DID YOU KNOW ...

Weird facts ! For those of you who just thought you knew everything, here's a refresher course...

The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for blood plasma.

No piece of paper can be folded in half more than seven (7) times.

Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes.

You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television.

Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are fifty (50) years of age or older.

The first product to have a bar code was Wrigley's gum.

The king of hearts is the only king without a mustache.

American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one (1) olive from each salad served in first-class.

Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise.
(Since Venus is normally associated with women, what does this tell you!)

Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.

Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin.

Walt Disney was afraid of mice.

Pearls melt in vinegar.

The three most valuable brand names on earth: Marlboro, Coca Cola, and Budweiser, in that order.

It is possible to lead a cow upstairs...but not downstairs.

A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.

Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six (6) feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush.

And the best for last ... Turtles can breathe through their butts.
(I know some people like that; don't YOU?)

NEWS OF NOTE

Dan Brown, the author of the Da Vinci Code, has basically been accused of plagiarism. Check out Yahoo for more.

The first woman has been chosen for the Baseball Hall of Fame. ESPN has the coverage on that piece.

On Sunday evening the 78th annual Oscar Awards will be handed out.

NBA star tosses ball into the stands and, in my opinion, the fan over-reacts. Star-Tribune

COLDPLAY!

March 30, 2006 is going to be a holiday. I'm going to see Coldplay in Chicago. After trying to secure any ticket for either of their two shows at the United Center since both are sold out I was finally able to do so on Ebay for right about face value! The countdown is on ...

I'M RUSTY

For the first time in several months I actually hit a tennis ball that meant something the other night. I'm sure it wasn't a pretty site. More than anything I'm currently frustrated by the way I played. I'm mean watching a person vomit might have been more entertaining, well maybe not but you get the drift.

I probably dumped more a balls into the net then I did during my entire senior year of high school when I was playing my best. Oh, the frustration! I used to get every single ball back to my opponent with no basically no problem and right now I can't get past four or five shots before I screw-up! This will be a process.

Now while I was frustrated at my attempt, this is going to be a fun/exciting/mind-numbing season. We have a good team that's going to be, at the very least, competitive against everyone we play. Hopefully I can get my play to where it needs to be.

BLOG OF THE WEEK

A few days ago I did a blog only search for "Rob Bell" and came across this blog:

From the Morning

I highly recommend the blog titled, "You're Not a Christian, I Am" ... Rather interesting! His take on "Brickianity" is worth a look. Personally I can't say that I agree with everything that he posts but he certainly has some ideas and thought worthy of reading on a regular basis.

TEAM MANAGER SUITES UP

I saw this story on Sportscenter two nights ago and was just absolutely captivated by it. Jason McElwain is the team manager for Greece Athena High School in upstate New York and during the final home game of the season he hit a school record six three-pointers in just four minutes of action. Jason also has autism.

Check out some of the stories from. It's worth the read and look:

The Rochester Democrat

WROC 8

(Corey Mann has a link to CBS News)

Do a Google News search for "Jason McElwain" and there's something like 250+ news stories on this amazing story!

RUNAWAY COPS

This is in honor of my boss, who yesterday fought a speeding ticket in Plymouth, IN and actually won. I have a good speeding ticket story to share, so feel free to ask because it's too long to type out!


So do cops really have speeding ticket quotas?

I found this off Yahoo and well, take it for what it is worth ...

Dear Yahoo!:
Do police departments have speeding ticket quotas? If so, is a driver more likely to receive a ticket at certain times?

Most police departments would say, "Not us. No way do we have quotas." Our favorite quote comes from the Brockton Police Department in Massachusetts: "No sir, we don’t have quotas anymore. We used to have quotas, but now we’re allowed to write as many tickets as we want."

What is a quota? What is a goal? What is an objective? Getting a straight answer is difficult, but that’s what keeps investigative news organizations busy. In June 2005, MSNBC reported that the New York City police department used a quota system. In that story, two police sergeants said they were assigned quotas, and their supervisor admitted writing a memo in which quotas were only part of an officer’s assessment, but blah, blah, blah.

In the great city of Cincinnati, WLWT-TV looked into this question and found that an officer received a punitive transfer for not meeting his quota. Was it really a quota, though, or was it a goal? A supervising officer doesn’t believe that the words "goal" and "quota" mean the same thing. Is there a difference? You decide.

Similar inquires in Baltimore produced different results. WBAL-TV reporter Darrielle Snipes conducted a five-month investigation and concluded: No quotas. Let’s hear it for Baltimore!

So it seems some police departments have quotas, and some don’t. As for when you’re most likely to get a ticket, we recommend doing as we do with our Dodge Stratus: Drive carefully at the end of anything — shift, day, week, or month.

COACH HINKEL

I think that I am totally engrossed with my job. I take that back, I KNOW that I am totally engrossed with Saint Mary's athletics and this college.

Last Thursday I was chatting with my boss about what my summer is looking like and what my future with the athletic department looks like. About midway through the conversation, she looks at me and asks, "do you want to help coach the tennis team?"

I kind of laugh it off and then after a brief moment I realize that she is serious. I just wanted to tell her that I was looking at some summer internships and I look forward to coming back in the fall since my job is listed as 10-months and well, here I am being asked to be the assistant tennis coach. What in the world!?!

For those of you who don't know, I have a pretty extensive tennis background. Prior to my senior year of high school I won the 18-and-under Pennsylvania title. So it's not like I don't know anything about tennis. In fact I know a fair amount. (of course that will be put to the test now!)

So after a few days of trying to figure out what to do with the offer I can't come to a decision. It was like everytime I made up my mind I thought of a new scenario. It was pretty frustrating because I am a decision maker and couldn't come to a choice that "felt" right. I had this one phrase going though my head, "do not add hurry and busy to your life" and after trying to decide if this position would add hurry and busy, I don't think it will.

Whatever God wants He will get in this situation. If I made a decision that doesn't jive with what God wants I will be open to any leading He has. For now, I will just let Him do the directing and see where it takes me. I am looking forward to this adventure. It will be a challenge but life is boring without challenges.

Serve it up!

"24" & CHUCK NORRIS

About this time last year I went and visited Riverview Church just outside Lansing, MI and was introduced to one of their pastors, Noel Heikkine. So I was searching around his blog spot and he has some one the best stuff ever posted on a blog!

Chuck vs. Jack

Jacks Torture Count

Enjoy!!

(On a side note, this is a great church. Check it out - here)

COUNTDOWN SAYS ...

In honor of the start of Spring Training and with opening day just 40 or so days away, my salute to the:

Best Part of Being a Baseball Fan ...

1) The Strategy

There is always a "game within the game" each and every night. While baseball is certainly played at a slower pace then football, hockey, etc. but there is so much thinking going on each pitch

2) Summer Time

If there is anything better than sitting in the stand during the third inning eating a hot dog, while popping peanuts in the summer I haven't found it.

3) The Playoffs

Sure I'm a spoiled Yankees fan but October is awesome

4) "Water Cooler Discussion"

Since baseball always has second guessing, there's something fun about chatting over highlights and decisions from the night before

5) Trade Deadline

Every July 31st brings about some fun intrigue ... Especially as a Yankees fan!

PLAY BALL!! ...

BLOG OF THE WEEK

Although this individual is no longer updating it, I thought that this was an interesting take on what it is like being over the middle-east right now and such. Kind of raw but worthy a look.

Sleepless in Sudan

BEAUTIFUL SITE

Isn't this a beautiful picture?!?! If the team and head coach are still celebrating the National Title so can I!

Hook em!!

OLYMPICS

Can't say that I have been really excited about the Winter Olympics but none the less I probably should engage myself in them since they only happen once every four years. So I came across this poll on ESPN.com about which should be the next Winter Olympic sport:

1) Team Snowball Fighting
2) Baseball
3) 12 oz Curling
4) Quail Hunting
5) Timed Snow Removal (Car Division)
6) Snow Blower Racing

It was a tough decision between the Timed Snow Removal and Team Snowball Fighting categories but I went with the snowball fighting. Here's the results of the 15,000 + people who responded:

41.8% - Team Snowball Fighting
25.6% - Baseball
15.4% - 12 oz. Curling
8.1% - Quail Hunting
4.7% - Timed Snow Removal
4.1% - Snow Blower Racing

Yeah, Snowball Fighting!! I'm petitioning for dodgeball in the summer Olympics!!

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Last night I finally popped in this Andy Stanley DVD I have been wanting to watch for like a month. Man, do I feel like a big idiot for noting watching this earlier.

This guy is one of the best communicators of this generation. I don't just mean in the church realm but anything. I'd listen to this guy talk about gardening if that's what he was speaking on.

At a Catalyst Conference a few years back he unpacked this absolutely amazing message about Joseph that was so relevant to everyone who walking with God. This guy just brought this story to life and brings the bible "alive" ... Below is a para-phrase of a quote from the message:

Since God is with me, what will I do everyday since he is with me through out life? You don’t want to miss your part in the story. God is doing something big and my part isn’t very complicated. God is with me to the end of the age.

If you want to check out some more of Andy Stanley's stuff, go to his North Point church website. It's loaded with amazing messages.

BIG STEP

I've only been apart of Granger Community Church for a few years but the next series feels like the biggest thing ever in the history of series' ...

www.mylamesexlife.com

A NEW SEASON

This week Major League baseball begins as pitchers and catchers report to spring training for all the teams. Without question this is one of the highlights of year! It's even more of a highlight now since I can really enjoy these games since I don't have to pull tarp, roll hot dogs and a variety of other odd jobs.

Last night I was looking at a few pictures from my final game of working in the baseball business. Talk about some serious reminiscing. One thing I really remember about August 22, 2005 was the fact that I have to go to class the next day at 8 a.m.!! I love these pictures ... enjoy:

WEIRD HAPPENINGS

So on Thursday afternoon I went home to eat lunch in between morning and afternoon class times. I was peacefully watching the News at Noon when I hear this "ruckus" coming from my back hallway. Kind of loud.

After some very curious investaging the sound is coming from inside the wall!! I come to the conclusion that it is either a bird or spuirrel that some how got stuck in there. There's nothing I can do about it because I'm not breaking down the dry wall and getting the thing out. Whatever it is! I get home that night and flash light in hand go through all the "darker corners" of my apartment but don't find anything.

Friday morning I wake-up and it is still there. The creature in the wall is still there! Saturday morning the same thing! Sunday morning, yep you guessed it, still there! Which brings us to Monday morning ... Nothing! Not a sound. So it's either dead (if it was ever alive) or I will have a nest of baby birds in a few days! Either way I'm confused on what my next action is ...

NEVAEH

Just posted a quick "open letter" to those who were there on Sunday on the nevaeH site.

Enjoyed the evening!

BLOG OF THE WEEK

I'm starting a new feature and since there are like 80 freakin zillion blog sites this feature will always have something.

So if you need a good laugh this is absolutely hilarious:

Chewy

JOURNEY BEGINS

This year at New Community we are walking through the "red letters" as Rob Wenger would like to say as we go through the "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5-11)

Thursday evening was the kick-off and I was already excited for what is going to be presented over the next several month and Rob just rocked out a message and left us with two questions that will haunt me the rest of my life:

1) Whose yoke are you wearing?

2) Where do I most need Jesus to teach me how to live?

What an evening of singing, teaching, learning, growing ... Let the journey begin!

GRAMMY RECAP

The moment by moment account of the Grammy Award's ... At least my view in some regards

Madonna and the Gorillaz opened the show with a rock solid performance. Extremely entertaining and, not to mention, well thought out.

Kelly Clarkson wins for best female pop vocal performance. Pretty big upset. I thought that was Mariah Carey’s all the way.

Coldplay was awesome with “Let’s Talk.” I have got to go see these guys when they come to Chicago at the end of March. Chris Martin has some good energy on the stage.

(almost burn my fish and green beans dinner)

John Legend’s “Ordinary People” is amazing song. The guy has such a smooth voice. CBS started his performance in black and white. Nice touch!

Sugarland does a little “Something More” … They talk about Meryl Haggard Grammy Lifetime achievement award – much deserved. Allison Kraus and Union Station win Grammy for Best Country. Good pick. How did Gretchen Wilson get nominated!?!

Bono comes on and says U2 is the loudest folk band. Nice touch … A snippet of “Vertigo” is the song of choice before a rendition of “One” with Mary J. Bleige that was pretty awesome. I had my doubts about the duet but it sounded great. This will be a hard performance to top. Well, maybe Mary J. got a little too excited but I am bias because I’m a diehard U2 fan.

Matt Dillon was right when you came on afterwards and said “what a tough act to follow” … Best rap album goes to Kayne West’s “Late Registration” he comes out with this thank you list with the words “Thank You List” showing for the TV on the opposite side. He’s wearing something Michael Jackson would wear in the 80’s … This guy is a trip!

A clean shaven Ben Rothlisberger introduces a video from 2001 of Kelly Clarkson before she performs “Because of You” … She has a great voice because she didn’t sound that good. (The video from five years ago didn’t look that different but yet it did, weird)

Billie Joe and Gwen Stefane award U2’s “How to Dismantle and Atomic Bomb” Best Rock album. I would have been ticked had this not won. Bono and Edge say nothing real contravesial.

Ellen Degeneras “introduces” Paul McCartney. I’m not a big fan but it was a quality effort from him behind the piano then a nice job with “Helter Skelter” in his first ever Grammy performance. How did it take so long to get this guy on the show?!?

Black Eye Peas and Jennifer Hewitt (looking very nice I might add) present best Male R&B performance to John Legend’s “Ordinary People” … Once again, the guy can just flat out sing!

Mariah Carey comes on and says music is spirituality to her. It looks like she is lip-syncing “We Belong Together” … In fact, I would bet she is then she breaks into some other song. Not a fan of her …

Teri Hatcher and up and comer Michael Buble, personal favorite, present best pop vocal album. I’m rooting for Kelly Clarkson and she wins! Wow!! This had Paul McCartney written all over it. She doesn’t cry this time during the acceptance speech. She just looks like she is having fun. You gotta enjoy that!

Jenna Elfman looks amazing in something for Owen Bradley. Then she introduces Faith Hill and Keith Urban. Urban starts with “You’ll Think of Me” acoustic. Awesome, that guys mush put on a killer live show. Faith Hill comes out immediately after and performs a song I never heard before but sounds good. (looking solid as well!)

(The Jayhawks just beat Nebraska for a nice Big 12 win! Notre Dame wins too)

Carlos Santana and Chris Brown present the best Rap/Sung Collaboration (what category is this??!) and the winner is Jay-Z/Linkin Park for “Numb/Encore”

Dave Chappel says something fairly funny then a tribute to Sly Stone with John Legend, Joss Stone and some “others” (including Maroon 5, Aerosmith) that’s pretty sweet. What is Fantasia doing on the Grammy Awards?!? Get her off the stage now! Sly finally comes out in this freakin’ awesome white mo-hawk! Yes, it rocked yet by the end of the 10 minute segment Sly no where to be found?!?

(During a long commercial break, it’s a look at the MIAA standings and see what Saint Mary’s hoops needs to accomplish down the stretch)

LL Cook J is looking smooth in all white with a brown hat sends props to Robert Johnson for a lifetime award. Jay-Z and Linkin Park freakin rock out their combo song “Numb/Encore.” The Linkin Park lead singer breaks into “Yesterday” then Paul McCartney comes out. So far this might be better than U2’s effort. It’s a tough call. Solid!!

Tom Hanks, star of the Da Vinci Code coming in May, gives lifetime award to the Weavers. He introduces Bruce Springsteen he performs “Devils and Dust” by himself. Old age is getting to his voice and he starting to sound like Bob Dylan (and that’s not a compliment) but he is still freakin Bruce Spingsteen!! A small standing ovation for his efforts including Bono!!

Destiny Child announce the Song of the Year to U2’s “Sometime You Can’t Make it On Your Own” which is an absolutely amazing song! Bono says a very nice “Thank You” to his day Bob … I was quietly hoping for Spingsteen but watching Bono crack-up when talking about his dad was very cool.

Kayne West and Jamie Foxx just to a knock-out performance of “Gold Digger” with a band, dancers, “cheerleaders” and the whole works. I mean even James Taylor gave him a standing ovation! Best effort of the night by far. High-energy, highly entertaining!!

Sheryl Crow and Sting did a tribute to Cream before announcing “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” for Record of the Year … Man, Kayne West has got to be ticked.

Terrace Howard gives a lifetime achievement award to Jessye Norman before Herbie Hancock and Christina Aguilera do “A Song for You” together. It sounded absolutely stunning. Probably the best sounding performance of the evening.

Fionna Apple, Chuck D and Common announce the award for “Best New Artist” … I’m hoping for Keane but this award goes to John Legend who probably deserved it.

After a short memoriam to those who died this past year they do an extended “good bye” to Richard Pryor that was very good. “Art is the ability to tell the truth.”

Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor say a special thanks for some producer then give a lifetime award to Al Schmitt before announcing Record of the Year to U2 “How to Dismantle and Atomic Bomb” … Well deserved. Bono gives a special handshake to Kayne West before taking the stage.

The Academy President announces the final performers Bono, Bonnie Raitt, Elvis Castillo with some of the Crescent Cities finest and does a tribute to the New Orleans music scene. Very well deserved!

Great Show! What was Fantasia doing there and who invited her?!??!?!

(I need sleep!)

HOLY SPIRIT AND MISSION

So the next installment of three straight days of 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. started today. The pre-class reading was fairly dry but the discussion in class today was great. Very eye-opening on several different levels.

I am constantly reminded and introduced to all kinds of amazing stuff that the Bible has to offer. The great thing about being Christian, is that everyday really is a new adventure.

LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

The Leadership Summit speaking list is finalized. The Summit is "only" six months away but it is one of the highlights of the year for me!

With Bono (Yes, Bono of U2) joining a group that includes Andy Stanley and Patrick Lencioni among others. It will once again prove to be an event worth attending.

P.S. -- On personal note, so to speak, with Andy Stanley. I just finished my application for an internship at North Point this summer. That would be an amazing place to learn and experience for 10 weeks!

FROM THE WEEKEND

So the Super Bowl game was pretty boring. Of all the games I have seen it would be one of the worst two or three.

In addition to the game the commercials were so-so but not quite as bad as the game. The best was the FedEx commercial with the cavemen. Absolutely great! ... The Budweiser ones were pretty good with the "Revolving Wall/Refrigerator" the best. And, what in the world was Burger King doing with that whopper spot?!?!

The best part of Sunday was watching the Jayhawks come back from 16 points down in the final 10 minutes to beat Oklahoma! What a game!

That Kansas game made it hard to finish my assignments for my Holy Spirit and Mission class that "officially" starts Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. but they are complete! Thank God!!

SATURDAY

I am totally engrossed in Saint Mary's athletics now! We hosted #14 Calvin in the biggest home game in school history and came up short but it was exciting. This team is fun and I will hate it when the season is over.

FRIDAY

The secret of Melissa finally coming to South Bend didn't need to be kept anymore. It was a fun reaction by Laura ... Good Times!

ATHEIST AUCTION

I know I shouldn't be surprised by this but this was certainly an "eye-brow raiser" for me.

There's a guy in Chicago who is auctioning himself away to the highest bidding church. The guy is an atheist since he was 14.

Check out the Ebay Auction.

KAYNE ... WHAT THE?!? PT. 2

In a following up to the previous posting of Kayne ... What the?!? from last week, Daddy West has some interesting words for his son ...

Kanye West's Dad Critiques Son

Kanye West is under fire because of February's Rolling Stone cover.

Wearing a crown of thorns with blood running down his face, the rapper posed as Jesus Christ for the cover shot.

Inside the publication, Ray West, a sociology professor and former Black Panther, takes his son to task.

Evidently Kanye's father disapproves of the degrading lyrics in his son's songs. "I've stated to him very clearly that he needs to move beyond the negative language and the 'n****r' statements," Papa West explained to Rolling Stone.

Sounding similar to Bill Cosby, Kanye's father continued, "It's alright to say 'b***h' and 'm***er f***er' on the corner, but when you start operating on a different level you can't talk like that. Fine, you're trying to get some street acceptance. Now that you got that, get back to your roots."

Sounding a familiar parental refrain, he finished up with the statement, "You know that's not where you came from. You know that's not how you were raised."

Special Thanks to Tracy Decker for the information!

PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL

So the ground hog in Pennsylvania at Gobbler's Knob saw his shawdow!

Read about - here!

DUMB QUESTIONS OR DUMB REPORTERS?

Super Bowl media day usually has it fair share of crazy (or stupid) questions for one of the participating players to answer. Yet nothing in the history of question asking will ever top the question asked of Doug Williams (the guy in the above picture) before the Redskins played the Broncos in Super Bowl XXII.

Question: Doug, how long have you been a black quarterback?

Doug Williams: "I've been a quarterback since high school. I've always been black."

There's an entire article to the dumb questions asked on Super Bowl media day on -ESPN Page2