John Stewart on Thain

The Daily Show is quickly becoming a must watch on a daily basis for Karen and I. Special thanks to Carlee for pointing out John Stewart's rip on yesterdays post, Called Out. The clip is pretty long, but the Thain segment covers the first couple of minutes. Enjoy!

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Called Out

Thought this was worth sharing. John Thain was the last chairman and CEO of Merril Lynch before it merged with Bank of America. He is currently embodying the villain in America's battle with corporate greed as he was caught attempting to dole out #4 billion in bonuses before the takeover...and the money he was doling out came from money borrowed from the Federal Government. Even more embarrassing is the $1.2 million dollar price tag that accompanied his renovated New York office.

Boxing Out

I am accepting the fact that I am more valued for my defensive prowess than I am for my offensive contribution, so I will start focusing on improving these statistics. While my rebounds saw a tremendous increase from week 1 to week 2 (+5) I can still use a little assistance in that area, and since money is tight (do to the economy) I've decided to give Coach Rudy a shot at instructing me. He's "won championships as a player and as a coach", and his message on boxing out is clear:

1. Courage - Basketball is a contact sport.
2. Use your hips
3. Low center of gravity
4. Arms as high as your shoulders
5. Make contact with opponent before attempting rebound, or a "smart player, like coach Rudy will slide in front of you and establish position."

Week 3 Goal = 11 Rebounds

Favorite Part of the Day

5:00 is Maggie's favorite part of the day, as she is allowed to roam free somewhere other than the back yard. While Karen is usually responsible for this activity, I occasionally accompany the two only to discover that it is often my favorite part of the day too.

Yesterdays outing took us to Broadmore Park (baseball diamond), and Broadmore Elementary where Karen re-discovered part of her youth.

Maggie daring to betray our wishes of "not going in the coolee (spelling may be off here).

Maggie in stride.

Karen thought she could challenge Maggie to a race...silly Karen!

Reliving 6

Posing

Tenacious D

Defense was the mantra of game 2 as we saw our steals (+7) and rebounds (+10) increase dramatically from game 1...still waiting for that first block though. The final score had Roux taking down the Old Cruisers by a score of 47-43 as we jumped on Rob's three-point parade in the second half. Thanks to Jeff and Kristie for the stats (having them makes this experience a lot more fun), and Jeanne for the pics (my mistake in the clarity as I had the camera on the wrong setting).

Record: 1-1
Next Game: Monday, February 2, 6:15 @ the Dupuis Center.

FYI - Kyle lack of stats is a result of an injury keeping him on the IR as opposed to having a poor performance, so keep the criticism in check.

"One is the loneliest number..."

A bunch of white guys attempting a rebound. I don't see one foot off the ground, and no one has the ball...pretty pathetic, although we did improve in this category.

Fast break in action.

Some more of that tenacious D

Boxing out the right way. Probably the only time I executed this properly in the game. Thanks for catching it on film Jeanne.

The Rotation is Set

With today's signing of Andy Petite, the 2009 New York Yankee's rotation is set:

C.C. Sabathia
A.J. Burnett
Chien Ming Wang
Jaba Chamberlain
Andy Petite

Look out Boston...and the rest of the AL East...Baltimore included!

Championship Evening at Pan Am

Fifteen thousand dollars on the line, 500+ drunk fans, and the intimate atmosphere that is Pan American Field can make for some really good soccer, and that's what was on display Sunday evening in New Orleans. The International Soccer League at New Orleans Championship games were on tap last night in what I consider the best soccer in the state, and the two matches didn't disappoint. At the end of the exciting evening Roma came away victorious (only needed a tie to clinch). All-in-all a great day of soccer!

Everybody shows up for Championship Day.

One can always find Tyler where there's a good soccer game.

As you can tell this is not me. My good friend Darren had the honor of officiating the Roma vs. Platencia game...which turned out to be the Championship game.

Pan American Stadium.

Kenna

With the assistance of Shazam, via iPhone, Karen and I discovered a new artist...new for us. Kenna new album, Make Sure They See My Face, includes a wide array of music styles that are similar to the likes of U2, Radiohead, and Justin Timberlake. Below is "Baptised in Blacklight". Hope you're enjoying your weekend.

The video is a montage of the sitcom Chuck & Sarah.

Chuck Norris

Ran across this video the other day after a co-worker started spitting out Chuck Norris jokes...

...which led me to the Chuck Norris Facts website. My favorite one:

Chuck Norris destroyed the periodic table, because he only recognizes the element of surprise.

Don't Cross the Nitty Lions

If you've ever been to Couger Field (home of the STM cougers) chances are you've seen this symbol emblazoned on the astro-turf, and if you're any kind of a sports junkie you probably recognized this symbol from somewhere...


...Penn St. It turns out that Penn St. is, allegedly, suing STM for copyright infringement for using it's Nittany Lion symbol. They, allegedly, have one year to remove the symbol from its' field. I find it pretty interesting that Penn State discovered this. STM must have had some serious football talent this year.

A nittany lion is a cougar from Mt. Nittany in State College, PA according to the Urban Dictionary.

Inspirational

Say it plain, that many have died for this day

Elizabeth Alexander's poem was the highlight of the event. I don't know why, but my attention was caotured for the entirty of the recital, and after it was over I watched it again. It was the third time that a poem was presented on inauguration day (the first by Robert Frost for Kennedy and the second Maya Angelou for Clinton), and it seemed fitting that today should mark the third such occasion. The delivery was nothing short of remarkable as the crowd of two-million became incredibly silent.

Praise song for the day.

Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each others' eyes or not, about to speak or speaking. All about us is noise. All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din, each one of our ancestors on our tongues. Someone is stitching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform, patching a tire, repairing the things in need of repair.

Someone is trying to make music somewhere with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.

A woman and her son wait for the bus.

A farmer considers the changing sky; A teacher says, "Take out your pencils. Begin."

We encounter each other in words, words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed; words to consider, reconsider.

We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of someone and then others who said, "I need to see what's on the other side; I know there's something better down the road."

We need to find a place where we are safe; We walk into that which we cannot yet see.

Say it plain, that many have died for this day. Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.

Praise song for struggle; praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign; The figuring it out at kitchen tables.

Some live by "Love thy neighbor as thy self."

Others by first do no harm, or take no more than you need.

What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance.

In today's sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.

On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp -- praise song for walking forward in that light.

Instilling Confidence

I was glued to the television from 9-noon, and never have I been so captured by a political event. CBS' s coverage was beyond remarkable, and the presentation was just as spectacular. If anyone can instill confidence during these trying times it's our new commander-in-chief.


Watch CBS Videos Online

The Bike

After searching high and low for a road bike I finally came across a great deal, and by this afternoon will be the proud owner of a Cervelo P2. My intention ios to start focusing my training to triathalons after I run the Rock N Roll Marathon in May, but will start to use the cross-training days in the marathon schedule on the bike.

Come on Mike. Find room in the budget. I'll be waiting.

I bet...

...everyone will think twice before ignoring the stewardess' guidelines entailing what to do in the event of a crash...as well as sitting in an exit row seat.

NPR Money: First they take the coffee.

NPR Money is one of the blogs/podcasts I've been subscribing to ever since this financial crisis has struck. It's a very witty and informative avenue for the non-financial professional. Laura Conaway (one of the contributors) posted about a woman in the midwest who's going through a rough patch.

From NPR Money:

A Twitter friend of mine sends this news clip. It's about her former employer in Ohio, which sent the workers an e-mail over New Year's saying that it was closing and everyone was out of a job. The reporter in this story questions whether the company, a publisher, gave employees the legally required notice.

After the jump, a series of messages she sent over Twitter.

Monday, Dec. 29: "(1) Found out while I was off my co. quit paying coffee service, so they quit delivering. Brought my own coffee to brew today."

Monday, Dec. 29: "(2) They'll take the coffee makers next, so several of us at work plan to chip in & buy our own pot. Just happy to have job @ this point."

Tuesday, Dec. 30: "Email to all staff: . . . All staff terminated. New buyer negotiating. May get called back to new owner."

Friday, Jan. 9: "I'm in unemployment lines in OH, not MI, but the Job Center in Dayton, OH, is packed. Plus system crashes. Today a threat emptied bldg."

Doesn't personal stories like this resonate more than hearing 7% unemployment numbers, or is it just me. This person actually tells the story on Friday's podcast...pretty moving story as well as a godd report on peer to peer lending.

New Year's Goal #1

One of my goals this year is to run a marathon. I know this seems like a large task requiring years of training, but most guides recommend only four months to prepare yourself, even for the novice runner. After learning that one had to qualify (sub 3:10) for the Boston Marathon I set my sights on Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego, Sunday, May 31. Training will officially begin on February 8, sixteen weeks away from the race. Any takers have a little under a month to jump on the bandwagon. Matthew has given me a verbal commitment, and Ellen is on the fence.

One needs to have superior visual acuity to run this race. If you can't read the training schedule to the left don't apply...just kidding. Click on the image for a closer look. Runner's World says that the cross training day (Monday) can be used as another day of rest if needed.

Should be a lot of fun, and is a realistic way to reach the number one New Years Resloution according to www.USA.gov .

"What are we, chopped liver?"

Roux

I've decided to hang up my soccer cleats for a pair of basketball shoes, and tonight was our first game. Team Roux (managed by cousin John) took the floor tonight expecting a W, but came out with a loss...blaming it on the poor officiating down the stretch. Thanks to Jeanne and Kristie (wives of a couple of my teammates) we're able to find out the real reason behind our four point loss.

30% from the field and 25% from behind the arc won't cut it, and 17 turnovers...ouch. All-in-all a good effort for our first league game. Next game is on January 26 at 8:45 at the Comeaux Center. A little more support wouldn't hurt.

Pain

As I was doing work in the yard today I accidentally stepped on a rake, and for a split second thought, "Move your head!". That split second thought was too much time as the pole slammed into my lip. It's probably the most pain I've ever been in.

Everybody I tell say "That only happens in the movies!"...very embarrassing.

The Yard: Phase 2 Underway

December marked the beginning of some serious renovations to the house as we removed three massive trees and destroyed the old fence, making the side of the house the eye-sore of the neighborhood. People would speed on by and consciously look the other way as Maggie growled at them from the open perimeter of the back yard. Not a very pretty scene.



Fast forward four weeks and phase two is underway. Big Mark spent the weekend helping me install a six-foot high privacy fence...much more seclusive than our old picket fence. After breaking our backs all weekend we only have 33 of the 100 feet fenced as it turned out to be more work than originally thought. I admit to being a novice in this area, but we seem to have the brunt of the work behind us as we slowly become masters of fence building. Hopefully two more days will produce the result I'm looking for.

I believe I'm fearing for my life...or my eyes in this shot.

Maggie surveying the land.

It has to be said that this project has included many trips to Lowe's. All purchases were legitimate with the exception of the nail gun and compressor, which will be returned tomorrow. After nailing fifty planks one gets a little desperate. Thankfully reality set in ($350) before action was taken.

We have another...

...graduate in the family. Maggie took her last class of beginner training at Pet's Mart yesterday, and passed with flying colors. I, regretfully, was unable to attend the final showing, but was told that she did not disappoint. When she heard the command "Maggie, come!", she ran through the maze of shelves and curious customers to a proudly awaiting owner at the front of the store. I'm never there to witness the glory moments.

Who is Tim Tebow?

This is taken from part of a Pat Forde article. Pat Forde is a senior writer for espn.com . I think this great give-and-take between Tim Tebow and a media reporter that really speaks volumes about who the Florida quarterback really is. Pretty powerful stuff.

Back in July, in a ballroom in a Birmingham, Ala., hotel during Southeastern Conference media days, a reporter asked Tim Tebow the following question:

"I don't mean to sound cynical, but between winning the national championship and winning the Heisman, saving the world in the Philippines and all, did you ever, like, sneak a cigarette when you were in high school? Do you ever do anything wrong? Do you feel like everything off the field is sort of on cruise control for you?"

My immediate reaction: Lord help us. Sporting America has become too jaded to appreciate Tim Tebow. We've been Marion Jonesed and Mark McGwired and Barry Bondsed into suspecting there must be a dark side to the Florida quarterback, who does so many things right on and off the football field. We roll our eyes at his "saving the world in the Philippines," when how many among us have bothered to go across town to help the poor, much less across the globe the way Tebow has? We've been conditioned not to trust a virtuous athlete when he's right in front of us.

Tebow's reaction was better. His response, in part:

"You know, everybody, they can look and say how easy it is. But it's definitely not that easy. The difference is 'cause not many people want to wake up at 5, go through workouts, go speak to young kids, go back, eat lunch, go to class, go to tutoring, go speak at a prison at night, come back. I mean, more people would do those things; they just don't want to sacrifice.

"You know, there's a lot of leaders out there. But, unfortunately, there aren't a lot of good ones. So that's always been my dream and my goal, is to be someone like Danny Wuerffel was to me, to be someone that a parent can say, 'Hey, this kid did it the right way.' That's always been my dream and my goal more so than winning a trophy or winning a championship.

"So if it's cynical or whatnot, that's fine. If people don't believe it, that's fine. There's always going to be naysayers, people that are going to say it's fake. But that's fine because you can't control everybody. But I can control what I do, my attitude, how I approach the situation. So how I approach the situation is I want to do everything in my power that football gives me to influence as many people as I can for the good because that's gonna mean so much more when it's all said and done than just playing football and winning championships."

WOW, Go Gators!

I guess you'll do.

My cousin John showed me as well as the rest of my family this youtube video the other day. Thought it was funny enough to share with the few non-family members that check out LOM. Enjoy:

David McNeil...one year later

For those of you who are somewhat new to LOM, I blogged about an uncanny look-a-like that was spotted by a friend in Dallas about a year ago. The discovery was made in a classroom in the University of North Texas. Below is the latest picture I have to date. If you see this man wandering the streets of Lafayette trying to pass himself off as a deClouet, beware!

Dangerous Job

If you don't think that officiating is a dangerous job just ask Tyler. He seemed to catch himself in the wrong position just as a defender cleared the ball his way. No need to worry, he left the field unscathed.

Hyundai Assurance

I was able to view one of Hyundai's new add campaigns yesterday while watching the NFL playoffs. It appears to be aimed at gaining customer trust during these difficult economic times, offering the consumer the opportunity to return the car within the first year of ownership if the he loses his job. Pretty interesting proposal

Happy Birthday Mom

If you have ever met my mom, then chances are she's got some sort of photograph of you. There are an infinite number of myself, and my siblings can attest that she can get out of hand at times. Nevertheless, it is through these many pictures that we laugh at what was and remember the good-old-days on Abby Rd, where life appeared to be so simple.

I'm writing this after viewing her gallery of pictures that were taken of a couple of researchers surveying the Atchafalaya Basin for the USGS. The images are breathtaking, and if you decide to give them look be patient through the first 20 or so. You will then be able to witness the talent that is my mother...

...which brings me to another long overdue plug, the existence of my mom's website. It can be viewed at www.janennedeclouet.com . The last time I checked her blog it was being updated every two months, but she promises to get better at that. As she says, "I can only be so many places at once!"

Here is a shortcut to the commercial link. Click on proofs, and for the password type USGS to view the pics taken of the basin!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!