Rough

It's been a BUSY and rough couple of weeks. As soon as things calm down some, I will get back to posting regularly. So, stay tuned. Oh yeah, CONGRATS to the Sixers for beating the Pistons tonight 115-104!!!

Leave Us Alone

Ok, so I went to dinner last night with a friend of mine. The meal was great, but the waitress was too attentive! We came to the restaurant to catch up and to enjoy each others company, not to be interrupted every 10 minutes.

After being seated the waitress arrives and asks if we had been to this place before. Yes, we reply. That should be a clue that we do not need to know the ins and outs of the place and how things work. She proceeds to ask us if we want to sample the wine....mind you we asked the hostess to remove our wine glasses. Didn't she see that as a hint that we did not want any wine???? No! Then she has to tell us which one was her favorite...who cares??!! Just ask us what we want to drink and move on, please!

Now at this particular restaurant you have the option to have soup or salad with your entree. We chose the soup. Well, why does the waitress (from hereforth known as "she") bring us a big bowl of salad and ask if we would like fresh grated cheese on the top?! My friend and I looked at each other and then "she" realized that we didn't order the salad. Then "she" tells us that "she" is sorry and that this is her fourth double this week. Double what? Seems like it could be a double shot of Vodka that she had while in the back!

Our meal finally comes and "she" must have stopped by around 12 million times to see if we were ok and if we needed anything. Now don't get me wrong, I like for the waitress to check to see if all is ok and if we need drink refills, etc...just not so frequently. Can my friend and I have a decent meal without interruptions every ten minutes?!!

At last....dessert time!!! Of course "she" must tell us which is her favorite....is this a job requirement of this restaurant? (Can't be hired unless you tell them what your favorite is) Our dessert comes, "she" asks if we need anything else, we say "no" and "she" moves on. No lie, two minutes later, "she" asks if all is ok AGAIN!!!! My friend then makes a comment about "she" asking the same questions over and over. Clearly we need to hurry up and eat the dessert so that we can leave.

The check comes, we pay it, and "she" has one more word....what is it??? "She" says "Thank You." Now, that I can handle. When I go out to eat, sometimes, I just want to be left alone to enjoy the atmosphere, my company, and the food....no need for much else.

Terrell Owens

Did anyone see Terrell Owens crying on t.v. last night? What is going on? I know that he fired his agent and hired someone else who it appears has somewhat of a "reputation" amongst those in the know. I know that T.O. wants to redo his contract. I know that he has made some comments about the Super Bowl game. I know that he is always in the spotlight. I know that he seems to be a sensitive guy. I know that he loves Philly (or does he?) But, what I do not know is why is the fact that he wants to redo his contract a big deal? People do it all the time, right?

I guess the problem is that he just signed that contract last year. (Why would he sign it if it wasn't what he really wanted?) I guess it looks like he is trying to be greedy, but isn't that what negotiating is about? Well, maybe not greed, but it is about trying to get what you feel you're worth. Just like in the "real" world. Wouldn't you, as an employee, try to get what you are worth?

Are we making too big a deal about this? Is it the fact that T.O. is a professional athlete that this becomes a problem? Is it the fact that T.O. always seems to be in some sort of controversy? Is is the fact that some think he is not honoring his contract?

I don't know. What I do know is that I feel T.O. should be able to take care of his family and be paid what he is worth. I have a problem with the fact that this contract was signed a year ago and he is already trying to restructure it. (Although this, too, could be seen as an annual review in the "real" world.) I also know that it is ashame that this has to play out in the public. I really do feel for T.O. because he seems like a decent person and I really think that he is only trying to get what he feels is right, but can we please not take it on such a personal level and leave the man and his negotiations alone?

NBA Playoffs...Will 76ers Make The Cut?

Well, the time is near. It's almost time for the playoffs to start. Teams are vying for spots. My concern is that the Sixers won't make the playoffs. After all the trade hype, they are fighting for the 7th or 8th spot in the East.
The other night they lost to Boston and this was a crucial game. Crucial because they could have been 1 game out of first place. But no, they have to make things interesting and lose the game. They were winning by about 14 points only to let the Celtics come back and win the game. So, we sit here and wait. Waiting to see if our beloved 76ers make the playoffs or if once again, Philly fans have to say, "Wait until next year." Do you think that the Sixers have a chance?

Advice/Recommendations...

Anyone out there have any recommendations on buying a good laptop? I want one that can basically be a desktop replacement, but also be used for travel. So, it can't be too heavy. I also want to use it for downloading music and pictures. Any insight would be helpful. Thanks.

Happy Belated Birthday

Since I don't have too much time to post right now, I just wanted to wish my "Cuz" a Happy Belated Birthday! I hope he has time to read this before he gets on the road down South! I hope you Holla at a Sista on the way down! See ya soon!

We Caught The "Bus"

We arrived at the PA Convention Center not knowing what time "the Bus" would arrive. As with anything, we searched for the schedule aka the Information Booth. We found out that we only had 20 minutes until the arrival! We rushed over to the demonstration stage, scanned the crowd, and found front row seats!!!
After a short wait, Jerome "the Bus" Bettis came on stage. The crowd erupted and he gave us a big infectious smile and hello. He then proceeded to talk about asthma and the different methods of prevention and maintenance. He talked about having a game plan when you have asthma so that you can be in control of the disease. He even snuck in a comment about a game plan to beat the Eagles! The crowd went crazy! It was great.
Once finished on stage, he went over to one of the booths to sign pictures for fans and yes, I was able to get my famed picture of the two of us signed. He was very patient and kind with each and every fan. I must say that it was a fantastic day. This is definitely a "Bus" that I did not mind waiting around for.

In Search Of The Bus

Tomorrow they are having the Annual Fit Fest at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and from my understanding Jerome “The Bus” Bettis will be there to talk about Asthma and how to live with it. I am definitely on a mission, but the problem is that nothing lists what time he will be appearing. Thus, I will be “In Search Of The Bus.”
You see, I am a HUGE Jerome Bettis fan and several years ago I had the opportunity to meet him and get my picture taken with him. I had traveled to Florida for a Sports Conference and ran into him. He was kind enough to pose for a picture with me.
Well, over the years, I misplaced the picture and was looking everywhere possible in the house for it. I mean, I was in the closets, in the utility shed, in the linen closet, and in the attic. I just could not imagine where it could be. I was sweating and praying to St. Anthony to help me find it. I realized that I had missed the closet in the dining room. After searching through one box and having phone books fall on my head, I spotted another box. Lo and behold! That's where the picture was! Thank you St. Anthony!!!
Today, I went to get the picture blown up so that I can get him to autograph it for me. So, since I know the event starts at 10am, I will get there at that time and hope that I don't have to wait all day for the Bus to make a stop and sign my picture.

Dilemmas

Ever have so many thoughts running through your mind that you can't get things done? Then when you think that you are making progress all you really know is that you have dilemmas to contemplate? That is the type of day that I am having. There are some things that I must purchase, but I don't know which to get first. It all boils down to the mighty dollar!!!
I wantneed to buy a new car, but I don't know which one I want. I like the Xterra, Escape, and the Jetta. I am leaning towards the Xterra, but only if I can get a good deal.
I NEED to get a new laptop. Mine is dying a slow death. Sometimes it will let me connect to the Internet and other times it won't. It just creeps along and has a mind of its own. I am now typing this from my old Windows 98 desktop pc. UGH!! At least my laptop had Windows 2000. The problem here is that there are so many laptops out there to choose from, but I need to make a decision NOW, spend the money, and get a dependable, up-to-date laptop.
Finally, I want an IPOD!!! I was researching these and felt that this would be a good purchse. I see that I would be able to use it for various things; not just music. But, since this is more of a want right now, I guess this purchase will have to wait. Unless of course, someone out there wants to be kind and buy one for me. :0) HINT, HINT....you know who YOU are!!!!

What A Great NCAA Tournament!

I guess all good things must come to an end. The 2005 NCAA Basketball Tournament is over. The teams that were pegged to win did not quite complete the task. For the men or the women.
On the men's side North Carolina beat Illinois. Illinois was number one throughout the season and I know a lot of people thought that they would win it all. They gave a good fight, but in the end, it just wasn't their time. They did have a great season, and I believe that they will be back next year.
On the women's side, LSU was picked to win because they had been number one throughout their season. Tennessee was picked to win also, especially after Connecticut got beat. Neither of these two teams made it to the Championship game. I congratulate them on a season well played. Baylor won the Championship by beating Michigan State. Baylor played a nearly perfect game and they just seemed to have the fire in their eyes. I was pulling for them to win it all after LSU and Tennessee lost. I must admit that it was nice to see different teams playing for the title as opposed to the "usual" teams. That's what makes college athletics so exciting...on any given day, at any given time, any given team can win it all.

Ghetto Boys

Seems like the only real thing about "My Mind Is Playing Tricks On Me" was the song by the Ghetto Boys. Woke up this morning and realized that last night was not a cruel joke or some horrible prank. LSU really did lose to Baylor 57-68 and Tennessee really did lose to Michigan State 64-68.
So, since I am fully conscious now, let me just say...."Come on Baylor!"

How Could It Be?

What?! Did LSU lose to Baylor? Did Tennessee just lose to Michigan State? I must be having a nightmare! I can't believe that both of my teams lost! They both had double digit leads and lost? No, it can't be true. It is close to midnight here so I must be having a nightmare. Maybe when I wake up tomorrow this will all have been a horrible prank. Yeah, that's it...I'll wake up in the morning and have to revoke these statements. My mind is just playing tricks on me.

Game Eats

Why is it that whenever there is a big game on t.v. we go to the grocery store and pile up on the junk food? What is it about the game that makes us want to eat? We are watching a sporting event that is being played by fit athletes. Not some overweight junk food junkies. It seems ironic to me. That being said....I am on my way to the store to get some "junk food" for tonight's Women's NCAA Final Four match-up. LOL!!! (Could I be an overweight junk food junkie?)
Think I'll get some nutritious snacks....NOT!!!! I will load up on the chips and salsa, lunch meat, rolls, soda, cakes, cookies, ice cream, and, well, I think that should do it. If I only knew what I was having for dinner....

Web Design

I realize that I am extremely interested in Web Design. Creating this blog was the first thing to help me learn more. I also found some other very interesting and helpful web design blogs and sites. I added some links on the side to the other blogs that I have been reading lately. The thing I like most is that there are so many people out there willing to help teach a "newbie" like myself the ropes of Web Design. So, as I continue this blog, I will certainly still talk about sports, but I hope to incorporate some of the things that I have learned. I hope that this site becomes a place that others like to visit.

Women's NCAA Final Four Is Set

It has taken me a couple of days to write this because I had to recover from the Tennessee vs. Rutgers Regional Final. What a game! Tennessee won 59-49, although it was NOT that easy. The game was very intense and exciting even though the refs tried to determine the outcome of the game by producing some very questionable calls. (How did Rutgers have 10 fouls against them in the first half as opposed to Tennessee having zero at one point?) C. Vivian Stringer was coaching her butt off!!! I hadn't seen her so animated in recent years. I loved it. The teams were both deserving of a win. I hope that Rutgers makes it to the Final Four next year. It was great to be able to see the Lady Vols cut down the net in person. It's much better than watching it on t.v.

Sunday is the night I have been waiting for. The FINAL FOUR. LSU will play Baylor and Tennessee will play Michigan State. I will most definitely be in front of the tube for both games. (Mental note: make sure everything is done before 6:30p.m). I predict that Tennessee will play LSU for the title and LSU will prevail.