A Giant Loss

Last night everything was setup for a heroic SF Giants Victory Classic. They'd erased a 4-0 deficit in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings against the Atlanta Braves. The atmosphere of AT&T Park was bustling with Barry Ball excitement. Bonds is on 753 and only needs two to tie and three to surpass Hank Aaron on the career home run list. Commissioner Bud Selig was at the game surprisingly. He'd said earlier in the season that he probably wouldn't make it for Barry's shot to be heard around the world.

Pitcher Tim Hudson (Former A's) had kept the Giants hitting into groundouts and double plays throughout the first six and two-third innings or so, while Matt Morris pitched well for the Giants despite four scores by the Braves.

Forget trying to recap the game though, let me get to the exciting finish. With more than half the house leaving or gone in the bottom of the ninth, the Giants rallied. After watching the game outside the park in the knothole, I spied the back entrance gate wide open, probably in anticipation of a no run ninth for the Giants and another loss.

I walked right in uncontested, found a great viewing spot in the bleachers and watched the Giants bats and pitching come to life. The Giants were the Giants of yesteryear in those four extra innings. They did everything with the exception of scoring a run. Even Barry, looking like the young Pirate that he was years ago, came up with a sliding catch that most thought he couldn't get to.

Give credit to Randy Messenger for stepping in and pitching like a true closer. He kept the Braves hitless and gave the Giants plenty of opportunities to win the game. Not to blame the umpire for the loss, but there were some odd calls in those extra innings. Unfortunately, it wasn't Sanchez's night as he gave up the winning runs. I still can't understand why Bochy left him in after seeing he didn't have his good stuff. By the time Vinny Chulk came in to relieve in the 13th, the Braves damage was done.

The Giants did rally one more time in the bottom of the 13th. but in the end, with the crowd still on their feet, with children asleep in their parent's arms, the clock struck twelve and the Giant Lewis was called out looking at a Tyler Yates fast ball with the bases loaded. Who the heck is this Tyler Yates anyway? He's a Beast of a pitcher.

Hats off the the Atlanta Braves for winning a competitive game 7-5. With two more games left in this four game series, the Giants best shot at winning one may have been last nights close one. The Braves seem to have everything the Giants didn't last night. But we've still got the one thing that no team in MLB has, that's Barry Bonds. And though Bonds didn't deliver last night, the anticipation and excitement of watching him come up to the plate is priceless. It's Historic!

President For A Day...........Or More

News out of Washington D.C. today makes life just a bit uneasy and precarious for us citizens of these here United States. Why? Well, Former Vice-President Dick Cheney is acting President as I write this blog. Sure George Bush Jr. hasn't lived up to his daddy's standard as President, but at least he's "stayed the course" of bringing democracy to the Middle East.

With President Dick Cheney in charge, that course could take a few unexpected turns within the time it takes to have a colonoscopy. That's the procedure GW is having that has him invoking Section 3 of the 25th Amendment to voluntarily transfer his powers and duties to the Vice President.

This might be the one time in the history of George Bush Jr's reign that all Americans of all political parties, should come together and pray for this land of milk and honey. Because if you think this country's foreign and domestic policies have soured over the years, you ain't seen nothing yet.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush on Saturday transferred his presidential power temporarily to Vice President Dick Cheney just before undergoing a routine colonoscopy.

President Bush temporarily transferred power to Vice President Dick Cheney Saturday, the White House says.

The procedure has already begun and is expected to take about 2½ hours, the White House said.

"This morning at 7:16 a.m., letters from President Bush were faxed to the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate," the White House said in a statement.

"These letters informed them of his decision to invoke Section 3 of the 25th Amendment to voluntarily transfer his powers and duties to the Vice President. This transmission transfers his duties, therefore the Vice President is now serving as Acting President."

The White House said the transfer will end when the president sends a second message to the congressional leaders, telling them he is resuming his powers.

White House spokesman Tony Snow said Friday that the procedure, during which a doctor looks for any signs of cancer, was to be carried out at Camp David, Maryland, and the president would be placed under anesthesia.

Bush's last colonoscopy was in June 2002, and no abnormalities were found, Snow said.

The president's doctor had recommended a repeat procedure in about five years.

Run Forrest Run!

Us Father's do the darndest things when it comes to leading our sons toward manhood. But what Luis Miguel Gomez did was unthinkable. He led his 10-year-old son into the streets of Pamplona, Spain, during the annual running of the Bulls celebration. Does that constitute losing his part-time parental visitation rights? A judge thought so after his ex-wife found out and notified the family courts. Seems Luis will now be at the mercy of the ex-wife when it comes to seeing his son anytime in the near future. But for a father and son who've already been separated enough through the legal custody system, this incident will surely bond them together forever. They'll both have a story to pass on to family and friends for years to come. What a price for a lifelong story though. Thank God the kid's okay. Sure he'll have a few nightmares of being trampled by a bruising bull, but such is the price of hanging out with the dad who just wants to spend quality time with his son and help steer him toward manhood. Hey Luis, next time just take him to a restaurant that serves bulls balls, that'll be one for the ages, and a whole lot safer.

Dog Gone Wild!

According to the AKC, the perfect boxer's appearance should be:

..a medium-sized, square-built dog of good substance with short back, strong limbs, and short, tight-fitting coat. His well-developed muscles are clean, hard, and appear smooth under taut skin. His movements denote energy. The gait is firm yet elastic, the stride free and ground-covering, the carriage proud. Developed to serve as guard, working, and companion dog, he combines strength and agility with elegance and style. His expression is alert and his temperament steadfast and tractable.

Sooooooo, why was I and my partner unexpectedly attacked by this so-called "great family dog?"

Lucky for me, I froze like a mummy as the Boxer came charging from twenty-five feet or so away. I nor his owner had any warning of his instantaneous and unprovoked agression. Even after the attack the owner and those present that know the Boxer couldn't explain why he decided to bolt towards me full speed, come to a halt at my feet, then bolt the opposite direction and chomp down on my partner's ankle like it was a tasty snack. I can still hear those infamous yet all familiar words; "I don't know what got into him, he's never done that before."

Prior to my searching the web for Boxer Breed innuendo, my running theory was that some type of scent triggered a bad reaction in the dog, possibly a scent from another dog or a cat on me or my partner. We ruled out the other theory of my darker skin color triggering the reaction, since he came to an abrupt halt at my feet, sniffed my ankle area, then ran back the way he came to lunge at and bite down on my partner's ankle. Color was only considered after realizing that I was the only person of color in the building.

We all found it odd that the Boxer's initial charge took him right past his eventual victim, my partner. Think about it, why would an attacking dog pass up a nearer chunkier target (sorry partner), charge at a darker thinner plate of meat (that be me), stop just as he's ready to take a hearty taste, sniff around then go back for the chunky light meat and take a bite? If it were a human I'd understand. Greed. But this is a Boxer, an intelligent and proud companion of a dog. And no I do not suffer from athlete's feet or any smelly foot condition.

Upon researching this Brachycephalic breed of canine I found out something that the owner's must be ignorant of; Boxer's are very territorial guard dogs. It's strongly advised that a Boxer's owner "INTRODUCE" him to any person(s) entering their territory. Guess my partner and I we're just lambs being led to the slaughter. The Boxer didn't know we were there to work on the phone system, he probably figured it was a test of his guard dog skillz. He definitely passed the test.

It didn't help that a smaller chihuhuahua was cheerleading on the sidelines while the Boxer was tearing into his prey. After the attack an old German Shepherd strolled out of an office as if to see what the commotion was that woke him up from his late afternoon nap. I don't think he had the strength to even bark. Looked like Rin Tin Tin had come out of retirement only to find that he didn't have it in him anymore.

I did comment, after seeing my partner was okay, that Dog owner's are always giving that infamous line; "He's never done that before." I told them all that's why I became a damn cat lover. You'll never see a cat charge out from under a desk, bearing down on you with dark beedy eyes looking to rip you to shreds with his large incisors. Even if a cat did loose it like that, so what, he's a damn cat, grab his tail and sling him out the third floor window for chrissakes.

So with the end of yet another day of learning about life, I leave you with these canine rules of wisdom. Anytime you enter a room where there's a dog that you've never met, immediately turn to the owner and ask if you can be introduced to "The Boxer." And if the owner says wait a second while I go get the muzzle and leash, don't stand there like you've never heard of Cujo, find the nearest exit and immediately leave the premises.

Who's On First?

I loved this Bud Abbott and Lou Costello routine before I even loved Baseball.

Click to see: Who's On First?

Will Kobayashi Compete This Year?

News Flash!

Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi, the Nathan's Famous Hot dog Eating Champion, may be a no show at this year's July 4th, Coney Island competition organized by the International Federation Of Competitive Eating.

Yes IFOCE fans and competitors, the "Human Tsunami" claims to have over-trained, causing a temporary arthritic condition in his jaw. The reigning champion says that he can't even open wide enough to get a pinky between his lips.

To many fans of this borderline sport, Kobayashi is a legend. He's the one who put eating competitions on the sports map. Fans anticipate his annual July 4th, Coney Island visits with the giddiness of children waiting for Kris Kringle on December 24th. Imagine Santa being sidelined for the Xmas holidays with a sore back and having the Easter Bunny fill in for him. That's what it'll be like come fourth of july should Kobayashi not appear and some last year runner up walk away with the belt.

Speaking of runner-ups, one of Kobayashi's past victims, Joey "Jaws" Chestnut of San Jose, Calif., isn't happy at all about the champs purported condition. Jaws recently broke the champs 53 3/4 hot dog eating record of last year by downing 59½ dogs in a Nathan's Famous regional qualifier. And as the saying goes, "To Be The Champ, You Have To Beat The Champ." So Jaws isn't buying the case of the arthritic jaw and is continuing to train as if Kobayashi will show to defend his belt.

In the meantime, yes Virginia, there is still a Santa Claus, but the man from Japan wearing the big belt and yellow headband ain't him. That's Kobayashi, the "Human Tsunami."

Shocking News! Former Giants Closer Rod Beck Dead At 38.

I'm just in shock. While looking up info on the sfgiants.com website I came across this headline:

Former All-Star Beck dead at 38

Longtime MLB closer found in his home on Saturday

My heart goes out to his family. Til this day I couldn't understand taking Robb Nen over Beck. Watching Beck come in to close was like watching a biker tell the bartender to watch his drink while he goes and kicks some ass!

Thanks for the times Beck aka "The Shooter"

Quote from Rick Thurman, Beck's Agent:

"Rod became a fixture in the San Francisco community where he spent most of his career," Thurman said on Sunday. "Shooter was a hard-nosed, blue-collar kind of guy who wore his heart on his sleeve, and that is what made him so endearing to baseball fans everywhere."

Yankees Over-Rated! Giants Take Two

The New York Yankees came to town on Friday and won a night game against the SF Giants convincingly, 3 to 7. Through some tough negotiating and luck I secured tickets to the Saturday and Sunday games buying into the hype of the series being an inter-league classic.

The Weather was tropical-like, the park was sold-out and the Giants were ready to end their eight game losing streak, screw the Damn Yankees!

The Giants went on to take the Saturday game in extra innings, ending a throwback classic with a 6-5 win. The inter-league series threw at us every throwback stat and moment dating from the 1962 World Series between the two teams.

Saturday's game was throwback cap day with the park giving away throwback NY Giants caps to the first 20,000. Today's Sunday game featured introductions of old-timers from both teams who played in that 1962 series.

The Giants went on to win the game 7-2 with Noah Lowry earning a much deserved win. A half inning of seeing future Hall-Of-Famer Roger Clemens was definitely worth the price of admission. Too bad for the Yankees Rocket at 45 years old is nowhere near the beast he was earlier in his career. But I just couldn't find it in my heart to join in booing the hardened old warrior. I was just in awe to be watching Roger Clemens pitch to Barry Bonds, even if he did pitch around him and gave up a walk.

The Giants are either the best bottom of the division team in the league or the Yankees are heavily over-rated of late. Either way, I got to clap and laugh this weekend away as my SF Giants sent the Yankees and their spoiled fans home with two straight losses.

Go Giants!

National Spelling Bee Champion

Labron James scoring 48 pts to help the cavaliers win a NBA Playoff game in double-OT, not bad.

Chicago Cubs teamate brawl in dugout sends one to the hospital, shameful news.

Serena Williams the sole American survivor still alive in the singles French Open, patriotic power.

SF Giants win 13-0 laugher over Phillies a day after releasing Balking Closer Armando Benitez, celebratory.

13 year old from California wins National Spelling Bee with ease by spelling the word "Seffefine," genius.


Check out any news headline from today and you'll read about 13 year old Evan M. O'Dorney of Danville, Ca. winning the national spelling bee contest. I heard one radio announcer running down the list of interests and accomplishments of this young man:

He loves music (practices piano) and has already composed an opera
He's enjoys math more than spelling, its more of a challenge
To him, spelling is just memorizing, an easy task
He's soon to be enrolled in a calculus class at UC Berkeley
He's holds a black belt in judo or karate. Silly me, its Tae Kwan Do
He's fluent in Latin and dabbles in French and Spanish. (Dabbles)
I think I heard he's already tutoring or counseling other students, probably the teacher

At a very young age he could solve a rubik's cube .............while holding it behind his back

Did I say Genius?

Congratulations Evan for winning the 2007 National Spelling Bee and for making a small forcepts device used for clamping off blood vessels the topic of discussion today. Sorry, that's forceps. Some of us have trouble just remembering to use spellcheck.

AND STAY OUT!

Its been a long time since I've had the pleasure of kicking an undiserable guest out of my home. So long that I've forgotten the pleasure it brings once the door slams shut on the heels of the unwanted nuisance.

Today we Giants fans are basking in that pleasureable afterglow of watching the door slam on the heels of our former closer Armando Benitez, an undesirable guest on our ballclub. The SF Giants have finally given Armando the boot after allowing him a stay in our home, a stay that almost all feel was overextended and disruptive to our team.

What made Armando's stay so unwelcome in the home that Barry built are the little things. Things like leaving the toilet seat up, the cap off the toothpaste, drinking out of the carton of milk and putting it back in the refridgerator, blowing saves. Then giving that all familiar Armando smirk when caught and shrugging it off like it wasn't his fault. If only he'd once said "I'm Sorry, I'll try harder next time."

Maybe its rude to celebrate the eviction of a tenant or guest, but when said tenant/guest has menacingly caused you pain and grief through his lack of effort to perform the duties he was contracted to do, as the saying goes, "Its Time For A Change (a speedy oil change at that).

The Giants have shipped Armando off to the Marlins of Florida; a place known for humidity, swamps, drugs, spring break Parties, alligators, hurricanes and Jeb Bush. In other words, they've given him a one-way ticket to Hell and Satan was more than happy to have'em.

MLB Insider sources have quoted Satan as saying he wanted to bring the troubled closer back to Hell because "Armando makes godfearing souls say and do the damndest of things."

So as we celebrate what seems an answer to our Giants prayers (May Armando burn in Hell) let us ask God to forgive us our evil thoughts of the former closer, lest we end up in Hell ourselves one day; forced to wear a silly hat with a wriggling fish on the front while watching our pitiful team closer balk in the tying run, then give up the game winning home run, again. We sit in our flaming seats of fate watching this eternal game over and over. And as Armando comes in to close yet another game, it occurs to us what banal act of ours has banished us to such a hellish place. We remember Armando as he was back in our home, the undesireable guest who infuriated us so that we cursed him to hell. We awake from this nightmare in a drenching sweat, reciting a mantra that'll stick with us for the rest of our earth walking lives.

"Hell is for people who can't say "I'm Sorry."

Guess I'll be seeing you in Hell someday Armando. May your bones incinerate into ashes before my arrival though you balking bastard.

Food that'll make you wanna Smack Yo Momma! Twice!

I ain't from Texas or Louisiana. My life has been spent pretty much on the East coast in my younger dayz and on the West coast as an adult, United States that is.

I still love my New York Pizza and Italian food, and I enjoy the variety of Asian foods in California.

I have no desire to live anywhere in between these two wonderful states at this time. And if you asked me about places like Louisiana or Texas I'd have to give some ignorant stereotypical reply; Cowboys Hats & Boots, Bayou, Oil, Hurricanes, Steer and Barbecue come to mind. Out of these southern items I'd have to say that I have very little love for all with the exception of one. Barbecue!

As a Raiders fan, season ticket holder and tailgater I've tasted some barbecue that'll make ya wanna go cattle wrestling. I've been introduced to fried turkey, giant sea oysters and roasted pig meat all prepared right in the parking lot of the coliseum. Loved them all. But the Texas barbecue and Louisiana gumbo always make my Sunday at the coliseum special.

When you taste barbecue or gumbo the way its supposed to taste, it is then that you wanna smack your momma for cohabitating with a non-texan or louisianan. Then you wanna go back and smack her again for not telling you there was such a thing as gumbo and Ho cake, or baby back ribs in beer sauce. Hell, if momma ever mentioned the words Ho and Cake in the same sentence you'd thought this good christian woman were just talking about feeding the homeless and/or drug addicted from the streets.

When I discovered barbecue and gumbo it was then that I realized how a food could be the way to a man's stomach. Because of the costly business space in the Bay Area many southern cooking establishments have left or closed their doors. There was a time when people drove down from miles away to goto a barbecue shack or soul food restaurant in the Bay Area. After reading about M&M's FISH&CHICKEN SHACK in Reno,NV, it seems times may be a changing and it is the Bay Area person who must drive miles away to experience the delight of some good southern cooked food.

Case and Point, I give you this fellow bloggers discovery of M&M's Fish & Chicken Shack up in Reno,NV. I share with you my fellow bloggers review because 1. the following is from her blog and 2. She's a native southerner from Texas who knows authentic southern style cooking.

The Following is from Melinda of Reno's Blah Blah Blog:

M&M's Fish & Chicken Shack
Today, I experienced a little slice of heaven in an otherwise regular and mundane day. I had lunch from M&M's Fish & Chicken Shack. Where have I been???I'm not sure where the owner Mr. Mitch Moore is from...but I'd swear he stepped off my Grandmama's back porch in Texas. M&M's is a discreet little hideaway nuzzled in the heart of Reno's industrial district. Who'd know one of the cities' most fantastic culinary wonders is hidden away as a sleeper joint located at 3080 Mill Street, just off Terminal Way. Living so far away from my native roots, it's very rare that I find home style food that I would consider anywhere CLOSE to Texas home style...even when the food is good. And, finding fried okra at any restaurant, much less GOOD fried okra is a near impossibility!This is truly DOWN HOME cookin'. They advertise southern cooking and soul food, specializing in fried fish, BBQ ribs, fried okra, gizzards, gumbo, greens, yams, black-eyed peas, red beans and rice, sweet potato pies, peach cobbler and MORE! I had a simple rib basket with potato salad, black-eyed peas, and fried okra. They drilled the fried okra right smack dab on the head for the way it always was back home. The ribs were meaty and tender, with a perfect sauce. My potato salad was just like it is "supposed" to be...I was at home back in the South rocking on the back porch with every bite. If you do not have the time to travel across town to Mill Street for your lunch...call (775)-348-0707 and order lunch and pick it up. It's worth the drive.I'LL BE BACK FOR SURE!!

Posted by Malinda777 at 2:03 PM 3 comments Links to this post
Labels: Recipes, Reno
Monday, May 7

"Go Raiders! " - Last Words of A Condemned Man

Though I do not condone the violent acts of a convicted killer, I empathize with the passion he carries for the Raiders as he speaks his final words before receiving three life ending injections.

"Go Raiders!"

I know the Raiders badboy image has appealed to many a violent offender, but I choose to believe that many outsiders and outcasts of society are attracted to the Raiders simply because the organization and its fans represent diversity, equality and acceptance regardless of background. Being part of the Raiders family expunges you of all your sins. At least that's the feeling amongst Raiders fans who share in proudly spouting the term "Go Raiders."

Heck, if the catholic church can instruct wrong doers after confessing their sins to say a few Hail Mary's then "Go forth and sin no more", then why not AL Davis? may peace and blessings be upon him.

It doesn't make your sins right or acceptable, but as a worshiper of the Oakland Raiders you are bathed in brotherhood and forgiven your trespassess, just as you should forgive those who trespass against you. And sin no more.

For us Raider Fans who may have walked on the wild side for a time, we are the last to judge sinners and the first to forgive.

The beauty of being a Raiders fan and spending a Sunday congregating with the Raider Nation is that what you did yesterday and what you'll do tomorrow don't count for or against you come gameday. What counts on Football Sunday is the Raider Passion you bring and the Raider Brotherhood you share amongst all others. Sure we may be a bit hostile toward those who come to our house wearing the devil's raimants (opponents jerseys/colors), but more times than not we accept them as misguided souls and ask the lord to forgive them, for they know not what they do.

And so with the execution of convicted killer Robert C. Comer in Arizona, who when warden Carson McWilliams asked if he had any last words said, "Yes, Go Raiders," we the Raider Nation understand that there is yet hope for this misguided soul. Maybe not in this life but possibly in the hereafter is where he'll be forgiven for his sins and find peace. And hopefully the family of his victims will not judge his "Go Raiders" salute as unrepentent or cold, for it (Raider Fan Solidarity) might have been the only expression of love and acceptance this broken man has ever experienced in his heart.


Prayers go out to the victim Larry Pritchard and others that have suffered from the violent acts of Robert C. Comer.

DO BELIEVE!

Golden State Warriors' Baron Davis dunks over Utah Jazz's Andrei Kirilenko (47), of Russia, during the second half of an NBA Western Conference second-round basketball playoff game Friday, May 11, 2007, in Oakland, Calif. Golden State won 125-105. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Golden State Warriors Legendary Playoff Win!

When it comes to great sports stories we tend to use analogies and comparisons to define and rank incredible moments. It seems there's always a fitting past moment or fable to go along with the miraculous sporting event of the day.

Not Today. Not for this mornings' Golden State Warriors, who knocked off the top seeded Dallas Mavericks 4 games to 2 in their best of seven first round playoff series. No numer 8 seed has won a NBA seven game series, ever. And not only did the Warriors win, but they did it with a style all their own with plenty of drama for all the stars twinkling in expensive courtside seats.

Yes, The GOlden State Warriors are writing a storybook for all basketball fans to read. A first novel that has all the spice and intrigue of a bestseller with hints of past sports heroics.

For the Bay Area, last nights game is right up there with "The Catch" from 49ers lore. Like the '81' Niners, the Warriors haven't won much of anything for quite some time. Almost an entire generation of kids have grown up without ever seeing a winning professional basketball team in the Bay Area. Last night changed that.

Shades of the 70's New York Knicks star Willis Reed limping back onto the basketball court to help his team finish off a rival team and win a playoff series. Baron fits the bill.

How about the memory of Michael Jordan shrugging his shoulders after making yet another three point playoff game clinching shot as if he just can't understand the zone he's in either? Stephen Jackson was zoning.

All that and much more were on display at Oracle Arena in Oakland last night as the Warriors finished off the Dallas Mavericks 111-86. Oh, did you see the Matt Barnes SLAM DUNK? Over mvp Dirk Novitski?Beautiful!

Baron Davis
Stephen Jackson
Matt Barnes
Jason Richardson
Michael Pietrus
Andris Biedrins
Monta Ellis
Al Harrington
Josh Powell
Azubuike
Jasikevicius
Old Man Foyle
Nellie
Mully

Thank you all Golden State Warriors for bringing winning basketball back to the Bay Area. Thanks for giving us a LEGENDARY playoff series topping it off with a truly LEGENDARY night. We now have LEGENDARY hopes throughout the rest of the 2007 NBA Playoffs and seasons to come.

WARRIORS
COME OUT AND PLAY-YAY!

SF Giants Sweep L.A.

Duck The Fodgers!

The San Francisco Giants are the Hot team in the NL West. Eight straight road wins, including three against the Fodgers. Yeah, those stinking Fodgers who caught the Giants as the season began and made life difficult for all. Guess it was time to return the favor, and what better way to do it than a three game sweep against the division leading Fodgers in Los Angeles. Well, the Fodgers ain't leading much of anything as of tonight, because the Giants hold the NL West lead. Our lead may only be a few percentage points, but heck, we'll rejoice in it.

Even Armando Benitez, the one Giants player who consistently gets booed at home, is now playing like the closer we'd hoped for. And Armando can thank the Fodgers for giving him back his confidence and fastball. Do I forsee "Please Marry Me Armando" placards around AT&T Park when the Giants return? Anything is possible in this season of downs and ups.

There's plenty more games to be played, but as of tonight, my Giants are sitting pretty atop the NL West after dethroning the Fodgers in L.A., Life is Good! Especially when you find your team at the broom handle end of a three game SWEEP!

Warriors Win Game 1 against Dallas

can you dig it?
Can You Dig It?
CAN YOU DIG IT?

"click on pic"

Don Nelson Coaching
Smothering Team Defense
Baron Davis - 33pts
Jason Richardson - Key Block on Fast Break
Matt Barnes - Dagger 3-pointer after J-Rich Block

Can You Count Suckers?

Final Score
Warriors 97
Mavericks 84

Cheerleader Blog?

Well don't just sit there with your mouse in hand looking like a starved netsurfing pervert. Click on the link to "The Professional Cheerleader Blog" and get your daily dose of sports spice. Seems April is known for more than just the NFL Draft. Cheerleader tryouts have already begun and you don't wanna miss the hot candidates now do you? Especially those candidates with little smarts, less talent but the best enhanced racks and collagen injected lipz money can buy. These Bikini Bimbos usually don't make it out of the first round of cuts, so you better catch'em quick.


Seriously though, this site dedicated to Professional Cheerleaders is a place to check out. Cheerleaders really do do more than just jump up and down at sporting events. They travel the globe raising funds and awareness for many charity foundations. They are ambassador-ettes of goodwill for sports.

So do try reading a bit about these vibrant women. Many are much more than just eye-candy. See Raiderettes tryout articles, April 20-21.

WARRIORS, COME OUT TO PLAY YAY!

Not the Warriors of 1980's Coney Island lore, but the Warriors of 2007 Oaktown fame are coming out to play in this season's NBA Playoffs.

We as Warriors fans are just happy to have made the playoffs, but it appears the team's sites are on winning in the Playoffs. And honestly, they're playing like a team that expects to win.

Watching them beat up on the second and third string Dallas Mavericks the other night and the Portland Trailblazers tonight convinced me that the Warriors believe they belong, and who's to say they don't. It may turn out that the biggest mistake the Mavericks made this season was allowing the Warriors to dominate them in their last regular season meeting. Because when the two teams meet in the first round of the Playoffs, the Warriors will start out believing they can't lose based on a 5-0 season record against the Mavericks.

So if I were Avery Johnson, coach of the Mavericks, I'd begin drilling my players on the importance of the Playoffs being a new season and quickly forgetting last season. The question is can they forget?

As for the Golden State Warriors, getting out of the first round and all the way to the Championship game could be as tough as fighting rival gangs from the Bronx to Coney Island. But again, this ain't your past years Warriors team. And compared to this Warriors team, all other NBA teams are "Just A Bunch Of Wimps."


Congratulations Golden State Warriors for making believers out of us all. They're not the same old warriors, not this year. Woe Nellie! Playoffs!

Prayers Go Out To Virginia Tech

Life On Earth Is But A Fluttering Gift, Precious and Very Fragile.

But Once Released To Journey Home, Our Souls Can't Wait To Travel.


May Their Journey Home Be As Beautiful As Their Arrival Here.

Enjoying Bay Area Sports

Fresh off a four hour Friday night baseball game where the Oakland A's played superbly in their 11 inning win over the New York Yankees, 5-4. The night was full of fans rooting for both teams at McAfee Coliseum. Though I'm a New Yorker by birth (Let's Go Mets), I had to go with my local A's team as they suprised us all with some very outstanding plays. I foresee the A's getting back to the playoffs with this years team, which seems to be even better than last years. They've got pitching, hitting and defense going for them.

As for the SF Giants, they're still climbing out of the hole they dug themselves into the first two weeks of the season. Friday's game resulted in a 8-5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Barry Bonds hit home runs 736 & 737 to inch within 18 of tying Hank Aaron at 755.

The Golden State Warriors, The Playoff possible Golden State Warriors blew out their NorCal rival Sacramento Kings 125-108. They are currenly in a three-way tie for the 8th and final western division playoff spot. The team as a whole has turned it up a few notches and are playing some very inspired basketball. Though they're not in control of their playoff destiny, their chances are as good as any of the other three teams (Lakers, Clippers, Hornets) vying for the final spot. Just Win Baby!

The San Jose Sharks dropped a game to the Nashville Predators in Nashville last night, evening their best of seven NHL playoff series at 1-1. My understanding is that the two teams are both improved from last season and pretty evenly matched. Go Sharks!

My Oakland Raiders added another piece to their rebuilt offensive line in signing former Denver Bronco Cooper Carlisle. Now comes the draft.

After all the talk this week about radio/tv talk host IMUS making racially disturbing comments about the Rutgers Women's Basketball Players, we have a much more interesting and proud racial milestone in sports to recognize come Sunday. The day will mark the 60th anniversary of desegregation in major league baseball. Though we as Americans, especially African-Americans, should be proud of the steps major sports has taken the past 60 years to make ours the land of Freedom, Justice and Opportunity for All athletes, we can't sit back and think we've arrived at that goal today. Our attitudes about ourselves and each other in this salad bowl we call the U.S.A must continually work toward tolerance, acceptance and understanding of our differences as well as our similarities. Hopefully athletes like Tiger Woods, Dana Patrick and even the Rutgers women's basketball players are inspiring today's generation of young aspiring athletes to strive forward and knock down obstacles that once stood in the way of those who came before them.

I've never quoted Barry Bonds, and I probably won't find myself ever again quoting Barry, but for me as an African-American male who loves baseball, he summed up the feelings I have about the Jackie Robinson 60th anniversary of breaking the color barrier in professional baseball. When asked what Robinson meant to him, Bonds said:

"What does it mean to all African American athletes? But I don't think only African American athletes should be answering the question. I think baseball should be answering the question as well. Some of the white ballplayers should be answering that question as well, not just African American ballplayers. We already know what it means to us. We've answered that question over and over."

Of course those biased against Barry might misunderstand his meaning, but I, and I'm sure many African-Americans understand and applaud Barry's reply.

Barry plans to wear No. 42 in Sunday's game against the Pirates, in honor of Jackie Robinson.

Almost forgot our San Jose Sabercats of the Arena Football League, they were friday night victims of the New Orleans VooDoo, losing 67-54. I'd never heard of the VooDoo until Friday. I just can't imagine what their team logo looks like, nor their team mascot. Gotta be something with a skull or crossbones. Whatever the image, they had the magic potion going for them on Friday, even if it was black magic potion.

Killer Looks!

After signing Cooper I thought maybe I'd take a look at one of those depression era gangsters. Sorry Coop, you may look the part but "Baby Face" Nelson was truly a killer. Took 17 bullets to take him down and he still lasted a few hours. Here's the headline:

George "Baby Face" Nelson (Lester Joseph Gillis)December 6, 1908 - November 27, 1934
The most violent member of the Dillinger gang, Nelson was credited with killing several men, including three D.O.I. special agents. He may even have been a gunman for the Chicago Syndicate. Nelson was shot 17 times during a gun battle with special agents in Barrington, Illinois. He died several hours later at a house in Niles Center, now called Skokie, Illinois.

Be On The Lookout For This Offender

Alright, don't go calling in on the Amber Alert just yet. I know the picture above looks murderesque, but please don't be alarmed.

Its only newly signed Oakland Raiders Offensive Tackle Cooper Carlisle. The four year veteran comes over to the Silver & Black after learning how to chop block in Denver. Its okay though, as they say, no harm no foul. And besides, he's now a Raider.

The Raiders new coaching staff are revamping the offensive line with experienced yet young players. Cooper C., the former Gator, has also shown he can catch those red zone touchdowns; he's scored one for Denver.

To be honest, if his style of play can match that criminally insane bipolar look of his, our 'O'-line will be impregnable this coming season. I watch enough horror and gangster movies to recognize that blank, empty look of a psycho. He's Michael Myers (without the hockey mask) and Machine Gun Kelly rolled into one.

Welcome to the Oakland Raiders Cooper C., you animal. Now go get'em boy!

Sorry bout the Amber comment Coop, but you did just leave Denver.

The Butcher of Hanover

As I love to pick up old books and browse through their pages, I discovered one this weekend that mentioned the horrors of a early 1920's serial killer. I confess, being a horror movie buff I've often wondered just what makes a serial killer tick? or explode might be the more appropriate term. I've read quite a few case studies that go from suggesting cruel parents to traumatic childhood experiences, to traumas of war as the cause. Truth is we may never know.

Most of us today know of Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dalmer as two of the scariest and most abominable serial killers of the past century. Bundy because he was so normal looking and acting, and Dalmer because he ate the flesh of some of his victims. But.........what if I told you about THEE serial killer? The one whose actions actually coined the phrase "Serial" killer?

His name was Friedrich Haarmann (known as Fritz) and the place and time were ripe for such a monster. It was Post WWI Germany and Fritz was on the prowl. What puts Fritz at the top of the Serial Killer chart is not that he killed with abandon or that he killed some of his victims by biting them through their throat, but that his meat packing enterprise sold the flesh of his victims to post-war German citizens suffering from economic and social chaos. That is surely a crime against humanity and a crime which fittingly had newspapers of the day dubbing him "The Butcher of Hanover." Kind of reminds me of the Twilight Zone episode "To Serve Man."


Excerpt from the book "The Victims by Jack Gratus, describing the times, the crime and the criminal:

After the First World War Germany suffered from economic and social chaos. Families were broken up as men drifted away from the small villages and towns to the larger cities in search of work. All the security they had ever known had been totally destroyed. Hanover railway station was one of the main receiving centres for this large drifiting population of the unemployed.

Into this crowd of lonely homeless men came Fritz Haarmann, a man who by 1919 had been convicted many times for indecent assault, burglary, pickpocketing and petty fraud. His father had tried twice to have him certified insane. In 1918, after a five-year sentence for theft, he took to smuggling and made enough money to set himself up in respectable lodgings. A homosexual, Haarmann offered comfort, friendship and the security of a decent home to the young boys hanging about the station. But the security did not last long. Soon after they had been brought to his lodgings Haarmann would kill his victims - at least twenty-seven of them - some by biting them through their throats. Their carcasses were then cut up and sold through Haarman's meat-smuggling enterprise to the unwary but hungry public. In a few cases parents came from the distant homes to complain about their missing sons, but the police could only shrug and point to the never-ending stream of drifters coming daily into Hanover. The missing boys could be anywhere; they might not even be in the city.

At last, however, the reports, together with the discovery of human remains close to Haarmann's home, made the police suspicious. After being closely watched by detectives, he was arrested for indecency. He then decided to CONFESS. In December 1924 he was sentenced to death by decapitation.

See: Crime Library-The Butcher of Hanover

Also see: Albert Fish, a "Real" Hanibal Lecter. What I remember reading about Albert Fish is that when they first tried electrocuting him in the electric chair it shorted out. Albert had confessed to sticking metal pins into his groin for sadistic gratification. Xrays had already confirmed that some pins were still inside his body, between rectum and scrotum, causing a short in the first electrical surge. Unfortunately, the sick bastard probably enjoyed the fatal second jolt of juice.

Excerpt from Crime Library on Albert Fish:
Fish was not happy with the verdict, but the prospect of being electrocuted had its appeal to him. A Daily News reporter wrote, "his watery eyes gleamed at the thought of being burned by a heat more intense than the flames with which he often seared his flesh to gratify his lust."

I SMELL A RAT! A Lying, Stinking Rat!

Here's a story that just gives one more reason why we should dread being placed in or placing a loved one in a nursing home. I know all places that assist the elderly with daily living activities aren't bad, but it only takes one (alleged) incident such as this to rekindle the horrors that we imagine takes place in these facilities.

The Headline: Lawsuit alleges dead rat found in dementia patient's mouth

The Allegation: Staffing was so inadequate at a California senior center that a rat crawled into an Alzheimer's patient's mouth and died there before staff noticed

The Facility: Paragon Gardens Assisted Living and Memory Care Community in Mission Viejo,Ca

The Lawsuit: overbooking of their facility to receive corporate bonuses while cutting back on staff to increase profits

The Defense:
A. Glue Traps
B. Field Mouse
C. Dementia = False Allegation

The Facility's Track Record:

1. Troy Nelms wandered from Paragon and was never found. He is presumed dead and his family has sued the facility

2. Six clients were injured and one died after improper care

Add to all this; "Revoking of Licenses, State Barring of employee contact, Anonymous Snitching, and the kicker..........RAT POiSoN, makes this case one for the Ages.

What trained professional would put Rat Poison in the room of a patient suffering from demetia? Thank goodness the patient survived and suffers from memory loss. I do wonder if the lawyer is seeking dollars or justice out of this case? Maybe its best the victim suffers from dementia; rats, poison and lawyers all have one thing in common, they can all drive a sane person insane.

I suppose it could be worse, the facility could reside in Iraq with bombs and missiles raining down on them. Of course the lawyer would then need a retainer deposited into his swiss account before talking with his client. What A World!

For the FULL story here's the link: Dead Rat Lawsuit

Passing of a Coaching Legend

Legendary Grambling State Football Coach Eddie Robinson passed away on Tuesday, he was 88 years old.

He was affectionately known simply as "Coach" throughout college football. During his tenure, Robinson established himself as the winningest coach in college football history becoming the first coach to record 400 wins. Robinson retired with a record of 408 wins, 165 losses and 15 ties. Even during the era of segregation in the American South, Robinson's talent was praised by many white coaches, especially by the legendary Bear Bryant of the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa.

The following is a statement from Ms. Doris Robinson, wife of legendary Grambling State University football coach Eddie G. Robinson, who passed away at the age of 88 on Tuesday, April 3, 2007:

“The many expressions of support, sympathy, and gratitude that we have received from all over the country have been overwhelming. I truly appreciate each and every person, so many of whom we have never met, who has said such kind and inspiring words about Eddie, his legacy, and our family.

“Our love and admiration for Eddie were unyielding, as was Eddie’s for his immediate family and his extended Grambling family. Eddie was the consummate husband, father, teacher, leader, role model, and, most of all, the greatest of Americans.

“Words cannot express the loneliness that I will feel without my beloved Eddie. However, I realize, and the immediate family realizes, the greatness that Eddie contributed to our society. He will forever fill our hearts, minds, and souls.”

Funeral arrangements for Coach Robinson are as follows:

Coach Robinson will lie in state in the Louisiana State Capital Rotunda in Baton Rouge, La., on Monday, April 9, from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Family visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, April 10 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at New Rocky Valley Baptist Church on 2155 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. in Grambling, La.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 11, beginning at 11:00 a.m. in the Assembly Center on the campus of Grambling State University (across from Robinson Stadium). Internment will be at Memorial Gardens in Grambling, La.

In lieu of flowers, it is the Robinson family’s wishes that donations be made to the Friends of the Eddie G. Robinson Museum. Those wishing to contribute may call 1-866-WINS-408 or log on to www.robinsonmuseum.com and donate online. Contributors may also mail a donation to the Friends of the Eddie G. Robinson Museum at P.O. Box 550 Grambling, LA 71245.

For more information contact:

Dave Whinham, 1-866-484-3832

John Belton, 318-680-6904

Coach Wilbert Ellis, 318-614-8716

Carolyn Collier, 318-791-9287

Tennesse Vols win NCAA Women's Basketball Championship

Since I didn't watch the game I really shouldn't comment on it. So I won't.

Congratulations Pat Summitt and the Tennessee Lady Vols on winning the 2007 NCAA Basketball Championship.

Final Score

Tennessee 59
Rutgers 46

NCAA Men's Championship Game

Opening tipoff of the NCAA Championship game between defending champion Florida Gators and the Ohio State Buckeyes was the suspense filled moment of the evening. All the questions about whether the gators could chomp down on another championship or whether the buckeyes could dethrone them came down to this defining moment, the tipoff. All the suspenseful specualation has come to a head in this one revealing moment. The ball is tossed, the whistle blows, the game has begun.

Anything and everything that happened afterward will go down in sports lore, as good defense, clutch three point shooting, courageous coaching and team hustle deservingly produced a second (back-to-back) championship trophy for the Florida Gators. And though Ohio State played as good a game as any against the Gators, they were unable to catch up once Secretariat took the lead and began his gallop toward the line. The Finish Line that is!

Final Score

Florida 84
Ohio St. 75


ATLANTA - APRIL 02: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Florida Gators cuts down the net after his team defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes during the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship game at the Georgia Dome on April 2, 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)


Congratulations Florida Gators on winning the 2007 NCAA Basketball Championship to go along with your 2007 NCAA Football Championship. A Historic Achievement Indeed.

So What's 7ft. 9in basketball player Sun Ming Ming UP to?

Since last I wrote about 7 foot 9 inch Sun Ming Ming, he's moved up in basketball league status, literally. Back in February, Sun was playing for the Maryland Nighthawks of the ABA league, a basketball league formed in 1999. As of last week he's a Grand Rapids Flight teammate in the International Basketball League. So just who are the Grand Rapids Flight? Here's the ad I saw from December that said it all:

Breaking News From The FlightDeck
FINAL TRYOUTS
Wednesday, December 27th 7-9pm
Rivertown Sports
Cost $25

$25, Who Knew? I'd better check to see if there's an International Basketball League team in my neck of the woods. For $25, I may wanna lace up and take a shot at making the team. Old dreams of sports stardom sure die hard don't they?

Sun still has hopes of reaching the NBA in the not too distant future, but is focusing on improving his game right now.

In the following interview Sun appears comfortable talking in front of the cameras, but I found his accent made it a bit hard for me to understand his english. It didn't help that the lady interviewer, standing about crotch level to Sun, was treating him more like a circus freak than a potential basketball all-star. So much for American journalism. From what I can gather, he's a poor man's Yao Ming. But do give Sun credit, he may not have the training and political clout that Yao Ming had, but he seems to have the will to continue trying. So don't let anything keep you from attaining your goal Sun. Remember, "Eye of the Tiger." Keep it going Sun Ming Ming.

Interview with Sun Ming Ming

NOTES from the HYENA'S BELLY

Author: Nega Mezlekia

Winner of the Governor General's Award

Growing up in Ethiopia
amidst Socio-economic and Political Change

A Very Enjoyable Read. So enjoyable that I wrote this Amazon Review encouraging others to read it:

If you enjoy a book showing you the real people, places and happenings that were "Once Upon A Time," then you may just find this book to be a treasure. I myself enjoyed the way this author held my inner voice's attention. It was almost as if I were sitting at his home while he spoke of the life experiences that make him the person now sitting before me. Because I'm such an avid reader, I did put this book down a few times to indulge in other reads. I did this knowing that when I'd pick it back up I'd have a great companion to spend time with. I almost hated to see the book conclude. The fact that I'm writing only my second or third amazon review says how much I enjoyed this read. Hope you decide to visit the Hyena's Belly. You won't be disappointed.


I learned while stil in the early chapters of this book that the author and editor had a falling out. Seems the editor wanted to claim authorship of all but a few pages of the book. I believe the editor lost her battle in court. The author has since written, without the same editor, at least one if not more books that carry the same magic as this one, proving him to be the gifted writer of Notes from the Hyena's Belly.

A Very Enjoyable Read. A Keeper.

Lady Red Foxes.................We Salute You!

The Marist Lady Red Foxes lost to the Tennessee Vols 46-65 in the NCAA Womens sweet-16 competition. And I have nothing but love and praise for these Powerful Princesses from Poughkeepsie who played against what looked like a basketball giant. The Vols had size, speed and history (26 consecutive sweet sixteen appearances) on their side coming into this game. The Marist Red Foxes on the other hand brought heart and courage to the Dayton,Oh matchup and didn't lay down or back away from the challenge.

The Red Foxes got off to a bad start and were unable to catch up to the Vols. But again, showing no quit and settling into their style of play, the Red Foxes gave Pat Summitt and her "Titans from Tennessee" one heck of a fight and may have exposed a few weaknesses in the Giant's armor.

Had the Red Foxes been able to compete on the offensive rebounds, the outcome could have been much closer. Fortunately for the Vols, their height advantage made rebounding, shooting and passing, all things needed to win basketball games, a monumental uphill battle.

And so with the heart of a Lion and the will to continue thrusting their spears against a mighty sword wielding opponent, the Red Foxes went down in defeat. To compare Marist to Sparta's 300 in 480B.C. ; on this day of overwhelming battle odds the citizens of Poughkeepsie are as proud of their soldiers' heroic loss as any opposing force could be in victory. Thank you Red Foxes for giving us a season that legends are made of. We truly saw the sun blotted out by arrows and yet our Red Fox warriors continued fighting in the shade.

Marist Lady Red Foxes 2007A.D., We Salute You!

"The most valiant are sometimes the most unfortunate. Thus there are triumphant defeats that rival victories. Nor did those four sister victories, the fairest that the sun ever set eyes on - Salamis, Plataea, Mycale, and Sicily - ever dare match all their combined glory against the glory of the annihilation of King Leonidas and his men at the pass of Thermopylae." - Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592)

I CONFESS - I Enjoyed This Movie

You know you're over 40 when............

On a Saturday night date you return to your place to entertain her with a viewing of Alfred Hitchcock's 1953 suspense thriller "I Confess."

And you know your date is closing in on 40 or over if she actually enjoyed the classic black and white artistry of a Hitchcock film.

In watching this great classic for the first time I must say, I was suprised to find myself and my date rewinding the vcr, yes VCR as in pre-compact disc player media recording device, replaying visually seductive scenes that only Hitchcock could put together.

The lead actors (Montgomery Clift, Ann Baxter, Karl Malden) as well as the supporting cast give the viewer a performance so believable that you nearly stumble over yourself trying to ascertain every piece of dialogue. The setting of 1953 Quebec gives the story a place and time that I'm sure meshes with a period in the beautiful city's history, if not its political or religious happenings in some way. The black and white filming lends to the mysteriousness of the characters and the crime.

I've personally always thought of Montgomery Clift roles as dark yet heroic, sort of a glimmer of hope shining through the despair of darkness.

Hitchcock utilizes his shadowy technique and background framing of scenes excellently throughout. The haunting and suspenseful music score by Dimitri Tiomkin gives full credence to the rollercoaster of human emotions throughout the film. Your ears will also adjust to the French-Canadian and German accents of supporting cast members that make the story so credible. Carmen Gingras and Renée Hudon as two little french girls giving the cutest french-canadian accented testimony are worth the viewing alone.

As for the storyline, it has everything a dramatic blockbuster movie of today strives toward bringing to the big screen: Murder, Suspicion, Accusation, Scandal, Religion, Guilt, Innocence, Love, Fear, Courtroom Drama and of course A Confession. And not all in that order.

So if you're over 40, or just wanna see a movie your parents or grandparents would consider a good date movie, go out and find yourself a copy of "I Confess." I'm sure you can order it "On DVD" via Netflix. If not I'll rent you my VHS copy for only $3.99 plus shipping, no late return fees here. I Confess!

NFL 2007 Strength of Schedule

And they say there's no conspiracy against the Oakland Raiders. Come on now, didn't we have the worst record in the league last season (2-14)? And somehow we're scheduled in 2007 to play the two conference champions? And didn't we play the two conference champions from the 2005 season, Pittsburgh and Seattle, last year? Either the NFL just loves the Raiders and wants to help generate revenue for the Silver and Black, or they've found a sure formula for making the Raiders earn victory through the toughest opposition. But that's okay commissioner. Its no suprise. We've actually come to expect a boot on our backs when we're down. It just makes us stronger and meaner. So look out Indianapolis and Chicago when you come to Oaktown this season. You just may find that the Raiders of 2007 ain't what the commish had in mind when scheduling this game.

How Sweet It Is! Marist of Poughkeepsie eases into Cinderella Slipper for the Big Dance

Growing up in the New York Hudson Valley area near Poughkeepsie makes me a Red Foxes fan. Prior to this weekend Marist Collegiate sports has struggled for what little recognition they've received since gaining membership into the NCAA.

The only Pro player out of Marist that comes to mind is former Indiana Pacer Rik Smits. Poughkeepsie is still proud of Smits stellar career in the NBA.

After seeing the Marist Women's Basketball team earn a sweet 16 birth tonight, maybe the nation will finally applaud a small school like Marist for hanging with the Big Dogs. The media can label them cinderella if they want to, but to me the Red Foxes are more like a Cinderella Man (1935 Heaveyweight Boxing Champion James J. Braddock). They don't fit the excepted concept of a women's basketball powerhouse, they weren't supposed to be here but here they are lining up for the home stretch and scaring the hell out of the competition.

I'm still kicking myself for not going down to the Standford campus in Palo Alto to watch either of the two games in which they won. I found tickets on craiglist for as little as $10 on Saturday but other weekend activities won out. Forgive me Lady Red Foxes for commiting such a sin.

ESPN hasn't been kind to the Red Foxes either, only showing half of their upset victory over fourth seeded Ohio State this weekend. But you can believe they'll get all the hype and attention of every sports network leading up to the sweet sixteen with this latest win over 5th seeded Middle Tennessee. The 73-59 victory makes Marist only the third No.13 seed to ever reach the NCAA Women's field of 16 teams since the expansion to 64 team play.
Marist guard Nikki Flores (22) keeps the ball away from Middle Tennessee guard Jackie Pickel


Congratulations Marist Red Foxes for making believers out of many and giving hope to all the small schools in the nation. May the force continue to guide you on this miraculous journey into unknown territory.

Please, Don't Call This "Puppy Love"

Remember when then President Bill Clinton infamously stated "I Did Not Have Sexual Relations With That Woman?" Imagine the shock and disgust if "That Woman" turned out to be "That Animal?" Caca Pasa. Yes my friends, shit happens, and it gets stranger and weirder by the day.

Case and point, a man (not former Prez. Clinton thank goodness) fought the law and lost on a charge so unheard of and disgusting that I'm embarassed to write about it. But, as someone with a blog who reports on weird and unusual stories I just couldn't resist. Actually I heard a lawyer's talk radio show discussing the legal ramifications of the case and I chose to do a little research on necrobeastiality (sex with a dead animal) to better understand what would drive a sane human being to perform such an act. I must admit, after perfusing the net it didn't take long for me to give up the search.

The article below addresses the legal issue surrounding the act. I understand how this can be seen as a crime, but lowly lawyers are paid the bucks to argue otherwise. And here's the scary part; the alleged necrophobe is not the first to to be discovered in the act of having sexual relations with a dead animal. I'm still leaning toward this story being an Urban Legend, but you be the judge, that is if you have the stomach to read on.

Here's the article from "The Legal Reader":

Way back in November 2006 I posted about a young man named Bryan James Hathaway of Douglas County, Minnesota who was arrested for having sex with a deer carcass he found on the side of the road while bicycling. He was charged with violating a law against "sexual gratification with an animal."

His clever lawyer tried to argue that a dead deer is not technically an "animal" and that the law Hathaway was charged with violating was intended to protect living animals, so he could not have violated it.

The even more clever judge disagreed, somewhat dubiously holding that the no-sex-with-animals law was "essentially the legislature's effort to codify what is legally unacceptable in society with respect to human behavior," and not a law intended to protect living animals from harm.

Today the good Lord has brought us the strangely similar story of one Ronald E. Kuch, from Bay County, Michigan:

Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran ruled Friday that even though Michigan law does not explicitly define sex with a dead dog as a crime, charges against a Saginaw man will stand.

Sheeran set a trial date of May 8 for the trial, when Ronald E. Kuch, 45, of Saginaw will face charges of sodomy, indecent exposure and resisting and obstructing an Animal Control officer. If convicted of either of the first two charges, Kuch will then have a hearing on May 30, at which Sheeran will determine whether Kuch is a ''sexually delinquent person.'' If so, the judge could sentence Kuch to prison for any amount of time, from one day to a year, on top of the sentence from the initial charges, which carry up to 15 years in prison.

Kuch's defense attorney, Kathryn Fehrman, argued that Michigan's statute on sodomy and bestiality is vague and does not outlaw sex with a dead dog. Kuch is accused of sexual contact with the carcass of his girlfriend's dog on Oct. 20, about a week after the animal had been hit by a car. The alleged crime occurred near the Forest Day Care Center, 2169 W. Midland Road, on a school day. The teacher was leading an Animal Control officer to the dead dog so he could dispose of it when the pair discovered Kuch, who allegedly scuffled with the officer before fleeing into the woods.

Note that Mr. Kuch was doing this "about a week after the animal had been hit by a car . . . ." That means one of two things: Either 1) the dead dog was frozen solid; or 2) it stank like hell. Either way, it couldn't have been that much fun. Note also that it was "his girlfriend's dog . . . ." She must be very, very proud.

CLick here for article about "Michigan going to the dogs" by HammerUncut.

300 - No Retreat! No Surrender!

Just finished watching the newly released movie "300." I Loved It!

The story follows the Spartans as they fight the Battle of Thermopylae in Ancient Greece and the 300 Spartan warriors that defended their nation from millions of invading Persians.

The cinematography and simplicity of this story allows viewers to sit back and enjoy being visually entertained. I figured it would be similar to the movie "Gladiator" and I wasn't too far off the mark. The courage and leadership Russell Crowe brought to the screen in Gladiator is reflected by the lead actor playing Leoniedis in "300." Somehow though the visual effects in this Spartan Battle is graphically graceful with an artists touch as opposed to splatters of blood and guts throughout fighting scenes.

As some movie critics have deemed this movie comic-book like, I'd say they need to use what bit of art and imagination is left in their so called creative juices to recognize something new. You can't measure a new style of art by comparing it to an old masterpiece. That only gets you a cheap reproduction.

If ever a true story of a battle fought long ago has been beautifully depicted, this version of the Spartan stand against insurmountable battle odds is the one. No it doesn't give much of a history lesson, but a child of 8 can recognize its message of brave men courageously defending their land and way of life. And to be honest, with the visuals of the movie being so eyecatching, the acting becomes secondary to the movies' success.

The movie does bring out the fighting spirit of anyone watching. I think Raiders coach Kiffin should play this movie for the team before their first game. Its not the story of an underdog like Rocky Balboa rising to the challenge and giving a good fight. Its the story of men who've been trained from childhood to be warriors, raiders, Spartans; and the day has come to put all the training and past battle experience to the ultimate test, fighting as one unit. Definitely an "Us Against Them" scenerio, sound familiar Raider Fans?

Against overwhelming odds these 300 Spartans fight for their freedom, for their country, for Sparta. No Retreat! No Surrender! And should they go down in defeat, let it be at the sword of a worthy adversary.

With a Sword, A Spear, and a Shield they fight as men whose fate has led them to this day of battle. And it is truly a great day to die on the battlefield.

Long Live Sparta! Long Live the Raider Nation!