OHIO State-IU Game Decided By Referees

For the longest time now I have a ritual of watching IU Basketball with my dad if I am off. Today was no different. We set up and prepared to watch IU, knowing that we would probably be watching them lose. They have after all lost the last ten. Dumes whom I have slammed in a previous blog has played much better since that game that I spoke of, yet he still continues to make stupid mistakes. Especially in the last game according to my dad. Dad said he got them beat. If there is one thing I won't argue with my dad on it's basketball because he really knows his sport. Now what I'm about to say is not meant to slam Ohio State. I think they are a great basketball club and I enjoy watching them play. What I didn't enjoy today was watching what was obviously one of the worst refereeing jobs I've ever seen. At least where it came to calling things against Indiana and in favor of Ohio State. There was an obvious goal tend which should have given IU two points that didn't get called. HELLO you can't touch the ball when it's on the RIM. Refereeing 101 anyone? Then there was a foul (there were two of them, but only one I saw) called against Roth (IU #2) on a three point shot where it was also again obvious that he never touched the guy. But lets give Ohio State the opportunity to go to the line. What the heck. Then there was the three point shot that Roth was fouled by an Ohio State player and they called a foul on Roth???????? What is wrong with this picture. What I wonder is does the NCAA watch these things and do anything or do they just sit back and say "Oh, well the referees were obviously Ohio State fans. Better luck next time." Either way the game was a lot of fun to watch. Roth was on fire shooting three point shots and he set the school record for them in a game and the freshman record over all. That guy is insane to watch. Lets not forget some other amazing plays by other players today as well made for a lot of fun in watching. Whether IU wins or loses though, the one thing no one who watches can deny is that those kids play with a lot of passion. They never give up even when it seems hopeless and I think any team that wants to beat them better be doing it now, because next year they are going to be a force to be reckoned with. As for Ohio State, congratulations on your win, but I think it would have been a lot more fun to have won it without the help of such lousy officiating. Of course it's just my opinion.

The Impossible Dream

As many of us know every move you make in life is watched and judged. Some of us are watched more closely than others, probably because we have a tendency to believe that our opinions should matter. Now notice I said should. That doesn't mean they do. Often times our opinions are taken as aggressive behavior. They are taken as wrong doing or trouble making in progress. No matter how noble our intentions we fall off that pedestal that either others or ourselves have placed us on. So can you imagine running for an office such as President of the United States of America? I am in constant amazement at the over whelming amount of people and articles that are constantly looking to find fault with him. Get a clue people, he's human. He's not going to be perfect, because no human is. Here is the kicker though. How many of these people trying to tear him down and find fault with him could have a faultless enough record to become President of the United States of America? You heard me. I mean do you understand and realize what an extensive back ground check goes into this before they can take this office? Do you understand that his entire life from birth up is placed under a microscope? Not to mention his family's life? And what an inspiration anyone taking that office could be to the rest of us if we open our eyes. I mean they stand up and say, "This is what I believe in and I'm willing to take the abusive of people's demands for my perfection in order to see it achieved." Now there are many reasons I could never be president. Some of which I don't think ought to be aired here on the world wide web. Mostly because I do hold to one of these ideas that these great men who have held office have held. That is that I believe that I should stand up for what I believe in. I should fight for what I feel is right and even though it's painful I will do it even at the blunt of being the joke of someone elses ridicule. I will do it knowing that few will understand why or get that I'm often fighting for them. I will do it knowing that I will be outcast as aggressive and sometimes too forthright. Am I perfect. Wow I'm really about as far from perfect as they can get. Here's a kicker for people who want to get amusement on my behalf - I don't hate anyone. I am not currently angry at anyone. I hold no ill will of anyone. I honestly do wish each and every person out there a good life. So how do we achieve such greatness as Obama, Clinton, Bush, and many many others. I know I'm being judged right now for saying greatness and at least one of those names in my sentence, but think about it. Each over come the odds and overcome ridicule and public judgement to reach for their goals. Each strived for an impossible dream and grabbed the brass ring. What is your dream? What holds you back from attempting with all your might to get what you want? Is it fear of what others will think? Say? Do? Here's hoping each and everyone of you takes advantage of the freedoms provided under our flag and reaches for your own impossible dream.

Memories Come With Music

So Friday night on "Don't Forget The Lyrics" whom else but Rick Springfield would make an appearance for a rocking eighties chic? Made sense to me and what better ICON for the eighties could you pick? He had some of the most outstanding songs in my memory. What girl didn't dream of Rick Springfield showing up to take you to the prom or even just to take you out. The past year of 2008 was about me reconnecting with a side of me I had almost forgotten existed. One that allowed myself to actually have fun. This past weekend was just an extension or continuation of that in that I hooked up with friends to play games and talk. I also went out and bought Rick Springfield's new album "Venice in Overdrive." I haven't come to an over all conclusion yet on whether I like the album or not. I do like the song "What's Victoria's Secret?" It didn't satisfy my need to walk down memory lane though so I pulled out my old greatest hits CD of his. I LOVE that CD. What can be better than someone that good looking sounding that good singing. Well I could think of a couple of things, but for now it will do. What also astonishes me is how good Rick Springfield looks now for his age. On his birthday this year he will be sixty years old. Some people just preserve very well I suppose because I know I wouldn't be kicking him out any time soon. Either way you feel, if you would like to check out some clips of music from Ricks new album, visit his website at www.rickspringfield.com

It's A Cats Life.

Have you ever wondered what the phrase "It's a cats life" means? Perhaps you've never even heard it, but I have. Sometimes I think what a wonderful life, but then again perhaps not. Cats appear for all outward appearances not to give a "damn" what we humans are doing or what we want. This is my cat "Prissy" or "Ms. Priss". She is chilling on my unmade bed on top of my comforters. She's always been very prim and proper. For a cat that is. So cats put off this persona that they don't need anyone except someone to occasionally open the can of food or change their litter. They lay around in the sun or against the heater. They can sit and give you a look like "yeah, so what". But on the other hand they can also be very loving and my cat along with my dog always greats me at the door when I come home. For me though the past couple of weeks have been very stressful both personally and otherwise. I have been breaking out in little hives or rashes, which we don't know if it was from my blood pressure medicine or if it is just nerves or if something else is going on and my blood pressure has been very high for me. I'm normally not extremely high, but yesterday it was 135/97. Top number not so bad, bottom number... well let us just say I really have to get that down. I don't really feel like stroking out any time in the near future. So perhaps I need to work on being more like my cat. I mean I need to chill out. Of course I'm still walking. I need to do it more than I have been though. Perhaps I could just sit and stroke the cat and relax if life would allow it for a while too. Studies I have read have said that pets help to lower blood pressure and can often help people to live longer. Here's hoping I guess. Either way if outward appearances are all that count, then it really is a cat's life.

Happy Birthday Ritchie & Chris!

Today, January 21st, is both my best friend - Chris, and my brother - Ritchie's birthdays. They are both very special to me. Sorry this is so late in the day, but it's been a very busy day. Love you both.

A Dream So Close to Coming True

Do you think Martin Luther King would see this inauguration as part of his dream coming true? I think he might have. In a way I see it as a stepping stone; however, there are still way too many people who have no faith in equality of all. I guess we'll just see where this path takes us and hope the future gets brighter and brighter.

Holy Penquins! Kirkland's in Glenbrook.

Today I spent a very enjoyable Sunday with my friend Diane. We started off walking around Glenbrook before it ever opened and then dined at TGIF. After eating we set out to do some serious window shopping. One of the spectacular sites we first saw in the mall today was the fountain outside of JCPENNY's. This is absolutely a gorgeous exhibit. Then we found our way into Payless as I was looking for some summer slipons, but no luck. Off to the upper level to one of my all time favorite stores where we spent some serious time. Kirkland's is of course the store I'm talking about. I love the stuff in this store and the fact that it's priced decently makes it just that much more fun. Below I have some pictures taken from the store. Feel free to comment or even share with me which is your favorite and if you get time check it out.