Things I Love, Things I Hate

White Kids and Rap

2004-12-13T08:40:00.000-07:00

Here’s something that has me stumped—what is it about rap and hip hop that appeals to White suburban, middle-class kids? My daughter and her friends are transfixed on having all sorts of hip hop and rap songs played at the their religious-based social events no matter what subject matter is discussed in the songs.

At first, I thought that perhaps these kids might be hooked into the social statements made by these artists—the plight of underprivileged (and oversexed) urban youth that are perennially hassled by the law. Maybe it’s like the protest songs of the ‘60s that resonated with young people of all strata—from “Blowin in the Wind” to “Feel like I’m Fixin’ To Die Rag.” I don’t think so—these kids who like hip hop generally are so vapid that the social context of Snoop Dog and others is lost on their one-track minds (well, more than one track, but those tracks intersect in the areas of fashion, Lindsay Lohan and rolling their eyes at their parents).

Hmmm.. I think I’m zeroing in on something here. Kids like my daughter like rap and hip hop because their parents hate it. Well, my daughter is the exception, because I like most of it, and (I think) I understand the social relevance. The vast majority believes the shock appeal of rappers talking about drugs, killin’ the cops and grabbing some booty will upset their parents to the point of dismay (thus making the kids happy). I guess, in my day, I recall my mother taking my 8-track of Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant” (as if either my mother or I knew what picking up a couple of keys meant) and tossing it in the garbage.

Word up.

Programming Alert

2004-12-12T10:49:00.000-07:00

In case you think I have abandoned blogging, I have moved my blog to two new sites:

This one is a continuation of the concept began here.

This one is about my project to create a home-based TV network. Also here, you will find a media player which I can program with my favorite songs--just push play and enjoy!

Enjoy

Change of Venue

2004-10-11T15:11:00.000-07:00

The gears now shift from family weekend to business. I can say this about most airport hotels—aside from ones in places like Hong Kong, by and large they stink. This one sure does. An older Sheraton that sure is weatherbeaten. They charged me $10 for a refrigerator to use for my diabetic supplies, and that is rather bogus.

Time to kill today with an early flight tomorrow with three nights in LA. Luckily, there’s a baseball game on in a few hours. Also, I can watch the planes land, but am not sure I can handle so much excitement!

Columbus Day

2004-10-11T07:25:00.000-07:00

Family weekend is ending. It’s Columbus Day and we make our way from Napa to SFO with a full car. We’ll pass by our old “stomping grounds” (ugh, I hate that expression, almost as much as happy camper) but won’t have time to get off of 101 to explore. That’s actually a good thing.

My family will head home and I will head to LA for work-related activities. A many-months project is coming to fruition in LA this week and I’ll be part of the action. I get to see Mike and my boss, two people who I look forward to sharing some time with for a few days—a rare treat.

Am looking forward to flying home Thursday, but certainly am excited about the upcoming work stuff.

I do have to remember to post a picture of Mike’s dog, Bingo. Very sweet dog; my wife and daughter would be in love!

Light Damage

2004-10-10T14:17:00.000-07:00

We had a $20 Jockey Outlet rebate burning a hole in our pockets, so a trip here was imperative. We did some light damage to the pocketbook. Fairly standard outlets, similar to those in Anthen, Arizona. Nothing like Gilroy (Calif.) or Cabazon (Calif.).

Napa Premium Outlets

Workout Facilities

2004-10-10T09:41:00.000-07:00

The one here at the Marriott in Napa is really great. Bikes, stairclimbers, elliptical trainers, etc... TVs by the equipment. The crowd is a little snotty, but, heck, we lived a half hour south of here so we're used to it.

Best exercise room of the year was the one at the Westin in Cincinnati; there are actually TV monitors IN the equipment. Lucky me, I am going back to the Queen City in November.

Napa

2004-10-09T20:04:00.000-07:00

A long day is coming to an end.

The highlight—The SF Ferry Terminal Farmers Market. Yes, my return after my end of August visit (on my baseball weekend), this time with my favorite farmers market friend. She squealed with delight and even shed a tear as she gazed across a sea of organic vegetables, fruit, breads, olive oils, etc…She exchanged warm hellos with the “endive lady” a fixture from our life in Marin County. And my daughter and I gulped down 10 oysters at the Hog Island Oyster stand. We could have spent hours there, but we plan a special trip to enjoy the best of SF and get a place with a kitchen so we can enjoy the local bounty.

We then drove to Napa for our family weekend event. Today’s event included a pre-wedding picnic. Tomorrow is the wedding. It’s in the late afternoon, so we have the day to ourselves. We spotted a Trader Joes nearby, so we can grab a simple lunch and perhaps take a run to the nearby factory outlets.

Awareness

2004-10-08T21:48:00.000-07:00

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, I figured I’d share a few memories of which I am more than aware.

This is the University of California, San Francisco, Mount Zion. This is where my wife had her breast cancer surgery in 2000. This is where I sent the longest hours of my life waiting on June 27, 2000. Dr. Laura Esserman, my wife’s surgeon, is clearly one of G-d’s special angels.

The former cancer center, now a woman’s health center. This is where my wife had her chemo treatments. Hard to stand outside here and not shed a tear.

This is the new cancer center, part of the main UCSF building. My wife had a few follow up appointments here with her oncologist, Dr. Hope Rugo, another magical person.

Well, that’s enough awareness for one day.

My day was wild—phone calls, meetings, doctor’s appointments, dinner, time with Mike and Bingo….

The Travel Routine

2004-10-08T07:58:00.000-07:00

Alas, the key for me to succeed in business travel is the routine. Some of it is born out of OCD behavior, some is born in the need to create a comfortable setting to give me a shot at feeling my best during hectic times.

Key to the routine is exercise. Without it, my day will suck. I only stay at hotels that have exercise facilities. I cannot run or jog, so it has to be a stationary bike of some sort. Speaking of not being able to run, I smashed my already-handicapped foot in the middle of the night. My toe might be broken, but thanks to te handiwork of a local doctor here, who botched my foot surgery in 2001, I have little or no feeling in my feet. So, I feel little at the site of the injury but it looks nasty. Tomorrow, I can drive by his office and thank him.

Back to the routine: it includes three meals, lots of water, and a good night’s sleep. There’s debate on the sleep issue—my wife says it is some odd notion introduced to me early in life. She’s right; I don’t need more than six or seven good hours per night, but somehow, a voice inside my head tells me otherwise.

Well, today is a non-stop appointment machine. I am off to the road. Hopefully, my routine will go well. I really enjoyed my exercising…

It's Called a Killer View

2004-10-07T16:57:00.000-07:00

I know why call it a killer view, because the view of the freeway will kill-her (as in my wife). Actually, the windows must be tripled-paned, so all I hear is the air conditioner in the room. Let’s see what happens tomorrow night when my wife and daughter arrive.

No major snafus in the travel day. I guess when you get older, the travel process wears on you: getting your bags, schlepping them to the car rental center, getting the car (and they never have the one you ordered) and then leaving the place to find your hotel… and the hotel is in the middle of no where. Well, I have time to relax before a big work day tomorrow (with a visit to my doctor squeezed in the middle). At least I’ll get to see Mike and we can cook up some new far-out media ideas…

Travel Commences Shortly

2004-10-07T09:17:00.000-07:00

So, for the next seven nights I will be sleeping in beds other than my own. Ugh. Even the “Heavenly Bed” promised in Starwood Hotels (I am staying in one) pales in comparison to my own. I guess I could bring my own pillow and blanket with me on the road, but I assure you, I am overpacked as it is at the moment.

Well, yet another landing later today at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). That will make something like 1,000 in the past 10 years. At one point, I thought I should have my mail forwarded to SFO. Well, at least SFO has a great Red Carpet Room, location of a Barry Bonds siting. The only other celeb I have seen in a Red Carpet Room was Robert Duvall at the one at JFK. I did not approach him lest I find a horse’s head in my bed (speaking of beds).

That Zimmerman Kid Has Some Talent

2004-10-06T14:15:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! News - Dylan's Nobel Nomination Sparks Debate

AFLHOF

2004-10-06T13:34:00.000-07:00

The Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame is made up of a number of players and coaches who came through the AFL experience to either star in the big show or manage in the bigs. Dusty Baker, for example, managed in the AFL the year before he took over the Giants. Same for Lloyd McClendon of the Pirates.

This year three more AFL alumni will be enshrined into the Hall of Fame: Angels outfielder Garret Anderson, Cardinals infielder Albert Pujols and Royals manager Tony Pena (father of the player pictured in yesterday’s posting)

Packing Sucks

2004-10-06T11:31:00.000-07:00

One of the things I hate about business travel is packing. This trip is seven nights, three locations, and four hotels. That means lots of packing and unpacking (I think that’s a line from “WKRP in Cincinnati”) which I also hate. Suffering some subtle OCD symptoms, I stress out about packing. Do you recall the scene of Jack Nicholson packing in “As Good As It Gets?” I’m not that bad, but working on it.

Not To Say I Told You So..

2004-10-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

I posted this several months ago. Not sure why he's not broadcasting on the Internet; that would give him a global audience.

Yahoo! News - Howard Stern to Move to Satellite Radio

The Boys Of Fall

2004-10-05T17:29:00.000-07:00

For young players, this is their field of dreams

Opening Day at Arizona Fall League. Life does not get any better. The stage is Peoria Sports Complex, the spring training home of the Padres and Mariners. It’s sunny, about 90 degrees, a crowd of me, my wife and about 30 other people watching the brightest young stars of tomorrow. Major League Baseball does not do a great job in promoting AFL, but that’s not the story here. The story is a group of great young players (AAA, AA stars) following in the footsteps of former AFL notables such as Garciaparra, Puljols, Helton, Rollins, Giles, and countless others.

Yet another baseball game for me

Today, we saw the Javelinas host the Grand Canyon Rafters. Among the players we saw were:

Tony Pena Jr., (son of the Royals’ manager and former catching great); Josh Barfield (son of former Blue Jays star Jesse Barefield); Jeff Francoeur, Atlanta Braves minor league player of the year; Lance Niekro, future Giants star (son of former pitcher Joe Niekro) and Shin-Soo Choo, the top-rated Mariners minor league position player.

Tony Pena, Jr.

Young Mariners shortsop, Mike Morse

Giants 3rd/1st baseman Lance Niekro

The pride of Pusan, South Korea--Shin-Soo Choo

A few notes: New York Yankees outfielder Kevin Thompson was star of the game with a grand slam home run as well as a daring dash to home plate on a wild pitch. Also, there are several players from the “Montreal Expos” in the league. I noted to my wife that it would be the last time the Expos appear in a Major League Baseball-sanctioned game. We left in the 8th inning with the Rafters leading 8-1.

Next game for us isn’t until October 16th.

Vacation Plans?

2004-10-05T08:37:00.000-07:00

I am not a huge fan of the end-of-the-year Holidays. Thanksgiving is a non-celebratory event around here as it’s the day my father died 11 years ago. Plus, I am allergic to turkey. Really. The past few years, my wife and I have been up at dawn on the day after Thanksgiving to shop and buy a bunch of things we really don’t need. Well, mostly, things we don’t need—I have a great iRiver MP3 player I bough for $99 that is fading, but is still slightly usable.

The Winter Holiday break is even more uncertain. In the past, we’ve gone to Hawaii, but our schedule is constrained by our daughter’s Winter Camp dates. As an alternative, we could bring her with us on a nice trip, but she’s too old for that and we’re too old for that. I can think of all the places I’d like to go, but we have a four-night window, and most of my destinations require a day’s worth of travel each way. So…we’re up in the air (so to speak). Plus, I have a lot of work travel ‘tween now and then and really don’t have to time to plan.

Rabbi Silberman, Rest In Peace

2004-10-05T07:26:00.000-07:00

Herbert Silberman

PHOENIX, Ariz - Rabbi Herbert Silberman, 74, died Oct. 2, 2004 in Phoenix.

He was born Aug. 12, 1930, in New York City, the youngest of three siblings. He was ordained at Rabbi Jacob Joseph Seminary in 1955 and obtained his bachelor's degree in accounting from City College of New York the same year. He served a pulpit of B'nai Israel in High Point from 1956 to 1966. He and his wife, Temma, and three children, Ronald, Steven and Debra, moved to Newington, Conn. There he served Congregation B'nai Shalom from 1966 to 1977. He was active in a variety of rabbinic and communal agencies and organizations. In 1977, he accepted the position of rabbi of Congregation Beth El in Phoenix. There, he was active on a variety of levels within the Jewish and general community. In 1995, he and his wife moved to Salisbury, Md., where he served at the synagogue Beth Israel. In 1999, he and his wife moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., where he was active as a teacher at Har Zion Congregation. Additionally, he taught in a variety of Jewish Communal capacities in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Temma, of 44 years; his siblings, Judy and Morton Margolis of Beverly Hills, Calif., Edith Wolf of Los Angeles, Leah Ginsburg of High Point, Pen and Dan Ballow of Boynton Beach, Fla.; children Ron and Stacy Silberman of Colchester, Conn., Steven and Manette Silberman of Mobile, Ala., and Debra and Jerry Abeles of Los Angeles and 12 grandchildren.

Interment will be at the Hebrew Cemetery immediately following 11 a.m. services at B'nai Israel on Monday.

Memorials may be sent to the charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made at www.cumbyfuneral.com.

Decisions, Decisions

2004-10-04T13:56:00.000-07:00

The biggest decision of the week: which Arizona Fall League game to attend opening day (tomorrow). My choice is Grand Canyon Rafters at Peoria Javelinas. It’s a tough choice because I want to see Ryan Howard, the Phillies’ prodigious home run talent. The Rafters are the Giants’ team in the AFL, and I need one more shot of Giants’ action before I call it quits for the season. Plus, I just got my new Barry Bonds commemorative 700 home run T shirt.

Games Over

2004-10-04T08:48:00.000-07:00

A touch of sadness in the air—the baseball season has ended and none of “my teams” are in the Playoffs. In fact, the teams I visited in their home parks all fell by the wayside. Maybe next year they’ll pay me to stay away.

Been Here

2004-10-03T19:49:00.000-07:00

My wife and I were here in 1985. Actually, we sat in the dusty town of Corrientes in Argentina and watched cars cross into Ciudad del Este with just a wave from border guards. A little further north, we were at the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay--a well know site for terrorist training camps.

ABCNEWS.com : Paraguay Tri-Border Area Is Terror Haven

Say What, Part II

2004-10-03T16:05:00.000-07:00

Another goof-up in today’s Arizona Republic. Lucy was something, I suppose, but not a lassic—not that I even know what that is.

Breast Cancer Month

2004-10-03T10:40:00.000-07:00

October is breast cancer month. Heck, it’s all around us, how can you miss it. As I have chronicled many times here, my wife battled breast cancer in 2000. She helps others by volunteering her time for the Susan B Komen race and counseling others who are facing this dreaded disease.

Each year, we donate to The Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation. Linda Creed was a famous Philadelphia songwriter in the early ‘70s who wrote many of my favorite songs—“Stop, Look, Listen to Your Heart” and “You Are Everything” to name a few. In her era, breast cancer was a death sentence. Luckily, for my family and me treatment has come a long way since then.

I encourage everyone to donate to the cause of breast cancer. I know my niece runs each year in her local Susan B Komen race as a tribute to her aunt. In addition to giving to the Linda Creed foundation, I do everything I can to keep my wife healthy so she can continue to reach out to others and make a difference.

The Loss Of A Friend

2004-10-02T20:27:00.000-07:00

One of our synagogue’s rabbis, Herbert Silberman, died today. He and his wife were good friends, sources of daily inspiration and wonderful teachers. I will remember his magical smile, kind words, gentle soul, sense of humor and deep love for his wife. We went to services this evening and our cantor told us his last encounter with Rabbi Silberman was the other day, and his final, lasting image, was watching the rabbi and wife walking home, hand in hand. That says it all.

Here is an excerpt from an interview with Rabbi Silberman last year in the local weekly Jewish newspaper:

Rabbi Herbert Silberman
Beth El Congregation, Phoenix
(1977-1995)
Har Zion Congregation
(1988-present)

Where did you grow up?
Brooklyn, N.Y.

What was your first impression of the Valley?
A very exciting and hot place. Coming from a big city, I thought that Phoenix would be a nothing little western town, but I was rudely awakened to see it was a metropolis.

What's your favorite place to visit in the Valley?
McCormick Ranch is very pleasant, with its peaceful lakes and walkways.

What is the most important change you've seen in the Phoenix Jewish community?
First, the size - it's exploded, it's gotten much more diverse. I've seen a particular sense of parochialism rather than community. I don't think the institutions - synagogues, JCC, other organizations - really have one focal point, trying to serve the community at large. Previously there was a closer integration of leadership and I think that may have dissipated over the last few years. I think that previously there were meetings between federation, JCC and rabbis a few times a year to share ideas and concerns and directions. I'm not sure that still exists today.

What would you like to see happen in the local Jewish community in the future?
My hope would be that there could be some effort by the leaders including rabbis, executive directors and so on, to meet regularly and share the concerns and plans to create a more cohesive Jewish community.

Choke!

2004-10-02T16:50:00.000-07:00

You saw it coming: The Giants were ahead 3-0 going into the bottom of the ninth. You just knew they would not hold the lead. Dodgers win 7-3 with the Giants holding on to faint hope to win the Wild Card.

Ugh!

15 Years

2004-10-02T09:55:00.000-07:00

I am probably giving this more thought than it deserves, but we are approaching out 15th anniversary of moving to Arizona. I have talked about this before, but it bears repeating. We moved here in 1989 from Seattle after declaring bankruptcy for a business that was a great idea, but executed by two people with little business savvy or business sense. We came here with one credit card, two cars (one of which was wrecked in transit by our car transporters, but that’s another story) and a few bucks in our pocket.

Some 15 years ago we had to make the decision for me to come and live here for a few months while my wife finished her job in Seattle. We had to make the decision to board our dogs while we sorted out our lives in a small apartment. We had to make the decision for me to take a terrible, low-paying job as the managing editor for a local, weekly newspaper. We had to make other decisions related to family and material possessions that were difficult at the time, but all too necessary for us to move on with our lives.

Some 15 years ago, we left the rain for the heat. We celebrated my wife’s birthday in Reno, at a buffet, during which I got sick. We celebrated my birthday at a seafood restaurant in Phoenix and spent far more than we could afford at the time.

Our arrival in Phoenix in 1989, and then later to return full-time in 2001, has a lot of symbolic significance. We came here twice to rebuild our lives. We have come here to soak in the energy of the sun and to enjoy the soaring blue sky and desert landscape. Phoenix has had a magical presence in our life. Few people understand why we are here; most people take us for Californians (which we were for eight years) and say we don’t look like we belong.

Most of this has to do with our love for each other, Phoenix represents a comfortable backdrop for us to build a peaceful and productive life. Does it have the culture of New York? Does it have the farmers markets of California? Does it have the sports of Philadelphia? The answers are all no. But, it has us, and for right now, that’s all that matters.

This Had Our Name On It!

2004-10-02T09:42:00.000-07:00

Good music, good food and a great cause.

Yahoo! News - Springsteen, R.E.M. Rock Philly for Kerry

More HD TV!

2004-10-01T13:11:00.000-07:00

Cox has just added two new HD channels: FOX (baseball, football) and the local WN channel (not even sure what shows are on WB). I want more… like TNT!

October

2004-10-01T07:38:00.000-07:00

October is a big month around here. It’s generally a good month, except in 1998 when I first learned I was diabetic while standing outside the Walt Disney Swan Hotel at a company conference. Actually, October of 1980 wasn’t so great either, but that’s another story.

This October includes my wife’s and my birthday (two days apart), the start of Arizona Fall League and some travel. I will be seeing airports in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and possibly Cincinnati. Yes, that infamous Seattle trip that never left the gate is back on. Also, we have a family event coming up which will be fun and somewhat interesting. As part of the family trip, I will stop off in San Francisco and see my endocrinologist and get my eyeglasses repaired. Also, I will get to see Mike; we have some business-related stuff planned that could also be interesting. Our cutting-edge research puts us in contact with some amazing people.

Not sure how much of my upcoming travels I will be blogging. I’d love to stop and take a picture of our old house in Marin County, but my wife advises against it. I already have taken pictures of the Ferry Terminal Market Place and Mike (with me at the ballgame). We’ll see what happens.

Because They Drink Way Too Much Wine

2004-09-30T15:56:00.000-07:00

Stanford University Press

One To Go

2004-09-30T13:10:00.000-07:00

Ichiro just got hit no. 256 (gave the Mariners the lead oevr the A's). One to go to tie George Sisler's record.

What The?

2004-09-30T10:03:00.000-07:00

Note: There are three episodes of Season Five that Bravo says here will not air until 2005. That provides some odd continuity issues for those of us who have been watching the show on Bravo in order since late August.

BRAVO > The West Wing > Episodes > Guide > Season 5

Someone Lost Money On The Indians

2004-09-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

ESPN.com - MLB - Indians pitcher shot in leg while riding team bus

Who Didn't Know This?

2004-09-30T07:35:00.000-07:00

About.com: http://www.10tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2325097

$200 for Suns Tickets?

2004-09-29T13:48:00.000-07:00

So, I got an email from the Phoenix Suns offering a pre-sale of single game tickets. A special deal for people whom are living, breathing and have a credit card. OK, so I looked at a game over the winter holiday season against the Memphis Grizzlies. Decent seats were $92.50 each plus a $8 fee per ticket. As an aside, I wonder why they don’t just bake those additional fees into the ticket price, but that’s a story for another day.

So, we’re looking at $200 for a NBA game. Seats midway back from the court on an angle to the right of the basket. Are you kidding me? For $200, my wife and I can fly round trip to San Diego or Los Angeles from Phoenix. For $200, I can go to 12 first-run movies at full price and still have money for popcorn and Jujyfruits. Just imagine if you want to take a family of four to the game? We’re talking car payment.

Something’s wrong with this picture

On The 2005 Travel Calendar

2004-09-29T09:59:00.000-07:00

washington baseball club : welcome!

Cruel & Unusual Punishment?

2004-09-29T09:03:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! News - Stewart to Serve Time in West Virginia

The Niners Aren't Likely To Scare Anyone

2004-09-28T16:37:00.000-07:00

The team will be lucky to win three games this season.

Yahoo! News - San Francisco's 'Candlestick' Now 'Monster Park'

Go Light On Those Pork Rinds

2004-09-28T15:59:00.000-07:00

This ad is featured in some sporting goods product catalog I got in the mail today. If they are selling 3-XL sized undies and sweats for women they’d better be thinking about selling some diet pills (not to mention Zocor) and encouraging these female fans to stay away from the beer and nachos.

Back Among The Living

2004-09-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

New work PC has arrived....

Is It Tuesday Yet?

2004-09-27T17:38:00.000-07:00

It’s a crummy Monday, just like the songs proclaimed. I am without work Internet access and am itching to get some writing done. I am hoping my new work PC arrives, on schedule, tomorrow.

Watching the Phillies host the Pirates tonight on MLB Extra Innings, I cannot help but think I probably have gone to my last major league game for the season. There is a slight chance I will make a playoff game, but it’s unlikely. I am not through with baseball—I have a few Arizona Fall League games in my sights. And it’s been an amazing season going to games in Arizona (three); San Francisco; San Diego (two); Philadelphia, Oakland and Chicago. Not bad.

I may be sans live pro sports action till next year if the NHL is on strike. I will not go see the Phoenix Suns (NBA) as the tickets are way out of line. Re the Cardinals (NFL), I just cannot see paying $100 a ticket for a team that is possibly going to go zero for the season.

Well, there’s always next year.

By 2009 No One Will Really Care

2004-09-27T12:29:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! News - Conan to Take Over 'Tonight' in Five Years

This Space (Soon To Be) For Rent!

2004-09-27T10:30:00.000-07:00

The ads provided to me my Google’s AdSense do not work. After several weeks, I have two clickthroughs, and those were both me. Because I write about an odd assortment of topics, it’s difficult for the best ads to be served to my pages based on topics. Since I write a lot about baseball, nearly every ad is about baseball. There are thousands of sites that write about baseball; I stand little chance of earning bus fare at this pace.

So, in the next 24 hours, we’ll be saying bye-bye to AdSense ads. I am on the hunt for new advertisers.

PC Handicapped

2004-09-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

Since 1978, I have used some sort of computer for work. The two daily newspapers I worked at both had early computer systems that allowed reporters and writers to input their words and then magically send them to an editor for review. In 1984, I had my own home PC; my wife thought I was nuts, especially when—a few yars later—I said we needed a new one. We lived near an early computer store, Ballard Computer, that had the latest and greatest and I wanted the latest and greatest…and this was 1984!

Today, I am without a work computer. My PC is being swapped and tomorrow I am allegedly getting a new one. That means I don’t have easy access to all my work necessities such as email, calendar, internal document system. I have to use our clunky Web interface to check my mail, and it doesn’t work well. I printed out all my calendar appointments last week, but my hunch is I will miss a few.

We have three computers in our house including the old laptop I am typing on as we speak. In a few months, a new Windows operating system comes on the market—one to grab and serve media files—and that will make the current PCs somewhat out of date. Maybe my new PC will be able to use to new Windows O/S.

Well, I am off to struggle with my email. Get out the violins.

The (Arizona) Cardinals Stink

2004-09-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

One thing I do not like about living in Arizona is NFL Football. There is a team, and they stink. Always have (since moving here from St. Louis) and might always stink. Some blame the owner; some blame the stadium (a college football stadium) and some even blame the fans. When the Packers come here, for example, there are more Green Bay fans than Cardinals fans. On Monday, during my aborted trip to Seattle, the airport was packed with Patriots fans making their way home from Sunday’s victorious romp against the Cardinals.

Today’s game vs. Atlanta is on TV and Michael Vick is in process of mopping the Georgia Dome with the Cardinals. It’s too painful to watch. Also, I am pissed off that Fox does not broadcast in HD on my Cox Cable system. The games in HD are so good, I could sit through two bad teams and just stare mesmerized at the screen.

The Cardinals move into a new stadium out in Glendale (aka East Jepip) in two years. There was some talk about my wife and I joining my friend John and his wife at a Cardinals game this year, but for a lousy team, the ticket prices are exorbitant. I’d much rather fly to Philadelphia and watch my beloved Eagles, but the Birds’ schedule is not good for me this year. I will love and root from afar. I suffered through decades of Eagles futility before the team’s 1981 visit to the Super Bowl. It was a bad time in my life, so I didn’t fully enjoy it. If they get there (Super Bowl, that is) this season, we will make every attempt to go.

I also cheered for the 49ers when we lived in the Bay Area. I have a Fossil® watch commemorating the Super Bowl win in 1995. Actually, I have two. The 49ers also stink now and have none of the players from a decade ago. Most, like Steve Young, are making TV commercials and working as sports commentators.

When the Cardinals move into their new stadium, I suggest they change the team name. People still refer to them as the St. Louis Cardinals (including the CBS announcer this morning). Yes, there are Cardinals in Arizona—we have seen them in our yard. It’s not a ridiculous mismatched name like the Utah Jazz or New Orleans Hornets. Still, the name belongs to another city and another time.

It's What We Call Media Titans

2004-09-26T09:23:00.000-07:00

Mike and I have been writing and talking about this for a year. We call it Digital Media Titans.

Yahoo! News - Next-Generation TV Streams Over Phone Lines

Yom Kippur Is Over

2004-09-25T19:26:00.000-07:00

Yom Kippur is now over.
Over the past 24 hour, I spent about seven of those hours in synagogue; the remainder was spent sleeping. I did watch the dramatic conclusion of today’s Giants-Dodgers game. I saw my man “Happy Pedro” (Pedro Feliz) hit the grand slam to win the game. In 2002, Pedro signed my glove in Spring Training. I knew it would bring him good luck—eventually.
The lasting memories of the holiday include:

A lot of time thinking about my sister. I have not seen her in more than two years and have not spoken to her in months. She and her husband are estranged and the situation is ugly (from what I gather from my niece)
A lot of time thinking about Yom Kippur 1992. I sat in synagogue staring at a picture of an infant waiting for us to pick her up. The Arizona caseworker was dragging her heels, mostly because she did not like me. I kid you not. She asked me some personal questions (which I will not go into) and when she didn’t believe my answers, she did everything she could to slow down our process. However, the logjam broke right after Yom Kippur; she told us the holiday made her feel guilty she had not concluded our paperwork. A few months later, we had our baby in our hands.
I thought a lot about my family and work and the year ahead. The year ahead includes our daughter’s Bat Mitzvah—that will be interesting.
I also thought about a special prayer “Aton Atokef” and how it related to the horrors of 911.

A few sidebar notes: there was a man in synagogue who looked like Crusty the Clown. A woman in front of me was a dead ringer for my mother in law. And, lastly, this bozo behind me (the grandfather of one of my daughter’s friends) kept boinking me in the head with his prayer book (actually the loose pages inside the book were boinking me).

I am beat and my feet hurt. There was a lot of standing. I feel refreshed, but tired. I look forward to a happy and healthy (and successful) year ahead.

What We're Doing For Turkey Day

2004-09-24T12:12:00.000-07:00

No bird, but lots of Ben & Jerry's "Festivus" ice cream.

Yahoo! News - Give Thanks: "Seinfeld" Returns

Over Hyped?

2004-09-24T09:34:00.000-07:00

ESPN's "Baseball Tonight" insered a big promo for "Hustle" in the middle of giving the highlights from a key Wild card game. Isn't that outside the lines?

Yahoo! Mail - allen_weiner@yahoo.com

For My (Former) Brother In Law

2004-09-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! News - 'Lost' Episode of 'Honeymooners' Found

Day of Atonement Approaches

2004-09-24T07:46:00.000-07:00

Strange day ahead: I have to pack and ship my work laptop to my company as part of an upgrade; I will get my new one next Tuesday. As a precaution, I have grabbed all my important files and put them on an external hard drive.

Tonight marks Kol Nidre, the start of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Not sure if Shawn Green will be part of the holiest day of the year or if he’ll be playing first base for the Dodgers. Since he’s playing in San Francisco, I could recommend some houses of worship for him to attend. So far, he has not asked.

Setting The Record Straight

2004-09-23T12:23:00.000-07:00

There has been discussion around my house on this. I claimed Oprah and/or her company did not pay for the cars (as I previously posted). Now we know my assertion is correct.

Oprah's car giveaway not totally 'free'

The Godfather & Mr. Peepers

2004-09-23T12:21:00.000-07:00

NAMES AND FACES: Ashes of Brando and a friend are scattered

Not What It Appears

2004-09-23T08:49:00.000-07:00

The buyers of these newsstands will turn them into
"media foraging centers" where people can go to download movies, music, news, etc... Wait and see!

Yahoo! News - NYC Plans to Get Rid of Old Newsstands

I Am Doing My Part

2004-09-22T13:09:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! News - Americans Eating More Cheese Than Ever

Not Exactly On The Peace Train

2004-09-22T10:26:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! News - Singer Cat Stevens Denied U.S. Entry, Flight Diverted

Great Seinfeld Line

2004-09-22T07:51:00.000-07:00

In a Seinfled episode called "The Pilot," (where George and Jerry create a new show for NBC) Jerry comments about the number of buxom waitresses at the coffee shop:

JERRY: I haven't seen four women like this together outside of a Russ Meyer film.

Yahoo! News - Pioneer Adult Filmmaker Russ Meyer Dies

Tough Call? It Wasn't a Touch Call for Sandy Koufax

2004-09-21T11:15:00.000-07:00

The Reporter - Giants

Editorial Note

2004-09-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

As of my previous posting, I am changing my headline style to the more appropriate caps and lower case as per AP style. Previously, I used all caps in my headlines.

I hear the voice of my first editor--a wonderful man named Ray Conageski (who played college football at USF on the team for which Pete Rozelle was student manager)--telling me to fix those headlines.

Best & Worst of Monday TV

2004-09-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

In just a few hours of TV watching last night, I saw the best and worst that the Tube has to offer.

Best—“Kumars at No. 42” on BBC America (recorded on my PVR). Hilarious. I can’t understand a lot of what they’re saying, and I have to look up some of the British slang, but what I do understand I find clever and original. Sadly, there are no Region One (U.S.) DVDs.

Worst—“Listen Up!” the new show based on the life of Tony Kornheiser. Jason Alexander is harnessed with the stigma of forever being ‘George.” As Tony would have said on his old radio program—“this show stinks!”

For Us, More Than One Is Too Many

2004-09-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

In the desert, we have scorpions. They are nasty little buggers.

Yahoo! News - Woman Endures 32 Days With Scorpions

Wonder Why They Have No Concession Lines?

2004-09-20T18:38:00.000-07:00

AP Wire | 08/28/2004 | Food poisoning forces minor league baseball game's postponement

A Trip To Nowhere

2004-09-20T15:48:00.000-07:00

Well, I have had some unusual business travel experiences: Once, I arrived at the airport in Singapore a day early for my flight back to the U.S. Another time, I was supposed to arrive in San Antonio for a speech, but because of bad weather, I never got there and just flew around Texas all night, eventually landing back in San Francisco (where I started) at 4 am.

I have had delays, missed connections, flight bumps, oversold situations, weather diversions and so on… Today, I had a first.

A few minutes before boarding my plane to Seattle, my colleague in Seattle who was bringing me to town call me on my cell and informed me that our big meeting was cancelled. Well, I took my ticket (which had been upgraded to First Class) and went to the counter where they got my suitcase off the plane. Next, to the ticket counter, where they wrote my ticket number on the boarding pass so I could use the fare toward a future Alaska Airlines flight. Walking to get my suitcase, I called the hotel to cancel my reservation, but they informed me I was passed the deadline. I was then passed to a customer service rep who then called the hotel to see if they’d waive the fee. A few minutes later, a call back to say I was granted the exception.

Sidebar: I use a great car service here in Phoenix—Airport Limousine. For the first time in years, we had our signals crossed and he had the wrong pick-up info. That necessitated me driving to the airport, which turned out to be a blessing as my car was right by the terminal allowing me to get home easily.

Searching For Wayne

2004-09-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

One of the reasons I started my blog was to learn more about the innerworkings of search engines. The sitemeter link allows me to track the path through which surfers come to this site. Oddly, the No. 1 most searched word/words is/are Wayne Cody, the late KIRO-TV sportscaster in Seattle. I am hardly a great expert on Wayne, but I did know him and did write about him when I was a TV columnist in Seattle.

With that in mind, today, I leave for a quick trip to Seattle. I opted to fly Alaska Airlines as it flies non-stop as opposed to United, which flies through SFO. That gives me an extra chance at delays. I am a MVP on Alaska, so that should secure me an extra bag of peanuts.

Sports Typo

2004-09-19T09:30:00.000-07:00

I love finding typos in the newspaper, especially in The Arizona Republic.

Check this one out: In yesterday’s sports section, they have the wrong teams in the NL Central. Instead, they listed in the teams in the AL East. Wonder if anyone else caught this.

Mr. IT

2004-09-19T09:23:00.000-07:00

There are reasons why I don’t run an IT shop.

Yesterday, we were without Internet service in our home nearly the entire day. The light on my cable modem was out and I tried resetting the little bugger and even calling our Internet Service Provider. Nada.

Before going to bed, my wife noticed one of the power outlets in the bathroom was not working. Duh. This has happened before. When the bathroom circuit clicks off, it does something to the router at the other end of the house. I never thought to look.

Needless to say, one resetting of a circuit later, we’re back online.

Barry Bonds' 700th Home Run: Hear It Here!

2004-09-17T20:08:00.000-07:00

Reykjavik Or Bust!

2004-09-17T14:22:00.000-07:00

Our travel package from the Iceland tourism board arrived today. We are hoping to go next year, but am not sure when. I’d prefer going in the summer when Iceland has 22 hours of sunlight and whale watching (a family favorite) is at its best. It also would be easier if we could tack a trip to Iceland onto some sort of work trip to Europe. Since it seems like I am not traveling much to Europe for work these days that might be a tough one. No matter, we’re going to Iceland at some point in the near future. Why? Looks like an awesome place for blogging.

Rosh Hashanah Winding Down

2004-09-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

Day two of services is over. It went much more quickly than yesterday’s marathon but we’re not sure why. The rabbi’s son led the early part of the service and he certainly was expedient but didn’t gloss over the important portions.

Day two’s sermon was delivered by the assistant rabbi, an older man whose wife is a dear friend of my wife’s. In fact, his wife is training my wife for an adult Bat Mitzvah, which will be in about two years. My wife did not have a Bat Mitzvah growing up, as she was raised reform, which doesn’t believe in women being Bat Mitzvah-ed. I am not sure what sort of celebration my wife will have, but it’s a safe bet it will include giraffes in some fashion.

Anyway, the sermon was a sweet homily about finding time in your life each day to celebrate your religion. I believe his words are applicable to any religion, not just ours.

We’re home for the day, and I have a bit of work to do for a trip early next week to Seattle. A quick one-nighter, and I am staying in one of my favorite hotels which houses an amazing restaurant called Fullers.

New Year, Day Two--So Far

2004-09-17T08:48:00.000-07:00

The family stall begins. My daughter is pretending to sleep, no doubt to avoid the tedious exercise of religious services. I understand completely.

I will be wearing one of my ties from Andrew's Ties (see below) purchased at the original Milan store. My former colleague, Petra Gartzen, and I went there several times on business trips in the late '90s. I have several hundred ties, but that's a story for another day.

Alas, I hear movement!

REGENT STREET - Where time is always well spent

New Year, Day One

2004-09-16T15:26:00.000-07:00

Well, we are nearly done with day one of the Jewish New Year. We spent about three and one half-hours in synagogue this morning, praying and observing the usual holiday commotion. Phoenix, being a rapidly growing city, has a large Jewish population. Most are not affiliated with a specific synagogue, so the ranks of nearly every established synagogue in the city swell for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Ours is perhaps the largest Conservative synagogue in the area.

We arrived a bit later than I generally like, but we had the usual FDC (Family Drag Coefficient) issues with bottled waters, last-minute clothing changes and general out-the-door hysteria. My only issue is that it’s a bit hot to be pacing around in your suit and tie when the family is dawdling.

The place was packed when we arrived, so we wound up in lousy seats—the last row, which doubled as the thoroughfare for people to move about. After a while, we counted the number of times certain individuals passed by us. During specific portions of the service, the ushers keep the doors closed to minimize the hubbub in the aisles.

For the uninitiated here’s what goes on inside the synagogue during the high holidays: 20-30 percent of the people spend the entire time chatting with (and kissing on the cheek) long lost family, friends and relatives. Another 30 percent pray diligently. Another 30 percent wander in and out of the service doing heaven knows what (bladder problems, emergency cell phone calls, etc...). Another 10 percent sit there and either read a book they’ve brought along or (and I know this to be a fact) do something holy like clean out their purse. The rest pray somewhat and glance around to see who’s wearing what and wonder why so-and-so isn’t at services.

Let’s not forget the 20-minute sermon from the rabbi. Today’s was serviceable enough, but our former rabbi, Lavey Derby, in Larkspur, Calif., has us spoiled. He was the ultimate religious leader: kind, passionate, caring, and a dynamic speaker. During my wife’s illness in 2000, he was there to counsel us. I can still recall his holiday sermons and they bring chills, tears and laughs at the same time.

And then we leave and head home for the traditional holiday nap. We started the nap 19 years ago in Seattle to avoid attending some family holiday function and have napped every year since.

Tomorrow, another day of prayer.

The Hour Approaches

2004-09-15T16:17:00.000-07:00

I am about an hour from shutting down my computer for at least the night. The holiday of Rosh Hashanah beckons. That’s the Jewish New Year. A colleague told me to have a nice vacation; yes, sitting (and standing) in synagogue for several hours is a yummy vacation.

We’ll start with a great dinner and then relax. We’ll spend the afternoon tomorrow and Friday relaxing and reflecting. Jewish holidays are built around these themes: eating, relaxing, praying and being with family. We can do all but the last theme. For yet another year, our family is small: wife, daughter and me. My family is not observant and my wife’s family is… well… let’s end it there; I am getting in the holiday mood.

For the coming year, I hope for health for my family and me. My wife and I have been poor and not poor, so our value of financial success is different than most. We treasure health and the love of each other and our child more than money. Honestly, and I can say this with certainty, we’d be just as happy in a small home with far fewer material objects. We’ve been there (read previous posts), so I know this to be true.

For everyone celebrating Rosh Hashanah, I wish you peace. For those not celebrating, I wish you peace as well.

Behind The Oprah Car Promotion

2004-09-15T16:06:00.000-07:00

Not to lessen the impact of Oprah’s stunt where she gave away cars to her audience, consider this: a spot on Oprah’s show cost $700,000 for 30 seconds. The cars cost $7 million new (which they were not). So, the motor company essentially paid what they would for five minutes worth of ads. Since they were end of year models, they were not worth full value. Realistically, the cars would have been sold in some zero-down or cash-back deal scam and returned maybe 75 percent of value. Instead, Oprah fawned over every aspect of the Pontiacs in question (wow, look, they have XM radio!), providing the sort of buzz money cannot buy.

Call it a coincidence, but the other night, my wife and I were watching “Roger and Me” for the first time. It was on some HBO channel. Anyone who buys or wants a GM product after seeing that movie, needs his/her head examined. Or be forced to move to Flint, Michigan.

Sensitivity Training Needed

2004-09-15T07:55:00.000-07:00

Stanford band apologizes to BYU for halftime show

Going For #700

2004-09-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

In 35 minutes, thanks to my MLB Extra Innings package, I’ll get to see Barry Bonds attempt to hit #700 in Milwaukee. Many have pointed out the irony that Milwaukee is Henry Aaron’s old turf, and Bonds is chasing Aaron’s all-time record.

Chocolate Roulette

2004-09-14T12:18:00.000-07:00

And then there was the time I told my wife I was going to make a cayenne pepper cocktail to clean my congested sinuses. She's still laughing 18 years later at the thought of me hopping around the house with my mouth and nose on fire.

Roulette Chocolate

Trickle, Trickle

2004-09-14T10:46:00.000-07:00

With religious holidays approaching and lots of work-type work to get done, my posts have gone from flood to trickle.

Not A Nominee For The Good Sportsmanship Award

2004-09-14T07:31:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Texas Rangers-Oakland game turns ugly when player hurls chair at fans

Funny Stuff

2004-09-13T08:13:00.000-07:00

We watched this for the first time last night on BBC America. Great laughs! Be prepared to think, however.

BBC - Comedy Guide - The Kumars At No 42

#699

2004-09-12T16:01:00.000-07:00

One out in the ninth off of Mike Koplove. It hits the Jumbotron in dead center about 500 feet. Luis Terraro, the D-backs centerfielder, retrieved the ball and tossed it into the infield for Bonds.

The Blast

Bonds crosses home plate and points to the sky. His dad is watching from above.

More Walks On Sunday

2004-09-12T14:29:00.000-07:00

So far today, Bonds has two walks against Brandon Webb. Webb actually threw a few pitches in the strike zone in Bonds’ first at bat. In the second at-bat, he threw four consecutive balls. Keep in mind, Webb leads the National League in walks.

I really must want to follow the home run chase if I am willing to put up with Thom Brenamen and Joe Garagiola?

Someone Moved My Heart

2004-09-12T10:47:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! News - Top Stories Photos - AP

No Thanks, I Just Ate

2004-09-12T09:56:00.000-07:00

As we were leaving the game, the door attendants were passing out this certificate for Denny’s (known in our family as Lenny’s after the old TV commercial in which a woman called the place Lenny’s). One has to wonder what we would have received if they won the game? A certificate for Sizzler?

Not In My House?

2004-09-12T09:30:00.000-07:00

Well, luckily Diamondbacks manager Al Pedrique will be out of a job at the end of a season. I am sure the front office cringed over his comments that the reason the team isn’t pitching to Bonds is because they don’t want him making history “in our house.” Dude, whose house is it? It’s my house and the house of the 38,000 other fans that pay taxes in this area and pay for tickets to see the game. You are guests in OUR HOUSE. Next season, Mr. Pedrique, you’ll be lucky to be the towel man on some High A team in the Pioneer League. The fans wanted to see Bonds at least try and hit a homerun (or two).

I arrived at the game totally jazzed. I figured the D-backs would show some class and pitch to Bonds in the right situation. At first, I was afraid he might not be in the starting lineup, but that fear was put aside when they announced the starting lineup. (see below)

About 20 percent of those at the game were Giants fans. I got high-fived by a fan that saw my T-shirt commemorating the Giants’ farm system. By the end of the game, everyone was a Bonds fan and we all were outraged when Arizona/Pedrique walked him for the third time. The third time (see below) was when the D-backs were down 5-1 and had three hits in the game. A team one loss away from 100 losses is not likely to come back, no matter what their lame manager says. BTW, this walk allowed Bonds to set the all-time walks record. Whoopeee!

The game actually stunk. As fans around us pointed out, only one D-back player was on the major league roster when the season started—that being Danny Bautista. Actually, I think Robbie Hammock (one of the shortly celebrated Baby Backs of 2003) was on the Opening Day roster as well. The D-backs batters make Giants starter Noah Lowry look like the second coming of Jim Kaat (the prototype crafty lefthander).

The big thrill of the night was when one of the Giants struck out to be the 1000th opposing batter (see below) to strikeout in BOB this season. Another Whoopee!

Well, I am not returning to Pedrique’s house until he vacates. Major League Baseball used to be about the fans, not about players’ egos—especially egos on a team headed for 100 losses. What this team needs is a manager—a real manager.

Tonight, He's History!

2004-09-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

A few hours till game time. Tonight, Barry Bonds will hit two home runs to reach the amazing milestone of 700. We’ll be in section 130 to see it happen.

The cosmos says it will happen tonight. In 2001, in wake of 9-11, Barry Bonds’ homeruns kept me going through global and personal hardship. TS and I saw Bonds hit No. 68 on Sept. 28 (see above) and I will never forget the majestic soaring shot to dead center. It helped the Giants win the game. That same year, we saw Barry Bonds and his family in the United Red Carpet Room in SFO; he graciously allowed a few fans to take pictures.

In addition to my wife, I wish all my baseball buddies were there. I’ll bring something in honor of my original baseball buddy. He’d be rooting against Bonds as he and my uncle saw The Babe set the original record, and he and I saw Henry Aaron tear up The Babe’s record.

Pictures of the game to follow.

San Francisco Giants News

The Soup Is That Good

2004-09-11T10:03:00.000-07:00

We had soup from the “Soup Nazi” in January 2000. The soup was/is expensive, but comes with a lot of bread (“Don’t press your luck, little man.”) and fruit. It is knee-buckling delicious.

I have gone back many times since, but the shop is closed during the summer. We’re hoping he opens one in Arizona.

Report: 'Soup Nazi' gets ready to expand, newspaper says - Sep. 10, 2004

Yahoo! Enters The Consumer Electronics Business

2004-09-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

As Mike and I say, it's all about brand resonance, and Yahoo! has it.

Engadget Exclusive: Yahoo introducing consumer electronics line? - Engadget - www.engadget.com

We'll Be Seeing This

2004-09-11T09:21:00.000-07:00

This play is coming to the Scottsdale Center for The Arts next month. I read about it in the Village Voice after it opened.

Matt & Ben: The Play

This Guy Is Not Rooting For Ichiro

2004-09-10T16:06:00.000-07:00

Ric's grandfather George Sisler set the all-time hits in a season record.

Golden Baseball League

Drek Is Drek

2004-09-10T15:31:00.000-07:00

Hollywoodreporter.com

The Big Show!

2004-09-10T14:57:00.000-07:00

Arizona Fall League rosters, schedule, news and notes!

Major League Baseball : Events : 2004 Arizona Fall League

Maybe It's Not The Economy

2004-09-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

Maybe newspapers are headed down the slippery slope to disaster...

Entertainment: Industry Article | Reuters.com

Laurel Resting Personified

2004-09-09T15:32:00.000-07:00

Just looking at Yahoo!’s search blog. This is the best they can do? I fear for the future.

The Political Cup Half Full

2004-09-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

On second thought, I now believe I was wrong in my assessment of the primary. Despite the results, my neighbor, Roselyn O’Connell, did get her name on the map and show the local Republican powers that be that she could be a viable candidate come 2006. My sense is she showed herself to be a person of character, a good communicator and someone possessing sound reasoning for her stances on issues of the day. Not every Republican probably agrees with her more moderate views, but no one in her party can deny the class and manner in which she approached the campaign.

She will be an interesting political figure to watch.

O'Connell loss could be dress rehearsal for '06

Next.. Live & Uncensored On Web Radio

2004-09-09T07:24:00.000-07:00

FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News

Cancer And Marriage

2004-09-08T16:51:00.000-07:00

There is a poignant story on the front page of today’s Wall Street Journal (along with Baseball America and Gourmet, my lone print stalwarts) about the impact of cancer on a marriage. The story did not make me cry, but could have. I deem myself more fortunate than the man in the report, but the saga touched me.

My wife’s battle with cancer in 2000 eventually cost me my job and damaged my already fragile health. A co-worker saw an opportunity to push me out of way, and suggested to my boss that I would be too busy tending to my wife and daughter to perform at the executive level for which I was hired. My boss believed him and gradually my role changed until I was gone in early 2002.

One month after my wife’s final radiation treatment, insulin was added to my diabetic regimen as my glucose readings were totally out of control. Was this directly related to the stress from my wife’s illness? Who knows… and honestly, who cares?

Here is where things differ and I consider myself fortunate. While the man in the story sought solace from his fellow parishioners and community I was fortunate to have a support group of one. My support group was the person whom I flew halfway around the world to bring into our lives in 1992. Her instinctive warmth and caring to both my wife and me are not to be measured in words. Oddly, four years later, our daughter remembers nothing. The time had to be as awful for her as it was for us, but her inner strength was and is something that will certainly power her future to a wonderful fruition.

My wife’s illness has made our already tight bond even stronger. She’s certainly not the person she was before her illness—she’s actually a more improved version of her previous (and pretty wonderful) self. She stops to smell the roses (and cactus flowers), works on political causes, volunteers at our daughter’s school and strives for nutritionally perfection.

I am a better person as well. Candidly, it would be impossible to appreciate her more than I did before her illness. But losing my job and changes in my health made me understand life with even sharper focus; I know what’s important and wake up every day, look around, and count my blessings

They Seem So Lifelike

2004-09-08T15:16:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! News - Entertainment Photos - AP

There's A Joke Here Somewhere

2004-09-08T15:14:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! News - Krakow to Name Square After Ronald Reagan

73 Hours In Traffic

2004-09-08T10:24:00.000-07:00

I made trip from Marin County to San Jose from 1994-2001. 73 hours times eight years..

Yahoo! News - World Photos - AP

Plus One

2004-09-08T08:22:00.000-07:00

I saw Henry Aaron's 501st home run (see chart in link) hit off of Grant (Buck) Jackson of the Phillies. There were actually three outs for the Atlanta Braves in the ninth inning at the time, but the catcher muffed the ball on the batter before Aaron (Felix Millan), allowing the batter to reach first base. Aaron promptly smacked the ball into the left field stands at Connie Mack Stadium, breaking a chair in the process. If we don't see #700 Saturday night, #701 will do.

BTW, the great Dusty Baker was on that Atlanta Braves team!

The Sporting News: Baseball - Henry (Hank) Aaron