Happy Trails.....Red Lasso

We discovered Red Lasso about 3 months ago........

A really unique site that recorded shows on NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, ESPN......and others, and made them available to bloggers to imbed clips on our blogs.


Their video quality was so much better than YouTube........

But .......they have been sued...........copy write infringement ...........

This is an article from Cnet.com:

RedLasso has suspended access to its video search-and-clipping site two days after NBC Universal and Fox filed a copyright suit against the company.

File this one under inevitable.

RedLasso, which announced the closure in a statement on Friday, recorded TV shows and then indexed clips so users could find, pull, and embed them on other Web sites. They did so without permission. The company had suggested that it was in talks to obtain licenses. RedLasso will keep operating its Radio To Web service, which allows radio stations to search and upload their content to their own Web site.

In May, NBC Universal flatly denied that it had any affiliation with RedLasso when the entertainment company sent a letter accusing RedLasso of "building a business based on the unauthorized syndication of" the content owners' shows.

The era of companies following in YouTube's shoes is over. No more are the studios going to sit back and allow tech start-ups to use their content to grab eyeballs and then negotiate terms later.

Not when they are giving their content away free, at sites like Hulu, the video site created by NBC Universal and News Corp. Anyone can go to Hulu and grab embed code for feature films and many NBC Universal shows without violating the law.

"We are very disappointed in the actions of select networks," RedLasso said in a statement. "We believe we have always acted within the law and have been respectful of the networks' rights. Unfortunately, they have forced our hand."

So ........there....it's done.

Red Lasso, you will be missed........And we here at 5 on Five can no longer provide our readers with state of the art video of clips that are meaningful and useful to this blog.

Well.......at least we still have..........YouTube.

Mike Hampton........Returns....

Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Hampton ..........

Pitched in a major league baseball game today. No big deal to most people.....but.....

This is the Mike Hampton who earns........(or receives a salary of $15 million a year). The Mike Hampton who has not made a major league start since August of 2005.

Almost 3 years of injury after injury.......rehabs........minor leagues..........more injuries.....more rehabs.....

We admire him for just not giving up and calling it quits.......He's made his money......why keep trying.

Well, today was the coming out party for Mr. Hampton. And ........he did not disappoint. He was the same old Hampton. He pitched 4 plus innings, struck out 1, walked 2, allowed 6 earned runs on 8 hits, and could not get out of the 5th inning.

That's what $15 million buys these days.....

Anyway.......

Welcome back, Mike.

By the way.......the Braves eventually lost to the Phillies, 10-9.

Blacks.....Banned.....From Bars?

This has been researched.....

We have verified the sources......It is indeed true.

Our own GaPeach913 did the homework, checked out the Chinese newspapers, and qualified this story.

Troubling.......to say the least.......but .......here it is:


From GaPeach913.....


At first I didn't think it was true. I did a search in the Beijing paper and it is definitely true.

http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2c913216495213d5df646910cba0a0a0/?vgnextoid=267a08a88f13b110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=teaser&ss=China&s=News



Chinese Paper Says Blacks Banned From Bars During Olympics Published on: Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Nsenga Burton
What do Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard and Jason Kidd have in common? They are the starting five of the 2008 Olympic Men’s Basketball team and none of them will be admitted to any bars in Beijing because they are black. No, this is not fiction -- it is fact as reported by the South China Morning Post (7/18/08). Beijing authorities have forbidden bar owners to serve blacks during the 2008 Olympics.

How hypocritical is it that the host of the largest international sports competition in the free world would ban an entire group of people based on race? This blanket discrimination is couched in the idea of “controlling” Beijing’s problem with prostitution and drugs, which is primarily driven by Mongolians. Somehow, this policy smacks of impropriety, pun intended, and underscores China’s continuous policies of discrimination. You would think with the global embarrassment over the mistreatment of Tibetan Monks, faulty consumer products, and the suppression of information about deadly diseases, that China would have figured out by now that the systematic exclusion of an entire group of people, many of whom have histories of horrendous discrimination in their home countries, would not reflect well on the mainland. Further, I was not aware that blacks owned drug trafficking and prostitution worldwide. Amsterdam anyone?

Let’s get this straight. Black people can participate in the games, add money to the economy in “permitted” spaces like hotels, lodges and restaurants, but they cannot go to a bar, which may be located in a hotel, lodge or restaurant. This is outrageous. Would the world stand still if in 2008 the United States was banning entire populations of people based on perceived ideas about race?

Pretending to control drug trafficking while controlling the movement of black folks is out of control. To define an entire race of people as drug dealers and prostitutes is unacceptable. I guess this is what you get when an international committee overlooks a country that has transgressed human rights without recourse. The world community needs to unite against this injustice and demand that China allow all Olympic participants, athletes and visitors alike, equal access to all venues.

As China prepares to take the world’s stage in celebration of athletes all over the world, and by extension their people, it is tragic that they have decided to add blanket discrimination to the many offerings during this year’s Olympic games. Perhaps our expectations of China are too high? It is kind of ridiculous to have the expectation of moving freely in a country that does not allow its citizens to move freely. Complicated countries have complicated practices. The fact that Beijing is being allowed to ban all Blacks from any place or event, without rebuke or scorn, is maddening. Will the world stand by while China further institutionalizes another human rights debacle?

Since this posting.......

We have found out that the bars in question, and the Chinese government have denied this story........And the original story from the link we had....has been erased.

Folks........this is communist China.....did you expect more?

Developing..........

Don't Look Now......But the Yankees....Are Coming!

The best team money can buy..........

Is mounting a surge. You remember them. That team which dons the famous "pin stripes".

The New York Yankees........Winners of an unprecedented 26 World Championships and 39 American League Pennants. No other team comes close.


The New York Yankees.......With a league leading payroll of over $200 million, with two players, Alex Rodriquez ( $28 million) .....and Jason Giambi ($23.4 million) making more this year than the entire Florida Marlin team ( $22.7 million).

The New York Yankees.......The team we love to hate........That team, in 1996, who erased a 0-2 deficit to beat the Atlanta Braves, 4 games to 2.



The New York Yankees.........Who featured "The Babe"...... Yankee Stadium........the house that Ruth built......Joe DiMaggio......Lou Gehrig........Yogi Berra........Mickey Mantle..........Roger Maris.......Reggie Jackson.......to name a few.



Well........don't look now........but them Yankees........are a coming......

Let the Hype.....Begin

It.......has started....


The Much anticipated 2008 college football season is almost here. In this southern town, the "Bulldog Nation" can hardly control itself, as their beloved "Dawgs" of the University of Georgia are ranked 1st or 2nd in just about every pre-season poll.


This week, the Southeastern Conference held it's annual Media Days in Hoover, Alabama.


Thanks to Online Athens, here's a sampling of Georgia's day:

Can't.... Have it .....Both Ways

Yes.......you...WNBA..........

You.....of the slogan, "We got next".

You..........with the ESPN television contract........

Well........"you"........just threw assistant coach and former NBA star Rick Mahorn....under the proverbial bus.

"You"..........suspended Mahorn for two games........He was only trying to be a peace-keeper.

"You " say Mahorn shoved Lisa Leslie to the floor.....I...beg to differ. He came out onto the floor to restore peace........She rushed him........He.....at 6' 10"........turned.....and .....she fell.

And what came next? According to "you"..... he (Mahorn)........knocked down .......a mother of a child........

Well.....lah dee dah............ Mahorn just happens to have 4 daughters of his own.

But wait.........listen............When an altercation happens ...........in Men's sports.......Do we say, "So and so, hit ........a father .......of three.........No? I think not.

WNBA...........you wanted "next"...........You got it.

You wanted equality......you got it...........

But when the going gets rough............don't pull ...........that female card..........

It's in the game........

"You"...........

Wanted .......next!

1 Win..........2 Losses

Even with a win..........the Braves lose....

Sometimes, I think the Atlanta Braves have somewhere along the way.....pissed off the baseball gods.

How else can you explain what happened in last night's 9-4 win over the Florida Marlins. From the outside looking in.....it seems innocent enough .......The Bravos just took 2 out of 3 from the almost 1st place Fish.


[ Atlanta Braves pitcher Tim Hudson (15) is greeted by Chipper Jones after Hudson scored on a double by Yunel Escobar against the Florida Marlins in the third inning of a baseball game in Miami, Wednesday, July 23, 2008. The Braves won 9-4. Hudson left the game after six innings with soreness in his right elbow.
(AP Photo/Alan Diaz) ]




But last night's win came with a steep price. Ace.......(and I mean Atlanta's.....only ace) Tim Hudson left the game after 6 innings and only 68 pitches........due to a "tender elbow". Let's see....."tender.".....as .....opposed to....."tough"?

Or.......is his freakin' arm....about to fall off? Who knows........Anyway, he is......day to day.

Then........ there is Larry Jones........You know him as...........Chipper.

Well, Chipper came up lame last night ........as he strained his left hamstring just running out a grounder. Nothing strenuous........just a jog down the first base line.

But.......these ........are the 2007......excuse me........the 2008 Atlanta Braves. And just like 2007, these Braves are just as unlucky.

Chipper is .......also....day to day.

So Atlanta limps into a most important series.......against the Philadelphia Phillies..........with Jones "iffy" and Hudson a question mark.

This season........being what it is.......I would not be surprised .......if the Braves.....sweep.

Been a strange year!

Hump Day.......News & Views

The WNBA........has arrived.

Bench clearing brawl....punches thrown.....one player carted off in a wheel chair? A cat fight at The Palace at Auburn Hills in Detroit. You can't buy this much publicity.

Remember girls basketball in the 60's and 70's..........six member teams........only 2 "rovers" were allowed to go over half court. The remaining players stayed on one side.

My...have we grown..........or what?






The Mets are having .......another meltdown..........

Last night the N Y Mets led the Philadelphia Phillies 5-2 going into the top of the ninth inning.

The "fighting phils" then scored 6 runs to win the game 8-6. Yes, it's just one game. But this shows the true colors of the Metropolitans ............No heart.

You remember these Mets........The ones that blew an 8 game lead last September.......and missed the play-offs.

Same old Mets.....


Meanwhile..........

The Atlanta Braves..........totally suck! The Braves where limited to 1 hit..........yet again.......in their 4-0 loss to the Florida Marlins last night. Bases loaded, nobody out? No problem for the fish............and no runs for the Bravos..........




Happy trails........Josh Childress.......

He of the big afro has dissed the Atlanta Hawks and signed a multi-year contract to play in Europe.

Again......same old Hawks........










Finally......

Hello "Dolly"..........this hurricane is wreaking havoc along the Texas coast........

I drove through torrential downpours last night in north Atlanta (Lawrenceville)........but not a drop.......in this southern college town.

8/8/8...........as in August 8, 2008...........The Olympics.....Are you ready?

I think the WNBA brawl..........was a good thing.....

Have a nice..........Wednesday.

Melee...........in the WNBA?

Wow...........

And it happened in Detroit.....Surprise, surprise....

Thanks to ESPN and Red Lasso:

Explaining..........the Word, "Niggar"

From ........"The View"

The "N" word..........

What the problem is?

Courtesy of Red Lasso and ABC:

Why Dan Rather.......is no Longer a News Anchor

I think he is a tad........senile......

Dan Rather referred to Barack Obama..........as Osama Bin Laden........Wow!

Thanks to MSNBC and Red Lasso.......

Enjoy:

Venus ...........on .......Leno

In case you missed this...........

Here is Venus Williams on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.....I've always had a thing for Serena.....but....

Venus really handled herself well. And, was extremely attractive doing so...........

Brought to you be our friends at Red Lasso and NBC Television:

Hey...........What's up with These....N Y Mets?

The New York Metropolitans ...........

1st place in the NL east. Winners of 10 in a row........

The train wreck, which was the Mets, has been cleaned up, spit-shined and polished , and transformed into the hottest team in baseball.

Exactly one month to the day of Willie Randolph's unceremonious firing, these Mets beat the Cincinnati Reds last night in a come from behind slug-fest , 10-8, to extend their winning streak to 10 games.

A month ago, the Mets were 6 1/2 games out ........in 4th place .......and going nowhere.

Jerry Manuel, who took over for Randolph, is now an impressive 18-9 as new Mets manager.

While we still feel somewhat bad for Randolph, and the way the firing was handled.........You've got to give high fives to Manuel and his staff.

The players are responding.......the team is winning........for now.

But this is New York.....

And.....we all know.....things can change........

In a New York minute.

The ESPY's

First looks..........courtesy ....of ....The Young, Black, and Fabulous:

Derek Fisher’s wife Candace

Kevin Garnett’s wife Brandy.

Michael Strahan’s girlfriend Nicole Murphy.

Paul Pierce’s girlfriend and baby’s mother Julie Landrum.

T.O.’s main chick of the moment

It's Time....to get Serious

Our Beloved Atlanta Braves...........


After 95 games, you are in 4th place in the NL east (45-50). 6 1/2 games back of the Phillies. We play 162 games at this level, so there is still time.....

But...........you have to get serious........now.

You have lost more 1 run games on the road this year than any team in the history of baseball.

John Smoltz......gone. Tom Glavine.......gone. Both due to injuries. Can't use this as an excuse any longer. Every team has injuries. Play through them.

It has been said .....of this 162 game marathon.....a team will automatically win 60......and lose 60. It is what happens in the 42 remaining games which will determine any post-season aspirations.

The one glaring statistic of this year's team is the home record (30-18).......versus the road record (15-32).

This ...........has to change...........Now.

Useless information: In the latest Harris poll, guess who is the second most popular MLB team in America? Yes........your Atlanta Braves. The New York Yankees are number 1.........the Boston Red Sox, number 3. Go figure.

And go Braves........

Let's get serious.........now.

Folks.....We're Still Behind

This is day 198 of the year 2008........

There are 366 days in this leap year. We have made 182 posts thus far. Which puts us 16 posts behind.

Our goal for 2008 at "5 on Five" was a post ........a day.

And..........we're behind.

Send your e-mails..........send your comments..........

Send help..........and posts.....Get GaPeach913 and 6eVoice to get off their collective butts.......and post something.

I'm reaching out.......send help to Keveekev!

My back is getting just a little tired...........from carrying this blog.

If you wish to be a contributing writer........e-mail us ...........it's an open audition.

All reasonable responses will be considered.

Help!

Hump Day News & Views

Yesterday, was an election day?

Yes.......it was. Primary elections were held all over the country. This was to see who meets for the big ones in November.

But ..........a funny.....(well, not so funny) thing happened. Nobody showed up.

In this state (Georgia), officials predicted a 30% turn out........When all the counting is done....they'll be lucky to get 20%.

That's 20% ..........of registered voters......not 20% of the population. And we have been told only about half the population registers.

Shame, shame......... And the Republicans are so concerned about voter fraud. This year, Georgia's new law was in play..........requiring voters to present a photo-ID .....at the polls.

Nonsense....nonsense.......If this country ever wanted to include the masses in the election process...it should consider the following:

1. Eliminate voter registration..........if you're a citizen.....you vote........period.

2. Get rid of "Election Day Tuesday"........Why just one day?.......Make it convenient .......Like 3 days....Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. With poll hours, 7am to 7pm. I think I might be able to get in one of them.

3. Design voting machines to take a thumb print to make selections.......This will eliminate people voting multiple times........since no 2 prints are alike. And eliminates the need for a photo-ID.

I'm just a simple man.....I possess no political science degrees..........but it makes sense to me.




Dan Uggla.......was ugly last night.

I felt bad for the Florida Marlins' second baseman .......In the All Star game.......in front of 55,632 fans at Yankee Stadium .......and millions watching on TV........imagine this in the box scores of every newspaper across the nation: 3 errors, 0 for 4.......with 3 strikeouts.....and hitting into a double play. We have all had bad games........but on a stage like this?

Uggla is really a good player........but when you're going bad.....that ball always finds.......you. Dan, I felt your pain.





Only.......in Athens.......

From the Athens Banner Herald "Police Blotter":

Man in boxers doesn't go quietly

| | Story updated at 10:33 PM on Wednesday, July 16, 2008

An intoxicated man dressed only in boxer shorts was bothering customers at a store on Atlanta Highway on Monday afternoon, ranting that he'd been bitten by a snake, Athens-Clarke police said.

Officers found 43-year-old Michael Glen Stearns outside of Fred's, 2656 Atlanta Highway, reeking of mouthwash and covered with poison ivy rash, according to police.

Officers talked with the man for 20 minutes, trying to get him to leave the discount retail store.

When they arrested him, Stearns resisted by going limp, and officers had to carry him to a patrol car, police said.

Officers placed Stearns in a restraint when he tried kicking out the patrol car's window, damaging the frame, and he repeatedly banged his head against the window, police said.

He was charged with simple battery on a police officer, obstruction of a police o

fficer, criminal trespass and interference with government property, police said.

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 071608



No Tiger........no interest......

Thursday is the start of the British Open golf tournament......Minus one Mr. Tiger Woods. This is the window of opportunity for many golfers.......This is like the 2 years Michael Jordan took off to play baseball........allowing Hakeem Olajuwon to win his only 2 championship rings......Phil........Garcia .......Veejay???

It's now ............or never.......





Random.......Thoughts.....on a Hump Day....

Jeopardy......is still the best game show on television.

Why is everybody still going goo-goo .......over Anderson Cooper? (His ratings suck)

My daughter went to see the new Will Smith film, Hancock..........and said it was very good......and funny too.

I actually forgot to register to vote in Tuesdays' primaries.

What happened to hurricane "Bertha"?

Have a great ......."Hump Day"!

All Star Game Moments

In case you missed it..........

Last night's Major League Baseball All Star game was won ..........yet again ......by the American League. From Yahoo Sports: (AL wins All-Star game 4-3 in 15 innings)

Here's a look at the Top 10 All Star moments.......courtesy of ESPN and Red Lasso:

Can Brett Favre ..........Just go Away.......Please!

It just.....won't go away....

It's like that old stray dog or cat ..........just keeps hanging around. Like the out of town visitor who never leaves........Like that summer cold, you can't seem to shake. Like that Energizer bunny.......on and on.....and on.

This Brett Favre story is quickly becoming all of the above.

First, he retires..............Then un-retires..........Then asks the Green Bay Packers for an unconditional release. (Which of course they denied).

I'm so tired of Favre.......and the story.

Note to Brett,

"You've had a brilliant career, a Super Bowl ring, MVP years.........move on. Don't be another star professional athlete who didn't know when to quit. You know, Boxers like Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis...........Baseball players like Willie Mays and Ernie Banks.....Basketball's Micheal Jordan and Patrick Ewing......And your own sport 's Joe Namath and Emmitt Smith..........just to name a few .....on a long list.

You've thrilled us........dazzled us..........amazed us. We thank you. Now go....please........
and take the story with you."

A Day Late..........But......Things We Learned.....From The Week-end

Interstate 85 is a ....is a fun drive....

In case any of you were worried about the absence of posts this past week-end........ It is because yours truly spent most of the past 4 days on I-85.

Over 1000 miles.....from Georgia to North Carolina.....back to Georgia..........back to North Carolina.......and back to Georgia.

Me and the battle tested Nissan Maxima.......

Map Quest said 350 miles......one way........5 hours and 47 minutes. I did it in just under 5 hours. In Georgia, the speed limit was 70.......South Carolina, 65..........North Carolina fluctuated from 55.....60..........65.....and sometimes 70.

No weather problems........meaning no rain. So I got behind a couple of "rabbits" and our cruising speed was 80 to 85.......sometimes 90.

And .......the truckers.......those 18 wheelers.....were out in force. Some are built to run in the fast lane. A few. But most should just stay put in the right lane.

And then there are the cars with "Florida" tags...........You know them.......they drive 55 in the fast lane.

And then there is the "cell phone" guy.......or gal, who is doing alright in the fast lane.......until.....they get on the phone.....Then they seem oblivious of their surroundings........They're talking on their phones (in the fast lane of course)......and immediately slow down to a crawl.

And then ........there was this Dodge Charger (Virginia plates) ........with the "Hemi" logo ........I was doing 85....and he blew past me. At an overpass sat a Georgia State Patrol........also a Dodge Charger with a "Hemi".
The Georgia State Patrol "Hemi"............won this battle.

I..........on the other hand.......escaped..........ticket free..........but..........

On my final leg back to Georgia...........the Nissan's temperature gage kept creeping into to danger zone of "hot"..........I stopped.......opened the hood.......no visible leaks..........the engine ran as normal. Just to be safe, I added some anti-freeze........let it cool off........and set sail again........constantly monitoring the meter........and running 65 to 70.......with the AC off.

We made it..........We'll get the Nissan checked out tomorrow........

But I-85?

You..........are a lot of fun to drive.




We ........got rain!

Yes..........over 2 inches in this southern college town. Sunday, it rained for two and a half hours.......steady........

The plants were just a dancing........the tree leaves were all just soaking it in..... And the grass? Well..........I wish it hadn't rain...........I think it grew 3 feet..........in one day.






Bernie Mac........offended people ...........

Over the week-end .....seems Bernie Mac, at a Barack Obama function, made some off color jokes which offended some people.......

Well ..............duh..............Isn't this what Bernie Mac does? Didn't they know what to expect? People.......get a life!

Bernie Mac is a comedian..............He thrives.......on the edge.........you know what you're going to get........He is .......what he is . And we love him for that. Please..........Mr. Mac, don't dare apologize to those bleeding heart liberals..........

Can't anybody take a joke?



Cracker Barrel ..........does have good food..........

We ate lunch at the Cracker Barrel on Monday. My problem with the Cracker Barrel is with all the photos on the wall...........

It's as if...........there were no black people ..........in the 30's, 40's, and 50's...............We are not represented in any pictures anywhere .......in the entire restaurant.......

To quote Spike Lee, in the film, "Do the right thing".................."Where all the black people at"?

But........my meatloaf was good.......the biscuits were slamming........and the service was decent.

So..........I'll save my Cracker Barrel beefs..........for another day.

"I wanna cut his nuts off"!!!

Wow!

Did he really say that? Yes ........and no. Jesse Jackson was on Fox News the other day and thought the microphone was off. So he voices his own feelings about Barack Obama.

Here's the clip......courtesy of Fox News and Red Lasso:







Yes........He said it.....Now here's the inevitable apology:





Thanks again to Red Lasso along with ABC's Good Morning America......

My take on the whole thing?

Jesse Jackson ......is a fraud.....has always been a fraud ........and will always be a fraud. Which is why...I never refer to him .......as ....a Reverend..........Funny thing......when he knows the camera is on....he talks so differently.....so eloquently...

But when the mic is off........and the camera shut down.....the real Mr. Jackson shows up.

I believe the first clip from Fox ........is how Jesse really feels about Senator Obama.....Be it jealousy.....(Jesse never got this far with his presidential aspirations)......or something else.....it is quite obvious he does not care for the Senator.

Obama has done more to unite the black race in one year..........that Jackson has done over the last 30 years........

And that.......is that!

And that.......is good.

Hump Day News & Views

Is it Wednesday.........already?

Just a few things .......to make you stop.......read.......and think....

I promise to be brief....

Enjoy........





A "minor" imposition.......

Atlanta Brave outfielder, Jeff Francoeur was sent down to the minors recently in a monumental demotion. A local boy..........golden boy .......and a nearby Parkview High graduate, Francoeur took the city by storm when he burst into the majors three years ago.

In 2005, Francoeur starter 70 games.....hit .300.....had 14 homers and 45 RBI's. In 2006, he played all 162 games.......and again in 2007.......all 162 games.

2006 saw him hit 29 homers and drive in 103 runs while batting a respectable .260 for a second year player..........in his first full season.

2007? 19 homers..........105 RBI's.......and a .293 batting average.......... He also won a gold glove for his defense in right field.......Francoeur is on the verge of becoming a bona fide superstar.

In November of last year..........Jeff marries his high school sweetheart........And this year........on the baseball diamond........it's been a nightmare.

With just 8 homers..........and a batting average of .233.......something has definitely gone wrong......

One .....can't just.......overnight.......forget how to play baseball. Baseball.......though ......can be so very, very mental...

Everything had come so easy to Francoeur all of his life......Well, the Braves sure got his attention by shipping his butt to Mississippi...........Golden Boy? Gold Glove Winner?.......Produce........or else.

The demotion lasted only 3 days.........but I bet Mr. Francoeur will never take for granted the opportunity he has .......playing in the major leagues..........ever again.





The All-stars are set.......well almost...

Major League Baseball and Fox Sports want us to believe the all-star game is worth watching........Because the winner gets home field advantage in the World Series....

I ain't buying it .......for a New York minute! This year's game will be played in Yankee Stadium.......featuring line-ups that have the usual suspects. A lot of Red sox.....Cubbies......and Yankees...........which fans voted in. Fans..... and their votes........will determine home field advantage for the fall classic.

Something is amiss here.......It is an exhibition game..........It is an added incentive clause on most players contracts........that's it.

To make more of it than that?..........So MLB like. And I........ain't.......watching!






Happy Trails........Tony Stewart........

Seems the Joe Gibbs / Tony Stewart marriage........is dissolving ......at the end of this NASCAR season.

Next year, Stewart will drive.......and be part owner of Haas CNC.....and will no longer be a part of that number 20 Home Depot Toyota Camry.

After ten years........2 championships.......and 32 career victories......this successful partnership will end......

Tony.......we wish you well......











Surprise....surprise.......Vick files for bankruptcy protection.....

No job.......no income......

What did you expect?

My beef is with the media and those headlines....."Vick , Bankrupt".........."Vick files for Bankruptcy".

One does not....."file" for bankruptcy........one may ......."file" for a divorce...... but for bankruptcy..........you "file" for protection.....from your creditors.......So at the end of the day ....you can make a settlement agreeable to all parties.......and still maintain the majority of your assets........

It is a pity that $19 million bonus paid by the Atlanta Falcons was not put in a bank to earn a little interest.

Take a measly $1 million.......here's what it can do for you:

One Million Dollars (assuming a 4% interest rate, compounded monthly)

One Day - $109.59

One Month - $3,333.33

One Year - $40,741.54

Five Years - $220,996.59

Ten Years - $490,832.68

Twenty Years - $1,222,582.09

And ...........that's just one .......of the many millions ....Vick has earned.....

What a pity.....




Finally............

In less than one month..........my daughter........my one........my only.....will walk down an aisle....I will be standing there........along with my future son-in-law.......and the best man.....and all the bridesmaids .......

And I will .......give away.......my daughter.

Doesn't seem fair.....You mean.....after 22 years......I ........just "give" her away.......and get nothing in return? That's just.......un-American!

Just kidding, folks........

Have a great.......rest of the week.

75 cents........for ...the AJC?

When did this happen?

I was not consulted...........no one asked me...........

The Atlanta Journal Constitution raised their price of their newspaper from 50 cents.......to 75 cents.

I guess it happened Monday, July, 7th..........2008. I don't subscribe.....so after work, I usually stop by a convenience store to get a paper. Monday, there was a guy buying lottery tickets ahead of me......Not even thinking of an increase, I hand the clerk 2 quarters........and I'm gone.

I guess he didn't realize the price increase either.......he didn't chase me down for that additional 25 cents.

But today.........Tuesday.......75 cents is the going rate.

Only USA Today charges 75 cents...........and it is national.

Even my New York tabloids still only charge 50........

Don't these newspapers realize the age of cyber-space?

I have no less than 150 newspapers across the country book-marked.......I can read them at my leisure... and ..........they are free! And........there is no need to try to find the recycle bin.

I am not one these people who will claim, "I'll never buy another newspaper"...........but I will say this. "AJC.....you never ask me.......you took me for granted.....and that .......you will pay for. Your Sunday edition is $2.50..........I quit buying that years ago. It's .......just a bunch of dead trees........ground into paper. Trust me.....it ain't worth it."

75 cents?

I may go to Monday, Wednesday , and Friday........Did you guys do any .....market research?

75 cents.......for a newspaper........$4.09 for a gallon of gas? What's next? A $20 hair cut?

I just may have to shave my head..........buy a moped..........and cyber-space my newspapers.....

Thanks........AJC!

A-Rod.......You Were Warned!

We have seen this before.......many times.....

Star athlete gets married.......star athlete makes millions...star athlete ......(allegedly) cheats on wife........star athlete's wife files for divorce..........star athlete's wife .....gets half.......of everything.....from star athlete.

Cases in point? See, Chipper Jones, Shaquille O'neal, Jeff Gordan, Michael Strahan, and Michael Jordan....to name a few.






Our own 6eVoice made a post last year on this exact subject.....interesting reading:

Sport Divorces - Michael Jordan

Well........it seems one Alex Rodriguez never got the memo..........Or never took the time to read our blog.

A-Rod.......as ESPN and all the sports gurus like to call him......is in a world .....of sh*t!

Seems wife, Cynthia is just a little tired of being "played" and is doing the American thing.......filing for divorce.......with a dream team of divorce lawyers.

Which brings us to that great debate........." Is what A-Rod did.......worth.....half of his worth"?

So........He cheated......With Madonna, no less. Of course, Madonna's people deny this......as well they have to.....Supposedly , Madonna is married also.

But this is not about the "material girl"..........

This is about Alex Rodriguez, Major League Baseball player. The youngest player ever to hit 500 home runs.




A-Rod...........10 time AL all-star...........3 time AL MVP...........and more.....instead of trying to list it all..........here's his stats:

• 8 Career statistics from Wikipedia........
  

The debate continues........518 home runs.......1503 RBI's....

Last we checked, wife , Cynthia has not hit one home run or batted in any runs.......She has yet to turn a double play.......or even field a ground ball.

A-Rod's current contract with the New York Yankees , calls for him to make $275 million over the next 10 years....That's $27.5 million.......a year!

And Cynthia.......wants half! Rough arithmetic says she's entitled to well over $100 million....plus child and spousal support.

Poor A-Rod...........no........poor..........stupid ....A-Rod.......No "pre-nup"?

You ..........were.....indeed.....warned!

A Few things....Learned From the Week-end

After a long 4th of July week-end.....

Here's a few things we all learned.......


Fireworks.......are awesome...........

Whether it is orchestrated by professionals or amateurs......fireworks are very entertaining and fun. Friday night, we just watched our neighbors trying to out do each other. One right after the other....no one backing down. It was an awesome sight.


Something about..........meat on the grill....

The taste..........the flavor.......it doesn't get any better than chicken, fish, sausages........on a grill. That charcoal ..........the mesquite logs........the smoked flavor..........'um 'um good. I grilled......my brother-in-law grilled. And we ate..........and ate.......And ..........man.....it was good!


NASCAR.......is better on the radio........

True.........while driving home Saturday night, we tuned in to the Coke Zero 400 from Daytona......What a treat. If you have never listened to a live NASCAR race, you're missing a treat. 3 to 4 announcers covering the race ............at all four corners of the track. And in pit row. The way they switched back and forth, from announcer to announcer ............was incredible. With all the sound effects........

Watching the final 4 laps (when we finally got home) on TV ........was ......a bit anti-climatic. Do yourselves a favor. The next NASCAR race that's on..........find a radio.....

You will not be disappointed ......


The "Dream" is finally.......a reality.......

Yes .....it's true.......The Atlanta Dream won a basketball game. Some people actually follow this team and it's league. From it's inception, we have been ....just a little rough on this women's basketball team........an expansion team.......etc.

But now........the fact is.....the Dream will not go 0-34..........Atlanta beat the Chicago Sky, 91-84 , for their first win after 17 straight losses. Break out the champaign ...........Stop the movers..... Quit packing...........Hey, we're 1-17!

Seriously though..........the Dream....has won a game. And the Dream has an unbelievable following. I admire the passion. You may well win me over one day........and we can all rendezvous at Philips Arena and watch a game.


Babies.......are indeed.......precious.....

Got to see great nephew this week-end...........My niece gave birth 4 weeks ago to her son. And there we were......disinfected.......surgical masks.......(just kidding)

No pictures though on this blog......the baby has his own web site..........But ........my niece? And her hubby? You guys did good. What a beautiful baby.

Tennis ......is not that boring....after All

Alright, all ready..........

We have not been your avid supporters of professional tennis.....A bunch of spoiled rich white kids......where no shouting or rooting or booing from the audience is aloud in these tournaments......where , if you are over 25.....you're a dinosaur.....and past your prime......

Well...........a funny thing happened this week-end.

There was some amazing tennis played across the pond in England, at Wimbledon.

In the women's final, the Williams sisters took "centre court".....For the 3rd time at Wimbledon, Venus and Serena met in the final match for the singles championship. They did not disappoint. They went at each other..........they fought........they played.....hard. And in the end.......it was Venus defeating her best friend (who also happened to be her younger sister) in straight sets.

What is also amazing is ..........a few hours later........these two sisters teamed up to win the doubles championship. And this one wasn't even close. The Williams destroyed the opposition in straight sets.

Then came Sunday........today. The mens' finals.......Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer (he of 5 straight Wimbledon championships).


This was great TV..............and some really good tennis...

Nadal won.......6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7............in a dramatic 5 set match which featured not one.......but two rain delays.

I must admit........I have not sat down and watched a tennis tournament in quite a while....but these guys........and gals.....put on quite a show.

We just might have room on this blog for tennis ........after all...

It sure was not boring.

And that's a good thing for the sport of tennis.

Happy Birthday......To Us!

We were born, July 4, 1776.....

Spawned from nations all over the world to create these United States of America. Today, we are 232 years old.

We have differences in religion, culture, race, nationalities, politics, economic status, social status, and more.....

But .....we're all ..........Americans.....

And this is our day.......Our day to celebrate if we choose........to barbecue, to see a parade, to watch fireworks, or..........to simply do nothing....relax.

Happy 4th of July!

Have a great Day...........

So....You want to be a Star....In New York?

A-Rod........As in Alex Rodriquez..........

He makes more money a year than the entire roster of the AL east leading Tampa Bay Rays.....And he is married.....Well ......sort of .

He has been seen coming in and out of Madonnas' New York apartment, while rock star Lenny Kravitz has given A-Rod's wife, Cynthia, a place to reside, in .....France.....in the meantime.

Hollywood stuff...........but this is New York. And the tabloids won't rest.

Our advice to Alex, "See the ball, hit the ball.......Baseball, is all you got, "homes".....It will only get worse. Especially when you've got to give her ......half! "



So........you wanna be a star? In ..........New York? Think again, my friend.....

Is it really worth it.......and what about the kids involved?

They are at a very impressionable age.......

Their two daughters remain in Miami......3 year old Natasha and 2 month old Ella. Okay........maybe the 2 month old won't remember.......and to the 3 year old....it'll be vague.....

But this is not the way to raise a family. The father is in New York..........their mother is in Paris..........

Must be nice to afford all those "nannies".....


Anyway........we did have a TMZ video.....but that has .....failed to launch....

We'll keep trying......

It's......... Williams versus Williams

Across that big pond, called the Atlantic Ocean........



Over in grand old England, the Womens' Wimbledon Tennis finals are set .

Venus defeated Elena Dementieva of Russia, 6-1, 7-6......While Serena ousted Zheng Jie, China, 6-2, 7-6.

This will mark the third time the Williams sisters have met in these finals. Serena won against Venus in 2001 and 2002.

Richard Williams......the father of this duo........will not stay to watch this match. He says it's like watching his children fight.

We will enjoy watching it for him.....

A Broken Nose....In Any Language

Ouch! Don't know what language .....but Michael Barrett's nose got broken!

Thanks to NBC and Red Lasso:

Mid-Season Baseball Awards

Major League Baseball..........

With all due respect to the movie, "Major League".........has reached the half-way mark of it's marathon 162 game season. This is a strange one.......to say the least.

Thus far, this season, the MLB is like the NFL..........A few good teams, a few bad teams, and a whole lot of teams in the middle.......you know....parody.

The few good teams, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, and the Los Angeles Angels in the AL........Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals in the NL.

The few bad teams? San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals, and the Seattle Mariners.

Everyone else is in the 40% to 50% win percentage. Again...........parody.

So............on with our Mid-season MLB awards:


Biggest Surprise...........

No-brainer .......Tampa Bay Rays. At 52-32, the Rays have the best record in baseball and lead the Red Sox by 31/2 games after sweeping Boston this week.


Biggest Disappointment........

Seattle Mariners. Picked by many to win the AL west, Seattle has fired it's Manager and General Manager, and is in last place with the worst record in baseball, at 32-51.



MVP.....American League......

Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers. Batting average, .308.....19 home runs.........82 RBI's. Hamilton has an outside chance to win the triple crown this year. He has helped make the Rangers respectable at 44-42 and just 71/2 games out of the AL west.




MVP.....National League.......

Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies. With apologies to Chipper Jones (batting .391) and Lance Berkman (batting .358), Ryan is the straw that stirs the Phillies. His .219 batting average is slightly misleading. Howard has 21 home runs and 71 RBI's. He has the Phillies in 1st place in the NL east. Runner-up has to be Dan Uggla of the Florida Marlons (44-40) and only 11/2 games behind Philadelphia.


American League Cy Young Award winner......

Cliff Lee, Cleveland Indians. 11-1.........2.26 era...........93 strikeouts and just 17 walks. Lee, with a career record of 65-37 , is a rising superstar. If his Indians could just hit the baseball and score runs..........Cleveland would not be in last place with a record of 37-47. Runner up is the Angels' Francisco Rodriguez who already has 40 saves with a 1.93 era.



National League Cy Young Award winner.....

Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants. 9-1....2.38 era....114 strikeouts and 43 walks. One of the young prospects on a woeful post-Barry Bonds Giant team. Arizonas' Brandon Webb (12-4, 3.21 era) is the runner-up.


So now we will get the All-star game .......then the dog days of August and September......

But .......at least, we're half-way there!