Time to Throw the First Punch

As most of you are well aware, I am a avid Red Socks fan and like all Socks fans, I HATE the Yankees with a passion. Now, I am a person that very rarely uses the word hate, but let me just say it again...I HATE the Yankees. Even after the Socks won it all in 2004 the feeling I have towards the Yankees has never subsided.

With that said and with opening day only 4 days away, I think it is appropriate to start the battle up again and throw the first punch. Accordingly to NBC sports, the Yankees ace starter, Randy Johnson (otherwise known as The Unit) is suing his former girlfriend and mother of his child over $71,000 in child care payments that he shouldn't had paid her in the first place. According to the article, Johnson demanded that Laurel return $71,000 in day-care payments and $26,000 in interest because the teen was too old to be in day care. Johnson stated "My daughter is 16 and has not been in day care for at least five years,".

Maybe it's just me, but why is the Unit just figuring this out? Any moron knows that kids usually stop requiring day care when they hit their middle school years. You think he would have figured this out considering he has 4 kids with his current wife. But wait, there is more...Apparently The Unit only met his daughter once (in the hospital) when she was born. What a "nice" guy. His pitching coach must have reminded him how old she was.

Regardless of the fact that legally he may have a case to get his money back, I personally feel he shouldn't because:
- He's a millionaire ($72,000 is pennies to him)
- He should have had a clue that kids usually stop requiring day care when they hit their middle school years.
-The $72,000 should be his penalty for not being around for his daughter (and that's getting off cheap).

What ever happens in this case, I'm guessing the Unit will not be named Father of the Year. Ahhh the Yankees, home of 26 world series, drug users, wife beaters, steroid users and "great" Dads. I can't wait til May 1st!!!

A Must See Honda Commercial

I don't know anybody who likes watching commercials, but you have to watch the latest for the Honda Accord. Before you view the commercial, read the story behind it (see below). Even if you don't believe that the commercial was shot in real time without computer animation, you have to admit, it is very cool.

The story behind the commercial:

"There are no computer graphics or digital tricks in the film. Everything you see really happened in real time exactly as you see it. The film took 606 takes. On the first 605 takes, something, usually very minor, didn't work. They would then have to set the whole thing up again. The crew spent weeks shooting night and day. By the time it was over, they were ready to change professions.

The film cost six million dollars and took three months to complete including full engineering of the sequence. In addition, it's two minutes long, so every time Honda airs the film on British television, they're shelling out big bucks. However, it is fast becoming the most downloaded advertisement in Internet history. Honda executives figure the ad will soon pay for itself simply in "free viewings." (Honda isn't paying a dime to have you watch this commercial!). When the ad was pitched to senior executives, they signed off on it immediately without any hesitation - including the costs.

There are six and only six hand-made Accords in the world. To the horror of Honda engineers, the filmmakers disassembled two of them to make the film. Everything you see in the film (aside from the walls, floor, ramp, and complete Honda Accord) are parts from those two cars. The voice over is Garrison Keillor. When the ad was shown to Honda executives, they liked it and commented on how amazing computer graphics have gotten. They fell off their chairs when they found out it was for real.

Oh, and about those funky windshield wipers. On the new Accords, the windshield wipers have water sensors and are designed to start doing their thing automatically as soon as they become wet"

More Pictures from Amy's Birthday

Here are some more pictures from Amy's birthday and the monthly family dinner.
Cousins
The Gang
Nice picture Laura
Time to paint

Happy Birthday Amy - Monthly Family Dinner

Sunday we went to Sue and Larry's house for the monthly family dinner and Amy's birthday (32). As with Chris's Birthday Dinner in February, Sue stuck with a Italian dish and made ziti and meatballs along with salad and bread. For desert it was icecream cake and home made chocolate chips cookies. After desert it was present time followed by a lazy afternoon of NCAA basketball. Although at one point all the ladies vanished...I think they were upstairs making wedding plans. Another fun day had by all.

Here are some pictures from the day and from Charlotte's first St. Patricks Day.

Is that a smile?
The oldest granddaughter and the youngest granddaughter
Cheese!!!
HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY
Two Pals!!
Cutie
Larry finally gets to hold Charlotte
Is that Sean Penn??

Tom Cruise needs to go away

I normally don't like to take away thunder from another Blog, but my buddy Chris posted a story about how Tom Cruise pressured Comedy Central not to show a episode of "South Park" titled "Trapped in the Closet". Needless to say, Cruise won this battle.

Chris brings up some very good points and hopefully by posting the link to his story will piss Tom "I am God" Cruise off even more. Read about the whole fiasco on Chris's blog and also view the entire "Trapped in the Closet" episode on You Tube.

I wish Tom would just get on his Scientology Cruise Ship (Yes, the "church" has it's own cruise ships) and go away. I know I will never watch one of his movies again.

The Trunk Monkey

About a year ago, someone (I think it was Marc C.) sent me some spoof commercials advertising the trunk monkey. The fictitious car maker, the Suburban Auto Group, includes the trunk monkey as a option on all its vehicles. This bad boy (or monkey) will take care of all your problems, including: Road Rage, Making your daughters first date safe, Child Birth, bribing the police, kids egging your car and Anti-Theft System (see all the commercials below).

Now if only real car makers could offer this kind of service.

Can't Get Enough Pictures

Here are some more pictures of the family over the last few days. Charlotte is growing fast!! We haven't been to the doctors since February, but we figure she weighs around 8lbs.
Big Yawn !
Looking a little worried.
Snoozing after the big UAlbany game.
Having a conversation with mom.
Chillin.
Maggie showing off her new do.

The Chef Has a Sour Taste in his Mouth

CNN is reporting that Singer Isaac Hayes is quitting his job as the voice of Chef on South Park because what he calls "inappropriate ridicule of religion by the show".

"Inappropriate ridicule of religion"? I guess I could understand if this was the end of season 1 and Mr. Hayes was offended by some of the shows in the 1st season. But this is season 9!! The shows creators have made it a point over the years to make fun of all lifestyles, politics and religions, including: Christians, Muslim, Mormons, Jews and most recently, Scientology.

But wait...Could the real reason why Hayes, an outspoken Scientoligist, is upset be because South Park had the "audacity" to make fun of his religion? It's amazing how when the show makes fun of other religions, Mr Hayes doesn't have a problem...But make fun of the MIGHTY Church of Scientology...He gets upset. Booohooo.

Now don't get me wrong, I understand that religion is sacred and people can get upset when you make fun of their belief. But the beauty of South Park is that everything is fair game including religion and Mr Hayes knew that.

The series co-creators made the correct move and released Hayes...Good riddance!!! Now Hayes and his buddy Tom "I am God" Cruise have plenty of time to get away on one of their Scientology Cruise Ships. Yes, the "church" has it's own cruise ships...but that is a subject for another day.

It's Madness Time!!!

It's finally here...The tournament we have all been waiting for. Put away you work, turn on ESPN Radio and put on your thinking caps. You have three days to analyze every statistic and come up with your best sheet. It's madness time...wooohoooo!!!

Oh, and don't forget to get some sleep this week. The games start noon on Thursday (3/16) and usually don't end till well after midnight. For your convenience, here is a printable version of the tournament. Have Fun and Good Luck!!!!

More Jib Jab

Here is the Jib Jab about Big Box stores and how they are taking over the universe. Also, I can't find coding to "this land is your land" but here is the Link.

Jib Jab Rules!!!

Here is a Jib Jab classic. If I ever find the coding to the Jib Jab Classic "This Land is your Land", I'll be sure to post it.

U2 - Live From Boston

With a tip from my buddy Chris, I'm now able to put Google video on the blog. Here is a Clip of a U2 Concert in Boston back in 2001. Chris (my wife), my father and I saw this same concert in Albany a few days before this clip. If anybody gets a chance to see U2, I would encourage you to go. They are by far one of my favorite groups ever. I'm also gonna say this concert was the best concert I have ever seen. Bruce Springsteen is a very close second, but I'm gonna say U2 is # 1 for me.

From the land of Morons

According to MSNBC, Blind students that go to Chicago City Schools are required to pass a driver's ed written test before they can graduate. According Chicago school spokesman Michael Vaughn “I can’t explain why up to this point no one has raised the issue and suggested a better way for visually impaired students to opt out of driver’s ed" Vaughn continued by saying disabled students can, by law, request a change in their child’s individual education plan, which could include a driver’s ed exemption.

I guess some people really don't have a clue!!!

Charlotte Turns 1 Month Old

It's been over a week since I posted a photo of Charlotte. Everything is going great for the 1 month old (wow...that month went fast). Charlotte is growing every day and Mom says she thinks she saw her first smile. Hopefully we will catch it with a camera next time.

80's Cheese...Anyone?

Just watched a episode of Knight Rider on Sleuth. Yes it was 80's cheese at its best. The acting was awful and it seams like the dialog was written by a high school student. But nothing beats the theme song. Ahh...the memories.

Let the Madness Begin

We are approaching the beginning of what I consider the best tournament in sports. Better then the World Series, better then the Super Bowl, better then the Olympics and no doubt better then any college bowl game. Yes, I am talking about March Madness...Formerly known as the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament. There is no other tournament in the world where in 3 weekends, you go from 64 teams to a National Champion. It all starts Sunday, March 12th with Selection Sunday. This is when all the brackets are announced and we see if bubble teams prayers are answered. Then it's 3 days of analyzing every statistic out there to figure out how you should fill out your sheet.

On Thursday, March 16th...it begins...Non stop college basketball for four days straight (Round 1 & 2) to determine who goes to the sweet 16. Yes, that will mean late nights, but who cares...It will just be more bonding time with Charlotte. Then after 3 days off Round 3 & 4 begin on Thursday March 23rd with another 4 days straight of of basketball to determine the Final Four. Like Round 1 & 2 that will mean late nights, but who cares...It will just be more bonding time with Charlotte. Then after 5 days off, the Final Four on Saturday, April 1, followed by the National Championship on April 3.

Now we all know that a lot of money is wagered on this tournament. Every office I know has a pool. I am usually in at least two. But even if I wasn't in any pools, this tournament would still be my favorite. The pace of the tournament and games, the fact that the athletes are students and not pre-madonna professionals and the upsets is what makes this tournament special.

I still can't understand why Bud Selig has decided to hold the meaningless World Baseball Classic in March. Doesn't he understand that most sports fans in America will not watch baseball over March Madness? Baseball is struggling to attract viewers to watch the World Series in October when there is no major competition. Can you imagine how it's going to do against March Madness. But that is Bud..and Bud knows everything---Yeah right.

Anyway, sharpen your pencils, put on your thinking caps, get lots of sleep over the nect 10 days and LET THE MADNESS BEGIN!!!!!