Still I'm Sad

Do yourself a favor and listen to Gregorian singing Still I'm Sad. You won't be disappointed. Enjoy and happy Friday.

The itch that changed the game

As I have mentioned before on this blog, I am not a huge baseball fan. Football is my sport to watch and my Fins are 0-3. Arrrrghhhh! But that is another story.

Even though I don't really follow baseball I have often wondered what would happen if a manager got a legitimate itch, couldn't hold off, had to scratch it and it was misinterpreted as a legitimate sign. Well, it finally happened to the Minnesota Twins. Their manager had an itch in his goatee and scratched it. It was misinterpreted as a steal sign and this was the result.

Grace in sports

You don't see stories like this often enough in the sports arena. Kudos to the kid. He was obviously raised right.

It's Monday

And we all know what that means. Time for another MOTW, Manager of the Week. Someone once said, "What cannot be measured cannot be managed." That someone was this next manager's hero.

MOTW: Metrics Manager

Related to Analysis Manager through marriage, Metrics Manager is convinced that by gathering enough numbers and interpreting them forty-two different ways anything can be explained, including the creation of the universe.

Weekend Haiku

The moon tonight-
I even miss
her grumbling.

Issa (1763 - 1827)

Maria, Maria

Santana performs Maria, Maria. Enjoy and happy Friday.

3 years for this?

The new ketchup delivery system from Heinz. It took Heinz three years to come up with this new packet for use in fast food chains. Chick-Fil-A has had them for a while now. I use the peel option and dip the fries. It is definitely a huge improvement. After three years, one would hope so.

It's Monday

And we all know what that means. Time for another MOTW, Manager of the Week. Every company needs one of these managers just to keep things interesting. However, working for that manager can be a bit creepy at times.

MOTW: Mystic Manager

Consults his/her horoscope frequently. Makes many references to paranormal stimuli that tend to guide his/her decision-making. Poltergeists are a recurring them in Mystic Manager’s lexicon since he/she can never find anything in the office and is convinced things have been moved during the night when no one is around. Has never called for a séance in the office although secretly would like nothing better.

Weekend Haiku

The dragonfly
can't quite land
on that blade of grass.

Basho (1644 - 1694)

Crazy on You

From 1976, Heart performs Crazy on You live. Boy, those Wilson sisters could really rock. Enjoy and happy Friday.

Cruising North Korean style

North Korea's first cruise ships sets sail to less than stunning reviews. Wait a second, did I just write the words North Korea and cruise ship in the same sentence? Somewhere Rod Serling is licking his lips and writing a new screenplay for The Twilight Zone. Anyway, watch and don't let the hot and cold running tea put you off. Make your reservation today.

It's Monday

And we all know what that means.Time for another MOTW, Manager of the Week. This next manager, although nice, tilts at windmills all too often and is generally ineffective.

MOTW: Quixotic Manager

Generally a good-natured person, Quixotic Manager pursues initiatives and projects that are doomed to fail from the very outset. Convinced of his/her ideas he/she perseveres in these quests even after being given myriad reasons why they won’t work and being repeatedly told not to continue. Eventually Quixotic Manager loses the respect of Senior Management, peers, subordinates, even the cleaning staff and fades into obscurity following several of these escapades. Quixotic Manager’s fate is the stuff of legend and usually involves rumors of relocation to the mailroom of the Lagos, Nigeria branch.

Weekend Haiku

The new foal
sticks her nose up,
through the irises.

Issa (1763 - 1827)

Everbody's Hurtin'

From his album Women and Country, Jakob Dylan performs Everybody's Hurtin'. Enjoy and Happy Friday.

Rare play: 9 - 3 putout

I'm not a big fan of baseball but here is a play you just don't see that often. In fact the announcer also thinks it's a base hit until Michael Taylor is thrown out by the rocket arm of right fielder Jeff Francoeur of the Royals.

A season of touchbacks?

Now that the NFL has moved kickoffs to the 35 yard line to make the game safer the Onion Sports Network has this little gem of an article on the subject.

The money quote, "In fact there is nothing more boring to me than when the return man evades a few tackles, gets a key block, and sprints up the sideline towards the end zone. Touchbacks are why I watch football."

Heck, I can remember when they used to kick off from the forty. That was years ago. Are you ready for some football?

UPDATE: Of the 12 kickoffs in last night's opening game between the Saints and the Packers, 8 resulted in touchbacks, one was an onside kick and one was an electrifying 108 yard return by Packer's rookie Randall Cobb in what he admitted was a "rookie mistake."

Under the Packers' special team strategy the kick returner lines up 5 yards deep in the end zone and is instructed to take a knee if he has to back up to field the ball. Given that the return was credited at 108 yards that means that Cobb backpedaled 3 yards to field the ball and never should have brought it out in the first place. This season promises to be one of yawns and bathroom breaks during kickoffs. Look for your excitement elsewhere in the game.

SAAB files for bankruptcy protection

In a desperate attempt to fend off going out of business, Swedish automaker SAAB has filed for bankruptcy protection. It will be a sad day if SAAB doesn't make it. The company "born from jets" produced some excellent cars and has always had a loyal, if somewhat eclectic following. I have written about my affinity for the brand in the past here and here. I have owned a couple of SAABs and always loved driving them. They won my affection and loyalty for almost 25 years, until I finally moved on for various reasons, none of which had to do with the quality or effectiveness of the vehicles. It will be sad if they don't make it.

Okeeheelee

A buddy of mine and his wife came into town from Sarasota this weekend and we played the course at Okeeheelee on Sunday morning. It had been many years since I had played there, so after a bit of scouting around trying to figure out the course we got started and played two rounds of 9, the first from the blue tees and the second from the white tees.

The course has changed quite a bit. The blue tees are long, challenging and can give your scorecard the blues. I shot 4 pars and 5 bogeys. When we played from the whites I shot 9 pars. It was hot and sunny, but the park is beautiful and it was a lot of fun. I will have to go back soon.

Football is back

The regular season officially begins this Thursday night with the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers hosting the New Orleans Saints right after Obama's speech.The always humorous, often irreverent Jason Gay has his brief take on the season here in the WSJ.

Peter Kings predicts the Dolphins coming in last in the AFC East at 6-10. I hope that's not the case. I really don't want to spend another season frustrated from start to finish, but realistically I have to say a .500 season would not be all that bad. Are you ready for some football?

It's Monday

And we all know what that means. Time for another MOTW, Manager of the Week. Depending on this next manager's seniority, he/she may get away with this behavior, but there really is no place for it in a professional work environment.

MOTW: Foul Mouthed Manager

Despite company policy to the contrary, Foul Mouthed Manager engages in diatribes directed at his/her staff which are heavily laced with imprecations, the kind which would make a sailor on shore leave redden with embarrassment. Whenever a representative of the Human Resources department comes within earshot however, Foul Mouthed Manager’s vocabulary miraculously becomes as pristine as a virgin wildlife refuge.

Weekend Haiku

Butterfly
sleeping
on the temple bell.

Buson (1716 - 1783)

I'd Love to Change the World

A recording of the classic tune I'd love to change the world by Ten Years After. Alvin Lee rocks, and not much has changed. Enjoy and happy Friday.