the journey

The 2008 Olympics in a nutshell

The good, the bad and the ugly.

Let's not forget the underage Chinese female gymnasts. And I would be remiss if I didn't say something about the opening ceremony "Hymn to the Motherland" switcheroo.  China's behavior was both inexcusable and reprehensible. I can't believe they treated an innocent child in that manner.  Well then again, I suppose I can.

Technorati Tags: Beijing 2008, 2008 Olympics

Summer Olympics photos at Flickr

I ran across this interesting set of 2008 Summer Olympics photos posted on Flickr. You gotta love the ones that capture Chinese cuisine and culture.

HT: Flickr Blog

Technorati Tags: Flickr, Summer Olympics, Beijing Summer Olympics

Beijing 2008

Reporters Without Borders
Originally uploaded by François Lafite

The Beijing Olympics have opened amidst controversy, protest and criticism. Not everyone is excited about supporting a government known for it's poor (oppressive) human rights record, it's controversial stance on Tibetan independence, and it's willingness to sell guns to Darfur.

But the games go on...

• Here's Google's Olympics page.
• Here's YouTube's video coverage.
• Here's Yahoo's official Olympics page.
• Here are the official Getty images.
• Here's an interactive map of the Olympic venues.

 Technorati Tags: Beijing 2008, Summer Olympics

My beloved Ft. Worth Cats

My Ft. Worth Cats are featured on the cover of this morning's Ft. Worth Star Telegram.

I can't think of a more relaxing way to spend the evening than watching the Ft. Worth Cats play at La Grave Field (other than reading a good book or seeing a movie).

Speaking of which, that's how I spent last night-- watching the Cats trounce the Grand Prarie Airhogs (weird name, I know) 9-1.  And they had great fireworks after the game too!

Technorati Tags: Ft. Worth Cats, baseball

The NHL theory of violence

Here's an interesting morsel from a classic sports book:

The NHL theory of violence goes something like this:  Hockey is by its nature a violent game.  Played in an area confined by boards and unbreakable glass, by players carrying sticks traveling at speeds approaching thirty miles per hour, collisions occur, and because they occur, the rules specifically permit them, with only some exceptions. But whether legal or illegal, accidental or not such collisions can cause violent feelings, and violent feelings with a stick in your hands are dangerous, potentially lethal feelings. It is crucial, therefore, that these feelings be vented quickly before anger and frustration explode into savage overreaction, channeled towards, if not desirable, at least more tolerable, directions.  In essence, this is Freud's "drive-discharging" theory of human aggression.

Is it possible that:

• Violence begets more violence creating a vicious cycle of addictive aggression?
• Violent feelings can be vented in other more constructive ways?
• Violence should be outlawed as it is in European hockey?
• Violence brings into question the very legitimacy of the NHL as a viable sport?

Is it really necessary to permit violence?

Source: The Game by Ken Dryden, p. 217.

Technorati Tags: NHL, violence, fighting

Crosby scores game winner in outdoor Winter Classic

76074528RB085_NHL_Winter_Cl
Originally uploaded by TSWLadies...

[Click on photo for better detail.]

I had a lot of fun watching today's marathon outdoor NHL game in Orchard Park, New York.

Lots of snow, sleet/rain & cold weather. Lots of hits and good scoring chances.

But Sidney and his Penguins finally prevail in a shootout. The NHL needs to do this more often!

Technorati Tags: NHL, Winter Classic, Sidney Crosby

2008 NHL winter classic

Ever so often the NHL does something really cool-- case & point the Winter Classic set for tomorrow at 12 noon (local time).  Imagine Ralph Wilson Stadium-- an outdoor venue-- playing host to the first U.S. outdoor contest featuring the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Way cool.  I'm pumped.

Here's a series of photos depicting the rink construction.

And here's a promo video worth watching.

Technorati Tags: NHL winter classic, winter classic

Barry Bonds indicted by federal grand jury

America's new home run king was indicted on perjury and obstruction of justice charges. This could well be the Shoeless Joe Jackson moment of the 21st Century.

Source: KTVU

HT:  CNN Alerts

Technorati Tags: Barry Bonds

Cats rout Diablos 14-0

My Ft. Worth Cats crushed the El Paso Diablos 14-0 in the final game of the American Association division finals.  They will meet the St. Paul Saints (for the second consecutive year) in the Champion Series.

Game 1 begins on Monday night in St. Paul.

Tags: Ft. Worth Cats, El Paso Diablos

An evening with the Cats

Tonight I went to see the Ft. Worth Cats beat the Coastal Bend Aviators 11-2. 

It was strangely wonderful for a number or reasons:

• Kinkaids has an on-site hamburger stand at the ballpark, so I enjoyed a great half-pound burger & fries.
• I sat in my assigned seat.  I rarely do that.  I typically find a better seat in the shade or closer to the play.  But the one I chose turned out to be a good one for a change.
• I purchased a program & kept score.  I haven't done anything like that in years & it helped keep me focused and interested throughout the game.  It felt like I was a kid again.
• The between-inning festivities were a lot of fun.  Instead of having those corny races or contests, they had celebrity-type mascots that did a great job of entertaining us.
• I stayed until the very last pitch-- another rarity.  I usually leave early to beat the traffic.
• The Cats, by winning this game, clinched the division title. No fireworks, but there was a lot of applause and high fives at the end of the game.
• I enjoyed a cool breezy evening & a cold one.  Sue me.  It was my birthday. ;-)

Suffice it to say, I had a fun, relaxing night.  I couldn't have asked for a more pleasant evening.

Technorati Tags: Ft. Worth Cats, minor league baseball