The U, the Mighty Miami Hurricanes traveled to the #2 team in the country, played them in front of over 105,000 fans and (gulp) lost. I’ve heard some grumblings already about Jacory Harris not the answer at QB and Coach Randy Shannon’s seat should be warming up, and it’s all nonsense!

This team, being built back up after the devastation caused by Larry Coker, is growing up and maturing in front of our very eyes. The leaders of this team are TRUE, 3rd year juniors, where most teams are lead by 4th year players. AND they held their own last night.

They didn’t get their doors blown off (like our in-state and conference rivals in the state capital) and were in the game most of the night. The offense stalled a bit and there were the 4 interceptions thrown by Jacory. 1 was a great defensive play, 1 the receiver went to block, 1 went through the receiver’s hands, and 1 the RB stopped. I’d blame his for 2.

The defense played extremely well I thought for most of the game. Showed great improvement but unfortunately had to defend a short field most of the night. The one downfall, they failed to create any turnovers.

What I’d like to see moving on, is more running out of the gate. Use the run, with our impressive stable of running backs, to set up the pass. That will create more one-on-ones and mismatches for the receiver. But I would definitely like to see at least 40 runs per game.

Going forward, we have no other games on the schedule where we should be an underdog. We’re at Pitt next game, we should win. Then we go to Clemson, they don’t have Spiller anymore and although toughest game left on schedule, we can win that one. Then the ‘Noles come a calling….they still dont play defense. After that, we travel to Duke, and well, it’s not basketball season. Then our toughest challenge left, our achilles heal (no pun intended) as Butch and the TarHeels come calling, we have a much better talent level, they’ll be missing some stars still, so lets say these boys buck up and get the Butch monkey off Coach Shannon’s back. Then we have games with Virginia and Maryland, goes without saying. We’ll go to GaTech, and we learned last year how to attack that triple option. Now the Chokies come to town, and they dont look so big and bad anymore, do they. Finally, we get the Bulls (not the ones with Coach Ernie Denardo) and that one should go our way as well…

There you go fellas…an 11-1 season. Then the ACC Championship game and an Orange Bowl bid. Still puts us on pace for the National Title run next season…This team is playing parallel to the rebuilding teams of the late 90′s. Last year would have been our ’99 team. This year is going to be like the 2000 team, and next year, Number 6 anyone?!

So, that’s it Canes fans…get your heads up…we lost, but played WITH the #2 team in the country, and lost…BFD..Would you rather be FSU right now? Va Tech? No thanks..I’ll take Jacory, Coach Shannon, and the C-A-N-E-S, CANES!

Cowboy's Stadium

Wow! – Things definitely are bigger in Texas. Case in point, the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,TX.

For 4 days, the large, strange looking, ginormous bubble has been taunting me from about a half mile a way. It’s the Dome known as Cowboys Stadium, at it’s the new 8th wonder of the world.

On Thursday I finally entered the beast, thanks to some crafty negotiations with some ticket scalpers. Bought a ticket to see the Raiders v. Cowboys pre-season game. Usually a ticket buys you a seat, but not in Jerry’s place, some just buy you a section of air to stand and walk around in and have the luxury of spending 8.50 on crappy beer at one of 6 levels in the place.

When we walked in, it felt nothing like a football stadium, one of the guys I was with said, “It’s like walking into a mall.”

The crowd - mulling around

He was right, huge concourses, huge-er hd video screens hang from the ceiling, and after walking about 100 yards, we got to a rail, where we looked down to see the field. It felt nothing like being at a football whatsoever. It was surreal. Kind of like hanging out and “Oh, cool, there’s a football game too!”

So, the stadium was huge (and air conditioned…a big plus on a 104 degree day) – It was immaculate, kind of like disney world, I never say papers or garbage on the floor and the TV screen was huge (Honey, I want one…I know it’s bigger than the house but…) however, as far as football atmosphere….major fail – too far from the field, as is the trend with most new parks, plenty of SPACE around the field, keeps the fans back, and as a result, the fans don’t get into it as much…not like the old days, when front row in the

The View - from main plaza level - party pass tickets

Orange Bowl was literally on the field…

So, in conclusions, I’d say the rather huge building would be a great shopping experience, good for conventions or trade shows, but for sporting events, at least this one….I’d say…ehhh……I’m going to the Super-WalMart, it’s right across the street….

Then you have football players fake bowling, fake hoop shooting, banging a gong…Soccer players ripping their shirts off and running around the field (while the clock continues to run.)

But, it is just bonkers when these things turn to injuries. Twice this season now, a major league ballplayer was injured while performing a stupid celebratory ritual. My new least favorite idea is the shaving cream pie to the face. Yep, if you to pitch a great game, hit a home run, save the game with a catch you canl get a face full of shaving cream. It used to be in a pie tin, but apparently, now it can be applied just by a towel.

Let’s ask the Florida Marlins how that’s going to work out the rest of the year. Reigning NL rookie of the year Chris Coghlan tore his meniscus while applying a “pie” to a teammate’s face after a game a few nights ago. He’s out for the year.

Earlier this year, The California Anaheim Los Angeles Angels lost Kendry Morales to a broken lef after hit hit a game winning grand slam home run…The team all started jumping around like little imbeciles at home plate, impeding his route there, and as he jumped into the pile, to stomp on home plate, SNAP! Also, from the college game, UCLA 2nd basemanTyler Rahmatulla broke his wrist in similar fashion while his team was en route to the College World Series.

These sophomoric and immature celebrations should come to an end immediately….

But, here’s a reminder of other insanely stupid celebration injuries…Led of course by Gus Frerotte, who threw a TD pass in a game, promptly ran over to the end zone wall, and jammed his head into it (intentionally, I may add) spraining his neck. Ted Ginn Jr. returned the opeing kickoff for a TD in the National Championship game, injured his foot in the celebration and may have cost OSU the title that day. Idiot Kicker Bill Gramatica torn a ligament in his knee after jumping for joy making a field goal vs. the Giants..not a playoff winner, not a game winner, just a simple, middle of the game field goal…

Can’t we do like Vince Lombardi once told a running back, “Next time you make a touchdown, act like you’ve been there before!”

Checking the weather from Good Morning Vietnam, “Hey, uh, hi, can you help me, what’s your name? “My name’s Roosevelt E. Roosevelt.” Roosevelt, what town are you stationed in? “I’m stationed in Poontang.” Well, thank you, Roosevelt. What’s the weather like out there? “It’s hot. Damn hot! Real hat! Hottest things is my shorts. I could cook things in it. A little crotch pot cooking.” Well, can you tell me what it feels like? “Fool, it’s hot! I told you again! Were you born on the sun? It’s damn hot! I saw… It’s so damn hot, I saw little guys, their orange robes burst into flames. It’s that hot! Do you know what I’m talking about?” What do you think it’s going to be like tonight? “It’s gonna be hot and wet! That’s nice if you’re with a lady, but it ain’t no good if you’re in the jungle.” Thank you, Roosevelt.”

There are some quick notes from summer 2010!

• The average global temperature for 2010 so far is the warmest on record.
• This was the warmest June on record worldwide.
• This year’s hot temperatures will become the norm as climate change continues.

Four of the 5 warmest years on record happened in the last 10 years. More are expected to continue to come as the planet we call home continues to heat up due to the build-up of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

Heat waves like the ones experienced in the northeast recently, will become the norm, and not the exception.

We are setting heat records more than cooling records at a near 5:1 ratio.

All I know is, It’s Friggin hot, and if some tells me in January that it’s “too cold” they may get a nice big fat knuckle sandwich!

Actually, she’s the kindest sweetest daughter one could ask for. She always does what we ask of her (although usually not the 1st time…or 2nd…or 3rd…) but eventually it gets done. (yelling, screaming, crying…)

Last year she became a bat-mitzvah so obviously she spent this year thinking she’s a grown woman….YEAH – I don’t think so either….(something about britches and being to big for them or something!)…..but she is a TERRIFIC big sister to Shane and Addison. And she’s a great babysitter when mom and I don’t feel like dragging the kids around town.

Amber loves to dance and has already made the high school dance team…UGH – did I say high school??!! Where does the time go? She also loves to facebook and text and tell me everything I do is “old!” I’m sorry Amber, but Poison, Def Leppard, and Motely Crue are not “Oldies!”

Amber knows EVERYTHING…and if you don’t believe her, ask her..she’ll tell you! Of course, I don’t know where she gets that from (probably mom) and also most of her BAD habits…..(all the good one’s must come from ME!)

I look forward excitingly to see how my baby girl becomes more grown up this year as she begins her trek through high school. Hopefully the lessons her mom (and yeah me too, a little) will help guide her on her way out our door..uhhh, I mean towards college!

Amber, Your mom and I love you very much and hope you have a spectacular year!

Nope, I don’t drink too much, but I did see the documentary entitled “Beer Wars”. It’s about small craft brew companies trying to make in it the world of beer. It focuses on how the big 3 brewers InBev(Bud), Coors, and Miller all try to keep the little guy down and out with such things as frivolous lawsuits and copying their ideas.

Since watching, I’ve basically boycotted all beers made by the Big 3 – That a lot of CHEAP beer, but also some not so good beer…I’ve learned that Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Lite etc., all taste like crap. Really just some fortified water…and that’s where the problem comes in.

I’m a cheap S.O.B. and these craft beers are anything but…Take for example my current fav, Snake Bite IPA by Flying Dog, on sale it’s 7.99 a sixer….I was able to get 18 pack cans of Coors light for that sometimes…BUT, I have figured out the value, it’s in the alcohol content (this is a 7.1 ABV) so I don’t have to drink 9 of them to get a decent buzz. And the taste…who knew beer could taste so delicious. So many different flavor combinations I never knew existed in beer.

Another benefit to the craft brew is since i’m not drinking 6 or 7 per night, it was like an automatic diet – I’ve actually gone down 2 waist sizes.

So, in actuality, I can afford the craft beers because I drink fewer, I feel better, there’s no hangover and it just plain tastes better….So, never mind…Problem solved!

The President signs the healthcare bill.

1) Insurers can now not deny a child due to a pre-existing condition. (The adult version of this starts by 2014.

2) Small business get a tax credit of up to  50% tax credit to cover their employees.

3) Seniors will get a rebate on prescription drugs that fall in the donut hole created by the republicans and GW Bush.

4) Children can stay on their parents plan until they reach the age of 27.

5) No lifetime caps. Really? you didn’t know you had a lifetime cap? When was the last time you read your policy? Also, annual limits go away by 2014.

6) A temporary high-risk pool will be created for people with pre-existing conditions, which will last until 2014 when exchanges take over.

7) New plans must cover checkups and other preventive care without a copay. All plans must have this by 2018.

8) No more can an insurance company drop you when you get sick.

9) Insurers must now reveal how much money is spent on overhead.

10) New plans must now include an appeals process for coverage determinations and claims.

11) Indoor tanning services tax of 10% (ok, I really don’t know what this one’s for).

12) New screening procedures will be implemented to try and prevent fraud and waste.

13) Medicare rate protections for small and rural hospitals and facilities.

14) Non-profit Blue Cross organizations will have to spend at least 85% of premiums on actual health care.

15) Nutrient content disclosures on chain restaurant menu items.

16) Early retirees will get better coverage. (Don’t think I’ll need that one)

17) Encourage investment in new therapies for the prevention and treatment of disease.

18) Better consumer information on the web, such as where to find affordable policies.

So there you have it…This is some great stuff…That starts immediately.. Who in their right mind would oppose any of this? Where is the government intrusion? Where are the death panels? THEY ARE NOT THERE…Because fox news and the right wing schills LIED and distorted to you!

Could this bill be better? YES IT CAN! Is this a start? YES IT IS!

Thanks to Huff Post for making this so easy to read…

President Obama AND the Dems ran on a pledge to do health care reform in the 2008 election cycle. You know what happened? The Dems won…BIG..so, they had what’s called a mandate…and they used it to pass a bill they said they would pass…WHAT’S THE PROBLEM dummies? People approved of healthcare by margins over 70% a year ago, before fox news and the right wing spin machine started lying and distorting the issues.

So, now you’ve taken to vandalizing, yelling racial epithets (real classy!) and slurs. The vitriol and venom is so classless and unbecoming…you really need to grow up. Read the bill on your own, don’t believe what all these bat crap crazy right wing loons are saying, like Bachmann, and Palin (she cant even keep a job) and Beck, and Hannity, and El Rushbo…seriously folks, can’t you think and read and form an opinion on your own?

This bill is GREAT for America. It could be so much better, but the crybaby sore losers on the right won’t lift a finger to help out. They think that if they do nothing, and obstruct, good things will happen…How does that help 33 million people get health coverage? How does that stop 46,000 fellow Americans from dying without? They don’t care…You dont care..all you want is power, and you’ll do whatever it takes to get it…WHATEVER it takes…and that’s not healthy for you or for our great nation.!

To quote from “The American President, ” ” This is a time for serious people, <any right wing tool>, and your fifteen minutes are up. My name is <any American Loving compassionate citizen> , and We ARE America.”

As a novice NASCAR fan I must say I am a big fan of bumping and grinding. The phrase “If you ain’t rubbin’, you ain’t racin” was a big part of the growth of NASCAR.

Since the newer, safer car came out, this contact has been few and far between, ratings and interest have declined and NASCAR didn’t want too much contact.

This season, NASCAR decided to push the envelope and allow more contact and Carl Edwards took advantage. He pooted Brad Keselowski out of a probable top 10 finish to settle a grudge. NASCAR gave Edwards a slap on the wrist.

This is wrong in many different ways, but the most glaring is that Edwards admitted to intentionally trying to take Keselowski out. At the time, Edwards was pretty much out of the race and Keselowski was in line for a top 10 finish. This is equivelnt to hockey sending out a goon to take out a star player late in a game with the score out of hand to “send a message” for next time.

Edwards should have been suspended for several races, docked points, and had his chances for the NASCAR “playoffs” simply limited. People pay good money to watch their favorite drivers and for one of them to be eliminated like this is simply rediculous.

I’m all for bumping, and grinding and all that good stuff that creates rivalries, ones that NASCAR desperately needs to re-attract a dwindling audience. BUT bumping someone to move him out of the way is one thing, purposely ending someone’s day like this is unacceptable and inexcusable. And I didn’t even mention anything about the safety factor.

Just have time for a quick one today, and it’s about Obama’s health care push.

This has been a screw up since the beginning. Every since they started playing with this, they instantly took single-payer off the table. Yep, without any prior negotiations, just to reward big insurance. The best solution for all, MEDICARE for all, GONE!

Then they started taking lots of other good stuff out, mandates on lower prescription prices and what not and made this a very crappy proposal.

They watered it down, they let the right spread vicious lies about it, such a “gonna kill grandma” and “death panels” and lost the communication battles all summer of 2009.

So we are down to this, a very very crappy bill. The best I can say about it is it does mandate that you can’t be dropped nor be denied for pre-existing conditions. The catch, there is no limit on how much your company can charge you for that! “sure Mr. Drew, we wont drop you for getting <insert disease here> But, your new premium is…ONE BILLION DOLLARS!”

If any of this makes sense to you, nah…never mind, it can’t make sense to anyone!

BUT, we are going to get a health-care bill passed and that’s a win right? Only in the fact that Obama can claim to have passed health-care and the Wrongo Republicans can’t say it didn’t get done.

It’s a very bad bill, we have to accept for the time being because the Democrats in charge are weak-knee’d and spineless. The republicans suck ass and we, the mainstream of America get scrwed!

Oh – did I mention the mandate that all people must purchase insurance? Yep, if you don’t there’s a fine…So you have to buy insurance but there are no cost controls…How’s that work??? And people…it’s not comparable to needed to buy auto-insurance. 1st of all, you don’t HAVE to drive. 2nd, required auto insurance is for the vehicle, not the person, and finally, it’s to protect people you were to cause damage to. This is a whole sell-out to give people to the insurance companies, who are making record profits anyways…

How to make it better? here’s a list: 1) Can’t drop people 2)Strict price controls 3)Can’t DENY coverage (that’s a biggie – if a doctor says you need it, you should get it, and it should be paid for…end of story!)

Oh, I could go on if I had more time but I don’t! I’ll end by saying, America is a first class country. We should be the BEST at everything, but at health-care we suck! #28 and falling! We should DEMAND better health-care!