Cheech And Chong to Reunite For 2008 Comedy Tour

That's right! Cheech and Chong are going on tour again for the first time since 1981.

According to the Reuters article:

"Cheech & Chong: Light Up America ..." will hit 22 cities in the United States starting with Philadelphia on September 12 and ending in Denver, Colorado, on December 20. In between they will play Los Angeles, Miami, Washington, D.C. and other places. Cheech joked that the pair had considered calling the show the "Womb to Tomb" tour, to highlight the broad age range of fans."

Go out and get your tickets! This is surely a show not to be missed!

Here's the list of shows:

    September 12         Tower Theatre               Philadelphia, PA

    September 13         Warner Theatre              Washington, DC

    September 19         Murat Center                Indianapolis, IN

    September 20         Fillmore State              Detroit, MI

    September 26         Tabernacle                  Atlanta, GA

    September 27         Fillmore Jackie Gleason     Miami, FL

    October 24           Westbury Theatre            Westbury, NY

    October 25           Orpheum Theatre             Minneapolis, MN

    October 31           Verizon Wireless            Houston, TX

    November 1           Majestic Theatre            Dallas, TX

    November 7           Chevrolet Theatre           Wallingford, CT

    November 8           Rosemont Theatre            Rosemont, IL

    November 14          Dodge Theatre               Phoenix, AZ

    November 15          Austin Music Hall           Austin, TX

    November 21          Memorial Auditorium         Sacramento, CA

    November 22          Berkeley Community Theatre  Berkley, CA

    November 28          Copley Symphony Hall        San Diego, CA

    November 29          Paramount Theatre           Seattle, WA

    November 30          San Jose PAC                San Jose, CA

    December 6           Gibson Amphitheater         Los Angeles, CA

    December 12          Orpheum Theatre             Boston, MA

    December 13          Borgata Music Box           Atlantic City, NJ

    December 19          Silver Legacy Casino        Reno, NV

    December 20          Paramount Theatre           Denver, CO

Concert Review: Carrie Underwood

Ok. It's my hope and goal that I will stop drooling by the end of this review of last nights Carrie Underwood concert.

First of all, I must thank my sister in law Katie and her boyfriend Shaun for allowing me to go to this show at Konocti Harbor. Unfortunately, they were not able to attend with the tickets that they won from Ken & Corey on 95.7 The Wolf so I made the 2 1/2 hour journey to Clearlake instead.

The night began with up and coming singer Fisher Stevenson of Big Machine Records (Taylor Swift). Although he played a short set, of which most songs were ballads, the man has potential. He has a great voice and an equally great back up band. Loved the songs "On Loan", "Lay Your Love Down" and "Learning To Live Without You". It was also nice that his wife and baby were able to attend the show. He said that he lives in Davis so right on!

Following the opening act, it was time for Ms. Carrie Underwood. Pardon me as I wipe the drool from my chin once again.

It's been a couple years since she came on the scene winning American Idol and she has taken the country music scene by storm! Last night proved that she has the talent and the voice to dominate the country charts for years to come. She has a stage presence which brings the crowd to life and did not let us down.

The set list included a mix of her classic hits as well as a few new tracks. The audience was definitely into the show and was singing along with every word (especially the four pre-teen girls in front of us who were dressed in Carrie Underwood clothes head to toe).

Songs during the set included: Wasted, Twisted, All-American Girl, So Small, Jesus Take the Wheel, Last Name and a great rendition of Don't Forget to Remember Me.

Carrie had some fun with the audience: "If you feel like singing - sing," she told the crowd of over 4,000. "If you feel like dancing - dance. And if you feel like kissing the person beside you just make sure it's OK with them first".

It seemed like everything was going right for the crowd, and for Carrie. And then she swallowed a bug. I'll admit, this is the first time I have seen this happen during a show. She seemed pretty grossed out by the whole thing, but she laughed and had a good time with it. A fan even pointed out to her that it was a firefly, not just a bug. Only in Lake County!

For the encore, Carrie and her band performed a great rendition of Guns N Roses' Paradise City. This may have been the highlight of the night as the music was loud and the crowd was even louder. The night concluded with crowd favorite "Before He Cheats". I would be willing to bet that everyone in attendance was singing every word to this song.

Overall, a great show! I had never seen Carrie in concert before but I would love to go again. The scenery was beautiful with the amphitheater located right on the shores of Clearlake. The only thing more beautiful than the sunset over the lake would probably be Carrie herself. Wow! The word beautiful is hardly an accurate description!

Concert Review: Toby Keith/Montgomery Gentry "Biggest and Baddest Tour"

Shoreline Amphitheater: July 25, 2008

Perfect night, perfect crowd, perfect show!

The night kicked off with Trailer Choir. If you have never heard of this band, you soon will. Not only will they be on the soundtrack of the new Toby Keith movie, Beer for my Horses, they play some great music. "Off the Hillbilly Hook" and "Rockin' The Beer Gut" completed a short, but fun set. You should be able to catch their music on CMT and GAC so keep a look out for them.

Carter's Chord was up next. This was unfortunately the time when nature called and I answered. From what I could hear, they were talented (sounded like a young She Daisy).

The act which I was most looking forward to was Montgomery Gentry. I had seen them on two previous occasions and have yet to be disappointed. While they played a great set at this show, i was saddened to have them walk off stage before playing my two favorite songs, Speed and Lonely and Gone. I always thought those were staples of their set and was really looking forward to hearing them on this night.

I won't complain though. With so many hits, it was hard to find anything really wrong with the set. Montgomery Gentry are showmen and they know how to work the crowd. Back When I Knew it All, Hillbilly Shoes, Hell Yeah, Something to be Proud Of and My Town were all included as well as a new song called Long Line of Losers. This is going to be a hit for sure.

Overall, a great show and a great introduction to the main event of the evening: Toby Keith!

The last time I saw Toby Keith live was at the Petaluma Fair nearly 10 years ago. I can say that while his songs have changed, his stage presence has not. He had the audience eating out of his hand all night long. With no new recent album, Toby filled a set with a long line of greatest hits that would have made any fan happy. I Wanna Talk About Me, Shoulda Been a Cowboy, Beer for my Horses, How Do You Like Me Now, I Love This Bar, A Little Less Talk (And A Lot More Action), Who's Your Daddy, Whiskey Girl, She's A Hottie, As Good As I Once Was...The list goes on and on. Hit after hit played for over 1 1/2 hours. Let's not forget a great cover of Ted Nugent's Stranglehold! Yeah!

A funny moment during the set occurred when Toby was joking around with a guy in the front row who paid "$15 for a beer". Toby said "man you got F&^%#d!" over and over again. Seriously, the price of food and drinks is getting out of hand. But then again, I wonder when the last time Toby Keith had to pay for a beer was!

The night ended with two patriotic classics: American Soldier and Courtesy of the Red White and Blue. Great finale. The audience was pumped during the final song which always gets an audience singing every word. Three soldiers were brought up on stage who the crowd saluted. Great moment, great concert!

When the tour comes to your town, make sure to get your tickets. This is not a show to miss!

Richard Simmons...Congressman? Talk About Sweating "with" the Oldies...

You think I'm joking...but I'm not....completely...

Simmons spoke to the House Education and Labor Committee today about expanding physical education in public schools to combat childhood obesity. Simmons described his approach to the hearing, stating, "I want to have the respect of a congressman, I want to talk like a congressman, and maybe, someday, I'll be a congressman."

Here's what the Washington Post had to say:

This could be the most high-energy week Congress has seen in a very, very long time. The man who is arguably America's most famous fitness icon of all time is coming to Capitol Hill to shake things up -- literally.

And while he still has his loud helium balloon-like voice and big hair, unfortunately, Simmons is hinting he won't be wearing his signature short shorts and tank top at the hearing.

Simmons won't say whether he's leaning toward Barack Obama or John McCain in the 2008 presidential race. His publicist, Tom Estey, says Simmons is "undecided."

Hey, maybe instead of an Obama/McCain town hall meeting, we can have a dance off with Richard Simmons. That would make for interesting television.

Woman Finds 8-Foot Snake in Her Washing Machine

Ok, I HATE snakes. Let me start with this. I've always had this fear that someday a snake will find its way up through our pipes or something and make its way into the house. (Maybe watching Snakes on a Plane didn't help with this fear).

Anyways, take a look at this article from the Associated Press which demonstrates that my fears aren't crazy. They could happen!

From the article:

A woman got the shock of her life when she found an 8-foot snake mixed in with clothes in her washing machine. The snake, identified as a reticulated python, somehow got into the water pipes of Mara Ranger's 1800s-era farmhouse and slithered into the machine.

Once out of the machine, the angry snake wrapped itself around Burton's hand, cutting off the blood flow. Burton then wrestled the scaly reptile into a plastic bag, tied it shut and brought it to Lewiston.

Ok, I guess Maine is out of my future vacation plans.

Should Mandatory Drug Tests be Required for Welfare Check Recipients?

Ok, we have all seen the email that has been going around for quite some time:

Subject: Urine test

Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay
my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as they see fit. In order
to get that paycheck. I am required to pass a random urine test, which I
have no problem with.

What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my tax money to people who
don't have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to
get a welfare check, because I have to pass one to earn it for them?

Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their
feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone to simply sit on
their ass. Could you imagine how much money the state would save if people
had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?

Pass it on, if you agree."

I can agree that every job I have ever been at, I have had to take a drug test before starting the job to ensure that I am not a drug user. I have no problem taking this test since I know that there will be no issue of my passing the test or not.

I look at this email and I have to think to myself, how come a large portion of the money that I "give away" to taxes is given to those who are not required to pass a drug test? I guess this never crossed my mind until I had a discussion with some close friends about this issue just this past week.

The Associated Press wrote about this topic in January when legislation was discussed in Kentucky.

So the question remains, why shouldn't someone be asked to pass a simple drug test in order to get a welfare check? I don't have any issues at all with the government or others helping people get help or especially finding a job. In fact, I wish that I could spend more of my time helping people find work. I think this would be a contribution to society that I could feel good about, while helping others at the same time.

What I do have a problem with is the possibility that my taxes might be helping someone out who spends all day sitting on their couch, abusing drugs, and not looking for work while I spend 8-11 hours a day at work so that I can support my wife and two kids. Yes, life isn't fair but we all have to work together to make the best of it.

I do want to make it VERY clear that I do not believe that all people who are given welfare checks are drug users. This is not true at all! I know that when I was younger, our family struggled through difficult circumstances and we were given hand outs from others who knew that we were in need.

Unfortunately, there is a percentage of recipients who abuse the system and are making it more difficult for those who truly are in need of the check because they are not able to find, or are qualified, for a job. The question does remain though, imagine how much money the government could save by instituting these drug tests?

Thoughts?

Girl Scouts Growing Marijuana? Pot Bust in Indiana

Hey, at least we finally know why those girl scout cookies are so addicting and taste so good!

The Associated Press is reporting that according to court documents and a girl scout official, police have found thousands of marijuana plants being grown in a remote part of a Girl Scout camp in Indiana.

From the article:

Police found the hidden marijuana farm with plants in various stages of cultivation in a wooded swampy area of Kosciusko County, according to documents filed Monday in U.S. District Court in South Bend. Some of the plants were growing on land belonging to a local resident, while the bulk - about 5,000 plants - were growing on camp land. State troopers in an airplane spotted the plots.

Can't trust those girl scouts anymore I guess!!! :)

The House that Josh Built: Home Run Derby Thoughts...

They may have to change the name of the new stadium in the Bronx to: The House that Josh Built. 28 home runs in the first round. 3 home runs over 500 feet. Josh Hamilton may be the one that everyone is talking about today but don't forget that it was Justin Morneau who took home the trophy. (By the way, please check my posting yesterday and you'll see who correctly predicted the finals and the winner).

Morneau may have won but the story coming out of Yankee Stadium was Hamilton's record shattering first round. At one point, Hamilton homered on 13 consecutive swings! Hamilton finished with 13 more home runs than Morneau and led Morneau 32-17 after the first two rounds. But rules state that the participants start even in the final round. But no one will soon forget the amazing display which was put on by "The Natural".

From the article:

In between his many first-round drives, Hamilton signed autographs for players' kids and clowned around with teammates. Former A's outfielder Milton Bradley, now with Texas, mopped Hamilton's brow and adjusted his cap after one blast, and another time, Bradley came to Hamilton with a camera, and snapped the two of them together at the plate.

In a true measure of his accomplishment, the crowd of 53,716 chanted, "Hamilton, Hamilton," with increasing volume as he battered balls around the stadium, hitting three more than 500 feet. One was measured at 518.

According to published reports, in 2006, when Hamilton had just completed a partial season of Single-A ball in the Tampa Bay Rays' farm system, he said he had a dream that he was being interviewed after the Home Run Derby in New York. At the time, he had no idea Yankee Stadium would be hosting it or that he would be ever be a featured participant.

Hamilton hit 19 home runs with Cincinnati last season and then was traded to Texas in a deal that brought the Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez. I'd say this was a pretty good trade for both sides with the seasons that each are having so far.

Here's a List of Past Winners of the Home Run Derby:

Year	Player	Team	HR	SIte
2007	Vladimir Guerrero	L.A. (AL)	17	AT&T Park, San Fransico
2006	Ryan Howard	Phil.	23	PNC Park, Pittsburgh
2005	Bobby Abreu	Phil.	41	Comerica Park, Detroit
2004	Miguel Tejada	Balt.	27	Minute Maid Park, Houston
2003	Garret Anderson	Ana.	22	U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago
2002	Jason Giambi	Yanks	24	Miller Park, Milwaukee
2001	Luis Gonzalez	Ariz.	16	Safeco Field, Seattle
2000	Sammy Sosa	Chi. (NL)	26	Turner Field, Atlanta
1999	Ken Griffey, Jr.	Sea.	16	Fenway Park, Boston
1998	Ken Griffey, Jr.	Sea.	19	Coors Field, Denver
1997	Tino Martinez	Yanks	16	Jacobs Field, Cleveland
1996	Barry Bonds	S.F.	17	Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia
1995	Frank Thomas	Chi. (AL)	15	The Ballpark in Arlington, Texas
1994	Ken Griffey, Jr.	Sea.	7	Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh
1993	Juan González	Texas	7	Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore
1992	Mark McGwire	Oak.	12	Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego
1991	Cal Ripken, Jr.	Balt.	12	SkyDome, Toronto
1990	Ryne Sandberg	Chi. (NL)	3	Wrigley Field, Chicago
1989	Eric Davis	Cin.	3	Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim
1988	Rained out			Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati
1987	Andre Dawson	Chi. (NL)	4	Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Oak.
1986	Darryl Strawberry	Mets	4	Houston Astrodome
	(tie) Wally Joyner	Calif.	4
1985	Dave Parker	Cin.	6	Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis

It's Home Run Derby Day!! (And No AROD???)

One of the best aspects of All Star week is the annual Home Run Derby (4 p.m. PT, tonight on ESPN). With the All Star Game being played at Yankee Stadium this year, with that short porch in right field, it could be a great show this year.

Last year's champion, Vladamir Guerrero, won't be participating but there are 8 top stars who will be taking a crack at winning this year's event. Here's a list of those who will be playing this year:

Lance Berkman
Chase Utley
Ryan Braun
Evan Longoria
Dan Uggla
Grady Sizemore
Justin Morneau
Josh Hamilton

This should be a good one. I don't really believe that there is a favorite in this year's event and it should be wide open. The man who should be the favorite is Alex Rodriguez but he has chosen not to play. I'm not sure why he would choose not to participate in this year's event. It is the final season of Yankee Stadium, he's arguably the best player on the Yankees and he would draw a ratings bonanza.

From ESPN:

According to a source with knowledge of the Derby's inner workings, baseball wanted A-Rod to do more than just take a few hacks in this Derby. It wanted him to be the centerpiece of this Derby. And why not? This is his town. Those are his No. 4 train riders hanging out in those bleachers. And this is a historic week in the life of Yankee Stadium -- a ballpark whose very existence stands as a testimonial to the power of the long ball.

A-Rod told The New York Times last month that he didn't want to take part in this Derby because "it sets your swing back about three weeks." But we'd like to know exactly what he bases that on.

Whatever, A-Rod. If it really hurts your swing that much, how come you hit four homers in the first four games after the break when you last played in 2002.This is something you should do for baseball and for the fans. Baseball needs more good stories, rather than bad.

As for my pick: I think it will come down to the Natural Josh Hamilton and Justin Morneau for this year's title with Morneau winning. I have to go with Morneau in the finals but don't be surprised if Sizemore or Braun show up in their place. Thoughts anyone? Let me know your predictions!!!

Look Out World, Here Come Desk Rage

You knew it was bound to happen. It appears that "desk rage" is taking over the American workplace. I don't see it much in the public relations field, but I can say that when I was in retail, you could see the anger in my co-workers.

From Reuters:

Nearly half of U.S. workers in America report yelling and verbal abuse on the job, with roughly a quarter saying it has driven them to tears, research has shown.

Other research showed one-sixth of workers reported anger at work has led to property damage, while a tenth reported physical violence and fear their workplace might not be safe.

Desk rage extends across industry and class lines, from top white-collar jobs to gritty blue-collar work, and companies pay dearly in terms of lost productivity, sagging morale and higher absenteeism.

It's amazing to think how prevalent this is in our society but with tough economic times and societal changes, I guess this is to be expected. What ever happened to road rage! Thoughts?

Underdogs Longoria, Hart Selected to All Star Game by Fans

Fan voting is over and the underdogs have prevailed. It was announced yesterday that Tampa Bay Rays 3B Evan Longoria and Milwaukee Brewers Outfielder Corey Hart have been selected by the fans to play in the 2008 All Star Game at Yankee Stadium next Tuesday.

Longoria beat out Jason Giambi and Jermaine Dye in the American League while Hart was voted over bigger name stars David Wright and Carlos Lee.

From the Associated Press:

Longoria received 9 million votes for the AL spot and was followed by Jermaine Dye of the Chicago White Sox, Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees, Brian Roberts of Baltimore and Jose Guillen of Kansas City.

Hart got 8 million votes and was followed by the New York Mets' David Wright, Philadelphia's Pat Burrell, San Francisco's Aaron Rowand and Houston's Carlos Lee.

Major League Baseball said a record 47.8 million votes were cast, more than double last year's 23.1 million.

As much as I love Corey Hart, I'm very surprised to see David Wright and Carlos Lee left off the roster. Both Wright and Lee are having great seasons and should be included in this year's lineup. It makes it fair to allow a player from every team play, but at the cost of leaving a much better player off the roster, it kind of defeats the purpose of the "All Star" game. Thoughts?

***UPDATE***

Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, also manager of the National League All Star team, has announced that David Wright will replace injured Alfonso Soriano on the team.

Man Dies From Too Much Work

No joke. According to the Associated Press, a 45 year old man in Japan has died from working too many hours.

From the article:

The man who died was aged 45 and had been under severe pressure as the lead engineer in developing a hybrid version of Toyota's blockbuster Camry line, said Mikio Mizuno, the lawyer representing his wife. The man's identity is being withheld at the request of his family, who continue to live in Toyota City where the company is based.

In the two months up to his death, the man averaged more than 80 hours of overtime per month, according to Mizuno.

He regularly worked nights and weekends, was frequently sent abroad and was grappling with shipping a model for the pivotal North American International Auto Show in Detroit when he died of ischemic heart disease in January 2006. The man's daughter found his body at their home the day before he was to leave for the United States.

Talk about no work/life balance!!

Senate Passes Wiretapping Bill: Phone Companies Given Immunity

The New York Times is reporting that the Senate gave final approval today to broaden government spy powers and providing immunity for the phone companies that took part in secret wiretapping.

From the article:

The plan, approved by a vote of 69 to 28, marked one of Mr. Bush’s most hard-won legislative victories in a Democratic-led Congress where he has had little success of late. Both houses, controlled by Democrats, approved what amounted to the biggest restructuring of federal surveillance law in 30 years, giving the government more latitude to eavesdrop on targets abroad and at home who are suspected of links to terrorism.

The surveillance plan, which Mr. Bush is expected to sign into law quickly, was the product of months of negotiations between the White House and Democratic and Republican leaders, earning the grudging support of some leading Democrats.

Interestingly enough, Hillary Clinton voted no on this bill whereas Barack Obama voted yes. John McCain is jumping on this opportunity as he is claiming that Obama is once again flip-flopping on an issue.

I'm still not convinced that wiretapping is a good idea. Yes, I want our nation to be safe from terrorist threats, but doesn't this go just a little too far? Thoughts?

Stripper Claims She Slept With Alex Rodriguez

Well, at least we now know what that huge Yankee contract pays for!!!

Fox News is reporting that Candice Houlihan, a former Boston stripper, has come forward saying that she slept with "A-Rod" twice during a Yankee/Red Sox series in the summer of 2004.

It appears that the two met on the night when Rodriguez was ejected from a game in which he brawled with Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek. Reports say that following the game, the two met up at the Ritz-Carlton hotel, matched shots and then proceeded to his room where they had sex and talked all night.

From the article:

"He introduced himself, asked me who I was, and if I wanted to meet up for drinks later. I was like, 'Hell, yeah!'"

Then she and A-Rod, 32, went back to his suite at the Ritz Carlton hotel and had sex, she says.

Houlihan, a source told the paper, felt guilty when she found out Cynthia Rodriguez, 35, was pregnant with the couple's first child.

"She realized his wife was having a baby, so that put a damper on any thoughts she had," the source said.

But they got together again three months later, according to Houlihan.

This latest allegation comes on the heals of Rodriguez's recent divorce announcement and rumors of an affair with Madonna.

Things just seem to keep getting worse for Rodriguez, but if these allegations prove to be true, he'll have no one to blame but himself.

Warriors to Sign Corey Maggette

Well, just a week after losing Baron Davis to the Los Angeles Clippers, it seems the Golden State Warriors have taken a player back from them in signing Corey Maggette to a five-year contract worth approximately $50 million, according to the Associated Press.

From the article:

The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal can’t be announced until Wednesday at the earliest, confirmed Maggette will leave the Los Angeles Clippers for a lucrative long-term deal with the fast-paced Warriors, who outbid several suitors for the former Duke star.

Maggette, a 6-foot-6 swingman who led Los Angeles in scoring last season, should fit splendidly into Golden State coach Don Nelson’s pell-mell style of play. He averaged 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists last season for the moribund Clippers, finishing slightly off his career highs in all three categories.

With Baron Davis' departure, the Warriors had salary cap room available to add a high-scoring player to help fill the void left by Davis and Michael Pietrus, who is expected to sign with the Orlando Magic today. Maggette has been a Clipper since 2000, but he and teammate Elton Brand opted out of the final years of their contracts this week. Brand is expected to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers as early as today.

I think that the signing of Maggette will benefit the Warriors greatly as losing Davis was an enormous blow to the team's offense. Hopefully the Warriors will continue to look for another free agent to fill the final holes which have been made in the offseason. With a lineup of Maggette, Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington, the Warriors still have the fire power to contend in the Western Conference, but need another player or two to find themselves in the upper echelon.

A's Trade Rich Harden to Chicago Cubs

It's a sad day here in the Bay Area. According to the Associated Press, Billy Beane has once again made a blockbuster trade, where the players with the big names will be leaving Oakland. The deal, announced this afternoon will send both Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin to the Chicago Cubs.

From the article:

The Chicago Cubs acquired pitcher Rich Harden from the Oakland Athletics in a six-player trade on Tuesday, a day after the rival Milwaukee Brewers landed CC Sabathia. The Cubs received the right-handed Harden and righty Chad Gaudin for pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, and minor leaguer Josh Donaldson.

Harden, eligible to be a free agent after the 2009 season, is 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts this season. He's scheduled to $4.75 million this season.

Chicago also received Gaudin, who was 5-3 win a 3.59 ERA in 26 games — including six starts. Last season, he was a starter all season and went 11-13 with a 4.42 ERA.

Beane typically knows what he is doing so I will once again trust his judgment in this trade. Harden has been injured so many times that he has been far from reliable. Harden has not made 30 starts in a season since 2004, when he made 31. He has only started 16 games combined over the past two seasons while suffering from both back and arm problems.

But if he remains healthy, he has just possibly given the Cubs what they need to win their first World Series in 100 years!

Keeping a Food Diary Leads to Extra Weight Loss

Imagine that! According to a new study, if you keep a diary of what you eat each day, you can actually lose more weight! This will be good for those of us who need to drop a few extra pounds for summer.

From the article:

In the study, which is in the August issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, they followed almost 1,700 men and women who were either overweight or obese. The average weight was 212 pounds. The participants attended 20 weekly group meetings and were encouraged to eat about 500 fewer calories a day, to engage in moderate intensity physical activity 30 minutes or more a day, and to follow the low-fat, low-sodium DASH dietary plan, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy foods.

Participants in the study were asked to record daily food intake and their total exercise minutes. After 20 weeks, the total average loss was approximately 13 pounds. It may take a bit of extra work taking notes of what you eat during the day but the benefits seem to be very positive.

To learn more about a food diary to analyze eating habits, visit the American Academy of Family Physicians.

CC Sabathia Traded to the Milwaukee Brewers

The rumors finally were confirmed Monday as reigning American League Cy Young award winner C.C. Sabathia has been dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers for four prospects including Matt LaPorta, Milwaukee's top prospect. Also included in the deal are Zach Jackson, a Class AAA left-hander and Rob Bryson, a Class A right-hander.

It is expected that Sabathia will remain with the Brewers for the remainder of the season before testing the free agent waters after the season. Sabathia rejected a four-year, $72 million offer from the Cleveland Indians prior to the season.

The Brewers began the Sabathia era on Monday only 3 1/2 games behind the Cubs and a percentage point ahead of St. Louis for the National League Wild Card.

This should make for a great 1-2 punch in Milwaukee with Sabathia joining Ben Sheets in the rotation. Unfortunately for the Brewers, the rest of the rotation is only mediocre at best. The offense will have to continue to step up if they want to contend with the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals.

The Brewers have two ways of winning this year: Either by winning the National League Central Division, or by securing the wild-card slot. Right now, the Cubs appear to be the favorites in both the National League Central and as the National League representative in the World Series but this trade has definitely helped the Brewers.

Only time will tell but at least Milwaukee is making a run at the division title this year. If their pitching staff holds up (hint hint Ben Sheets hint hint) the Brewers find themselves with a great chance to end their long playoff drought this season.

More Airline Fees: Alaska Airlines, United, Delta, American Airlines...What Are You Thinking???

Well, the airline industry is once again trying to bleed every last penny out of their customers. I know that the major carriers are struggling to make money right now but come on.

On my recent flight home from Portland, Oregon, I was charged $25 for a second checked bag and found out that an additional bag would be over $100!!! Talk about bringing in extra revenue.

Check out this Los Angeles Times article:

United Airlines will begin charging $15 for the first piece of checked luggage, becoming the second major U.S. airline to impose a fee for a service that has long been included in the fare.

The luggage charge for coach-class passengers on the nation's second-largest carrier was quickly matched by US Airways, raising the prospect that the other two big carriers, Delta Air Lines and Continental Airlines, would follow suit.

No. 1 carrier American Airlines initiated the controversial charge last month, citing the need to generate extra revenue to help offset the fast-rising cost of fuel.

Thank god we still have Southwest Airlines!!! This is the airline of choice of the common man and a personal favorite of mine.

From the article:

Southwest Airlines is the only carrier that has publicly balked at -- and ridiculed -- the fee.

Other airlines are raising base fares dramatically and some will soon begin charging for drinks and snacks on flights.

There's no way I'm dishing out $3-4 for a cup of orange juice and a bag of peanuts. Anybody else want to?

Beware: MySpace and Facebook Profiles Can Ruin a Career

Another example of the power of social media. Beware those of you job seekers out there who may have a provocative MySpace or Facebook page. Recent studies are showing that more and more recruiters and companies are looking at candidates social networking sites during the hiring process.

From the article:

The majority of executive recruiters — a whopping 83.2 percent — use search engines to learn more about candidates, and nearly half of these recruiters have eliminated candidates because of something questionable they uncovered — three times as many as in 2005, according to a recent survey of 100 executive recruiters conducted by ExecuNet, a job-search and recruiting network.

Factors in eliminating candidates range from criminal convictions, inappropriate pictures on MySpace or Facebook, hobbies listed such as “I like to drink,” and weird personal habits, according to the ExecuNet survey data.

Same Sex Marriage in California: A Statement from San Jose Bishop Patrick J. McGrath

San Jose, California Bishop Patrick J. McGrath has issued a statement discussing same-sex marriage in California. I found this statement in the Queen of Apostles Church weekly flier which we picked up this morning.

From the statement:

The Church cannot approve of redefining marriage, which has a unique place in God's creation "a faithful, exclusive and lifelong union between one man and one woman joined in an intimate partnership of life and love- a union instituted by God for the mutual fulfillment of the husband and wife as well as for the procreation and education of children." The meaning of marriage is deeply rooted in history and culture and has been shaped considerably by Christian tradition.

I call upon all people of good will to respect the dignity of every person and to protect the sanctity of marriage. Let us ask God to guide us in the same mutual respect and civil discourse that is fundamental in a free and democratic society.

I understand that within the church, marriage is considered to be a sacred union between a man and a woman but it's great to see that prejudice is alive and well in 2008! Come on! Can we get past this already. What is this, 1958?

All I am asking is that you open your eyes and minds. Although it has been a long time coming, times are changing in this country. I'm not just talking about gay rights, I'm talking about civil rights, segregation and everything else we have had to watch happen in this country over the years. I'm hoping someday that my kids can live in a world free from us having to separate certain people from others. I never want to have to explain to either of them why someone is treated different than another because of their color, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.

Whether or not I approve or disapprove of same sex marriage in California is of no consequence. We have the right to agree and we have the right to disagree. I'm choosing to disagree with the Catholic Church on this issue (and many others but that's an entirely different discussion all together).

The fact is that somewhere I read that all are created equal. We can not pick and choose who is equal and who is not. That is not what America is all about. So Patrick J. McGrath, thank you for your thoughts on this issue. I will listen to what you have to say and I will choose to disagree with you. I am glad to see that the Church is still pushing their views on their parishioners. Some things will never change.

This just happens to be the issue at hand right now and I personally have no problems with gays being allowed to marry. If they want to be miserable too, please let them :)

Please feel free to leave your thoughts and comments.

Country Inn & Suites: You Have Disappointed Me

The Country Inn & Suites: Portland, Oregon (Portland Airport Location).

My friends, you have disappointed me! For the first three nights, you were one of the best hotels I have stayed at in years. Great service, great food and great rooms. The pool was wonderful and the hot tub was perfect.

Then came Thursday, July 3.

Now the fact that the power went out was not the biggest problem. The problem was that there was no plan in place for guests. No backup generator, no flashlights and no help.

Sure, we were able to get a hold of a flashlight at about 11:30 p.m. But by this time, the kids were scared of the dark and restless. There was no light or TV to help get the kids to bed and when the power finally came on at around 2:20 a.m., it was too late.

This followed up by an early morning fire alarm at just before 8 a.m. I can say that it would have been nice for the kids to have been able to sleep in. I know that neither of these are necessarily the fault of the hotel, but it is the way that it was handled which upsets me the most.

When I asked for a discount off of my bill upon check out yesterday morning, there was not even a hint of compassion from the staff. All I was asking for was a little money back for the issues that I had to deal with. I didn't want my entire stay comp'd. This would be inappropriate and wrong. But please, correct the misfortune which I had to deal with during the 12 hours which are what I will remember from my stay at the Country Inn & Suites, Portland Airport.

4th of July: Portland Style!

All I can say is WOW!

We did it in style this year on the 4th of July. With enough firepower to overthrow a small country, we lit up the night skies in Gresham, Oregon this year.

The day started off with a great BBQ and a lot of friends gathered for the festivities. But as the sun began to set, the real fun began. We'll skip the part where my 2 year old daughter stripped down to nothing at all and sang happy 5th birthday to a little boy at the party.

We had the entire street out watching our 3 1/2 hour extravaganza!!! There was beer, wine and fireworks. I'll try to put up some photos and video soon but I can safely say that no limbs were lost!!!

Thanks Brion for the fun!!!

Day 5 and 6: Keep on Truckin'

Only a few days left of vacation. We have really had a great time in Portland. It's hard to imagine that we ever left. The big difference between Portland and San Jose, people care about each other here. It's really nice to see. I'd love to bring this back with me but people in San Jose wouldn't understand, or have time to care.

Burgerville has been on the menu once a day here and I'll never be tired of the fries and Walla Walla Onion Rings!! By the way, THEY'RE BACK!!!

We went by Haggen and stocked up on Pumpkin and Cinnamon Bread. We'll be making the trip to Oregon City to pick up a few more loaves for the flight home and the people waiting for us there. Tomorrow is the big day! Fourth of July! We have enough firepower to defeat a small army. It should be a lot of fun out in Gresham!!!

We fly home in two days! It's hard to believe that the vacation is almost over already but the kids are getting restless and ready to go home. Caitlyn has been asking for grandma for a few days. She'll see her on Saturday! Well until later, everyone take care and have a great 4th!!!

Day 4: Back to Portland

We're back! Got settled into our hotel at the Country Inn & Suites Portland Airport. Very nice location close to the airport. It also has a very friendly staff, nice indoor heated pool and a great breakfast buffet! I strongly recommend.

We met up with Melissa's friend Emily and her three kids last night. Good times. Took the kids to the pool which was wonderful. They played around for 30 minutes then passed out and didn't wake up until 8:30 this morning. This gave us some much needed sleep!

Off to the old Haggen stomping grounds now!!! Should be interesting for sure!

Portland rocks!!