As most Vikings fans like myself anticipate the Vikings vs. Packers showdown. We also anticipate the reaction Favre will receive. I am anticipating something bigger. What's bigger than a important divisional game, with Favre returning to Lambeau after playing there for 16 years? I am anticipating the birth of my first child.
I've spent the last 9 months answering and pondering the question? Are you ready? My response and feeling is that it doesn't matter. There is no turning back now. I'm going to be a dad in no more than 72 hours. People often say that the greatest day of their life is the birth of their child. How do you prepare for the greatest day of your life?
So am I ready? I'd like to say yes, but I'm afraid the answer is no. Does that mean I'm going to fail, probably not. I have spent the better part of my life planning and organizing things. I'm one of those people that likes have a plan. I don't like a lot of spontaneity in my life. Sure I can handle a change of plans or surprise now and then, but I like to know whats coming. So what is coming? A 24/7 responsibility for the rest of my life. I'm the guy that's eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every time my wife hasn't been home to prepare a meal. I'm not talking like 2 or 3 times. When eating dinner by myself I'm like the Brett Favre or Cal Ripken of PB and J meals.
I've spent a lot of time thinking about Rusty and his life. I remember all the times when I was a kid, saying and thinking about when I have a kid, all of the things I'd do different. But now looking back, I think I'll do much of the same. I couldn't believe my parents made me do my homework every night instead of going back for another game of street football with Billy, Bobby, and Danny. I'll have a lot of time to prepare for certain situations with Rusty. I mean for the next year or so, he'll be a human depository, with no social skills, and terrible communication habits. But it's after that, that what I think about. How much do I want him to be like me? How much information do I force into his developing brain. On the flip side how much freedom do I give him? I have lived a life with a ton of freedom. My parents gave me plenty of freedom, sometime I took advantage of it, and sometimes I didn't. My wife gives me tons of freedom. Sometimes I take advantage of it(read the high school hockey tournament blog), sometime I don't. I want Rusty to make mistakes. I want Rusty to lose and fail. I think those things make a person stronger. It'll make him work that much harder to try and win and succeed. I don't want him to lose, fail, and make mistakes for 20 years like the timberwolves, but I'm not expecting a Yankees like philosophy either.
Nature vs. Nurture was always interesting to me, and now I'm going to sit court side and watch. I think there is a fair argument to both sides. I think nature and nurture actually come to a tie. I think it will be a challenge keeping it balanced. I can't pick his friends, but his friends will have a major impact. I don't want to be the Brad Childress of parenting. I will have a game plan, but I may need to call an audible every once in a while. I also want Rusty to scramble and make a play if the defense outsmarts us both. I don't want Rusty to be afraid to take risks. I want Rusty to go for 2 and the win at the end of the game, when an extra point will tie it up. I think that so many people now days are so afraid of failing that they never take a chance to succeed.
I think what I anticipate the most is myself. How will I transform into the next stage of my life. Am I ready to move on, do I have to move on? I'm sure most people experience these thoughts on the eve of having a child. I'm going to go into this wishing and hoping that Rusty will enjoy his life as much as I have. I'm not going to worry about global warming, or terrorism. I don't even really care whether the President is republican or Democrat. I am going to make sure that Rusty has the resources he needs to succeed. I'm not going to force him to wear a bike helmet. My philosophy will be this, "If you fall off your bike onto your head, you should either not ride a bike or be more careful and not fall on your head." I'm not going to make Rusty run laps in the back yard, preparing him to become the center fielder for the Yankees. I'm not going to make him throw 200 footballs through a tire every night preparing him to become the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. I"m going to live my life, and let him live his. I'll be there as a base coach while he's running the bases. But if he gets picked off like Nick Punto against the Yankees, he's gonna sit on the bench for a while.
I'm going to approach this with a open mind. There are going to be highs and there will be lows. And I'm going to be prepared for both. I'm going to let Rusty choose his path in life . . . . as long as he ends up being a defensemen on the Gophers hockey team. So go ahead Heather pop at any time I'm ready.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Steve Phillips Affair
I'm sure most of you have heard the story of former ESPN analyst Steve Phillips alleged affair. If you haven't read the letter from his girlfriend to his wife, then you're missing out. Click on the title of this blog to read the actual letter.
What's going on?
The first thing I want you to do is click on the title of this blog. Now after reading this what do you think? If you agree with the decision, then go to the highest floor of the building that you're reading this in, and jump out. This was a football game, being announced by football guys. One of them made a funny comment about what Juan Pablo Montaya might be doing. Who the hell cares. I mean find me a group of guys that don't watch a sporting event and tell tasteless, and discriminating jokes. Who are the people that are offended by these things. Really, where are they? I'm serious, I know a lot of guys and none of them would find this the least bit offensive. You're talking about a Mexican guy, and commented that he might be eating a Mexican meal. What if he was actually eating a taco?
Here is a crazy idea. What if the people that are offended by these comments just don't tune in. Something tells me that the people that did complain weren't a group of Mexican men. Is it just ESPN afraid of losing sponsors? I just don't get it. First of all if I did hear something offensive on TV, who the hell knows who to call. Let's say I'm offended that someone on VH1 said something that offended a overweight red headed white guy. Do I call 411 and ask for VH1? I mean you have to be pretty offended to take the time to research the company just to find out how to contact them.
Last week some people were upset that Jeff Fisher, the coach of the Tennessee Titans was wearing a Colts jersey at a charity benefit. I mean I love sports as much as anybody, but if Brad Childress was wearing a Packers jersey I wouldn't lose any sleep, let alone take the time or to show my displeasure with him.
We've become so politically correct that we're beginning to eliminate humor. Have you ever heard a group of old guys talk. All they do is insult the different cultures. I just don't get why there are so many whiny bitches out there. Where does this start. Is it the parents? Is it the schools? I'm about to bring a child into this world, and I hope that he doesn't become one of them. How do I protect him from this. I don't want him to become a racist bigot. But I want him to have a set. I don't want him to come crying to mommy every time someone takes a couple of jabs at him.
We need someone to stand up to these people. Jeff Fisher tried to. He said, he would do it again if he had the chance. I'm just so sick of these whiny bitches suing, and crying every time some person gets made fun of. What would happen if Paul Revere rode into Boston now, and claimed "The Redcoats are coming, the Redcoats are coming." Would the British show up, and start whining about the racist redcoats remark?
I know I've ventured far from my point, but it's just getting old. There was nothing inappropriate about this comment. I don't care what Bob Griese says, he doesn't think it's wrong. I am certain that the people of ESPN don't think it's inappropriate. So let's find this people who are offended by these comments, and Halloween costumes. Let's give them the H1N1, and thin the heard a little bit.
Here is a crazy idea. What if the people that are offended by these comments just don't tune in. Something tells me that the people that did complain weren't a group of Mexican men. Is it just ESPN afraid of losing sponsors? I just don't get it. First of all if I did hear something offensive on TV, who the hell knows who to call. Let's say I'm offended that someone on VH1 said something that offended a overweight red headed white guy. Do I call 411 and ask for VH1? I mean you have to be pretty offended to take the time to research the company just to find out how to contact them.
Last week some people were upset that Jeff Fisher, the coach of the Tennessee Titans was wearing a Colts jersey at a charity benefit. I mean I love sports as much as anybody, but if Brad Childress was wearing a Packers jersey I wouldn't lose any sleep, let alone take the time or to show my displeasure with him.
We've become so politically correct that we're beginning to eliminate humor. Have you ever heard a group of old guys talk. All they do is insult the different cultures. I just don't get why there are so many whiny bitches out there. Where does this start. Is it the parents? Is it the schools? I'm about to bring a child into this world, and I hope that he doesn't become one of them. How do I protect him from this. I don't want him to become a racist bigot. But I want him to have a set. I don't want him to come crying to mommy every time someone takes a couple of jabs at him.
We need someone to stand up to these people. Jeff Fisher tried to. He said, he would do it again if he had the chance. I'm just so sick of these whiny bitches suing, and crying every time some person gets made fun of. What would happen if Paul Revere rode into Boston now, and claimed "The Redcoats are coming, the Redcoats are coming." Would the British show up, and start whining about the racist redcoats remark?
I know I've ventured far from my point, but it's just getting old. There was nothing inappropriate about this comment. I don't care what Bob Griese says, he doesn't think it's wrong. I am certain that the people of ESPN don't think it's inappropriate. So let's find this people who are offended by these comments, and Halloween costumes. Let's give them the H1N1, and thin the heard a little bit.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Baseball Instant Reply
Baseball should start some form of instant reply. As I'm sure most of you have seen by now, the umpires have been atrocious this postseason. It all started with them not awarding Brandon Inge first base after being hit by a pitch. And then with the numerous missed calls in the Yankees and Angels game last night, this has been enough.
What are the arguments against instant replay? There are two reasons behind it. One of them is that it would cause games to take too long. Are you kidding me. Last nights game took 3:38 and they got all the calls wrong. So would anyone be upset if it took 3:45 to get all the calls right?
The other argument is from the traditionalists. Who think baseball should be left alone. I'm sorry that this isn't 1956 anymore with the Yankees and Dodger playing a subway series, with Mickey, Whitey, Yogi, and Jackie. Those days are over. So maybe we should catch up with the times. And does anyone really think care about the purity of the game. We've found out for the last few years, that most of baseball spent the last 15 years cheating.
So why doesn't baseball get this one right. Baseball would be the easiest sport to do instant replay in. You don't have to use it for balls and strikes, but use it for everything else. You don't have to do it like the NFL does, but do it like the NCAA does. Just have a guy up in the booth watching every play. If there is a questionable call, just ask him. That way we can get everything right. I understand the baseball has survived 100+ years without it. But baseball also survived without blacks, lights, and even airplanes. But when it was time to take advantage of those things baseball did. Well, this is baseball's time to add instant replay.
What are the arguments against instant replay? There are two reasons behind it. One of them is that it would cause games to take too long. Are you kidding me. Last nights game took 3:38 and they got all the calls wrong. So would anyone be upset if it took 3:45 to get all the calls right?
The other argument is from the traditionalists. Who think baseball should be left alone. I'm sorry that this isn't 1956 anymore with the Yankees and Dodger playing a subway series, with Mickey, Whitey, Yogi, and Jackie. Those days are over. So maybe we should catch up with the times. And does anyone really think care about the purity of the game. We've found out for the last few years, that most of baseball spent the last 15 years cheating.
So why doesn't baseball get this one right. Baseball would be the easiest sport to do instant replay in. You don't have to use it for balls and strikes, but use it for everything else. You don't have to do it like the NFL does, but do it like the NCAA does. Just have a guy up in the booth watching every play. If there is a questionable call, just ask him. That way we can get everything right. I understand the baseball has survived 100+ years without it. But baseball also survived without blacks, lights, and even airplanes. But when it was time to take advantage of those things baseball did. Well, this is baseball's time to add instant replay.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Illegal Alien
I stumbled upon this article from the Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/business/64651167.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsl
Who is Target offending? Illegal Aliens? Are we worried about what the message we're sending to fictional beings? Or are we worried about offending the people that are in this country illegally? These kind of stories drive me nuts. We've become so sensitive, and politically correct that we can't even degrade aliens or criminals anymore. Target shouldn't apologize, instead they should just simply release a statement saying; "We here at Target are going to continue in the spirit of Halloween and sell this costume. This costume is supposed to be witty, clever, and funny. If you are offended by this costume you are either in our country illegally, or are an alien. So please shop somewhere else." Vicki Adams says, "It's insensitive, it's offensive." I'll bet you that Vicki doesn't get invited to a whole lot of Halloween party's. Can you imagine Vicki walking up to you dressed as a pirate, and letting you know that you're offending all of the pirates in the world.
I think it's a sad state we're in when we can't even pick out Halloween costumes anymore without offending anyone.
Who is Target offending? Illegal Aliens? Are we worried about what the message we're sending to fictional beings? Or are we worried about offending the people that are in this country illegally? These kind of stories drive me nuts. We've become so sensitive, and politically correct that we can't even degrade aliens or criminals anymore. Target shouldn't apologize, instead they should just simply release a statement saying; "We here at Target are going to continue in the spirit of Halloween and sell this costume. This costume is supposed to be witty, clever, and funny. If you are offended by this costume you are either in our country illegally, or are an alien. So please shop somewhere else." Vicki Adams says, "It's insensitive, it's offensive." I'll bet you that Vicki doesn't get invited to a whole lot of Halloween party's. Can you imagine Vicki walking up to you dressed as a pirate, and letting you know that you're offending all of the pirates in the world.
I think it's a sad state we're in when we can't even pick out Halloween costumes anymore without offending anyone.
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