Thursday, November 27, 2008

Family, Food, and Football

Today, there was so much to be thankful for. Great to see all of our family; we are so blessed. Food was amazing. My wife really outdid herself today. And to cap it all off, 3 football games.

It is snowing this evening, incredibly light and fluffy; A pure white blanket on my lawn. I’m surprised it started sticking so early, but It is wonderful, especially since we have no where to be but here, at home.

So until Monday, we’ll be enjoying our time-off together.

Thank you Lord, for everything.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

www.jeremygrantcreative.com

Hey y'all, just wanted to take a moment to promote my good friend Jeremy Grant. He is now doing freelance work. Check out his website for a look-see.



http://www.jeremygrantcreative.com/

Thanks!

On the eve of Thanksgiving, I am just feeling rather grateful. We are having our family over tomorrow, including my Grandmother, Aunt, and Uncle from AZ. This should be a full house. I can’t be more thankful for the many ways my family has been blessed. Sure, some of us have health issues, financial issues, and many other issues. But we all get to spend another holiday, together, and be very thankful for that opportunity as they are limited.

So from me, to all of you who have touched my life; thank you. You are appreciated and I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving, too!

Oh, and another thing. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not exactly a Trekkie. That said, I have watched just about every episode of the original and the Next Generation as well as many, many episodes of Deep Space 9 and Voyager. I never could get into Enterprise (the latest run). I’m a fan, just not obsessed. I’ve never been to a convention, nor wore a costume representing a character. However, you can’t help but be a little excited about J.J. Abrams new Star Trek. The trailer looks great. See for yourself:

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Change...oh yeah!

Obama = Clinton’s 3rd term, it’s the change we got. Swallow it, as bitter as it tastes, as it is what you voted for (not I). Maybe now those who were so infatuated with this individual, who are likely the verge of denial right now(natural human reaction to change), will learn to become an informed voter. I was amazed when I watched the video at howobamagotelected.com.

http://www.howobamagotelected.com/

I seriously cannot wait for the documentary to come out. I doubt it will receive the hype Fahrenheit 9/11, or any other Bush Bash film did or even would today. However, I think it is important for the public to see how they were manipulated by the media. I had a conversation with a co-worker, months before the election, where we agreed this is sort of the ‘Media’s Last Stand’ to prove they still carry influence. Looking at the decline in newspaper readership, the myriad of online news sources and how they’ve grown over the years. I truly believe this was an almost coordinated effort to prove they still had the power of influence. Well, it worked, you win, we, as the American voting public….lose.



Image credits: Pat Oliphant, 11/24/2008
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/uclickcomics/20081124/cx_po_uc/po20081124

Monday, November 24, 2008

More ugh....

So, my brother and I did attend the Broncos v. Raiders game at Mile High (Invesco) Stadium. I can’t offer many analytics; in fact, it was such an awful performance I have very little comment. I was witness to many missed offensive opportunities for the Broncos that included a couple of badly overthrown passes and at least 2 wide-open receivers. Turnovers, missed field goals, and a Raiders punt return for a touchdown sucked the life out of that stadium on Sunday.

Yet, we stayed (unlike the majority of the fans) until the final whistle blew. Afterwards we waited near the barricaded players exits for autographs. I scored a Jay cutler and Ebenezer Ekuban autograph. Brandon Marshall was also signing auto’s but only for the kids (admirable). I was impressed that Jay Cutler and Ebenezer stayed to sign every autograph in the chilly weather. I think this is an important way to say thank you to the fans. Especially after a loss.

The Broncos have lost 3 straight home games. This is not helping them with ticket sales. There were over 2,700 no-shows according to the announcer. The Miami game I attended had a similar number of no-shows. I’m sure the economy lends itself to the issue, but (Team owner’s listen up) if you continue to raise the ticket prices and put out a mediocre product, you will continue to see a decline in sporting venue attendance. I’ve never understood the logic in raising ticket prices annually. It’s like they push the consumers to the limit. How far can we go until we see a decline in attendance?….well, you have your answer. Other than the barrage of advertisements and TV time outs, I’d have to say that watching the game from home is surpassing the in-stadium experience. You get more viewing angles, and replays, than you might at the stadium. For my brother and I to attend the live performance, it cost $130 in tickets, $25 in souvenirs, and about $30 in concessions. That’s $185 in lost funds for a single game experience. Conversely, if we had stayed home to watch the game we would likely have spent next to nothing. Though I would have bought the $25 bronco foamhead eventually ;-)…

Friday, November 21, 2008

Broncos update…

I am going to this weekend’s game, taking my brother again. I’m going to force him to listen to Dennis Prager (Radio Personality, Conservative, Judeo-Christian theologian….smart guy) on the drive to Denver ;-) I’m not trying to convert him or change his mind, I just have a CD where Prager talks about many of the humanist effects on culture and even to the non-religious it is fascinating.

Those that don’t know my brother is not exactly a follower of Christ. He still refers to the Bible as a B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth). Those that know me know I am never overt in my Christianity, just if asked, I will provide my best Christian Worldview answer.

Back to the Broncos: Raiders week, grrrrr. I am so anxious to get there. Anyone else attach their tickets to their fridge with magnets? Since I am in the fridge often, I see them often, and euphoric rushes begin to resonate throughout my body. I guess you would say I’m pretty hyped.

Brandon Marshall was suspended for their 1st meeting, and still the Broncos picked them apart. That was with Stokley, Jackson, and Royal. With the Rookie WR Eddie Royal schooling the 2-time pro-bowl CB DeAngelo Hall. The now Hall-less Raiders with have to account for Marshall. Likely drawing the cover of Nnamdi Asomugha , arguably the most feared CB in the NFL (Arguably as I still consider Champ Bailey the most feared CB in NFL history, let alone today). I don’t think the Raiders can risk pulling Safety Gibril Wilson to double cover Marshall with Royal on the other side.

Hopefully we’ll witness another dismantling of the Raiders by the Broncos. I’ll enjoy a nice icy beverage, and get an autograph after the game. (Yes, I still stand in line as if I were 12 yrs old and pester these poor professionals for their names). At the Miami game I got Daniel Graham to autograph my Broncos Memorabilia, and left it on the Broncos Bus on our way home. Sad, sad, sad…

That said, I do have plenty of NASCAR, MLB, and NFL autographs so I’m still a pretty lucky guy.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Unions are great!

Ahh, the good old days of unsafe working conditions, unfair wages, and oppressive bosses. Wait? Is this the 19th century or the 21st? What is the purpose of OSHA? Aren’t there federal laws protecting the worker that limit the amount of hours as well? As for wages, well, I truly believe they are a supply and demand issue. You have a higher number of unemployed skilled workers, the pay corrects itself. I would say I believe in the market, and its fluidity when it comes to fair wages.

It’s my belief, and personal opinion, that the union is no longer necessary and in many cases detrimental to the success of our economy. They can be linked to why the auto industry is hurting so badly. Why the Airline industry is hurting. I even believe it can be linked to why education is not what it should be. Argue if you will, but this is my opinion.

I’d even challenge someone to point me to a union run industry that is thriving. I wish I had a more informative, inspirational post today, I do. I’m just not ‘feeling’ the union. A lot of this comes from the Auto Industry bailout that congress, wisely I might say, decided not to bail out. (so far anyway)

Corporate exec’s can’t ask for handouts when they are accepting $25 million /yr bonuses such as Ford Motor Co’s CEO did for 2007. You, as a CEO, should be embarrassed to accept a bonus, when you haven’t turned a profit in, how many quarters? This is not only Ford’s burden; GM’s CEO got $15 million last year.

BTW: Ford, Chrysler, GM, why aren’t Toyota and Honda asking for anything? Could it be that they manage their expenses better? Also, I just want to know, why are you building so many cars if they are not selling? Why are automobile prices still so high if no one is buying? I don’t like seeing good American workers lose their jobs, but I also have a terrible distaste for corporate waste.

'Triumph the Insult Comic dog' has it right; "yes, yes, the bailouts are great....for me to poop on!"

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

We are amazing...

I was giving advice to a group of friends when I coined the below:

"It’s like learning to walk, if you haven’t learned how to fall down, you’ll never be able to stand without fear."

I wanted to share it, since it is so true. Observe a child, in all of their awkwardness they truly operate without fear.

Why is that? Well, simple of course. A child is truly born innocent, and fear has not yet been defined for them. Learning to walk is something I think we all take for granted. We struggled; none of us were born walking as seen in nature. The powerful horse, the enormous elephant, and the lanky giraffe, are all born able to walk. We, as humans, crawl before we walk. Yet, in trying, we fall, and fall, and fall. Determined, we pull ourselves up again and again. Then, one day, we just walk and never look back.

I am often amazed at how wonderful we really are. If someone honestly thinks we were actually made from ‘space junk’ and ‘evolved from single celled organisms’, you are only kidding yourself. If your ‘theory’ held water, then why are there 8 other empty planets, from that same space junk, orbiting our sun? Why has no meteorite ever contained any living organism. In the immortal words of the C&C Music Factory…”things that make you go hmmm”.

Or in the truly beautiful words of scripture;

Gen 1:27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Interesting to note, those familiar with scripture, that man and woman were created last of all creatures. This was in honor and favor; honor for that man was the advancement of less perfect creatures; and favor was to have man in a place that was designed for him.

I am so blessed to have returned home to live in Colorado. I can breathe in the fresh air as it was meant to be breathed (mostly free of man made pollution). I can look outside any window and view the most amazing of panoramas. At night, as the sun is tucking itself behind the mountains, the most wonderful skylines are created of blue, red, orange, and purple.

Space junk, get real Karl Sagan.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

I want to be a loser...sort of...

I remember watching a movie, where the main character, a pro-golfer, won a significant amount of money finishing in last place. I thought, well there it is. Play golf all day, and even if you come in last, you make a decent living. This got me to thinking; what other sports have significant payouts for coming in last?

NASCAR:

The last race held in Homestead, FL on Nov. 16th, 2008; paid $61,876 to the last place finisher, Kurt Busch, who, due to an accident, completed only 207 of 267 laps.

A far cry from the $256,735 the Kenny Wallace received for coming in last in the 2008 Daytona 500 completing only 141 of 200 laps. (1st place was over 1.5 Mil).

Vroom Vroom, how can I qualify my Maxima?


Boxing:

De la Hoya v. Mayweather. This was a split decision in which Mayweather was considered, ultimately the winner.

De la Hoya took home $25 million, with his Golden Boy Promotions set to receive half of the pay-per-view revenue from more than 1 million homes, while "Pretty Boy Floyd" Mayweather, amassed $10 million for the fight.

Punch me out anytime; just give me the check in advance. I’m insured.

I think I’ve made my point here. In some cases, it pays to be a loser.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Stimulus and the Recession...

How did we get so lazy, me in particular? I have found it perfectly acceptable to pay someone $.99 to clean and iron my shirts. Avg 5 shirts a week; and I can feasibly budget $257.40 (not including tax, and the occasional pants at 1.99 ea.). My only justification is, I found the cheapest dry cleaner in town and I hate ironing.

Am I really that lazy? $257.40 x.075 (city taxes) = $275.70, just in shirts. Honestly, those shirts can adjoin to my existing laundry and I can, conceivably iron them during Sunday football.

So I’m hyper focused on one aspect of my yearly output. If I put the same energy into oil changes, car washes, eating out (wow, that’s probably bigger than I imagine) I’ll bet I can come up with $1k, maybe even more.

Conversely, these are uncertain economical times. If I, as an individual, cut my expenses, that would make little impact on the economy but a significant amount of saving for myself. However, if everyone were to think like this, and a significant amount of the community stopped going to the locally owned dry cleaner, or oil change shop, or car wash. You get the idea. By cutting back we are contributing to the decline. Layoffs and job losses are a direct result of decreased demand for services.

I wonder if anyone ever looked at how much ‘spend’ occurred from the latest stimulus package. With all of the retail chains closing, how much did it really help? How many people pocketed the cash and saved it for a ‘rainy day’? I’m willing to bet the majority of folks used it to pay of existing debt (meaning items purchased some time ago) and it had no affect on the current economy.

I’m not in favor of stimulus checks; I’m not in favor of government handouts of any kind. I don’t think I’m alone. I’ve worked for everything I have, and I am thankful, and donate to charity regularly. This is patriotic.

Now, I’m not saying we should all go dry clean our shirts to help the economy. But I believe we can all agree that a stimulus does nothing if it is not spent. Even then, it is only a temporary boost. Yet, it takes budget away from somewhere. The money does not come from thin air. Therefore, either a government programs get cut (not likely under this administration, in fact we were already told they would grow), or ultimately, our taxes will increase to compensate. (Very likely, though I don’t have all of the details, I thought the way the stimulus was funded was through our taxable income/refunds)

I have never met one person that considers paying taxes enjoyable nor ‘patriotic’. I’d even be willing to say the majority of the folks receiving and using the stimulus checks were paying very little into the tax pool from which they were funded.

What can I do to stimulate the economy? Drive my car, enjoy an overpriced hot beverage, and eat the occasional ’value meal’ from time to time. I can tell you now; I am certainly doing my part. Chick-Fil-A today ;-)

Friday, November 14, 2008

Sports...looking forward to the weekend

Ok, back to the Broncos; Big weekend with Atlanta. Jason Elam (now with the Falcons) faces off against his former team (the Broncos). ‘The Tater’ (Tatum Bell) has returned (with his own luggage I assume). Coach Shannahan says Tatum is not quite in football shape yet (considering he was managing a T-Mobile in a mall the last 4 mos, I’d agree, who can resist a Cinn-a-bon when they are right there). That said, with the condition of the Broncos running back corps I think he’ll get a few carries. Let’s see if he can maintain his 4.9 yds /p carry average. It’s amazing to me that a man that was considered expendable in Detroit (0-7) is being hailed a savior to the Broncos running game.

My opinion, the Broncos ‘D’ will have trouble containing Michael Turner. Shannahan will over compensate with a safety in the box and Matt Ryan will have a huge day.

Brandon Marshall will likely pull double coverage from the Falcons 'D'. Look for Eddie Royal to have several intermediate opportunities. Also, with Tony Sheffler still ailing, we won’t see the deceptive 2 TE Set too often if at all. Likely a lot of 3 WR slot sets (Marshall, Royal, Stokely) with another big day for Jay Cutler. Due to the formation limitations, the run will be less easy to hide and the Falcons will be able to settle into a Situational D guided by down and distance rather than be off balance and reactive.

Can you tell I miss the 2-TE set? You can disguise running and pass plays much more effectively. Hurry back Tony Sheffler, then maybe we can win a play-off game. Since the AFC-Worst is exactly that, the Broncos should have no problem reaching the pre-season goal of making the play-offs. Odds are, Denver will face the #1 seed based on record. That will hurt.

Other sports related news, the rise of Jimmy Johnson in the NASCAR world is uncanny. The season finale to the 36 race NASCAR season wraps up in Homestead. FL. Johnson is about to accomplish what only one other driver in history has been able to achieve. A 3-peat for the Championship. Cale Yarborough, an amazing driver, is the only other person to win 3 Championships in a row. What makes it more monumental is the #48 team of Jimmy Johnson has endured 3 seasons of rule changes, car changes, and other challenges including crew chief suspensions an still is dominating. Only Carl Edwards (the back flip guy and driver of the #99) has a chance to play spoiler. Jimmy Johnson only needs to finish 36th or better to clinch. I can call it right here, Jimmy 3-peats. Congrats to the #48 team and Hendrick Motor Sports.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

2012, short list.

Here's the short list of potential 2012 front runners gathering steam on the web right now:

Mitt Romney
Sarah Palin
Mike Huckabee
Bobby Jindal
Mark Sanford
Tim Pawlenty
Michael Steele
Mike Pence
Sam Brownback

Start campaigning now, albeit 4 years early, we can really get a head of steam around one of these fine folks. Be outspoken on any Obama Admin misteps and we take momentum into 2012. In fact, if there is anyone in the Colorado are working on any of these campaigns, let me know what I can do to help.


HuckPac.com - I Like Mike!

Persecution? Really?...come on

You know, my grandfather, and many from his generation would be visibly upset at the site of some protester burning an American flag. I never fully understood or grasped that type of emotional response. That is, until yesterday.

Those who really know me know that I am a very accommodating soul. I tend to lean towards doing the righteous thing rather than the right thing in order to create win-win situations, as long as it doesn’t violate my moral values or my religious freedoms upheld by the 1st Amendment. That said I am not one to infringe on anyone else’s either. I am all for the peoples right to form groups and assemble, whether it be for religious beliefs, social beliefs, or otherwise. Why if it weren’t for those rights we wouldn’t be free to blog as we do.

Let’s talk about the 1st amendment for a moment; for those unfamiliar (and I tremble at the thought that some of us might be) I have posted it below:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Please notice I did underline “peaceably”

Two links I want to share with you….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_ZvPR09N4Q

http://www.gazette.com/articles/student_43174___article.html/williams_spectrum.html

To bear witness to any form of Christian persecution is sickening to me and we (society) cannot, under any circumstance, accept it. Even to you agnostics, this type of persecution should be unacceptable. Here’s why; the very reason these homosexual groups are even permitted to assemble is under the very same ‘rights’ shared by the individuals who are expressing their own beliefs as well. Yet they are now persecuting those who hold beliefs that differ from their own. They have to realize the moment you try to limit one groups ability to express their beliefs you risk losing your own. The irony of it all.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Calling?

We all grew up admiring heroes, thinking for a moment; what if I were ‘Superman’, or 'Batman', or even 'King Arthur'? As technology advanced, we were even able to put ourselves into the hero role, making heroic decisions. We are able to manipulate history and control vast armies in video and board games and being drawn into what it must look and feel like to be a hero through film and song. We can even create and completely control alternate online egos in virtual worlds. I think this may have put an unfair burden on our calling. What if your calling did not live up to your expectations? What if you suddenly realize you have no control over your role? I've heard this fro mpeople who are constantly searching for their calling. People may dismiss their calling because it does not live up to their expectation. How selfish can we be?

I firmly believe that we all must accept that we are small parts to a much larger machine. My daughter watches the Bee Movie, like most 2 year olds, she has to watch “bees” all of the time (With my son it was Shrek, not sure of the message we allowed there...hmmm). However, with the Bee movie, I’ve learned to like it as well; it has humor, and has a message. The message: that now matter how small of a role you have; if you do it really well, it is a really good thing. Like making honey for instance; how does a tiny insect that by all known laws of aviation should not even be able to fly, produce something as wonderful as honey while maintaining the ever delicate balance of nature through pollination. The movie goes on to say it takes a lot of bees doing a lot of small jobs.

I know that If you listen to God’s call and answer this calling, you will be fulfilled. There is nothing insignificant about that. It doesn’t affect your ‘identity’ if you follow your faith. You are no less a part of the master plan as anyone else. Os Guinness writes in “The Call” (Ch. 3, P. 25) “So when it comes to identity, modern people have things completely back to front: Professing to be unsure of God, they pretend to be sure of themselves. Followers of Christ put things the other way around: Unsure of ourselves, we are sure of God.”

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Back to basics...

Let me begin with this, I am a Republican...(now if you care to read more...by all means, do so)

I have wondered what could have been the tide turner in our most recent elections. I am settling on not taking a firm moral stand. The Republican Party, at one time, was known as socially conservative, morally sound, fiscally responsible, and focused on our nation’s security (from both domestic and foreign threats).

Hear me out: We can’t relate to those who are governed by their bellies. In the case of the most recent election, you have people feeling threatened economically, losing their homes, their jobs, their abundant lifestyle, which was all funded on credit. Credit is the promise to repay a debt; unfortunately, it was flawed because it was very loosely based on the ability (or lack there of) of a person to repay the debt. To repay a debt is the morally correct thing to do. However, if you are without morals, you have no foundation that binds you to your debt. You simply want to be relieved of it with as little impact on your belly as possible. What happened to staunchly supporting the idea of individuals being economically responsible for their own actions and decisions?

This, historically, is how kings are born. We are in crisis, pleading for a strong leader to rescue us, relieve us of our suffering (aka. Debts) and we will follow almost blindly as long as we remain comfortable. Gradually granting this new leader more power, as long as it is good for us, and poof: Instant king emerges. Democracy is lost.

Looking back at our forefathers, who initially wrote the declaration of independence as well as our constitution. They knew, at the very core, that man is not good by nature. The three branches of government, the check and balance system, was created for this very reason. To not allow one person, or party, to govern on a sole agenda.

It is my opinion, that due to the decline or moral values, that we, as a society, could not write a proper constitution today. It would contain far too many inclusions, and exceptions rather than governing rule of law.

Now, let’s start thinking about 2010 (at least 35 senate seats will be contested), and 2012 (presidential election) when we can finally earn back our place in government. I say earn, as I firmly believe we have lost the faith of our traditional voting base. I personally feel it is because we did not take a firm moral stand against our opponents. We failed to push the pro-life issue and we didn't force a dialogue on traditional marriage which failed to ignite our conservative base. We did not articulate our national security, McCain's strength, and we failed to argue fiscal responsibility and accountability when our banks were lending on greed rather than one's ability to repay a borrowed debt.

A former Director I reported to said it best “We need to get back to the basics; blocking and tackling” I’m sure he borrowed it from Lombardi or another famous football coach, but I remember it best from my boss. That, and the abundance of ice-cream he ate. Odd guy, but he was right about “getting back to basics…”

Monday, November 10, 2008

Be happy! Seriously....

Interesting devotional this morning as well as reading in God’s Minute, Vol III (Auth. Schuller).

Let’s begin with the latter as most of us will be able to relate better to those words;

(Excerpt: God’s Minute, Vol. III by Schuller, ‘November 10’ ) “…Thank you God for making me as a creature to be decisive, and capable of making choices. You challenge me to make decisions even before I have all the answers. No wonder I get such energy and excitement from faith…”

Wow! Is that not the truth articulated in pages.

Now on to this morning’s devo. A co-worker held a special devotional this morning that spoke mostly of her visions and inspired thoughts over the last week’s historical election. She spoke of God’s will and the greatest gift is love; not truth, not faith, not hope, but love. It ended with a request to love, not fear, or be angry with our new administration. But to pray for them. I agree, completely. Palin said it best, when she concurred that the election was in God’s hands. Everything is, it is always God’s will. What I saw was millions of people inspired with hope for President-Elect Obama. I am hopeful that God will use this time to bring our nation together. We don’t always have to agree with our leader’s policies; but we cannot argue with God's. The beauty of God’s will is in the mystery. We can’t begin to understand it, and we should never fear or become frustrated because things didn’t go our way. I heard a Christian message over the weekend where the pastor said, “if God is in the passenger seat of your life, switch seats!”. Why can’t we just listen to reason ;-)

Friday, November 7, 2008

Get to work...

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 [ESV]

Economic turmoil, massive layoffs, 14 year high in jobless claims as one new report is claiming. Even as I write this my employer is making plans to cut programs which in-turn affects employees. That said, since when did we have to fear for our future? Sure, there are those of us who are disappointed, hurt, frustrated, and to have these feelings is not wrong. However, don’t spend too much time in worry, hurt, anger, and disappointment, as they are negative, selfish emotions. You have so much to live for, so much to do…

Personally, I have left comfort and invested completely in faith more times than many of us can ever imagine. Most recently, I left a very lucrative “job” in Massachusetts to return home to Colorado on faith knowing that it would be better for my family. No comfort was waiting for me, other than my family and my faith. I truly had no income, no place to live, and no promising employment leads…only the trust and knowledge that my faith will present me with opportunity as it always has.

What did I do? I certainly didn’t spend my time sitting around the house, reading want ads, applying online to job openings until my eyes crossed in utter exhaustion. Well, maybe a little; but, more importantly I maintained my professional routine. I woke up and dressed as if I were heading out to work. I made my usual stop for coffee, and ordered my usual overpriced beverage. The only difference was, instead of going to work and planting myself into a cubicle; I visited prospective employers trying to present myself to as many people that were willing to listen to me. I expanded my network, and continued to keep my faith. The point is I didn’t quit living. I didn’t sit and wait for something to come to me…I went out there, made connections, and ultimately I was called to be where I am today. For however long it may be.

“Get to work”, as I recall, was the favorite saying of one of my 1st bosses. I echo it here, just because you may not have a “professional arena” to report to today does not mean you aren’t supposed to get to work on something.

BTW: The Panic-attack inspiring Broncos won! Though it was close, as usual, they pulled it off.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Broncos...ugh

Let’s get one thing straight; Don't challenge my ‘fanhood’. My ‘fanhood’ has survived a cross country move to Patriot Country (3yrs in Boston, living in Foxboro…I’m sure you can imagine the pressure); 3 heart-wrenching superbowl losses (I wasn’t aware of the game much in ’78, when they lost to the Cowboys or I’d count the 4 franchise losses), several losing seasons and the ‘Elway-Effect’ (QB’s not able to live in Elway’s shadow since his retirement). Granted, in ’97, and ’98 I was able to witness the rare back-to-back accomplishment, but that can only carry a superficial fanhood so long before one might jump to another bandwagon. What I’m trying to say is, I’m a true fan, have been, am, and always will be. So what I offer is honest feedback regarding the team I love to root for. Here it goes…

Cutler: You’re arm may be stronger than Elway’s but you knowledge of the game can use some improvement. Stop, I beg of you; stop telegraphing your passes. I was there, in the South Stands, on Sunday vs. the Dolphins. I knew who you were throwing to from the second deck. There’s no question the DB’s did too. Turnovers…ugh.

Marshall: Come on, seriously, haven’t you garnered enough attention this year without provoking Joey Porter? You’re a machine, go produce yards and touchdowns and let your actions achieve the attention you more likely deserve.

Shanahan: Take control of the defense; if the schemes are too complex, simplify them. You’re an offensive genius, you know where the holes are. Analyze your own defense as if you were creating an opposing game-plan. Even I can manage a top-10 list of issues and implement a performance improvement plan to eliminate them.

OK, ok, on to the good news. Defense held the ‘Wildcat’ to negative yards, and overall held Miami’s rushing to under 75. That’s awesome! Your next opponent, Cleveland, is averaging 2.8yds per carry. D-up! Here’s a chance at what could very well become a trend in the right direction.