It's a little over than an hour away from Happy New Year for me here in Brookings, but I wanted to wish you a all a Happy New Year.  Janis and I will snug on the couch on this cold evening, watch the ball drop.

 

Scott

 

 

I didin't watch the whole game, but I watched the fourth quarter.

 

As much as Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and Wes Welker get credit, the one person I hope gets the ONE RING is:

 

Junior Seau.

 

As the 2007 New England Patriots rock their way,  Junior is who I root for.  Tom has his rings.  I loathe Randy Moss.  Junior retired, and came back.

 

If I root for the Pats, it's for Seau.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You were a chance for true peace.  I am not Muslim, but a Christian.  I mourn your loss Pakistanis around the world.

 

 

Scott

On the eve of the game between The New England Patriots and The New York Giants (home), history could seriously be made tomorrow night.

 

The Patriots are 15-0.  The 1972 Miami Dolphins went 17-0 (on a 14 game season, two playoff games, and Superbowl VII) back in 1972.  If New England wins, I seriously think the real pressure will begin to work on them after 16-0.  As they say, the post-season is a new season.  That means for them to truly be perfect, they would have to win THREE more games:

 

1). The Divisional Championship Game (they clinched a bye week long ago)

 

2). The AFC Championship Game.  Indianapolis and New England hate each other with a passion, if it goes that way.

 

3).  Super Bowl XLII.  That's where the absolute pressure will be.  If they pull it off, then they truly deserve it.  If not, then whomever the NFC team (Dallas could do it), then it's the best game of snooker I'd see.

 

In the meantime, check this out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas always goes too fast
It's up to us make it last
And all I want for Christmas is love
Come that morning and I see you smile
It only lasts a little while
How come we seem to push it all aside

Don't you know that it's
Christmas time again
I'm happy for you
You know it comes and goes
So let's pretend that it'll last all year

Seem it seems to disappear
It brings us towards it leaves a tear 
The day is done but spirit should remain
It's times like these we need a change
I care enough to rearrange
I'll make sure it'll last all year

(Don't you know that it's)
Christmas time again
I'm happy for you
You know it comes and goes
So let's pretend it'll last (all year)
(Oh Christmas)

 

Got to give a little more
Remember what we're thanking for
All my love, my kind
Let's pretend just this time
Let's keep the flow this time
That our Christmas will last all year

(Don't you know that it's)
Christmas time again
I'm happy for you
You know it comes and goes
So let's pretend it'll last (all year)
(Oh Christmas)

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the king of ISRAEL

In my world of musical tastes, many people are surprised that I consider Garth Brooks as one of my idols.  But then again, many people don't understand why I consider Kid Rock as an idol as well. 

 

As a musician, exploration and knowing one's roots is a damned good thing.  Knowing what musicians you like, and what influenced them, and finding that you have common roots is an awesome feeling to me.

 

I've been a Garth Brooks fan for years, I will confess.  I remember in the mid-ninties, there was a tribute album to KISS called Kiss My Ass.  That's when I connected with Garth.  Because he did a wonderful version of Hard Luck Woman.  As much as I love Beth, I always love the former.  Beth is too personal to Peter Criss to do a cover on a tribute album.  Garth knew that, and publically said he is a member of the KISS Army.

 

I've learned learned from Garth that great songs do mean something.  I have a short "Wish List" of artists I have yet to see live before i die.

 

1). Jimmy Page

2). Bruce Springsteen

3). U2

 

Garth is now #4.

Over twenty years ago, Bob Geldof began a movement to bring awareness about the famine in Africa.  He brought together many of the biggest names in European music at the time to do a video that eventually led to Quincy Jones bringing together American musicians to put forth a single.  Eventually, these efforts brought forth a little known concert called Live Aid.

 

One of my idols, Paul David Hewson along with countless others, began a movement called ONE.  it spawned Live8, which was a worldwide concert that coincided with the G8 meeting in Scotland in July of 2005.  Simply to bring awareness that poverty is still there, and prosperity for all of us in the world is a God,  Allah,  Iehoviah, or whatever religion you practice, is a given right.

 

This post is mainly dedicated to my mother, whom I visited this weekend.  But it is also dedicated to those who simply need some form of inspiration this time of year.  Usually, this time of year brings me down, but this is the first time in a very long time that I felt good about myself during Christmas time.  This is also dedicated to Bob Geldof, and Bono.  This is dedicated to the ones in need, and this is dedicated to the troops.

 

Semper Fi!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't know if someone needs a life or not, but this is hilarious...:)

 

It ranks up there with the Chewbacca site that has him doing Silent Night..:)

 

 

 

*whistle*

 

Whah Whah Whah Whah

Whah Whah Whah WhaaaH!

 

The UNDEFEATED New England Patriots

Battle the ONCE proud but UNDEFEATED

Miami Dolphins

 

WHO will WIN?

 

*Whah Whah Whah Whah!

 

*whistle*

 

Sunday.

 

 

 

betrayed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(I am so betrayed)

 

 

 (Apathy)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rejection

 

Some have walked the hallowed halls,

Some of them had had problems

But none of you on list

Don't belong here

Apathy is what you need to

Fear

 

 

greed       (grēd)  
n.   An excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth: "Many . . . attach to competition the stigma of selfish greed" (Henry Fawcett).

 

+

cheating
adjective
	violating accepted standards or rules; "a dirty fighter"; "used foul means to gain power"; "a nasty unsporting serve"; "fined for unsportsmanlike behavior" - in·teg·ri·ty       (ĭn-těg'rĭ-tē)   n.   Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code. The state of being unimpaired; soundness. The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness. - hon·es·ty      /ˈɒnəsti/ [on-uh-stee] –noun, plural -ties. 1. the quality or fact of being honest; uprightness and fairness. 2. truthfulness, sincerity, or frankness. 3. freedom from deceit or fraud.   = ap·a·thy  /ˈæpəθi/ [ap-uh-thee] –noun, plural -thies. 1. absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement. 2. lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting. 3. Also, ap·a·thei·a, ap·a·thi·a  /ˌæpəˈθiə/ [ap-uh-thee-uh] . Stoicism. freedom from emotion of any kind.   www.dictionary.com

 

That is my response to Major League Baseball.

 

Last night, I delved into the Mitchell Report, listened to ESPN Radio/ESPN on TV, and read articles on on MLB's website, ESPN, and CNNSI.  Granted, a 400+ page document is an endeavor that will probably take me weeks to read, if I choose to read it all.

 

However, both Union head Don Fehr and Commisioner Bud Selig's remarks to me, plus the owners (READ: George Steinbrenner as the main culprit), and one person on the list that truly broke my heart (Chuck Knoblauch) have basically ended my love of America's Pastime forever.

 

Players Union Leader Donald Fehr:

 

 

Sir, my apathy towards you is this:

 

Asking for a preview copy of the report I feel was your right.  However, from the viewpoint of a former fan of your sport, you claim that there were men on the list that may be innocent.  This may be true.  However, I wish to know why those "innocent" men on the list did not speak to George Mitchell or his team.  Jason Giambi (who admitted to using) was forced by Bud Selig to talk to Mitchell.  Only one active player that voluntarily spoke to Mitchell's team was Frank Thomas.  Mr. Thomas, you are a man.  It takes a PERSON like you to buck the system.

 

Mr. Fehr, did the Union bully innocent or dirty, honest, or dishonest players to not talk?  That's my question to you.

 

Commissioner Bud Selig:

 

 

My apathy towards you is this:

 

You sir, are a fucking pussy.  I always have felt you were one, since you are reactive, instead of being proactive.  When the strike of 1994 occured, I lost faith in baseball, until Cal Ripken, Jr. broke Lou Gehrig's ironman streak.  Considering that Jose Canseco has admitted that back in the late 80's he was a user of steroids, it makes me question Cal.  However, since Mitchell's report throws out anything pre-1998 (more on that in a moment), this can't be proven.  As far as I am concerned, Cal Ripken, Jr. was a natural.

 

1998 was an animal of a year.  It's the first cited account of pitcher Roger Clemens' use of steroids.  He ended up having a phenominal year.  It also brought us the year of Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa's breaking of 61.  Later, McGwire admitted using a substance that (now) is banned, and his Al Gore/Oliver North testimony a few years ago at Congress was the first crack of me losing faith.  Sammy Sosa has also been under suspicion, and it questions the corked bat incident a few years back.  (Corked bats are illegal.  Cork lightens the bat, to make the swing more at ease).

 

Barry Bonds.  I've spoken enough about this fraud, with the exception that, you, Mr. Selig, allowed this man to dishonor two hallowed records.  714 and 755.  He also dishonored Roger Maris' 61 and Babe Ruth's 60..  You "toyed" the public on whether you would "attend" the game that Mr. Fraud would "break" Hank Aaron's record.

 

New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, my apathy to you is this (this is to the owners in general; but Steinbrenner needs to be singled out):

 

You do everything to win  You BUY your talent, no matter what the cost.  Yes, the New York Yankees are an institution in this country.  You either love them or hate them.  My mother was raised in New England, and is a die hard Red Sox fan, so I see it even if I mention the Yankees.

 

Your franchise included such immortals as The Babe, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, and Roger Maris.  They also included Reggie Jackson, Goose Gossage, Don Mattingly, and (and I pray to God he is not a user) Derek Jeter, whom I respect.

 

However, no less than TWENTY of the named players on the initial list are either current and former Yankees.  Many played on some, if not all of the championships your franchise won since 1996.

 

But sir, you turned a blind eye, spent millions of dollars, and you drove out the manager that provided you with four championships.  Nobody is FUCKING perfect sir.

 

You also signed these tainted players.  I don't think for a New York Minute that you "didn't know" that these men were clean.  You either knew, or you didn't, sir.  If you didn't, then you are the most fucking naive businessman with high expectations for your employees....EVER.  If you did, SHAME ON YOU.  Your ego and the ruination of not only the legacy of this once great sport, and once great franchise that helped millions cope in The Great Depression.  I pursuaded fifteen Australians to see your team play at hallowed Yankee Stadium seven months after 9-11 when I was in New York City in July, 2002.  My goal was to show them what America was truly like.  Now, you only show me your greed.  I went to that game to help me heal myself of the pain that happened to your city, and to help me cope with what happened on that day.  To you, a hearty FUCK YOU!

 

To the players guilty or innocent:

 

God have mercy.  To the guilty:

 

Fess up.  Admit you were wrong.  Be men.  Admit that you let America down.  The fans, the troops, the children.  You let down the fans.  You let down the troops who want to see a piece of home.  You let down the children, because they consider you heroes.  You tell them that cheating is the way to success.

 

To the innocent:

 

If you are innocent, why did you not be like Frank Thomas?  Be men, and save the integrity of your sport.  Christ,  This is when America needs you most.  Frank Thomas, even though he is not on the list, he cooporated.  He's a man.

 

Greed plus Cheating minus Integrity minus Honest equals Apathy.

 

In my mind, you are a dead sport to me, Major League Baseball.

 

In my mind the records are:

 

Roger Maris: 61

Hank Aaron: 755

 

George Mitchell said in his report that we should look forward.  In looking forward, ALL of these named, fear the apathy.  Those at the cusp of Hall Of Fame?  You will not make Cooperstown.  Your efforts will be scrutinized, and asterisks will be applied.

 

Too much was revealed.  Too much more will be revealed.

 

I never liked Jose Canseco, but when he wrote his book Juiced a few years back, he said he had the goods on alot of people.

 

One thing I do admire about him:

 

At least he was honest on his own use.  I ripped him back when he was talking about his book, because of my apathy towards him.  But, he was right.

 

 

Baseball, I am done with you.

 

I won't say any more, because that is a ten web page article.