WTBT Volume 26, Series 2011...

We're taking bets that...
* you are glad it is Opening Day in Baseball today.
* Opening Day in Baseball is kind of boring though because not every team plays.
* when a size 6 is too big something is wrong with the world.
* my favorite April storm was in 1997 when a blizzard shut down Boston.
* the guy who did the Bronx Cobra twitter account is a comedic genius.
* today's Google design dedicated to the Bunsen guy was pretty cool.
* the greatest thing about this goat story was the fact that police think the goats might have been for a sacrifice.
* we really don't do a lot of sacrifices these days.
* it doesn't make sense that the World Series champions are opening at their arch rivals the Dodgers.
* no matter how hard you try you just can't please everyone.
* Montana State Rep. Alan Hale is my vote for the dumbest politician of March 2011.

We're taking bets that someone needs to judge these Idols...

Alright so American Idol has some great singers. The problem is no one on the judges panel is really giving any serious feedback. Everyone cannot be perfect each week. So here is my tone deaf opinions about tonight's performances of Elton John songs.

Scott McCreery - Country Comfort
Scott did his normal self. He wasn't too flashy nor did he make any mistakes. He is all around good, but needs some more songs that fit his voice. He will be one of the next great male country singers.
Grade: B

Naima Adedapo - Still Standing
She decided to take this song reggae which I happen to love, but she murdered it. It wasn't as funky as she can be and I just didn't like it. I think that she will have trouble because she is so unique. We already have an india.arie and Eryka Badu so I am not sure she will make it.
Grade: D

Paul McDonald - Rocket Man
Paul has such a unique voice. He is the new Rod Stewart without the creepiness. (Except his rose suit) I just didn't believe him in this song. It made me not like the song anymore. He did have some good moments, but this wasn't a song he should have fooled with.
Grade: C

Pia Toscano - Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
Pia might be the most polished singer. She was Whitney and Mariah before they both were crazy. She is easily the frontrunner and I think she will probably win it all. WOW!!!
Grade: A

Stefano Langone - Tiny Dancer
Now this might be Elton's most recognized song because of all the commercials and movies it have been in. Stefano did a good job and really sucked up to the judges. I feel like he missed a bunch of notes and really didn't deliver like this song needed.
Grade: B-

Lauren Alaina - Candle in the Wind
Oops. She definitely screwed up the lyrics. She seemed very distracted but she sounded beautiful. She has some serious talent, but I am not sure what was up with her tonight. There is no way she goes home tomorrow, but she definitely has potential to drop a major dookie on live television.
Grade: B+

James Durbin - Saturday Night's Alright
Unfreaking believable. James might actually be might favorite. I am not so sure that mid America will be able to vote for him in the later rounds, but he was amazing. He has a great voice and is an exciting performer. He killed it tonight.
Grade: A

Thia Megia - Daniel
She did a good job from the emotional side. She was connected to the song, but she didn't excite me at all. She has a great voice, but she is too young for this competition. She just doesn't have the maturity to win. I think she goes home this week.
Grade: C

Casey Abrams - Your Song
Well the guy who was saved last week absolutely knocked it out of the park this week. The song fit him perfectly. I cannot imagine America not voting for him this week. If he goes home I will be very very disappointed. Top Notch!
Grade: A-

Jacob Lusk - Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word
Well he is easily my Theresa's favorite. He was close to perfect this week. Jacob always has one over done note, but he was pretty toned down this week. I thought it was a great arrangement to showcase his voice and I think he is a serious contender Grade: A-

Haley Reinhart - Bennie and the Jets
She was easily the best performance of the night. She was actually having fun while she was singing and you could tell. It was very impressive and I think she staved off elimination.
Grade: A+

Recap: Naima, Thia, Paul and Stefano are all in trouble this week. I can't imagine anyone else being in the bottom, but America votes and usually we screw it up at least a few times.

WTBT Volume 25, Series 2011...

We're taking bets that...

* Mother Nature is probably one of the best April Fool's pranksters.
* the UConn women are going to have their hardest time winning a National Championship this year.
* you will be shocked if Gadhfi makes it out of Libya alive.
* it's that sometimes a K-Mart blue light special is a guy masturbating.
* Jimmy Kimmel is probably one of the best at creative celebrity viral videos.
* it's odd Sheryl Swoopes is going back to the WNBA a 40, but more power to her.
* you should know the difference between the words skirmish and squirmish.
* you are not quite sure squirmish is even a word.
* sometimes good can come out of an accident.
* listening to the Freelance Whales makes you smile.
* doing the right thing gets easier when that is how you live your life.
*

WTBT Winter Crush...

Each season I am going to be crushing on someone famous. It could be anyone; male, female, cartoon, etc. I hope you enjoy my winter crush.

I love the show Detroit 1-8-7 and think that it would be a shame if it is canceled. Especially because of Natalie Martinez as Det. Ariana Sanchez. She is a tough cop from the streets of Detroit and beautiful to boot. She has really interesting chemistry with Det. Finch (Michael Imperioli) that makes her even more enchanting. I love her smile (You know how I love smiles) and I hope she gets to stay on TV one way or another. Check her out.

We're taking bets that this is absolutely insane...

I need all of you to read this article before you read my commentary. I am not sure what world we have created that allowed this girl to think her actions against her mother were okay. There has to be something seriously wrong with her because if there is not I think I may have to hide in my basement for the next 60+ years. When I was two my father told me I could not do or have something and I got so angry that I actually passed out. Now I am sure that was a little extreme and I can't really remember what I was thinking, but even that behavior was wrong. (Funny side note: My Dad didn't really know what to do and picked up my lifeless like body and took me to my mother. I awoke in his arms while they were figuring out what to do. Though they probably should have noticed that I was still breathing I now think the situation is hysterical.) This situation blows my mind. She first threatened to kill her mother on the phone, which probably was heard by others in the car dealership. While I am sure many people have threatened to kill family members before while angry this seems like an odd reaction. She then obtained a gun. Is it really that easy? Can any 17 year old girl get a gun in less than an hour? If this isn't a reason for stronger gun laws I don't know what is. She then pistol whips her mother and takes her to sign the car loan. This is not a hostage/extortion situation. Not typical of a 17 year old honor student. What is typical is the mother even after calling the police to report decided she didn't want her daughter to get in trouble. HELLO!!!!!!!! I know that we need to protect our children, but once they have pulled a gun on me all bets are off. They need help and getting them arrested is the first step. I, as a parent, obviously can't handle the situation and that is okay. Why do so many parents deny doing the right thing for our children when they make a major mistake. I know I am not a parent and can't understand, but I have parents who let me take consequences when I was an idiot. I didn't graduate in four years because I made some mistakes sophomore year and then never made up the work. They didn't offer me money or call the school. They told me that I would have to find a way to pay for all the costs if I still wanted to graduate. I lived off campus, worked 40 hours a week and took my classes. What would have I have learned from them bailing me out? We need to protect our children, but we need to start teaching them responsibility better as well as right from wrong. Maybe a story like this will actually shock people or maybe we have all become desensitized to it. I hope the latter.

We're taking bets that 2011 is the year of the underdog...

It really has been a great year for underdogs. No one thought Green Bay was going to win the Super Bowl when the play-offs started. Not many people expected the people of Egypt to overtake Mubarak. Esperanza Spalding won Best New Artist at the Grammy's. No #1 seeds made it to the Final Four this year. What a great year!!!

Perseverance and determination pay off. Of course you need some talent or a idea people can get behind, but you have to work hard to get good things. I for one am really glad that people are getting to see this. So often I hear about the "millennial" generation not understanding you have to earn things before you get them. Well society is going out of its way to show them that if you put hard work in you can get positive results. We all need to look at why underdogs are so exciting and why we love them so much. I think it is because many of us wish we could do what they have done. The problem I have with that is we still can no matter how old we are.

We all need to persevere and stayed determined. We need to be judged on our actions and not on what we say we are going to do. Do you notice that we used to chose leaders who had done something before they were elected like George Washington, Dwight Eisenhower, and Theodore Roosevelt? Maybe we need to look to that model again. We all need to be judged by what we do and not our promises. Our leaders need to have accomplished something positive just like all of these underdogs. I am glad all of the underdogs have won this year and I hope my UConn Huskies who were supposed to be too tired to win this tournament can go the distance. I hope we all find the strength to go the distance that we need in our lives.

WTBT Volume 24, Series 2011...

We're taking bets that...

* it would be awesome seeing Richard Blais vs. Michael Voltaggio in a Top Chef throwdown.
* Geraldine Ferraro does not get the credit she deserves being a pioneer for women's equality.
* I would love to see VCU beat Kansas.
* protesting in foreign countries seems to be the newest fad.
* it seems really weird that Bret Michaels thinks it is the Tony Award's fault he walked into a closing part of the stage.
* it is great to see Merrimack College in the hockey NCAA tournament.
* Earth Hour should be expanded to Earth 12 Hours.
* you should try going a week without your cell phone and see if you life was less stressful or more stressful.
* it is a sad day when OMG and LOL are now approved words in the Oxford Dictionary.
* Samuel L. Jackson would have been pissed at these muthaeffers.

We're taking bets that I have been a pondering...

Here are a few of my observations over the last week. Some of them might even be profound, but I am not sure.

* American Idol definitely has the best talent since Carrie Underwood won the title, but I think the judges are getting a little soft. They praised every single person this week even though there was definitely some down performances. I know Jennifer and Steven don't want to be downers, but it is getting a little ridiculous. I really think that this show is going to decline very fast once Simon comes out with his X-Factor show. He is the only one that is consistently honest. Randy has tried this season, but you can tell he doesn't like the boos. I hope they get tougher once they get down to the top 5 because they need to give them criticism that will help them get better.

* I cannot stop listening to Adele's new CD. It is like heaven on my ears. She is amazing. You all should go out and buy it or at least steal it from the internet. I will at least use my Rhapsody. Check out Jennifer Hudson's new one as well. Not quite Adele, but damn good.

* There has been a lot of heavy events in the last few weeks. No matter what happens we (By we I mean citizens of the United States on both sides of the political aisle and definitely the middle too) seem to be throwing blame on everyone we can rather than take positive action. Now I know many of you have donated money to Japan to help them during their tragedy. More of you have probably blogged about the dictatorships in Libya, Saudi Arabia, China and any other place you can think isn't democratic. Many of you have been appalled by Charlie Sheen and his antics, but it has made for great water cooler conversation. How many of us have taken truly positive action? I believe that Obama screwed up with his handling of Libya and instead of standing by his decision he hasn't said much other than he is going to come up with a comprehensive plan with the Middle East. (BTW Libya isn't in the Middle East. No really check a map.) I guess it makes me wonder where all of our inspirational leaders have gone? Has technology really made us a passive society that would rather Twitter about issues than come up with solutions? I know tons of people protested in Wisconsin, but I watched a lot of TV on the issue from both sides. Sadly, Governor Walker not matter how flawed I think his plan was actually had a plan. I am becoming a little disenfranchised in my fellow citizens right now. We seem to have lost the way the United States used to do things. We used to come up with solutions that worked for most of the people. There were always flaws, but in general we did good things. It seems like we are not doing anything really today. It makes me wonder if I am doing enough. Maybe I need to look at myself first before I criticize or get upset. At least I know tomorrow will come and I control my attitude. Hmmm.

* I saw the movie "Paul" with my best friend Ian yesterday. It was a sci-fi geeks dream movie that included some really good messages about friendship. The movie made me happy and lucky to have a best friend who always has my back even if he doesn't always agree with me or like all of my choices. We had a great conversation at dinner where we definitely were not seeing eye to eye, but we listened to each other. It was really good and made me enjoy our friendship even more. Now if I could just convince him to get rid of his cell phone. :)

We're taking bets that you need some Pop...

Here are a few books that I have read over the last few weeks.

Pop by Gordon Korman
* This was a great young adult book about football, concussions, and Alzheimer's. It really made me think about my grandmother and her memory loss. Definitely a must read for families who have someone experiencing memory loss.

The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney
* A really cool opening book about Spooks in the 18th century. They are talking about turning this book series into a movie. Could be very cool especially with a villian like Mother Malkin.

The Difference Maker by John C. Maxwell
* I had always wanted to read a Maxwell book and found this on my library's shelves. It was an inspiring book that confirms my belief that my positive attitude will get me through this time of unemployment. Attitude isn't everything, but it certainly helps.

Books that I am currently reading:

Race Matters by Cornell West
The Last Apprentice: The Curse of the Bane by Joseph Delaney
Keep Going: The Art of Perserverance by Joseph M. Marshall III
DIY U by Anya Kamenetz

WTBT Volume 23, Series 2011...

We're taking bets that...

* snow in New England in March really isn't that surprising.
* it seems like every time the Daily Show has a week off crazy amounts of world happenings occur.
* Gadhafi seems like his reluctance to accept reality is going to get him killed.
* Obama definitely could have handled getting into Libya a little bit better.
* this proves alcohol can effect brain cells.
* you didn't know Richmond, VA was the new hotbed for college basketball.
* as sad as it is Charlie Sheen is probably going to land on his feet.
* I don't know what is funnier Rebecca Black's Friday song or Conan O'Brien's Thursday song.
* you are pretty sure the Knicks are going to get bounced out of the playoffs in the first round.
* if you know how to spell you probably are going to live a long time.
* it's sad that most of us don't even know what a "gladiolus" is than even spelling it correctly.
* you don't know who you can find in this movie quote, "Wherever there is injustice, you will find us. Wherever there is suffering, we'll be there. Wherever liberty is threatened, you will find..."
* the Shamrock shake might be the best thing McDonald's ever invented.
* you are getting old if you remember when the earth only had 5 billion people.

We're taking bets that stories need to be written down...

This weekend I had a great conversation about stories and the fact that we love to tell them, but we rarely write them down. Throughout my time blogging I have written many of my stories like the time the guy walked into my house and many more. I would now like to share a few of grandmother's stories. Each week I will tell a fun and quirky story that involved my grandmother. She was one of my favorite people ever and even though she was stubborn, sometimes mean, and a little nutso I loved her with all my heart. She died in February of 2003 and suffered from Alzheimer's/Dementia (It came on so rapidly the doctor's didn't know for sure.). She lived alone from 1989 (when her brother died) until she was 84 (in 2002) even though she was legally blind and generally crabby. Here is one of my favorite stories:

Not My Leaves

As my grandmother got older she decided that she had enough with nature. She used to have an enormous garden, 3 cherry trees, a couple of pear trees, a couple of sycamore trees (I think), six large beds for flowers and a crab apple tree. While I have never understood the crab apple tree, the rest of the trees were pretty cool and they were great to climb. My grandmother began her assault on the trees first because they came with one of the most evil inventions: Leaves. She did not want to rake leaves anymore or pick up the fruit that they produced. Now she was in her late sixties so I can understand her not wanting to do the work, but she probably could have hired someone to rake the yard a couple of times a year. Though since she was a depression era baby that would have never worked because she was cheap and she would probably accuse the person of stealing from her.

So my grandmother cut down everyone one of the trees in her yard over the course of a few years. Now this wasn't done very professionally so there were awkward stumps all over that a certain person who would mow her lawn would twist an ankle on at least once a mowing. Her yard went from being beautifully shaded and green to sun-drenched and slightly burned. So you think that my grandmother would be satisfied, but Mother Nature was not finished with my grandmother. She still had the power of wind and leaves on her side. You see my grandmother never really thought about her backyard neighbor who had three 60 maple trees that towered just three feet from the backyard fence. Every fall they would unleash a torrent of leaves that would get caught in my grandmother's yard since three sides were fenced. So she would have to pick up the leaves and do all the work even though she didn't technically own any of the leaves.

Many years pasted and my grandmother became very upset about the leaf situation. She had known this neighbor for over forty years, but talking wasn't something her generation did. So she decided that she was going to start returning the leaves to sender. So one fall she collected all of the leaves in bags and tossed them over the fence to the neighbors yard. If she was going to have trees then she was going to have leaves. Now most of you probably are cheering for my grandmother because she took matters into her own hand and really wasn't that malicious. Though I would argue she already did the work, why not just bring them to the street. Well the story does not end here as the backyard neighbor did not like this one bit. So this 65+ year old woman called the police on the almost 75+ year old woman.

The police responded and had to ask my grandmother to stop. Now I would have loved to see this personally because my grandmother could argue with the best of them and whenever she had the truth on her side she was not to be denied. (Her truth was they were not her leaves so she was just returning them to their owner.) The policeman convinced her to stop but only after threat of arrest if it happened again. I am pretty sure that every year after that though she would drop on bag in the neighbor's yard in the middle of the night because there always seemed to be more leaves at one part of the fence then the rest of the fence.

My grandmother loved to tell me that story almost every time I visited her in the fall. She would get so worked up like it happened yesterday and she would always shake her fist at least once during the story. One of the reasons I loved my grandmother so much was because of her passion. She might not have had the most rationale sense, but by the facts she was usually correct. So now every time I pick up leaves I always throw a couple of pine cones or small sticks in one of the neighbors yard in honor of my grandmother. I hope you enjoyed the story.

We're taking bets that this would be an awesome movie...

Since I love Boston I figured I should share the best movie trailer dealing with Boston ever.

Boston Movie Trailer - watch more funny videos

Wouldn't it be awesome???

We're taking bets that this is how you respond to stupid comments...

Many of you probably didn't watch the ESPN documentary "Fab Five". It was actually very good, but had some really sad moments. One of the worst moments was when Jalen Rose called black player's at Duke "Uncle Toms". It is understandable that the Fab Five was bitter towards Duke as they never beat them and never won anything as a group, but those comments were uncalled for. One of the classiest people in all of sports is Grant Hill who attended Duke and was a winner in every sense of the word. He responded to Jalen's comments in a very professional and direct way in the NY Times. I am including his entire response below. You can also read it at the NY Times. While I have never met Grant I hope one day I can thank him for putting such eloquent and important words on paper.

TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES:

“The Fab Five,” an ESPN film about the Michigan basketball careers of Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson from 1991 to 1993, was broadcast for the first time Sunday night. In the show, Rose, the show’s executive producer, stated that Duke recruited only black players he considered to be “Uncle Toms.” Grant Hill, a player on the Duke team that beat Michigan in the 1992 Final Four, reflected on Rose’s comments.

I am a fan, friend and longtime competitor of the Fab Five. I have competed against Jalen Rose and Chris Webber since the age of 13. At Michigan, the Fab Five represented a cultural phenomenon that impacted the country in a permanent and positive way. The very idea of the Fab Five elicited pride and promise in much the same way the Georgetown teams did in the mid-1980s when I was in high school and idolized them. Their journey from youthful icons to successful men today is a road map for so many young, black men (and women) who saw their journey through the powerful documentary, “The Fab Five.”

It was a sad and somewhat pathetic turn of events, therefore, to see friends narrating this interesting documentary about their moment in time and calling me a bitch and worse, calling all black players at Duke “Uncle Toms” and, to some degree, disparaging my parents for their education, work ethic and commitment to each other and to me. I should have guessed there was something regrettable in the documentary when I received a Twitter apology from Jalen before its premiere. I am aware Jalen has gone to some length to explain his remarks about my family in numerous interviews, so I believe he has some admiration for them.

In his garbled but sweeping comment that Duke recruits only “black players that were ‘Uncle Toms,’ ” Jalen seems to change the usual meaning of those very vitriolic words into his own meaning, i.e., blacks from two-parent, middle-class families. He leaves us all guessing exactly what he believes today.

I am beyond fortunate to have two parents who are still working well into their 60s. They received great educations and use them every day. My parents taught me a personal ethic I try to live by and pass on to my children.

I come from a strong legacy of black Americans. My namesake, Henry Hill, my father’s father, was a day laborer in Baltimore. He could not read or write until he was taught to do so by my grandmother. His first present to my dad was a set of encyclopedias, which I now have. He wanted his only child, my father, to have a good education, so he made numerous sacrifices to see that he got an education, including attending Yale.

This is part of our great tradition as black Americans. We aspire for the best or better for our children and work hard to make that happen for them. Jalen’s mother is part of our great black tradition and made the same sacrifices for him.

My teammates at Duke — all of them, black and white — were a band of brothers who came together to play at the highest level for the best coach in basketball. I know most of the black players who preceded and followed me at Duke. They all contribute to our tradition of excellence on the court.

It is insulting and ignorant to suggest that men like Johnny Dawkins (coach at Stanford), Tommy Amaker (coach at Harvard), Billy King (general manager of the Nets), Tony Lang (coach of the Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins in Japan), Thomas Hill (small-business owner in Texas), Jeff Capel (former coach at Oklahoma and Virginia Commonwealth), Kenny Blakeney (assistant coach at Harvard), Jay Williams (ESPN analyst), Shane Battier (Memphis Grizzlies) and Chris Duhon (Orlando Magic) ever sold out their race.

To hint that those who grew up in a household with a mother and father are somehow less black than those who did not is beyond ridiculous. All of us are extremely proud of the current Duke team, especially Nolan Smith. He was raised by his mother, plays in memory of his late father and carries himself with the pride and confidence that they instilled in him.

The sacrifice, the effort, the education and the friendships I experienced in my four years are cherished. The many Duke graduates I have met around the world are also my “family,” and they are a special group of people. A good education is a privilege.

Just as Jalen has founded a charter school in Michigan, we are expected to use our education to help others, to improve life for those who need our assistance and to use the excellent education we have received to better the world.

A highlight of my time at Duke was getting to know the great John Hope Franklin, James B. Duke Professor of History and the leading scholar of the last century on the total history of African-Americans in this country. His insights and perspectives contributed significantly to my overall development and helped me understand myself, my forefathers and my place in the world.

Ad ingenium faciendum, toward the building of character, is a phrase I recently heard. To me, it is the essence of an educational experience. Struggling, succeeding, trying again and having fun within a nurturing but competitive environment built character in all of us, including every black graduate of Duke.

My mother always says, “You can live without Chaucer and you can live without calculus, but you cannot make it in the wide, wide world without common sense.” As we get older, we understand the importance of these words. Adulthood is nothing but a series of choices: you can say yes or no, but you cannot avoid saying one or the other. In the end, those who are successful are those who adjust and adapt to the decisions they have made and make the best of them.

I caution my fabulous five friends to avoid stereotyping me and others they do not know in much the same way so many people stereotyped them back then for their appearance and swagger. I wish for you the restoration of the bond that made you friends, brothers and icons.

I am proud of my family. I am proud of my Duke championships and all my Duke teammates. And, I am proud I never lost a game against the Fab Five.

Grant Henry Hill
Phoenix Suns
Duke ‘94

We're taking bets that it is job hunting time...

I will be away for the next five days at NASPA Placement Exchange in Philadelphia trying to secure that elusive job. Wish me luck!

WTBT Volume 22, Series 2011...

We're taking bets that...

* I am pretty sure that Glee is trying to push boundaries with every episode.
* Kurt and his Dad's conversation about sex was pretty awesome though.
* it sucks that money is an issue in life and at every turn you need to shell out tons of money for basic things like parking.
* out of tragedy comes togetherness.
* getting positive medical news, even if it is not your own makes for an awesome day.
* it's good the Miami Heat do not play baseball because there's no crying in baseball.
* the newly released 9/11 video just makes me scared that someday something like this will happen again.
* sadly this lady's idea of a designated driver means we are going to start seeing billboards that say "Have a Licensed Designated Driver".
* it always makes me laugh when I hear a car hit a house.
* only when a volcano erupts can you use the word "spew" and not get the giggles.
* having a good luck charm only does so much and then it is up to you.

WTBT Volume 21, Series 2011...

We're taking bets that...

* I am really getting excited about the BoSox in 2011.
* Miley Cyrus was actually funny last night on SNL.
* Burger King must really piss off these restaurants.
* telling a friend the truth is very hard to do, but sometimes has to be done.
* all this protesting/violence in the Middle East and Africa is getting scarier every day.
* we really need to look deeper into the work that teacher's do and find more ways to respect them.
* playing games with balls is not always fun.
* the only way Charlie Sheen will go away is if we stop giving him attention.
* the Miami Heat are going to lose in the first round of the NBA play-offs and you heard it here first.
* when it comes to patience some women can be a little lacking.
* you probably don't know that Lindsay Vonn is kicking ass currently in international skiing.
* it is so nice the weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer.

We're taking bets that listening is important...

Here are a few of the books I have read over the last few weeks.

Just Listen by Mark Goulston
* This was a paradigm changing book that I think everyone should read. It is how we don't really listen to others for understanding. We need to be more attentive and we would get much more satisfaction out of our relationships. If you have teenagers this book should be a must read.

Maze Runner by James Dashner
* An absolutely fascinating book about a future Earth. Almost like Lord of the Flies, but in a eerie controlled setting. This book sets you on an adventure and once you think you have figured it out the floor drops out and there is a whole new reality. Amazing book.

On the Bright Side: Finding Hope in Every Today by Jim Howard
* A cute little book that gets you to remember the importance of being happy.

Live to Tell by Lisa Gardner
* A scary tale about child mental illness and murder. Another D.D. Warren detective novel set in Boston. There are always great twists and it keeps you guessing until the end.

Simplify Your Work Life by Elaine St. James
* Although I don't have a job I am trying to make sure I do things better. This book is a little old and might be out of touch with how things are today rather than 2000, but there are some neat ideas and tips to be better.

Other books I have started:

The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch - Joseph Delaney
The Difference Maker - John C. Maxwell

We're taking bets that you are lucky every day you get to breath...

Many of you have probably already heard about Wes Leonard, the high school basketball player who died minutes after hitting a game winning shot. This is the second tragic story that has hit me pretty hard lately. My next door neighbor Ralph Melillo has lived his life to the fullest. He is only 51 and was just diagnosed with a degenerative condition called cervical myelopathy. There is a good chance he isn't going to see 2012. Ralph is an amazing man who throws a huge July 4th party and Halloween party for the neighborhood. Ralph always has a smile and a story that makes you smile. He would give up his right arm for anyone who needed it. It is amazing how many people he has had a positive effect on in only half a lifetime.

These amazingly sad stories that makes me think about my priorities. I have not had the best 8 months on the job front, but I am working hard to stay positive. I am blessed with many great things in my life. My family and Theresa are right at the top, with my best friend Ian next in line of the things that make me a lucky man. Then I have all my other friends (like Johnny S., Chris R, Tiffany G. & many more) and past students who continue to enrich my life. I am lucky for having each and everyone of them. I know that each day I get closer to the perfect job and the perfect life

You have to remember we all have a precious few amount of days to live. Most of us complain so much about our lives that we often forget to live them. Most of you that know me understand I am not much of a complainer, but rather a searcher for solutions. I hope that all of you look at life as a gift that it is and think twice before you complain about something ridiculous. You're days are numbered; though hopefully the number is above 30,000. You are all blessed and lucky to be alive. May each day you live be better than the last.

WTBT Volume 20, Series 2011...

We're taking bets that...

* Charlie Sheen is getting speaking advice from Gary Busey.
* it makes you happy to see baseball on ESPN again.
* this guy's sideburns took over his brain.
* whether you agree with their policies or not BYU is doing something positive by sticking to it's morals.
* when you were in high school and college it wasn't called a comeback but a lifelong drought.
* maybe I shared a little too much with that last one.
* American Idol should keep more women than men this year.
* Steven Tyler is still funny although he has been kind of a wimp on live tv.
* BYU will get knocked out in the second round of the NCAA's.
* this never happened when you were in college.
* I would be shocked if any guys turned down the opportunity to see the after class demonstration.
* looking for a miracle is not a bad thing.
* Libya is getting scarier every single day.
* you are gettin old if you remember when Joey Lawrence was a cute kid.

We're taking bets that there are some mixed messages...

Here are a couple observations from the last week or so. Sorry it's been a while.

* Glee last week definitely sent mixed messages to its audience. I know the show is not supposed to be for teenagers, (even though it is on at 8 pm.) but this week really did nothing to making drinking look like something that should not be done in high school. While I am not sure that 21 is the best drinking age, I know it shouldn't be 16. Glee really dropped the ball when it is sending so many positive messages to kids and fighting for acceptance. So many more messages about responsibility could have been out there. I was very disappointed.

* There are a ton of signs on the highway that really make me laugh. On my trip to South Carolina I saw three different signs that are very weird. First there is the thousands of signs telling people that bridges freeze before the road. Doesn't that make sense? There is no insulation on a bridge and there is no dirt underneath it to slow the freeze. The fact that these signs are in Jersey was the most confusing to me, because I figured Jersey is in the northeast and would easily no this. I guess not.

The second crazy sign was for the highway safety areas. These seem to be areas where they can make moving violations more expensive. Shouldn't all parts of the highway be safe? Do we have to have signs like this. I mean I-84 in Connecticut is one of the most dangerous highways I have ever travelled on and no one needs to tell me to be safe.

The last sign was in Washington, D.C. for the DUI Enforcement Area. Um... I think that everywhere should be the DUI Enforcement Area. First off the drunks probably can't read that sign and secondly if I was going to drive drunk (Which might be the absolute dumbest thing anyone can do) I would avoid that area. Can anyone help me to understand this sign?

* Charlie Sheen has officially cross the line from an addict to a crazy person who is also an addict. He doesn't care what he says or who he hurts. This is the most surreal thing I have seen since OJ was being driven through LA. You don't really want to watch, but you have to. It is sad that this is what our society accepts and allows to be on TV. News stations no less. Ugh.