First off, let me congratulate Dave, Jessica, and all of my other Gator fans out there on their 44-14 ass-kicking of Ohio State Monday night. Ok, so I was WAY off on my prediction of the National Championship game (see Buckeye fans Ags and KC in happier times before kickoff). Tell me after Teddy Ginn returned the opening kickoff for a TD you didn’t think the Buckeyes were going to steamroll Florida? I know I did. Florida put on a display of speed on both sides of the ball that had to be seen to be believed. The Florida pass rushers made Ohio State offensive line looked like a high school team. This stat says it all - Heisman Trophy winning QB Troy Smith was sacked more time (5) than he completed passes (4). The only part of my pregame analysis that was on was that Florida Coach Urban Meyer’s offensive schemes were cutting edge. The Buckeye D had no answer for them. Not bad being a Florida grad these days – They now hold the National Championships in Football and Basketball at the same time. As they say in Gainesville, “its great…..to be…..a Florida Gator.”
Is there anything worse than when the jackass in the row in front of you reclines for no reason? Just for the sake of reclining? Now I know that many of you do not fly regularly and think this probably isn’t a big deal. Probably not. But I’m flying Continental. They definitely have the tightest seats row to row than any other airline I am used to flying (United is a close second – not surprisingly, rumors are out there that United wants to buy Continental). ATA was the alltime worst. They used to be a hub at Midway Airport in Chicago and from time to time, I would have to take them. My running joke was that ATA stood for “ass to ass” because the seats for so tight. But I digress. There is little to no room in these coach seats to begin with, throw in the reclining and the computer I am typing on right now is literally in my stomach. I don’t want you to think its some big 6’5 230 pound guy in front of me. This guy is my size at the most. So now I have to recline and the guy behind me is bitter. It’s a chain reaction now. No need to sweat the small stuff, just my observation for the day.
So I am typing this entry on my flight to Houston. I am literally flying 5 hours in a plane for a 45 minute meeting. No client dinner, nothing. I’m flying there, getting picked up by my rep, having lunch, going to the meeting, and flying back. Seems like a lot of a little, but its all about face time and making sure this portion of the country is running smooth for my largest account. Flying in and out of Cleveland is a pleasure though. I left my house at 7:15 for an 8:30 flight and made it in no time. No long security lines to worry about, no headaches.
Speaking of running smoothly, lets move on to our President. Last night he addressed the nation about his new plan for Iraq. Now I won’t lie to you, I didn’t watch one second of it. Kansas/Oklahoma State was on at the same time. It was a battle of two top 10 teams and you know I can’t miss a second of my boys (we played our best game of the year and destroyed them 87-57). However, I have been reading articles from the USA Today and Plain Dealer this morning. There are now 140,000 U.S. troops in Iraq. Bush’s plan calls for the deployment of an additional 21,500 troops in Baghdad. This is completely opposite of what the Iraq Study Group Commission suggested in their report in December. Democrats and many Republican leaders all think this is a bad idea. Kansas Republican Senator Sam Brownback (not one of my favorites by the way – the guy is a big time God-squadder) said last night “adding more troops is the wrong answer. Iraq requires a political rather than a military solution.” Its mass chaos, our troops are being killed everyday so what’s his solution? Send more troops into the line of fire? Unbelievable. His point is that we need more troops to control and slow down the violence there. He set no real timetable for withdrawal and is essentially staying on the same bad course we have been on since we entered this disastrous war. The Study Group also advised that Bush set benchmarks for Iraqi progress and cut U.S. support unless they are reached. Bush instead demanded political progress by the Iraqi government but did so without any threatened penalties. So in other words, the Iraqi government and continue to dilly-dally around while we try to control everything. That won’t work. My favorite quote that I read today came back Jan 10 of last year when he said “When victory comes and democracy takes hold in Iraq, it will serve as a model for freedom in the Middle East.” He then went on to predict that U.S. forces would be reduced in a few months and called Democratic critics of the war “irresponsible.” Has there ever been a bigger hypocrite to ever hold the Presidency? Critics of the war are irresponsible, but he wasn’t irresponsible for getting us into this giant mess? I give him credit for one thing, for the first time, he acknowledged publicly that he is at fault: “Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility lies with me.” NO SHIT! One of the great days in this country’s history will be January 1, 2009 when he is no longer running our great nation.
Now on to something really important. We are really getting down to crunch time here with the baby. People ask me all the time about how am I feeling. I am so excited, but I am also so nervous. If one more person tells me “your life is about to dramatically change forever,” I’m gonna puke. I don’t know what I am doing, but do any first time parents really know? What’s funny is that in the paper the other day there was an ad for Billy Joel tickets going on sale this Saturday. The show is April 13th. I asked Leah if she wanted to go and she said yes. Then she paused and said “you know we are going to have to find a baby sitter.” That is when it really sunk in. This is really happening and soon!
This week the baby’s room is being painted, as is the dining room (finally, no more Purple Rain in there). Our baby classes are essentially done, although Leah has a breast feeding class Saturday morning. So Leah wanted me to go to the class for me, which to me, is pointless. I won’t be breast feeding, it has nothing to do with me, so why go? Leah wanted me to go for support. So I enlisted some friendly advice from people who were put in the same situation. Overwhelmingly, the consensus was don’t go. Other than catching a glimpse of some random chicks cans, there is no upside. My buddy Steve Lurie advised me that it is a “giant mistake for a guy to go.” Needless to say, I won’t be attending. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for Leah, but this time I have to pass.
I had a conversation the other day with Jeremy about concerts and he said that the two U2 shows he saw were the best concerts he has ever been too and that they are clearly now his #2 all time favorite band behind The Beatles. That got me thinking, U2 is probably the biggest band in the world right now and has been for some time. P and I have discussed this recently as well. They are like The Beatles where you rarely find anyone who dislikes their music. Like John Lennon, U2’s front man Bono is a global/politically-minded voice. They have lasted now almost three decades and continue to put out great music that speaks to the times. The difference with The Beatles was that they were the trend setters. They set the music culture and everyone followed. U2’s music has evolved with the times. There is one thing that seems to be universal with everyone you talk to, nobody puts on a better live show than U2.
Lastly, in Cleveland Sports News:
-The Indians were working hard to sign left-handed pitcher Mark Mulder. He instead took a two-year deal to return to the St. Louis Cardinals. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. We continue to get used as leverage by free agents to get money from other teams.
I still cannot wait for the season to start. Even if Casey Blake is going to be playing everyday again.
-The Cavaliers started their 7 game west-coast trip with a win in Sacramento and are starting to play some good ball. Not coincidentally, the play of former KU-star Drew Gooden has been the difference during their 5 game winning streak (and 8 of 9). He is averaging 21 and 12 rebounds. Lebron continues to look tired to me and while he is an incredible talent, I think he has regressed a little this year. Lets see where he is come late April when the playoffs begin.
-As I have told all of my friends who want to discuss the Browns coaching staff changes, I have called for a moratorium on all Browns talk until the draft in April.
Song of the Day: “With or Without You” by U2
Is there anything worse than when the jackass in the row in front of you reclines for no reason? Just for the sake of reclining? Now I know that many of you do not fly regularly and think this probably isn’t a big deal. Probably not. But I’m flying Continental. They definitely have the tightest seats row to row than any other airline I am used to flying (United is a close second – not surprisingly, rumors are out there that United wants to buy Continental). ATA was the alltime worst. They used to be a hub at Midway Airport in Chicago and from time to time, I would have to take them. My running joke was that ATA stood for “ass to ass” because the seats for so tight. But I digress. There is little to no room in these coach seats to begin with, throw in the reclining and the computer I am typing on right now is literally in my stomach. I don’t want you to think its some big 6’5 230 pound guy in front of me. This guy is my size at the most. So now I have to recline and the guy behind me is bitter. It’s a chain reaction now. No need to sweat the small stuff, just my observation for the day.
So I am typing this entry on my flight to Houston. I am literally flying 5 hours in a plane for a 45 minute meeting. No client dinner, nothing. I’m flying there, getting picked up by my rep, having lunch, going to the meeting, and flying back. Seems like a lot of a little, but its all about face time and making sure this portion of the country is running smooth for my largest account. Flying in and out of Cleveland is a pleasure though. I left my house at 7:15 for an 8:30 flight and made it in no time. No long security lines to worry about, no headaches.
Speaking of running smoothly, lets move on to our President. Last night he addressed the nation about his new plan for Iraq. Now I won’t lie to you, I didn’t watch one second of it. Kansas/Oklahoma State was on at the same time. It was a battle of two top 10 teams and you know I can’t miss a second of my boys (we played our best game of the year and destroyed them 87-57). However, I have been reading articles from the USA Today and Plain Dealer this morning. There are now 140,000 U.S. troops in Iraq. Bush’s plan calls for the deployment of an additional 21,500 troops in Baghdad. This is completely opposite of what the Iraq Study Group Commission suggested in their report in December. Democrats and many Republican leaders all think this is a bad idea. Kansas Republican Senator Sam Brownback (not one of my favorites by the way – the guy is a big time God-squadder) said last night “adding more troops is the wrong answer. Iraq requires a political rather than a military solution.” Its mass chaos, our troops are being killed everyday so what’s his solution? Send more troops into the line of fire? Unbelievable. His point is that we need more troops to control and slow down the violence there. He set no real timetable for withdrawal and is essentially staying on the same bad course we have been on since we entered this disastrous war. The Study Group also advised that Bush set benchmarks for Iraqi progress and cut U.S. support unless they are reached. Bush instead demanded political progress by the Iraqi government but did so without any threatened penalties. So in other words, the Iraqi government and continue to dilly-dally around while we try to control everything. That won’t work. My favorite quote that I read today came back Jan 10 of last year when he said “When victory comes and democracy takes hold in Iraq, it will serve as a model for freedom in the Middle East.” He then went on to predict that U.S. forces would be reduced in a few months and called Democratic critics of the war “irresponsible.” Has there ever been a bigger hypocrite to ever hold the Presidency? Critics of the war are irresponsible, but he wasn’t irresponsible for getting us into this giant mess? I give him credit for one thing, for the first time, he acknowledged publicly that he is at fault: “Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility lies with me.” NO SHIT! One of the great days in this country’s history will be January 1, 2009 when he is no longer running our great nation.
Now on to something really important. We are really getting down to crunch time here with the baby. People ask me all the time about how am I feeling. I am so excited, but I am also so nervous. If one more person tells me “your life is about to dramatically change forever,” I’m gonna puke. I don’t know what I am doing, but do any first time parents really know? What’s funny is that in the paper the other day there was an ad for Billy Joel tickets going on sale this Saturday. The show is April 13th. I asked Leah if she wanted to go and she said yes. Then she paused and said “you know we are going to have to find a baby sitter.” That is when it really sunk in. This is really happening and soon!
This week the baby’s room is being painted, as is the dining room (finally, no more Purple Rain in there). Our baby classes are essentially done, although Leah has a breast feeding class Saturday morning. So Leah wanted me to go to the class for me, which to me, is pointless. I won’t be breast feeding, it has nothing to do with me, so why go? Leah wanted me to go for support. So I enlisted some friendly advice from people who were put in the same situation. Overwhelmingly, the consensus was don’t go. Other than catching a glimpse of some random chicks cans, there is no upside. My buddy Steve Lurie advised me that it is a “giant mistake for a guy to go.” Needless to say, I won’t be attending. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for Leah, but this time I have to pass.
I had a conversation the other day with Jeremy about concerts and he said that the two U2 shows he saw were the best concerts he has ever been too and that they are clearly now his #2 all time favorite band behind The Beatles. That got me thinking, U2 is probably the biggest band in the world right now and has been for some time. P and I have discussed this recently as well. They are like The Beatles where you rarely find anyone who dislikes their music. Like John Lennon, U2’s front man Bono is a global/politically-minded voice. They have lasted now almost three decades and continue to put out great music that speaks to the times. The difference with The Beatles was that they were the trend setters. They set the music culture and everyone followed. U2’s music has evolved with the times. There is one thing that seems to be universal with everyone you talk to, nobody puts on a better live show than U2.
Lastly, in Cleveland Sports News:
-The Indians were working hard to sign left-handed pitcher Mark Mulder. He instead took a two-year deal to return to the St. Louis Cardinals. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. We continue to get used as leverage by free agents to get money from other teams.
I still cannot wait for the season to start. Even if Casey Blake is going to be playing everyday again.
-The Cavaliers started their 7 game west-coast trip with a win in Sacramento and are starting to play some good ball. Not coincidentally, the play of former KU-star Drew Gooden has been the difference during their 5 game winning streak (and 8 of 9). He is averaging 21 and 12 rebounds. Lebron continues to look tired to me and while he is an incredible talent, I think he has regressed a little this year. Lets see where he is come late April when the playoffs begin.
-As I have told all of my friends who want to discuss the Browns coaching staff changes, I have called for a moratorium on all Browns talk until the draft in April.
Song of the Day: “With or Without You” by U2
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