Boys of Summer

Of all the world's religions, the one I sometimes think has the best chance of unifying us and saving our psyches, if not our souls, is baseball. I'm reminded of this daily when I and MLB take Abbye out for her evening constitutional and we stroll past the neverending pickup game at our neighborhood park.

There are usually eight-to-twelve boys playing ball. They range in apparent age from around ten or eleven up to, say, fifteen. They come in every size and ethnicity. My wife often remarks on how well the older kids play with the younger ones. We never see or hear any squabbling or any taunting, and when the older guys are pitching, they move in a bit and slow things down a bit for the younger kids.

It's a self-policing game, with no umpires. Batters call strikes on themselves. Disputes over close plays at the bases might generate a couple of outraged squeals, but they're quickly resolved and the game moves on.

One of best things about the games is that when parents appear on the scene, they hang back, standing by their cars, visiting among themselves while keeping one eye on the game...but never interfering. But, more often than not, there aren't any adults around, until the game breaks up at dusk. Some boys walk home, some ride bikes and some get rides when their parents show up. But they'll be back the next evening around 6:00 p.m., practicing their skills and doing what kids that age really ought to be doing during the waning days of summer: having fun.

Oh, and did I mention that they're really good? Even without steroids. There may be hope for us, after all.

Running Shoe Lacing Patterns

In response to a comment thread from my earlier post about new running shoes, below is a scan of a flyer that Road Runner Sports includes with each shipment of shoes, showing how different lacing patterns can help solve common fit problems. I use the pattern shown for heel slippage control, and it works very well for me.

Technorati tags: Running Shoes | Lacing Patterns

New Shoes

Yesterday was supposed to be a rest day. After ten consecutive days of cycling, running or strenuous hiking, my aging joints and muscles deserved a break. But when the regular workout time rolled around, I felt fine. In fact, I needed a workout...the London bombings had me on edge and I needed to run off some nervous energy. Plus, I had new fresh-out-of-the-box running shoes.

I'm pretty easy on running shoes, since most of my mileage is done on a treadmill. My current shoes are only about 16 months old, and have around 700 miles on them. (I know, that's not much mileage over that length of time, but running isn't my primary workout.) Shoe manufacturers would have you believe that the high tech material in today's shoes breaks down fairly quickly and that you should replace them every six months or so. I suppose that if I was running 60 miles a week, that replacement schedule might work, but I tend to believe it's the mileage, not the calendar, that drives the replacement decision. (Sort of like oil changes in your car; does anybody really change the oil in an infrequently driven auto every three months?)

I'm also picky about what shoe I run in. I wear nothing but New Balance 1122s, size 11D (they run small...really). This is a workhorse of a shoe, meant for heavier runners (which certainly isn't me) and high mileage types (again, not me). It's heavy and clunky-looking and stable as the Rock of Gibraltar, and it's the one shoe I can run in for several consecutive days without knee or foot pain, and thus I stick with it. Some people absolutely hate the 1122 (many cite a lack of cushioning or the weight as major drawbacks), but one's preference in running shoes is quite subjective, as you might imagine.

Anyway, I pulled on the new shoes, laced 'em up and hit the treadmill, putting in four miles while watching Stage 6 of the Tour de France. The shoes felt good, I felt good (well, relatively speaking), and I'm glad I took the time.

Today, however, I think I'll rest.

Probably.

Tiger who? Cousin Bart wins again!

I was fortunate enough to return home in time to watch (on TV) my cousin Bart Bryant win the Memorial Golf Tournament in Ohio. The initial report is that his share of the purse is $945,000$990,000*...not bad for a guy who was born in Gatesville, Texas and played college golf for New Mexico State University. It was especially exciting considering the clutch shot and putt he made on the eighteenth hole to seal the victory. Fred Couples (bless his heart ;-) was second, for the second straight year.

This tournament may have marked Jack Nicklaus' last regular competitive appearance at a US PGA event, so Bart's win will have just a bit more historical signficance.

Oh, and that Tiger guy? Finished in a tie for third.

*I just hope that Darth Vader guy doesn't show up at his doorstep claiming to be his father. Or uncle. Or, um, cousin.

Technorati tag: Bart Bryant

My cousins get a pretty good payday...

Have I mentioned that pro golfers Brad and Bart Bryant are my second cousins? I just discovered that Bart (the younger brother) tied for 8th place and earned a cool $110,000 at the Bay Hill Invitational this weekend, while Brad (in his first year on the Seniors tour) tied for 15th and made $26,000 and change at the Toshiba Tournament. Not a bad family payday for a week of chasing a little white ball around a well-kept lawn.

It's interesting to note that if Bart had shot one stroke better, he'd have made another 70 grand. Can you say "pressure"?

Dive Blog

I stumbled across Divester today, a fairly new blog devoted to all things scuba. MLB and I are certified divers and did quite a bit of diving in the Caribbean during the 90s. It's been at least five years since our last dive trip -- a variety of other priorities have surfaced (no pun intended) -- and seeing this blog stirs up some good memories.

It appears that this site is a part of the Weblogs, Inc. Network empire, and as such, is suspect from an objectivity perspective. But posts like this one about a dive trip to Bonaire* alleviate most of my concerns along those lines, as it's brutally honest...something you won't find in most scuba magazines which seem to be in business primarily for the benefit of their advertisers.

If you're a diver, this might be a good addition to your blogroll, bookmarks or de.licio.us links.

*Bonaire happens to be our favorite dive destination. I may have to put up some scuba-related posts, now that the sport is on my mind again.

Technorati tag: SCUBA

Lance and Oprah

Lance Armstrong will appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show tomorrow, February 11. He'll be talking about his bout with cancer as well as the fabulously successful LiveStrong yellow armband fundraiser for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

By the way, according to the armband order page at the LAF Store, they've upgraded and restocked and the big shipping delays are apparently a thing of the past. I hope that's because of increased supply and not due to a jumping of the shark regarding rubber wrist bands in general.

SB - Final

New England intercepts McNabb to end the game. This one will be quickly forgotten, except by Pats fans (and few second-guessers in Philadelphia).

Commercial wrap-up will come later. Gotta call home.

SB 20

Well, how 'bout that, sports fans? Philly's not rolling over. Greg Lewis just caught a TD pass to pull 'em to within 3 points, just under two minutes to play.

Onside kick? It's a low percentage play...very low...but I don't think they've got the defense to stop the Pats (other than NE is likely to go conservative in their play calling). The experts are saying onside kick is the only choice, since the Eagles spent a timeout earlier. Makes sense.

Worst. Onside. Kick. Ever.

The last two minutes of "big" games last forever.

SB 19

Another challenge from the sidelines, and it's successful. That's three overturned plays in this game. Results in Philly picking up a few extra yards, but not a major break. The clock's under five minutes and the Eagles are still in their own territory. They are not managing the clock well at all.

Looks like I'll be able to make my usual 9:00 p.m. Sunday night call home pretty much on schedule.

Oh, great catch by Terrell Owens. Wonder what he'd be doing if he was 100%. (Have I already asked that?)

Hey, I noticed that my cousin, Bart Bryant, won $31K and change in today's golf tournament. That gives him over a quarter million for the year already. Not bad for a guy born in Gatesville, Texas and a graduate of New Mexico State University.

Two minute yawnin...I mean, warning.

SB 18

This game has moved along pretty quickly, hasn't it? Thank goodness.

Pats kick a field goal, lead 24-14. Might as well be 124-14.

[Does anyone buy those "Old Super Bowls on DVD" packages?]

Interesting graphic on TV: no team has ever come back to win after being down by more than 8 points in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl.

Terrell Owens has a long catch and run into Pats territory, wherein McNabb immediately throws an INT. Turn out the lights, the party's over...

SB 17

Commercials...

Mastercard (TV animations gathering for dinner: priceless) - 7 (out of 10). Not as good as the Badger (lost dog making his way home) series from last year, but a fun commercial nonetheless. However, I suspect that at least half the viewers won't recognize at least half the characters in the commercial.

Amazing pass catch by Deion Branch, stealing a reception from the defender. Pats are gonna win this one. Branch has tied the record for the most receptions in a Super Bowl, by the way, with 11.

Emerald Nuts (mythical characters will disappear): 6. You always get extra points for working a talking unicorn into your commercial.

SB 16

The Patriots are answering with a steady drive of their own, and are now inside the 30 of the Eagles...and we're heading to the final (finally!) quarter. Tie ballgame, 14-14.

I see that the Lincoln Fry has now fetched a bid just a tad over the 100 billion dollar level. If this works, maybe someone will find an onion ring that looks like the Social Security system.

The Pats are fixin' to score. Yep. That was quick. 21-14, New England.

I don't look for any great new commercials from here on out. I wouldn't think that most advertisers would take a risk in putting their best stuff at the end of a potential turkey, like so many Super Bowls have been.

SB 15

Third quarter is half gone and Philly has a pretty good little drive going. The Pats are playing too loose on the corners and McNabb is hitting those out patterns one after another.

First down inside the 10, as Westbrook reaches behind him to pull in a pass.

Touchdown, Philly. Westbrook snags another pass down the middle. Tie ballgame, kiddies.

[Have I mentioned that I don't care who wins this thing? I'm partial to the NFC, and tend to root for the underdog, but I'm not an Eagles fan. So. Meh.]

SB 14

OK, I'm back. If Fox's primary motivation for halftime was to avoid controversy, it succeeded beyond it's wildest dreams. What a snoozer.

Anyway, couple of commercials to note.

Tabasco (reverse tan): 5 of 10. Subtly effective.

Anhauser-Busch (soldiers getting applause in airport): 8. OK, it was a bit schmaltzy, but I don't care. Great message. I like it.

Ameriquest #2 (man holding cat and knife over spilled spaghetti sauce): 7. Now that was pretty funny.

Michele weighed in via a comment...she liked the albino parrot the best thus far. She may have been watching a few too many cheesy disaster movies lately, however.

Oh, yeah...I almost forgot there's a game going on. Pats in the lead by a touch. Don't look for 'em to lose it.

SB: Half Time

No, I'm not blogging halftime, but I figured I should sum up the first half commercials.

FedEx has the top spot, hands down, for its Burt Reynolds & Groin-Kicking/Dancing/Singing Bear with touching yet funny postscript.

Number two is Budweiser for the animal kingdom Clydesdale wannabes.

Everything else pretty much stank or was non-memorable. GoDaddy gets an honorable mention for flouting the censors, however.

SB 13

Brady just throws the worst pass in Super Bowl history. Oh, not really; I'm just trying to interject some excitement. NE converts its first 3rd down of the game (four minutes until halftime).

The Pats are back to first and goal, as Brady starts to get in the groove. Two minute warning.

Michelob Amber Bock commercial #1 (rich but not smooth; smooth but not rich): 4 of 10. Haven't we seen this one before?

Touchdown Pats. The receiver was so alone in the end zone, he was writing a letter to his penpal. That's one ugly play by the Eagles' DB.

Tie ballgame, just in time for the half. I'm not planning on blogging the halftime show, btw. I'd rather eat something. I know you're disappointed.

SB 12

Somebody get Cadillac an ad agency...please?

Challenge is upheld (man, twice in one half!). Pats are now deep in Philly territory, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted. Great run by Dillon, down to the Eagles' 7.

Brady loses the ball, and Philadelphia comes up with it! First turnover of the playoffs by New England this year (according to Joe Buck).

Still a lot of time to go -- a lot -- but NE isn't very impressive thus far.

New England holds Philly and they'll have to punt from their end zone.

Commercial break. Chimps. CareerBuilder.com refers to them as monkeys. I dock them many points for non-PC terminology. 3 of 10.

Bud Light commercial #? (cockatoo? cockatiel? albino parrot?): 4 of 10. Talking animals work, but not always.

SB 11

Commercial break after kickoff (one of the worst NFL broadcast traditions)...

Degree (deoderant) commercial (Mama's Boy doll): 1 of 10 (It reeks. How ironic is that?)

Had to take a quick timeout to delete some trackback spam (thank you MT-Blacklist!).

If you're leaving comments, I'm quite grateful, but I probably won't be able to respond for a while. My twitchy little fingers can do only so much, you know?

The Pats are moving smartly downfield, mostly running the ball. How many times have we seen this in past Super Bowls? Boring first quarter, one team scores, then the dam breaks. We'll see, but the Pats are...ooh...wait a minute, turnover to Philly, barring an overturned call.

Here comes a challenge. Commercial break.

I'm not grading the Pepsi/iTunes commercials. They're, um, cute, but not in the running. They're throwaways.

SB 10

Touchdown Eagles! Whoda thunk it? Great pass from McNabb to Smith, as the receiver fights off a double team. Pats trail in the playoffs for the first time this season (according to Joe Buck).

Budweiser commercial #1 (all the animals want to be Clydesdales): 7 (out of 10) (As Fed Ex says, talking animals are important)

Subway commercial #1 (guys parking, eating subs and fogging up windows): the description should clue you in... 2 (out of, uh huh...)

SB 9

MBNA commercial #1 (Gladys Knight plays rugby): 3 (She's always struck me as more of a bocce ball player.)

2nd quarter's underway, and Brady gets sacked. So much for my prediction. Does New England have a first down yet? Don't know, but they do have four punts thus far. Brady is 4 of 7 for 28 yards.

I notice that an anagram for Super Bowl is "Bowel Spur." Sorta fits. Also, "Pus Blower."

Oh, oh...long pass by McNabb to Pinkston. Philly's inside the NE 20 now. Westbrook runs for a first down...first and 10.

SB 8

Pats can't move the ball...as Collingsworth points out, they're being very conservative, and that's their strategy. Wake me for halftime.

Philly gets great field position, in NE territory, following the punt. You gotta hand it to Philly, they keep hammering away. Another long pass, but it's almost intercepted as well.

NE strips the ball from a Philly receiver, so the Eagles waste another opportunity. The Pats will, I predict, move the ball this time. Although not on first down, as the receiver slips while the ball's in the air. And not on second down. And who knows about third down, as the 6th scoreless 1st quarter in Super Bowl history (according to Joe Buck) comes to an end.

*yawn*

SB 7

Bud Light commercial (your apartment, your girlfriend): 2 (out of 10)

McD's commercial #2 (LincolnFry #2): 4 (out of 10)

McNabb is determined to throw an interception, and where there's a will, there's a way. Pats get the ball deep in their own end. More commercials.

Visa Checkcard commercial #1 (Superheros): 3 (out of 10)

Ameriquest commercial #1 (You're getting robbed): 3 (out of...well, you know)

Quizno's commercial #1 (Bob the baby): 2

SB 6

We have a first down! (7:11 left in the first quarter) OK, now we're getting somewhere.

The GoDaddy.com website is inaccessible. I'd say the commercial got somebody's attention. GoDaddy's president is blogging The Game, btw. Not a great idea, if their server response testifies to their hosting capabilities. (OK, I just checked the so-called blog, and it's just an extended commercial.)

McNabb and his receivers are not on the same wavelength thus far.

Back to the pregame show, I was impressed with the combined service academy choir's rendition of the National Anthem. It's refreshing to hear it sung without undue soulful embellishment.

Hey, I thought Terrell Owens was injured. Philly's got 1st and goal after the refs missed a penalty on the offense. Oops...McNabb just lost 16. So much for 1st and goal.

Pats get the interception, but let's check on the flag. Ooooh...it's on the defense, and an automatic first down for Philly.

SB 5

I had low expectations for this game and thus far, it's fallen short. What a yawner. Where's the offense?

Another punt, and the Iggles are out to their own something or other. More commercials.

Diet Pepsi commercial #2 ("Staying Alive"): 2 (out of 10)

GoDaddy.com commercial #1 (healthy young lady in defective tank top): 12 (out of 10). Just kidding. But it's a good thing I already know what GoDaddy sells.

SB 4

Diet Pepsi commercial #1 (P. Diddy) - 3 (out of 10)

Bill Belichek (Pats coach) went to the wrong bench at the beginning of the game?

Good punt by NE; Philly can't make a first down and will punt from near its own end zone. So far, the punters are the stars of the game.

More commercials.

Gotta tell you, "The Pacifier" looks like a hilarious movie (as I've previously noted).

Fed Ex commercial #1 (Burt Reynolds and Dancing Talking Bear): 8 (out of 10). This one looks like it might be a winner.

Bud Light #2 (Cedric the Entertainer..."gotta work on my fantasies"): 5 (out of 10).

SB 3

Update: Check out the Lincoln Fry blog...there's an actual story here. Although, the more I think about it, the more I believe it's still all part of commercial strategy by McDonald's, to raise money for its charity. Good cause, by the way.

Oh, this is the most exciting part of the game: the Official Review of the Play. And the call was overturned, Philly gets the ball back, and now has to punt as it was fourth down anyway. Still, beats a turnover in your end of the field.

Commercial link of the game, thus far: LincolnFry.com, from a series of commercials by McDonalds following the exciting exploits of a guy who finds a french fry that resembles Honest Abe. There's some sort of commercial tie to Yahoo! Auctions. Oh, I see, a replica of the Fry is being auctioned over at Yahoo! with the proceeds being donated to the Ronald McDonald House.

SB 2

First turnover, as McNabb loses a fumble under pressure. It's likely to be a long night for the Iggles.

Anybody got a clue as to why Bush the First and Willy Boy were part of the National Anthem ceremony? I mean, the guys are like Siamese Twins nowadays, but, really...

First Bud Light commercial (parachutists): 3 (out of 10)

Blogging the Super Bowl? Why not?

I wasn't sure I'd even watch the game, much less blog it, but I had fun doing it last year, so why not?

Special emphasis on commercials, of course.

The Pats have just kicked off, after the lamest coin toss I've ever seen. I predict the Pat will lodge a complaint with the NFL after a replay shows the coin turned over only once in the air, giving the Eagles the option. That's what they get for having a 9 year old handle such an awesome responsibility.

Recordings of NFL Playoffs: A Solution in Search of a Problem?

Am I the only one who fails to see the value or purpose in this*?

I suppose that if you're the parent of one of the players on the participating teams, this might be attractive, but, frankly, I'm not convinced that the iPod generation has much interest in the games, let alone in buying the audio after-the-fact for repeat listenings.

*Quote from this morning's Wall Street Journal

Technorati tag: sports

Basketball in Aggieland? For real!

I admit that I haven't been giving the Aggie basketball team much credit for their sterling record this season. Their undefeated record against a creampuff pre-conference lineup didn't impress me; after all, they did almost the same thing last season, then went 0-fer in the Big 12. Even a five point loss to #2 Kansas on the Jayhawks' home court in the Big 12 opener didn't sway me too much (even though the game was even closer than the score indicated). I just figured KU didn't take 'em seriously.

But last night's convincing victory (74-63) over #10 UT is starting to make a believer out of me. The Ags broke an 18-game Big 12 losing streak, and a 10-game home losing streak against the 'horns to run their record to 12-1, and 1-1 in Big 12 play.

I didn't realize that their defense is this good. As the SI.com article points out, they're ranked #1 nationally in field goal percentage, and they've held two top 10 teams to under 70 points each in their last two games.

This might turn out to be an entertaining b-ball season after all. Gig 'em!

Update: I'm not the only one who is starting to believe.

Not all undefeated teams are equal

Update #2: Well, I stand officially chastised, as the Ags lose to #2 Kansas by just five points. On the one hand, this bestows on them some degree of competence. OTOH, they now have a 17-game (at least) Big 12 losing streak...and they're not going to sneak up on anybody after tonight.

Update: At the half, KU 29, A&M 25. I'm already feeling morally victorious.

Ha! You thought this would be a post about college football, but it's not. College football is so yesterday.

I want to talk instead about college basketball, and specifically about tonight's game between Kansas and Texas A&M, which kicks off Big 12 season play. Incredibly, both teams are 11-0, and yet I predict KU will win by 30.

A&M's pre-conference schedule has been one creampuff team after another. UTPB, for gosh sakes. I think they beat them by something like 60 points, but, really now.

Granted, the Aggies did surprise me by coming from behind to beat Penn State a few days back, and on PSU's home turf, er, court at that. Still, tonight's game begins the Serious Season, and Kansas will take no prisoners.

A&M is still a season or two away from getting some respect in the Big 12 basketball circle. I hope they'll make us proud tonight, and I'd love to blog about a huge upset...but don't put any money on their record being 12-0 en la mañana.

I'm back...but only for a sec...

If you just have to follow the game via live-blogging, some guy's doing it over at si.com.

It won't be the same as reading mine, though, as he seems to know what he's talking about, and he's not ripping tunes at the same time.

How boring is that?

But, he does know who JoJo is.

Much to his everlasting shame.

Nighty-night.

OBB - Pt 15

Answer to the trivia question (see Pt 10 below): Chuck Long -- 6 TDs against UT in the Freedom Bowl. Couldn't happen to a nicer team.

USC back Reggie Bush reels off about 40 yards. Ho hum. I predict another USC touch before halftime.

Am I a psychic or what? 35-10 (assuming the xp is good).

Good night, dear readers. I bid you adieu. Or is it "adeiu." Now that I've typed it, it doesn't look right. No, it's "adieu." I'm sure of it. Pretty sure.

Ooooh...Keanu takes on the Devil. Kewl.

OBB - Pt 14

This is boring. I have the attention span of a four year old, even under the best of circumstances. Oh, wait...long pass completion by OU deep into USC territory.

This is probably a good time to explain that I have no great interest in seeing an OU victory. I'm not an OU fan. If I sound like I'm pulling for OU, it's primarily because of their Big 12 affiliation and the fact that I don't know anything about USC, other than most of their cheerleaders are blond.

29 yard field goal by a freshman with his first collegiate attempt pulls OU to within a mere, um, 18.

I do like the GTO commercial with the Clash soundtrack. The car itself is lame, though.

OBB - Pt 13

Shaq as a tight end for the Dolphins. Hmmm...they could use the help, that's for sure. Wonder how many additional season tickets they could sell?

"Falling forward for a first down" takes on a whole new meaning when simply fallling forward covers 10 yards.

OU has a drive going now. Somebody's going to have to step up and do something heroic...but I don't see the OU defense being able to respond.

Big sack on Jason White. Never mind.

OBB - Pt 12

No, seriously...who the heck is JoJo?

Doesn't she have a chain of restaurants?

The USC cheerleaders are the Permian High School cheerleaders of the collegiate world. If you grew up in a 3A town in west Texas, you'd know what I'm talking about.

OBB - Pt 11

As the announcers say, if OU hold's 'em to a field goal, it's a moral victory.

If they don't, is it an immoral loss?

Oh look, a baby squirrel!

28-7, USC. The OU sideline just sacrificed a cheerleader, in the hope of appeasing the angry football gods.

OBB - Pt 10

AFLAC Trivia Question: Who holds the NCAA record for the most TD passes in a bowl game? Beats me. I never know the answers to any of those questions.

Now in the drive: the soundtrack from "Sleepless in Seattle."

Ummmm...USC gets an INT and has the ball on the OU 10. This is U-double g-LY!

Auburn's not feeling too happy right now, either (not that they had a realistic chance at the champeenship).

OBB - Pt 9

Anybody else smell a blowout? 21-7, USC...and I don't see any of them even sweating.

OBB - Pt 8

Jason (OU) completes to Jason (USC). Turnover #2. At least it's deep in USC territory.

USC's running back is averaging 10 yards per carry.

Now in the CD drive: Gloria Estefan's "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me." Did I mention that all of these albums are from MLB's private collection?

The Miller "beer referee" commercials alternate between lame and barely lame. I do like the slam of the unoriginal tattoo on the fishing guy.

USC's receivers are kicking some serious OU secondary tail.

OBB - Pt 7

End of one: 14-7, USC.

"Professional driver on closed course...stealing a diner and kidnapping the occupants."

Iris Castaneda just won $50 grand from a local car dealership, in a live drawing.

Celebrity sideline interviews thus far: Toby Keith and Will Ferrell. I'll let you figure out which team each guys supports.

OBB - Pt 6

USC seems to have a bit more enthusiasm for the game at this point, but OU's defense is, um, swarming. (I'll try to work in as many tired sportscasting clichés as possible, just so you'll know I'm really watching the game.)

In the CD drive now: Celine Dion's "Falling Into You." I'm not a Celine Dion fan but I have to admit that this album has some great tracks. Her arrangement of "River Deep, Mountain High" is high energy...great driving music, especially if you're between, say, Klein's Corner and Santa Fe, NM.

Oh no! Some OU player just tried to field a punt on the roll, muffed it, and USC has the ball around the OU 7 yard line. The OU guy apparently thought a USC player touched the ball.

USC scores on their first play.

OBB - Pt 5

In case you're wondering, I didn't plan to do this tonight, and I probably won't be doing it for the whole game. I'm actually ripping some CDs into iTunes, and this is just something to pass the time.

In the drive now: "O Brother Where Art Thou" soundtrack (which my wife has been hiding in her office).

Oooh...USC almost got an INT.

OBB - Pt 4

This may be the Super Bowl of college football, but the commercials don't make the Super Bowl cut. I have a feeling we're going to be sick of that Fed Ex commercial with the pirate long before they get tired of running it. (Plus, I just saw a Taco Bell ad with a pirate. Is it "Talk Like a Pirate Day" and I just missed it?)

OBB - Pt 3

Well, that didn't take long. 7-7 as USC moves smartly down the field for the tying touchdown. Some great hands in the USC receiving corps.

OBB - Pt 2

Apropos of nothing, really, but I noticed that in the starting lineups for each team, OU has only about six or seven players from the state of Oklahoma, and USC has only about six who are not from California.

Orange Bowl Blogging (OBB) - Pt 1

Who is JoJo and why was she torturing our national anthem?

Well, that was embarrassing!

Tennessee 38, A&M 7

What is it with the Aggies and teams dressed in orange?

I'm just glad I didn't waste any time watching this fiasco.

Update: Not surprisingly, there are some who are chortling about this outcome. As I've stated before, A&M Coach Franchione is not even on my radar screen as people about whom I have an opinion. Nevertheless, I view the abyssmal performance in today's Cotton Bowl as a coaching failure and he's got some 'splainin to do (especially in light of his new contract).

BCS: If the answer is right, does the approach matter?

At the risk of incurring the Wrath of Bryan*, let me just observe that perhaps the oft-maligned BCS system isn't as bad as many have claimed, using the alleged mistreatment of California as Exhibit B (Ex. A being Auburn). The way Texas Tech is spanking Cal in the Holiday Bowl tends to make me think that the biggest flaw in the BCS rating system was in putting the Golden Bears too high in the standings.

Of course, it's not quite halftime and Cal could rally, but I couldn't resist the observation.

*Note that I have no dog in this fight whatsoever. I couldn't care less about the BCS, a playoff system, or most of the bowl games. But it sure is fun to watch some of the debate about those things...said debate being much more entertaining than 90% of the post-season matches.

Bowl Games

Kevin's happy, but it's only gallows humor, as we learn that Texas has wormed its way into a BCS bowl, playing Michigan in the Rose Bowl.

That OU will play USC for the National Championship is no surprise, but it obviously leaves unbeaten Auburn out in the cold, as they play twice-bit Virginia Tech for leftovers in the Sugar Bowl.

The real winner (besides UT, which gets a huge pay raise out of the deal) is A&M, who now gets to play Tennessee in the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day, the best possible scheduling deal for a 7-4 team. I'm sure Tennessess isn't thrilled, but the Aggies have nothing to lose.

Here's the complete bowl schedule.

No Harsh in this Yellow

I was browsing my wife's new copy of Runner's World magazine and ran across a column entitled "Keeping Up Appearances" (no online version). The author is a young woman who was training for the New York City Marathon (which took place on November 4), and she was describing her training regimen and outlook.

She talked about being a single mom (with three preschoolers) who did much of her training either before the kids were up or after they are delivered to kindergarten. She wrote about her new "post-run ritual: a vanilla latte, a breakfast taco and dips between my cold swimming pool and a warm Jacuzzi." She's also worked in a regular yoga class.

I began wondering about the ability of an unmarried woman with three young children and no apparent job to be able to pull off this lifestyle. Training for a marathon is time-consuming work, if done properly, and she showed all the signs of doing it right.

Then she started talking about a specific celebrity athlete who had announced his intention to run NYC, and how it took her by surprise...some guy she referred to as "the Yellow Man." I glanced at the author's byline and it all made sense: Kristin Armstrong, Lance's ex-wife.

The last part of the column dealt more with him than with the training program. Here's how she referred to him: "the hottie pro athlete"; "a genetic anomaly"; and, most telling, "the man I loved most, who knew me the best."

Kristin still has obvious respect and strong feelings about her former husband, even as she is moving on with her life. She even has a sense of humor about the situation, referring at one point to Lance's ability to "party like a rock star (ahem)" and still qualify for Boston or the Olympics the next morning, a subtle dig at his well-documented relationship with the annoyingly shrill Sheryl Crow.

Lance has written a couple of well-received books about his bout with cancer and his Tour de France experiences. Wouldn't you just love to hear from the other side of the marriage? I won't be surprised if Kristin eventually writes her own book. (Incidentally, while doing a little research for this post -- yes, bloggers do occasionally check sources! -- I discovered the existence of another Kristin Armstrong, who is a pro cyclist for the T-Mobile women's cycling team.)

In case you're wondering, Kristin finished the NYC Marathon in 3:45:35, an 8:36 pace (which is almost exactly the pace MLB ran when she completed Dallas' White Rock Marathon some years ago). Lance, on the other hand, apparently changed his mind and didn't run the race; his name doesn't appear in the official online results.

[Update: Here's an interview with Kristin just prior to the race in which she discusses her motivation and faith.]

No Harsh in this Yellow

I was browsing my wife's new copy of Runner's World magazine and ran across a column entitled "Keeping Up Appearances" (no online version). The author is a young woman who was training for the New York City Marathon (which took place on November 4), and she was describing her training regimen and outlook.

She talked about being a single mom (with three preschoolers) who did much of her training either before the kids were up or after they are delivered to kindergarten. She wrote about her new "post-run ritual: a vanilla latte, a breakfast taco and dips between my cold swimming pool and a warm Jacuzzi." She's also worked in a regular yoga class.

I began wondering about the ability of an unmarried woman with three young children and no apparent job to be able to pull off this lifestyle. Training for a marathon is time-consuming work, if done properly, and she showed all the signs of doing it right.

Then she started talking about a specific celebrity athlete who had announced his intention to run NYC, and how it took her by surprise...some guy she referred to as "the Yellow Man." I glanced at the author's byline and it all made sense: Kristin Armstrong, Lance's ex-wife.

The last part of the column dealt more with him than with the training program. Here's how she referred to him: "the hottie pro athlete"; "a genetic anomaly"; and, most telling, "the man I loved most, who knew me the best."

Kristin still has obvious respect and strong feelings about her former husband, even as she is moving on with her life. She even has a sense of humor about the situation, referring at one point to Lance's ability to "party like a rock star (ahem)" and still qualify for Boston or the Olympics the next morning, a subtle dig at his well-documented relationship with the annoyingly shrill Sheryl Crow.

Lance has written a couple of well-received books about his bout with cancer and his Tour de France experiences. Wouldn't you just love to hear from the other side of the marriage? I won't be surprised if Kristin eventually writes her own book. (Incidentally, while doing a little research for this post -- yes, bloggers do occasionally check sources! -- I discovered the existence of another Kristin Armstrong, who is a pro cyclist for the T-Mobile women's cycling team.)

In case you're wondering, Kristin finished the NYC Marathon in 3:45:35, an 8:36 pace (which is almost exactly the pace MLB ran when she completed Dallas' White Rock Marathon some years ago). Lance, on the other hand, apparently changed his mind and didn't run the race; his name doesn't appear in the official online results.