Archive for Bengals
2011: An Interesting Year in Sports
Posted 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.
Giving thanks this Christmas season
Posted 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!
Posted 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.
Thoughts on the Bengals, Fall TV Season, and Election Time in Kentucky
Posted by: | CommentsHello again to my loyal troop of readers. Aren’t you glad you don’t live up east? It’s way too early for snow! I still have a few more golf rounds to get in and I don’t play in cold weather.
The Bengals won again, but the next few weeks will be a test as they have to play Pittsburgh and Baltimore in their own division. Then we will see where they really are in their progress. So far, I like the moves the Reds have made. They retained Brandon Phillips and not Coco Cordero. It’s time for a new closer in town. They also cut Maloney and Burton who did not figure in future plans. A good trade or two are hopefully in the near future. They still need a starting pitcher and a solid backup for SS and 3B.
How do you like the new TV season so far? Some shows are gone already. The two shows I’m getting hooked on are Tim Allen’s new comedy on Tuesday at 8 and the drama Terra Nova on Monday at 8. However, I am very picky about my TV watching and only regularly watch a half dozen shows or less.
Well, as it’s election time next week, I thought I’d take a moment to comment. Since Kentucky is still near the bottom in every recognizable category, don’t you think change should be in order? As long as we keep allowing the “good-old-boy” political network to keep choosing our candidates, nothing will ever change. Remember the oft quoted definition of insanity! If we are ever going to progress, we need some outside the network candidates who are willing to change the status quo and try something new. I for one am tired of being at the bottom of the barrel and want a state for which I can be proud and not embarrassed.
Until next week, Doc.
