Cowboys vs Ravens Game
Ok, so I’m sitting here watching this Cowboys vs Ravens game and cannot believe there have been two 3-yard dive plays that have gone for 70-yard touchdowns.. in a row! Gee wiz, this is embarrasing. Bye Wade Phillips.
Ella’s Swim Survival Lessons
A few months ago Jenn and I signed Ella up for a program that teaches children to survive if they fall into a pool or water. It’s 20-something lessons every single day in a row for 10-minutes each. What’s amazing is that the program teaches children to float on their backs to breathe (even with full clothes on) and then swim under water to safety (or just wait for help by floating on their back). Below is one of Ella’s final lessons.
Top 10 Lakers vs. Celtics Moments
Great article (w/ videos) of the historic Lakers vs. Celtics match up for the NBA finals. Head over to SI to check it out.
Still Here..
Been busy with family stuff as of late, so I haven’t been writing much. I posted some pics of Ella in the below post. She’s becoming the most darling thing I’ve ever seen. We are so blessed to have her in our lives.
Jenn is now in her 13′ish week of pregnancy. Baby’s doing fine and healthy. We don’t know the sex yet, but should in a few weeks.
We’ve got a vacation in Florida coming up in June and are excited to get a way finally. I haven’t had a vacation for quite some time, so getting away is going to be good.
Lost season finale is tomorrow tonight - I recommend that you watch it! If you’re behind and want to catch up, you can start with Season 1. You’ll need to watch about 3.9 Seasons worth of episodes, which is about 80-something episodes. Get busy!
Go Spurs Go? Not really; the “Go’in” has been tough and are down 3-1 to the Lake show. I know, I know - Barry was fouled at the end, but he’s got to create more contact. Pop - give the ball to Ginobili.
NCAA Finals: Memphis Loses on Free-throws
Funny - coach from Memphis all year long defends his team that they are ranked like 300 in all NCAA bball teams on free-throw percentage. He constantly says that it’s not a big deal. Welp, free throws lost them the game. Up by 2 points, shooting 2 free-throws with like 15 seconds left they miss two free-throws. Kansas ties the ball game up and takes it to over time. Kansas wins.
Lesson learned kids; free-throws wins championships, just like your high-school coach told you.
Yo!
Hey peeps. It’s been a month since I wrote last, sorry for such the long delay - that’s pretty uncharacteristic of me. So what have we been up to? Tons..
For starters Jenn and I have been busy busy catching up on ABC’s Lost. You see, ABC released all of their Lost seasons online and stream in HD. So we started watching them on my Mac and then decided to start renting the 3 seasons so we could catch up. Man, good series and we have hardly put it down. We are about half way through season 3, but are Tivo’ing the new season that started last Thursday.
I also got my old team back together and we are playing in a new basketball league this year. We’ve been playing together for about 5 years now so it’s a pretty good bunch. The Frisco league has some cool online features in that we can track everything online. You can go to our League Page here. I know, I know… our team name (Mike’s Team) is sort of lamo. But I couldn’t think of anything when I signed us up. I’ll change it later.
Ella is really starting to say a lot of sentences now. Every weekend I’ll go get us Donuts and when I tell her she says “Daddy, Nonuts?” Haha! Comedy I know.
My Dad, Mom, and younger brother are still in Scotland and are doing very well. I’ve also been traveling to Seattle as usual, but nothing new to report there.
Anyway - I’ll post a new video up in the next few days.. so stay tuned!
You Know You’re From Texas When…
“If they are looking for weight lifters to come out of Texas, that’s not what we’re producing. There are a lot of guys who can bench press 300 pounds in the NBA who couldn’t play dead in a cowboy movie.”
Taken from ESPN’s article regarding Kevin Durant’s NBA pre-draft workout.
Hey Mavs! You Couldn’t Have Won Anyway
By now, we are all aware of the recent 1st round exit made by the Dallas Mavericks. Only worse, they lost the Championship Finals last year to Miami after winning the first two games. So, compiled with last year’s momentum shift in the finals to this year’s best-team-in-the-NBA with an early embarrassing 1st round exit, this Mavs team is doomed in the future.
That said, now to my point. With the Warriors, whom owned the Mavs and sent them packing, there was no chance that they would win this series. You see, this series was the perfect story from the beginning. It’s the classic under-dog slash David-and-Goliath match up with an unparalleled ending. Don Nelson (David) comes into Big-D to slay Mark Cuban (Goliath) and his ultra-arrogant demeanor of an organization. Therefore, the Mavs weren’t just playing against a very good Warriors team, but they were playing against destiny. Ignore the fact that they had a tough time with the Warriors, but this story was already written from the beginning. How can you beat Destiny?
Sorry, Mavs. You had no chance at winning. It was classic old Gladiator enters the Arena for one last time to slay the evil emperor. Ok, so maybe it wasn’t that dramatic, but what do you expect when you have an owner like Mark Cuban?
So, how do we right this wrong? Their’s no way that the Mavs keep this team together. Emotionally this team has lost in two colossal playoff series and therefore can’t win together. To match Avery’s coaching style, you have to go get a dominant 1st option player - preferably a big-man. That doesn’t mean Dirk should go necessarily, but he can’t be the team leader and needs to be the 2nd option. Ultimately, one of two things need to occur:
1) The Mavs get a true 1st-option guy, making Dirk the 2nd option. Don’t get me wrong, Dirk’s an All-Star for life, but he’s not going to lead this team (or Avery doesn’t know how to let him - which is even worse)
2) The Mavs trade Dirk to get a super-star in Big-D. Someone that can win, wants the ball, and can lead. Remember, we’ve got to change the culture here at the Mavs. What about Kobe, he’s not happy at all.
So, we know Dirk can’t beat Destiny, but perhaps someone else could?
It’s Mike: 1-Year Anniversary
Well, exactly 1 year ago today I started writing and blogging on my own server! I’ve written 167 articles during that time frame and can say that I’ve really enjoyed keeping up with my blog. It initially started out to simply write about life, technology, and work, but grew to so much more. It ended up being more about articles on items that I’m passionate about (excluding work for obvious reasons) such as Technology, Internet, Athletics, as well as a lot about my family, pictures, and videos. So I guess I would classify my blog as more of a multimedia type experience given the videos, content, and pictures that I have published. I even had fun with some photoshop to spice things up a bit (sorry Ella, I love you though!)
I’m also amazed at all the folks that visit my site as well. While I obviously don’t get many comments (55 to date), I am often told by friends, family members, and colleagues that they visit my blog frequently. So many thanks to all of you that read it and have a glimpse of the different aspects of my life and family. We are truly blessed by it all and love sharing in our experiences.
To my Ella - You are truly a blessing in my life. Watching you grow over the past 14 months has been amazing. Words cannot express the joy that I have when I am around you and when you smile, talk, garble, yack, clap, hug, kiss, slap, and gaze at me. You are an inspiration to your Mother and I and we will always love you, teach you, care for you, be an example of God’s word to you, pray for you, and provide you the best life we are physically able to provide. You love it when I sing to you, play with you, walk and talk with you, kiss and hug on you, and read to you. Your smile, your cute little curls, and your big-blue eyes will always be forever burned in my mind.
To my Wife, Jennifer - Since the day that I met you I have loved you. You constantly amaze me with your patience, gratitude, warmth, desire for Christ, and being the best Mommy in the world. I truly could not succeed at life without you and know with out a doubt that you are in fact my soul mate. Your encouragement and voice are always on my mind, bringing peace to me daily. It’s been a joy and blessing to be married to you for 5 years, 6 months! You are my best friend, my companion, my love, by sweetheart, inspiration, and motivation in Christ. Words can’t begin to express my thanks and all I know to say is “Thank you for loving me”.
Nike + iPod > I’m a Superstar
Some of you may recall that Jennifer & Ella gave me an iPod Nano this past father’s day. What you don’t know is that I have purchased the Nike + iPod shoes/iPod adapter for the Nano. What does it do? Simple - it calculates your runs, calories burned, tracks all data on the Nike + iPod website and allows you to create challenges, join groups, and collaborate with your other Nike + iPod friends. It’s a great way to track progress and keep one accountable with running and exercising. So what’s the verdict? I love it and it works great! I’ve been using it quite a bit and have been trying to use it quite a bit, although the winter has been either wet or cold as of the past couple of months and haven’t used it as much as I’d like. For those of you that have a Nike + iPod, we should hook up and create a group together! I’m currently doing the lone-ranger thing flying solo, but would be happy to join a group.
Trouble in Big D - Cowboys Melt Down
For those of you that don’t know, I’m a pretty big Cowboys follower. I love the brand and appreciate the fact that Jerry Jones some how manages to have one of America’s most beloved teams play in a horrible stadium, although he’s rectifying that with the new stadium coming up in a couple of years. He’s a business man and he knows how to manage his brand. In fact, the Cowboys are the only team in the NFL that doesn’t have to use the NFL’s distribution methods for everything that it sells.
Now on to the part that we really want to dive into. You see, I was in Seattle last weekend with Jenn at a company party. Ironically the Cowboys were in town as well. My Seattle colleagues and I shared a few thoughts about who was going to win and why with a small dinner bet to the winner. Of course the Cowboys lost a very strange game (more on that later), but more importantly I had to sit through the entire dinner that evening getting an ear-full from about 250 people. I felt defenseless, shameful, and down right depressed. I really don’t mind the dinner wager, but it would have been nice if Big Bill would have coached us through a victory on this one - especially while I was in Sunny Seattle (heh).
What’s funny is that if the game that the Cowboys lost would have played out 99 other times, we probably would have won 99 different times. You see, I’ve come to the conclusion that the last quarter of the game must have entered the 3rd dementia. It had to, right? I mean, there had to be about 17 different odd things that had to happen in a specific order for the Cowboys to lose to Seattle last weekend. Weird huh? Not only are there odd occurrences that had to happen, but I have my own conclusion to get the Cowboys back on the path of righteousness. That’s coming, too. Let’s begin:
1) Cowboys have to have multiple fumbles
2) Cowboys have to drop 3 or more interceptions
4) Cowboys have to be called for multiple pass-interference penalties, with one of them really being an uncatchable ball and the refs not calling it right
5) Cowboys to stop Seattle on 4th down on the goal-line
6) Cowboys to fumble the ball on the goal-line
7) Cowboys to get a safety from a fumble
Cowboys need to get jipped on a first down call on the goal line
9) Cowboys starting quarterback to fumble a 2-yard field-goal snap
10) The moon’s gravitational pull being slightly larger than normal
11) the stars aligning in an unknown format
12) A black cat to walk under a ladder over a broken mirror…
… ok so you get the point. So what’s this research brought me? It’s brought me to a mathematical conclusion that will solve our problems forever and ever. So long big Bill, your time is up.
Dennis Hopper - A Nike Football Classic!
Man, it just keeps getting better. I had to do some serious research on this, but these commercials are awesome. Total classic.
And another one..
Tracy Morgan Football Ad
Totally forgot about this video ad a while back when Tracy Morgan thought he could take on Warren Sapp in a video game. “Sapp can’t mess with you, Sapp to slow..” Haha! Comedy, I love it!
Decemberary
Being that Jennifer and I are pretty big sports fans, we go through different cycles throughout the year regarding different sporting trends. Today is the first day of December, which not only means that it’s my daughter’s 1-year-old birthday, but that it’s the start of December.
Sure, I like the Christmas season just as much as the next guy, but you know what’s really great about it? Ahh Football! And it’s the best time of the year. You have all the college championships, bowl games, and the last quarter of the NFL season - which means things are heating up this wintery Christmas season. So what’s up with the “Decemberary”? It’s a name that I came up with to honor the college football bowl season, which happens to bleed into the first week of January. Therefore, we have Decemberary. Brilliant, I know. Ahh college football, that’s what it’s about! And if we’re lucky, we’ll even see a couple of games with players dashing through the snow laughing all the way.
This brings me to my next point; College bowl games as opposed to doing a true playoff system. I hear all this yapping about college football and how it needs a true playoff system. Are you nuts? Finding out what team goes to what bowl is half the fun of it! Plus you have teams that haven’t squared off in ages from different conferences bowing up against one another. Classic! There’s no way that the NCAA is going to change that. Forget about the excitement of the bowls - it’s all about the money! There’s no sum of money that would result from a playoff system that could even compete with the college football bowls. Sure, there’s a lot of them, but so what? It’s like inter-league play in MLB, but obviously tons better.
Ahh Decemberary, it’s been a long time coming; Welcome!
Terry Tate Deals with the Cake-Eating-Guy..
Yeah, this guy gets owned for eating someone elses cake at work …
More Terry Tate - the Office Linebacker
Haha! Back by popular demand, it’s v2 of Terry Tate. Let’s see what he’s up to now:
Changing Your Office - Let’s all Make it Better!
I forgot about these videos that were aired about 5-years ago, but it’s pure comedy for those in large working environments:
Go ‘Stros!
Those of you that know me know that I’m not necessarily the most avid baseball fan until it gets close to the post season. Moreover, I’m really only interested if the Astros get into the playoffs. Reason that I like the Astros is more of a growing up to like them thing, but also that Drayton McClane owns the Astros. You see, my dad and Drayton both tought sunday school together many years ago and apparently our families grew up playing together.
For those of you that haven’t been watching, the Astros are on a tear since 20 September and are within a 1/2 game of the slumping Cardinals. Lots of fun!
Monday Night Howdy
Here’s some recent news that’s exciting to me:
Verizon introduces multi-room DVR. Nice product made by motorola, but doesn’t allow for play-back of digital media such as movies. However, I’m sure that’s soon to change.
Good video talking about WiMax for you new.b’s. Sprint also announced a $4 MM investment into WiMax. A few weeks back we spoke about how that I believe WiMax will power the next generation ISP, which could very well be a media based firm like News Corp.
HP Comes out with Streaming media TV. Uses WiFi or ethernet from your media center PC. Not bad.
Team USA is romping again. Two words: Coach K.
Football! It’s Finally Here!
Well, it’s been a long non-football season, but it’s finally here. Tonight was the official NFL Hall of Fame game between the Eagles & Raiders. While I understand that it’s only the pre-season, it’s a sight for sore eyes.
You see, Jennifer and I like football quite a bit. We’re mainly college football fans and eagerly await the games each Saturday. We even watch the pre-game jazz on ESPN that talks about all the top 25 match-ups. While A&M won’t be ranked this year, we are excited to get the season under way while magically thinking that we’ll win the championship. I know, it’s comedy, but it is what it is.
What about Fantasy football you say? Well, I’m actually not really into it. I know I know, I’m a sports guy, but for whatever reason I just don’t get into it although I love the stats. It’s mainly because we enjoy college much better than the NFL. While we watch the Cowboys quite a bit, we aren’t as into the rest of the teams. However, we do like watching the NFL pre-season because you get to see a lot of the college players from last year. Anyway, going to get back to the game!
Hey World Cup Players, Toughen Up!
You know, I’ve really enjoyed the World Cup this year. Despite a lot of the games being televised during the day, the games have been awesome with the HD broadcasts. It really makes everything that much more interesting and the action is constant.
However…
The World cup players (yes, all of them) are pretty soft. I mean, you have a guy that goes for a header during the Germany/Italy game and has a very minor collision with another player. The only thing is that the player hits the other on the back of neck with his forearm and both come up lame holding their heads as if they hit one another. Yeah, like I said - lamo. While that’s just one example, everytime someone was tripped, rubbed, kicked, etc the players would go down in agony with a grimace on their face. Not to mention the constant whining that the players do to the refs. What’s funny is the refs look at the players like, “are you kidding me with that weak stuff? Grow some marbles, son.”
Come on folks, give me some good soccer with some intense action, but leave the sissies and cry-babies at home. It’s ok to be a man and simply get up and play. Trust me, I promise.