Day 225

Today is February 1st which means that we have arrived at the month that my son is going to be born. Two days ago, Leah and I met with our new pediatricians, Dr. Wexberg, Dr. Foley, and Dr. Locke. Leah had a bunch of questions for them, I of course sat there quietly. Then this morning we had the night nurse over and talked to her for a while. The baby's room is all finished, gifts are arriving everyday. This is happening and soon. The other day our friend Jen told Leah that one of her friends, who is due a week before Leah, gave birth to her baby. That really got my head spinning. Next week at this time, Leah could go into labor. I don't know if I'll ever be ready, but I guess we are as ready as we can be.

In entertainment news, over the last couple of weeks, the judges on American Idol, the country's most popular show by a landslide, have been getting extra flack. First there was the classic "Is Paula Abdul on something" interview on you tube. Then when the show premired, there were articles all over the internet and in newspapers that this year Paula, Randy Jackson, and Simon Cowell were being "too cruel" this season to the contestants who audition. Rosie O'Donnell on The View was all over them, and the latest today is Jennifer Hudson from Dreamgirls, who got her start because of being found on Idol. In an interview with People Magazine, Hudson said Idol is abusive. Give me an F'ing break! First off, if not for Idol, Jennifer Hudson would be a nobody still unfound by Hollywood. Going deeper, the best part of the show is the judges being mean to the contestants. To me, after six seasons of the show, anyone who would actually take the time to sit for hours on end or drive hundreds of miles to audition better be decent. But 99 out of 100 are so bad and have no shot. Of course they aren't going to make it. But who are these people who spend all of that time and must know they are laughingstocks? Everyone is trying to get their 15 minutes, but to me, this is such odd way to do so. I guess William Hung became a star because he was so delusional and laughably bad. We live in a strange country.

This weekend, Leah's friends Sheri, Stacie, and Jenny are coming in to visit. They wanted to spend some time with Leah before the baby comes. Its supposed to be freezing cold all weekend. None of them have been to Cleveland other than for our wedding, so Leah will be showing them around a bit. I've got plans of my own - Tomorrow night my mom, Aunt Nancy, Uncle Keith, and I are going to see Jerry Seinfeld do standup downtown. I'm really looking forward to that. I have heard mixed reviews of his standup material, but nevertheless, I am such a huge fan of the Seinfeld TV show that this is something I had to go see. Saturday night is the Big 12 game of the year, Texas A&M vs Kansas from Lawrence. ESPN's Saturday night primetime game and their whole Gameday crew will be there. Games like this are when I miss my boys the most. Once again, my boys from school are all getting together for the game and going out, while I'll be at home watching it by myself (again). Nobody here is a KU fan, so I go solo for these games. For all of the great things I have here - and I do love living here - I definitely miss my friends. One of these days I can watch these games with my son and teach him to love the Jayhawks like I do. Just like my father did with me - he'll be plopped in front of the TV set watching the games with me and learn through osmosis. I can't wait for that. Just like my Dad and I did 4 years ago, I would love to travel to the NCAA Tournament with my son and cheer on our squad. Its a long ways away I know, but a man can dream.

So its Super Bowl weekend and to be honest, I couldn't be less excited. Of course I am planning on watching the game (Mom has accepted my request to make her famous Tex-Mex dip), my first Super Bowl in HD (by the way, if you don't have HD and you are a sports fan, what are you waiting for?). I am not one for big Super Bowl parties - like my father, I am not a big fan of doing things on Sunday nights. But I like watching the game and at these Super Bowl parties, the game is secondary. The game has become secondary to the parties, advertising, and pre-game hype, which I refuse to watch or listen to. How many more times can I hear about Rex Grossman maybe being the worst QB in Super Bowl history or that Peyton Manning can finally change his legacy forever with a win. ESPN over-saturates us with breaking down every aspect of the game for two weeks straight. Its unbearable to watch that clown Stu Scott yuck it up every night on Sports Center. I won't bore you with my breakdown, but I will give you my prediction. I believe the Bears secondary has been living on borrowed time for weeks after two starters to injury. This sets up perfectly for Peyton Manning and the Colts pass happy offense. It will be close for a half, then the Colts will dominate. Colts 45 Bears 17

Song of the Day: "Yell Fire" by Michael Franti & Spearhead