.
"She's disgusted," Krieff said. "I'm disgusted by it, too, the whole genre. I can't believe in the United States of America things like this can be released.
"I feel bad for Amy and Lou," Krieff added. "I think they were having a fight and he made a bad decision that's coming back to haunt them now."
A spokesman for Red Light was not available for comment last night.
The company, based in the San Fernando Valley, the porn-biz hotbed outside Los Angeles, is best known for its dealing in celebrity flesh.
It has pushed sex tapes of hotel heiress Paris Hilton ("1 Night in Paris"), professional wrestler Chyna ("1 Night in Chyna") and even former child actor Dustin Diamond - best known for "Saved by the Bell."
Reached at his home in L.A., Buttafuoco was stunned by the revelation and said he hopes Fisher and her husband can work through this.
"If there's such a tape, that's between and Amy and Lou," he told The Post.
The onetime illegal lovebirds dated briefly again this past spring in New York after both their spouses filed for separation.
Buttafuoco said he enjoyed reconnecting with Fisher, and hashing out their complicated past.
"I wish her nothing but the best and all that life has to offer to her," said Buttafuoco, 51.
Their affair made for scandalous headlines in 1992 when then-17-year-old Fisher shot Mary Jo Buttafuoco in the face at her home in Massapequa.
Fisher served seven years in prison for the shooting. Joey served four months behind bars for statutory rape.
Two years ago, Buttafuoco stormed out of an "Entertainment Tonight" meeting with Fisher and cursed at her.
This past spring, they briefly rekindled relationship before both went back to their current spouses
Five Stages of Drinking....Classic!
Bad video quality - but it's the sound you have to hear... classic comedy from Larry Miller.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Delta Does It Again
Standing at A-18 waiting for my 767 to take me down to the Big O and I look at the upgrade list. There are 24 seats - surely I would have a fighters chance, right?
Not only are there no seats available to upgrade, BUT I am still number 24 on the list to upgrade.
Huh? If it weren't Delta, it would make no sense.
They never cease to amaze me and make me laugh at them every time I fly them.
Great night for the Red Sox. Josh Beckett is just unreal. When he has the curveball going - he's unhittable. Huge game tonight - if Curt Schilling wins, Big Papi can take the next two games off and rest his knee with no DH.
Monday, October 22, 2007
It's Not Always About Size/Measurement
SI's John Donovan talks about how Dustin Pedroia may be little, but don't ever count him out.
Today's New York Times talks about how to figure out site hits and why it matters and to whom it matters.
By the way - going to a bris today for a Yankee fans boy ... ya know I am wearing the Red Sox kippah! Sure it will go over well.
Blackhawks On The Rise
OK - besides the obvious reason of Bill Wirtz passing away, the Hawks have a bright future with some of the young guys already on the squad. Last year's top pick Patrick Kane looks good, but the third pick from a few years ago, Jonathan Toews, is sick.
Check out his 2nd NHL goal. Now if the Hawks can just put their games on local television - they might make it to the 21st century.
Friday, October 19, 2007
New Fantasy Football Guru's
For two knuckleheads in Atlanta, they ain't bad at all.
Dog-Gone Great Deal!
By Richard Eldredge, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Benched Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has listed his lakefront Sugarloaf Country Club estate on the market for $4.5 million.
According to a listing posted at Realtor.com, the Duluth property has seven bedrooms and 8.5 baths and has an estimated monthly mortgage payment of $23,206.
According to Gwinnett County property records, Vick purchased the home at 2927 Darlington Run in April of 2005 for $3.7 million.
His yearly tax bill on the 1.5-acre estate? $26,720.
The funnier part is that I am sure Bob Hartley's house will be for sale there soon as well. If you wait until June, might be one more from the Thrashers organization you can get as well.
Curse of the Thrashers
It started in 1999 for the Atlanta Thrashers, when their first goalie, Damian Rhodes, had groin injuries all season for the Thrashers. It seems as every goaltender since has had issues, some with groin and some with many various injuries.
Now the Thrashers have a legitimate top-notch goalie in Kari Lehtonen and he has an injured groin and has been placed on the injured reserve list. Great timing Kari, the team is on a hot streak of one in a row.
Dell No Longer in Hell
Great story from Business Week on Dell (our client) and what they have gone through with "Dell Hell" and Jeff Jarvis – so much has turned around that the story is written by Jeff as well.
Enjoy.
Bullish on Rutgers
My former boss there, Danny Greenberg, is the publisher of LA Sports and Fitness Magazine.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
New Day In Blueland
Two thoughts as I watch this - first and foremost, these players are actually playing the game they are being paid to play tonight. The look like a real hockey team, one that we haven't seen for the first few weeks of this season. The only thing they haven't done is fight. Where have you guys been? You are supposed to be professionals, aren't you? You played to get the coach fired, you accomplished it. Now play like the way you are for the rest of the season and maybe, just maybe you can get back in it.
While things look good, Kari Lehtonen reinjured his groin. There was great video from the SportsSouth broadcast of trainer Craig Brewer telling Don Waddell on the bench about the injury. Waddell rolls his eyes in the back of his head in total disbelief ... but he has seen this song before with his first goaltender Damian Rhodes.
The second thought is this, how come everyone but Don Waddell knew that Bob Hartley should have been fired when they were swept out of the playoffs? It was so obvious to everyone that watched this team except the guy who put it together. On top of which, you need to see the press conference where Waddell talks about the firing and how he believes this year's team is better than last years. And he said it with a straight face! Just classic.
Joe Says No To Yankees
As is customarily - Torre gets one of my favorite lines.... "GOOD FOR HIM!!!!!"
This guy has been one of the best, if not the best, managers in baseball for the last 12 years and the Yankees have screwed with him for the last time. I am willing to bet that he is more upset about the terms of the contract than the money. Rumor is that they wanted him to fire some coaches, including pitching coach Ron Guidry
The problem sounds familiar to what is happening with the Atlanta Thrashers, except Torre has won. His teams have made the playoffs for over a decade. It is NOT his fault that Carl Pavano was signed to a boatload of money and never panned out. It is not his fault ARod couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat come October. If Torre goes, then GM Brian Cashman should be right next to him. Mind you, I don't think either one should be fired, but you cannot do one without the other.
This now makes two great baseball men sitting out there for an organization to grab in GM Walt Jocketty and now Torre. Could they meet somewhere to work to build a winner? Would be fun to watch them build something together.
The irony is that 30 years ago tonight, Reginald Martinez Jackson swung three times and hit three home runs versus the Los Angeles Dodgers to win the 77 World Series. Man, I know I am getting old when I can remember these kinds of things like they were yesterday. May take the Yankees 30 years to get back to glory like this now that Torre is gone.
Question now is, who else will follow Joe out the door? Don Mattingly is staying quiet, but he will be the front runner for the job. Good luck Donnie Baseball - a tad hotter in the top seat on the bench.
Dreaming Of Getting Away
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Half Empty, Half Full?
After last night's 4-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, Bob Hartley has been fired by the Atlanta Thrashers.
As usual I watched as this team showed absolutely no heart at all in the loss. I hate saying those words, but when your captain Bobby Holik gets nailed by Jason Smith and NO ONE, not even Holik goes after him, what do you say?
Hartley lost this team last season when they were swept out of the playoffs. Now he has lost his job.
The million dollar question is how long does Don Waddell have? And the bigger question is which one of these so-called owners of the Atlanta Spirit has any hockey knowledge to make the right replacement for Don if they saw fit to fire him? Rutherford? Michael? Bruce? C'mon boys - sell the team to people who care about something other than themselves and their egos.
Last season, right after the Keith Tkachuk trade, I was in an elevator with some folks and Rutherford Seydel. He was talking to folks about the trade and taking partial credit for it. If that's the case, you should get blame for it as well, dontcha think? This ownership group is an embarrasing mess and it's not going to get any better anytime soon.
Jeff Schultz of the AJC talks about how the wrong man was fired in his column. And he points out some of the other expansion teams and how well they have done in the time the Thrashers have been around. SI's Alan Muir agrees with Schultz on Waddell not being without blame. Where there's smoke...???
The best thing Don has going for him is ownership - they are cutting costs every which way (including the intern program...I mean how bad is it when interns are let go!) and having to pay a new GM while paying Don may not make fiscal sense to them. But hey, that division banner sure is pretty in the rafters, isn't it? The one move they can make that would be prudent both from the financial and hockey smarts world would be to hire Thrashers color commentator on television, Darren Eliot.
There are many names out there, but the one name I have heard is Pat Quinn. Not sure I like it, but he has had success in the league. John Anderson of the Chicago Wolves would make sense as he has worked with the young kids already.
I say we put together a group called Caps 4 Da Cup - let's go root for the Washington Capitals... best uniforms going and Alexander Ovechkin! Road trip!!!! We're comin' Nate..
New Site To See
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
That's What I Call A "Wicked Pissa!"
WACO, Texas -- Baylor athletic department officials said they are considering disciplinary action against an assistant football coach cited for urinating on the bar at a tavern.
Eric Schnupp, Baylor's offensive line/tight ends coach, was not arrested but was issued a citation at 2:20 a.m. Sunday for disorderly conduct-reckless exposure at Scruffy Murphy's, Waco police spokesman Steve Anderson said.
The citation is a Class C misdemeanor carrying a $258 fine, according to Waco Municipal Court.
Bartender Danny Severe said in Tuesday's editions of the Waco Tribune-Herald that the incident happened around closing time and that Schnupp apparently thought no one was watching him as employees were moving patrons out of the building.
Severe said an employee witnessed Schnupp urinating on the bar, and a manager told police officers who were there for an unrelated matter.
Severe said Schnupp had taken several shots of hard liquor, most bought for him by other people.
Schnupp had traveled with the team to Lawrence, Kan., where the Bears lost to Kansas 58-10 Saturday afternoon. The team was back in Waco by 9 p.m.
Baylor associate athletic director Nick Joos did not immediately return calls Tuesday to The Associated Press. But Joos told the Tribune-Herald that discipline would be handled internally.
"I can tell you that coach [Guy] Morriss is taking this issue very seriously," Joos said, declining to say what disciplinary measures are being considered.
Schnupp, in his first year as a coach at the world's largest Baptist university, played football for the University of Miami from 1995-2000 and previously coached at West Texas A&M.
Shameless Plug For Solid Client Who Gets It
Dell is a GCI client.
Vick Woes Continue
Wachovia Bank sues Vick over business loan
By Mike Morris, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wachovia Bank has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has defaulted on a $1.3 million loan for a wine store.
According to the suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Atlanta on Oct. 2, the bank loaned Vick, partner Gerald Frank Jenkins and Atlantic Wine & Package LLC the money on May 23, 2006, and that a default exists "when a material adverse change has occurred in the business or prospects of Defendant Vick, financial or otherwise, as determined by the bank in its sole discretion."
Vick and Jenkins opened Atlantic Wine & Spirits, and the adjoining Tasting Room restaurant, on Camp Creek Parkway in East Point last March.
The suit claims that Atlantic Wine has defaulted by failing to make monthly payments of principal and interest, and that Vick's obligations "are impaired due to recent events involving Defendant Vick."
Wachovia said in the suit that Vick, Jenkins and Atlantic Wine & Package owe $937,907.61 in principal, along with interest and fees that totaled $1,876.60 on Oct. 2.
The suit also claims that Atlantic Wine has multiple checking accounts with Wachovia, and that two of those accounts were overdrawn by a total of $34,680.85.
Wachovia is at least the third bank to file suit against Vick since his indictment earlier this year on federal charges relating to dogfighting.
Royal Bank of Canada claimed Vick defaulted on a $2.3 million loan, while 1st Source Bank of South Bend, Ind., claimed Vick hasn't repaid a $2 million loan.
Rocky Mountain Way
Is it Rocky Mountain High? Is it Gonna Fly Now, the theme from Rocky? Is it Crocodile Rock?
Whatever is chosen it is for the most absurd thing to happen in a long, long time in sports. The Colorado Rockies, who have won 21 out of 22 games, are going to the World Series.
Seriously.
No one in their right mind would have picked this 30 days ago and if you had gone to Vegas you would have gotten unreal odds for this one.
The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News have great stories about the Rockies. But the best story of all of this is Todd Helton. He was going to be traded according to some stories, but it never happened and he was doomed to a life in Colorado. Where the pitchers go to die like Mike Hampton. Now Helton, like John Elway was, gets rewarded at age 34 with his first trip to the World Series.
Not bad for a Tennessee quarterback turned first basemen. Hey, maybe they can play Rocky Top for him.
Here We Go Again
Look, I like Eli and I like the things going on with the team at this point. That being said, let's see what happens come the end of the year. If we pull another losing streak into the playoffs and lose the first game, it's NOT good enough. Sorry.
We need to take care of business and keep getting better. And while it's nice to beat the Atlanta's and Miami's of the league - it's not a big feat. We are supposed to beat those teams. When will we beat the better teams in the league to prove we belong? If not, then this is all smoke and mirrors again.
Tim Smith of the NY Daily News writes about how the Giants must learn from last year as well.
So 6-2 at the break would be nice, but it ain't real yet.
MySpace isn't just for kids
The New Advertising Outlet: Your Life
Quote of the week from Trevor Edwards, Nike's corporate vice president for global brand and category management on Nike + website.
“It’s a very different way to connect with consumers. “People are coming into it on average three times a week. So we’re not having to go to them.”
Monday, October 15, 2007
Issues For Big Red
Check out these websites committed to destroying the staff in place:
Save The Program and Fire The Stooges
Has no one learned from Rich Brooks and Kentucky? What an absolute joke these boosters are. I think we should eliminate boosters to begin with ... they do nothing but cause problems.
Joke of the Day
I-AA (as in Appy State!)
Happy Happy Joy Joy!!!
Lee Elia Tirade - Chicago Cubs - 4/29/83
Classic moment in Cubs history ... sometimes we all feel like doing this ... but we don't.
By the way ... be careful, Elia uses bad language. It's classic though.
Rocktober Continues in Colorado
Anyway, legendary disc jockey Scott Muni used to talk about all the great concerts that would go on in the month of Rocktober. But nothing that used to come to the Tri-State Area can top what is going on in the Rocky Mountains right now with the Colorado Rockies.
Have you seen the last three weeks of the NL playoffs? They have won 20 of 21 games and haven't lost a playoff game. As they proved last night, neither rain nor sleet nor dead of night will stop the Rocks from making their first ever World Series.
Woody Paige of the Denver Post writes about what one more win will mean to everyone in Colorado. Dave Krieger of the Rocky Mountain News talks about this historic run the Rocks are on.
Last night the hero was Yorvit Torrealba, the catcher for the Rocks, but the double play ball was just as big a hero for them last night. The first three innings of the game, they had three double plays. Just insane.
Actually, I think the grounds crew at Coors Field are just as valuable as anyone. I am not sure how they got through that game without anyone slipping and falling to change the course of the game. Weather was a mess and those fans are nuts to sit there, but I understand them.
This just in, Tom Brady is pretty good. Imagine if he had any wide receivers over the beginning of his career?
George Steinbrenner is stepping back from control of the Yankees and giving his kids the power to make decisions. Let me tell you this, I believe that George can do that as much as I believe that Elvis is living in Nashville.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Heading for Another History Lesson
After seeing the first BCS standings, I think he's absolutely right and the clowns who run the BCS are just flat out wrong.
How in all that is right are the Ohio State Buckeyes ranked first in the BCS? Who in the heck have they beaten to earn that right?
They are 7-0 and have beaten one ranked team in 23rd ranked Purdue. I didn't know that you get full marks for beating Akron, Kent State and Youngstown State. Now you may get the Ohio championship, but not a top ranking.
Isn't this the same team that fooled everyone last year to get to the title game? Didn't work out so well when they had to play a "real" team in Florida and it won't work out for them this year either.
The Big Ten is an average to bad football conference and has been for a bunch of years. They don't belong with the other top conferences at this point in time. Not to say from time-to-time they don't have top teams ... but it has been a while.
If I was a betting man, I would bet South Florida, Boston College, LSU, Oklahoma and Kentucky would kick the Buckeyes around the field.
Heck, I think Hawaii would give them a good game.
This is why the rankings and BCS are flawed and only a playoff will solve this issue. But then again, I have been saying that as long as Yogi has been around.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Five for Fighting
Five years ago I was a small part of launching Inside College Hockey - the best college hockey site on the web.
It was started by Mike Eidlebus and Nate Ewell and it's taken on a life of it's own and done well. The funny part, as Mike recalls, is that the designer, Mike Weaver, was trying to make the Atlanta Thrashers hockey club as a defenseman while launching the site. Classic stuff.
Could always use more advertising, so if you are looking for space on the web to show off your products or company, email me and let me know you are interested.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Story of the Day
Austrian Man Shoots Colleague, Slices off Penis in 'Honor Killing'
VIENNA, Austria — Austrian authorities said Thursday they arrested an elderly Turkish-born man suspected of fatally shooting a younger Turkish associate and slicing off the victim's penis in what investigators called an "honor killing."
Police in the town of Wimpassing in the province of Lower Austria made the arrest shortly after the Wednesday night slaying, and said the suspect — described only as a 76-year-old native Turk — did not resist.
Officials said witnesses claimed the man allegedly shot the victim, a 58-year-old Turkish-born man, in the street with a shotgun at point-blank range and then cut off his penis with a knife, leaving him to bleed to death.
Two teams of surgeons worked at the scene to save the man but were unable to revive him, authorities said.
Investigators believe the suspect apparently was jealous that the younger man had flirted with his wife, and had sought him out as "a question of honor," said Franz Polzer, head of the region's criminal investigations office.
Honor killings, driven by the view that a family's honor is paramount, are an ancient tradition associated with Kurdish regions of Turkey, Iraq and Iran as well as tribal areas in Pakistan and some Arab societies.
The suspect initially fled into a nearby house after the slaying, but witnesses alerted police to his location and he walked out and surrendered shortly thereafter, Polzer said.
Police said the man appeared to have purchased the shotgun earlier on Wednesday. They said he had disposed of the knife, but that officers recovered the weapon after searching the area.
It was the first known attack of its kind in Austria, which is home to about 200,000 Turks — Europe's third-largest Turkish expatriate population after Germany and France.
But so-called honor killings have occurred elsewhere in Europe:
— In August, a federal court in Germany ordered a retrial for two brothers acquitted of fatally shooting their sister —an attack that prosecutors said was meant to punish the Turkish-German woman for her Western lifestyle.
— In Britain in July, the father and uncle of an Iraqi Kurd woman who was murdered for falling in love with the wrong man were sentenced to life in prison for ordering the killing.
— In 2006, a Danish court sentenced a Pakistani man to life imprisonment for ordering the slaying of his 19-year-old daughter, who was gunned down two days after her wedding because her family allegedly disapproved of her choice of husband.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Red Lobster's Chef LaDuke
Here's another great NY Giants fan! We talk about Eli all the time. Check out his salmon and scallops.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Vick Fun Never Ends
ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Falcons are entitled to recover nearly $20 million in bonus money paid to disgraced quarterback Michael Vick , an arbitrator ruled Tuesday. The players' union vowed to appeal.
Stephen B. Burbank, the University of Pennsylvania law professor and special master who led last week's arbitration hearing, sided with the team after hearing from Falcons president and general manager Rich McKay and attorneys from the NFL Players Association, which represented Vick.
The Falcons argued that Vick, who pleaded guilty to federal charges for his role in a long-running dogfighting operation, knew he was in violation of the contract when he signed a $130 million deal in December 2004.
The team said he used proceeds from the contract to fund his illicit activities and sought the repayment of $19,970,000 in bonuses he was paid out of a total of $22.5 million in 2005 and '06.
Any money the Falcons recover from Vick would be credited to its future salary cap, a huge step in recovering from the loss of the team's franchise player. Atlanta (1-4) is off to a dismal start with Joey Harrington at quarterback.
"We are certainly pleased with today's ruling," the Falcons said in a statement. "It is the first step in a process that our club has undertaken in an attempt to recoup significant salary cap space that will allow us to continue to build our football team today and in future years."
Vick was suspended indefinitely without pay by the NFL after entering into his plea agreement. He also lost millions in lucrative endorsement deals.
"We have reviewed the decision handed down by Special Master Stephen Burbank and believe it is incorrect," the NFLPA said in a statement. "We will now appeal his ruling."
The case now goes to U.S. District Court Judge David Doty in Minneapolis, who still has jurisdiction over the antitrust suit filed by players following the 1987 strike.
That's just great - now there's only one problem for the Falcons... what if Vick doesn't have the money? Odds are he doesn't have the cash and I am sure he has, if he has ANY smart people around him, hidden what he has left somewhere "off-shore."
It's just never going to end and when it does, no one is still left a better person because of it.
Line Of The Day ...
"Nike announced it will not try to recoup millions in endorsement fees from disgraced gold medalist Marion Jones. But the Falcons have asked her for $22 million."
Absolutely classic.
Open Letter To George
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Trust me, it hurts us more than it hurts you because we wanted to see the Red Sox beat you.
But the real reason I am writing you is to beg you to follow through on your promise and fire Joe Torre.
Obviously he is the reason your pitching is horrible. It's his fault that you spent some absurd money on Carl Pavano (by the way, how's that working for you?). It's also his fault that the highest paid man in baseball can't hit in the clutch in the playoffs. Was that Paul Byrd that beat you last night??? Could have had him for a smidge less and he's healthy.
So absolutely fire him and keep Brian Cashman. Seriously, he's a great general manager. Heck with that payroll, I think many of us can do the same thing he has done without Torre.
And by the way, when you fire Torre, say goodbye to all the free agents that were interested in the Yanks. Also bid farewell to a bunch of your own guys who are now on the open market.
I am sure you can get a good manager to take Torre's place. What's Stump Merril up to these days???
You may read Mike Lupica's column in today's N.Y. Daily News that the magic is gone from Torre's Yankees and that's fine, but seriously, is it really HIS fault?
Thanks again from a grateful (Red Sox) nation for your absolute stupidity and arrogance. It helps us sleep very well.
Be well and enjoy Tampa and your little boats or whatever you do.
Jon
P.S. - Love you Tribe!!!!
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Lessons Learned Again
Answer - ZERO!!!!!
When you are in a five game series, you do as Herman Edwards once told us, "you play to win the game!"
Say whatever you want about how great the Cubs bullpen had been - if you top starter can't throw 100 pitches in game one of a series and come back on three days rest - isn't there an issue???
Arizona is a good, young team - heck Micah Owens didn't even pitch yet.....and he's maybe their best pinch hitter off the bench as well.
I think that the Colorado Rockies are going to beat the Diamondbacks in six games, they are just on fire.
Another great week of college football - just insane games. LSU is now the unanimous top dog and Cal looks like a solid two, everything else is up in the air.
Did Tennessee just score again on Georgia???? Or was that Northwestern lighting up Michigan State again??? Nice defense, both of you.
John David Booty isn't as good as his predecessors. Showed it last night against Stanford. Hey Cal - the Big Game just got bigger with that win.
The big question in Atlanta is when will Bob Hartley be fired? The Thrash are 0-2 and didn't look good against Tampa Bay last night. If I am a betting man, I put the over under at 12 games. Don Waddell can't let this get too far out of hand. Plus now that Dany Heatley's contract is done, makes getting Marian Hossa deal
a tad more interesting.
And speaking of interesting, we are taking Benjamin home today. Fun, fun, fun at the Barkan house!
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Boy Oh Boy...
Abbie came to the hospital yesterday and held her brother - it was great, she was in heaven. However, when I called to tell her about Benjamin yesterday (she was the first call for the record) she screamed when she heard it was a boy and dropped the phone. Once she calmed down, all was well, but man was that funny.
Everyone is doing well. Sorry haven't had time to download pics... left my camera cord at home. Odds are we will be home tomorrow with Benjamin. If I get a chance later, I will shoot some pics on the blog. We should be home in time for Benji to watch his first Giants-Jets game. Ya know Papa Neil will be in heaven for that one.
Got to see the bugs in Cleveland and another big win. Plus who doesn't love Manny?? Only down side is that Lou Pinella cost the Cubs the series by yanking Carlos Zambrano after 85 pitches. Hey Lou - win one before worrying about the fourth game.
Now I have a boy to share all of this craziness with... just wild.
Speaking of which, here is the laugh of the day ... at Northside Hospital, which is known as the baby factory, because they deliver more babies than anywhere else in the country. Anyway, we were looking for the Soap Network to watch Beverly Hills 90210 reruns, and they don't have the Soap Network on here. CSpan and all sports channels but no Soap Network in a place called the Women's Center. Is it me or does that make no sense? I mean if they don't watch the Soap Network here, where will they?
