text:
Date: Thursday, 11 September, 2003
From: "Ade" <>
By five o'clock the following Sunday, the dust in the makeshift pitch at the park had nearly settled. It was nowhere near half time, but everyone was glued to the radio. In two minutes, River's match would be over, and they would beat San Lorenzo, thus taking the first place on the table.
"¿Y entonces?" El Irlandés wanted to know.
"So, if Boca draws or looses, they take the cup. We have to win!"
A few feet away, Nando and Rolo, both River supporters and wearing the white shirt with the red diagonal line of their team, jumped two feet high on the referee's final whistle. The songs that, as always, scorned the sorry existence of the 'dung dwellers,' as Boca supporters were called by their archrivals, soon followed cries of victory. Fists up in the air and smiles on their faces, the River fans managed to carry their onslaught to libellous lengths before someone did anything about it. Fleco, his voice filled with curses of his own, flung himself on his two friends and the trio ended up face down in the dust.
Soon, fourteen young men with enough energy to plough a good-sized farm with their bare hands were spending it carelessly on bashing each other. Only El Irlandés stood on the sidelines, his gloves hanging limply from his shoulder, his gaze calm, and his countenance grave. Running its own course, the brawl eventually dwindled to verbal abuse, then morphed to song again, and ended with the two teams siding on taking each side of the pitch with the ball in the middle, itchy to start rolling.
El Irlandes turned on his radio, tuned it to one of the sport stations and waited for the match to begin.
Good afternoon, this is Victor Hugo Morales from La Bombonera, and the stadium is heaving with excitement. You're listening to Radio del Plata and we're bringing you Boca-Ferrocarril Oeste. And this, Ladies and Gentlemen, is for the Cup!
Only two minutes after kick-off, Rolo emerged from the shadows with a piercing snap-shot that was tipped behind by a defender on Fleco's team. But that wasn't quite enough and Ruben swooped to make a last-ditch clearance to deny Roberto, their striker. Now, after that first scare, the worn, brown ball seemed glued to Fleco's right boot. He moved gracefully and unconcerned, his head coolly focused. A classic number 10, he enjoyed creating, manipulating the times of the game with both chessboard strategy and inspired improvisation. In short, it was Fleco's job to make his teammates play a good ball. Or at least that was what he liked to think.
Dribbling around the midfield, his eyes caught a flash of blue on his left and he advanced faster, leaning heavily to the right. When the coast was clear he lofted a long pass to the man in Blue, who slept the ball masterfully with his instep and then ran with it. Fleco and Blue one-towed all the way to the penalty area, and froze in the face three defenders. They needed back up.
El Irlandés had walked a few yards up, his radio still to his ear.
.Would you look at that? Sassone is wearing his lead shoes today, friends. Marini steals it with class, and now you try catching him. Ferro is in trouble. It's Marini to Chavez. Chavez to el pibe Garrido-
When Blue hit the brakes leaving Fleco ahead, he sensed the defenders would pull back to leave him off-side, annulling the play. Quickly, he drew back and towards the right, effectively evading White and Stripes. There, he waited for Blue and Gomez to arrive and only then stroke a centre.
El Irlandés looked up, following the ball.
.Garrido, Garrido, el pibe aims and.
The sound of a car horn drew El Irlandés from the game for a fraction of a second, just as Blue connected a powerful strike on the ball forcing Stripes into a diving save with a flicked header. Fleco, arriving from the far right, didn't miss the re-bound and hit low to the far post where Nando, the goalkeeper, was waiting with sure hands.
.Good save by Benitez, and Ferro can start thanking
its lucky stars!
Fleco stomped on the dust to share his frustration with Mother Earth, and on looking up he found the side of the pitch empty. Where was the foreigner? Puzzled, he did a quick search of his surroundings and found the lean figure of El Irlandés heading slowly towards the street. Parked by a newsstand was a green Ford Falcon with a Boca Jrs. Flag tied to its antenna.
"Milicos!" Fleco yelled, having recognised the trademark car at once.
Heads turned around in alarm and searching eyes ignored Fleco, who stealing the ball from the centre-field kicked it brutally in the general direction of the car. He sprinted after it and stopping a prudent fifty yards away from the unmarked Falcon, yelled, "Flaco, la pelota!" - give us the ball, mate.
El Irlandés turned around in surprise and found the ball a few feet away from him. His left eyebrow quirked in question, but all he got in return was a pair of frightened blue eyes that issued a silent warning: "Don't get closer to that car." Fleco saw the foreigner turn around and look at two men in the car; then bring his cold gaze back to him. The message was clear: "Mind your own fucking business," and all Fleco could do was take another, very uncertain, step towards his friend. For a few seconds the only sound that filtered through was the car's radio.
.Now the Boca players are gathering around the referee, too. It's the last warning, he seems to be saying. Clear off the lot of you, or else. Yes, that's a red card for Gomez. Boca will be playing the rest of the match with ten men.
"La pelota!" Fleco insisted, a note of urgency in his voice. He would not stay another moment. It was already too dangerous and if the foreigner wanted to commit suicide, well, it was up to him. He was done babysitting.
El Irlandés must have picked up on his fear, because Fleco saw him nod, his icy stare still on him. The foreigner retrieved the ball and started walking slowly towards Fleco.
"¿Amigos tuyos?" asked El Irlandés, as they started back towards the pitch. - Friends of yours?
"Fuck, no." Fleco replied, with a twinkle in his eye. " Those bastard milicos are all River fans."
"Bastards," Fleco corrected. "What did they want with you?"
El Irlandés shrugged his shoulders. "Directions?"
Fleco chuckled softly, but then grew serious again and giving the foreigner a sideways glance, said, "Imagine if they found out you're a Yank."
"I'm not."
"Bastards," Fleco said, shaking his head.
The game had stopped and that wasn't good. It attracted undue attention. Fleco quickly threw the ball in and immediately the players started moving, outwardly unconcerned. But Rolo hadn't, and though a centre forward for Fleco's rival team, he was still his personal best friend. Rolo's eyes kept veering left, towards the green car. Fleco frowned.
"Movete, chabón!"-Move, man! Stripes yelled at Rolo, when the ball had passed him twice without him even noticing.
His eyes alternatively on the game and the Falcon, El Irlandés cranked up the volume of his radio.
It's Viale now for the free kick, and things are
looking good for Boca. And Viale aims. But Benitez
rejects it with his fists. The ball is up for grabs, and there's el pibe again. Garridoooo, Goal. Gooooooooooaaal!
"Boca one, Ferro nil," deadpanned El Irlandés.
Gloaaaaal!" yelled Fleco's side, joining in a team hug as if they themselves had scored.
There was joyous honking coming from the car by the newsstand, and if the mood of the River Plate fans needed further sullying, that was the right incentive.
"I'm out. See you Sunday," said Rolo.
"Hang on!"
"You can't leave like this!"
But before the protests could start in earnest, Fleco hushed the outraged players with a meaningful look. Long faced, some of the spirit stolen away from them, the teams resumed the game. Fleco put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Stay."
"Have to go, sorry," Rolo said, with a scurrying look towards the car. "Fucking dung dwellers."
Fleco gave his friend a belligerent push and took him to the side, so the game could continue. "They are all gallinas, didn't you know?"
Rolo smiled, "Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah," Fleco replied with a smile of his own. Then, more seriously, added, "We're not doing anything wrong. Stay."
El Irlandés was keeping his ear to the radio and his eyes on the pitch, but Fleco took a cautionary step away from him all the same. Rolo looked down, uncomfortable. "They know me," he said at last. "You don't want to be seen with me."
"We go to University together."
"That doesn't mean we're friends," Rolo said slowly. "Because we're not."
It was Fleco's turn to inspect the dust now. "Listen-"
"From now on, we're not," Rolo said softly, taking a step back. He looked at Fleco with a sad smile on his face and when he turned to leave his gaze clashed with another pair of blue eyes. An uncompassionate, harsh, and yet deeply understanding stare that equally unnerved him and made him relieved that he was leaving. El Irlandés didn't say anything.
Ferro is growing, friends. That was a close shave for Boca, but they'd better keep their wits up.
"We're not doing anything wrong!" Fleco insisted.
"I know," Rolo said, and walked away.
Fleco kept his eyes on him until he disappeared past the streetlights, and then round the corner. He breathed easier when the green Falcon didn't move, even when it meant the car had stayed and would remain there until something else made them leave. Fleco took a deep breath, carefully ignoring the man beside him, and focused his gaze on a distant horizon he wasn't really seeing. When the wind swept his hair forward and the view faded, he turned around and faced the foreigner. But he found the eyes of El Irlandés stubbornly glued to the game.
"Well?" Fleco asked.
El Irlandés looked at him.
"We'll cream them as they are. It will be slaughter if they're one man short."
El Irlandés seemed to be considering it for a moment, squinting his eyes for a sharper view of his would be team-mates.
"The side that loses pays for the pizzas and the cokes," Fleco felt obliged to point out.
"I don't have any money."
Fleco shrugged. "You'd better not lose."
---It's Galindez, number 7 out, and Ferrara, number 16 in. Just two minutes before half time, and Boca still up one-nil. Will their luck hold?
Boxing gloves and radio left behind, El Irlandés ran up to the midfield. Fleco couldn't help but smile at the celerity of his pace, and the determination of his stance. Soon, after a precise cross from Stripes, El Irlandés received the ball with such exquisite cushioning that Fleco whistled in awe. There was pedigree there. Left with enough time to ponder his next move, the foreigner took it forward a few yards and looked up to see who was policing the penalty area. Fleco, knowing there'd be three of them, hurried back for support all the same.
Now Stripes had the ball again, with the foreigner asking for it near the right corner pole. Roberto stroked a neat cross but El Irlandés had to move fast along the line to prevent the ball from going out. Acting as if a sixth sense told him danger would come from behind, he sprinted forward. Without back up, Brown, Blue Stripes and Fleco soon boxed him.
"Get him!" the captain said.
In a split second, the assailants came within inches of the ball. El Irlandés looked around in vain, and finding no support he tried evasive action. Zigging when he should have zagged, he lost it to Brown, who spent no time in planning the counter-strike.
"Defence!" El Irlandés yelled, frowning at Fleco's smile as he whizzed past him.
With his team struggling to create chances and his goal thirst unleashed, Fleco's legs moved at rocket-fuelled pace. He reached the goal area and controlling an awkward cross from Brown on his chest, fired the dropping ball towards goal from behind his standing leg. Two defenders stared helplessly as the ball rose, their heads shaking in disbelief. It would have been a shot worthy of applause, had it not gone a touch too high over Nando's head.
"High!" the keeper announced.
The issuing groans from Fleco's side conceded the failure in a tacit and mutual decision that, given the lack of a crossbar and net, was based purely on speculation. A pile of crumpled pullovers, sitting some twenty feet in a direct line from a rucksack, marked the width of the goal line. Its height was generally left to common sense, and sometimes to fists.
"Jesus," commented El Irlandés on passing by.
Fleco smiled through his disappointment. "Just a little lower and you'd be buying me pizza."
When the goalie came back with the ball after wrestling it back from an overzealous greyhound, both Fleco and the foreigner assumed their position on the midfield. The ball rose fast and travelled past the centre circle. El Irlandés, a few inches taller, headed the ball back into his own field and the sure feet of Roberto. With a long pass, the action moved to the farther right wing, dangerously approaching the goal line. But when Stripes fluffed a pass, the defence took its chance to clear the ball. Suddenly a cloud of dust enveloped everybody's attention as one player swept the ground and, rather than reaching it, connected hard with Gomez's shin.
"Foul!" cried Fleco and Blue.
"Fue a la pelota, loco!" answered Nando from the opposite goal line. - He was going to the ball.
"Like hell he was!" said Gomez, getting up and in the face of his aggressor. "Fucking asshole."
The other man had fight in him, and needed no further taunting. He pushed Gomez aggressively, and before he knew it he found a fist on his nose. Suddenly the ball was all but forgotten and the men circled around the two fighters. Gomez took a blow on his side, doubled over, and recovering his breath issued a kick.
"Dale, Quique, rompele la jeta!" - Smash his face, Quique!
"Don't let him get at you, Gomez!"
A man cried, "Hit him!"
"Kill him!" said another.
Quique dived into Gomez's legs, and the shorter man fell over. Fighting to get free, he bent over and bit his oppressor where he could reach.
"Not on the shins, not on the shins!" Quique warned and the pressure receded. There was still a game to be played, after all.
The two fighters stood apart, gathering courage, the cries from the crowd around them deafening. Fleco's enthusiasm was catching. "Desfiguralo, que igual quien se da cuenta!" Turn his face to pulp, no one will tell the difference anyway!
Quique turned around, like a bull being waved a red cloth.
"Epa---" Fleco said, rising his hands in the air.
But it was too late, and Quique charged madly, crushing Fleco against the dust. "Take it back!"
"I take it back," came the muffled reply.
Quique punched the man under him again. "What?"
"I take it b-"
Another blow. "Can't hear you."
Fleco fought under the weight of the other man, but made no progress. When, rather unexpectedly, the load was taken off him, his eyes finally focused on a pair of legs. He then felt a couple of hands under his armpits, and soon he was being helped to his feet. But suddenly all the support vanished as Quique's heavy bulk connected with El Irlandés.
The crowd went silent.
Fleco senses went immediately on the alert as he waited for El Irlandés' response. Jaw clenching with tension, he stole a glance towards the car parked by the newsstand, and nervously tried to make eye contact with the foreigner. But the gaze of El Irlandés was focused on one thing only, and that was the smiling, cocky countenance of his newly appointed rival. Gomez took Fleco by the elbow and pulled him away from the dusty circle, as the men parted to allow the new fighter some space.
Both fighters sized each other up quickly and after taking a few breaths to recover, bigger, sturdier Quique threw a well-aimed, low hook. El Irlandés took it partially on his left side, and as if he hadn't even felt it returned it with equal speed. His fist dived on Quique's stomach. It was a testing jab, designed only to measure the other man's resistance. Given Quique's distorted face, it wasn't much.
"Dale, che, que es un alfeñique!" Come on, he's light as a fly!
"Come on, Yank!" yelled Blue.
Fleco said nothing but chuckled softly, admiring the foreigner.
El Irlandés was not fighting, Fleco realised. He was playing. He was jumping around, ducking this way and that, controlling the force of his fists by not backing them with his body. The foreigner hit, Fleco noticed, as if to prove he could do it. A light punch here, a quick tap there, he inflicted little harm and yet his punishment was harsh. Refusing to turn the combat into play, with his mind focused and his face grave, he was simply driving his rival insane.
"Hey, stay still, will you?" the other fighter demanded.
El Irlandés, taking it literally, stood at attention, his guard down. His opponent grumbled in disapproval, sensing the lithe foreigner was up to something. He was not going to give up, however, so determined, he launched a powerful hook. El Irlandés, his feet as if nailed to the ground, flicked his torso and swayed to his right.
Fleco chanted under his breath the patented call that rewarded a brave matador's save: "Oooooleee!"
Quique tried again, his heavy chest rising and falling, his warm breath coming out in humid clouds. His eyes and fists focused on the handsome face that stared calmly back at him calmly. The foreigner ducked fast.
"Oooooleeee!" came the approval of some.
His face sombre, El Irlandés waited patiently. The third blow came sooner than later and well aimed at his stomach, took a quick side step to avoid.
"Ooooooleeeee!" cheered all the men now, rather amused as Quique's attempts gained in zest what they were already lacking in tempo. His boots lifted clouds of dust as they searched for sure anchorage on the ground.
A blow to the foreigner's right cheek. "Ooooleeee!"
A punch at his lower stomach. "Ooooleeee!!"
An improvised one-two at his eye. "Ooooleeee!!!"
Quique, feeling enough was enough and panting heavily, threw his arms in the air in exasperation. Standing as steadily as his tired legs would allow, he stretched out his hand. The men cheered. Between congratulatory slaps on his shoulders and fists raised in triumph, El Irlandés shook the offered hand firmly.
"Puta, los milicos!" said a hushed voice, and everyone turned to look at the car parked by the newsstand. Two men, dressed in civilian clothes had climbed out, no doubt attracted by the row, and were heading towards the pitch.
Fleco eyed the approaching pair and frowned. "Bastards."
"What do we do?" asked Nando.
"We're not doing anything wrong!" Fleco muttered the refrain through clenched teeth.
The faces looked back, filled with doubt.
"Let's come back once the match is over," Stripes suggested.
Many heads nodded, and Fleco was sure many of them would not come back today. He looked at the resolute face of El Irlandés, whose eyes seemed lost somewhere in the vicinity of the two military men. His radar for trouble beeping in warning, he took the foreigner by the arm. "Get your radio," he told him.
It took a moment for El Irlandés to register it, but when finally looked at Fleco no pretence of indifference showed. "What happens now?" he asked, as he picked up the radio from the ground.
"We leg it," Fleco said.
And as if hearing a starting pistol, all the men scattered.
To Be Cont...
To Part 3


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Date: Saturday, August 05, 2000
Lauryn Poynor <lpoynor@zebra.net>

Here's a little bit of the rest of the story.. Maybe I can work myself up to that NC-17 by part III. Read Part I here.

LOST ART OF STEELE (PART II) Rated mature for sexual situations.

by Lauryn Poynor

As soon as Laura shut the door behind her resolve left her. Why had she been so damned impulsive? What was she trying to prove? She stared at her reflection in the glass. It was startled and frozen, as if she'd just seen a ghost. She shivered and breathed in air, trying to calm herself.

Out there he was waiting, expecting her. Hoping that she would emerge from the bathroom like Venus rising from the sea. Not that a few strategically placed shells would hurt. Would she measure up to his image of her? Did it matter? Wasn't the real Laura the one he wanted? Never mind that he had tried to make that clear. She still feared the reality would disappoint him. A shiver ran through her as she sat down on the cold edge of the bathtub.

How did he expect her to feel? It was too much. What did he want from her anyway? That was hardly fair, she thought. He hadn't asked for this. She had been the one who intruded. Forced him to reveal something. Backed him into a corner. Now she was the one who was boxed in.

She knew, even before, that he had wanted her from the beginning. She hadn't quite realized how much. Yet, no matter what he felt then or was feeling now, he hadn't really been waiting for her, not physically, anyway. There had always been other women, and still were, although lately she saw less and less of them. Unlike the old days when they drifted in annoying waves in and out of the office. Whatever his occasional needs, he was keeping them to himself. She thought about what she knew of his past. Anna and Felicia. Did their portraits exist, too, hidden away on a shelf somewhere? Had they posed for him? Angry with herself she pushed the thought from her mind.

He had tried to be honest with her, that much she believed. She had pressed him and he had let his guard slip. It hadn't been an idle comment. The revelation had cost him, had meant something. He wanted them to be closer. So did she, but the past was so full of miscues and hesitations. Maybe her charcoal image was all he would ever have of her.

It wasn't that she didn't want him, but she knew that was treacherous ground. There was safer ground elsewhere. She hadn't been waiting for him, either. She had her own needs, during four years. None of her other relationships had led anywhere outside of the bedroom, even though she convinced herself she had tried. Sometimes, with someone else she had imagined it was Steele but it worked out quite badly. It was a distraction she couldn't handle.

When she was alone it was easy for him to come clearly into her mind. She couldn't deny the effect he had on her. The blue of his eyes. The feel of his thick black hair under her fingers. The way he moved, the fluid drape of his suits across his lean frame. Wondering always what was underneath, what his body was like. What he would feel like. Why didn't she find out? Why couldn't she let it just happen?

Laura knew he was tiring of the game. Stop and go, out of rhythm. Always having to push against that mysterious barrier that he couldn't break and couldn't understand. He couldn't understand her fear. Her fear that her body under his touch would betray her, undermine all of her hard won defenses. She would have to admit it to him then, how she really felt.

She couldn't go through with it. Her self laid bare under his gaze. She hadn't the strength to give him what she thought he wanted. Laura stood up, pulled her sweater on and squared her shoulders. How long had she been sitting there? She would have to face him. Willing her feet to move she stepped out of the room.

She found him standing at the bar, pouring Bushmills into a glass. He looked her up and down, assessing the situation. "Care to join me?, he said, pouring another one. He clanked them together in salute and quickly downed one, reserving the other. "There's a bit of white wine in the fridge if you'd prefer." Laura declined. "Need something to calm the nerves?," she asked. He gave her a rueful smile.

"Absolutely." The thought struck her that maybe he'd been as nervous as she was.

"I know you were expecting something more or should I say , um less…" she trailed off. I guess I'm just not ready for that yet. She searched his face. He didn't seem disappointed. "I have to confess it's a bit of a relief, really", he began. The thought of you before me in the flesh so to speak was a bit daunting artistically. I have excellent powers of concentration but I'm only human." They both had to laugh at that. Some of the tension left the air.

"Laura, you don't have to give me something you're not ready for. You don't have to prove anything to me." "We can do something else. We can go out for tennis or stay here, do whatever you like. It's sort of like that tri-athalon. We'll work up to it gradually, until we can cross that finish."

"Are we talking about art, sports or something else here?", she shot back. She saw a flash of anger in his eyes. "Don't you think the same

principle applies?" he answered. "We know what the process will require. Us on the same page. Sticking to a goal. Staying focused. No outside distractions. No, um, extra curricular activities." "I'm game if you are." It was clear what he meant. A mutual agreement. The ground rules to put everything into play, win or lose. She decided.

"Where do you want me?" she asked. He stared at her in utter confusion. "To pose," she explained. She was heartened by the hope she then saw in his eyes. "You'll have to take me as I am right now. I'm not ready for the big finish just yet."

His gentle smile was full of meaning. "As you are will be just fine, love."

End Part II
To Part III

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text:
John Paxson defies the odds

There are roughly 120 GM spots for major sports franchises in North
America. There are roughly 300 million people in the United States.
Let's assume that only 120 million are the proper age to be a GM (I
realize that I'm being extremely conservative w/ this number, but it
makes the math nice and easy). That means there's one in a million
chance that John Paxson would possess the skills required to be
considered good enough to be a GM.

There were roughly 30 point guard spots for NBA franchises in the
90's. The were roughly 250 million people in the United States.
Let's assume that only 30 million were the proper age (and gender) to
be a point guard in the NBA (I realize that I'm being extremely
conservative w/ this number, but it makes the math nice and easy).
That means there's one in a million chance that John Paxson would
possess the skills required to be considered good enough to be a GM.

The skills required to be a GM are mutually exclusive from the skills required to be a point guard.

1/1,000,000 x 1/1,000,000 = 1 billion (i think).

John Paxson is the luckiest man in the world!

[that, or sports franchises are a good old boys club]

Albert Einstein, Richard Christy, and Me

Richard was recently mocked on the Stern show (what else is new) because he compared himself to Albert Einstein. Einstein was known for having mismatched socks and only owning the same type of sweater. When pressed about it, he said that if thought about things like that, it would leave him with less time to think about other things. Richard related to that in that sometimes he forgets to shower because he's always thinking creatively about the show.

Now, even though I would never forget to shower (just the idea of that makes my skin crawl), I get what they are saying. I'm always lost inside my head thinking about things, and while the topics aren't on the level of E=MC^2 or a phony phone call, they are interesting to me. And I don't like the fact that I have to constantly break my thought process just to adhere to societal norms.

Three times a week, my neighbor is outside her house waiting for a bus that she organizes. She's an extremely nice woman. Unfortunately, on those days that she's out there, I have to stop what I'm thinking about and engage in the most mundane morning conversation with her. Weather related conversation. Yes, I know this is crazy weather. It's called global warming and it's going to be the end of humanity! can I get back to what I was thinking now?

I know I'm a "horrible person" for not wanting to talk to her, but I just wish I lived in a society where my ignoring her wouldn't be perceived as a slight. I wish I could just tell her "listen, I recognize your existence and I assume you are a good person. But I have things going on inside my head that are more important than idle chit chat and I'd like to get back to them". Then, two blocks down, I have to say hello to the woman who works at the laundry mat. She doesn't speak english, and I don't understand spanish, so it's just a smile, head nod, and mouthed "hello". but it's still annoying.

I get some serious thinking done on the train. It's a mini fortress of solitude (sometimes crowds make the best isolation....just ask Gatsby).

And then finally, I walk into work and have to go through a handful of good mornings and hellos. Communication should be left for things that are 1) informative, 2) entertaining, or, in certain circumstances 3) things that help the people involved "bond". Everything else is just empty filler that's preventing me from my very important work.

There was an article in Rolling Stone today that set of an explosion of ideas in my head. We'll see if I get the chance tomorrow morning to organize them in my head and make them coherent enough to share with someone else. I'm guessing not.

The Grey Ghost emailed me today. That in and of itself is a story. But it gets better. There was a sense of urgency in his email in that he said "quick, what's the best restaurant for...". i assumed he needed to know right that second, so I rushed to hit reply. A few minutes later he started asking questions about my selection. and we go back and forth a bit. then he's looking up the menu online. then he's telling me about alternatives. this whole exchange goes on for 20 minutes or so.

what was the rush?! he cc'd my home account too, so there was NO chance i wouldn't get it within those 20 minutes (unless i was inbetween work and home).

I know I'm being overly anal about a one line email starting with the word "Quick", but when you only hear from the grey ghost once a month, you need to absorb every detail.

David Deming's oh so convincing argument against global warming

my comments are in bold-italics.

Article published Dec 19, 2007
Year of global cooling [according
to a presentation to the UN, 2007 is currently the 7th hottest of all
time, and will most likely finish in the top 11 of all time]

December 19, 2007 [this line was true at the time]

By David Deming - Al Gore [implied
ad hominen attack. It worked for any issue that Michael Moore brought
up, so they think they can use it for Al Gore too]
says global
warming is a planetary emergency. It is difficult to see how this can
be so when record low temperatures are being set all over the world. [unless
you understand a concept studied in basic algebra called "average" or
"mean". Individual data points are irrelevant when you look at the
big picture of what the planet is doing. See, that's why that
reckless cowboy Al Gore calls it a PLANETARY emergency].
In 2007, hundreds of people died [dang Jethro, that's a big many people are in the world again?], not from global warming [do
you have data of people who died of heat exhaustion, lack of water, or
any other issues related to increased temperatures? No? why not?]
, but from cold weather hazards. [so heating the planet is a good idea because it will eliminate the handful of deaths from freezing?]

Since the mid-19th century, the mean global temperature has increased by 0.7 degrees Celsius [I'm
all about the metric system, but I have to imagine he only used it to
make the number look smaller. Fahrenheit would have probably
generated a number greater than one. also, shouldn't we be talking in
terms of percentages of temperature increase in an effort to
standardize the data?]
. This slight [please define "slight" as used in a scientific manner] warming is not unusual [define unusual], and lies well within the range of natural variation [please
site the scientific literature that supports this theory. Also, please
explain why you are focusing on what has happened in the past, when the
issue of global warming deals with what's going to happen in the future
if these trends are allowed to continue]
. Carbon dioxide continues to build in the atmosphere, but the mean planetary temperature hasn't increased significantly [define significantly] for nearly nine years [the hottest 11 years in the recorded history of the planet have occurred in the past 13 years]. Antarctica is getting colder [one small data point that doesn't negate that the planet, as a whole, is getting hotter]. Neither the intensity nor the frequency of hurricanes has increased. [Please provide proof of this] The 2007 season was the third-quietest since 1966. In 2006 not a single hurricane made landfall in the U.S. [I'm
not going to look up data on hurricanes, but I can spot several areas
where he's probably manipulating the data. First, the definition of
"hurricane season" is probably limited. I seem to remember concern
that hurricanes are now occurring out of the "traditional season".
That's the whole problem with global warming; the current patterns of
weather are changing. So 2007 was below average, but the only mention
of 2006 was that there were no hurricanes that hit US land. Hurricanes
might be increasing outside of the US, or even on the water that then
flow into the US, but as long as it doesn't touch US land,
then everything is alright. U-S-A! U-S-A! Btw, what was the hurricane
situation like in 2005, I can't remember. {sarcasm}]

South America this year experienced one of its coldest winters in decades. [I
should just cut and paste the line about "one small data point that
doesn't negate that the planet, as a whole, is getting hotter]
In Buenos Aires, snow fell for the first time since the year 1918. [And
this disproves global warming how? Unusual weather patterns is a BAD
thing. The crops that grow in Buenos Aires have evolved, er, I
mean "were designed by God" to exist in a climate that is traditional
for Buenos Aires. Change the climate, and the crops won't be able to
Dozens of homeless people died from exposure. [Dozens is slightly less impressive than hundreds, but Jethro is still impressed] In Peru, 200 people died from the cold and thousands more became infected with respiratory diseases
[Warmer weather is actually going to allow viruses to live longer.
Another pandemic is very likely to occur because of global warming]
. Crops failed, livestock perished, and the Peruvian government declared a state of emergency. [and...?]

Unexpected [Unexpected because our weather patterns are changing] bitter
cold swept the entire Southern Hemisphere in 2007. Johannesburg, South
Africa, had the first significant snowfall in 26 years. Australia
experienced the coldest June ever. In northeastern Australia, the city
of Townsville underwent the longest period of continuously cold weather
since 1941. In New Zealand, the weather turned so cold that vineyards
were endangered. [Remember jet streams? Think of big gusts of
wind that carry hot air from the equator and send it to the rest of the
planet. Those streams are changing patterns. So places that are used
to warm air might not get it anymore. Let's just say that jet streams
are VERY important]

Last January, $1.42 billion worth of California produce was lost [ok, now you have my attention. Products were lost? that's very Un-American] to a devastating five-day freeze. Thousands of agricultural employees were thrown out of work. [Wow, talk about pushing the capitalistic panic buttons] At
the supermarket, citrus prices soared. In the wake of the freeze,
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger asked President Bush to issue a
disaster declaration for affected counties. A few months earlier, Mr.
Schwarzenegger had enthusiastically signed the California Global
Warming Solutions Act of 2006, a law designed to cool the climate.
California Sen. Barbara Boxer continues to push for similar legislation
in the U.S. Senate [Ah, so if you support those crazy
liberals, you will be unable to afford orange
juice. And you might just find yourself out of work. and if that
happens, the terrorists win]

In April, a killing
freeze destroyed 95 percent of South Carolina's peach crop, and 90
percent of North Carolina's apple harvest. At Charlotte, N.C., a record
low temperature of 21 degrees Fahrenheit on April 8 was the coldest
ever recorded for April, breaking a record set in 1923. On June 8,
Denver recorded a new low of 31 degrees Fahrenheit. Denver's
temperature records extend back to 1872. [Individual data points, which could be random, or could be the result of changing jet streams]

Recent weeks have seen the return of unusually cold conditions to the Northern Hemisphere. [You had me at "recent weeks"] On
Dec. 7, St. Cloud, Minn., set a new record low of minus 15 degrees
Fahrenheit. On the same date, record low temperatures were also
recorded in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Extreme cold weather is occurring worldwide [except
when you add up all of these data points and then divide by the number
of data points. When you do that, the AVERAGE is actually high.
Really high.]
. On Dec. 4, in Seoul, Korea, the temperature
was a record minus 5 degrees Celsius. Nov. 24, in Meacham, Ore., the
minimum temperature was 12 degrees Fahrenheit colder than the previous
record low set in 1952. The Canadian government warns that this winter
is likely to be the coldest in 15 years.

Oklahoma, Kansas and
Missouri are just emerging from a destructive ice storm that left at
least 36 people dead and a million without electric power. People
worldwide are being reminded of what used to be common sense: Cold
temperatures are inimical to human welfare and warm weather is
beneficial [Because humans are the only living thing on Earth.
Sure, humans might not be able to produce food if global warming
continues, but that just means they'll look even better in their
. Left in the dark and cold, Oklahomans rushed out to buy electric generators powered by gasoline, not solar cells [Because they are selfish and short sighted] . No one seemed particularly concerned about the welfare of polar bears, penguins or walruses. [excellent
use of "weird" animals to lessen the impact. The sentence wouldn't
have the same propaganda impact if you had used "fish, cows, and
Fossil fuels don't seem so awful when you're in the cold and dark. [see, you have two options. You can either care about global warming, or you can have electricity, but you can't have both.]

you think any of the preceding facts can falsify global warming, you're
hopelessly naive. Nothing creates cognitive dissonance in the mind of a
true believer. In 2005, a Canadian Greenpeace representative explained
“global warming can mean colder, it can mean drier, it can mean
wetter.” In other words [#1 way to spot the straw-man? see the words "in other words"], all weather variations are evidence for global warming [see? He turned one sentence into another just by saying "in other words". Brilliant!]. I can't make this stuff up. [YOU JUST DID!]

Global warming has long since passed from scientific hypothesis to the realm of pseudo-scientific mumbo-jumbo. [Oh, snap!]

Deming is a geophysicist, an adjunct scholar with the National Center
for Policy Analysis, and associate professor of Arts and Sciences at
the University of Oklahoma

[I've seen this argument
before. Typically, it will occur on a cold day in the middle of
winter. The person in question will shiver a bit, and then mumble
"Global warming? Yeah right!" Can't argue with that logic.]

Well it's clear you don't drag your knuckles because they're so damn hairy.

Um, Jesus was put to death on a Friday, and rose again from the dead three days later, on a Sunday. So I guess because I still have some sort of organized religious belief I am below you and have no counting ability.

I forgot, I'm dealing with a turkey-eating vegetarian who has nothing better to do while getting paid for doing nothing at work than take pot shots at family members.

This is coming from a guy who complains that I have cases of water in my house and I'm contributing to global warming, yet he's happy to partake in drinking several bottles while over. When I suggest drinking tap water, he simply replies "Well, I'm not an animal."

Oh, and what about the 12 packs of soda, or bottles and cans of beer which you stock your fridge with? That concerned about the environment, eh?

It must be wonderful to be you and live in your environmental, correct-counting bliss while everyone around you is nothing more than a knuckledragger.

I'm glad that my "ignorance" is still fodder for your blog.

Finally, a football player intelligently manages the clock

I never thought I'd see the day. Westbrook intentionally went down at the 1 yard line instead of scoring, thereby allowing the eagles to run out the clock.

Of course, his coach overly praised him afterwards, as though it would be impossible for a running back to figure it out. {note, it was actually an offensive lineman who told him to do it}.

How Knuckledraggers measure time

Let's say that there are two types of work: Type A and Type B. Type A is desirable, while Type B is annoying.

On Monday, in either the late morning or early afternoon, I get an email from a knuckledragger that says "I just got Type A work". On Monday night, after work is over, we discuss how bad Type B is, and he says "don't worry, I have three days of Type A work".

On Wednesday evening, after work, the same person says "you know, Type B isn't that bad, it makes the day go by quickly".

Confused, I say "I thought you said you had three days of Type A".

Arrogantly, he answers "yeah.....Today is wednesday. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday equals three days. Duh!"

Me: "But you said I have three days on Monday night."

Him: "Yeah, I was including the work I did on Monday"

Me: "But that's in the past. Have is a present tense"

Him: "What, are you saying I should have stretched x amount of Type A into another day of work"?

Me: {internally, because there was no point in using these words to a knuckledragger}: Wow, what a strawman argument

Me: "Uh, by saying it makes the day go fast, that means you worked on it today"

Him: Yeah so......

Me: {puts headphones on}.

Point of the story: If you ever get into a conversation with a knuckledragger, make sure you realize that 1) have = past + present, 2) All of Tuesday plus slivers of Monday and Wednesday equals 3 days.

So, a soldier is coming home after a tour in Iraq, and he wants to surprise his kids. So he puts himself in a box and pops out in the middle of a class assembly (?). This is so exploitative both in an individual and general sense.

1) The actual kids are being exploited. Call me crazy, but I wouldn't want my emotional experiences as a child videotaped, broadcast on the news, or even performed in front of all my classmates as though I were a circus freak. The zoom in on the girl crying is just icing on the exploitative cake. That little girl is no longer an individual, but rather a symbolic and patriotic icon. How inappropriate.

2) The rest of the students are being exploited by being a part of this propaganda. Seriously, a school assembly just to make something "heart warming" that "supports the troops"? Only in Kentucky. Unfortunately, the Kentucky syndrome is spreading through the rest of this country. Only the east coast and California seem un-infected at this point....but we are barely holding on.

3) The father is exploiting himself and doing a disservice to the rest of the troops. This video will give viewers that warm fuzzy feeling when they watch it. They shouldn't have that warm fuzzy feeling.....because there are still a ridiculous number of soldiers still out there. This helps us forget about them, and the ones that died, and the 10's and 10's of thousands of Iraqi civilians who have died already. There shouldn't be a "feel good story of the year" in one of the more tragic situations in American history.

American Zeppelin

Move over "Grey Album", this is the definitive Jay-Z mash-up.

Jay-Z's "American Gangster" meets Led Zeppelin

my own "Knicks in 60"

So i'm this close to starting to get back into watching the Knicks. And last night, I think I perfected the art of watching a Knicks game in 2007/2008.

Watch the pregame. It's amusing to see the announcers put a positive spin on what's been going on in the past week or so and how they speak positively at the chances of this game. Then, when the game starts, go watch something on your DVR. Come back in in the early third quarter. This will be right around the time where the 10 point deficit balloons into 17. Sure, you will have missed the fans booing at halftime, but you'll get the most important boos of the night....the rage filled boos. mmmm, delicious.

Stick around for the rest of the third quarter and the early fourth. This is when the announcers will start to admit that things are not right with the Knicks. In the middle of fourth, keep the game on in the background, but do something else. Me? I like to wash dishes. I just don't have the stomach to watch mid-fourth-quarter timeouts where Isiah has NOTHING to say to the team. He's calling those time outs out of obligation. Last night I made the mistake of glancing over at the TV and he was actually doing that awkward "swing my arms from side to side and then clap in the front b/c my back is getting stiff waiting for this bus."

Now, when the game is right about to end, pull up a seat and get comfortable. You'll hear comments such as "lowest point in Knicks' franchise history" "loudest boos of the season" and the like. The announcers have to kick it to the sideline guys who kick it to the studio guy and each time the transitions are so deliciously awkward. "let's send it back to that WWF guy for HIGHLIGHTS". Highlights?

Now, for la creme de la creme....Isiah's post game interview.

I don't know if they always did this, but I particularly enjoy the little text underneath his face that says "Isiah Thomas' post game interview following the 105-77 loss to Philadelphia". Kind of drives the point home.

First question: blah blah blah What do the Knicks need to do differently?

There's clearly only one answer to this....and it's not Zeke's "well, we need to move the ball better, and we need to make sharper cuts off of screens". What?!?!? How about TRYING. If the players TRIED, that might make them better. The only honest answer would be this:

"Listen, first of all, we would need to construct a competitive roster. But that ship has sailed. However, we could probably achieve mediocrity if the players started to try. Because it's 100% impossible to win a game if you aren't trying. Of course, the caveat to that is that I can't make the players try. The reason they are not trying is because they don't respect me. Any efforts to right this ship are futile, because I have lost the players' respect. Can you believe Dolan isn't firing me?"

I don't understand how Isiah can get through a practice anymore. Can you imagine trying to work on little things like a new play, or free throw shooting when you KNOW the players aren't going to try during the actual game. I bet Isiah has to be all humble when asks Marbury to do something in practice.

"um, excuse me, Mr. Marbury..."
"what do you want, punk?"
"um, I was just wondering, if maybe, um, it could be possible for you to stand over here so we can try to run this play".
"hahaha....Yo, Randolph, get a load of this guy. He just asked me to do something. Hahah, what a fool".

In other words, I have to assume Knick practices are like the scenes in those cliched "inner city public school" movies where the new teacher doesn't have the respect of the room yet. Of course, in the Knicks' case, there is no 2nd or 3rd act where the teacher wins the class over by "caring" and "relating". Isiah Thomas is no Michelle Pheiffer.

Wow, that went off on a pointless side tangent.

a walk down memory lane w/ Cowherd

So a coworker *gasp* actually listens to that blowhard Colin Cowherd. It reminded me of this chat I had with him a couple of years ago. Looks like I had "help" from two other friends posting questions....I seem to remember the Buffalo reference being an inside joke about a wing eating contest. The bolded questions came from either two of my friends, or myself. I'm particularly proud of the Ross question and the one from the Clock.

Moderator: Hello everyone .. Colin is wrapping up the show and will be joining the chat room at approximately 1:10 p.m. ET ... keep sending your questions!

Colin Cowherd: Wow! I'm surrounded by computer hackers! It's a dream come true! Anyway, fire away! Good to be here.

Micromick, portland: Colin, are you going to lean on your buddy Phil Knight for a bunch of old shoes to give away as prizes?

Colin Cowherd: Believe me, the calls have already been made!

Elaine (San Diego): Why does larry bowa have a job? What am i missing? The players hate him and the team is underachieving.

Colin Cowherd: Give him a little more time. Remember the Yankees are struggling too right now and Joe Torre could be the best manager in baseball right now.

Tom (jefferson, nj): How has the internet affected your job, and sports generally? It seems like sports programs have to be "more" than just recapping scores since that information is easily available via the net.

Colin Cowherd: Makes it easier AND tougher. More access and more responsibility. I love the internet and any rumors about me and low-grade porn sites are strictly that!

Dennis (Newark): There seems to be a trend in sports reporting (Sportscenter, talk radio, PTI, etc) to be a "personality" first, and be a reporter second. Have sports become a forum for medicore comedians, and if so, what can be done to stop it?

Colin Cowherd: It's real simple ... most people have broader lives than sitting around studying box scores. The more people you can reach, the more revenue you produce for a company. If you want hard core sports, there are plenty of places to find it on the internet. Never make the fatal mistake to think everybody thinks just like you. Those personalities you rip, have five times the ratings of the Xs and Os guys.

Derek (Corvallis): Will the industry-wide work stoppage in the porn industry have an effect on Mike Bellotti's moustache?

Colin Cowherd: I knew a beaver fan would show up on this site! Good luck vs. LSU! I'll be there.

Adam U. (Portland, OR): So what's the talking Patrick really like? And don't start kissing ass here.

Colin Cowherd: Actually, everybody has been great to me. My show has a different vibe than all the other shows on ESPN. But that's why they hired me. As for Dibble, he's a dangerous man. And I'll leave it at that.

Larry (Bronx): Do you have any listeners who are NOT in Portland?

Colin Cowherd: Frankly the response has been overwhelming. 99 percent of our listeners are NOT from Portland. Remember, we are not on in Philly, NY or Boston. We are in LA, San Diego and 260 other markets. The response from the audience has even surprised management. Best wishes.

Dennis (Newark): Follow up: So, ratings are the most important thing? Doesn't it say something when hardcore sports fans have no interest in watching sportscenter? ESPN has become the next MTV. It's just a matter of time before Stuart Scott joins the cast of Real World.

Colin Cowherd: Your opinion is clearly contradictory to the ratings I'm looking at. Ratings are the truth serum and they are up 11 percent at ESPN on SportsCenter. Again, don't fall for the mistake unsuccessful people often make .. thinking everybody thinks just like them.

Tony (Washington): how are your show ratings?

Colin Cowherd: They don't come out for months.

Shane Breidenstein (Reading, PA): What advice do you have for someone who is in college and interested in working in the field of sportsbroadcasting and sports talk radion?

Colin Cowherd: Don't be a sports nerd. Read about a lot of different things. This network is looking for smart people, not just sports junkies. TV and radio research indicates that the more interest people have beyond sports, the higher the income. Guess what? ESPN wants those guys as listeners and viewers.

PJ (Parcipany NJ): Do you get a chance to listen to any of your peers? Mike and the Madog recently had Michael Lewis (author of moneyball) on and were very disrespectul to him. Keep up the good work.

Colin Cowherd: I don't have the opportunity to listen to anybody. Too busy working on my show. Frankly, listening to other people can be disruptive to your own style. I don't listen to any other talk radio.

Charmc (Daphne, AL): What do you think of Mike Price? The local sports radio station celebrated the one year anniversary of him being caught at a strip club, by broadcasting from a local strip club.

Colin Cowherd: Mike Price won at Washington State. Enough said. The guy can coach.

Lin, Tampa: Like your segement "Expand the Globe". I have one question, how is your work day like? (ie. how many newspaer do you read everyday to prepare the show?)

Colin Cowherd: I have two producers who bring me nothing but material to read all day. Fortunately, I love reading.

Brian NYC: How many games do you think Denver can win against the T-Wolves?

Colin Cowherd: One, the T-Wolves are better defensively.

Dennis (Newark): Last question, i swear... I'm not denying that more PEOPLE are watching espn. But, the came can be said about reality shows. I'm asking if "quality" is even an issue any more in programming or if ALL the network cares about is the bottom line.

Colin Cowherd: Again, your definition of quality may not be somebody else's.

pat park city utah: why do they call thre yankees boston the greatest rivalry in sports when it is 26-0?

Colin Cowherd: Great question! Maybe because of the heightened drama of all those Red Sox losses. I love Park City, by the way.

Maria (Norwood): What do you think of fantasy sports in general? I hate them, my boyfriend loves them, I may dump him because of it.

Colin Cowherd: I have lots of fantasies. Tracy McGrady isn't in any of them. I'm a gambler. I like gamblers. They pick up the check. Fantasy guys argue over the tip.

Louis (Kent): What is with the Mariners this year?

Colin Cowherd: Not enough punch in the lineup. And an owner not willing to buy any. Great fans, great stadium, great city, and really really cheap owners.

Andy (Sherwood): Are you still tweaking the tech nerds on anonymous message boards?

Colin Cowherd: Inside joke. Yes, I am. Thanks for listening.

Thor, Auburn: Follow up question. I'm not a sports nerd, i follow all current events. BUT my degree is in history, nothing to do with radio. What advice do you give guys like me who want to get into radio?

Colin Cowherd: Call radio stations and ask for an interview. If they find your bright and interesting, that may get your foot in the door. Good luck to you.

Jeff (Reading PA): When will u be fired? please say soon!

Colin Cowherd: I have a long term deal. Most of it guaranteed. I guess that means no, by the way, that phone rining is your mother. She's asking you to move out of the basement.

Tyler (Reno): What do you make of the NL West this year? Do you think the Giants can repeat, provided everyone stays healthy?

Colin Cowherd: Not a great division. Like the Padres youth, their bullpen could be a liability.

Josh (Portland, OR): What should the Blazers do in the off season so that they'll be able to compete for home court in the playoffs next year, after ending their 21-year playoff streak?

Colin Cowherd: New coach and a new PG.

MicroMick, Portland: Chad insults midgets, fat people and gamblers... If he is the moral compass for your show, isn't it likely that the whole ship is listing a bit?

Colin Cowherd: What up Mick! Love your stuff! You are as warped as usual! Keep it coming! Thanks man.

Brian NYC: Haven't been able to catch your show yet but do you talk about sports during it at all? Judging by this chat - not so much.

Colin Cowherd: Talk sports all the time .. but try to broaden discussions so that we can broaden the audience. Have a great weekend.

DG (Clayton): Could you take the clothespin off RyDawg's nose?

Colin Cowherd: They guy has so many nose rings you could hang a shower curtain on them.

Andrea (Trenton): Tracy McGrady was recently referred to as a "robin" and not a "batman" by the daily quickie. Call me crazy, but Tracy is a top 5 player in the nba. Does he really need a shaq-type teamate to win?

Colin Cowherd: Yes. Jordan didn't win without Pippen. And Shaq didn't win without Kobe.

Ross (England): You have a great show, but it can be even better. You should be wackier. Maybe some prank phone calls or something. Also, you should talk louder (read: scream). People will think you know what you are talking about then.

Colin Cowherd: Damn! England! We really are making an impact!

MicroMick, Portland: Did you find Marvyn's house of man bracelets?

Colin Cowherd: Yes. Keeps most of his best stuff in the attic.

JON Manteca, CA: Why do you think Warren Sapp made the move to Oakland from Tampa Bay? What's the main reason it happened?

Colin Cowherd: Warren Sapp's a great player but wasn't worth the money. I think he will be a better fit where he is at.

Chicago, IL: Hi Colin. I'm a big fan of ESPN radio and have enjoyed your show since you came on to the national spotlight. My question is, why do you continually repeat segments throughout the day? For those of us that listen for the full three hours, its kind of boring listening to repeat clips over and over. You must have more material to go over in one day than repeat information from the previous day or earlier in the day segments. Thanks for reading my question! Keep up the great work and keep it real! Ashish (pronounce Ahh-sheesh)

Colin Cowherd: Because the average listener on any national show only listens for 20-25 minutes.

Colin Cowherd: We do it just like FM stations. Replay the hits. We have to cater to the 90 percent who listen for 20 minutes and not the 10 percent who listen all day.

Gary - Show Low, AZ: The Show not bad. However, I wish you would stay on a certain topic longer then you do. Example - (You were talking about Kobe Bryant) I was getting real interested, and then all of a sudden, you went on to another story, just at a drop of a hat. (Not Good) in my opinion. I bet a lot of other people get annoyed at how you change storys so fast too!

Colin Cowherd: Remember, my show is on in the morning in the West. I have to touch on a lot of different subjects. That's what the research says.

Steve, Knoxville, TN: What has been the biggest adjustment going from KFXX to ESPN?

Colin Cowherd: Different studio and working with different people. But radio is radio. Not that much different.

DG (Clayton): Colin, you're like the Billy Beane of radio...

Colin Cowherd: I have no idea what that means.

Eddie (Cleveland): You seem to have a better understanding of the industry as a whole than almost any other personality. Why do you think that is?

Colin Cowherd: It's a business. Plain and simple. A damn fun business.

Colin Cowherd: One thing people fail to understand, it's GOOD to have some hate mail. It's NOT good to have everyone like you. Because it means your opinions aren't strong enough.

Chris (San Diego): How does it feel for you to have taken over for Tony Kornheiser? I thought when I first started listening that nobody could do that. You've really pleasently surprised me. Thanks and keep it up.

Colin Cowherd: We have a different show than Tony. That's what ESPN wanted. Appreciate the comments.

Steve X (Manalapan): What's stopping MLB (or any sport) from cutting a deal with a network to get more games on tv? Why can't espn2 air a different game every night. Wouldn't everyone benefit?

Colin Cowherd: Interesting question. Keep your eye on the NFL Network. That may very well happen.

Rich, Milwaukee: They told me to give you a chance. And I am. And you're starting to grow on me. The takes you have that are based on business philosophy resonate with me, and I've never heard them in a sports context before. Do you have any business in your blood?

Colin Cowherd: Yes. I love business and am involved in some ventures outside of radio.

Neil Leesburg, VA: Does anyone else get annoyed that you replay segments from the show everyday? I am trying be be a loyal listener but this aspect of the show will force me to turn the dial. If this segment is so good, change the time you run it.

Colin Cowherd: Read what I said earlier. We play to the percentages.

Michael (Washington DC): Uh, I think your show is indecent and I'm going to fine you 1/2 million. And there's nothing you can do about it!

Colin Cowherd: Is this Michael Powell?

wilmington, NC: Colin, I just wanted to tell you how excellent your show is! I got so "fed-up" with "Mr. Tony's" show, I wouldn't listen to ESPN radio for 3 hours, until his show was over.. But I must say, your show is very good,, more info I hear everyday on your show,, more than Dan Patrick, or any other show on now...Thanks, One question: Why do broadcasters boycott Hockey? NO-ONE! Talks about tha NHL Playoffs, not even mention the scores,, I mean, these are games on ESPN, and ESPN2 ALL NITE!,, and no promotion, story plots, or lines,, nothing from any radio shows?? Is it that bad, I mean, I'm a big hockey fan, and enjoy watching it, but sometimes I think I'm tha only one in tha US watching these games on ESPN..if it's that bad, why don't ESPN just drop it altogather, and NEVER talk about it at all... They basically do that now?? thx

Colin Cowherd: I have my style and Tony has his. But I never try to copy anybody. Some like me and some don't. It's been that way for 14 years.

Thor, Auburn: Whos going to win the National CHampionship in Football next year? And don't give me any favorites i want somebody ranked below 12 in the preseason polls.

Colin Cowherd: Keep your eye on Cal .. great coach, best QB in the nation, if they can get through the first month, they could be tough. Also, Georgia and Purdue could surprise people.

PJ (Oxford): Don't you think that Japanese pitcher who did the gay porn has to be so gay even though he claims he's not. Not that there's anything wrong with it.

Colin Cowherd: He's not gay but his boyfriend is.

Michael Powell (DC): How dare you call me out! That's it, i'm doubling the fine.

Colin Cowherd: Sorry, Mr. Powell. I promise I'll vote for George.

Jorge (Buffalo): Hey Colin, Should the Yanks move A-Rod to Shortstop and Jeter to Third? I know A-Rod has more range, but my cousin says Jeter has the intagibles that make him a better fit and SS, any thoughts?

Colin Cowherd: I think Jeter is there to stay. ARod has the kind of physical fram that makes 3B an easy transition. I still think ARod got too much publicity and people forget the Yankees gave away a pretty darn good 2B.

Del Columbia, SC: Nice to get a college footbal guy doing a daily show. With that being said, How do you feel about Lou Holtz being able to turn South Carolina into a winner??

Colin Cowherd: Lou Holtz could be the best gameday coach in college football. He doesn't get mention much because he's not at a powerhouse. But give him a couple weeks of preperation and Lou is a nightmare to face.

Brett: C'mon people are the most honest when their drunk

Colin Cowherd: I always felt Haray Caray was baseball's most honest announcer.

Josh (Portland, OR): Besides the obvious, such as climate, what do you miss most about leaving the west coast? And what is a pleasant surprise in the East, other than large volumes of bread...

Colin Cowherd: Connecticut is beautiful when the sun is out. Much like Portland. I love the West but I felt living in the East would make me a better broadcaster because it would broaden my horizons.

William (Salem): What do you think of the FCC cracking down on radio speech?

Colin Cowherd: Not a big fan of it. Turn the dial if you don't like it.

Colin Cowherd: Good to see my brother is keeping track of me.

Rob Neyer (Portland, OR): Stop stealing my fan base!

Colin Cowherd: If this is the real Rob, love your stuff.

Chris (San Diego): Some people said that the Diamondbacks would win the West this year. I know it's early in the season, but honestly, do you believe that will Curt Schilling gone and all those players they traded to get Richie Sexson gone, that they have a true shot?

Colin Cowherd: Don't think the DBacks have enough aces in their deck.

Mike Reston, VA: Colin- Show sounds great.... I have to be a homer and challenge you on your blanket statement about highering from w/ in. The "Fridge" at Maryland has been the best thing since hiring Gary Williams... hey wait a minute...where did Gary go to school?

Colin Cowherd: We are both right. It's a personal perference. I just don't like schools that choose inside candidates BECAUSE they are inside candidates.

Kyle, Blacksburg: What is the name of that book where the students take over Vegas, it sounds interesting, I'd like to read it

Colin Cowherd: It's written by a guy named Ben M. Go to Google, punch in 'Vegas gambling' and 'MIT' and see what comes up.

Maria (Caldwell): I've won the NCAA pool 3 years in a row. Why do guys get pissed when a girl wins?

Colin Cowherd: We're guys. We get pissed all day.

Clock: 15:01: Uh, your time is up.

Colin Cowherd: That's my favorite post yet!

Aloha, Oregon: Do you think the Pac-10 will finally get some love this season? I see a potential of 5 programs being in the top 25 this season. I also think my Cougs will continue on their path towards becoming a perinnial power in the Pac.

Colin Cowherd: USC No. 1, Cal and Oregon battle for No. 2, Washington State and Oregon State will be better than expected.

Pete (Quahog, RI): Who do you like tonight, Boston or the Yankees?

Colin Cowherd: I just like the fact they are playing. This series doesn't mean much other than for entertainment value.

Colin's Mom: Time to give me a back rub hunny!

Colin Cowherd: Ick!

Ross (England): are you concerned by the trend of having sports jerseys having advertisements on them? How many nike swooshes are needed on a catchers chest pad before we say enough is enough!

Colin Cowherd: Advertising doesn't bother me. I would put a Boston Market tatoo on my butt if they paid me $1 million a year.

jAY NEWINGTON,CT: Nice show so far. i might not agree with you on allthings but you at least seem to have honest well-thiugt opinions

Colin Cowherd: Appreciate it.

Brian (Memphis): Great show. Love the coverage from around the nation. Daily football fix is great. Please give some good karma to my Grizzlies.

Colin Cowherd: Tough first round matchup. Love Battier. He's a warrior.

Guy (Nantucket): Vazquez (-145) or Wakefield (+125)?

Colin Cowherd: Don't you know I think gambling is pure evil? Go study!

Rich from Tampa, Florida: Did you ever meet the late Chris Thomas, the WFLA sports anchor from Tampa, FL? If so, any thoughts on the man?

Colin Cowherd: Chris Thomas had more of an impact on me than any TV sportscaster I ever watched.

Mychaela (Madison, WI): Hey, Colin! I wanted to know if you're ticklish and if so, what spots?

Colin Cowherd: I'll be in Madison soon!

Tattoo Artist: Bend over.

Colin Cowherd: Your mom is on line 4.

Tracy - Cedar Rapids, IA: One simple question, why no Hockey?

Colin Cowherd: It gets a 0.6. I love the sport but it's bad radio. It's great in person.

Larry (LA): Are you my caucasian?

Colin Cowherd: I'm somebody's.

Vince (Paterson): What's the deal with soccer? Why does it suck so bad and why do all foreigners love it so much? U.S.A!!U.S.A!!

Colin Cowherd: I love World Cup soccer. But indoor soccer is like human foosball.

bob, newberg, oregon: What aspects made living in Portland enjoyable for you?

Colin Cowherd: Great summers and falls. Great restaurants. Laid back lifestyle. Wonderful people.

Adam U. (Portland, OR): Um...did anyone, um... tell you um... you say um... too much?

Colin Cowherd: Uhm ... no.

DJ (Long Valley): My fantasy team has a rotation of: pedro, vaz, moose, and santana. Are you jealous?

Colin Cowherd: Mine is Elle McPherson and Liz Hurley.

Gotta run. Thanks for the questions!


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Minnesota Reshapes Energy Landscape with Seismic Shift to Statewide B20 | KTIC Radio

Minnesota Reshapes Energy Landscape with Seismic Shift to Statewide B20

Minnesota’s determined dash to a new era in the American energy landscape continues.

On May 1, Minnesota will again make history, becoming the first to transform almost virtually all of the diesel supply for sale in the state to B20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel. The National Biodiesel Board applauded the shift as an inspiration for a new energy future, and an example for other states.

“We often refer to Minnesota as a ‘trailblazer,’ but somehow that just doesn’t seem adequate anymore,” said Donnell Rehagen, NBB CEO. “Upgrading virtually an entire state’s diesel to contain 20 percent biodiesel represents a seismic shift in our country’s liquid energy supply. It shows the status quo needn’t remain. Americans have a choice to change our fuel identity to include much more renewable, economically powerful, clean energy – just like the power industry has diversified with solar and wind.”

The transition to B20 happened gradually, from the first statewide requirement of 2 percent biodiesel (B2) implemented in 2005, to B5 four years later, and B10 since 2014. This helped ensure sufficient blending infrastructure and education statewide. Like the previous B10 requirement, B20 will appear at the pump from April through September. B5 will remain the standard for the rest of the year.

Farmers, public transportation systems, fleet operators, school bus fleets, commercial carriers and private users have successfully used B20 across the country for decades.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognizes biodiesel as the only advanced biofuel for its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 percent. According to the American Lung Association of Minnesota, during the 10-year period with biodiesel as a fuel standard for Minnesota, a reduction of more than 7.4 billion pounds of carbon dioxide has already been realized.

“Biodiesel supporters everywhere congratulate and thank the Minnesota leaders willing to stand up for this policy, and in particular, the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association for their incredible leadership,” Rehagen said. “This success may look easy, but those farmers, producers, soybean staff and legislators who fought for this effort have a few scars from early challenges. May 1 is a triumphant date for all of us, thanks to their bravery and tenacity.”

Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats, biodiesel is a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement that can be used in existing diesel engines without modification. Based in Jefferson City, Missouri, the National Biodiesel Board is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to coordinating the biodiesel industry and educating the public about the fuel.

© 2018 Nebraska Rural Radio Association. All rights reserved. Republishing, rebroadcasting, rewriting, redistributing prohibited. Copyright Information


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Monsignor Bimenyimana of Cyangugu Dies Aged 65

Bishop Jean Damascene Bimenyimana

Monsignor Jean Damascène Bimenyimana, the Catholic Bishop of Cyangugu Diocese has died, the administration of the Diocese said on Sunday evening.

“He has been sick for a while,” the death announcement reads.

The announcement does not specify what sickness cost the bishop his life, but people close to him and friends said he succumbed to cancer.

“He once was my teacher and then vice rector for academics. He will be remembered for humility and strictness when it comes to following rules and regulations,” said Ladislas Ngendahimana who works with Local Government.

Bimenyimana was born in 1953 and was raised in a Christian family. He was ordained priest in 1980 which means that he has served for about 38 years in the priesthood.

He was ordained Bishop of Cyangugu in March 1997.

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Kerala University College of Teacher Education, Kollam

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Item 59- Wedding Dress Collection

Lahore, Pakistan
  • Ad Id
  • Ad Posted
    8 Nov 2018
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    A Professional / Business
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