Sunday, August 31

Quote from ESPN article

In reference to Kentucky declining to play in the Monday Night Football time
slot:

"Turns out the Wildcats did their in-state rival a rare favor. The
Cardinals would have been better off playing at 3 a.m. on a Tuesday, so no one
would have watched them play." -ESPN

A Good Win Against a Not So Good Team

Obviously I am very pleased with the outcome of today's game. I am happy with the defensive effort, but a little disappointed with the offensive line. Hartline did nothing to impress me, but he did not do anything very negative either(except for the unforced safety). I think if he gets a little more time from the line, allowing the running game to open up, he'll be fine. If he can learn from his mistakes while still getting a win, he should be in good shape.
Now, about UofL. They look like a mid-level Big East football squad. I know Kentucky's defense is much improved, but common. Kevin made the comment today about the last team to be held to that few points by Kentucky besides Indiana & Vandy? L' Yes...UofL football has arrived...right back where it started.

Friday, August 29

Thursday, August 28

Oh, Captain My Captain's Picks

Listed below are the eight players who have made the 2008 United States Ryder Cup team.
Phil Mickelson
Stewart Cink
Kenny Perry
Jim Furyk
Anthony Kim
Justin Leonard
Ben Curtis
Boo Weekley

I have been pondering the remaining four spots for the U.S. Ryder Cup team and what Paul Azinger should consider. Having caddied and played Valhalla a handful of times, not to mention watching two PGA Championships, I feel I can offer a somewhat educated guess to what 'Zinger' is looking for. The U.S. team needs some guys who have Ryder Cup experience. However, the past decade has been almost all bad experiences. New blood is needed along with players who will get excited and show emotion. Also, a combination of precision and big bombers would be key.

The four players listed below are the players I would make as my captain's picks. I took into consideration the current team members, past Ryder Cup performance and chemistry. Let's see how close I get...
Steve Stricker -Has become one of the steadiest players on
the PGA Tour since his comeback. He has a solid iron game and seems like the kind of guy the Ryder Cup may mean more to than any major.

Bubba Watson -he is one of the most emotional guys on tour, seems just the right amount of "I'll kick'ur ass country boy'" and can bomb a golf ball as far as anyone on tour.

J.B. Holmes -Similar to Watson, but a little more subdued. However, he's a homer and the fans will love him. Plus, I imagine J.B. has played Valhalla quite a few times.

Scott Verplank - a veteran of the Ryder Cup and usually a steady player. He has been playing much better lately and seems to be peaking. Even though his point total is not the highest, he's surging and has positive experiences at the Ryder Cup.

Wednesday, August 27

The New Community Blog is now open!

I have e-mailed the following link and login information to a few of the guys who go on the trip. Hopefully they pass it around and everyone starts making posts. All they have to do is use the Username and password I sent and post away!

http://www.lagoonlegendmemorial.blogspot.com/

Golf Trip Blog

I have been toying with the idea of creating a golf trip blog and I think I'll do it. I have tried doing other blogs before, but could never devote enought time to keeping it current. The golf trip blog would be different. The plan is to give everyone associated with the trip access to the blog so they may enter their own posts. It could be used for trash talking, funny stories or posting pictures throughout the year. It would be our own little blog message board. I'm not sure if it would work or if anyone would use it, but I think it's a neato-squito idea. And if it doesn't work, I can blame it on others.

Tuesday, August 26

Playoff Goatee

Before the team clinched the playoff spot, a few guys in the office wanted to grow playoff beards, that is no shaving until we win the championship or lose in the playoffs. Beards were overruled by the higher ups in the front office, but allowed the goatee. The last day to shave was Thursday. I can't say I'm a big fan of having facial hair, but how often does a person get the chance to grow a playoff "beard." I will need to grow it until at least September 5th. If the team wins, it may go as long as September 15th. I will be shaving as soon as our last game ends...I may keep the electric shaver in my desk. Hey, if I like it, it may become a Ryder Cup beard...I could paint it red, white and blue!

Monday, August 25

Atheist Prejudice

I often post bits on this blog because of a reaction to a post of Mark or Kevin's. After reading Kevin's creationist bit, I have decided to tell of an incident that happened to me (indirectly) at work a few weeks back (Note: I have discussed the use of the national anthem before sporting events in the past with brother Kevin, but that is a different subject for another time.)
I received a call from one of my workers wanting security in his section. After walking to the location, he informed me five guys did not stand up during the national anthem. They did not stand because they told him they were atheists (I don't know why atheism has anything to do with not standing for the national anthem...the pledge I can understand due to the reference of"under God," but that is beside the point). Anyway, the worker told a nearby vendor not to sell the beer to the guys because they did not stand for the national anthem. The vendor agreed.
I told the workers I can understand if they are ticked off, but we cannot refuse service or single people out if they are not creating a disturbance. They have every right to remain seated no matter how much others may find it offensive. To make a longer story short, the worker had asked for an officer in case "those god hating atheists come back to spew their anti-christ bullshit."Avoiding interjecting my opinion and viewpoint, I felt I handled the situation rather well.
First, it always tickles my funny bone when people call atheists god haters. Second, I guess atheists are truly the last "minority" in the country that it is ok to discriminate against openly. Recently in the news we have seen (D)Rep. Monique Davis of Illinois openly deny the rights of atheists. George H.W. Bush was once quoted as saying he doesn't know if atheists should be recognized as citizens because this is "one nation under God" (though this story may not be entirely true). I have seen numerous news reports of families of atheists run out of town because of nervous school boards and PTA's (though these are usually small suburban towns).
Why is an unsupported belief in a supernatural diety commonly accepted, even encouraged, but demanding evidence and reason to figure out why things are the way they are seemed as evil? I guess I'll never understand...

Tuesday, August 19

Sticking with Mark's Insect Theme

Last week, Beth and I ate at the Cracker Barrel on Blankenbaker Road and noticed this caterpillar outside in the flower bed chomping away on some tasty leaves. All I had was my cell phone camera and the image is pretty blurry. I say he was about 7-8 inches long and a good 2 inches around. He was by far the biggest caterpillar I have ever scene. One of the workers told us it had been there for a couple of weeks, eating everything in sight. I think it is an Imperial Moth caterpillar, but not certain. It was the closest ID I could find in the short amount of time I researched it.