NFL, NBA OR .... !?!?

Got this in an e-mail the other day ("thanks Marty!") ... Just check this out!

It must be the NBA!
Or is it the NFL?

-36 have been accused of spousal abuse
-7 have been arrested for fraud
-19 have been accused of writing bad checks
-117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses
-3 have done time for assault
-71, repeat, 71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit
-14 have been arrested on drug-related charges
-8 have been arrested for shoplifting
-21 currently are defendants in lawsuits
-84 have been arrested for drunk driving in the last year

Can you guess which organization this is?


Give up yet? . . . Scroll down, citizen!
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
It's the 535 members of the United States Congress!

The same group of Idiots that crank out hundreds of new laws each year designed to keep the rest of us in line.

NCAA TOURNAMENT

If there is any such thing as a person who is a "volleyball nerd" then I think I would qualify as the poster child. To which I basically respond, I don't care.

This season for the Irish has been a ton of fun to watch as they have posted a 28-3 record thus far. They are undefeated against ranked teams, they won the Big East conference championship and now they begin their journey for a Final Four berth in the NCAA tournament.

Notre Dame hasn't been to the Sweet 16 since the 1993 season but this team has a legit shot to make a deep run in the tournament. It all begins Thursday evening at the Joyce Center when Texas A&M plays Northwestern at 5 p.m. and ND hosts Dayton at 7:30 p.m.

DA VINCI CODE

I have finally completed probably the best (at least one of the best) fiction novels ever written. I actually finished rather quickly considering the 450+ pages only took me two weeks to complete. So my little review of the "Da Vinci Code" ...

It took me less than 50 pages to realize that this book really is pure genius. A real page flipper, if you will. Dan Brown is an absolute brilliant writer. He weaves together all these different stories so perfectly that it really is quite amazing. I have never read a book were I was just so stunned by the twist and turns that you just have to keep reading. But more importantly he constructs the whole story so well.

Then of course you have the Christian side of this book that has a lot of religious people up in arms. If Christians would just read the book for what it is, that being a fiction novel, then it can be enjoyed by everyone without all this controversy. For more on this, and other stuff, check out Dan Brown FAQ site - here.

The movie based on this book is coming out in mid-May with Tom Hanks starring as the lead character. I can only hope that the movie does the book some justice. I have hope though because Ron Howard is directing and the cast is pretty solid.

Right now I would have to call this the best book I have ever read from the simple stand point that I just wanted to spend every free moment I had reading it. I can't wait to start reading the first book in the series "Angels & Demons" which is suppose to be better.

Enjoy cracking the code!!

ROAD TRIPPING

If you have ever seen the movie "Planes, Train and Automobiles" then you may know what it is like to have a travel schedule that can be insane.

My friend once told me that I was never afraid of a roadtrip and he might be right but that doesn't mean I always enjoy it.

From Wednesday morning til Monday afternoon I sat in a car for somewhere in the vacinity of 40 hours and 1900 miles or so. Let's just say that I think I got caught up on the sermons on CD's I'd been meaning to listen to. So a big thanks to the following: John Ortberg, Rob Bell, Henry Cloud and Erwin McManus for making the adventure go a little easier.

Just a few more weeks to I'm back in the car for the Christmas season! I need to get some new CD's! Hey, at least gas is under $2/gallon!!

BACK ON THE EAST COAST

So here I am back in Pennsylvania for the first time since January 3. Of course my stay in the Keystone state won't be long as I head to Virginia on Friday afternoon for my college roommate's wedding.

Here's the hoping that everyone enjoys there Thanksgiving holiday! Check out the "Good People" links if you get a moment on the side because they are just a few people that I am very thankful for!

COUNTDOWN SAYS ...

BEST THING ABOUT THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY ...

1) Football

Come on isn't this an obvious answer. From playing on Thanksgiving morning, to watching the NFL games that afternoon (remember Leon Lett, anyone?!?) and then the Texas-Texas A&M game on Friday. It's about the pigskin!

2) Food

Or more importantly some home cooked food. For a single man like me everything I eat comes out of a box. I can't cook that well.

3) The Mall

It's always fun to watch people at the Mall on "Black Friday" as shopping almost turns into a sport for some people!

4) Socializing

There are too many people that I only get to see once a year so it's nice to chat with them over coffee or just hanging out.

5) Pumpkin Pie

I know this falls under the food catagory but this dessert deserves its own little portion of the countdown!

Enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday! Remember: Hook 'em Horns!!

FILLING UP FOR LESS

The highlight of my day has come and gone. It happened this morning at 9:30 when I filled up my car with gas that was less than $2.00/gallon! It was smiles all around as I paid $1.97/gallon to fill my Honda! I can't believe that gas is again below the $2 mark and more impressively it was lowered right as Thanksgiving traffic is picking up!

Here's to hoping it goes below $1.50 or something before the summer time! Of course I can still remember paying less than a dollar a gallon when I first started driving. Those days, I'm sure are long gone!

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Don't know if anyone has seen this site. It's got some amazing videos.

CLICK HERE

It's worth clicking around and watching. Check out the sand art dude.

NOTRE DAME WEEKEND

So here I am getting ready to go the final home game of the 2005 Irish football season. In the last three years I haven't missed a game. I can't believe that. I couldn't stand Notre Dame growing up and in fact it is safe to say that I hated the Irish. Yet that has all some how changed.

I remember telling my friend Willie when I moved up here that there is "no chance I will cheer for Notre Dame even though I'm moving to South Bend." ... That lasted two weeks.

It's a big weekend around the Golden Dome. In addition to the final football home game, the 8th ranked volleyball team is in the Big East tournament, the 5th ranked women's soccer team is three wins away from back-to-back national titles and the women's and men's hoops teams are opening their season this weekend. Not to mention the men's hockey team is facing nationally ranked Miami (OH) and the men's soccer team is also in the NCAA tournament.

So here I am, a Notre Dame sports junkie. Never would have thought it. Might as will embrace it.

QUOTE THIS!

A friend of mine recently e-mailed me with this really awesome quote. This person doesn't know I've putting this on my blog so hopefully we will still be friends after this!

This individual was getting frustrated with the devil and what he was doing to this persons friends and how the devil was interfering with the lives of certainly individuals. To make this short, my friend put this in the e-mail:

"I just want to punch Satan in the face"

How cool is that? I love that imagery that it provides. I mean how many of us are really trying to punch Satan in the face on a daily basis? Or more importantly, how many of us are punching God in the face and we don't even realize it? May we finally knock the devil out!

THE FIRST SNOW

Well, the first snow of the season finally came. It really didn't snow a whole lot but the cold weather is certainly here. I broke down and finally turned the heat on in my apartment last night. The space heater just wasn't doing it anymore!

It still boggles my mind that it can be 60-degrees when you fall asleep then 30-degrees with wind chills much less than that when you wake-up the next morning. Oh well, welcome to South Bend!

(The Picture is of the Bell Tower on the St. Mary's Campus)

THREE YEARS IN SOUTH BEND

So today marks the three year anniversary of the day I packed up my stuff and moved to South Bend, IN from Lynchburg, VA. The fact that I am writing that statement of "three years" still amazes me.

Just about everyday I pass by a sign that still surprises me - "Indiana Toll Road" - now road signs are nothing special but the fact that it has "Indiana" on there is still a surprise somedays. There are times when I am in my apartment or just driving around town and I can't believe that I live in this state. I remember after just a few months that I wanted to be on the first plane/train/car out of town!

I will never forget the day I moved. As a checked into the hotel before moving my belongings into my apartment the next day, I thought South Bend was on Central Time and the clerk behind the desk then told me how crazy Indiana time zones are. I've gotten used to the time thing. I may never get used to the weather.

The second week I lived here I was driving into work and it was two degrees outside! TWO FREAKIN DEGREES! It's not the cold temperatures but the wind that gets you. I mean anybody can put on numerous layers of clothes but the wind just goes right through you.

There are really three things that are in South Bend that you can not get anywhere else. And in no specific order - Notre Dame, Granger Community Church and friends you won't find anywhere else. I love my church and the relationships I have formed there plus I get to watch any Irish sporting event for free. I can't leave any of that - yet.

How much long will I be here? Well, only the Good Lord knows that but I know that I don't want to be any place else right now even if it's freezing cold outside and this state has no idea what time it is.

ST. MARY'S ATHLETICS

So I am slowly getting settled into everything at my new job. Have you ever thought, "you know what you are doing but you are still confused" kind of thought? I feel like that's what I got going right now.

There's no doubt in my mind that I know how to be a Sports Information Director. None what so ever. I'm thinking that I'm just trying to get acquainted with the new surroundings on campus. The staff has been very cool thus far and I've already meant one of the student workers and she's an intelligent person. There's a lot, in my mind, that can be done and should be done to make it a better so it's just a matter of getting a place to start.

I have nothing but good things to say thus far. This really is a good position for me to be in right now. This will be a good partnership for all parties involved. I just want to get myself back in gear! At least I got my first press release out to the media.

BORN TO RUN

One of the best albums of all-time is back on the shelf.

When I first heard that Bruce Springteen was re-releasing his timeless classic "Born to Run" I was ready to go out and buy it that moment. Then I realized it was August and it wasn't being released until November 15. But finally it is here! The three disc set includes the ditigially re-mastered album and a two disc DVD at the behind the scenes making of the album that basically saved career of the "The Boss."

The album is loaded with classic tunes: Born to Run, Thunder Road, Jungleland and Tenth Avenue Freeze Out just to name a few. The DVD has a cut of "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" which for me is a personal favorite and little known song for most.

But here's what I have decided. As much as I want to get this album I can wait until Christmas (it's only five weeks away). So either of my brothers are you listening?!?

AROD = MVP

How do you spell MVP?!? - AROD!

For the first time since 1985 at New York Yankee has won the MVP award! Obviously I am bias but he really did deserve it. You can make all the arguements you want for David Ortiz but a Desginated Hitter should never win an award like this.

AROD had 48 homers, 130 RBI's, hit .321 and was the best defensive third baseman in the American League in 2005. Hopefully next season the Yankees can get him a World Series title.

MILLION DOLLAR ARM

This is so amazing. A random person was chosen to do a contest at the Clemson-Florida State game Saturday afternoon. Absolutely amazing. Read about it - HERE

At least he plans on going back to his $10/hour job on Monday.

BACK TO WORK

So I am now again a working man. In fact, I think I got myself a pretty sweet job. I am now the Sports Information Director at St. Mary's College.

In some ways it is kind of scary that I am working back in the Sports Information business again. I spent a lot of time during my four-years at Radford University working in the industry and then a little more than a year of my life was spent as the Asst. Sports Information Director at Liberty University.

This is going to be a fun and I'm sure at times a gut-wretching challenge but I really believe with all my heart that this is going to work out very well for everyone. I look forward to working with students again and assisting media members in the coverage of athletic events! It all begins Monday morning at 10 a.m.

COUNTDOWN SAYS ...

WHY AMISH COOKING IS AWESOME!

(Yeah that's right Amish food rocks!)

1) Whoopie Pies

These things are deadly good. In fact, they are just freakin out of this world. Just good old fashion stick to ribs snack!

2) Shoo-Fly Pie

Couldn't stand this stuff at first but I love it!

3) Chicken Pot Pie

Not really a unique thing to just the Amish but they make it the best

4) Amish Potato Salad

It just taste better. I don't why but it does.

5) Red Velvet Cake

Ok, this probably should be higher but I just couldn't put all dessert items at the top!

I was spoiled in some regards growing up in "Amish Country" and being surrounded by this wonderful home-cooked restaurants type places.

THE CALENDAR

The other day I stopped and finally realized that it really is November. Not just that but it's almost the middle of November. I think the weather has thrown me off a little bit because it's not freezing cold yet in South Bend. However, that is just around the corner!

Just check this out ...

... Thanksgiving Day is just 14 days away!

... The "Big Game" (Texas vs. Texas A&M) is just 15 days away!

... My friend Tom (i.e. "Crackhead") is getting married in 16 days!

... My friend Scott is getting married in five weeks!

... Christmas is just six-weeks away! (which means, shopping season is here!!)

Well, maybe a better thing to notice is were has this year gone?!? Wasn't the start of baseball season just the other week and not the end? Of course, admist losing track of time isn't bad, I feel so far this year has been very good. So I have seven weeks left to keep it good or make better!

Maybe it's time to buy a watch ...

EDIFICATION TEST

A great spiritual disicpline for building people. Practice this for just one week.

From John Ortberg:

"As you think about what you are about to say, before you say it and let it come out. First think about this; is what I am about to say going edify the person I am about to talk to. Will it make them strong, more true, better? And if it won't, don't say it. And it maybe the quiet(est) week you have had in a long, long time. You got to speak truth."

Definition of edification: The building up and strengthening of others.

THANK YOU EAGLES!

I am not an Eagles fan. Even though I grew-up less than 2 hours from the stadium they played in, I just never could cheer for them. Until Monday afternoon.

Now I will probably never, ever cheer for them on the field but with their suspension of "star" wide receiver Terrell Owens I have become a strong proponent of them. I applaud them for getting rid of a guy who was destroying this team with his stupid antics, dumb actions and outrageous sound bites.

Here's a guy who has all the talent in the world but decides that his talent and abilities are more important then his value to a team. Well, it's not all about you Terrell. It would bring a great smile to my face if the Eagles start winning without him. In sports, the word "chemistry" is thrown around a lot as a vital factor in the team’s success. I hope Philadelphia shows Terrell that the team is bigger (and will always be bigger) than his individual accomplishments.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER!

Stepping on the soap box ...

Don't get me totally wrong but what is the deal with cell phones running peoples lives!?! It seems like everytime the cell phone rings it MUST be answered! Man, I feel like I want to vomit sometimes when people answer their cell phone!

EXAMPLES (when your cell phone rings):

You are in a crowded library - "YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER!"

You are having a good face-to-face conversation - "YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER!"

You are at church - "YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER!"

At a sporting event - "YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER!"
(besides it's too loud to hear the other person anyway)

These are just the examples that really tick me off when people answer their cell phones. Just set-up your voice mail and call them back when the time and place are more suited. I do understand that there are extreme circumstances when your phone needs to be on and answered but, come on people use smart discernment!

... off the soap box.

BIG GAME?!?

I remember when I first saw the 2005 ND football schedule and realized that Tennessee was coming to "then Bend" for a game. I thought of how a Top 10 team would be exciting to watch and not to mention all of the rapid Volunteer fans!

Yet, this game is not nearly as exciting as it could have been since UT is now 3-4 and in serious danger of not making a bowl game. However, they still are UT and Notre Dame still is Notre Dame. Plus all of those Volunteer fans are freakin fun people. Should be a good Saturday at the Stadium!

Notre Dame - 21
Tennessee - 10

INTRIGUING ENTERTAINMENT

This past week has been an intriguing one as I've paid closer attention to two "entertainment happenings" connected to Christianity and God.

I walked into Barnes and Noble on Tuesday evening to see what new releases might be worth checking out. I didn't know that Anne Rice was writing a book on Jesus and his younger years. I picked up a copy of Christ the Lord because I was curious enough after checking out the title. Not curious enough to buy it, yet. I'll have to read more next time I step into the bookstore

Then I realized that Narnia is about a month away from being released. I'm pretty pumped up about this flick. I remember seeing the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe when I like five at a church play. I think the movie will have a little better production value.

I was reading an article in Newsweek and the article brought up two questions that, well, interest me. 1) Will the movie be too religious for a wide audience? & 2) Might it not be religious enough for Lewis's Christian fans?

I don't think it will be too religious for the general public because I believe they will enjoy it regardless of what the very nature of the film is. The question is will the religious people accept the questions the general public is asking? Another question is will the religious people keep their mouths shut if something in the movie doesn't jive with their theology. Guess we'll have to wait to the movie comes out December 9.

Enjoying the crazy stuff.

COUNTDOWN SAYS ...

With some recent "classic" sporting events over at Notre Dame, I thought I would countdown the most memorable events I've witness in my three years (since Nov. 2002) ...

MOST MEMORABLE NOTRE DAME SPORTING EVENTS

1) USC 34, ND 31 (Oct. 15, 2005)

I know the Irish lost but this game is just flat out unforgettable. People are still talking about it. From "the fumble" or "Bush's Push" or the 4-and-9 USC converted or how 'bout the green jerseys or the pep rally the night before or ....

2) ND 80, UConn 74 (Feb. 9, 2004)

UConn came into this game as the No. 5 team in the country and Notre Dame hoops squad was flat-out struggling. Before the game I really didn't think ND had a chance but Chris Thomas pours in 31 points for the huge upset on ESPN's "Big Monday"

3) ND 4, UM 1 & ND 5, UM 2 (Feb. 27 & 28, 2004)

The Irish hockey team sweeps the weekend series from Michigan for the first time in forever. The arena only holds 2,800 people but that place was as loud as it could have gotten each evening. The two wins help solidify ND's first NCAA tournament appearance.

4) ND 3, Louisville 1 (Oct. 29, 2005)

The Irish volleyball team knocks off the previously unbeaten Cardinals in the best volleyball match I have ever seen in-person. The win bumps up ND to the highest ranking in school history (#5) as they posted their fifth straight win over a Top 25 team.

5) ND 28, UM 20 (Sept. 11, 2004)

The football team just came off an embarrassing loss to BYU the weekend before. All of a sudden the name Darius Walker becomes a house hold name after this game. ND overcame a sloppy first half with a 28-point second-half as the students rush the field after the game.

HONORABLE MENTION:
Hockey: ND 3, #1 BC 2 (Oct. 22, 2004) - ND scores shorthanded goal with 15 seconds left in the game and goalie Morgan Cey makes 52 (yes 52!) saves in the massive upset.

Men's Soccer: ND 1, Indiana 0 (Sept. 18, 2003) - The Irish knocked off No. 4 Indiana off a free kick in the second overtime. The second ever win for ND over the Hoosiers.

Women's Hoops: ND 66, #4 UConn 51 (Jan. 13, 2004) - No one on press row that night gave ND a chance. So they won by 15 to a team that went on to win the national title.

Men's Hoops: ND 66, Pitt 64 (Feb. 9, 2003) - In the first meeting between Top 10 team at the Joyce in 20 some years, Torin Francis hits a lay-up with a second left to beat No. 6 Pitt.

$.02 MORE PLEASE

A penny saved is a penny earned but two pennies saved will get you a United States Postal Service stamp now. Beginning in January the USPS will now charge $.39 per letter. What's another $.02 when you got e-mail!

By the way, weren't stamps like $.23 not so long ago?!? Oh well.

QUOTE THIS

"I don't know what I was thinking before I started thinking."

- Madonna

Does anyone besides me wish that more people had this mindset? Maybe a better question, why aren't most "Christians" getting plugged into this way of thinking? Expand your imagination and get brain in gear.