Charlie Brown Christmas - Performed by the Cast of Scrubs

I found this on youtube. For any of you Scrubs fans, you'll like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20Of_mna-Rs

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.

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.

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!

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...

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.

Congratulations to Aunt Julie!

Congratulations Aunt Julie!!! In case anyone has not heard or received her e-mail, Aunt Julie got her first Hole-In-One yesterday. Welcome to The Club!

Now I know where I get it...

One More Hell Week to Go

The light is at the end of the tunnel...I just hope it's not an oncoming train. The Dave Matthews concert is this coming Friday. The coming week will be spent getting everything brought in , situated and set-up. I'm not sure how many hours I will put in this week, but I have the feeling each day leading up to the concert will be longer than previous. The Monday after the concert we begin an 8 game home stand, the second to last home stand of the year. I know Beth and I are happy it's soon coming to a close.

I have not been metal detecting in a long while and I really have the itch to go. No doubt Mark has a huge lead on me in the amount of loot he has found. I hope we can get out somewhere together soon for a hunt...maybe at dad's poker buddy Chuck's property across the river in Indiana.

I haven't played much golf either, but the last time out I shot a 69 at Iroquois while playing with Uncle Mark & Matt. Maybe I should just let the legend grow and not play until the golf trip. It seems I'm playing better now that I play less frequently. The trip appears to be headed back to Crossville, TN, a place we visited a few years ago, instead of Panama City. I think almost everyone is happy with this decision even though Pop is still pushing for Eastern Kentucky. I guess my next project needs to be the golf trip media guide. I usually start this several months in advance, but feel confident I can get one done in plenty of time. It gets tougher every year, so I guess I better start now.

Kevin's Greg Norman Comment

I thought the same thing when I heard Paul Azinger say that "golf had been unkind to Greg Norman." Come on Captain! If golf has been unkind to Norman, then it must want me dead.

The British Open -Greg Norman Kreacher Feature

For anyone who has seen the movie adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, I present the following picture comparison.

The State Motto Poetry Challenge

O.K...here are the guidelines I followed for this challenge. I used state mottos from all 50 states. The motto kept its integrity. I also did not add any other words other than what is in the motto itself. Here it is...

Wutsamotto U?

If you seek a pleasant peninsula,

look about you, I have found it!

While I breathe, I hope the life

of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.

Forward it grows as it goes,

ever upward, by and by,

let it be perpetual.

Mountaineers are always free!

Strength from the soil God enriches.

He who transplanted sustains nothing without
providence...

state sovereignty, national union,

wisdom, justice and moderation.

Liberty and independence.

Agriculture and commerce,

gold and silver...

I direct the crossroads of America!

Our liberties we prize

and our rights we will maintain

to be rather than to seem.

The welfare of the people is the highest law.

Labor conquers all things...

virtue, liberty and independence.

Friendship, union, justice and confidence.

Industry, freedom and unity.

Hope.

Under God, the people rule by valor and arms.

We dare defend our rights, equal rights, by the
sword.

We seek peace only under liberty,

liberty and prosperity,

equality before the law.

She flys with her own wings

to the stars through adversity-

manly deeds, womanly words-

north to the future.

The star of the North.

United we stand, divided we fall,

all for our country.

In God we trust all things are possible

Live free or die with God,

Thus always to tyrants!

Response to Kevin's State Motto Post

First, I will let you know I have been working diligently on the State Motto Poetry Challenge and will have it up sometime this week. Second, I saw a motto for Florida I liked:

Florida: America's Wang!

"Contact" & Work

I have just started reading Carl Sagan's Contact and have been told the book is much better than the movie (as usual), but my biggest fear is the ending. The ending of the movie was horrible, but I am confident Sagan's will be much better. I have read some of his non-fiction (Cosmos & Billions & Billions) and have been impressed. However, I am more impressed with his fictional writing thus far.

I get the feeling the younger Ellie Arroway character (as well as the adult) sees and questions the world in a very similar way I do now. The questions she thinks of are weird to others, but are perfectly rational questions no one seems to want to bother with. Anyway, it looks promising.

I hope I get the chance to read some in the coming weeks. We are finalizing details at work in time for the All-Star Game and all the surrounding events. It will be a long week starting Wednesday. We then begin an 8-game home stand the day after the ASG. A couple of days after the home stand , we begin set-up for the Dave Matthews concert. Two days after the concert, we start another 8-game home stand. The good news is, the season is almost done at that point.

Another Question for Kevin's List

If Ernie Els, Retief Goosen or Tim Clarke become U.S. Citizens (and they may be), or any other South African, are they considered African-Americans?

Unfortunate Headline

Not to make light of this man's death, but I saw this headline on ESPN.com this morning.

NHRA's Kalitta dies in Funny Car crash

Richard Dawkins, Atheism & Politics

I have become a big fan of Richard Dawkins, James Randi, Sam Harris & Daniel Dennett, collectively known as "The Four Horsemen." Here is a clip of Dawkins discussing the view of theism, atheism & politics.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=saFIIgM2_co

I Knew It Would Be A Bad Day...

I knew it would be a bad day today when I dropped my car keys in my juice cup.

Lies or Ignorance

Here is another example of straight lies or ignorance (you be the judge) from the "Creation Science Association of Mid-America." The title of the group should say enough. What exactly is scientific about creationism?

Anyway, here is the new depressing newsletter from this organization.

http://www.csama.org/csanews/nws200807.pdf.


I'll post my reaction when I get a little more time.

2008 U.S Open - This Expert's Picks

U.S. Open expert here. I will predict the Top 5 finishers for the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. I will tell you why my picks are as solid as a Ben Hogan knock down and why not only will I be dancing, but be within gimmee range. Even my brother Kevin couldn't pull this off. First, an expert like myself must develop the proper criteria, a rubric, for selecting the golfers feeling the heart palpitations on Sunday and those doing the "Samsonite Slide" Friday afternoon. I will also tell you why other criteria, though seemingly important, did not make my list for this tournament. Since every major is different, here is my list of criteria for the 2008 U.S. Open

1. Record at Torrey Pines - This is self explanatory. If a guy likes the course, you have to go with him, U.S. Open setup or not.



2. % of Fairways Hit - This is always key in The Open. Keep it out of the rough and you have a chance.



3. Putts per Green - This is important in every major, but must be factored in with fairways hit. Chipping and one putting every green for bogey won't cut it.



4. G.I.R the Last 3 Starts - I like to see who is hitting the irons well coming into the U.S. Open. This shows relevant confidence and an ability to work the ball, necessary to hit shots to tough U.S. Open hole locations. Those sick sadistic USGA-ians!



5. Scrambling - You won't hit many greens in an Open, even at a more forgiving Torrey Pines. You better be able to get up and down.

Some of the criteria I don't rely on and why:

1. Scoring Avg. - The U.S. Open means one thing...numbers in the black. " The best golfers can shoot an 85 in the U.S. Open." Every little mistake is amplified under these conditions. You must throw it out.



2. Driving Distance - Torrey Pines might be playing almost 8,000 yards, but you'll be hacking out each shot with a pitching wedge if you can't keep it in San Diego.


3. Money List - I don't care if you won $800,000 after shooting 22-under at the FBR Open. This ain't the FBR Open (buckle down J.B!)

Given this criteria, I will now present you with the order of finish in the 2008 U.S. Open. These golfers may be tied with one another or tied with other golfers I do not mention, but they will be there!

1. Phil Mickelson - It is his year to win this major at this course.

2. Tiger Woods - Bad knee or not, he loves this course. Maybe just a little too much rust to pull out the victory.

3. Justin Rose - This limey will again make a run at another major, but it won't quite happen... yet.

4. Stewart Cink - This steady player always performs well in The Open, but once again he'll come up short.

5. Geoff Ogilvy - This course suits his game and he has the experience of winning it.

DARK HORSE - Robert Allenby(if his irons are on...watch out.)

****Tune in tomorrow when I post my jackpot sheet***