As you all know, we don’t have any kids yet for me to write about. One day we will, and I look forward to it. (Not that I’m AT ALL saying we are anywhere near ready to have any kids…definitely not the right time for us). But, we do have our pets, who we love very much. Any of you who also own pets, have owned pets, have lost pets…you all know what I’m talking about.

Yes, they’re “just” animals. But when you’re an animal person, and you have a pet, you love them like a family member. And you should! They depend on you. They love you unconditionally. They have little quirks that make you laugh. They have little quirks that get on your nerves. They can be stubborn. They can be difficult.  So in many of those ways, they’re very much like a family member.  Plus, they ALWAYS greet you with excitement and a wagging tail when you get home, no matter what kind of day you’ve had.

But in the end, there is a bond between you and your pet(s) that is inexplicable to those who don’t own them.

I guess this all hit me today, when I woke up and noticed how badly Kassidy’s face had swollen up overnight. It really kind of blew me away. And of course, I worried like crazy. I figured it was just an allergic reaction or something like that, nothing too serious. And as it turned out, that was the case (the nothing too serious part. Just an abcessed tooth that he prescribed some antibiotics for). But, what really hit me about how your pets feel about you as an owner, and how you feel about them, was how she acted while we were at the vet’s office, in the exam room.

When we got her up on the exam table, she did the same thing she does every time she’s at the vet. Standing, she leaned right up against my chest. And anytime I moved back at all, it was like there was a magnet that was holding her right up against me. She did not want me going ANYWHERE. She was calm, but still, clinging right on me.

And I guess what got me about this was knowing that, in Kassidy’s mind, there is nobody in this world she trusts more than me. She feels safe with me. She feels comfortable with me. And if there’s ever anything that scares her or anything else, she comes right up to me, and doesn’t budge until her fear is gone.

As goofy as it sounds (and as goofy as it is), it’s really a neat feeling to have. There’s a certain loyalty that comes from your pet that is unmatched by anything else in this world. And you know what? It’s a very nice feeling.

There’s an email I received from my uncle way back in 2006. I still keep it in my inbox, because it’s nice to look back on from time to time. The subject was “Good Advice”. Here’s how the body of the email read:

If a dog was the teacher you would learn stuff like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience!

Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back in the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout … run right back and make friends.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you’re not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Yes, I know this was a bit corny. But, hey. It’s my blog. I’m allowed to be that way when I want to. But I love my pets. I miss Dixie, and Dakota, and Wilson. And those of you that know or have known the joys of owning a pet, you know what all this is about. For those of you who don’t own them or never have, you truly are missing out. Yes, they do drive you ABSOLUTELY crazy sometimes (as evidenced by our current bi-polar cat). But there are so many other times that make it all worthwhile.

Plus, without pets, you miss out on things like this:

Yep, that’s Winston in one of my drawers. I had just opened it up to put some clothes in.  Before I could do so, there he was.

2 pets.  One small piece of food in the corner.  This is the result.

Yes, that is our bathroom sink.  I have no clue why he thought this was a good idea.  But it made for a good laugh.

Posted in Misc. |  | 1 Comment »

So, as many of you know, Holly and I are back in Indiana for the holidays.  She is on her “break” month for rotations, and my job allows me the flexibility to travel, work in the office when we’re back home, etc.  So, we’re here, and it’s great to be back, seeing all of our friends and family again.  I’ve had some good nights at home.  Mom, Jack and I went to Lafayette on Monday night.  Tuesday night Jack and I played about 4 or 5 boxing matches on “Fight Night Round 4″.  It was the first time either of us played it, so that was a lot of fun.  Wednesday night was pretty uneventful, but it was nice to just be relaxing at the house.  Last night I went to Lafayette with Cale while Mom and Jack ran a bike auction.  Was great to get to spend some time with him as well.  It was kind of nice to talk to him, while he was in the same room, as opposed to just on the bluetooth while playing PS3. :)  Which, don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful we’re able to do that as often as we are.

Anyway, back to the point of the post.  Since JD has passed, I’ve found that more often than not, when I think of him, I wind up chuckling, because I am often reminded of a good inside joke we had, or a time that we shared together.  Rarely is it a deeply sad, “get me really down for a while” feeling.  And that’s good.  I think he’d want it that way.  He was always about smiling, humor, having a good time.  I really believe that he wants us to enjoy life to the fullest, the way he did, until we see him again.

But, being back home, he’s been on my mind a lot more.  For obvious reasons.  And it’s brought a lot of the old feelings and questions back.
- Why did this happen to JD?
- Why did this happen to us?
- Nobody should ever experience the pain of losing a child.
- So many parents out there do horrifying things to their kids.  Mom and Jack are great parents.  Why did this happen to them?
- JD’s case was so rare.  And he beat the odds so many times.  Why couldn’t he have just beaten those odds one final time?
- Why was our family chosen to bear the consequences of this rarity?
- How would the world (and particularly, this community) be different if this never happened to JD at all?
- Wouldn’t it have been even MORE inspiring had he beaten it for good?  Why didn’t THAT happen?

Tuesday, I saw the headstone at his grave for the first time.  We stopped on the way home from work.  It’s a beautiful stone.  And the overwhelming feeling I had that night was joy, in seeing all the objects people were leaving there.  Dr. Pepper cans.  Golf balls.  Poems or letters.  Things that were bonds that other people shared with JD.  I wasn’t sure how I would react at seeing the stone for the first time.  I’m really kind of glad that’s how I felt.  And there was something very special about seeing the words “My Boy” on the back of the stone.

Yesterday, while I was listening to my iTunes here at the office, the song “I Will Rise” by Chris Tomlin came on.  I hadn’t listened to it in a LONG time.  I literally stopped what I was working on, and did tear up a bit.  It’s a beautiful song, anyway, and it has obvious connections.  I would recover a bit, and then the line “…no more sorrow, no more pain…” would play again.  And I’d tear up again.

I think all these feelings and questions really started rushing back when we went to the memorial service for kids who had passed away at St. Vincent.  Mom started crying as soon as we got in the chapel.  I didn’t cry until a particular song played, late in the service.  There was something about the whole event that was definitely sad, but encouraging at the same time.  There were some there that were like us;  they’d recently lost a child in the last year, and this was their first service.  There were some that had been coming for 4-6 years.  There were some that were there for just the second time.  When people went up to light the candle for their loved one, many shared their child’s story, as well as some memories.  To me, there was something that was somewhat reassuring about the whole thing;  “We aren’t in this alone.  There are other people out there who are dealing with this.”

After the service, there was a time to gather in the cafeteria at the hospital for refreshments, and just to talk with the other people that attended.  I was very encouraged to see how easy it was for other people to offer words of encouragement, and share stories about their child, without it just tearing them apart.  One lady had lost her daughter 5 or 6 years ago.  Another family had just lost their 9 year old daughter just over a year ago.  Seeing how they acted, how they talked, their mannerisms…it gave me a sense of hope.  For me.  For Kristen.  For Mom and Jack.  Hope that one day, we’ll be able to always think of JD and laugh, not have this incredible sense of loss and despair.  We’ll be able to tell his story to all who want to hear it, and do it with joy, not tears.  We’ll be able to help others, by seeing how our faith and the love of our family has helped us to get to that point.  Much in the same way some of those families did that for me this past Sunday.

There’s no doubt it’s going to be a difficult holiday season.  But I truly believe the best way for us to handle it, is to enjoy it.  To embrace the love of our family.  To see the joy in Corban’s face, and the zeal with which he opens his gift.  To know that JD is looking down on us with a smile on his face as well.  How can we not smile at the thought that he is spending Christmas WITH JESUS this year?!?!  Yes, we miss him terribly down here.  But he is experiencing a joy right now that we can’t even comprehend.  Come on…really….do you REALLY think JD would want us experiencing Christmas in sadness?  I don’t.  I know it’s a natural feeling we have as humans.  I know there will be tears, and there will be some sadness, and there will be grief.  But I know in my heart, he would WANT us to enjoy life, and especially Christmas, despite the pain.  Just like he did.

With all this sadness and seriousness, I’ll leave you with one memory that I have of just JD and me.

One Christmas break, I think maybe 2 years ago, we obviously were back here in IN.  Mom and Jack’s water, or water heater…something like that, had gone out.  So, we were driving over to the Millers’ house (their neighbors), and more specifically, the living area of their barn.  I know that sounds weird…a little explanation:  they built a one bedroom apartment of sorts in their barn, to live in while they were building their house.  Fully functional.  Shower, heat, kitchen, electricity.  It serves as kind of a guest house.

Anyway, JD, Holly and I headed over there, to each take our own turn to shower.  While Holly was showering, JD and I decided to play pool.  Now keep in mind, it was winter.  And it was COLD.  The heat was not turned on in the apartment area.  So, as we were playing, I said “It is so cold in here…” to the melody of a Nelly song.  I don’t listen to that music much, and can’t remember the title of the song.  But I was familiar with the song, and said just that one line.

The ACTUAL lyrics (kind of dumb):
“It’s getting hot in here,
So take off all your clothes.
(female) I am, getting, so hot
I wanna take my clothes off”

The lyrics JD then sang (hilarious):
“It’s getting cold in here
So put on all your clothes
I am, getting so cold
I wanna put my clothes on!”

Took me by surprise, and we laughed the rest of that night, so hard, about it.  And he’d just keep singing it.

Anyway, there’s a Coors light commercial on the radio now, where the exact same lyrics JD sang, are said.  The actual song plays, but everywhere one of the words about “hot” is said, a guy blandly says “cold”.  But the lyrics are identical to JD’s version.  And every time I hear it, I laugh.  A lot.  And I think of JD fondly.

*Edit* YES!!!  I finally found a clip of the radio commercial.  Been looking for it ever since I told JD about it over the summer.  Never could find it.

Long post, I know.  But it was about time to get it out there.

And I feel better.

Posted in Misc. |  | 1 Comment »

I was reading through the comments on JD’s CaringBridge guestbook, and someone posted this in there.  I just thought it was absolutely great, and wanted to share it for those who don’t check the comments there.

Christmas in Heaven

I see the countless CHRISTMAS TREES around the world below
with tiny lights like HEAVEN’S STARS reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so SPECTACULAR please wipe away that tear
for I am spending CHRISTMAS WITH JESUS CHRIST this year.

I hear the many CHRISTMAS SONGS that people hold so dear
but the SOUND OF MUSIC can’t compare with the CHRISTMAS CHOIR up here.

I have no words to tell you of the JOY their voices bring
for it is beyond description to HEAR THE ANGELS SING.

I know HOW MUCH YOU MISS ME, I see the pain inside your heart
for I am spending CHRISTMAS WITH JESUS CHRIST this year.

I can’t tell you of the SPLENDOR or the PEACE here in this place
Can you just imagine CHRISTMAS WITH OUR SAVIOR face to face

I’ll ask him to LIFT YOUR SPIRIT as I tell him of your love
so then PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER as you lift your eyes above.

Please let your HEARTS BE JOYFUL and let your SPIRIT SING
for I am spending CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN and I’m walking WITH THE KING.

~ by Wanda Bencke

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…it feels GREAT to be a Browns fan!!!

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This song is one that gets me every time.  I really only ever hear it on the Geico commercials (which are supposed to be funny, of course), where the cavemen are bowling, having a great time, then they see the Geico signs in the alley, and get all upset again.

I first started seeing the commercial shortly after we found out that JD’s cancer had spread to his spine and his days were numbered.  The song would randomly get stuck in my head, more often than not right before bed.  So I’d lay there, thinking about what was going on, what was happening to him.  And I only knew (and know) the lyrics to the chorus.  But, they were enough to get to me.

The lyrics to me (particularly) the chorus really seem to be what I think I would have been thinking if I was in JD’s situation.  Every time he’d get the tumor removed, bounce back as himself, then have it come back again…I think I’d just be so defeated, and keep thinking “Please, God…just let me be myself!  No more of this sick / not sick, operation, stress…just let me be me.”   Of course, one of the amazing things about JD was that he always was himself, despite what was happening to him.  He would still crack jokes, make everyone laugh…it’s all part of the reason he was such an inspiration to everyone.

As we all also know, when he was “himself” (healthy, no sickness, no pain), is when he truly shined.  He had a wit and personality that was much older and mature than his actual age.  Which I know is why he always got along so well with me and my friends.  Despite the 15 year age difference, we always WANTED to hang out with him.  It wasn’t one of those “guys, we need to entertain my little brother”.  He always entertained us as well.

This song makes me think about some of the times just he and I shared.  The day we went golfing together, just us.  How we heard “Benny and the Jets” on the way out to the course, and he was singing every word, in a high pitched voice.  I said “how in the world do you know this song so well???”  And every time we’d hear the song afterwards, we’d laugh hysterically.  Or the time when Mom, Jack, Grandma and Pappaw went out one night, and he and I just hung out, played Scrabble and watched the Indians game on my computer.  That night, we said the word “con-ver-say-shee-OOONNNN” about a thousand times.  (A la “The King of Queens”).  That remained a great inside joke with us as well.

Anyway, like last time, I’ve bolded some of the lyrics that really hit me.  Funny enough, I still haven’t downloaded this song.  But, I definitely need to.  It gives me mixed feelings;  it makes me miss him, but it makes me laugh at all the times and jokes he and I shared as well.  And, like last time, there’s an acoustic version after the lyrics. Enjoy.

3 Doors Down - Let Me Be Myself

I guess i just got lost
Bein’ someone else
I tried to kill the pain
Nothin ever helped
I left myself behind
Somewhere along the way
Hopin to come back around
To find myself someday

Lately i’m so tired of waiting for you
To say that it’s ok, but tell me
Please, would you one time
Just let me be myself
So i can shine with my own light
Let me be myself
Would you let me be myself

I’ll never find my heart
Behind someone else
I’ll never see the light of day
Living in this cell
It’s time to make my way
Into the world I knew
Take back all of these times
That I gave in to you

Lately i’m so tired of waiting for you
To say that it’s ok, but tell me
Please, would you one time
Let me be myself
So i can shine with my own light
And let me be myself
For a while, if you don’t mind
Let me be myself
So i can shine with my own light
Let me be myself

That’s all i’ve ever wanted from this world
Is to let me be me

Please would you one time
Let me be myself
So i can shine with my own light
Let me be myself
Please would you one time
Let me be myself
So i can shine with my own light
Let me be myself
For a while, if you don’t mind
Let me be myself
So i can shine with my own light
Let me be myself
Would you one time… oooh
Let me be myself
Let me be me

Posted in Music |  | 1 Comment »

This will be a quick in and out, but, being a Cleveland sports fan is tough. And all of you who know me, know that I am a BIG Cleveland sports fan. I found this excerpt on one of the Browns forums I go to. It’s from an article written by Bill Simmons, ESPN.com Page 2’s “The Sports Guy”. I’m a big fan of his writing, and have shared some of his stuff before.

Anyway, here it is:

First, the Cavs choke in the 2009 playoffs. Second, the best two starters on the 2008 Indians start Game 1 of the 2009 World Series for two teams not named “Cleveland.” Third, the Browns clean house and hire Eric Mangini, who takes that same house and sets it on fire with a flame thrower. Fourth, what could end up being LeBron’s final Cavs season is distinguished early by Shaq looking like a bald Aretha Franklin and LeBron’s body language occasionally lapsing into “I can’t wait to find a new team; I am tired of playing with crap teammates” mode. And fifth, there are two nights of star-studded concerts to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — located in Cleveland, as you know — and those concerts happen at Madison Square Garden.

Here’s my question, God: What did Cleveland do to you?

Yep, that about sums it up.

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Between working as I do (at home, in front of the computer all day), and all the traveling we do between home and Indiana, I listen to a LOT of music.  I don’t listen to the radio much, so I don’t know a lot of current songs or artists.  (That being said, when I’ve tried to listen to current “alternative” bands, I haven’t found many I like.  Their vocals all seem to be high pitched and whiny, for the most part.  There are exceptions, but no current artist has really grabbed my attention lately.)

My iTunes is pretty full of stuff I know I like though.  Stone Temple Pilots.  Metallica.  Soundgarden.  Hootie.  (Yes, Hootie.  You’d be surprised just how much of their stuff is really good).  There’s some worship music mixed in.  A little country (not much though.)  Just a lot of good music.  In my opinion, anyway. :)  There are multiple playlists that I cycle through from day to day.  There’s the “Indiana Trip” playlist, which has a little of everything.  Basically everything that’s in my library that there’s a 90% chance I WON’T skip when it comes up.  Cuts down on the looking down from the road while driving. :)  There’s the “A Bit Somber” playlist, which I first made when we found out that JD’s tumor had returned before his last surgery.  It’s not all down, depressing music.  Quite a bit of it is inspirational, actually.  It’s more of a playlist of the easier listening variety of songs that I’ve got.  No Metallica or anything like that.  Then of course, there is the “Metallica” playlist.  No need to describe this one.

Music has become quite a big part of my life since I’ve begun working at home / living away from Indiana.  Between listening to it as much as I do now and messing around with my acoustic guitar from time to time (not as much as I’d like to…darn PS3 keeps pulling me away), it’s really grown to have a more important role than it used to.  So, in an effort to update the blog more often (which hopefully brings more of you back more often), I thought I’d share a song with you whenever the mood strikes.  Whether it’s a song that has lyrics that are fitting for that day / week, a song that I think is just really well written or well done, or just an all-time favorite.  (And I’ll distinguish them accordingly when they’re posted.)

If nothing else, I hope it may help you find some songs you weren’t aware of before, re-discover a song from middle or high school, or maybe the lyrics from one will hit you just the right way when it’s needed.  Who knows?  I do know it will be fun for me to share a bit of what’s become one of my passions: music.

Today’s is a bit flexible.  It’s one of my favorites.  It’s on both the “Indiana Trip” playlist and the “A Bit Somber” playlists (lame names, I know…but whatever).  It’s on both because I find the beat of the song a good one to raise the spirits a bit, as well as the lyrics.  And lately, any song having to do with angels, or heaven, or anything like that, remind me of JD.  Which, in a case like this song is a good thing.  It’s upbeat, and “learning to fly” can be associated with what he’s doing now, as well as, in a way, what those of us who loved him are trying to do here without him: “fly” of course meaning living life here until we see him again.  I’ve bolded some of the lyrics below that are quite fitting for me on some days.

Again, I know I’m maybe looking a bit too deep into it, but for me, it’s little things like this from songs that make my mind wander, and sometimes lift my spirits, etc.  And I just wanted to share.

(Note:  under the lyrics, there’s an acoustic version of the song as well.  One thing I REALLY love doing is finding good acoustic versions of rock songs I like.  Partly because I like to find new songs to learn on the acoustic, but also just because I really like the way some songs sound with just an acoustic and a voice).

Foo Fighters - Learn to Fly

Run and tell all of the angels
This could take all night
Think I need a devil to help me get things right
Hook me up a new revolution
Cause this one is a lie
We sat around laughing and watched the last one die

And I’m looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something to help me burn out bright

I’m looking for a complication
Looking cause I’m tired of lying
Make my way back home when I learn to fly

I think I’m done nursing patience
It couldn’t wait one night
I’d give it all away if you give me one last try
We’ll live happily ever trapped if you just save my life
Run and tell the angels that everything is alright…

I’m looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something to help me burn out bright

I’m looking for a complication
Looking cause I’m tired of trying
Make my way back home when I learn to fly
Make my way back home when I learn to

Fly along with me, I can’t quite make it alone
Try to make this life my own

Fly along with me, I can’t quite make it alone
Try to make this life my own

I’m looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life (sign of life)
Looking for something to help me burn out bright

I’m looking for a complication
Looking cause I’m tired of trying (tired of trying)
Make my way back home when I learn to

And I’m looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life (sign of life)
Looking for something to help me burn out bright

I’m looking for a complication
Looking cause I’m tired of trying
Make my way back home when I learn to fly
Make my way back home when I learn to fly

Posted in Music |  | 1 Comment »

Some of you love it.  Some of you don’t.  Some of you think those of us who participate are crazy.  Some of you have “embraced the crazy” in the last couple years.

Every year for the past 6 or so, a few of us brave souls venture out.  It’s dark.  It’s crowded.  You try to turn left; you can’t.  Turning right proves futile as well.  Can’t back up.  There’s someone there, too.  WAIT!  There’s a spot!  Hurry!!!

Feared by some.  Loved by some.  Hard for many to understand.

It’s:

That’s right.  It’s become a tradition for several of us.  Every year, Kristen, Holly and I all wake up bright and early, and head up to Lafayette.  In the dark.  Because the sun isn’t up yet.  Cale came with us 2 years ago; he and Cinda came last year.  They’re coming again this year.  It sucks you in, you can’t help it!  We’re typically in the Target parking lot by around 5:30 AM or so.  This year, however, Target opens at 5 AM.  So, we may be there a little earlier.  There’s typically a stop for coffee first.  This year, I actually may partake.  I don’t like coffee, but, I do like chai drinks… a lot.  And Dunkin’ Donuts’ chais have caffeine.  So, if there’s one of those somewhere, I’ll get one.  Anything to help me fight that 10:00 or 11:00 crash.

We venture out into the Lafayette crowds.  We aren’t the type to get to the store before it opens and wait for the doors to swing open, trampling over anyone in our path.  We get there a little bit after Target is open, and casually make our way into the store.  Yeah, it’s still crowded, but it’s not too bad.  Parking is a headache, yes, but again, I think it’s over-exaggerated.  We drop one person off here, while we head there.  “Call me when you’re done here.”  “We’ll meet up back here in an hour.”  “I need you to go somewhere else…I may be buying something for you here”.

Lunch time hits, and we’re typically done buying.  We usually go to McAllister’s for lunch, but that may change this year.  We pack up in the car, and we’re on our way back home.  Our feet hurt.  Our knees (well, MY knees, anyway) hurt.  We’re tired.  A little cranky.

But the car load of gifts, all purchased WELL below retail value, make it totally worth it.

Black Friday 2009, here we come!  And we can’t wait!

Posted in Misc. |  | 1 Comment »

- Well, the Browns game didn’t go so great. I am still glad I went. I’m glad I finally made it to Cleveland Browns Stadium for a game. The atmosphere was still great during the first half, when the defense was playing well and the Browns were still in the game. There was something that was still pretty cool about being at the stadium when they played the Monday Night Football intro on the big screens at the stadium. One thing is very clear on this Browns team: the coaching is horrendous. The offensive coordinator has no semblance of a gameplan, and it shows. Every pass was thrown less than 5 yards, until the 4th quarter, when they were down 16-0. Just awful. Traffic was terrible leaving the game, too. We left with about 9:00 left in the 4th quarter. I never leave games early, but the offense was showing nothing, and there just was no hope of a comeback (unlike in the Colts game! ) Despite that, it took us nearly 45 minutes to get out of downtown. It usually takes us about 30 minutes to get HOME from downtown! But, overall, fun night, very cold…still glad I went.

- We’ve also started looking around online for apartments around the Indianapolis area. Here’s the ideal location: 15-25 minutes from the hospital where Holly will be doing most of her rotations (Westview Hospital); Just over an hour from the office for me (so I can still work from home most days! ); nice, safe area. We have found a couple that seem to be ok. The one that we’ve found that I’ve liked the best so far is Dakota Ridge Apartments south of Indy.  It’s about 1:07 from the office for me (but, I’d be taking 465, so it’d probably be longer than that), and about 20 minutes or so for Holly.  It has a lot of things we’re looking for.  Area seems ok, and the apartments seem nice.  But, we’ll just have to wait until we get back home and get to see the places in person.  If any of you find any houses to rent in a good part of town, let us know!

- When did football players become so soft?  Kansas’ head coach is “under investigation” because he “grabbed a player and poked him in the chest while yelling at him” during a practice.  Umm…so?  It’s FOOTBALL!!!  The Browns players are complaining because Eric Mangini’s practices are too hard.  Man up!!!  I don’t like Mangini, and I think he needs to be fired.  But you are getting paid millions of dollars to play football.  Quit complaining about the practices being too hard.  This all reminds me of what led to Bob Knight being fired from IU.  One of the greatest basketball coaches of all time is fired from a university because he “choked” (I use that term very loosely…you know if you’ve seen the tapes) a player during a practice.  That player happened to be Neil Reed - the epitome of the kid who grew up getting everything he ever wanted, and couldn’t handle a little “tough love”.  Just ridiculous.

- And this lawsuit!!!  Are you kidding me?!  Suing because of a dodgeball accident?  Wow.  Just goes to show that people will sue for just about anything.  It’s always someone else’s fault, and you’re always entitled to ridiculous amounts of money because of it.  I’m not saying it’s this kid’s fault that he got hit with a soccer ball and got hurt.  But, when I was 11 (actually ON my 11th birthday), I was run into while waiting in a line, knocked over, and hit my chin directly on the tile floor at a church, where I was at an after school program.  Had to get stitches.  Did my parents sue the church, or the city, or any of the people in charge of the after school program?  No!!  It was an accident.  Lots of kids around…accidents are bound to happen.  But, if that same thing were to happen to someone today, there would probably be a lawsuit to follow.  Just ridiculous.  Maybe I’m just getting old and grumpy (as JD and Kristen kept reminding me, I am almost 30 you know? :)  , but today’s world just drives me crazy.  Everyone needs something to complain about.  There’s no accountability anymore.  Everything is always someone else’s fault.  High level football or basketball coaches can’t use any sort of disciplinary actions to drive their teams and players.  The whole world has become “oh, let’s not step on anyone’s toes, ever.  Must be politically correct with everything.  There’s no winners or losers…just a “good job” and a trophy for anyone who participates”.

Alright, I’ve stepped down off my soap box, and am now going to get back to work. 

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I know I am! I know, the Browns don’t stand much of chance. But hey, last year, they didn’t stand much of a chance against the Giants, on Monday Night Football, at home, … and they killed them. It would be pretty sweet for that to happen again, and for us to be there! Quinn is starting again (FINALLY). You just never know…

Anyway, I’m just getting pretty excited. This will be my first Browns game. I just couldn’t pass up the prices for these tickets for a MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL game, just a half hour from where I live.

So, for those of you who watch MNF on a regular basis, regardless of who’s playing…be a Browns fan. Just for one night. I wouldn’t wish being a Browns fan any longer than that on anybody. But just for one night, pull for the Browns! (And I mean the CURRENT Browns, not the “former” Browns they’ll be playing against!)

Just can’t wait…

(Oh, another note. I know it’s older, but the Monday Night Football “Are You Ready for Some Football” song is SO much better than the Faith Hill Sunday Night Football one!)

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