Saturday night in cold Vermillion. The calendar says it's spring, but don't you believe it. . . . . .
Well, in the tournament my favorite teams have fallen by the wayside---Drake is gone, Duke is gone, Notre Dame is gone, BYU is gone. Only Wisconsin and West Virginia are left. I just watched UCLA escape in front of a home crowd as everyone knew they would, but it was fun to see the mighty #1 Bruins sweat down to the final five seconds. Maybe we're saving the biggest upset of them all for Carolina to lose on Sunday. Sure, on their "home" court in Raleigh? Nope, the NCAA wants a UCLA-Carolina final, so I'll be watching baseball that night. . . . . .
Happy Easter to the kids and all the family. I assume Jason and Allison stayed in Rapid City. Ryan, I hope you're feeling better this week, and hi to Cassie as well. The Perli family and Heather are in Pierre. This was Day #9 for Oliver and me alone here, but Heather and Dylan will be home by Monday night. Monday will be an all-day cleaning experience around here. Oliver and I (well, he won't be much help!) are going to vacuum and wash and dust, etc. . . . . .
Anonymous responders to this and other blogs take all the fun out of it, so I'm out of here for awhile. I think I'll stick to writing my once-a-month newspaper column. . . . . .
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
We can't trust him; can we?
Mark Bazer's column in Friday's Chicago Tribune:
By Mark Bazer
Who is the real Barack Obama? Undoubtedly, he is a brilliant writer, an eloquent speaker, a rock star of a candidate. But, setting aside Sen. Obama's charisma and lofty oratory about "hope" and "change," do any of us know what the man actually stands for -- if anything?????
Yes, we do know that Obama opposed the Iraq war from the beginning and that he now favors diplomacy with Iraq's neighbors, including Iran. And that, if elected, he'd advocate allotting $2 billion or more to help Iraqi refugees. And, oh right, that he'd withdraw one or two U.S. combat brigades each month, with the goal of bringing all combat brigades home within 16 months -- though keeping a residual force to protect American diplomats and target al-Qaida. But do we know the senator's stance on how to construct a working public-library system in Baghdad? What about his views on establishing an off-track betting site in Kirkuk? And can any of us pretend to know how Obama plans to get Sunnis, Shias and Kurds to agree on a recycling program?
For that matter, can anyone decipher Obama's ideas on environmentalism here at home? Sure, the senator may discuss a "market-based cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions" by "80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050." And that he wants to institute a new National Low Carbon Fuel Standard, increase funding for the Conservation Security Program, eliminate traditional incandescent light bulbs by 2014, create a Green Jobs Corps, fight for a 25 percent federal Renewable Portfolio Standard and blah, blah, blah. All well and good, but what does Sen. Obama believe should be allowed in the American people's blue bins? He has been curiously mum about glossy paper.
But let's not talk about Al Gore-created issues, but about real ones. Like race in America. Turns out Obama's former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, has said some pretty awful things about this country. How can we be certain Sen. Obama doesn't feel the same as Wright does? Has Obama done anything whatsoever to repudiate Wright's sermons and articulate his own ideas? Anything at all? Something along the lines of a well-crafted, from-the-heart 40-minute, 5,000-word speech, perhaps? I've been working nonstop on this piece the last three days, but I'll check after I hand it into my editor.
And how about more bread-and-butter campaign issues. Like abortion. We may know Obama believes in upholding a woman's right to choose. But think of all we don't know. For instance: Has Obama ever performed an abortion? Has he ever needed one himself? And, comb through his record all you want, but I defy you to find the senator's take on the abortion scene in "Dirty Dancing."
Then there is the issue of health care. Obama may have a "plan," and it may be "long," and it may on his "Web site," but could someone from the Obama camp please explain why the senator doesn't read the entire plan at every primary victory speech?
Indeed, how in the world are you supposed to know anything about Obama if you don't have access to the Internet (or do have a special Web browser that doesn't let you type "Obama and issues" into Google)? For the sake of argument, let's say you do have Internet access or know someone who does. Even then, how can you believe that what Barack Obama says he believes is actually what he believes and not something he wants us to believe -- and that, even if elected, he'd continue to espouse and act upon these so-called beliefs until his time in office were over and then, many years later, perhaps on his death bed, he'd reveal that, in fact, he all along believed something entirely different?
Sen. Obama, it's time to stop hiding. It's time to come over to my home and repeat to me everything you've ever said, written or thought. I'm dying to meet you!
By Mark Bazer
Who is the real Barack Obama? Undoubtedly, he is a brilliant writer, an eloquent speaker, a rock star of a candidate. But, setting aside Sen. Obama's charisma and lofty oratory about "hope" and "change," do any of us know what the man actually stands for -- if anything?????
Yes, we do know that Obama opposed the Iraq war from the beginning and that he now favors diplomacy with Iraq's neighbors, including Iran. And that, if elected, he'd advocate allotting $2 billion or more to help Iraqi refugees. And, oh right, that he'd withdraw one or two U.S. combat brigades each month, with the goal of bringing all combat brigades home within 16 months -- though keeping a residual force to protect American diplomats and target al-Qaida. But do we know the senator's stance on how to construct a working public-library system in Baghdad? What about his views on establishing an off-track betting site in Kirkuk? And can any of us pretend to know how Obama plans to get Sunnis, Shias and Kurds to agree on a recycling program?
For that matter, can anyone decipher Obama's ideas on environmentalism here at home? Sure, the senator may discuss a "market-based cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions" by "80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050." And that he wants to institute a new National Low Carbon Fuel Standard, increase funding for the Conservation Security Program, eliminate traditional incandescent light bulbs by 2014, create a Green Jobs Corps, fight for a 25 percent federal Renewable Portfolio Standard and blah, blah, blah. All well and good, but what does Sen. Obama believe should be allowed in the American people's blue bins? He has been curiously mum about glossy paper.
But let's not talk about Al Gore-created issues, but about real ones. Like race in America. Turns out Obama's former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, has said some pretty awful things about this country. How can we be certain Sen. Obama doesn't feel the same as Wright does? Has Obama done anything whatsoever to repudiate Wright's sermons and articulate his own ideas? Anything at all? Something along the lines of a well-crafted, from-the-heart 40-minute, 5,000-word speech, perhaps? I've been working nonstop on this piece the last three days, but I'll check after I hand it into my editor.
And how about more bread-and-butter campaign issues. Like abortion. We may know Obama believes in upholding a woman's right to choose. But think of all we don't know. For instance: Has Obama ever performed an abortion? Has he ever needed one himself? And, comb through his record all you want, but I defy you to find the senator's take on the abortion scene in "Dirty Dancing."
Then there is the issue of health care. Obama may have a "plan," and it may be "long," and it may on his "Web site," but could someone from the Obama camp please explain why the senator doesn't read the entire plan at every primary victory speech?
Indeed, how in the world are you supposed to know anything about Obama if you don't have access to the Internet (or do have a special Web browser that doesn't let you type "Obama and issues" into Google)? For the sake of argument, let's say you do have Internet access or know someone who does. Even then, how can you believe that what Barack Obama says he believes is actually what he believes and not something he wants us to believe -- and that, even if elected, he'd continue to espouse and act upon these so-called beliefs until his time in office were over and then, many years later, perhaps on his death bed, he'd reveal that, in fact, he all along believed something entirely different?
Sen. Obama, it's time to stop hiding. It's time to come over to my home and repeat to me everything you've ever said, written or thought. I'm dying to meet you!
12 hours of basketball ... and more!
That was a fun day. With nobody home this week except the dog and me, I spent 12 hours Thursday jostling between the kitchen (where the computer is) and the living room (where the TV set is). Since I signed up for the FREE NCAA tournament VIP pass online, I got to see the games I wanted to see, rather than the games CBS-TV decided the Midwest should see. It was great! . . . . .
I'm a life-long (well, since the days of Mike Gminski and Jim Spanarkel, anyway) Duke fan, so the majority millions of American sports fans who hate Duke because of their class, quality and excellence turn me off. By the way, I despise (no, I hate ..) North Carolina's Baby Blues. So I'll wager you're all saying Henderson's winning drive to the hoop was a charge, right? . . . . .
Only Kevin Harlan of yesterday's eight CBS-TV play-by-play men sounded like a major leaguer, and he always does. Bolerjack (the guy in Washington) was awful. I always think Gus Johnson is awful. And there were a couple new kids on the block. At least today (Friday) we'll get Jim Nantz and Billy Packer somewhere---probably at Raleigh where North Carolina is. And we'll hear Tim Brando at the Tampa games; he's OK. Best of all, we'll hear Verne Lundquist somewhere, and he to me is the voice of college sports (no, not Brent Musberger; yuk!!!). . . . . .
Attention, broadcasters! Why oh why oh why do you feel compelled to read to me every graphic that appears on the screen? Why? Have you nothing else to contribute? Tomorrow's games are listed on the screen, so you have to read it all to me. Today's top tournament stories are listed on the screen, so you have to read it all to me. A tournament trivia tidbit is posted on the screen, and you have to read it to me. Shut up, or contribute something original. . . . . .
OK, so I used to be an English teacher and a journalist, so this is a grammar lesson. It needs stating because I heard this grievous (not grievious) error at least THREE times on CBS-TV Thursday. You do not follow the preposition "between" with a nominative pronoun, even though in so doing it sounds as if you are being so very prim and proper and correct. You do not say "between HE and so-and-so." The correct grammar is "between HIM and so-and-so." Would you say "I threw the ball to he"? Of course not. Would you say "I got the word from he"? Of course not. "Between" is also a preposition and also requires an objective pronoun. It's BETWEEN HIM AND WHOMEVER, not BETWEEN HE. Good grief! . . . . .
Kentucky, bye-bye. You lost to Gardner-Webb to start the season, and you lose one-and-out in the NCAA. Too bad, Bluebloods. You should probably fire another good coach by tonight. . . . . .
One final jab at CBS-TV broadcasters: Why must you welcome me every time CBS switches to your game site? Just keep broadcasting the game. I don't need to be welcomed. I don't want to be welcomed. And each time you do it, I turn off the volume so I can't hear you! Got that? . . . . .
Along with 12 hours of NCAA men's basketball on TV and the computer, I squeezed in watching the most strategic moments of the Gophers' great hockey win over St. Cloud State on TV and the Jacks' WNIT game. Darn! They had such a great start. Well, now let's get behind the Coyote women for next week. . . . . .
The world seemed to be enthralled with the Kansas State-USC game because of the freshman stars. I find it hard to get all excited about these freshmen. Out of high school, off to a favorable college for one year of basketball, then on to NBA riches? I find it hard to cheer for a one-year college player. So I hope Love/UCLA, Beasley (or is it Beesley?)/KState and the rest fall by the wayside. Let some college SENIORS win the NCAA. Duke's championship teams would be great examples of that. So would Drake this year! . . . . .
I'm a life-long (well, since the days of Mike Gminski and Jim Spanarkel, anyway) Duke fan, so the majority millions of American sports fans who hate Duke because of their class, quality and excellence turn me off. By the way, I despise (no, I hate ..) North Carolina's Baby Blues. So I'll wager you're all saying Henderson's winning drive to the hoop was a charge, right? . . . . .
Only Kevin Harlan of yesterday's eight CBS-TV play-by-play men sounded like a major leaguer, and he always does. Bolerjack (the guy in Washington) was awful. I always think Gus Johnson is awful. And there were a couple new kids on the block. At least today (Friday) we'll get Jim Nantz and Billy Packer somewhere---probably at Raleigh where North Carolina is. And we'll hear Tim Brando at the Tampa games; he's OK. Best of all, we'll hear Verne Lundquist somewhere, and he to me is the voice of college sports (no, not Brent Musberger; yuk!!!). . . . . .
Attention, broadcasters! Why oh why oh why do you feel compelled to read to me every graphic that appears on the screen? Why? Have you nothing else to contribute? Tomorrow's games are listed on the screen, so you have to read it all to me. Today's top tournament stories are listed on the screen, so you have to read it all to me. A tournament trivia tidbit is posted on the screen, and you have to read it to me. Shut up, or contribute something original. . . . . .
OK, so I used to be an English teacher and a journalist, so this is a grammar lesson. It needs stating because I heard this grievous (not grievious) error at least THREE times on CBS-TV Thursday. You do not follow the preposition "between" with a nominative pronoun, even though in so doing it sounds as if you are being so very prim and proper and correct. You do not say "between HE and so-and-so." The correct grammar is "between HIM and so-and-so." Would you say "I threw the ball to he"? Of course not. Would you say "I got the word from he"? Of course not. "Between" is also a preposition and also requires an objective pronoun. It's BETWEEN HIM AND WHOMEVER, not BETWEEN HE. Good grief! . . . . .
Kentucky, bye-bye. You lost to Gardner-Webb to start the season, and you lose one-and-out in the NCAA. Too bad, Bluebloods. You should probably fire another good coach by tonight. . . . . .
One final jab at CBS-TV broadcasters: Why must you welcome me every time CBS switches to your game site? Just keep broadcasting the game. I don't need to be welcomed. I don't want to be welcomed. And each time you do it, I turn off the volume so I can't hear you! Got that? . . . . .
Along with 12 hours of NCAA men's basketball on TV and the computer, I squeezed in watching the most strategic moments of the Gophers' great hockey win over St. Cloud State on TV and the Jacks' WNIT game. Darn! They had such a great start. Well, now let's get behind the Coyote women for next week. . . . . .
The world seemed to be enthralled with the Kansas State-USC game because of the freshman stars. I find it hard to get all excited about these freshmen. Out of high school, off to a favorable college for one year of basketball, then on to NBA riches? I find it hard to cheer for a one-year college player. So I hope Love/UCLA, Beasley (or is it Beesley?)/KState and the rest fall by the wayside. Let some college SENIORS win the NCAA. Duke's championship teams would be great examples of that. So would Drake this year! . . . . .
Monday, March 17, 2008
Catching up after the weekend
We had about three inches of snow overnight in Vermillion. It's very heavy, moisture-laden stuff, but it makes for a pretty scene as opposed to the brown, dirty scene we've had since the winter's snows melted last week. There's a chance for more tonight, they say. . . . .
The Coyote women (I never hear anybody call them the Lady Coyotes, thankfully; they're the Coyotes, period!) go for the gold in the regional at the Dome tonight. I hope the locals fill up the place since the student body is gone for spring break. . . . . .
Good for Louie Krogman! I've never met him, but they say he's a great kid, and he's obviously a team player. Not only did he win the Spirit of Su distinction individually, but his team won a state championship. It's the first for White River in 53 years, and I was there when they won in 1955! I was a high school junior, sitting in the front row of the bleachers that used to be at the north end of the Huron Arena court, and Gib Burnette (I think his first name was Gib, but that doesn't sound right) hit the game-winning shot to beat Hayti in overtime. That was Garney Henley's and Coach Harley Peterson's time at Hayti. Everybody cheered against Hayti. They wouldn't have had they known what a great gentleman Garney was (and is!) as I learned when we went to Huron Collge together. I remember Larry Ingalls, long-time Webster publisher, was also a member of that White River ballclub. . . . . .
My daughter and grandson are gone until next Monday, so Oliver the dog and I have the house to ourselves for this, the fifth of 11 straight days. That's not necessarily a good thing. Thursday through Sunday I had wall-to-wall basketball to watch on television, but now there's a break in daytime basketball until the NCAA tournament starts on Thursday. . . . . .
Colin Cowherd, the morning sportstalk guy on ESPN Radio, is gung-ho for the "best teams" getting to the finals, not only in college football but in college basketball. Who wants the best teams to get there?!!! I want MY TEAMS to get there. So the sooner North Carolina (especially North Carolina!) or Texas or UCLA or Georgetown or Memphis loses, the better it is! . . . . .
I hope Drake can win a game or two or more in the tournament. They've had such a marvelous season, and it has been fun to follow their radio broadcasts online. Now that I'm this close, I hope I can get down to Des Moines to a game or two next winter. Adam Templeton of Rapid City Central will be a junior, and Jared Vlastuin of Lennox will be a freshman, so we'll have a South Dakota touch to the Bulldogs. . . . . .
Zach Merwin's transfer from Pierre to Sully Buttes worked out well for him and them. He had a great season. In the state "B" tournament first-rounder, he hit the game-winning jumper against Tripp-Delmont-Armour after teammate Spencer Yackley made a steal in the final 10 seconds. Then in the third-place game which Sully Buttes won, Merwin scored 44 points and earned an all-tournament team slot. And he's only a sophomore! Sully Buttes will be strong again next year. How about a fifth straight state "B" for the Charger boys to match that distinction which the Charger girls earned this year! . . . . .
Good going, Augustana men! They had a shot at kayoing Northern in the regional semis yesterday had it not been for a couple turnovers and bad shots in the final minute. But a good season for Augie, unfortunately at USD's expense twice. . . . . .
After almost weekly primary elections and caucuses one Tuesday after another, I'm losing interest in the presidential campaigns, now that there is such a long gap until Pennsylvania late in April. I see Sen. McCain is in Iraq, relishing every minute of having generals, soldiers, and other signs of the military surrounding him. . . . . .
Is Sen. Obama responsible for what his pastor says? If I run for office, am I accountable for everything any of my pastors has said from the pulpit over the years? I guess so. I guess, if you're a candidate, you're better off if you don't go to church. . . . . .
Happy St. Patrick's Day to each of the thousands of people who I am sure are reading this blog today. (Yeah, right.)
The Coyote women (I never hear anybody call them the Lady Coyotes, thankfully; they're the Coyotes, period!) go for the gold in the regional at the Dome tonight. I hope the locals fill up the place since the student body is gone for spring break. . . . . .
Good for Louie Krogman! I've never met him, but they say he's a great kid, and he's obviously a team player. Not only did he win the Spirit of Su distinction individually, but his team won a state championship. It's the first for White River in 53 years, and I was there when they won in 1955! I was a high school junior, sitting in the front row of the bleachers that used to be at the north end of the Huron Arena court, and Gib Burnette (I think his first name was Gib, but that doesn't sound right) hit the game-winning shot to beat Hayti in overtime. That was Garney Henley's and Coach Harley Peterson's time at Hayti. Everybody cheered against Hayti. They wouldn't have had they known what a great gentleman Garney was (and is!) as I learned when we went to Huron Collge together. I remember Larry Ingalls, long-time Webster publisher, was also a member of that White River ballclub. . . . . .
My daughter and grandson are gone until next Monday, so Oliver the dog and I have the house to ourselves for this, the fifth of 11 straight days. That's not necessarily a good thing. Thursday through Sunday I had wall-to-wall basketball to watch on television, but now there's a break in daytime basketball until the NCAA tournament starts on Thursday. . . . . .
Colin Cowherd, the morning sportstalk guy on ESPN Radio, is gung-ho for the "best teams" getting to the finals, not only in college football but in college basketball. Who wants the best teams to get there?!!! I want MY TEAMS to get there. So the sooner North Carolina (especially North Carolina!) or Texas or UCLA or Georgetown or Memphis loses, the better it is! . . . . .
I hope Drake can win a game or two or more in the tournament. They've had such a marvelous season, and it has been fun to follow their radio broadcasts online. Now that I'm this close, I hope I can get down to Des Moines to a game or two next winter. Adam Templeton of Rapid City Central will be a junior, and Jared Vlastuin of Lennox will be a freshman, so we'll have a South Dakota touch to the Bulldogs. . . . . .
Zach Merwin's transfer from Pierre to Sully Buttes worked out well for him and them. He had a great season. In the state "B" tournament first-rounder, he hit the game-winning jumper against Tripp-Delmont-Armour after teammate Spencer Yackley made a steal in the final 10 seconds. Then in the third-place game which Sully Buttes won, Merwin scored 44 points and earned an all-tournament team slot. And he's only a sophomore! Sully Buttes will be strong again next year. How about a fifth straight state "B" for the Charger boys to match that distinction which the Charger girls earned this year! . . . . .
Good going, Augustana men! They had a shot at kayoing Northern in the regional semis yesterday had it not been for a couple turnovers and bad shots in the final minute. But a good season for Augie, unfortunately at USD's expense twice. . . . . .
After almost weekly primary elections and caucuses one Tuesday after another, I'm losing interest in the presidential campaigns, now that there is such a long gap until Pennsylvania late in April. I see Sen. McCain is in Iraq, relishing every minute of having generals, soldiers, and other signs of the military surrounding him. . . . . .
Is Sen. Obama responsible for what his pastor says? If I run for office, am I accountable for everything any of my pastors has said from the pulpit over the years? I guess so. I guess, if you're a candidate, you're better off if you don't go to church. . . . . .
Happy St. Patrick's Day to each of the thousands of people who I am sure are reading this blog today. (Yeah, right.)
Friday, March 14, 2008
Boo hoo, Sioux crew
I was home watching via the webcast, but the mighty North Dakota women's team had a horrendous first half and lost to #7 seed Wayne State in the first game of the North Central Region tournament at the Dome here in Vermillion today. They won't get their fourth crack at the USD gals on Monday night. Now, let's be sure, Lady Coyotes, you don't also stumble!
Hey, there is good news. The UND women were gracious enough to shake hands with the opponent before leaving the DakotaDome court this time. They didn't after losing to USD in the conference tourney finals last week.
Hey, there is good news. The UND women were gracious enough to shake hands with the opponent before leaving the DakotaDome court this time. They didn't after losing to USD in the conference tourney finals last week.
Now THAT was a day of basketball!
Grandson Dylan and his mother pulled out of the driveway before lunch Thursday, headed out of town, so Oliver the dog and I had the house all to ourselves for the first of 11 days. A day like that takes planning. It's not as if a guy can just turn the TV to ESPN and leave it there all day. That would be the easy way out.
As the noon hour approached, I juggled the channel-changing buttons on the set between Villanova-Georgetown on ESPN and Texas Tech-Oklahoma State on ESPN. Since the remote-control thingy doesn't work, it is necessary for me to get up and physically change channels, using the buttons at the front of the set. This is where my physical exercise for the day came in.
Things got more interesting about 1:00 when the boys' state tournaments got underway---one of them live on Public TV and the other two on live webcasts on Public TV. I opted for tuning in to the Lincoln game at the "AA" on the radio, the Public TV webcasts of the other two tournaments on the computer, and continuing the Villanova game on the TV itself. It was a good thing I had all of this on bracket sheets in front of me, so I could keep a clear head as one team won and another lost. Though I missed them already, it was probably also a good thing Dylan and his mom were on their way to Rochester and not here in the house with me!
As the Texas Tech game ended and gave way to Penn State-Illinois on one channel, Georgetown won big and became UConn-West Virginia on the other. Since West Virginia is one of "my teams," more serious concentration became necessary. On the computer Red Cloud was in a real ballgame with Chamberlain for awhile, but on the radio Lincoln was blowing away Sturgis, the only and last great hope of the Black Hills in the "AA" tournament.
West Virginia was having a great game, and I was excited. That game took over precedence, and I barely noticed that USC-Arizona State had come on Fox Sports Net and that the high school tournaments moved into their second games. The Mountaineers won---my first big triumph of this marathon day. The other continuing games were mediocre at best, so I scurried around the house, picking up stuff and moving my necessities of life---toothbrush, electric razor, shower towel, clothes to wear the next day, dog food, etc.---upstairs for my 11-day departure from the cold, dark basement.
Along about 4:00, I watched USC survive thanks to yet another lousy call by the lousy PAC-10 officials. And on the radio I suspected deep in my gut what was going to happen to Yankton, which had led Mitchell most of the way. Only Mitchell, trailing by four in the final 17 seconds of a game, could get a four-point play to force overtime. Disgusted by these turns of events, I drove across town to Hy-Vee for some grocery necessities, catching up as I went with the high school tournaments by listening to "Sports Talk with Craig and Bob" from Sioux Falls.
Basketball took a brief hiatus during the 4:30-to-6:00 hours, so I caught up on the day's politics---who in one campaign jabbed the other in the back, who was the latest to play the race card in the Democratic contest, how much Gov. Spitzer actually paid for Kristen, and other hot topics. And I saw that Billy Crystal struck out in his one-time at-bat for the Yankees. (What a farce! The opposing pitcher should have plunked him in the batting helmet.)
The fast-moving day neared the supper hour, and as the evening sessions of the tournaments began, I threw a pan of brownies into the oven and got a frozen pizza ready to pop in afterwards. The evening would prove more desperate because more teams I care about would be playing. With my carefully prepared schedule in hand, I positioned myself within eyesight of the TV and within earshot of the radio and the computer.
From 6 to 7 it was easy---either Georgia Tech-Virginia on ESPN2 or Louisville-Pitt on ESPN. Since Louisville is one of those schools on my "never-cheer-for" list, I was delighted to see Pitt roll 'em out of the Big East. But that was about the time the Pierre Governors' game at the "AA" on the computer was at halftime. A great first half by the Big Green, but the Evil Empire (in other words, Watertown) would no doubt rally. At the same time my alma mater, Sully Buttes, playing in its fourth straight State "B", was having fits with the state's newest basketball acronym, TDA. (That's Tripp-Delmont-Armour these days).
One of "my teams," Washington State, began its game at 8:00, but the only place I could follow the score was on the espn.com scoreboard on the computer, so I juggled between that and the webcast of the Sully Buttes game and the streaming audio of the Pierre game and the live telecast of the Madison-Lennox game on TV. I am proud to say I was able to see Sully Buttes' stunning buzzer-beating victory over TDA (with the score tied and TDA in-bounding the ball with five seconds left, the Chargers' Spencer Yackley stole the ball in the backcourt and Zach Merwin pumped in a 12-foot jumper to win the game!) as well as see Madison's equally-stunning game-winning play over Lennox on TV (a long in-bounds pass from sidecourt to a tall guy at the free-throw circle to another guy blazing in toward the basket by the back door). Alas, I couldn't pull the Governors through against #2 Watertown.
From 8:30 on, Notre Dame, definitely one of "my teams," was on TV, so they got my concentration. I am embarrassed to say I missed seeing Huron's game-winning three-pointer over Roosevelt on the webcast and I missed seeing anything at all of White River's win at the "B" tournament. Unfortunately Notre Dame ran out of gas down the stretch. The only good thing is that I don't have to worry about them until the NCAA tourney starts next Thursday.
By 10:30 I was wearing out. All that was left was Stanford-Arizona on Fox Sports Net. I got ready for bed, greased myself up with Vick's Vaporub, took a mouthful of Nite Time Equate and swore that by morning I would be rid of the sore throat that had plagued me for two days. I fell asleep in the lounge chair, and when I woke up the Stanford game was over. Of course I had to check the computer scoreboard to find out they had won before hitting the sack.
I was exhausted, but it had been a satisfying day. And it was only Thursday. Another day just like it was just around the corner. This business of being retired really takes a lot out of a guy.
As the noon hour approached, I juggled the channel-changing buttons on the set between Villanova-Georgetown on ESPN and Texas Tech-Oklahoma State on ESPN. Since the remote-control thingy doesn't work, it is necessary for me to get up and physically change channels, using the buttons at the front of the set. This is where my physical exercise for the day came in.
Things got more interesting about 1:00 when the boys' state tournaments got underway---one of them live on Public TV and the other two on live webcasts on Public TV. I opted for tuning in to the Lincoln game at the "AA" on the radio, the Public TV webcasts of the other two tournaments on the computer, and continuing the Villanova game on the TV itself. It was a good thing I had all of this on bracket sheets in front of me, so I could keep a clear head as one team won and another lost. Though I missed them already, it was probably also a good thing Dylan and his mom were on their way to Rochester and not here in the house with me!
As the Texas Tech game ended and gave way to Penn State-Illinois on one channel, Georgetown won big and became UConn-West Virginia on the other. Since West Virginia is one of "my teams," more serious concentration became necessary. On the computer Red Cloud was in a real ballgame with Chamberlain for awhile, but on the radio Lincoln was blowing away Sturgis, the only and last great hope of the Black Hills in the "AA" tournament.
West Virginia was having a great game, and I was excited. That game took over precedence, and I barely noticed that USC-Arizona State had come on Fox Sports Net and that the high school tournaments moved into their second games. The Mountaineers won---my first big triumph of this marathon day. The other continuing games were mediocre at best, so I scurried around the house, picking up stuff and moving my necessities of life---toothbrush, electric razor, shower towel, clothes to wear the next day, dog food, etc.---upstairs for my 11-day departure from the cold, dark basement.
Along about 4:00, I watched USC survive thanks to yet another lousy call by the lousy PAC-10 officials. And on the radio I suspected deep in my gut what was going to happen to Yankton, which had led Mitchell most of the way. Only Mitchell, trailing by four in the final 17 seconds of a game, could get a four-point play to force overtime. Disgusted by these turns of events, I drove across town to Hy-Vee for some grocery necessities, catching up as I went with the high school tournaments by listening to "Sports Talk with Craig and Bob" from Sioux Falls.
Basketball took a brief hiatus during the 4:30-to-6:00 hours, so I caught up on the day's politics---who in one campaign jabbed the other in the back, who was the latest to play the race card in the Democratic contest, how much Gov. Spitzer actually paid for Kristen, and other hot topics. And I saw that Billy Crystal struck out in his one-time at-bat for the Yankees. (What a farce! The opposing pitcher should have plunked him in the batting helmet.)
The fast-moving day neared the supper hour, and as the evening sessions of the tournaments began, I threw a pan of brownies into the oven and got a frozen pizza ready to pop in afterwards. The evening would prove more desperate because more teams I care about would be playing. With my carefully prepared schedule in hand, I positioned myself within eyesight of the TV and within earshot of the radio and the computer.
From 6 to 7 it was easy---either Georgia Tech-Virginia on ESPN2 or Louisville-Pitt on ESPN. Since Louisville is one of those schools on my "never-cheer-for" list, I was delighted to see Pitt roll 'em out of the Big East. But that was about the time the Pierre Governors' game at the "AA" on the computer was at halftime. A great first half by the Big Green, but the Evil Empire (in other words, Watertown) would no doubt rally. At the same time my alma mater, Sully Buttes, playing in its fourth straight State "B", was having fits with the state's newest basketball acronym, TDA. (That's Tripp-Delmont-Armour these days).
One of "my teams," Washington State, began its game at 8:00, but the only place I could follow the score was on the espn.com scoreboard on the computer, so I juggled between that and the webcast of the Sully Buttes game and the streaming audio of the Pierre game and the live telecast of the Madison-Lennox game on TV. I am proud to say I was able to see Sully Buttes' stunning buzzer-beating victory over TDA (with the score tied and TDA in-bounding the ball with five seconds left, the Chargers' Spencer Yackley stole the ball in the backcourt and Zach Merwin pumped in a 12-foot jumper to win the game!) as well as see Madison's equally-stunning game-winning play over Lennox on TV (a long in-bounds pass from sidecourt to a tall guy at the free-throw circle to another guy blazing in toward the basket by the back door). Alas, I couldn't pull the Governors through against #2 Watertown.
From 8:30 on, Notre Dame, definitely one of "my teams," was on TV, so they got my concentration. I am embarrassed to say I missed seeing Huron's game-winning three-pointer over Roosevelt on the webcast and I missed seeing anything at all of White River's win at the "B" tournament. Unfortunately Notre Dame ran out of gas down the stretch. The only good thing is that I don't have to worry about them until the NCAA tourney starts next Thursday.
By 10:30 I was wearing out. All that was left was Stanford-Arizona on Fox Sports Net. I got ready for bed, greased myself up with Vick's Vaporub, took a mouthful of Nite Time Equate and swore that by morning I would be rid of the sore throat that had plagued me for two days. I fell asleep in the lounge chair, and when I woke up the Stanford game was over. Of course I had to check the computer scoreboard to find out they had won before hitting the sack.
I was exhausted, but it had been a satisfying day. And it was only Thursday. Another day just like it was just around the corner. This business of being retired really takes a lot out of a guy.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Too good not to share!
Here's a great column by Mark Bazer from today's Chicago Tribune that is too real and too entertaining not to share. (No, Hillary, I'm not plagiarizing; I'm simply copying.) It's titled, "CNN projects that CNN is annoying you":
CNN, early Tuesday evening ...
Wolf Blitzer: Welcome back to CNN Election Headquarters, where we are just beginning to hear the results from Texas. Based on exit polling, we can report that Barack Obama has so far received 100 percent of the vote, receiving one vote, while Hillary Clinton has received zero votes. As impressive as that margin is, we caution that it's still too early to declare Sen. Obama a winner in the state. However, we can tell you that the person who cast his ballot for Obama has told us that his cousin also probably voted for Obama. John King, what would that mean?
John King, CNN Chief Political Correspondent: Wolf, it would mean two votes for Barack Obama and still zero for Hillary Clinton.
Wolf Blitzer: Thank you, John. To see what John just said in graphic form, log on to cnn.com. Let's go now to CNN Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley, who is at the Clinton headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. Candy, what are you hearing from the Clinton campaign?
Candy Crowley: Wolf, the people I'm talking to in the Clinton campaign are very upbeat, very optimistic, plenty of smiles, lots of laughter. Back to you, Wolf.
Wolf Blitzer: Thank you, Candy. We'll check back in with you a little later to ask you the same thing and have you give us the same answer. Meanwhile, CNN now is projecting Sen. Obama to be the winner in Vermont. Unfortunately, for Obama, CNN also has learned that Vermont has voted to secede from the U.S. In the Republican race, CNN now is projecting John McCain to be the winner in all four primaries tonight, meaning he has won the Republican ... hold on, we have some breaking news. Moments ago in Sweden, every living Nobel Prize-winning scientist gathered to unanimously declare that evolution is a sham and that the Earth was in fact created in six days. Ooh, too little, too late for Mike Huckabee. Anyhow, Sen. McCain is scheduled to meet with George Bush at the White House tomorrow, where the president will officially endorse him. McCain will then immediately get on an airplane and head to the Corcoran State Prison in California to receive the equally helpful endorsement of Charles Manson. Let's now bring in CNN Internet reporter Abbi Tatton to update us on what's going on over at cnn.com.
Abbi Tatton: Thank you, Wolf. At cnn.com, we basically have the same information you're presenting on air, but the advantage for visitors to the site is that they don't have to listen to or look at you.
Wolf Blitzer: Thank you, Abbi. Here's hoping someone clicks on a banner ad this month at cnn.com so you're not laid off. OK, back to Ohio where, CNN has learned, Hillary Clinton has jumped out to an early lead, with 23 votes to Barack Obama's 14 votes. Bear in mind, however, that tally does not include anybody who's not currently in Shooters Bar and Grill in Toledo, where CNN's Dana Bash is. Dana?
Dana Bash: That's right, Wolf, we ...
Wolf Blitzer: Sorry to interrupt, Dana, but CNN now is hearing that actress Jeri Ryan has given birth to a baby girl. While we caution that it's still too early to know the name of the baby, CNN is projecting that she will be named Sophie. The race in Texas, meanwhile, is tightening. With .0000000009 percent of the vote in, Sen. Clinton now has jumped out to a .000000459 percent lead. Let's go back to Candy Crowley at Clinton campaign headquarters in Ohio.
Candy Crowley: Wolf, the mood here has turned grim, as everyone is coming to the realization that this campaign is hardly over and no one will be going back to their lives and families any time ...
Wolf: Candy, hold that thought. CNN is now projecting that all of our viewers are turning off the ...
CLICK.
CNN, early Tuesday evening ...
Wolf Blitzer: Welcome back to CNN Election Headquarters, where we are just beginning to hear the results from Texas. Based on exit polling, we can report that Barack Obama has so far received 100 percent of the vote, receiving one vote, while Hillary Clinton has received zero votes. As impressive as that margin is, we caution that it's still too early to declare Sen. Obama a winner in the state. However, we can tell you that the person who cast his ballot for Obama has told us that his cousin also probably voted for Obama. John King, what would that mean?
John King, CNN Chief Political Correspondent: Wolf, it would mean two votes for Barack Obama and still zero for Hillary Clinton.
Wolf Blitzer: Thank you, John. To see what John just said in graphic form, log on to cnn.com. Let's go now to CNN Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley, who is at the Clinton headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. Candy, what are you hearing from the Clinton campaign?
Candy Crowley: Wolf, the people I'm talking to in the Clinton campaign are very upbeat, very optimistic, plenty of smiles, lots of laughter. Back to you, Wolf.
Wolf Blitzer: Thank you, Candy. We'll check back in with you a little later to ask you the same thing and have you give us the same answer. Meanwhile, CNN now is projecting Sen. Obama to be the winner in Vermont. Unfortunately, for Obama, CNN also has learned that Vermont has voted to secede from the U.S. In the Republican race, CNN now is projecting John McCain to be the winner in all four primaries tonight, meaning he has won the Republican ... hold on, we have some breaking news. Moments ago in Sweden, every living Nobel Prize-winning scientist gathered to unanimously declare that evolution is a sham and that the Earth was in fact created in six days. Ooh, too little, too late for Mike Huckabee. Anyhow, Sen. McCain is scheduled to meet with George Bush at the White House tomorrow, where the president will officially endorse him. McCain will then immediately get on an airplane and head to the Corcoran State Prison in California to receive the equally helpful endorsement of Charles Manson. Let's now bring in CNN Internet reporter Abbi Tatton to update us on what's going on over at cnn.com.
Abbi Tatton: Thank you, Wolf. At cnn.com, we basically have the same information you're presenting on air, but the advantage for visitors to the site is that they don't have to listen to or look at you.
Wolf Blitzer: Thank you, Abbi. Here's hoping someone clicks on a banner ad this month at cnn.com so you're not laid off. OK, back to Ohio where, CNN has learned, Hillary Clinton has jumped out to an early lead, with 23 votes to Barack Obama's 14 votes. Bear in mind, however, that tally does not include anybody who's not currently in Shooters Bar and Grill in Toledo, where CNN's Dana Bash is. Dana?
Dana Bash: That's right, Wolf, we ...
Wolf Blitzer: Sorry to interrupt, Dana, but CNN now is hearing that actress Jeri Ryan has given birth to a baby girl. While we caution that it's still too early to know the name of the baby, CNN is projecting that she will be named Sophie. The race in Texas, meanwhile, is tightening. With .0000000009 percent of the vote in, Sen. Clinton now has jumped out to a .000000459 percent lead. Let's go back to Candy Crowley at Clinton campaign headquarters in Ohio.
Candy Crowley: Wolf, the mood here has turned grim, as everyone is coming to the realization that this campaign is hardly over and no one will be going back to their lives and families any time ...
Wolf: Candy, hold that thought. CNN is now projecting that all of our viewers are turning off the ...
CLICK.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Creature of habit needs his morning paper
Even on a cold, blustery morning such as this, I still step bravely out onto the front step to pick up my plastic-wrapped copy of the Argus Leader. But it's not there! It's ALWAYS there! So I call the circulation department's free 800 number. Alas, a power outage prevented on-time publication of the paper. But there's good news: tomorrow I will get two papers to read instead of one! . . . . .
So I flip on ESPN2 to see what is new in the wonderful world of sports (yesterday I kept it off all day to avoid the Brett Favre love affair). So what is on this morning? Brett Favre. Again. They are still making sweet conversational love to the guy. Let him retire. Let's move on. One full day of Favre blather is enough. . . . . .
So the Sioux Falls Storm's quarterback is suspended for the opening game months and months after some incident in which he was involved. I've never been to a Storm game (football indoors in March and April?), but this sounds fishy, as if the whole rest of the league wants to stick it to the Storm. I think I'll listen to their game this Saturday. Oh wait, I can't because, even though I'm only an hour from Sioux Falls and probably 50 miles as the crow flies, I can't hear Sioux Falls radio stations at night. . . . . .
Since I will have to avoid sports talk radio and TV this morning until noon when the Twins game comes on television, let's try politics. Things changed in a hurry last night, didn't they? The Clinton clan is (are?) back in the game, and we still may have four or eight more years of the same two families in the White House for more than 20 years. . . . . .
Memo to the Democrats: Have your cameras ready today when Sen. McCain (it was funny to hear somebody call him "John W. McCain" on television last night!) snuggles up to President Bush at the White House today. Photos of the two of them holding their arms up in the air should find some place in the campaign this fall. . . . . .
I wish McCain could learn to sound as if he is speaking instead of reading word -- by -- word -- by -- word -- by -- word from a Teleprompter machine. . . . . . Without meaning any disrespect, it certainly is difficult to imagine Mrs. McCain in the kitchen scrambling eggs in the morning. . . . . . I honestly had this thought the other day when I first saw the Clinton commercial about the White House red phone ringing at 3 a.m. Then I heard a TV commentator say the same thing. So you may think I'm plagiarizing this idea, but the thing that crossed my mind was this: If the White House red phone is ringing, PICK IT UP AND ANSWER IT!!!!! On that commercial it rings and rings and rings six or seven times. . . . . .
Good luck to the Coyotes tonight! . . . . Will the DakotaDome scoreboard read "UND" instead of "Sioux" again tonight? Every other game the opponents' mascot appears up there---"Huskies," "Mavericks," "Bulldogs" etc. (except for Augustana, for some reason). But when UND played here before, the board read "UND" instead of "Sioux." A statement regarding the Fighting Sioux mascot furor, perhaps? . . . . .
My alma mater, Sully Buttes High School at Onida, has its girls and boys teams back in their respective state tournaments again this year. Way to go, Charger teams! . . . . .
So I flip on ESPN2 to see what is new in the wonderful world of sports (yesterday I kept it off all day to avoid the Brett Favre love affair). So what is on this morning? Brett Favre. Again. They are still making sweet conversational love to the guy. Let him retire. Let's move on. One full day of Favre blather is enough. . . . . .
So the Sioux Falls Storm's quarterback is suspended for the opening game months and months after some incident in which he was involved. I've never been to a Storm game (football indoors in March and April?), but this sounds fishy, as if the whole rest of the league wants to stick it to the Storm. I think I'll listen to their game this Saturday. Oh wait, I can't because, even though I'm only an hour from Sioux Falls and probably 50 miles as the crow flies, I can't hear Sioux Falls radio stations at night. . . . . .
Since I will have to avoid sports talk radio and TV this morning until noon when the Twins game comes on television, let's try politics. Things changed in a hurry last night, didn't they? The Clinton clan is (are?) back in the game, and we still may have four or eight more years of the same two families in the White House for more than 20 years. . . . . .
Memo to the Democrats: Have your cameras ready today when Sen. McCain (it was funny to hear somebody call him "John W. McCain" on television last night!) snuggles up to President Bush at the White House today. Photos of the two of them holding their arms up in the air should find some place in the campaign this fall. . . . . .
I wish McCain could learn to sound as if he is speaking instead of reading word -- by -- word -- by -- word -- by -- word from a Teleprompter machine. . . . . . Without meaning any disrespect, it certainly is difficult to imagine Mrs. McCain in the kitchen scrambling eggs in the morning. . . . . . I honestly had this thought the other day when I first saw the Clinton commercial about the White House red phone ringing at 3 a.m. Then I heard a TV commentator say the same thing. So you may think I'm plagiarizing this idea, but the thing that crossed my mind was this: If the White House red phone is ringing, PICK IT UP AND ANSWER IT!!!!! On that commercial it rings and rings and rings six or seven times. . . . . .
Good luck to the Coyotes tonight! . . . . Will the DakotaDome scoreboard read "UND" instead of "Sioux" again tonight? Every other game the opponents' mascot appears up there---"Huskies," "Mavericks," "Bulldogs" etc. (except for Augustana, for some reason). But when UND played here before, the board read "UND" instead of "Sioux." A statement regarding the Fighting Sioux mascot furor, perhaps? . . . . .
My alma mater, Sully Buttes High School at Onida, has its girls and boys teams back in their respective state tournaments again this year. Way to go, Charger teams! . . . . .
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Give the Cheeseheads their day
OK, Brett Favre is retiring. Packer fans, enjoy your day. Sports talk radio is all yours today. As for me, I'll stick to politics.
I'm a Vikings fan, ever since their first-ever preseason game in 1961 at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls (vs. 1-year-old Dallas Cowboys). A Vikings fan cannot be a Packers fan. Some Vikings fans can be Favre fans, but I am not one of those.
Now which sports network will gobble him up and have him dress in a suit each weekend this fall?
Randy Moss, thanks for staying with the Patriots. You being with the Packers would have been too much to stomach.
I'm a Vikings fan, ever since their first-ever preseason game in 1961 at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls (vs. 1-year-old Dallas Cowboys). A Vikings fan cannot be a Packers fan. Some Vikings fans can be Favre fans, but I am not one of those.
Now which sports network will gobble him up and have him dress in a suit each weekend this fall?
Randy Moss, thanks for staying with the Patriots. You being with the Packers would have been too much to stomach.
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