Before I begin my look back at the year now ending,I want to wish everybody a happy,healthy,and prosperous New Year. God bless you.
Here are my picks for the biggest stories of 2008 in different categories:
Biggest news stories:
1.Barack Obama's historic election as the first African American President of the United States.
2. Republican Presidential nominee John McCain picks Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. Governor Palin is only the second woman to be the Vice Presidential nominee of a major political party, after Democrat Geraldine Ferraro,who ran with Walter Mondale in 1984. Governor Palin has been mentioned as a possible Presidential candidate in 2012.
3. The financial disarray in the credit,financial, and housing markets.
4. Bailouts of Wall Street and the U.S. auto industry.
5.Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich faces possible impeachment and prosecution for allegedly trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by President-elect Obama.
6.Pain at the gas pump though gas prices fell significantly by year's end .
7. The U.S. and the industrialized world enter recession.
8.Terrorist attacks in Mumbai,India.
9.Hurricane Ike affects Gulf coast.
Biggest sports stories:
1.Michael Phelps wins a record number of gold medals at the Beijing Olympics.
2.Jimmie Johnson wins his third consecutive Sprint Cup championship in NASCAR.
3.Tyler Hansbrough becomes the all-time leading men's basketball scorer at the University of North Carolina.
4.Tony Stewart leaves Joe Gibbs Racing to start his own team,Stewart/Haas Racing. Stewart names Ryan Newman as his Sprint Cup teammate.
5.Phillip Fulmer is fired as head football coach at the University of Tennessee after the Volunteers have a losing football season. Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin is hired to replace Fulmer.
People to whom we said goodbye :
Some prominent obituaries of 2008
Charlton Heston,Cyd Charisse,Eartha Kitt, Van Johnson,Beverly Garland,Harvey Korman,
Jesse Helms,Paul Weyrich,Tim Russert,Paul Newman,Richard Widmark,Michael Crichton,Estelle Getty,Dody Goodman,Isaac Hayes,Jerry Reed,Dick Martin,Roy Schieder,Bo Diddley,Suzanne Pleshette .
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Sports Notes
NASCAR
Congratulations to Jimmie Johnson on winning his third consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championship. I do not get ESPN Classic so I missed the banquet but I read about some of the highlights. Previous three-peat champion Cale Yarborough was at the banquet and stood with Johnson. Judging by what I've read,it seems the entertainment was better this year though emcee Kevin Costner's apparent lack of knowledge of NASCAR was evident when he called Dale Earnhardt Sr "The Terminator",when of course the driver of the black #3 car was known as "The Intimidator". I hope NASCAR hires a bonafide,genuine NASCAR fan to host next year's award show. NBC newsman Brian Williams would be an excellent choice in my opinion as he is a true NASCAR fan and has a lot of charisma and down to earth charm.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Welcome Lane Kiffin as the new head football coach of the Tennessee Volunteers. Kiffin comes from the NFL,having coached the Oakland Raiders. If the name Kiffin rings a bell, it should. Lane Kiffin is the son of Monte Kiffin,who coached college football at North Carolina State and has been defensive coordinator with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 1996. Monte Kiffin will assist his son as defensive coordinator at Tennessee. Bring on the 2009 season. Go Vols!!!!
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Congratulations to Tyler Hansbrough for becoming the all-time leading men's basketball scorer at the University of North Carolina. Previous record-holder Phil Ford was on hand and gave Hansbrough a congratulatory hug after Hansbrough topped Ford's record in a game December 18th in which the Tarheels defeated Evansville 91-73.
Congratulations to Jimmie Johnson on winning his third consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championship. I do not get ESPN Classic so I missed the banquet but I read about some of the highlights. Previous three-peat champion Cale Yarborough was at the banquet and stood with Johnson. Judging by what I've read,it seems the entertainment was better this year though emcee Kevin Costner's apparent lack of knowledge of NASCAR was evident when he called Dale Earnhardt Sr "The Terminator",when of course the driver of the black #3 car was known as "The Intimidator". I hope NASCAR hires a bonafide,genuine NASCAR fan to host next year's award show. NBC newsman Brian Williams would be an excellent choice in my opinion as he is a true NASCAR fan and has a lot of charisma and down to earth charm.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Welcome Lane Kiffin as the new head football coach of the Tennessee Volunteers. Kiffin comes from the NFL,having coached the Oakland Raiders. If the name Kiffin rings a bell, it should. Lane Kiffin is the son of Monte Kiffin,who coached college football at North Carolina State and has been defensive coordinator with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 1996. Monte Kiffin will assist his son as defensive coordinator at Tennessee. Bring on the 2009 season. Go Vols!!!!
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Congratulations to Tyler Hansbrough for becoming the all-time leading men's basketball scorer at the University of North Carolina. Previous record-holder Phil Ford was on hand and gave Hansbrough a congratulatory hug after Hansbrough topped Ford's record in a game December 18th in which the Tarheels defeated Evansville 91-73.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
A Very Merry Christmas!!!!
Sorry that I've been absent from my blog for awhile. I've had a lot on my mind. Also,the holidays are an extremely busy time and I've been enjoying the Christmas season. I love this time of year,the decorations,the lights,the music,being with family and friends. I hope that your Christmas season is as merry for you as it's been for me. Also, I am very happy this Christmas because I have bought a rare Christmas music album from my childhood that I thought was gone forever. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, W.T. Grant Department Stores,a forerunner to such chains as Target and Wal-Mart,sold a record album they issued annually titled, "A Very Merry Christmas". Volume 3 is the edition I remember so well as a child. It has so many beautiful songs. We had a copy when it was originally issued but I guess it either got lost,broken,or thrown away as we moved several times when I was growing up. I did a Google search and praise the Lord,it was for sale on e-bay. When I saw it listed,I knew I had to buy it so I did. One problem,it's a vinyl record and I have no record player but I plan on buying a record player that converts old vinyl recordings to mp3. It will probably be next Christmas season before I hear it but that's OK. I've waited more than 35 years to hear it again so waiting another year is bearable.
Remember the Reason for the Season as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God bless you. Have a very Merry Christmas and a joyous and prosperous New Year.
Remember the Reason for the Season as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God bless you. Have a very Merry Christmas and a joyous and prosperous New Year.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thanksgiving
Thursday,November 27th,is Thanksgiving,a time to pause,reflect,and give thanks to God for His many blessings,and be thankful that we still live in the greatest nation on Earth. Even with all the problems in our nation,economic and otherwise,we should count our blessings and be thankful to God for what we have and all He has blessed us with. Also,be thankful for good health,the love of family and friends,and the hope that tomorrow will be better. There is always light at the end of the tunnel and giving thanks to God that we will prevail in all difficulties is reason enough to declare a holiday. Though we should have a grateful,thankful heart every day,not just on this day. Whether you're at home,eating out,or visiting with family and friends,have a happy,safe,and blessed Thanksgiving. God bless you.
A Brief History of Thanksgiving
A little known fact is that the first Thanksgiving took place at Berkley Plantation in Virginia in 1619,two years before the Pilgrims had their first Thanksgiving at Plymouth,Massachusetts,but the Pilgrim story is better known because of the hardships they endured,almost from the time they set sail on the Mayflower from Plymouth,England, in September,1620. Many were Pilgrims seeking religious freedom though there were a few opportunists along for the ride. The Mayflower was actually supposed to dock at Jamestown, Virginia, which had been established as a colony in 1607 and was America's first permanent English settlement,but a storm blew the Mayflower and its passengers off course and they ended up in the area that became New England. Beaten and battered by the storms in the Atlantic Ocean,the Mayflower arrived at what today is known as Provincetown Harbor in November,1620. The Pilgrims decided that the land was not suitable for habitation,so they sailed up the coast and found an area where land had been cleared by an Indian tribe that a few years before had been wiped out by a plague. The Pilgrims decided it was fit for habitation and soon built a colony they named Plymouth,after the English city they set sail from. The first few months were extremely hard on the new settlers. About half of the Mayflower's passengers died from disease or malnutrition during a harsh winter at the Plymouth colony. But their strong faith in God brought the Pilgrims through. In March,1621,the Pilgrims contemplated returning to England on the Mayflower but some friendly Indians arrived from a nearby area and offered to help the Pilgrims. They taught the Pilgrims how to plant crops and helped in any way they could as the settlers adjusted to their surroundings. There were no more deaths as there had been the previous winter. In the autumn of 1621,the Pilgrims had a bountiful harvest and gave thanks to God for delivering them from all they had endured. The Indians joined the Pilgrims in a feast of Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims expressed their gratitude for all the friendship and help that the Indians gave the Pilgrims during their difficult first year in the Plymouth colony.
Many years later,there were Thanksgiving declarations,such as those issued by President George Washington. However,Thanksgiving as we know it today did not become an official holiday until President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation in 1863 that the last Thursday of November would be a national day of Thanksgiving. This has since been an annual custom in the United States with the only change being in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt that the fourth Thursday of November would be a national day of Thanksgiving. This was mostly done to help retailers still struggling from the Great Depression with an early start to the Christmas shopping season.
As you enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner,pause,reflect,and give thanks to God. God bless you.
A Brief History of Thanksgiving
A little known fact is that the first Thanksgiving took place at Berkley Plantation in Virginia in 1619,two years before the Pilgrims had their first Thanksgiving at Plymouth,Massachusetts,but the Pilgrim story is better known because of the hardships they endured,almost from the time they set sail on the Mayflower from Plymouth,England, in September,1620. Many were Pilgrims seeking religious freedom though there were a few opportunists along for the ride. The Mayflower was actually supposed to dock at Jamestown, Virginia, which had been established as a colony in 1607 and was America's first permanent English settlement,but a storm blew the Mayflower and its passengers off course and they ended up in the area that became New England. Beaten and battered by the storms in the Atlantic Ocean,the Mayflower arrived at what today is known as Provincetown Harbor in November,1620. The Pilgrims decided that the land was not suitable for habitation,so they sailed up the coast and found an area where land had been cleared by an Indian tribe that a few years before had been wiped out by a plague. The Pilgrims decided it was fit for habitation and soon built a colony they named Plymouth,after the English city they set sail from. The first few months were extremely hard on the new settlers. About half of the Mayflower's passengers died from disease or malnutrition during a harsh winter at the Plymouth colony. But their strong faith in God brought the Pilgrims through. In March,1621,the Pilgrims contemplated returning to England on the Mayflower but some friendly Indians arrived from a nearby area and offered to help the Pilgrims. They taught the Pilgrims how to plant crops and helped in any way they could as the settlers adjusted to their surroundings. There were no more deaths as there had been the previous winter. In the autumn of 1621,the Pilgrims had a bountiful harvest and gave thanks to God for delivering them from all they had endured. The Indians joined the Pilgrims in a feast of Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims expressed their gratitude for all the friendship and help that the Indians gave the Pilgrims during their difficult first year in the Plymouth colony.
Many years later,there were Thanksgiving declarations,such as those issued by President George Washington. However,Thanksgiving as we know it today did not become an official holiday until President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation in 1863 that the last Thursday of November would be a national day of Thanksgiving. This has since been an annual custom in the United States with the only change being in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt that the fourth Thursday of November would be a national day of Thanksgiving. This was mostly done to help retailers still struggling from the Great Depression with an early start to the Christmas shopping season.
As you enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner,pause,reflect,and give thanks to God. God bless you.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The 2008 NASCAR Season
The 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup series ended its season November 16th at Homestead International Raceway near Miami. As expected,Jimmie Johnson won his third consecutive NASCAR Cup championship,a feat not accomplished since the 1970s by Cale Yarborough. Points runner-up Carl Edwards won the race,his ninth win of the season. Congratulations to Johnson and Edwards. It was a race filled with firsts, lasts, and much transition. Rookie Scott Speed drove the #83 Red Bull Racing Toyota usually driven by Speed's future teammate Brian Vickers. Speed drove the #83 as the car was in the top 35 in points while Vickers qualified 20th in the #84 Toyota, the car Speed will drive at Red Bull next season.
It was Tony Stewart's last race for Joe Gibbs Racing,where the two-time NASCAR Cup champion drove the #20 Toyota in the 2008 season. From 2003 to 2007,Stewart drove a Chevrolet. In his first four years at JGR, Stewart drove a Pontiac. Stewart will have his own team next season,Stewart/Haas Racing,where he will also be a driver. Stewart's teammate will be fellow Indiana native Ryan Newman,who drove his last race in the #12 Dodge for Penske Racing. The #20 will be driven by 18-year-old newcomer Joey Logano next season while the #12 will be driven by Nationwide series veteran David Stremme,who hails from Newman's hometown of South Bend,Indiana, and grew up with Newman,with whom Stremme remains friends. Stewart will drive the #14 Chevrolet for Stewart/Haas Racing,while Newman will drive the #39 Chevrolet at SHR.
The 2008 season stirred a lot of controversy and debate,especially on the Car of Tomorrow,or COT,and why three drivers,Jimmie Johnson,Carl Edwards,and Kyle Busch,won so many races. Busch's nine wins came during the regular season but he seemed to fizzle as the Chase began. It is odd that four-time NASCAR Cup champion Jeff Gordon did not win a race in 2008 and neither did one of my favorites,the 2003 Cup champion Matt Kenseth. Despite there being no NASCAR races until February, I will have things to occupy me,such as Thanksgiving,Christmas,New Year's,and being with my family,along with UNC Tarheel basketball (the Tarheels won their season opener Saturday against Penn 86-71)and dreaming about the 2009 Daytona 500. I am counting down the days until Daytona already. 91 days until we hear "Gentlemen,start your engines".
It was Tony Stewart's last race for Joe Gibbs Racing,where the two-time NASCAR Cup champion drove the #20 Toyota in the 2008 season. From 2003 to 2007,Stewart drove a Chevrolet. In his first four years at JGR, Stewart drove a Pontiac. Stewart will have his own team next season,Stewart/Haas Racing,where he will also be a driver. Stewart's teammate will be fellow Indiana native Ryan Newman,who drove his last race in the #12 Dodge for Penske Racing. The #20 will be driven by 18-year-old newcomer Joey Logano next season while the #12 will be driven by Nationwide series veteran David Stremme,who hails from Newman's hometown of South Bend,Indiana, and grew up with Newman,with whom Stremme remains friends. Stewart will drive the #14 Chevrolet for Stewart/Haas Racing,while Newman will drive the #39 Chevrolet at SHR.
The 2008 season stirred a lot of controversy and debate,especially on the Car of Tomorrow,or COT,and why three drivers,Jimmie Johnson,Carl Edwards,and Kyle Busch,won so many races. Busch's nine wins came during the regular season but he seemed to fizzle as the Chase began. It is odd that four-time NASCAR Cup champion Jeff Gordon did not win a race in 2008 and neither did one of my favorites,the 2003 Cup champion Matt Kenseth. Despite there being no NASCAR races until February, I will have things to occupy me,such as Thanksgiving,Christmas,New Year's,and being with my family,along with UNC Tarheel basketball (the Tarheels won their season opener Saturday against Penn 86-71)and dreaming about the 2009 Daytona 500. I am counting down the days until Daytona already. 91 days until we hear "Gentlemen,start your engines".
Friday, November 7, 2008
Election 2008
I did not post a blog last week as I have had many things on my mind on a personal level as well as nationally. Even though I voted for John McCain,congratulations are in order to President-elect Barack Obama,who I will admit,ran a good,almost flawless campaign. Both Obama in his acceptance speech and McCain in his concession speech,spoke eloquently by reminding us that we are all Americans before we are Democrats,Republicans,or independents. I wish Mr. Obama well in his new administration and that he serves to unite the nation to the challenges that face us. In my home state of North Carolina,Republican Elizabeth Dole lost her Senate re-election bid to Democrat Kay Hagan. Mrs.Dole delivered a most eloquent and powerful concession speech by reflecting on her forty-plus years as a public servant and reaffirmed how proud she was being a native North Carolinian. She also wished Kay Hagan well in the Senate seat she will inherit from Mrs.Dole in January. Mrs.Dole's speech made me feel extremely proud to be a North Carolinian. With the election behind us,now we can move forward united and strong.
SPORTS
In college football,the North Carolina Tarheels(6-2 for the season) will play Georgia Tech at Chapel Hill,N.C.,on Saturday. Good luck to the Tarheels after taking last week off.
NFL
The Carolina Panthers (8-4 for the season) play the Raiders at Oakland,Calif.,on Sunday. Good luck to the Panthers.
NASCAR
The next to last race of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season will be run on Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway. Jimmie Johnson is the points leader with Carl Edwards his closest challenger at 106 points behind. Barring engine failure,a poor finish,a win by Edwards,or all of the above,Johnson will likely be one race short at Phoenix of locking up the championship. The season ends next week at Homestead Raceway near Miami.
This is all I have to post this week. Take care and God bless.
SPORTS
In college football,the North Carolina Tarheels(6-2 for the season) will play Georgia Tech at Chapel Hill,N.C.,on Saturday. Good luck to the Tarheels after taking last week off.
NFL
The Carolina Panthers (8-4 for the season) play the Raiders at Oakland,Calif.,on Sunday. Good luck to the Panthers.
NASCAR
The next to last race of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season will be run on Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway. Jimmie Johnson is the points leader with Carl Edwards his closest challenger at 106 points behind. Barring engine failure,a poor finish,a win by Edwards,or all of the above,Johnson will likely be one race short at Phoenix of locking up the championship. The season ends next week at Homestead Raceway near Miami.
This is all I have to post this week. Take care and God bless.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Reflections
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
The North Carolina Tarheels must get their act together after losing at Virginia in overtime last week 16-13. The Tarheels face Boston College at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., on Saturday. The Tarheels have a 5-2 record for the season. Go Tarheels!!!!
NFL
The Carolina Panthers(7-4) play the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday while the undefeated Tennessee Titans face the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night. While I like the Titans,I also like Peyton Manning,a former Tennessee Volunteer,and the Colts coach Tony Dungy.
NASCAR
The Chase for the Sprint Cup races in Hampton, Ga., this week at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Jimmie Johnson widened his points lead after winning at Martinsville last week. My favorite Chase driver Matt Kenseth garnered an impressive eighth place finish at Martinsville,a track Kenseth says is his least favorite of the Sprint Cup tracks,even after an accidental on track rub with teammate David Ragan. I hope Matt does well at Atlanta also,along with my next favorite Chase driver Greg Biffle. Bobby Labonte has won races at Atlanta. Perhaps he will do it again this time. Friday's qualifying session at Atlanta was rained out so the drivers will start by points with points leader Jimmie Johnson starting first. Go Bobby,Matt,Greg,Jamie McMurray,Elliott Sadler,Denny Hamlin, and all my other favorite drivers!!!! Good luck to home track favorites Bill Elliott, David Ragan, and Reed Sorenson as well!!!!
The North Carolina Tarheels must get their act together after losing at Virginia in overtime last week 16-13. The Tarheels face Boston College at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., on Saturday. The Tarheels have a 5-2 record for the season. Go Tarheels!!!!
NFL
The Carolina Panthers(7-4) play the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday while the undefeated Tennessee Titans face the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night. While I like the Titans,I also like Peyton Manning,a former Tennessee Volunteer,and the Colts coach Tony Dungy.
NASCAR
The Chase for the Sprint Cup races in Hampton, Ga., this week at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Jimmie Johnson widened his points lead after winning at Martinsville last week. My favorite Chase driver Matt Kenseth garnered an impressive eighth place finish at Martinsville,a track Kenseth says is his least favorite of the Sprint Cup tracks,even after an accidental on track rub with teammate David Ragan. I hope Matt does well at Atlanta also,along with my next favorite Chase driver Greg Biffle. Bobby Labonte has won races at Atlanta. Perhaps he will do it again this time. Friday's qualifying session at Atlanta was rained out so the drivers will start by points with points leader Jimmie Johnson starting first. Go Bobby,Matt,Greg,Jamie McMurray,Elliott Sadler,Denny Hamlin, and all my other favorite drivers!!!! Good luck to home track favorites Bill Elliott, David Ragan, and Reed Sorenson as well!!!!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Sports and Classic TV
College Football
The Tennessee Volunteers will face Mississippi State in Knoxville,Tenn., on Saturday. OK,Vols,now it's time to kick some tail and start winning. After losing at Georgia last week,the Vols could do with some home cooking and defeating Mississippi State at home would help in a big way. Go Vols!!!!
Meanwhile,the North Carolina Tarheels go into Saturday with a 5-1 record this season. On Saturday,the Tarheels will face Virginia in Charlottesville,Va. Let's make it 6-1. Go Heels!!!!
NFL
The Carolina Panthers play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday,while the Tennessee Titans play the Kansas City Chiefs. Go Panthers and Titans!!!!
NASCAR
This week,the Chase for the Sprint Cup visits Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. Virginia native Denny Hamlin won here in the spring and hopes for a repeat. One of my other favorite drivers,Matt Kenseth,admits that Martinsville is his least favorite track but that notwithstanding,I hope he wins or at least has an excellent finish. I know this was where Kenseth was confronted by teammate Carl Edwards after last year's fall race at this track. Hopefully,there will not be a repeat of that incident. Perhaps Kevin Harvick put Carl Edwards in his place. Good luck to all the drivers this weekend!!!!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY,I LOVE LUCY!!!!
On October 15,1951,television's best-remembered and most-loved sitcom and one of its most-loved shows,debuted on CBS. "I Love Lucy" was about Ricky Ricardo,a Latin American entertainer,played by Desi Arnaz,and his wife,Lucy,a showbiz wannabe, played by Lucille Ball. Their neighbors,landlords,and close friends were ex-Vaudevillians Fred and Ethel Mertz,played respectively by William Frawley and Vivian Vance. Everybody seems to have a favorite "Lucy" episode. Mine probably is when the Ricardos and Mertzes arrived in Hollywood for Ricky's movie debut. Ricky had to go to the studio while Lucy and the Mertzes dined at the Brown Derby Restaurant,then a well-known Hollywood landmark. There,they encountered actor William Holden,who found privacy hard to come by while a star-struck Lucy stared at him. Holden decided to turn the tables and give Lucy a taste of her own medicine. An embarrassed Lucy and the Mertzes left. As they were leaving,a waiter carrying a pie accidentally tripped over Lucy and hit Mr.Holden in the face with the pie. Later,at the studio,Ricky ran into William Holden. Ricky needed a lift to the hotel and Holden offered Ricky a ride. After returning to the hotel,Ricky informed Lucy that William Holden was sitting in their living room,much to Lucy's horror. After disguising herself so Holden would not recognize her from the Brown Derby, Lucy entered the room wearing glasses,her hair in curlers, and plaster on her nose. When accepting Holden's offer to light her cigarette, he accidentally caught Lucy's nose on fire. I never knew until recently that this was not in the script and that it happened purely by accident but Lucille Ball handled it like a pro and knew how to improvise by putting her nose out in a cup of coffee. Because the scene got so many laughs,it was left in the episode,which was a smart choice. The episode when Lucy and Ethel tried stealing John Wayne's footprints from Grauman's (now Mann's) Chinese Theatre was hilarious as well. Another favorite episode of mine,also from the Hollywood trip, is when Lucy gave the Mertzes the Ricardos' train tickets. When Lucy tries secretly recovering the train tickets from Fred's wallet while Fred is sleeping, Ethel walks in and suspects something between Fred and Lucy,until the Mertzes learn the truth. Though the overwhelming fan favorite seems to be when Lucy got drunk while sampling medicine (Vitavetavegamin). Another classic episode is the birth of son Ricky Ricardo Jr,which coinicided with the birth of Lucy and Desi's second child,Desi Arnaz Jr. This episode drew as much,if not more attention than the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower the next day.
Lucy and Desi decided to end weekly production of "I Love Lucy" in 1957,despite the fact that the show never fell below second place in the ratings. In the fall of 1957,Lucy and Desi,along with co-stars William Frawley and Vivian Vance,decided to return in a series of occasional hour-long shows,titled "The Lucy/Desi Comedy Hour". These continued until 1960,when Lucy and Desi divorced after nearly 20 years of marriage. After their divorce,Lucy bought Desi's share of Desilu Studios,founded by the couple when they began production on "I Love Lucy". This made Lucille Ball the first woman to own a major Hollywood studio. Desilu went on to produce other TV classics such as "The Untouchables", "The Andy Griffith Show","The Dick Van Dyke Show","Mission: Impossible",and "Star Trek". Ms. Ball sold Desilu to Paramount in 1967. By that time,she had married comedian Gary Morton,while Mr.Arnaz had married Edie Hirsch. Lucy herself had more long-running hits with "The Lucy Show" from 1962 to 1968,in which Ms.Ball co-starred with Vivian Vance,until Ms.Vance left in 1965, and "Here's Lucy", with Ms.Ball's real-life children Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr,from 1968 to 1974. She made a short-lived comeback in 1986 in "Life With Lucy". Desi Arnaz Sr died in 1986 at age 69. Lucille Ball passed away in 1989. She was 77. They are gone,but their wonderful shows live on and keep delighting us every day. No doubt,their shows will entertain future generations. Thanks for the laughs and a lot of wonderful memories,Lucy,Desi,Bill,Vivian,and the rest.
The Tennessee Volunteers will face Mississippi State in Knoxville,Tenn., on Saturday. OK,Vols,now it's time to kick some tail and start winning. After losing at Georgia last week,the Vols could do with some home cooking and defeating Mississippi State at home would help in a big way. Go Vols!!!!
Meanwhile,the North Carolina Tarheels go into Saturday with a 5-1 record this season. On Saturday,the Tarheels will face Virginia in Charlottesville,Va. Let's make it 6-1. Go Heels!!!!
NFL
The Carolina Panthers play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday,while the Tennessee Titans play the Kansas City Chiefs. Go Panthers and Titans!!!!
NASCAR
This week,the Chase for the Sprint Cup visits Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. Virginia native Denny Hamlin won here in the spring and hopes for a repeat. One of my other favorite drivers,Matt Kenseth,admits that Martinsville is his least favorite track but that notwithstanding,I hope he wins or at least has an excellent finish. I know this was where Kenseth was confronted by teammate Carl Edwards after last year's fall race at this track. Hopefully,there will not be a repeat of that incident. Perhaps Kevin Harvick put Carl Edwards in his place. Good luck to all the drivers this weekend!!!!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY,I LOVE LUCY!!!!
On October 15,1951,television's best-remembered and most-loved sitcom and one of its most-loved shows,debuted on CBS. "I Love Lucy" was about Ricky Ricardo,a Latin American entertainer,played by Desi Arnaz,and his wife,Lucy,a showbiz wannabe, played by Lucille Ball. Their neighbors,landlords,and close friends were ex-Vaudevillians Fred and Ethel Mertz,played respectively by William Frawley and Vivian Vance. Everybody seems to have a favorite "Lucy" episode. Mine probably is when the Ricardos and Mertzes arrived in Hollywood for Ricky's movie debut. Ricky had to go to the studio while Lucy and the Mertzes dined at the Brown Derby Restaurant,then a well-known Hollywood landmark. There,they encountered actor William Holden,who found privacy hard to come by while a star-struck Lucy stared at him. Holden decided to turn the tables and give Lucy a taste of her own medicine. An embarrassed Lucy and the Mertzes left. As they were leaving,a waiter carrying a pie accidentally tripped over Lucy and hit Mr.Holden in the face with the pie. Later,at the studio,Ricky ran into William Holden. Ricky needed a lift to the hotel and Holden offered Ricky a ride. After returning to the hotel,Ricky informed Lucy that William Holden was sitting in their living room,much to Lucy's horror. After disguising herself so Holden would not recognize her from the Brown Derby, Lucy entered the room wearing glasses,her hair in curlers, and plaster on her nose. When accepting Holden's offer to light her cigarette, he accidentally caught Lucy's nose on fire. I never knew until recently that this was not in the script and that it happened purely by accident but Lucille Ball handled it like a pro and knew how to improvise by putting her nose out in a cup of coffee. Because the scene got so many laughs,it was left in the episode,which was a smart choice. The episode when Lucy and Ethel tried stealing John Wayne's footprints from Grauman's (now Mann's) Chinese Theatre was hilarious as well. Another favorite episode of mine,also from the Hollywood trip, is when Lucy gave the Mertzes the Ricardos' train tickets. When Lucy tries secretly recovering the train tickets from Fred's wallet while Fred is sleeping, Ethel walks in and suspects something between Fred and Lucy,until the Mertzes learn the truth. Though the overwhelming fan favorite seems to be when Lucy got drunk while sampling medicine (Vitavetavegamin). Another classic episode is the birth of son Ricky Ricardo Jr,which coinicided with the birth of Lucy and Desi's second child,Desi Arnaz Jr. This episode drew as much,if not more attention than the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower the next day.
Lucy and Desi decided to end weekly production of "I Love Lucy" in 1957,despite the fact that the show never fell below second place in the ratings. In the fall of 1957,Lucy and Desi,along with co-stars William Frawley and Vivian Vance,decided to return in a series of occasional hour-long shows,titled "The Lucy/Desi Comedy Hour". These continued until 1960,when Lucy and Desi divorced after nearly 20 years of marriage. After their divorce,Lucy bought Desi's share of Desilu Studios,founded by the couple when they began production on "I Love Lucy". This made Lucille Ball the first woman to own a major Hollywood studio. Desilu went on to produce other TV classics such as "The Untouchables", "The Andy Griffith Show","The Dick Van Dyke Show","Mission: Impossible",and "Star Trek". Ms. Ball sold Desilu to Paramount in 1967. By that time,she had married comedian Gary Morton,while Mr.Arnaz had married Edie Hirsch. Lucy herself had more long-running hits with "The Lucy Show" from 1962 to 1968,in which Ms.Ball co-starred with Vivian Vance,until Ms.Vance left in 1965, and "Here's Lucy", with Ms.Ball's real-life children Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr,from 1968 to 1974. She made a short-lived comeback in 1986 in "Life With Lucy". Desi Arnaz Sr died in 1986 at age 69. Lucille Ball passed away in 1989. She was 77. They are gone,but their wonderful shows live on and keep delighting us every day. No doubt,their shows will entertain future generations. Thanks for the laughs and a lot of wonderful memories,Lucy,Desi,Bill,Vivian,and the rest.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Will the real Carl Edwards,please stand up?
On Thursday in the garage at Lowe's Motor Speedway,Sprint Cup drivers Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards got into a scuffle. Edwards was apparently seeking retribution for a comment Harvick made after a massive wreck caused by a move Edwards made during last week's race at Talladega. Harvick said that Edwards drove "like a pansy". After the race, Edwards apparently gave Harvick a note laced with sarcasm and demanded an apology from Harvick. Harvick has stood by his statement and probably more so after Thursday's tussle in the garage.
I have some questions. Why didn't Edwards go to Harvick immediately after the Talladega race and have a face-to-face meeting about Harvick's comment? Why a note? Why did Edwards wait four days to finally confront Harvick about it? Edwards sounds somewhat cowardly in my opinion.
Carl Edwards must develop a thicker skin. When you're in the public eye,you will have your critics,as well as your admirers. I'm not a fan of Edwards or Harvick but Harvick has a right to his opinion. Most NASCAR drivers simply shrug off criticism and move on. Carl Edwards should do likewise.
After last year's post-race altercation with teammate Matt Kenseth at Martinsville as well as other things Edwards has been involved in,I think the nice guy routine is a facade. A darker side of the smiling "aw,shucks" personality is starting to emerge. It seems Edwards carefully plans and scripts things,especially during interviews. Most of what Edwards says and does probably is from the heart,but then who knows? Edwards must better control his emotions if he wants to remain in NASCAR. Other drivers,such as Tony Stewart,have learned that lesson. That's another thing. At least with drivers such as Stewart,Harvick, Kyle Busch,and newcomer Scott Speed, what you see is what you get. They do not hide behind a facade and try being all things to all people. I prefer knowing from the beginning what somebody's true personality is. Edwards would do well by showing the same honesty with his fans. While the aforementioned drivers have had reputations for being brash,Edwards does not necessarily have to be that way himself. All Edwards must do is be himself.
I have some questions. Why didn't Edwards go to Harvick immediately after the Talladega race and have a face-to-face meeting about Harvick's comment? Why a note? Why did Edwards wait four days to finally confront Harvick about it? Edwards sounds somewhat cowardly in my opinion.
Carl Edwards must develop a thicker skin. When you're in the public eye,you will have your critics,as well as your admirers. I'm not a fan of Edwards or Harvick but Harvick has a right to his opinion. Most NASCAR drivers simply shrug off criticism and move on. Carl Edwards should do likewise.
After last year's post-race altercation with teammate Matt Kenseth at Martinsville as well as other things Edwards has been involved in,I think the nice guy routine is a facade. A darker side of the smiling "aw,shucks" personality is starting to emerge. It seems Edwards carefully plans and scripts things,especially during interviews. Most of what Edwards says and does probably is from the heart,but then who knows? Edwards must better control his emotions if he wants to remain in NASCAR. Other drivers,such as Tony Stewart,have learned that lesson. That's another thing. At least with drivers such as Stewart,Harvick, Kyle Busch,and newcomer Scott Speed, what you see is what you get. They do not hide behind a facade and try being all things to all people. I prefer knowing from the beginning what somebody's true personality is. Edwards would do well by showing the same honesty with his fans. While the aforementioned drivers have had reputations for being brash,Edwards does not necessarily have to be that way himself. All Edwards must do is be himself.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
NASCAR 2008: Favoritism,not fairness
NASCAR really outdid themselves this time. I have often taken stock car racing's sanctioning body to task for their blatant favoritism, but this time they have gone too far.
During last Sunday's Talladega race,it was quite the crashfest as the races there often are. There were at least a couple of big crashes,one of them caused by Carl Edwards,who wrecked two of his Roush Fenway Racing teammates, Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth. Biffle sounded somewhat conciliatory in his post-crash interview but Kenseth was visibly angry by the look on his face but as always, managed to keep his composure. I have a feeling that bad feelings linger between Kenseth and Edwards after last year's post-race incident at Martinsville when Edwards physically confronted his teammate as Kenseth was starting a post-race interview. Edwards apologized and took responsibility for the accident at Talladega. I just hope that in the future,Edwards thinks before making another costly move.
REGAN SMITH-THE REAL RACE WINNER
Regan Smith was the clear winner of the Talladega race. Smith was attempting to pass Tony Stewart on the final lap for the win. Smith was across the finish line first but then Stewart proceeded to block Smith and almost wrecked him. Even more outrageously,NASCAR declared Stewart the winner. That made a mockery of the whole race. NASCAR has proven again that they have their chosen favorites. Then another unkind cut by NASCAR. They gave Smith an 18th place finish when he should have at the very least been given second place. NASCAR sounded off a bunch of hogwash that Smith had violated the rules by racing below the yellow line. NASCAR must suffer from amnesia,or more likely,hypocrisy. Johnny Benson won a Truck series race in 2007 from below the yellow line. NASCAR themselves have stated that if a driver is below the yellow line on the final lap and can see the checkered flag,that driver is allowed to compete for the win,so according to that interpretation,Smith clearly won the race. NASCAR conveniently manipulates and ignores their own rules to benefit their chosen favorites,of which Tony Stewart is definitely one.
Another thing to consider,Home Depot and Coca Cola,two of Stewart's sponsors,give NASCAR lots of money. NASCAR will do anything to keep their big-money sponsors happy,even manipulate or throw races. Also,PR probably played a big part in NASCAR's decision to give Stewart the win. Look at the headline,"Stewart Finally Wins At Talladega". It makes good press. Also,in Stewart's last season with Joe Gibbs Racing before venturing out on his own,even more icing on the cake. I am in mourning for a once-great sport that has been taken over by greed and favoritism since Brian France took over as Chairman and CEO. If "Big Bill" France and Bill France Jr were still alive,they would probably box Brian's ears. Apparently,only drivers named Tony Stewart,Jeff Gordon,Dale Earnhardt Jr,and Jimmie Johnson are allowed to win races in today's NASCAR. I am not the only person who feels this way. Judging by the letters in this week's NASCAR Scene and most message board posts I've read,many rightly disgruntled and disillusioned fans are ready to throw in the towel. I think this is the last straw for many NASCAR fans,including myself. I'm not sure if I want to give NASCAR another chance. Like the saying goes,fool me once shame on you,fool me twice shame on me. I will not be fooled again by those who run today's NASCAR.
UPDATE: It appears Dale Earnhardt Jr agrees with me. Earnhardt Jr said that Regan Smith won the race at Talladega. Smith drives for Dale Earnhardt Incorporated,founded by Earnhardt Jr's father. This is a bold move for Junior,considering he is buddies with Tony Stewart,who was declared the race winner by NASCAR. Way to go,Junior,for recognizing the real race winner and doing the right thing.
During last Sunday's Talladega race,it was quite the crashfest as the races there often are. There were at least a couple of big crashes,one of them caused by Carl Edwards,who wrecked two of his Roush Fenway Racing teammates, Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth. Biffle sounded somewhat conciliatory in his post-crash interview but Kenseth was visibly angry by the look on his face but as always, managed to keep his composure. I have a feeling that bad feelings linger between Kenseth and Edwards after last year's post-race incident at Martinsville when Edwards physically confronted his teammate as Kenseth was starting a post-race interview. Edwards apologized and took responsibility for the accident at Talladega. I just hope that in the future,Edwards thinks before making another costly move.
REGAN SMITH-THE REAL RACE WINNER
Regan Smith was the clear winner of the Talladega race. Smith was attempting to pass Tony Stewart on the final lap for the win. Smith was across the finish line first but then Stewart proceeded to block Smith and almost wrecked him. Even more outrageously,NASCAR declared Stewart the winner. That made a mockery of the whole race. NASCAR has proven again that they have their chosen favorites. Then another unkind cut by NASCAR. They gave Smith an 18th place finish when he should have at the very least been given second place. NASCAR sounded off a bunch of hogwash that Smith had violated the rules by racing below the yellow line. NASCAR must suffer from amnesia,or more likely,hypocrisy. Johnny Benson won a Truck series race in 2007 from below the yellow line. NASCAR themselves have stated that if a driver is below the yellow line on the final lap and can see the checkered flag,that driver is allowed to compete for the win,so according to that interpretation,Smith clearly won the race. NASCAR conveniently manipulates and ignores their own rules to benefit their chosen favorites,of which Tony Stewart is definitely one.
Another thing to consider,Home Depot and Coca Cola,two of Stewart's sponsors,give NASCAR lots of money. NASCAR will do anything to keep their big-money sponsors happy,even manipulate or throw races. Also,PR probably played a big part in NASCAR's decision to give Stewart the win. Look at the headline,"Stewart Finally Wins At Talladega". It makes good press. Also,in Stewart's last season with Joe Gibbs Racing before venturing out on his own,even more icing on the cake. I am in mourning for a once-great sport that has been taken over by greed and favoritism since Brian France took over as Chairman and CEO. If "Big Bill" France and Bill France Jr were still alive,they would probably box Brian's ears. Apparently,only drivers named Tony Stewart,Jeff Gordon,Dale Earnhardt Jr,and Jimmie Johnson are allowed to win races in today's NASCAR. I am not the only person who feels this way. Judging by the letters in this week's NASCAR Scene and most message board posts I've read,many rightly disgruntled and disillusioned fans are ready to throw in the towel. I think this is the last straw for many NASCAR fans,including myself. I'm not sure if I want to give NASCAR another chance. Like the saying goes,fool me once shame on you,fool me twice shame on me. I will not be fooled again by those who run today's NASCAR.
UPDATE: It appears Dale Earnhardt Jr agrees with me. Earnhardt Jr said that Regan Smith won the race at Talladega. Smith drives for Dale Earnhardt Incorporated,founded by Earnhardt Jr's father. This is a bold move for Junior,considering he is buddies with Tony Stewart,who was declared the race winner by NASCAR. Way to go,Junior,for recognizing the real race winner and doing the right thing.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Another weekend
Just some things I want to make note of.
Another classic TV anniversary: On October 4, 1957, "Leave it to Beaver" debuted on CBS. This was a classic family sitcom about the trials and adventures faced by Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver (played by Jerry Mathers) and his older brother Wally (played by Tony Dow). Their understanding,but stern parents were mother June (Barbara Billingsley)and father Ward (Hugh Beaumont). I first watched this show in reruns as a kid in the '70s and enjoyed the '80s revival("Still The Beaver"/"The New Leave it to Beaver")as well. I still watch the reruns when I can. The writing,the acting,and the child actors just being kids on and off the set added to its appeal. Many of the adventures Wally and the Beaver had,my younger brother and I could relate to. Of course,for every hero,there is a villain,and in the case of "Leave it to Beaver",it was Eddie Haskell,who was Wally's pal and Beaver's nemesis,and whose phony charm June and Ward could see right through. This charming and warm series is still so wonderful to watch,as the acting,writing,and stories of childhood,even more than half a century after the show's debut, remain timeless. Viewers learned and still learn valuable lessons about life without too many lectures. A little bit of history tied in with "Leave it to Beaver": The show debuted on the day Russia launched Sputnik,the first artificial satellite. The last network broadcast of "Leave it to Beaver"(0n ABC,where the series moved in 1958)was just over two months before JFK's assassination. Also,the source of the title was believed to have been based on an early '50s sitcom "Leave it to Larry",starring Eddie Albert(later of "Green Acres" fame).
OK,Vols,Kick Some Tail This Week
This week my beloved Tennessee Volunteers play at home in a non-conference game against Northern Illinois. After losing three of the season's first four football games,the Vols need a win and need it now. A 1-3 record in football? This is not the Vol team I know. I hope Coach Fulmer and the team get their act together the rest of the season. Go Vols!!!!
The UNC Tarheels seem to be having a good football season so far. Go out there and win on Saturday!!!!
In the NFL,I hope the Panthers and the Titans win their games on Sunday. Go Panthers!!!! Go Titans!!!!
NASCAR
Talladega is the place this week as the Chase for the Sprint Cup heads to NASCAR's biggest track. Jimmie Johnson is the points leader right now,though I hope he's overtaken by Carl Edwards. My advice to Bobby Labonte, Matt Kenseth,Greg Biffle,Jeff Burton,Elliott Sadler,Jamie McMurray, Casey Mears, Clint Bowyer,Denny Hamlin,and all my other favorite drivers,stay as far away from the big wrecks as you can. Godspeed,gentlemen!!!!
Another classic TV anniversary: On October 4, 1957, "Leave it to Beaver" debuted on CBS. This was a classic family sitcom about the trials and adventures faced by Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver (played by Jerry Mathers) and his older brother Wally (played by Tony Dow). Their understanding,but stern parents were mother June (Barbara Billingsley)and father Ward (Hugh Beaumont). I first watched this show in reruns as a kid in the '70s and enjoyed the '80s revival("Still The Beaver"/"The New Leave it to Beaver")as well. I still watch the reruns when I can. The writing,the acting,and the child actors just being kids on and off the set added to its appeal. Many of the adventures Wally and the Beaver had,my younger brother and I could relate to. Of course,for every hero,there is a villain,and in the case of "Leave it to Beaver",it was Eddie Haskell,who was Wally's pal and Beaver's nemesis,and whose phony charm June and Ward could see right through. This charming and warm series is still so wonderful to watch,as the acting,writing,and stories of childhood,even more than half a century after the show's debut, remain timeless. Viewers learned and still learn valuable lessons about life without too many lectures. A little bit of history tied in with "Leave it to Beaver": The show debuted on the day Russia launched Sputnik,the first artificial satellite. The last network broadcast of "Leave it to Beaver"(0n ABC,where the series moved in 1958)was just over two months before JFK's assassination. Also,the source of the title was believed to have been based on an early '50s sitcom "Leave it to Larry",starring Eddie Albert(later of "Green Acres" fame).
OK,Vols,Kick Some Tail This Week
This week my beloved Tennessee Volunteers play at home in a non-conference game against Northern Illinois. After losing three of the season's first four football games,the Vols need a win and need it now. A 1-3 record in football? This is not the Vol team I know. I hope Coach Fulmer and the team get their act together the rest of the season. Go Vols!!!!
The UNC Tarheels seem to be having a good football season so far. Go out there and win on Saturday!!!!
In the NFL,I hope the Panthers and the Titans win their games on Sunday. Go Panthers!!!! Go Titans!!!!
NASCAR
Talladega is the place this week as the Chase for the Sprint Cup heads to NASCAR's biggest track. Jimmie Johnson is the points leader right now,though I hope he's overtaken by Carl Edwards. My advice to Bobby Labonte, Matt Kenseth,Greg Biffle,Jeff Burton,Elliott Sadler,Jamie McMurray, Casey Mears, Clint Bowyer,Denny Hamlin,and all my other favorite drivers,stay as far away from the big wrecks as you can. Godspeed,gentlemen!!!!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Farewell,Mr.Newman
Last Friday,we lost a great actor,a humanitarian,a gentleman,and a wonderful human being with the passing of Paul Newman. Mr.Newman was an Oscar-winning actor who delivered many brilliant performances. His best remembered roles include playing a convict in "Cool Hand Luke",his role in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid",in which he co-starred with his pal Robert Redford,and co-starred with Redford in "The Sting". Mr.Newman also delivered what was regarded by many as a powerful performance in "The Verdict".
Another thing and perhaps more importantly,what Mr.Newman will be well remembered for is his charitable contributions. 100 percent of the proceeds from his Newman's Own food products went to charity,most notably the Hole In The Wall Gang camps,one of which is the Petty family's NASCAR themed Victory Junction Gang Camp in North Carolina, which was a dream of Adam Petty,a young NASCAR driver who perished in an on-track accident in 2000. Adam was a son of Kyle Petty,grandson of Richard Petty,and great-grandson of Lee Petty,all NASCAR drivers. VJGC opened in 2004 and now a second camp is planned in Kansas.
Mr.Newman was a lifelong racing fan and owned a racing team. He enjoyed associating with drivers and other team owners. He was also a devoted family man,married to actress Joanne Woodward for 50 years. Rest in peace,Paul Newman,and God bless you.
Another thing and perhaps more importantly,what Mr.Newman will be well remembered for is his charitable contributions. 100 percent of the proceeds from his Newman's Own food products went to charity,most notably the Hole In The Wall Gang camps,one of which is the Petty family's NASCAR themed Victory Junction Gang Camp in North Carolina, which was a dream of Adam Petty,a young NASCAR driver who perished in an on-track accident in 2000. Adam was a son of Kyle Petty,grandson of Richard Petty,and great-grandson of Lee Petty,all NASCAR drivers. VJGC opened in 2004 and now a second camp is planned in Kansas.
Mr.Newman was a lifelong racing fan and owned a racing team. He enjoyed associating with drivers and other team owners. He was also a devoted family man,married to actress Joanne Woodward for 50 years. Rest in peace,Paul Newman,and God bless you.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Sports Weekend
College Football
I hope the North Carolina Tarheels(2-1)get their act together as well after losing at home to Virginia Tech last week. This week,the Heels play Miami,a football powerhouse on Miami's home turf so UNC has their work cut out for them. Realistically, I pick Miami to win.
NFL
The Carolina Panthers play Atlanta. Good luck to the Panthers as they face the Falcons.
NASCAR
This week,Kansas Motor Speedway will have the Nationwide and Sprint Cup series races. Greg Biffle won the first two races in the Chase for the Sprint Cup and is the defending winner in the Kansas race,a win challenged by runner-up and Kansas native Clint Bowyer last year. Kansas is not a nail-biting track like Dover,Bristol,or Martinsville. It's more like Auto Club(California) or Chicagoland Speedway in that once the lead is taken by a driver,it's hard for other drivers to make a challenge or pass for the win. Matt Kenseth is my favorite Chase driver but if it's not Kenseth then I hope it's 3 in a row for Biffle. My pick to win: Biffle,with Bowyer a strong second choice. I think Tony Stewart is a strong possibility as well ,coming close three weeks ago at Richmond. Have a great weekend,everybody.
I hope the North Carolina Tarheels(2-1)get their act together as well after losing at home to Virginia Tech last week. This week,the Heels play Miami,a football powerhouse on Miami's home turf so UNC has their work cut out for them. Realistically, I pick Miami to win.
NFL
The Carolina Panthers play Atlanta. Good luck to the Panthers as they face the Falcons.
NASCAR
This week,Kansas Motor Speedway will have the Nationwide and Sprint Cup series races. Greg Biffle won the first two races in the Chase for the Sprint Cup and is the defending winner in the Kansas race,a win challenged by runner-up and Kansas native Clint Bowyer last year. Kansas is not a nail-biting track like Dover,Bristol,or Martinsville. It's more like Auto Club(California) or Chicagoland Speedway in that once the lead is taken by a driver,it's hard for other drivers to make a challenge or pass for the win. Matt Kenseth is my favorite Chase driver but if it's not Kenseth then I hope it's 3 in a row for Biffle. My pick to win: Biffle,with Bowyer a strong second choice. I think Tony Stewart is a strong possibility as well ,coming close three weeks ago at Richmond. Have a great weekend,everybody.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
57 States?
I received a most interesting e-mail today. I normally don't write politically-themed blogs but I felt the need to make an exception in this case. Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has said that he plans on campaigning in all 57 states. When did the nation gain another seven states? It was pointed out by Rush Limbaugh that since former Vice President Dan Quayle misspelled "potato",we still hear jokes about it. Mr. Quayle's intellect was openly questioned,yet when Senator Obama makes a big gaffe,he's just "tired" from the long campaign. It raises even more legitimate questions about Obama's competence to be President. This tops the gaffe made by actress and pro-abortion activist Raquel Welch on "Larry King Live" years ago when she insisted there were 52 states,one of them Chicago. Here is an interesting fact that might give us some idea what runs through Barack Obama's mind. It turns out there are 57 Islamic states in the world. Could it be that Obama was thinking about the Islamic states instead of the United States? It should be noted that this comes on the heels of a speech during Obama's much ballyhooed tour of Europe and the Middle East,when he openly criticized the United States in a speech in Berlin. Something else to think about,ladies and gentlemen.
Monday, September 22, 2008
WOW!!!!
What a race. I was so certain that Matt Kenseth at long last would finally win a race this year but in the last few laps in Sunday's race at Dover,Delaware, Kenseth was overtaken by his teammate Greg Biffle for the win. Matt is my second favorite driver,after my sentimental favorite Bobby Labonte. Much as I wanted Matt to win,I am happy for Greg,as he is my next favorite driver after Matt. The post-race comments made by both drivers indicate how much Greg and Matt respect and admire each other and that they are teammates in every sense and truly believe in teamwork. Carl Edwards deserves kudos as well as he helped keep his Roush Fenway Racing teammates in the lead and could have easily won himself. Carl now has the points lead. Unlike many recent races,the Dover race kept me glued to the TV,and cheering for my driver to win. Congratulations to Greg Biffle and the number 16 team for a whale of a race and a well-deserved win,making it Biffle's second consecutive win in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
Friday, September 19, 2008
NASCAR and Classic TV
NASCAR,The Chase,Part 2
This week,the 12 competitors in the 2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup and 31 other drivers will race at Dover International Raceway in Delaware. While Greg Biffle is no doubt riding high from his win at New Hampshire,I'm sure he knows that one race win does not a championship make. As Jeff Burton noted,do not count Kyle Busch out. While Busch had a bad race at New Hampshire,he could make a strong comeback at Dover. Busch is still a force to be reckoned with. I notice now that Bill Kimm has decided to count Matt Kenseth out. Just a minute,Mr.Kimm. All Kenseth needs is a win or two and some top 5 or 10 finishes and he's a contender for the championship. It's too early to count anybody out. Good luck to Matt Kenseth,along with my sentimental favorite Bobby Labonte and others too numerous to mention in this blog.
HAPPY BELATED ANNIVERSARIES
"The Waltons" debuted on CBS on September 14,1972. "The Waltons" was a show filled with love,warmth,compassion for others,and the importance of faith,family,and community and a family enduring the trials of the Great Depression and World War II. It is a shame that these values have long since disappeared from prime time TV. In its beginning,nobody gave "The Waltons" a chance against two extremely popular shows, Flip Wilson on NBC,and "The Mod Squad" on ABC,yet the "little show that could" forced their competition off the air and secured a top 20 by the end of its first season. "The Waltons" scored as high as second in the Nielsen ratings and spawned a new genre,the family drama,with other shows such as "Little House on the Prairie",which debuted on NBC in 1974 and embraced values similar to "The Waltons",though in an earlier time,in the 1870s and 1880s,and based on author Laura Ingalls Wilder's childhood,as "The Waltons" was based on the youth of its creator Earl Hamner Jr. Even after series star Richard Thomas ("John-Boy") left "The Waltons" in 1977, the show continued until CBS cancelled it in 1981. The later years also saw a prolonged absence by Ellen Corby("Grandma") after she suffered a stroke and returned to the series a year and a half later, and the death of Will Geer("Grandpa") in 1978 after filming had concluded on the sixth season. There were reunion movies filmed in the 1980s and 1990s. The show remains popular in reruns and is shown on the Hallmark channel.
On September 17,1964,"Bewitched" debuted on ABC. This was a magical sitcom about a witch,Samantha,played by Elizabeth Montgomery,who fell in love with mortal Darrin Stephens,an ad exec(played by Dick York and later Dick Sargent),and married him. Samantha had a bevy of relatives who popped in,including her mother Endora(played by the brilliant actress Agnes Moorehead),who strongly disapproved of her daughter's mortal marriage,her father Maurice(played by the magnificent Shakespearean actor Maurice Evans),who was not overly thrilled about having a mortal son-in-law either. Though there were relatives more supportive of Samantha and who liked Darrin,including Aunt Clara(played by comic actress Marion Lorne,who passed away after the fourth season),Uncle Arthur,Endora's practical-joking brother,played by actor/comedian Paul Lynde,and Samantha's look-alike cousin Serena,also played by Elizabeth Montgomery. Over the show's eight seasons,there were many changes,such as the birth of two children,witch daughter Tabitha,and son Adam,who showed some magical abilities in one episode in the final season. In 1969,Dick York left the series after collapsing on the set due to a dependence on pain-killers,on which he started after injuring his back on the set of a movie,resulting in back pain he suffered the rest of his life,until his death in 1992. Dick Sargent replaced York as Darrin. In 1991,Sargent publicly admitted he was gay and in 1994,died from complications resulting from AIDS. Elizabeth Montgomery,the show's star and daughter of screen legend Robert Montgomery,died in 1995 and is still loved by millions of fans worldwide. Ms.Montgomery had her star unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame earlier this year. At the time "Bewitched" was filmed,Ms.Montgomery was, in real-life, married to its executive producer William Asher,whose previous experience includes working as a director/producer on "I Love Lucy". "Bewitched" is shown on WGN weekdays at 9:00 AM Eastern time. I wish though that WGN would show all eight seasons and not start with season three,the first season filmed in color. I am glad though that it's still being shown someplace. I plan on buying the DVDs,along with DVDs of "The Waltons","Little House on the Prairie",and my sci-fi favorites.
This week,the 12 competitors in the 2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup and 31 other drivers will race at Dover International Raceway in Delaware. While Greg Biffle is no doubt riding high from his win at New Hampshire,I'm sure he knows that one race win does not a championship make. As Jeff Burton noted,do not count Kyle Busch out. While Busch had a bad race at New Hampshire,he could make a strong comeback at Dover. Busch is still a force to be reckoned with. I notice now that Bill Kimm has decided to count Matt Kenseth out. Just a minute,Mr.Kimm. All Kenseth needs is a win or two and some top 5 or 10 finishes and he's a contender for the championship. It's too early to count anybody out. Good luck to Matt Kenseth,along with my sentimental favorite Bobby Labonte and others too numerous to mention in this blog.
HAPPY BELATED ANNIVERSARIES
"The Waltons" debuted on CBS on September 14,1972. "The Waltons" was a show filled with love,warmth,compassion for others,and the importance of faith,family,and community and a family enduring the trials of the Great Depression and World War II. It is a shame that these values have long since disappeared from prime time TV. In its beginning,nobody gave "The Waltons" a chance against two extremely popular shows, Flip Wilson on NBC,and "The Mod Squad" on ABC,yet the "little show that could" forced their competition off the air and secured a top 20 by the end of its first season. "The Waltons" scored as high as second in the Nielsen ratings and spawned a new genre,the family drama,with other shows such as "Little House on the Prairie",which debuted on NBC in 1974 and embraced values similar to "The Waltons",though in an earlier time,in the 1870s and 1880s,and based on author Laura Ingalls Wilder's childhood,as "The Waltons" was based on the youth of its creator Earl Hamner Jr. Even after series star Richard Thomas ("John-Boy") left "The Waltons" in 1977, the show continued until CBS cancelled it in 1981. The later years also saw a prolonged absence by Ellen Corby("Grandma") after she suffered a stroke and returned to the series a year and a half later, and the death of Will Geer("Grandpa") in 1978 after filming had concluded on the sixth season. There were reunion movies filmed in the 1980s and 1990s. The show remains popular in reruns and is shown on the Hallmark channel.
On September 17,1964,"Bewitched" debuted on ABC. This was a magical sitcom about a witch,Samantha,played by Elizabeth Montgomery,who fell in love with mortal Darrin Stephens,an ad exec(played by Dick York and later Dick Sargent),and married him. Samantha had a bevy of relatives who popped in,including her mother Endora(played by the brilliant actress Agnes Moorehead),who strongly disapproved of her daughter's mortal marriage,her father Maurice(played by the magnificent Shakespearean actor Maurice Evans),who was not overly thrilled about having a mortal son-in-law either. Though there were relatives more supportive of Samantha and who liked Darrin,including Aunt Clara(played by comic actress Marion Lorne,who passed away after the fourth season),Uncle Arthur,Endora's practical-joking brother,played by actor/comedian Paul Lynde,and Samantha's look-alike cousin Serena,also played by Elizabeth Montgomery. Over the show's eight seasons,there were many changes,such as the birth of two children,witch daughter Tabitha,and son Adam,who showed some magical abilities in one episode in the final season. In 1969,Dick York left the series after collapsing on the set due to a dependence on pain-killers,on which he started after injuring his back on the set of a movie,resulting in back pain he suffered the rest of his life,until his death in 1992. Dick Sargent replaced York as Darrin. In 1991,Sargent publicly admitted he was gay and in 1994,died from complications resulting from AIDS. Elizabeth Montgomery,the show's star and daughter of screen legend Robert Montgomery,died in 1995 and is still loved by millions of fans worldwide. Ms.Montgomery had her star unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame earlier this year. At the time "Bewitched" was filmed,Ms.Montgomery was, in real-life, married to its executive producer William Asher,whose previous experience includes working as a director/producer on "I Love Lucy". "Bewitched" is shown on WGN weekdays at 9:00 AM Eastern time. I wish though that WGN would show all eight seasons and not start with season three,the first season filmed in color. I am glad though that it's still being shown someplace. I plan on buying the DVDs,along with DVDs of "The Waltons","Little House on the Prairie",and my sci-fi favorites.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Breakaway, NASCAR,and more
REMEMBERING MOONBASE ALPHA
If you are a fan of the 1970s science fiction series "Space:1999" as I am, then you know that on the show,a catastrophic nuclear explosion ripped the Moon from Earth orbit on September 13, 1999, on the show's first episode,appropriately titled "Breakaway". I saw it as an 11-year-old when the British series made its American television debut in 1975, starring then husband and wife actors Martin Landau and Barbara Bain (both of "Mission:Impossible" fame). This was not long after the Apollo Moon missions of 1969 and the early 1970s so the idea of having a fully operational Moonbase by 1999 was not inconceivable by some in the early 1970s. On every episode, the lunar castaways found the Moon orbiting new planets and encountering new civilizations. While some argued in the 1970s that "Space: 1999" was a ripoff of "Star Trek",I beg to differ. If anything,"Space:1999" is a tribute to "Star Trek" and its legacy of encouraging space exploration. Martin Landau,who played Moonbase Commander John Koenig on "Space: 1999", was Gene Roddenberry's first choice to play Mr.Spock on "Star Trek". The part went to Leonard Nimoy as Landau was starring on "Mission:Impossible" with then wife Barbara Bain.
Nine years have passed since the real 1999 and still no Moonbase,though a documentary I recently saw on You Tube says that NASA should have a Moonbase up and running by 2024. I pray it happens,without the nuclear waste and the nuclear explosion of course.
LET THE CHASE BEGIN
NASCAR's much ballyhooed Chase for the Sprint Cup begins this week at New Hampshire International Raceway as the top 12 drivers will compete for the Sprint Cup championship. Kyle Busch leads in the points. Carl Edwards poses a strong challenge to Busch. The drivers are divided by 10 points each,starting with Busch at the top. While I have never been much of a fan of the Chase since its inception, I have begrudgingly learned to live with it and one of my favorite drivers,Matt Kenseth,happens to be in the Chase so I hope he ends up winning it all. Whoever your favorite driver is and whether or not he's in the Chase,I hope you enjoy the race.
PERSPECTIVE
Remember in your thoughts and prayers the 3,000 men and women who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on our nation on September 11,2001. Let us not rest until those responsible for this evil,cowardly act are brought to justice. God bless America!!!!
Also,my thoughts and prayers are with those on the Gulf coast as Hurricane Ike comes ashore. My sister lives in Houston so it's even more personal for me. Talk to you soon. God bless.
If you are a fan of the 1970s science fiction series "Space:1999" as I am, then you know that on the show,a catastrophic nuclear explosion ripped the Moon from Earth orbit on September 13, 1999, on the show's first episode,appropriately titled "Breakaway". I saw it as an 11-year-old when the British series made its American television debut in 1975, starring then husband and wife actors Martin Landau and Barbara Bain (both of "Mission:Impossible" fame). This was not long after the Apollo Moon missions of 1969 and the early 1970s so the idea of having a fully operational Moonbase by 1999 was not inconceivable by some in the early 1970s. On every episode, the lunar castaways found the Moon orbiting new planets and encountering new civilizations. While some argued in the 1970s that "Space: 1999" was a ripoff of "Star Trek",I beg to differ. If anything,"Space:1999" is a tribute to "Star Trek" and its legacy of encouraging space exploration. Martin Landau,who played Moonbase Commander John Koenig on "Space: 1999", was Gene Roddenberry's first choice to play Mr.Spock on "Star Trek". The part went to Leonard Nimoy as Landau was starring on "Mission:Impossible" with then wife Barbara Bain.
Nine years have passed since the real 1999 and still no Moonbase,though a documentary I recently saw on You Tube says that NASA should have a Moonbase up and running by 2024. I pray it happens,without the nuclear waste and the nuclear explosion of course.
LET THE CHASE BEGIN
NASCAR's much ballyhooed Chase for the Sprint Cup begins this week at New Hampshire International Raceway as the top 12 drivers will compete for the Sprint Cup championship. Kyle Busch leads in the points. Carl Edwards poses a strong challenge to Busch. The drivers are divided by 10 points each,starting with Busch at the top. While I have never been much of a fan of the Chase since its inception, I have begrudgingly learned to live with it and one of my favorite drivers,Matt Kenseth,happens to be in the Chase so I hope he ends up winning it all. Whoever your favorite driver is and whether or not he's in the Chase,I hope you enjoy the race.
PERSPECTIVE
Remember in your thoughts and prayers the 3,000 men and women who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on our nation on September 11,2001. Let us not rest until those responsible for this evil,cowardly act are brought to justice. God bless America!!!!
Also,my thoughts and prayers are with those on the Gulf coast as Hurricane Ike comes ashore. My sister lives in Houston so it's even more personal for me. Talk to you soon. God bless.
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