Happy New Year!

Welcome to the year 2012; be careful, it's going to be AWESOME.

Tim Tebow and the Dollar Coin

No, these two items aren't related, but I wanted to right about each, and since I actually have time, I'm doubling down on subjects.  Here goes:

Tim Tebow
I don't listen often, but I managed to catch Dan Barreiro on KFAN discussing Tim Tebow (podcast available) as a polarizing figure in the NFL. I'm a fringe NFL fan at best; and barely a football fan in general. But even I know of the heroics of Mr. Tebow. I've enjoyed the Tim Tebow facts, even back in his UF days with Urban Meyer. He was an outstanding college quarterback; the jury is still out as far as his NFL career. He's an out-spoken Christian who seems to walk the walk. By all accounts, he's a winner.

And yet people hate him and people love him and there isn't much in terms of middle ground. What's not to like?

Tim Tebow is a winner.
It's easy to understand why people would not like this. If you are a Bears fan, do you really feel happy that an inferior quarterback on a mediocre team managed to come from behind and beat you on Sunday? His career NFL record now stands at 7 wins and 1 loss as starting quarterback; and yet his numbers aren't exactly off the charts. He's not a great passer, he's not fast enough to be a running QB in the NFL, and yet he manages to inspire his offense (and defense) to out hustle, out perform and just plain want to win more than the other team. Yeah, it's easy to understand why some people won't like that.

Is Tim Tebow an angel?
This is not a serious question. But really, when has any pubic figure walked the walk as a Christian better than Tebow has? Tebow's public relationship with God is uncomfortable for a lot of people. His beliefs are there on display every Sunday; at a time when many don't attend church regularly;  he is forcing people to confront their beliefs, when it's easier to just digest football.  This is supremely ironic, as it's CHRISTmas time; and it's also Tebow Time, coincidence?

Addition by Subtraction
So we have Tim "Goody Two Shoes" Tebow on one hand, and on the other. Crap who else do we have? Dare I say anyone? Let's go with the big names:

• Ben Rothesberger (accused of rape)
• Plaxico Burress (criminal possession of a weapon)
• Adam "PacMan" Jones (too many to count)
• Michael Vick (dog killing)

And is anyone surprised, ever, for a DUI or marijuana possession charge? While it's not really spoken of, public perception grades on a curve, based on your peers. Tebow may or may not be perfect, but he still gets an A based on everyone else's C-. 

(note: When the Broncos make the playoffs, the first playoff game will be after Christmas, and thus Tebow time will be over and they will be crushed)

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The Dollar Coin
I saw this on the Reuter's twitter feed; the White House announced that the US Mint would slow production of the Dollar Coin because of lack of demand.

First of all,  I find it hard to understand why there would NOT be demand for $1 currency. Second of all, I demand it. I ask for the coins at the bank and use them anywhere I can (They are great in the Starbucks tip jar). I've yet to be giving a dollar coin for change for anything, ever.

Sure this is a token (no pun intended) cost savings measure. And it's good to save $50M where ever you can. But given the cost of replacing a worn paper dollar every four-ish years (citation) I think we'd be better served to cut dollar bill production and keep the dollar coin going.

I want my dollar coin.

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PS: Eff U Albert Pujols

The Muppets: Movie Review

Took the kids to see the Muppet Movie and it was everything one would expect from a classic Muppet movie: lots of cameos, witty remarks about the movie--in the movie, and lots of singing. While there have been some Muppet movies in the last several years, this movie felt like a throwback to the comedy the Muppets were built on: silly, smart and awesome.

Will enjoyed the movie, and Ella clapped and sang and danced in her seat and loved every minute.

R.I.P. toaster

We've had a toaster that has been in our family for nearly 10 years. Today it died. It has warmed innumerable Pop Tarts and bagels. 

Rest in Peace, little toaster.

 

Happy Anniversary

...and we're back. 

About this time every year, there is usually an extended outage because I forgot to renew the apt518.net domain name. So I spend my $15 to renew the domain a little bit later than normal this year, but I'm back. 

And just remember next year, on or around November 18th, I'll forget again and the website will go away. 

Candy Hierarchy

This chart should be required viewing for candy distributors and collectors.

http://boingboing.net/2011/10/31/candyhierarchy.html#thechart

Ella sings...

Ella sings Take Me Out To The Ballgame with Fredbird.

Weekly Ramblings

As disappointing as it is that the Cincinnati Reds underachieved this season, I'm rather excited to see how the Cardinals and Brewers battle in the NLCS. Watching Carpenter vs Holliday battle in game 5 of the NLDS was one of the more fun times I've had watching baseball non-Reds baseball. I'm having trouble getting excited about the other half of the playoffs; without the Twins to cheer for and the Yankees and Red Sox to cheer against, I'm left with a feeling of indifference towards the ALCS.

The calendar says its October, but if feels more like late August. Our plans for a bike ride this morning were foiled by a flat-ish tire and a presta valve. After lunch, Will and I did get out for a 5 mile bike ride this afternoon.

All this nice weather, and no Ultimate to play! Our season wrapped up last weekend with Regionals in Delafield, WI. Kirsten and I didn't join a fall league league this year, so that means we are done for the season. I must say, that having Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons free, for the first time in about 6 months has been spectacularly awesome.

What we do have is sand volleyball for a couple more weeks.

Back to Life, back to reality

Ultimate season has wrapped up for the year. While I didn't announce that that I would be taking a vacation from blogging during Ultimate season, it just didn't work out to be writing, working, playing Ultimate and being a Dad. Something had to give, and it was this blog space. Sorry.

But I'm back now! Yeah, Rock and Roll. Blogs! Ultimate. Beer and more shall be discussed. I've actually been outlining a couple blog posts so that things won't seem abbreviated while I write.

I'm also trying to find a nice way to balance my other presences, between Google+, Twitter, this site and Facebook, it's hard to figure out what I should post where.

I have a vague plan, and hopefully I'll try to outline it for you, as well ask keep things interesting to read.

IPad fun

Not that I couldn't do this with a laptop, or even a netbook, but being outside with streaming audio, and posting is pretty awesome

Man U vs MLS All-Stars

Will and I stayed up a little later than we should have and watched the exhibition between Manchester United and the MLS All-Stars on ESPN2. Much could be made regarding the sad state of soccer in the US, but that's well known and documented by luminaries much greater than myself. Further debate could be made as to why the best soccer club in the world current, Manchester United, was playing against a bunch of guys that never play together...ever. (Seriously, what did people expect to happen?!). But, I don't want to talk about that.

I want to talk about ESPN's coverage. I see three major issues with the coverage of this event:

1. ESPN rarely shows ANY MLS games on it's various stations, once per week according to the MLS Wiki
2. This game was showed on ESPN2, while World Series of Poker event was showed on ESPN. Effing Poker beats out the soccer
3. Choosing New York to host the event was most likely a good idea; but having the game on a Wednesday night was just sad. 

ESPN bends over backwards to coddle the major sports; Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Baseball. ESPN even gives prime billing to sporting events it helped to manufacture: Poker and X Games. But when the MLS has been trying to establish itself as a major player, couldn't something be done to make this a bigger deal? 

What would I have done? I'd have started by moving the finale of the World Soccer Challenge (of which the MLS All Star game was an after thought) to Sunday. Barcelona v Man U should command prime time. Next, I'd have moved the MLS All Star Game to Thursday Night. Friday night is a dead zone, but Thursday would work, particularly for ESPN. Move the other games from WSC to Wednesday night and Friday night. 

Next, put ALL these games on ESPN, or even ABC Sports. I don't care how much WSOP is paying for ESPN coverage, are we doing ourselves any cultural favors by 2 hour long adverts for casinos? Do we want kids growing up trying to bend it like Beckham or do we want them hoping for a third 8 on the river.  (I really, REALLY don't like poker on TV). 

Finally, and as much as I hate to say it, the MLS All-Stars weren't that good. Maybe we should find a better way to interact with the international scene. I don't know what that means, maybe US Mens National team vs Man U (would never happen...but interesting). Maybe a mid-level club from EPL, such as Everton or Aston Villa against the MLS All Stars?  Or even US vs The World All Star game (like the NHL does). 

Something has to change, and it starts, for me, with TV (because that's how I interact with MLS). ESPN needs to take a better look at how they support sports (as opposed to supporting recreation). 

blogging vacation

So, you haven't heard from me in a while. Truth be told, I'm kinda busy, and usually the first ball to get dropped is updating the blog. So sorry for that.

So besides the usual work, summer camps for Will, activities and naps for Ella and sand volleyball on friday nights, I've been working hard to building an Ultimate Frisbee team for the season. I'm proud to say that Plowed will be returning for it's 4th season.

If you are interested in following the actions of Plowed, your best bet is to visit the Plowed website: http://plowedultimate.blogspot.com or follow @PlowedUltimate on twitter or find "Plowed Ultimate" on Facebook.

Work has been busy lately, with the usual sorts of work-issues. One of the major projects I'm supporting this year is two upgrades to our PeopleSoft systems. In typical work fashion, these are being done at an accelerated rate. For the most part, I'm surrounded by dedicated, talented and hardworking folks, so it's not as bad as it might sound. But by most accounts, we are cramming a 8 month project into less than 3.

I'll be posting some new pictures in the next couple days/weeks. We had some pictures taken by a professional photographer, which we are free to publish and distribute ourselves. I'll send a link when I get them posted.

Obi-Wan Kenobi Is Dead, Vader Says - Galactic Empire Times

Obi-Wan Kenobi Is Dead, Vader Says - Galactic Empire Times

Awesome Lego Scupltures

Check this totally awesome lego sculptures. These aren't your kids Harry Potter legos either. 

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/state-of-the-arts/archive/2011/05/what-could-you-build-with-lego-blocks.shtml

So much for Minnesota Nice

Nifty story about how Minnesota Republicans dislike my favorite author:

http://www.boingboing.net/2011/05/04/wisconsin-gop-leader.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+boingboing%2FiBag+%28Boing+Boing%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Lost Videos now found.

There were some videos we had posted of Will on Google Video, I've reposted them to YouTube. Here's a sample:

Weekend Lego projects

Will's Imperial V-Wing Fighter and I dusted off my MindStorms and helped Will with a L-8GO droid.

Awesome Dinosaur puppet (this would give Will nightmares)

Happy Birthday Madness Conclusion

We conclude our Spring Birthday Madness Campaign with two special birthdays.

Happy Birthday to my dear Mummsie.

And Happy 3rd birthday to Alex Bland. 

Just think, in 18 years, he'll be able to buy beer.   

Happy Birthday Madness Continues

Happy 2nd Birthday to Ella. She fooled us all in 2009 by arriving 3 weeks early.