The Throwing of Shoes...

In the words of Austin Powers, "Who throws a shoe? Honestly!"

I have to give the President credit for his quick reactions. Well done, sir. Well done.

Why I live in Texas...

Very Funny...

This appeared over the skies in Austin the other day in regards to Texas coach Mack Brown complaining about how Oklahoma had jumped over Texas in the BCS standings even thou Texas beat OU earlier this year. Oklahoma will now be playing for the Big 12 Championship today against Missouri. Absolutely love it. I may live in Texas but that doesn't make me a Texas fan.

The Guardian...

I saw this movie a few years back, but watched it again tonight. Great movie. If you haven't seen it, go rent it. The trailer is below.

Peyton Manning Commericals...

I think Peyton Manning does some of the funniest commericals, along with some great SNL sketches. Here are a couple of my favorites:

Even Coldplay messes up from time to time...

This is typical Coldplay in concert. Relaxed, loose, having a good time. Apparently, Chris Martin was really getting into the song and knocked Will's guitar cord our during a concert. Loved the reaction. Video takes a second to load.

Hmmm I wonder what is going through Hawkeye's head?

Proclamation of Thanksgiving...

Here is the Proclamaion of Thanksgiving that Abraham Lincoln wrote in 1863. This Proclamation eventually led to the national holiday of Thanksgiving. Looks like old Abe was nailing it on the head on what Thanksgiving is all about...giving thanks to our Lord.

The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful years and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the Source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the field of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than theretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.

In testimony wherof I have herunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

[Signed]
A. Lincoln

An early Christmas present...

After being away a week for Thanksgiving, I came home to about 10 new HD stations through our cable provider, including Discovery, Animal Planet, FSN (Stars hockey in HD!!), History, etc.

I love HD.

Ahhhh the common cold...

First off, this picture is pretty nasty.

Anyways, since moving to Texas a little less than 3 years ago, I have not had a single cold or any type of allergies like I did when living up North. On the FIRST night of our trip, Valerie and I stayed in Des Moines on our way to a wedding in Minneapolis. By the next morning my throat felt like it had sandpaper lining it. By the next day, my nose felt like it had cotton balls jammed in it. Here it is a week later, and I still can't breath, thanks to the gallons of snot hanging out there.

I would like to thank the common cold for making the last week so awesome. I can't wait to see what happens when I go to Michigan for Christmas.

Coldplay Concert...

Valerie and I went to see Coldplay the night before we left for Thanksgiving vacation. This is the second time that we have seen them and once again, it was fantastic. Coldplay is one of those groups that sounds as good, if not better live, then on their albums. Chris Martin is so enjoyable to watch as he dances around and "goes with the flow" of the concert. The rest of the band is just as enjoyable to watch. A few of my favorite songs from the concert, "In My Place", "Fix You", and probably one of the best, most energetic songs I have EVER heard in concert was "Viva la Vida." Dang good.

Super Bowl predictions...

I know there is still plenty of the season left to be played, but I am going to put out my Super Bowl prediction...

vs.

Dad, will you please teach me some juke moves?

I heart the Hawkeyes...

Iowa 24 Penn State 23

Dumb Commericals that make me laugh every time...

Ahhh flying and the middle seat...

So I headed out for a few days on the road this morning. I took my Southwest flight from Dallas to Houston and then on to Corpus Christi. The flight to Houston was pretty full, however the flight from Houston to Corpus Christi was not, so most people were able to sit 2 people per 3 seats, thus leaving the dreaded middle seat open. Notice I said "most people."

I had a window seat and as people were boarding, I was thinking that I was in good shape to have the middle seat open for this part of the trip. An older lady eventually comes to my row and sits some items down in the middle seat. She then proceeds to move those items to the aisle seat and sit in the middle seat, right next to me. Obviously, if this was a full flight, this is no big deal, however it was clear to a blind man that the plane was not going to be full. Anyways, I am siting there thinking that maybe her husband was going to appear at any moment to take the aisle seat...no dice.

Sweet times...

Very, very cool video...

This is a very cool video that was on ESPN Gameday this morning about Georgia head coach Mark Richt and his family. It focuses on two children that they adopted from Ukraine, including one that has a facial deformity. The Richt's sound like one solid family.

A Not-So Happy Halloween!

So I am clear, I am not saying that poor people are lazy. I posted this in regards to the "spread the wealth" attitude that is out there with too many people, as well as a certain presidential candidate.

How not to get out of a speeding ticket...

http://view.break.com/584896 - Watch more free videos

Animals vs. the Unborn Child

My friend, Tim Bastron, posted this on his blog. You can check out more from Tim by clicking here.

Preacher/author Dr. John Piper:

“…When we bought our dog at the Humane Society, I picked up a brochure on the laws of Minnesota concerning animals. Statute 343.2, subdivision 1 says, ‘No person shall . . . unjustifiably injure, maim, mutilate or kill any animal.’ Subdivision 7 says, ‘No person shall willfully instigate or in any way further any act of cruelty to any animal.’ The penalty: ‘A person who fails to comply with any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.’

Now this set me to pondering the rights of the unborn. An eight-week-old human fetus has a beating heart, an EKG, brain waves, thumb-sucking, pain sensitivity, finger-grasping, and genetic humanity, but under our present laws is not a human person with rights under the 14th Amendment, which says that ‘no state shall deprive any person of life . . . without due process of law.’ Well, I wondered, if the unborn do not qualify as persons, it seems that they could at least qualify as animals, say a dog, or at least a cat. Could we not at least charge abortion clinics with cruelty to animals under Statute 343.2, subdivision 7? Why is it legal to ’maim, mutilate and kill’ a pain-sensitive unborn human being but not an animal?

These reflections have confirmed my conviction never to vote for a person who endorses such an evil—even if he could balance the budget tomorrow and end all taxation.”

Gladiator's tomb found...

Like many of you, "Gladiator" is probably my favorite movie. Apparently the tomb of the Gladiator that the film was based on, was discovered in Rome.

Click here to read about it.

In honor of this finding, I give you one of the greatest scenes in movie history. Gives me chills everytime I watch it.

The Big Election Night Party...

Barry Obama has already begun plans for a huge election night party in Chicago, most likely in Grant Park.

Click here to read about it.

I can only hope that this is similar to a few years ago when the Dallas Mavericks went up 2-0 in the NBA finals and the Mayor here in Dallas, proceeded to annouce the downtown Victory Parade route to the city.

Dallas promptly lost the next 4 games.

Dang you Halloween candy...

I don't eat a lot of candy, but I just can't resist these tasty morsels when Halloween rolls around.

Red River Rivalry...OU vs Texas

I was able to score a ticket off Ebay to the OU-Texas game today. It was a really great game and a pretty awesome atomsphere. 90,000 fans...half the stadium in crimson for OU and the other half in burnt orange for the Longhorns. I have some pics and thoughts on the day.

The game is played at the Cotton Bowl which sits on the grounds of the Texas State Fair. The Cotton Bowl has been around for quite awhile, so I went with a black and white shot of it (am I creative or what!)

I hungout and watched ESPN College Gameday for awhile before the game. Here were my 3 favorite signs that I saw:

3. "Mobile-homa...Where Cousin Eddie lives."
2. "We're not snobs, we're just better than UT."
1. "I quit my job. Obama will take care of me."

I have been to a lot a college and pro football games, but let me tell you something. I have never heard more whining, complaining, and fair-weather fans than Texas fans. It was RIDICULOUS! Examples...Oklahoma scores to make it 28-20 with 11 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. I look around and people are acting like it is 42-0. Heads in hands, people saying "Well its over" or "We lost again," and throwing stuff onto the field. This was how it was after every OU score. Then Texas would score and all is well with the fans once again. I also had two guys sitting in front of me analyzing, and I mean analyzing, every...single...play. Good Lord that got old quick. Also, if I have to see the hook'um horns hand thing one more time, I might rip someone's fingers off. I was not a fan of Texas before and I am certainly not now.

Overall...great experience, great game and I hope to go again next year. Go Hawks!

Please let this be real and not staged...

Sorry about the swear word at the end of the clip.

Does Biden know the role of the VP...apparently not

Once again, you probably didn't hear about this from the mainstream media. The article also includes some additional fact checks that were ignored by the media.

Click here to read the article

Hockey season is soon upon us...

I love hockey and am quite excited that the season begins next week. The below is an example why. This happened the other night in a preseason game. Incredible!

Ahhh Fall...

Fall is a great time of year. The bright colors of leaves changing, a crisp cool day, and the smell of manure in the cornfields. Ok, that last one is great. However, living in Texas we miss out on some of this. Our leaves turn from green, to light green, to yellow, to brown. Our crisp cool days happen in Decemeber (which doesn't bother me at all...love the weather down here) and of course, no Hawkeye football. So I thought I would post a few pictures of things that I miss during the fall back in Iowa.

I know which one I prefer...

Socialism refers to a broad set of economic theories of social organization advocating state or collective ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, and the creation of an egalitarian society. Modern socialism originated in the late nineteenth-century working class political movement. Karl Marx posited that socialism would be achieved via class struggle and a proletarian revolution, it being the transitional stage between capitalism and communism. Socialists mainly share the belief that capitalism unfairly concentrates power and wealth into a small section of society who control capital, and creates an unequal society. All socialists advocate the creation of an egalitarian society, in which wealth and power are distributed more evenly, although there is considerable disagreement among socialists over how, and to what extent this could be achieved.

VS.

Capitalism is the economic system in which the means of production are owned by private persons, and operated for profit and where investments, distribution, income, production and pricing of goods and services are predominantly determined through the operation of a free market, rather than by central economic planning. Capitalism is usually considered to involve the right of individuals and corporations to trade, incorporate, employ workers, and use money provided by central banks, in goods, services (including finance), labor and land. In theory, production and distribution in a capitalist system are governed by the free market rather than state regulation, with state action confined to defining and enforcing the basic rules of the market though the state may provide a few basic public goods and infrastructure. Unrestrained capitalism is confined to theory, as "all of the capitalistic societies of the West have mixed economies" with interventionist state regulation, social programs and state ownership of some sectors.

Golfers or those that love golf games...

Check out this website and play this game. It is incredible!!

http://www.worldgolftour.com/

Valerie serving in Galveston...

Ummmm...I've seen this in other countries

Couple of things here...First, the idea of kids singing to Obama reminds me of other places in the world that I have seen this take place...North Korea, Iraq when Saddam was in power, Cuba, China. Hmmmmmm.

Second, this video, although it stated at the beginning of the video to be grassroots, was written, directed, produced and filmed by Hollywood people, specifically Jeff Zucker who is the President of NBC Universal. Enough said.

Interesting video...

I am guessing you won't hear about this in the media. Here is a video from a 2004 House Hearing about regulating Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Notice who is calling for more regulations and predicting that something will happen in the future and who is saying that there is no problem and in fact, the heads of these two places should be commended.

Question...

How can such a precious animal (our wonderful cat Hawkeye), that sleeps on my pillow at night, falls asleep with his head on my shoulder, plays fetch with a wad of paper, and leaps 3 feet off the ground after a tiny play mouse have such horrible breath...

New Bond movie...

There are two types of movies that my dad and I would and still watch together...Clint Eastwood westerns and James Bond. The new James Bond movie, "Quantum of Solace" will be out the first part of Novemeber and I look forward to watching it, even thou no Bond will be as good as Roger Moore or Sean Connery. However, I have heard some disappointing news about the new movie. There are two famous phrases that Bond always says in every one of the movies, "Bond, James Bond" and "Shaken, not Stired." In this movie, neither one is uttered...that is terrible. Here is the movie trailer for the new one.

Great Video...

I am sure many of you ahve already seen this video, but I think its awesome. Not often is there a video that goes for about 4 min 30 secs and keeps me smiling the entire time.

Celebolitics...

I would like to invite you to check out a blog called Celebolitics. This is blog is by a close friend of mine, David Chidester. In his words, the concept is "...my attempt at shedding light on the liberal hollywood dumb asses.:

Beautiful.

Click here or on Celebolitics on the right hand side of my blog.

Barry Sanders...

If you have 6 mins and 30 seconds to spare, might I suggest you watch the below video of former Lions great Barry Sanders making people look like fools. I am pretty sure that the Vikings are being schooled about every other highlight.

Crazy Ike picture...

I found this on cnn.com...crazy.

Hurricane Ike update...

Here are a few of the many pictures Valerie has taken the past couple of days. These pictures are from Galveston. Please keep the residents of this area and those responding with aid in your prayers. There is massive damage.

Hurricane Ike...

Many of you have been asking about the Hurricane and what all The Salvation Army is doing. Click here or check out the Salvation Army of Texas link on the right side of this page and you will be able to read and see pictures of the work we are doing. Valerie is in Houston right now, gathering and writing most of this copy on the website.

Iowa vs. Iowa State...

I believe this picture says it all.

And it continues...

Click here to read about how ABC Misrepresents Palin Quote in ‘Holy War’ Question
Come on media, why don't you just come out and say that you all want Obama to win...oh wait, you basically already have time and time again.

No words can describe this...absolutely none

(HT: Vitamin Z)

Time to grow up Vince Young...

Take a look at this article on ESPN.com about Vince Young. Apparently Vince doesn't take getting booed very well. Vince, you know darn well that as a professional athlete, especially a quarterback, you are going to be under the microscope.

Click here to read the article.

I guess I can relate. The other day I had an idea shot down at work and I got up out of my chair, walked out of the building, and went and curled up under a tree across the street for the next 2.5 hrs. I feel ya dog.

News Story of the Day...

This could be one of the greatest news stories of all time. I especially like the final sentence. Hilarious!

Burglar wakes men with spice rub, sausage attack

Fresno County authorities have arrested a man they say broke into the home of two farmworkers, rubbed one with spices and whacked the other with a sausage before fleeing.

Fresno County sheriff's Lt. Ian Burrimond says 22-year-old Antonio Vasquez of Fresno was found hiding in a nearby field wearing only a T-shirt, boxer shorts and socks.

Burrimond said Vasquez was arrested after deputies found a wallet containing his ID at the ransacked house just east of Fresno.

The victims told deputies they awoke Saturday morning to the stranger applying spices to one of them and striking the other with an 8-inch sausage.

Burrimond said money allegedly stolen in the burglary was recovered. The sausage was tossed away by the fleeing suspect and eaten by a dog.

*From San Francisco Chronicle

Iowa game...

I just learned that the Iowa vs. Pittsburgh game on Sept. 20 will be televised on ESPN or ESPN2. This makes me quite happy, since I am usually stuck with Big 12 football down here in Texas

The Return of Lance...

After a few days of speculation, it has been revealed that Lance Armstrong is coming out of retirement and will participate in next year's Tour de France. All I can say is SWEET!!! Click here to read about it.

Some career advice...

from the Most Interesting Man in the World...love these commericals.

Boy...you are really reaching Obama.

Here is an article from Sept. 2 that I found on FoxNews.com, where Obama trys to say he has more executive leadership experience than VP canidate Sarah Palin. Apparently, the Democrats continue to forget that she was a GOVERNOR, not just a mayor. Click here to read the whole article, but here is main part of it:

Barack Obama contends that he is more experienced in executive matters than Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin because he has managed his presidential campaign for the past 18 months.

Speaking on a cable news channel Monday night, the Democratic presidential nominee said he is better prepared to handle a disaster like Hurricane Gustav because of his pursuit of the White House.

“Well, my understanding is that Governor Palin’s town of Wasilla has, I think, 50 employees. We’ve got 2,500 in this campaign. I think their budget is maybe $12 million a year. You know, we have a budget of about three times that just for the month. So I think that our ability to manage large systems and to execute I think has been made clear over the last couple of years,” Obama said.

John McCain’s spokesman called the suggestion “laughable.”

“For Barack Obama to argue that he’s experienced enough to be president because he’s running for president is desperate circular logic and its laughable. It is a testament to Barack Obama’s inexperience and failing qualifications that he would stoop to passing off his candidacy as comparable to Governor Sarah Palin’s executive experience managing a budget of over $10 billion and more than 24,000 employees,” said spokesman Tucker Bounds.

New photos of Valerie and I...

Ooops...

It's not like the Duke-UNC rivalry needs anything more to fuel it, but here is something that happened yesterday on the opening day of the college football season. As reported on SI.com:

However, the biggest blunder in ACC country Saturday took place in the sky. A pair of parachuters who were slated to deliver the game ball for North Carolina's opener against McNeese State inadvertently landed eight miles away -- at Duke's stadium. "In about five years," said concerned UNC associate AD Rick Steinbacher, "maybe this will be funny."

Oh no -- it's plenty funny right now.

I agree...very funny.

"It's the most wonderful time of the year..."

The college football season begins tonight. In honor of this wonderful occasion I have posted a picture of my favorite college player of all-time. Former Hawkeye great, Tim Dwight. Oh the stories that Ryesetter and I could tell of the days that Mr. Dwight would step on to the playing field and cause the Kinnick Stadium faithful to rise to their feet and absolutely lose it. Fortuantely, Dwight rarely disappointed us.

Ahhh, I love college football.

Love this song...

Majesty (Here I Am)

Here I am humbled by your Majesty
Covered by your grace so free
Here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man
Covered by the blood of the Lamb

Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice

Majesty, Majesty
Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed, but alive in your hands
Majesty, Majesty
Forever I am changed by your love
In the presence of your Majesty

Here I am humbled by the love that you give
Forgiven so that I can forgive
Here I stand, knowing that I'm your desire
Sanctified by glory and fire

Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice

Simple and to the point...

I read this verse the other day for I Samuel 16:4:

"So Samuel did what the Lord said."

May we put our names where Samuel's is and do this each and every day.

Taking the Drive Thru too Literal...

This picture is from an accident that happened today here in Grand Prairie. A semi-truck slammed into the side of a Mcdonalds, that happens to be about a mile from our house.

Guess this guy was real wanting a Big Mac.

Sabre vs. Baseball

Sabre, also known as fencing, is an Olympic sport and has been for many years. I am sitting here watching it right now and wondering "Why am I watching this?"

On the other hand, this year is the last year for baseball and softball to be played. After this year it will NOT be an Olympic sport anymore. I don't know about the rest of you, but when I think summer, I definitely thing sabre, not baseball.

Come IOC...get with the program.

Running of the Bulls revisited...

You know how I talked about in my previous posts how I would love to participate in the Running of the Bulls some day in Pamplona, Spain. After seeing this picture, my mind may have been changed.

Heck no!!! I'm still in. Robbie? Susi? Ryesetter?

Women's Gymnastics...

I'll make this short and sweet...there is no way the Chinese team has 16 year olds on their team. Try 12 and 13 yr. olds.

Experiencing God Through Nature...

One of the greatest ways I experience God is through his creation, aka nature. I love the ocean, mountains, an incredible sunset, a lake surrounded by pine trees, etc. For me, its as simple as walking out my door as the sun goes down or looking at pictures. I am by no means an incredible photographer, but I wanted to share with ya'll some pictures I have taken over the years of God's creation. Enjoy and hopefully you will be reminded of the greatness of God.

Beijing Olympics

Just as I did with the Running of the Bulls, I plan on having a daily post on the Olympics. I plan on reviewing highlights from the games, as well as odd facts that hear or read about.

Hope you will check it out.

Best/Worst Olympic Commerical

Best...


Worst...
The Pizza Hut commerical when a "Chef" announces that she really didn't bake the pizza but rather it was delivered by Pizza Hut...makes me want to never eat at Pizza Hut again. Not to mention it is on every commerical break.

Olympic 4x100m relay

Last night I witnessed one of the greatest sporting moments I have ever seen...the men's 4x100m swimming relay. If you missed it, click here to watch it.

Absolutely unbelievable and what made it even better was that the French were talking trash about the Americans and the guy who was doing the talking, was the one who got tracked down at the end. It was awesome.

U-S-A...U-S-A

Brillant...

What to do on a 106 degree day...

Well, watch Iron Eagle of course. This was one of my favorite movies growing up and as I sit here and watching it, I find myself laughing quite hard. Check out the clip below as Doug is in a flight simulator. He is trying to convince the Air Force to allow him to go after his dad who has been shot down overseas. Very realistic.

Be sure to enjoy these highlights from the clip:

1. The classic kid, Doug, with the cocky attitude.
2. The tape player attached to his leg.
3. The sweet music being played on that tape player.
4. The high tech flight simulator is incredible. If this is really what the Air Force trains with then we are in deep trouble.
5. Louis Gossett Jr...enough said.

Jerry Jones...

For those of you that follow football, you know that Jerry Jones is the owner of the Dallas Cowboys. Training camp has begun and the other day Jerry Jones held the opening press conference to talk about the upcoming year. Jones may be a great owner but he a terrible, I mean terrible public speaker.

Click here to listen to a portion of his press conference. They have been playing this on the local sports station all week and have been making fun of him for it. You will here the local guys making comments. It is hilarious.

Funny ESPY skit...

Hurricane Dolly...

As you all know, Hurricane Dolly has hit the southern tip of Texas today, orginially as a category 2 hurricane, but has since dropped to a category 1. There has been some building damage, however the biggest concern is going to be the rainfall. This area has been in a drought, so the ground is like cement and the rain will have no where to go. Some ares could get up to 20 inches of rain in the next 24 hrs.

Obviously, working with the Salvation Army, that means that we will be responding to this disaster. Valerie left this afternoon with the other PR person and they made it to San Antonio, where they will spend the night. Due to where the storm is going, if they tried to make it down to McAllen, they would be going right in the middle of the storm. At this point, I am staying in Dallas and will be working on things from here.

As of right now, The Salvation Army has 12 mobile canteens ready to move into the hurricane area after it passes. We have already begun to feed evacuees and are preparing to feed disaster workers and those affected by the storm. It is such a cool thing to work with an organization, more importantly a ministry, that is able to assist so many people when they are in need.

Going to Wal-Mart = Hell...

Like many people during the week, Valerie and I make a trip to Wal-Mart every so often to get groceries...let's face it, the prices are to good to pass up. Even with the cheaper prices, we still hesitate to go to Wal-Mart, because it is the worst place on Earth. Here are some reasons:

1. It is always packed and there is usually only 10 of the 40 checkout lanes open. Thanks management and the purpose of the other 30 lanes is? Oh which reminds me, don't you love the people that have an overflowing cart of items and decide it would be best to use the self-checkout lane.

2. There is no common courtesy. Examples...I usually try to keep our cart to the side of the aisle to allow others to pass by. Not at Wal-Mart. The good majority of the people just park their cart right in the middle and let it sit, while they stand to the left or right, taking up more space. Another example is the people that stand at the end of the aisle (blocking anyone from going down) as they decide if there is anything they need. This happened 3 times today to us, including someone trying to figure out how to get a flatten cardboard box to stay in their cart. I almost lost it.

3. It's like a demolition derby with carts. My cart almost got broadsided a couple times and all I got was a staredown like it was my fault. That's when I grabbed some groceries out of the other person's cart and threw them on the ground and walked away.

4. For some reason, women always try to run Valerie over when we shop there. I have no idea, but it happens every time.

Thanks Wal-Mart, thanks a bunch.

Zombie...

I heard this song on the way home from work today and it reminded me of this great scene from The Office. Enjoy!

Final Day...Running of the Bulls

The final day of the running of the bulls brought us 5 injuries, but no gorings. One person suffered a collarbone injury, which I am sure was not as impressive as Matt Reisetter's broken collarbone suffered in an intermural flag football game in college (heck of a catch for the TD, and he still went to the Iowa game that weekend).

Anyways, a total of 45 people were injured this year and 4 were gored. I will miss the Running of the Bulls and who knows, perhaps I will be running next year. Susi, I know you are in. Anyone else?

Quote of the Day...

A Kentucky pastor was arrested during a crackdown on venomous snake trade (click here to read the story). The pastor was from a fundamentalist church that handles snakes on a regular basis. Illegal snakes, such as cobras, were being sold on the Internet and undercover investigators had purchased more than 200 illegal snakes during the investigation.

The quote of the day comes from Jim Harrison, a zoo director, who spoke about having snakes, such as cobras as pets. He said:

"A venomous snake isn't a pet. You don't play with it. If you do, you're an idiot."

Day 7...Running of the Bulls

Ahhh if you thought running with out of control bulls down narrow cobblestone streets was crazy enough...lets add in rain during the run. Cobblestone plus rain equals very slick streets. I think the guy in the above picture learned this. Not good. Here is a report from the Associated Press:

PAMPLONA, Spain—Bulls roughed up seven people Sunday as they thundered down the rain-slicked cobblestone streets of Pamplona during the weeklong San Fermin festival, officials said.

Sunday's run -- the seventh of the festival -- featured six massive Miura bulls, traditionally the largest and fastest-running fighting bulls bred in Spain. Many of those running alongside the bulls had to dive for cover as the pack neared during the half-mile stretch from corral to the bullring, with some crushed, cut and bruised.

One man was smashed against a wooden crash barrier as the bulls rounded a bend on the course and skidded sideways into him. Another escaped a goring when he fell just in front of the charging animals.

Day 6...Running of the Bulls

Today's results of the Running of the Bulls brought us 4 injuries and 1 person being gored. That would be the guy in the above picture. I found an interesting article about today's running that was written by the Associated Press. It reads:

PAMPLONA, Spain (AP) - Today's running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain left one daredevil gored and four others injured. The run was
quick, lasting less than three minutes. Just before it began,
police had to clear the streets of animal rights protesters.
Runners are advised to keep moving during the bull runs in order
to minimize their chances of being gored.

I find the last sentence of the article quite funny. Huh...I didn't realize that when 8-10 bulls with huge horns are running at you you should keep moving. Great advice.

Day 5...Running of the Bulls

Not much to report as Day 5 brought us only one injury at the Running of the Bulls on Friday. This weekend should be an eventful one as the festival comes to a close.

Fact of the Day: Today's bulls came from the Jandilla ranch, whose animals hold the record for gorings in a single run at Pamplona including 8 gorings in one sprint back in 2004.

In some ways, you could say that these bulls choked this year.

Day 4...Running of the Bulls

The 4th day of the Running of the Bulls brought us another goring and another person knocked unconscious along the route (probably one of the worse possible places on earth to be laying on the ground knocked out). So far this year sixteen of the injured are people from Spain. The others include four Americans and one each from England, Australia, New Zealand, Greece, South Africa, South Korea, and Romania.

Below is a video of the very beginning of the run. Imagine standing there waiting to run and seeing those bulls charging towards you...that would get your blood flowing.

Day 3...Running of the Bulls

The injury tally has reached a total of 20 in the first 3 days of the San Fermin Fesitival in Pamplona, Spain. Today a 22-yr. old Californian was gored in the abdomen while a man from Greece suffered facial injuries.

Fact of the day from CNN.com:

A total of 13 people have been killed in the runs since 1924, when record-keeping began. The last was a 22-year-old American gored to death in 1995.

If I were running with the bulls, I would not want to be in the position that guy in the above picture is in. Yikes.

More Running of the Bulls...

Here is a video of the 1/2 mile course that the Running of the Bulls takes place on. The streets are narrow and made of cobblestone. You will notice some folks that didn't quite move quick enough.

Can you imagine the adrenline rush that would take place? I guarentee I would break the world record in the half mile. Look at the size of those bulls coming at people.

I'm still in...who wants to join me?

Day 2...Running of the Bulls

Day 2 of the Running of the Bulls provided fewer injuries (4), but also produced the festival's first goring. A Spainard was gored in the thigh and taken to the local hospital, but was not in serious condition.

Interesting fact of the day I found on Fox News is:

Tuesday's run used bulls from the southern Cebada Gago ranch, considered among the most dangerous in San Fermin. In 27 years, they have gored more than 35 people.

Make that 36. Well done bulls, well done.

Someday I will do this...

Today marks the beginning of 8 scheduled runs of insanity. It's that time of the year...the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain. Over the next week or so, I plan to give daily updates on the events that occur during this year's Fiesta de San Fermin. My hope is to bring you "stats" of interest and photos of the insanity. Below is a great overhead shot during the first running of the fesitival that took place today. Today, there were 13 injuries and thankfully no gores or deaths.

Let the games begin...heeeey-oooo.

Dinner conversation...

Next holiday, I am going to do this.

Which way is it Obama?

(HT: Matt Reisetter)

Stair issues...

So today was an interesting day on the stairs at our home. This morning I was sitting on the couch and heard a thud and a yelp from my wife. As she started down the stairs our cat, Hawkeye, cut in front of her (like he always does) and caused her to slip on the stairs and go down a few steps...she was ok thou.

Later in the day, I was walking down the stairs and looking through my new Sports Illustrated (dumb move). Anyways I thought I was at the bottom, but still had another stair to go...my ankle and foot proceeded to rotate in about 10 different directions they shouldn't and sent me sprawling. I am now sitting here on our loveseat with my foot in the air and ice on my ankle.

Good times on the stairs today.

Joys of camp...

One of the things that I get to do with my job is spend a few weeks throughout the summer at the Salvation Army camp here in Texas. The great thing about these camps are that these kids are kids that come from tough situations such as foster homes, homes that could never afford camp, abusive homes, etc but through The Salvation Army, they are able to participate and be in a place where they can have fun, be loved and hear about Christ.

While the kids are here they have bible class, chapel, and get to participate in a load of other activities like swimming, horseback riding, high ropes course, and my favorite activity at the camp...feeding the longhorns. Hook'um horns (sorry Zach).