Good Tuesday

IN THE RELIGION of Basketball, last night's barn-burner of a championship was akin to Moses' parting of the Red Sea or Jesus' feeding the multitudes with five loaves and three fish; proof positive to those who would see, that there is a power greater than our own, and with grit, hard fought determination, some class leadership by both coaches, and just enough "zebra wisdom" to let the boys play, that power produced one of the truly great and enjoyable basketball games in recent memory.

The CBS broadcast wasn't about Coach K and the Duke legacy, nor did it focus on the scandal d'jour or some overdone, heart-tugging insert with numerous camera shots at a nail-biting, single parent. This night was, from beginning to end, about the boys and the game being played on the hardcourt in front of us, and it was truly inspiring.

When I was growing up in high school, I worshipped in my own Church of Basketball. The "roundball godhead" of the day consisted of my own version of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; John Wooden, Bob Knight and Skip Mohatt, respectively. Most everyday, I would head down to the school blacktop that served as my chapel in my "church clothes" (ratty t-shirt, faded gym shorts and sweat-stained, white Chuck Taylor's) and do "the Lord's work"; working on off-ball movement, blocking out for rebounds, and good defensive positioning.

So many of those "team fundamentals" were evident last night in what was close to being, for the observer, the perfect basketbal contest. Throughout the night, I thought about the lessons I had been taught; at Wooden's camp, from Knight's videos, and during those endless, glorious hours on the hardwood, soaking up Skip's genius, offered with the deep, relentless tones of a loving taskmaster.

I am certain all three were, in one way or another, watching last night's contest. Coach Wooden was most likely disappointed with the lack of discipline in shot selection exhibited by the Butler Boys, but applauded their heart and team effort and most surely would have told them aftewards they played like champions.

Coach Knight was probably cheering on his former protege-turned-accomplished master, while hopping up out of his recliner everytime a Duke screen left a man open underneath and wasn't taken advantage of. I hope he didn't strain anything trying to toss his Lazy-boy across the room.

But mostly I thought of Coack Mohatt, looking down from Heaven. Through the raucous crowd, I could almost hear him barking at Butler forward Gordon Hayward to slide over and help out with Duke center Brian Zoubek, or for guard Shelvin Mack to pop that ball down into the post instead of forcing a drive into the paint. And I could see the short white towel fly back into the thrid row everytime the overzealous play of the Bulldog's center Matt Howard landed him another senseless foul.

But most clearly, I saw my beloved high school coach when the game was over. He was, I am sure, smiling. Not because of an exciting game, which it was, or for the hard fought battle waged by both teams, which they did. But rather for the same reason that both Coach K and Butler coach Brad Stevens were smiling as they shook hands after the game, and for the same reason that true lovers of this game were smiling, regardless of who they had in their pool or which team they supported...

because they had just witnessed, in an era of sports, that at all levels is influenced, and many believe tarnished, by PED's and ignoramous management and posse-laden players and all of the other unrelated distractions, a game played, perhaps as purely as any before it. No players arguing with referees, no coaches tantrums, no fights. A good, clean, well-played and intense battle, played the way it was supposed to be played. To the very last second.

The Duke Blue Devils last night were crowned the 2010 NCAA Division 1 Men's Collegiate Basketball Champions. At the end of the game, they had scored more points than their opponents and so it should have been. But think not for a moment there was only one team of championship caliber on that floor last night. I would have been every bit as proud to have been a Butler alum last night as a Dukie.

Maybe even a little more so.

iQuit

THE iPAD RELEASED this weekend and more than 300,000 lemmings were up until all hours Easter morning, loading more than 1 milliom apps onto their new toys. That following a Good Friday evening when thousands who did not pre-order the latest techno-marvel in the "i" series, stood in line outside Apple stores nationwide, hoping to be among the first to own pied piper Steve Jobs' the latest creation . The real marvel though is, at a $499 retial price with a 51 per cent gross margin mark-up, that slides approx 75mil in black ink into the hands of Apple shareholders, in one day. Trying to remember the last thing Microsoft did that was exciting or innovative, am thinking it may be time to call my buddy, stock wiz extrordinaire and former AVHS compadre Jeff Oster, and slide the MSFT into AAPL...

iBULLDOGS...Tonight's finale between #1 seed Duke (Boooo!) and underdog Butler (Yeah!) will either be a disappointing blowout or one of the great sport stories of the new millenium. This was an amazing Tournament with top seeds falling like Republicans who fought the Health Insurance Reform bill. The only thing I'd change about this year's Tourney (other than CAL's early exit) would be that the NCAA move the start-date back so the Tournament can end in March. Not a big deal, but it's like the Super Bowl being played in February or The World Series in November, it's just not right...

iDO...Yours truly got played BIG TIME on April Fool's Day, soon to be re-named MY DAY. First my neice (or is it second cousin - once removed, I can never remember that stuff) Ashley Davison suckered me in, posting ever so subtley on her FB page, that, and I quote, "Can't believe we're getting MARRIED!!! I didn't think I could forgive him until he asked me to marry him!!!!!!! =)", then about an hour later, changed her status from "In a relationship" to "engaged'. I bow in deference to your youthful wit and hereby surrender...

iDON'T...Not to be outdone, former Princess turned SLS, Renee LeVeira Flores, daughter of AVHS '78 grads and highschool sweethearts Rob and Michelle, merely changed her status from "Engaged" to "Single" and left it there, for noodniks like moi to flip a nutty over. Nee tells me that several of her other FB friends called or wrote with concern, two actually offering to pay for counseling services to help bring the two back together. The kicker here was the big wedding shower was held the day before, so it was fresh on the minds of those who know. Touche', Miss Thang! My only response to both of you is to beware. For as the old axiom goes...sometime, someplace, when you least expect it.....BANG! I always repay a debt, including interest...

iWISH...I had never been such an idiot. These are the words that will most likely be rambling around inside the head of PGA pro and philanderer-par-excellance (if there can be such a thing, and pardon the pun) Tiger Woods, who jumps back into real life this week at Augusta, where on Thursday he will play his first competitive round in 144 days. Wise call on Eldrick's part, getting back inside the ropes here. This Tournament is run with such a tight fist and tix are so hard to come by (perhaps the toughest ducat in all of sports) it's unlikely much of a fuss about the former World's #1 player's sex scandal will seen or heard. Here's hoping for a great Tournament...

iLL BELIEVE IT when I don't see it. In a hastily called press conference yesterday, the Rolling Stones announced they will be touring in 2010, perhaps the and their largest concert tour ever. Hard to believe following their last go around which took more than two years and shattered attendance and gross rev records that would have had Bill salivating (and still figuring out ways to do it better). Because the band annouced plans to play virtually nothing from 64-72 (through "Exile...") on this go around, and that the show will include tributes to each of their former band mates, including a one-off song per show with former bassist Bill Wyman joining them onstage, word is that this will be the last hurrah for the Glimmer Twins. If Vegas lays odds, I'll lay 100 smackers that says no way. I can not imagine Keith agreeing to hang it up ever and if this were the Grand Finale, you can bet your bottom dollar Mick would have built up a much more grand presentation, including at least a 6-9 month build up to increase interest (and revenue). Plus, can yo imagine them walking off a stage for the last time withOUT having played Satisfaction? Just wouldn't be cricket, wha?...

iAM GRATEFUL...Yesterday was Easter. And while many get lost in the buffett brunches and egg hunts and chocolate indulgances (guilty on that last bugger!) that surround the day, I AM grateful for what the true meaning of the day signifies. That Our Heavenly Father sent down His only begotten Son, so that our unwise choices and unlearned lessons might be forgiven; that we may repent from our sometimes foolish and hurtful actions, that we too might rise again and be returned to His presence. A greater gift we could not receive and though perhaps undeserved, one we shall continue to strive to be worthy of.

That's Just The Way It Is...

OK...yesterday saw the passage by the House of the HealthCare Reform Act, helping to provide affordable insurance to 32 mil who were without. And with that came the expected whining session from rapid, anti-Obama conservatives, from the airwaves to the blogosphere. The Lounge's final word on this topic is, this was not a perfect bill, but the access and retention to quality healthcare is now better for the poor, the working middle class, and small biz owners than it has ever been. Besides, the bill still has to pass the Senate, and you can be sure there are a lot of insurance-fed Repugs in the upper house who will do anything they can to obstruct passage. The Lounge has two final thoughts on this...First, we don't care one way or the toher how this turns out, can we just get it done, one way or the other and move on? And lastly, What ever happened to the mantra during the Bush admin of "Elections have consequences"?...

MORE MADNESS: What happened to the NCAA? When I woke Saturday, I had 22 wins in the 32 games played thus far, my son was getting married, the weather was gorgeous and all was right with the world. I return home from a spectacular day and my bracket looks like a prop left over from the last Chuckie movie! But then, that's what makes the Tournament the unique sporting gem it is. The worse you do in your bracket, the better Tournament you have. This year, there are eight teams seeded 5 or higher advancing to the Sweet 16, including three who began play as a double-digit seed. Last year, there was 1. Let the Madness continue...

BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: Last week brought with it a sad goodbye to a wonderful woman whom I admired and will always be grateful to, whom I will forever only think of as "Mrs. Smith". She was the mother of a dear friend from my Stockton days, and back during the three weeks or so during junior high, while suffering from a severe case of "the crushes" on her daughter, Mrs. Smith was kind and thoughtfull to this terrified and timid puppy when she answered the phone. My most sincere and heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to Carl, her husband of 61 wonderful years, her daughters Darla and Connie, and her three treasured grandsons, Matt, Vaughn and Alex, as they mourn the loss of this warm and tender soul. Fare thee well, Alma. The streets of Heaven are a little more crowded with Angels tonight...

A POT OF POURRI: Patti and Pam, two friends from AVHS a "few" years ago are headed to HP Pavillion this week to check out the John Mayer show. Two of the best natured and good hearted women I know, but given the history of this sweet-talker with the ladies, I am giving second thoughts to trying to score them backstage passes for a Meet-n-Greet. You know how them "musicians" can be. Have fun, girls...Congrats to Josh Miller of Pleasanton for being invited to try out for the Under-15 NorCal Lacrosse Team that will represent at the National Tournament in Orlando, FLA later this summer. Note to proud dad/sports journalist/editor Dennis: When he gets to Johns Hopkins or Duke in a few years, I'll be expecting tix to the collegiate chmapionships...

WELL IT'S ABOUT TIME: The Golden State warriors announced yesterday that owner Chris Cohan has officially placed the team on the selling block. It is all but assured that Oracle owner and CEO Larry Ellison, whose company already has their name on the arena where the Warriors play their home games, will replace Cohan, who was only a slight improvement over previous, long-time owner Franklin Meulli. This, Lounge Lizards, is a very good thing...

THE I'VE SEEN IT ALL DEPT: It was announced today that 80 year old Buzz Aldrin, the second man to step foot on the moon 41 years ago this July, will be a contestant on the upcoming "Dancing With The Stars". Next Up: Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, former President Bill Clinton, and number 1 PGA Professional golfer Tiger woods will be co-chairing a National Town Hall Meeting on Marital Fidelity.

AND FINALLY: The Lounge would like to ask everyone to "pass the word" to all your friends. Whether you post a "Share" on your FB or MySpace or email a link to those in your address book, we'd really like you to invite everyone to our daily little get-togethers. And hey, while we're at it....in that little box at the bottom....

What's on YOUR mind?

Taking Out The Trash

OUR SON COLE is getting married tomorrow, in the Idaho Falls Temple, to the lovely, talented, and bright as a penny, Miss Heather Ann Hazelett. A wonderful edition to the family and cause for much celebration. So, because of the usual last minute details, running around, etc., that comes with such a blessed event, today in The Lounge, you get a veritable fountain of (mostly) useless information and some relaxing, lighthearted tunes from Mr. James Bartholomew Buffett. Always good for stress relief. And yes, photos will follow...

THE TURNING TIDE: I haven't been a big fan of the Nothing-but Corrupt Athletic Association since the olden, golden days when Marcia's dad, Ced Dempsey, was running the family...er..maf...er...organization. They did, however, do one thing right, when the NCAA decided to feed their benefactors (the fans who wach the Tournament) by making every single Tournament game available online...for free (http://mmod.ncaa.com). How good was this decision? The first three games of yesterday's opening round: #11 Old Dominion upsets 6-seed Notre Dame, 10-seed Florida takes #5 BYU into double-overtime before finally succumbing, and #15-seed Robert Morris and #2 seed Villanova (who yours truly has slated for the Final Four) ran their game into overtime before the 'Cats finally squeaked it out. By the end of the first day of play, a 3 seed, a 4 seed, an 8 and a couple of 6's were one and done, we saw two buzzer beaters, three games go into O.T. and there were enough other close games to easily double the number of upsets. And only half of the Tournament teams have played their 1st round games! In the 40-plus years I've been following the Tournament, this was one of (if not the) biggest day of 1st round upsets and otherwise great basketball; yet another testament to the iconic reminder of ESPN anchor Chris Berman: "THAT'S why they play the games"...

GAME OVER: It looks as though this weekend, the House will finally vote on the Healthcare Reform Act, it will pass, and the beginning of next week, President Obama will sign it into law. Not being able (or interested) to understand the incoherent gobbledy-gook spewing from the mouths of our useless representatives and the idealogues of the Tea Party and MoveOn.org, here's my final-final: This is by far a perfect bill. Partly because Dem leaders Pelosi and Reid are too busy playing politics to govern well, and partly because leaders on the other side of the aisle have been doing exactly the same thing, in fighting every provision of the bill from the get go, instead of accepting the good and proposing better alternatives for the bad parts. It can and will need to be amended as times goes on, but for now, here's the deal...The American Taxpayer, you and I, are already paying for the healthcare of the 32,000,000 people who can't afford insurance. When they need a doctor, they go to the emergency and you and I end up footing that bill. When this bill is finally encated, we will still be paying their medical bills, we'll just be paying a whole lot less. In addition, there are some excellent provisions that will benefit everyone, such as the absence of pre-existing conditions clauses in everyone's insurance, such as lifetime caps for those of us who have to face chronic or catastrophic illnesses. It not great, but it is better than the nation has ever had, and it is going to pass. So let's just move on, ok? Next up, bouncing the leaders of both parties' congressional delegations out on their ear in Nov...

FOUND (Fountain Of Useless Nowledge Dept): I learned today that actor Dick VanPatten (daddy dearest on the 70's tv show Eight is Enough) is the founder of Nature Balance Pet Foods...In 1995 the Republican House, led by supposed savior Newt "Sure I had Affairs, But Clinton Was Immoral" Gingrich, actually enacted the Houses much touted Contract With America using the same Pass and Deem procedure the Dems will use on Sunday to pass the Healthcare bill. "That which does not kill us surely come back to bite us in the a**"...That recent Nor'easter that knocked out power to thousands and killed at least six people in the metro NYC area, generated more calls to 911 than 9/11 did...General Mills does not sell Lucky Charms to the UK, but the majority of business done in a Baskin/Robbins ice cream parlour is for--vanilla ice cream...

YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK: Did you know that the White House will send your newborn a birthday card? All you have to do is send the following information: Baby's name, address, and birth date to: White House Greetings Office, Room 39, Washington, DC 20500 Or Fax Your Request To:202-395-1232. Am wondering if this doesn't belong in the section directly above...

BLAST FROM THE PAST: the other day I was perusing my FB Wall and who do I find but Walla2's Sally Barker Shafer, a stalwart from the Woodstick days and perhaps the most talented female guitarist-vocalist without a record deal. No joke, folks; imagine a brunette Bonnie Raitt with just a taste of Tina Weymouth. This gal is a five-tool player: Vocals, guitar, writer, cute as a bug, and cool as the other side of the pillow. I am still amazed someone hasn't put this sweetheart on vinyl (yes, I am old), but one thing's for sure, she'd kick tush in any club West of the Mississippi. If she wasn't so cool, I'd suggest she go after the next "Idol". Game over on the first night. Great hearin' from ya Sal...

And so concludes our daily scribbling (and pardon the typos). Here's hoping you all have a magnificient weekend, that your bracket picks all show up, that the weather stays clear, dry and sunny, and that you will each take one moment to "Share" The Lounge with your FB Friends. We always believe the more, the merrier. And while we're at it...that little box below...

What's on YOUR mind?

Grateful Birthday Madness

HOT BIRTHDAYS: Extreme B-DAY wishies to my dear old friend, Jim McGuinn, the "Head Poop" and Walla Walla's Hot Poop, the world's only Bing Bang full service music store. When I first moved to WallyWorld some 18 years ago this May, I was a fish out of water. But the dam was soon opened the first time I walked into "the Poop", and found one of the finest Deadheads I'll ever know. Here's to ya, Jimbo...Also to Becky Redgwick Pounds (AVHS Class of '80), Bishop Steve Bates (one of my many spiritual mentors, but more importantly a good, dear friend, and to my nephew Duston Turner, all brought onto this big ball of dirt on this day, a good day, indeed...

EXECUTIVE MADNESS: As noted yesterday, I had intended to dedicate an entire blog to NCAA's, which begin this afternoon. 30 years ago, this would have been the lead story around the nation, but these days there's just too much going on. Suffice it to say that regardless of the routes we took to arrive there, including yesterday's disheartening announcement by CAL coach Mike Montgomery that starting power forward Omondi Amoke has been suspended for the entire Tournament for disciplinary reasons, Presidnet Barack Obama and I ended up with the same Final Four picks: Kansas, Kansas St., Kentucky, and Villanova, both of us picking Kansas to take Kentucky in the Final. And while we do agree on many things, including the madness of March, no, we don't agree on everything...

AIKO AIKO: Color me rainbow and call me Wavy Gravy...this week saw long time Grateful Dead / Dead bassist Phil Lesh turn the big 7-0. Beyond stunned as I picked up the news from Jess Barsotti's FB page, kudos to her big bro Dharma for the excellent floats he and his staff created for the inside of the BG Memorial Aud for the sold out shindig. Phil will always hold a special place in my heart. The last night of Winterland, I accidentally parked the Blue Bomb behind his car in the hall's underground garage and for a good portion of the evening, was continually reminded that a bounty had been placed on my head. Here's hoping there is a statute of limitations on such things. Belated Happy Birthday, Philly!...

IT'S ALWAYS GREENER: An old friend from Stockton (by way of Austin, TX), Cameron McDonald tossed me a quick FB chat this morning, noting that today starts the SXSW Music Conference, which he will be attending. The envy is all mine, kind Sir. Have a great time, take excellent pix and if you can get a directional mic in the joint, yes, I'd love a copy...Also from the FB front: I read from Jan Simmons' page today that during her gym workouts the last couple of months, she has found the Stones "Exile" lp a great musical motivator to get her through the elyptical. I responded that while that is an excellent choice, I really love my boot from the Stones Saturday show in '81 at Candlestick. For many years, Jan was Bill's right hand, perhaps never moreso than during that 81-82 US and European Tour, which we coordinated for the Glimmer Twins, et. al. So YEAH!...like she's going to need MY copy of that show. My apologies to Janny for my putz-like post and sure hon, if you'd like to upgrade my version of that show with a copy of your own, I'd be more than obliged...

THERE MUST BE A PILL you can take for this. Many March Widows have declared that sentiment ever since the NCAA started March madness, but I've never seen a case so desperately in need of medication. AVHS AND UCSB alum Mark Schellman seems to be posting a nutty after hearing the words of sports talkinghead Jim Rome, who yesterday predicted the Gouchos of Santa Barbara to upset the Numero Dos seed Buckeyes from THE Ohio State University in this weeks tournament opener. Hey Mark, I'll bet you those killer speakers you had in your apt. on Abrego against EVERY bootleg CD (more than 150) I own, that your boys don't get within 10 pts. Not meaning to spoil your fun buddy, but it's always a good idea to have a reality check before tip off...

AN EARLY GIFT: Less than an hour after yesterday's Lounge comments, encouraging Master Golfer of the Universe, Tiger Woods to get back in the game and play in the upcoming Masters Tournament, had hit the blogosphere, el Tigre released an announcement that indeed, he would be returning to the front lines of the PGA by teeing 'em up at Augusta. Now I don't really believe that Woods decided to play simply because the tourney starts on my birthday this year, but unless Lisa can find someone to watch the kids and is able to book the "Rio" room at the Destinations Inn (http://www.destinationsinn.com/), this is about the best way to celebrate the Big 5-0 I could have come up with.

Monday Recap

MANY OUTSTANDING MOMENTS during Granpda Weekend. Aiden hangin' with Huck; like Rick and Louis at the end of Casablanca, the beginning of a beautiful friendship. The heart-melting smile the first time the little cowboy turned the light switch off by himself (it doesn't take much to entertain a 10 month old). The classic Bubblebath/Rubber Ducky Hour to bring a quiet end to each day. But for this extended four-day weekend, nothing topped the precursor to yesterday's mid-morning nap. 10:30 hits and like clockwork, a rabid case of the "crankies" set in...imagine Chucky having a really bad day. But a diaper change and a chilled bottle of 2010 Infamil Private Reserve...which usually sends him right into Sandmanland and...Mr. Cranky Pants still wants more. So, I fix him another bottle and when I return, he's not the least bit interested; instead, perfectly content to lay in my arms and have me rock him to sleep with a couple of less-than-stellar James Taylor covers, Long Ago and Far Away and Sweet Baby James. Fortunately, the lad has no musical ear yet, so my ick-apella lullabys were enough to put him to sleep...and I got to walk around the rest of the day with a case of the uber-warm fuzzies...

THE OSCARS FOR this family is as follows: didn't watch it, weren't all that interested in who won. I remember back in the days when Oscar Night was a "big" deal; in fact maybe the first actual "Must See TV". Mostly I remember the hosts. I recall Bob Hope when I was younger, then the Carson Years of the late 70's/early 80's, followed by the Billy Crystal/Whoopi Goldberg 90's, probably the longest stretch of great Oscar nights, highlighted of course by Crystal's opening sequences that were always funnier and more creative than any of the movies nominated. If the Academy was smart, they'd pay Crystal whatever he wanted, give him 100% control and sign him to a lifetime contract. As for last night, my thanks to gal pal Patty Santin for her live updates via FB chat while I was sitting at the keyboard catching up on work I put off to spend the last four days with Mr. Smiley Face...

AL GORE DEPT: Here in IF, two years ago we had our last substantial snowfall on June 11. Last year, May 21. Yesterday, March 7, was our third consecutive day with temps over 35 and the second in a row over 40, and in every yard on our street, it was hard to find more than a melting snowman's worth of the white stuff. Being a NoCal boy, I'm as happy as Tiger Woods in a hotel room full of b-cup bleach blondes, but I am wondering how the anti-GW crowd will explain this one. Maybe passing it off as a reasonable result from all the extra driving we've been doing since our community-minded friends at the oil companies lowered pump prices to less than $3 a gal? Uh....yeah! I am sure the eco-folks are glad the guys at ExMob are finally starting to see the light...

NEXT UP, MARCH MADNESS: Today, my 13 year old heads back to school, while the 11, 15, and 17 year olds have the day off. Reason: The elementary and high schools on this side of the Snake are on Trimesters, while the Junior High, located directly next to and across the street, respectively, from each, is on a Semester schedule. Public Education at its finest...Always a day late and several million dollars short, our local, county, and state governments, along with a couple of dozen large corps are hosting a mini economic summit and jobs faire at the Civic Aud. here in IF today. Among the scheduled speakers will be Idaho Governor Butch Otter and IF Mayor Jared Fuhriman. Coming on the heels of last week's Labor Dept. announcement that new job losses were 7.2% less than expected last month, do ya think if they'd had job faires like this all over the US two years ago, we might have avoided this whole economic slump all together? Personally, I think if the gov required the banks to either lend every last cent of bailout money to businesses for expansion or give it back, with interest, we'd have all been back in black months ago...Final madness of the month: my good friend Stacy Beintema, late of arch rival Foothill High in Pleasanton and the Grupe Co. of Stockton, CA, where in 1984 she lured me into the maelstrom of property management when I began my slow departure from the peace and quiet of the rock and roll biz, turns...a year older...on the 15th. Once again, the Ides have it, and I'd say she's doing ok. A retired SJCO cop for a hub (and a fabo guy in his own right), two awesome kids (one war hero and one recent Fresno St. grad who is taking the "girls always fall in love with men just like their daddy" WAY too seriously), and a fulfilling career helping people stay alive at the American Cancer Society. Not bad for a salty (not) old gal who still doesn't look a day over 35. Happy Birthday, B...

THIS WEEKEND WAS also my brother Bob's 48th birthday. He, his lovely wife Susan, and their daughter Alex celebrated a week early in Maui, where they took a much needed vaca. Not surpisingly, I received notice on their 3rd day in paradise that they had been "Bartmaned" again. It seems everytime these two leave the continental US, disaster ensues. Nine years ago, nary a month after their wedding, they hopped a honeymoon flight to Ireland (the lengths my lil' bro will go to play a new golf course!). In the middle of their trip...9-11. Last Saturday, it was the Chilean earthquake and the very real, albeit temporary, threat of tsunami waves overrunning the islands. In the end it was an oddly enjoyable afternon for them and the thousands of other tourists bunking beachside to pack up, cart their rental cars up to high ground and watch the tide come in and out until the all-clear was given. The NTSB has politely requested the next time they are looking for a get away spot, they should try Kansas. Happy Brithday, Bubba...

AND SO ANOTHER week begins. Senioritis has already started setting in on school teachers (along with some students), geese are starting to head back to Canada, ticked they missed the Olympics, and I'm sticking pins in voodoo dolls of my friends back in Cali who are enjoying their home golf courses while, because of the snow that remains, I'm lucky to scare up a good game of Wii Golf. But we live, we love and we pray for the best, all the while remembering how blessed we are just to be able to experience the madness.