2011: An Interesting Year in Sports
By · CommentsHello again to my loyal consort of readers. I hope everyone has 2012 off to a rousing start. Let’s hear it for Big Blue. They once again reigned supreme in the state. It was an interesting year in a sports year filled with scandal. Among the treasures, however, was a triumphant return to the playoffs for my Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49’s. Also a first trip to the playoffs for the Houston Texans. Another great first is a NCAA championship game just within the SEC. As for the Super Bowl, I predict the New Orleans Saints over the New England Patriots. I was on the Pittsburgh Steelers band wagon until Mendenhall wrecked his knee. It is also nice to see the Hoosiers and Pacers relevant again after a several year absence. I am looking forward to another Final Four for my UK Wildcats.
I really enjoyed the article on Josh Harrelson and his first NBA start. He scored 14 points and had 12 rebounds. While not the most physically gifted player, Jhorts just knows how to play. To me, basketball needs more players like him who understand the finer points of the game. Too many players are getting by on skill alone and this makes for a poorer game to watch.
Well, the Iowa Caucus has come and gone. At least now we get some action after all the chatter. It is going to be a long campaign and Kentucky’s vote may actually be relevant for once. I believe in the end Mitt Romney, although not my personal candidate of choice, will emerge the winner. I just wish he would acquire some spunk. If he had Gingrich or Paul’s nerve, he would be a great candidate. It should be interesting.
Until next week, Doc.
Until Next Year…
By · CommentsHello again to my loyal sum of readers. I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas. It seems, however, that a few monsters have to spoil it for the rest of us. Yes, Virginia, there are monsters. They come disguised as parents who will fight, claw, trample and whatever else is necessary to get the latest and greatest toy gun, electronic gizmo, or (gulp!) fill in the blank sneakers. Do you really need to fight over shoes? What kind of example are you setting for your kids in the season of sharing and caring with behavior such as this? You need to go back to parenting school if you have children who can’t get by without a particular brand of gym shoe. This is not what Christmas is all about, but apparently, you didn’t get the message.
I discovered another pet peeve over the holidays. Holding family gift exchanges in restaurants. Many kids in restaurants behave badly enough on their own without the added incentive of presents to open. If you are too put upon to host at your house, then rent a private room if you want a family Christmas party. Don’t inflict your revelry on the rest of us.
Lastly, I was really moved by our Christmas Eve service at Messiah-Trinity. Our choir was excellent and my praise is especially exuberant for the job of our special musicians, Michael Allen on trumpet and Bridgette McAuliffe on the flute. You added an exquisite flavor to the service that was wholly satisfying. Well, in closing, I wish everyone a Happy New Year 2012 and may all your resolutions be kept and wishes come true.
Until next year, Doc.
Giving thanks this Christmas season
By · CommentsHello again to my loyal clique of readers. Well, the Reds have pulled the trigger on a big trade. On the surface, it appears to benefit both teams. However, the Reds did give up their two best potential contact hitters – a commodity they have in too short supply. The Reds must now open the purse strings for a RH good leftfielder and a good closer. They also must hope Latos doesn’t come down with a bad arm which many Red pitchers seem to succumb. If everything goes correctly, the Reds should strongly contend this year.
On another front, the Bengals got help this past weekend, but still must win out and have the Jets lose a game. Tiebreakers in the NFL must be strange. Two weeks ago, the Bengals and Jets were tied. At that time the Bengals owned the tiebreaker. It is now two weeks later and they are still tied, but now the Jets own the tiebreaker. A very weird system indeed..
Christmas is now upon us. ‘Tis the season to be caring and thoughtful. I know my staff was very thoughtful with two wonderful presents. Even though Thanksgiving is when you are supposed to be thankful, I find my thoughts gravitating in that direction at Christmastime. I am very thankful for my caring church family at Messiah-Trinity and my wonderful office staff that make my practice of dentistry a special place. In this blessed season we all must remember the One who makes it all possible. Without Him, all of us would be lost. I wish all of you and yours a special Christmas and an even better 2012.
Until next week/year, Doc.
A quick discussion about…clothes!
By · CommentsHello again to my loyal society of readers. As this is the shopping season, my staff and I had a deep discussion about clothes last week. I maintain that sometime in the last 15-20 years, the quality of clothes has tremendously dropped. The quality of material, workmanship, and dyes is not nearly what it was when I was growing up in the sixties. I believe that they have dropped the quality to keep in line with what the majority of people can afford. Marketing has done the rest to fool people into thinking they’re nice and stylish. I remember back when I was little a nice pair of dress slacks was around $20, a nice sweater $25, a nice suit $125. Salaries, due to inflation, are now about six times what they were then. However, not many people will pay $120 for pants, $150 for a sweater, or $750 for a suit. The reason that clothes had to get cheaper was taxes, pure and simple. Then the average tax burden total was about 8-10%. Now, it is 30-40%. How much more could people afford if we had that 20-30% of our money for ourselves?
Taxes are the main reason the quality of life has gone down hill!
Switching to sports, I had to endure watching my Wildcats and Bengals lose back to back at the very end of the games. I don’t mind losing to superior opponents, but I hate losing due to stupidity. It doesn’t take but a foul to run out the clock and not committing a pass interference call to win both games. The Bengals now must win three straight and get help to make the playoffs. Until the last loss, they controlled their own fate.
Lastly, I read with interest that many respectable organizations are having to buy up XXX web domain names to keep them from shady characters. Why were these created? It seems it was just a quick money grab by the people who sell domain names. Once again, a rip-off get rich quick scheme foisted on American businesses and institutions. I guess I will have to buy AWINNINGSMILE.HOTSTAFF.XXX just to be safe. Can’t be too careful.
Until next week, Doc.
