We're taking bets that you have 5 minutes to answer a couple of questions...

It will be about 67 degrees here in New England and everyone is pretty psyched. A sad note that Arrested Development was officially killed off. It is a shame because it was great television. A have a few questions for everyone. I hope you enjoy. Invite others to answer. Everyone can do it anonymous if they have to. Talk to everyone later.

A. Finish this sentence... I hate when ___________ happens because it makes me feel ______.

B. Everyone has a nervous habit or quirk. What is yours?

C. You live in Candyland and are the president of a new company. You decide to build a new building for your employees. What do you build it out of?

Answers

A. I hate when I see ugly people sucking face in public because it makes me feel like I have to scream, "Get a ROOM!!!"

B. I am a nailbiter and I cannot stop. I have often thought of trying my parents tactic that they used on my little brother when he wouldn't stop sucking his thumb by putting tabasco sauce on my hands, but I like hot stuff.

C. I definitely would use RedVines for the pipes, Spree for the foundation and LifeSavers for everything else. It would be functional and delicious.

We're taking bets that she is scarier than a monster...

So I was kind of psyched when watching 24 last night that the smarmy guy was accused of sexual harassment. He is a creepy guy and he is trying to get Jack into trouble. So when the new girl, Shari Rothberg(played by Kate Mara) is getting supported by Chloe I was pretty happy. But then she turned into every hetrosexual males nightmare. A woman who thinks every guy is sexually harassing her. I understand that many guys can be pigs, but it is women like this that ruin it for the rest of us. It is a horrible double standard that a woman can touch a guy practically any way she wants and we can't sue, but if a guy has to squeeze by someone and they touch even in the slightest bit they will in trouble. This crazy girl is going to cause havoc for the next 11 hours on 24. Poor Bill Buchanan. That guy cannot catch a break.

We're taking bets that Hottie of the Week...

The Dixie Chicks have a new album coming out on May 23rd and I thought I should start the hype now. All three of these women are hotties in their own right. Even pregnant as seen by the picture below. They make great music and are willing to stand by their messages in their music. Beautiful voices along with beautiful women makes a great combination. :)

We're taking bets that being the best doesn't guarentee anything...

Here are a couple of thoughts on the last week.

* The best two players in college basketball were eliminated last night in the Sweet Sixteen. Surprisingly Duke lost to LSU and Gonzaga was shocked by UCLA meaning we will not be able to see the great white hopes: JJ Redick and Adam Morrison anymore. Who knows if they will be good pros or not, but they both gave us an exciting year and I am sure white America is waiting for them to become the next Larry Bird.

* I honestly feel sorry for this man. Accidents happen and the fact that leaving his child made national news is a shame. I am sure that there are millions of people who have been forgotten to be picked up or were left somewhere by their parents.

* New cardinals are being installed in the Catholic church today. It is nice to know that there are some traditions that keep on going. I wonder what the criteria is to be a cardinal other than you are currently a bishop? Is there a pious rating?

We're taking bets that Spring is here to stay...

It's finally Spring!!! Of course the weather is not cooperating here in New England, but that is perfectly fine with me because knowing Spring is here makes me happy. Being Thursday that means it is question time. Post your answers in the comments section. Remember that you can be anonymous and you don't have to answer each question. Ask others to answer. Have fun and enjoy.

A. Assuming that complete recovery were instantaneous, would you be willing to accept a year of total paralysis below the neck to prevent the otherwise certain extinction of a species of animal?

B. Would you be willing to become extremely ugly physically if it meant you would live for 1,000 years at any physical age you chose?

C. What is your favorite part of Spring?

Answers:

A. Since I have a love of animals and I would be able to make a full recovery I would definitely do it. It would also probably give me a greater appreciation for life and the ability to fully function.

B. Since I would love to live for 1,000 years I would do it. I really think it would be neat to see how things change over that long a time period. Plus I could choose the age that I wanted. I am just an average looking person now so I am not sure people would really be able to tell the difference.

C. For me the best part of Spring is the fact that one day there is no leaves on the trees and the next day they seem to be full of leaves. It truly is amazing because the transition happens so fast. That is why Mother Nature is just so fascinating.

We're taking bets that you are ready for some LOST...

After another two week hiatus LOST will be airing at least 3 NEW episodes in a row. This is very exciting because producers have promised that the story will move forward pretty rapidly over the next few weeks. Of course that doesn't mean it won't confuse us even more, but it might tie up some loose ends. I have 5 questions that I am wondering about regarding the show and was wondering if anyone had some theories. I have no clue the answers, but would love to see some feedback.

1. What the heck happened to Walt and Michael?

2. Why was Hurley in a mental institution?

3. What the hell happened to Locke to put him in a wheelchair?

4. Is Henry Gale really an OTHER or is he just an innocent bystander on this island?

5. Am I the only one who thinks Libby is a little creepy and probably is going to play a big part in the last few episodes?

We're taking bets that we hardly knew ya WBC...

Well the World Baseball Championship is over and Japan is the winner. Many people in the United States really didn't care. Even in baseball crazy New England where the Red Sox are still front page news no one seemed to notice it was even on. I personally think this is a fantastic idea and should be played every 3 years. The problem is that it should start November 1st and not March 1st. There are too many other things going on for sports minded people in March. Mainly March Madness, which never seems to get old. I understand that the rest of the world has a passion for soccer that we cannot match, but we supposedly had that passion for baseball. It didn't happen. I bet most people didn't even know who our starting second baseman was. The WBC is over for now and I hope that Mr. Selig finds a way to make it better the next time around. He should start with the awful uniforms and build from there.

We're taking bets that Hottie of the Week...

Since The WB has decided to cancel Charmed I thought it might be a good time to recognize Hottie Alyssa Milano. I know that there are probably a million websites dedicated to her, but she still is wonderful. Ever since Who's the Boss she has made men swoon. (Ok I was 12, but I was swooning.) Too bad she is athlete kryptonite and seems to sap star athlete's careers. Hopefully she will find another vehicle to keep Alyssa on our TV screens.

We're taking bets that the sun is fun...

Hey Everyone!!! Just a quick post from Miami Beach. Life is fun down here. A couple of funny things to point out that would never happen up North...

1. You would never see a man or woman in a suit driving down Boylston Street on a scooter. It doesn't matter how nice the weather is. It just would not happen.

2. I think most women spend 1/3 of their time on the beach picking out wedgies. Thankfully most guys don't have this problem except the weirdos wearing Speedos(Except Ian) and racing swimmers.

3. Sweet Plantains are the greatest food. You have not lived until you have had them as a side at Samba Sushi on Lincoln Rd. in Miami Beach.

We're taking bets that Hottie of the Week...

Hottie Jamie Lynn Sigler from The Sopranos. Jamie is a wicked hottie who does a great job as Meadow. I like that she tries to get away from her family's occupation, but can be just as dirty as the rest of them. Poor Finn he has no idea what he is getting into.

We're taking bets that some people make you angry...

I work with 2 or 3 of the most miserable people I have ever met in the City of Springfield. Most of the guys are pretty good. They have their issues, but go about their business. NOT FUCKING TOMMY!!! This guy is a miserable prick who doesn't understand that he is an grade A asshole and people put up with his shit because beating him up everyday would get old. He is a painter and not a very good one. When he is asked a simple question about painting he should just fucking answer it and not complain about it. No one questions how he does his job but if you ask him anything at all regarding his job he jumps down your throat. The guy can go fuck himself with a paint brush, but I am sure he won't have any room with the 3 sticks he likes to keep up his ass to keep his demeanor pleasant.

We're taking bets that the Madness is here...

Upsets are everywhere this time of year. That is one of the greatest things about the NCAA Tournament and Conference Tournaments. UCONN lost to Syracuse, George Washington lost to Temple and the University of Washington lost to Oregon. It was a gaggle of upsets. I think this is going to be an extremely exciting NCAA Tournament this year. The Big East might actually get 9 teams into the tournament. That would be crazy. Sadly they probably deserve to get 10 or 11 teams in. I cannot wait until Selection Sunday and 12 hours of games on both Thursday and Friday. Crazy Delicious. Also if you are interested in the next Great White Hopes for basketball read Pat Forde's article. It is pretty interesting.

Other great news is the Sopranos are back on this Sunday and the whacking will begin. I just hope Tony makes it through the series. I think I would be pretty disappointed if he dies. Christopher on the other hand would be a good guy to kill in the last few episodes. Ultimately I hope that Silvio takes over the family because Steven Van Zandt is wicked cool. I hope that all my readers have a great weekend. I will be off to Miami on Sunday and will try to blog a little while away. Enjoy the week. Thank God Spring Break is here.

We're taking bets that everyone's comfort level is different...

Hi everyone. (When I say everyone I mean the 10 loyal readers I have.) I hope that you are enjoying the first week of March. Today is as always question day. Please post your answers in the comments section. I think the questions are definitely fun today. It will be good to see male/female perspectives. Enjoy.

A. Fact or Fiction: When a girl first meets a guy, she'll decide within 15 minutes how far she'll let him go sexually. Why?

B. Why would a guy that a female met on the train not ask her out after two weeks of conversations? He's nice, single, and straight... and he seems to be interested in her.

Answers:

A. I think that this is 100% true. I don't think that means necessarily that night, but if a girl doesn't see it happen ever then it probably won't ever happen. Girls are much more particular than men and see even the smallest flaws that would stop them from being physical.

B. Probably because he is shy and afraid of rejection. Most of the times it ends up that the male has to do the asking. That means that most of the time the men are getting rejected. It is a real tough thing to take and a lot of men shy away from asking or wait for the ultimate sign. (Whatever that is.)

We're taking bets that Fire Marshal Bill is never around when you need him...

So I was a junior fire fighter at 4:00 am. Someone put a cigarette in a trash can full of paper outside of my building. Thankfully one of my students informed me, while I was doing paperwork in my office. (Don't ask why I was in my office that late/early) I grabbed a fire extinguisher and put it out. It wasn't a huge blaze. The fire was completely engulfing the inside of the trash can and has made the trash can useless. If you have never used a fire extinguisher I suggest you do. You never know when the time might come when you need to and you can't figure out how to pull the pin or how far you should be away while you spray it. Thankfully my years in Residence Life kept me calm, cool and collected. Though it did make me anxious after the fact, because if the student never noticed it and I was not up the front of the building probably would have been on fire. Weird how this can work them selves out. Just in case any of you were wondering what I looked like putting out the fire I have included the picture below. Enjoy!

We're taking bets that the little things can bring us back...

I am posting part of an article by John Buccigross of ESPN.com. John writes about hockey and lives in my hometown South Windsor, CT. I needed some cheering up on this depressing Tuesday and read about the story of his son Jackson. It brought a tear of happiness to my eye and I thought that everyone I know should read this story. This may be stealing from ESPN, but I really don't care because it is stories like these that need to be told in the news and not the crap we hear. Plus it will make my brother happy that I read about hockey. :)

"State tournaments. From mites to squirts to peewees to bantams to midgets to high school and prep schools, boys and girls from around the U.S. will drive with queasy stomachs on highways, byways and back roads to games. The anticipation is too great for the stomach to hold. Boys and girls will enjoy that time-honored tradition of getting out of school early to play tournament hockey.

That's where I am going after I finish this, to pick up 6-year-old Jackson from Wapping Elementary school here in South Windsor, Conn. You'd like Jack. He's the kind of kid who wakes up in the morning with smiling blue eyes, and he continues smiling until his bocce-ball-sized head hits the pillow at 9 p.m. He is witty, funny, silly, smart, knows what number Joe Sakic is and what team Mike Modano plays on. He sings along to the Ben Folds Five and They Might Be Giants CDs. He's a great companion, the kind of person who doesn't sap energy, but is rather an alternative energy source.

Jack is a first-year mite, a young 6 year old playing with mostly 7- and 8-year-olds. At every practice, he skates every drill all-out. His effort is not born from intensity or even competitiveness. It's from joy. He's a joyful kid who plays hockey joyfully. Think Alexander Ovechkin, although much smaller and without the Russian accent. The foundation of nearly every success is a hard worker who loves the hard work.

Despite all of the love and effort, Jackson had played the first 34 games of his young hockey career without a goal. Tyranny, hell and goals are not easily conquered. Hockey is hard. That is its great lesson, and its great gift. Yes, waiting for something to happen, the struggle, the sacrifice, the doubt, is a gift. Jack wasn't tormented by not scoring. His joy for the game, for skating, stick handling, trumps everything. But it was on his mind. He knew. He sees the game. He notices the game of life and hockey. He gets it. The waiting is the hardest part.
As mite hockey practice began last fall, I told Jack that Cammi Granato was cut from Team USA. Jack has spent some time with Cammi and the two share a bond that sometimes happens inexplicably, despite having little time together. When it was time for choosing uniform numbers, Jackson Buccigross chose Cammi's No. 21.

As the unsure, skinny 6-year-old made his way around the rinks of Connecticut in October, November, December, January and then February, that first goal, with the little blue puck, never came. Yes, hockey is hard. For 6-year-olds, it can be overwhelming. Never forget that when you watch your kids. Hockey is a hard, demanding game. Which takes us to Feb. 21, the first week of the Olympics. Jack had seen a lot of Cammi on NBC's coverage of the women's Olympic hockey the previous few days. When Cammi would appear, Jack would occasionally say, "That coach was dumb for not having Cammi on the team." Yeah, Jack, I know. So, on Feb. 21, No. 21 packed the hockey bag he insists on carrying himself, the small caddy carrying Al Czervik's gigantic golf bag in "Caddyshack," and headed to West Springfield, Mass. The rink? Olympia Ice Skating Arena.

The opponent was Holy Name, a team that the South Windsor mites had lost to 2-0 three days earlier. It was also school vacation week and three of our forwards -- an entire line -- were away. We were down to two lines. Jack would see lots of ice time.

As if someone had flipped a switch, Jackson was a different player that day, flying all over the ice. He was even skating around, attempting to do multiple crossovers, just like he's seen the great skater, Jack Skille of Wisconsin, do on television Friday nights. One Jack noticing another.
It didn't take long. Following a turnover at the blue line, Jackson rushed toward the net on a mini-breakaway, and with his all-wood TPS stick, fired a wrist shot in the far corner to make it 1-0.

After almost five months of weekend games, Jackson had scored his first career travel goal in the 35th game of his rookie season. As he sprinted to the bench to receive the high fives from his teammates and dad, his skates didn't touch the ice. He floated. Blue eyes as big as red face off dots. He did it. This little 42-pound perpetual Christmas present had found the back of the net with the little blue puck. Why did it take so long? Heaven knows how to set a proper price upon its goods. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.

As it was a blessing for Ray Bourque to win his first Stanley Cup in his last NHL game, and a blessing for Mike Eruzione to win gold in his last hockey game, it was a blessing Jackson waited almost five months to feel the exhilaration of scoring his first goal. He had chosen uniform No. 21 to cheer up an Olympic gold medal winner embarrassed by grumpy old men. And five months later, his first career goal came on the 21st of the Olympic month in a rink called Olympia? Against a team called Holy Name? God only knows.

Yes, this great game has so many values we can choose to use in our everyday lives. Heart, courage, mental toughness and artistic expression are four. And the greatest virtue of all will be evident in rinks all over North America this month. When it is all said and done, success -- whether it's revolution, your first goal, a state championship, NCAA Championship or Stanley Cup -- requires patience and an understanding of what it takes. And what it takes is why hockey is the greatest teaching game of all. Always remember in times of battle: Nothing comes cheap."

We're taking bets that Monday was a horrible day in history...

Two awful things happened yesterday. South Dakota governor Mike Rounds signed a bill abolishing almost every type of abortion in his state. Secondly, Kirby Puckett died of complications related to a stroke. I know that both of these things are not related, but they both happened yesterday and are extremely sad.

The abortion bill is specifically designed to challenge Roe v. Wade in the Supreme Court. Now that we have two more conservative justices there is a good chance that it could get overturned. It blows my mind that the court was progressive enough in 1973, but might not be in 2007 or 2008 when this case is finally heard. I just hope that people realize that everyone has a right to choose. I for one would choose life, if it was my decision to make or assist in making. I respect a woman's right to do what she wants with her body and it is tough for me that others cannot see that. It is difficult realizing that my faith in the US Supreme Court will be severely tested over the next few years. Sadly it is the one branch of the government that consistently gets it right, whether they make the popular decision or not. Hopefully that is the case this time.

“There are a lot of great players in this game, but only one Kirby,” pitcher Rick Aguilera said when Puckett announced his retirement. “It was his character that meant more to his teammates. He brought a great feeling to the clubhouse, the plane, everywhere.” Kirby Puckett grew up in poverty in Chicago as one of nine children. He was considered special by everyone that he encountered. He had fallen on rough times over the last three years and many people were worried about him. Hopefully now he is in a better place and roaming the outfield on the baseball team up in the sky. I for one will be TiVoing Sportscenter today to watch the inevitable Kirby montage. It really makes me sad that we lost one of the great ballplayers long before we ever should have.

This is an update at 9:33 am EST.

I think I may have to crawl back into bed. Christopher Reeve's widow Dana died today of lung cancer. She was a champion to people who have been afflicted with paralysis. She has left a 13 year old son behind at the age of 44. I just can't believe it. This has the makings of one of the worst weeks ever. :(

We're taking bets that Hottie of the Week...

Our Hottie of the Week Elisha Cuthbert makes her triumphant return tonight on 24. She is hot in everything she does from the underrated Girl Next Door to her cameo in Love Actually. She has some incredible bedroom eyes that would make any man or woman melt. I hope that she has some juicy moments in 24 and explains why the hell she is with C. Thomas Howell?

We're taking bets that Kirby Puckett was cuddly...

A very sad story has just hit the newswire. Hall of Fame baseball player Kirby Puckett had a stroke. His career was sadly cut short due to blindness caused by glaucoma. He was the ultimate player and the main reason the Minnesota Twins have two World Series Championships. Although you may not know who he is he and his family should be in your heart and prayers. Here his is during his happier times.

We're taking bets that Big Brother is watching...

I know that bullying is still a problem in schools today. It has become an even bigger issue because we now have cyber-bullying. Which is even worse because kids don't even have to be bigger or up front with someone, but can do it through an AIM screen name or on web pages. I think that kids today are even meaner than they were 40 years ago. Heck they are probably even worse than they were 5 years ago. So I am all for stopping this from happening, but I think it can go too far.

At a middle school in California a kid was suspended for posting an awful MySpace page about a girl in the school. He was suspended and the school is looking to try and expel him. I don't have any issue with this whatsoever. What I do have an issue with is the fact that 20 other kids were suspended for looking at the pages. Now nowhere in the article does it mention whether or not the kids made posts supporting the other kid so does looking at offensive material in your own home constitute a suspension? Just because they were friends of the site they were suspended. I am probably a little naive and don't realize that friends of bullies can be just as bad as the bullies themselves, but this seems a little out of bounds. Now what you look at in the privacy of your own home can cause you to get into trouble. I guess this is the world that we have created and there is no other way around it.

We're taking bets that you can't believe it is March...

Time is moving at Mach speed for me this year. I can't believe it is March already. I think I just really need a 48 hour nap to slow time down for me. Just a little. I hope everyone enjoys today's questions. Post your answers in the comments section. Remember that you can be anonymous and you don't have to answer each question. Have fun and remember it is almost time to Spring Back. :)

A. If you could be instantly fluent in any language what language would you choose?

B. What do you think about when you go to sleep at night?

Answers:

A. I would probably choose Italian because I could then go and talk to my ex-girlfriend's mother and tell how mean it was to speak Italian all the time around me so I was left out. I also think Italy is pretty cool so it would be helpful if I ever get to travel there.

B. I often think about the things I could have done in the previous day and hope to do tomorrow. Lastly I think of my friends and the hope that I get to talk and/or see them the next day.