Happy Birthday, Linc…

Lincoln is thirteen today. The boy is now officially a teenager.  Wow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy birthday, buddy. Momand I are very proud of you. We couldn’t ask for a better kid.

Love, Dad.

Makes One Wonder…

Looking through my Flickr stream today and saw that this is the most popular with 37 views:

Makes me wonder why something attracts more interest than others.

Just a curious thought on a slow day…

It’s Over…

I write this from my Monday armchair as a disgruntled fan, not an expert.

After only two games into the 2008 season, the Detroit Lions‘ season can be said to be effectively over. If you watched yesterday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, you know what I mean.

The defense is a sieve. The offense is sporadic. Changes, and I mean big, drastic changes, need to be made if the team is going to squeeze out any semblence of a season. First thing is to bench Kitna. While the losses are not his fault alone, he is a BIG reason for yesterday’s implosion. Three interceptions turned into three touchdowns in a matter of minutes. Add to that his habitual underthrowing, overthrowing, not throwing. He is not starting caliber. He panics in the pocket and either holds on to the ball too long or makes a bad pass. He’s done, I could see it on his face as he walked off the field (before the play was done, by the way) after interception number three. Get Drew Stanton in there. He was drafted high for a reason.

Fire Joe Barry. I don’t care if he is Marianelli’s son-in-law. The defense has not stopped much since he took over. He can’t coordinate a defense. Fire him, today.

I do not like firing a head coach during the season. It is a desperation move that should not happen. But, that being said, Marinelli and the rest of the staff should go at the end of this year. They have had their chance and could not even pull out a season above .500. Time to go.

Millen – gone. He is a total failure at running an NFL team. Ford won’t do it, but Millen cannot stay any longer as President and CEO. No talent will come to Detroit while he is there.

From what I have seen these past two weeks, and looking at the res of the schedule, the Lions will be lucky to get more than four wins this year. Here is how I see the next month of games:

Sep 21 San Fran – Loss. The defensive backfield will be no match for Mike Martz’s high-flying offense. He knows where the holes are and will exploit them mercilessly.

Oct 5 Chicago – Loss. This is actually a toss-up depending on which Bear’s team shows up at Ford Field. If it is the one that beat Indy, then the Lions will not win. The Lions do play better at home but by this week may be so beat down that there is no home field advantage. The crowd will turn quickly, too, if things do not start well.

Oct 12 Min – Loss. The Lions could beat the Vikings if they were playing at Ford Field. But since it is at the Metrodome, the Vikes will pull this one out. Look for Adrien Peterson to run roughshod over the Defense.

Oct 19 Houston – Loss. Really, I have no idea how Houston is this year but given that it is in Houston and that the Lions have an atrocious road record over the last seven years, I give it to Houston.

Oct 26 Washington – Loss. I can’t remember the last time the Lions beat the ‘Skins.

My two cents as a disgruntled fan. I have been die-hard my whole life and will stay die-hard because I have hope. Just wait until next year…

New Approach…

The Ragnar Relay from Cumberland to D.C. takes place this month on September 26 and 27. I am on one of the many relay teams. The team captain decided to use one of my faces for our team shirt (cool!) but asked me to add a body.

I am not good at drawing bodies. They go kind of crooked like the guy is flying. I decided on a different approach and here is what I came up with. The slogan is hers.

The stick figure with the big head works for me. I may start experimenting more with this approach.

What do you think?

All Good Things…

So, poking around one day I happened across a job listing for a Director of Project Management with a hotel chain that is based in the area. Dream job. But the timing isn’t right. So I posted this below on Twitter

Don’t you hate when you see a dream job advertised but the timing isn’t quite right? about 15 hours ago from twhirl

And got this great response:

gdwscott @steveheath We have a saying in Scotland: Whit’s fur ye will no go past ye. about 4 hours ago from twhirl in reply to steveheath

What a great way to look at life.

Growth just is not happening, not with the company or for me professionally. So, some hard choices will have to be considered over the next few months even though I love the company and the people.

But all the while remembering, “Whit’s for ye will no go past ye.”

Hey, There is This Cool New Show…

I know I am really late to this party (sue me) but I am officially hooked. After just three episodes, I am completely hooked on Mad Men. Three episodes in the middle of season two, to be exact, but I am definately hooked (and happy to find a suitable replacement for BSG).

I now have the incredible urge to smoke, drink scotch at noon and write ads for American Airlines, Playtex and Clearasil.

Jenny nailed it last night on our walk. I want to be Donald Draper. She’s right, I do. He is…cool. Except, I don’t want his flaws, just give me the cool, steely gaze, the “I-own-this-room” presence.

Don Draper Cool

I won’t go into the time-period being the main character, the brilliant writing, the excellent acting of the cast (Joel Murray is perfect as Freddy). It’s all been said and done before by many and better writers. I don’t need to add to that din.

But, it is cool.

What a Night…

The things I saw and experienced during tonight’s run!

There was the young man with a lot of ‘tude at the intersection calling the car in front of him an A-hole because it did not go on green. And my satisfaction of telling him through his open window, “A cop is coming with his lights on!”

A young lady, also with a lot of ‘tude, leaning out the car window and yelling, “aaargh!” at me with a strange, warrior face. I am sure it was not meant to say, “Hey, look at that cool runner-guy,” but instead sarcastic. I like sarcasm, so I’m down with that.

A good-looking young lady in her hot sports car, picking her nose AND checking out the treasure she dug up (Awesome.)

Two guys, one older and one younger, (father and son?) in front of the Pour House Cafe. The younger stands as the older approaches and holds out his hand to shake hands. The older pushes it aside and instead gives him a big hug.

The guy with one leg I nod to every time I run pass. I notice tonight that he has a prosthetic leg. So, I talk to him for the first time. “New leg?” I ask. He says it is. “Congratulations. How is working out? Getting used to it?” He says it is ok but a little difficult to get used to. His big smile says how happy he is.

And finally, stretching in front of my house after my run and hearing a lady singing loudly, and out of key, with Steve Miller Band’s “Jet Airliner” as she drives by.

I had started to get a little bored with my runs. Too much of the same thing. Tonight took care of that.

Heady times in Westminster!