Who Said TV Isn't Good For You

 
While washing some poi (her favorite food) off my daughter's hands and face I was proudly shocked.  In awe, I watched as she scrubbed her little hands and up toward her elbow.

"I didn't teach her that."

When her mommy came home I asked if she had and surprisingly, she didn't.  After a thoughtful moment it dawned on me, "Elmo".  One of my daughter's favorite shows this past year has been "Elmo Potty".  She can watch it again and again until my ears begin to bleed.  In one of the scenes they go through the hand washing process with a catchy song and what do you know, they wash their hands up to their elbows. 

Here is a You Tube clip from, "Elmo Potty Time".


There you go.  "Thanks Elmo."  Thank you for teaching my baby girl proper hygiene because to be honest, I don't wash up to my elbows.  Now if it could actually motivate her to use the potty it would be a perfect world.   

10 Reasons Why I'm Happy My Wife Was Born

I'm happy to say that my wife was born on this day.  In her honor and since this is probably the best way for her and I to communicate I've decided to post a list of reasons why I'm happy she was born so many years ago. 

In no specific order: 

1.  I have someone that will laugh at my jokes.  Whether she is laughing at me or with me.  I try not to think about it. 

2.  If it wasn't for her I would be computer illiterate.  I wouldn't know the joys of blogging and facebooking.  Yes, you have to thank her for unleashing my random blog thoughts upon the world.

3.  I know for a fact that if she didn't believe in me I not only wouldn't be able to graduate with my Master's degree, I definitely wouldn't try.  Thank you for being my inspiration honey.   

4.  Even though she doesn't like it when we debate, I'm really happy she has a mind of her own.  She doesn't let me get away with stupid comments and I like defending those comments.  Those moments are the spice in my life.

5.  I have someone to watch a movie with.  I can tell you from experience, it's boring and a little sad when you go to a movie by yourself.

Doesn't it look sad and/or creepy.

6.  A couple of weeks ago I realized I sleep a lot better when she's in bed with me.  She's like my human snuggy.

7.  She introduced me to the Italian cuisine, which is probably the reason why I'm 250 lbs.  There is nothing like having some of her lasagna with extra cheese.

8.  I have somebody who knows all my secrets and still wants to be with me.  Let me tell you something, it's hard to find someone who wants to be with you when you show them all your scars and blemishes.

 
9.  I have someone who knows what she's doing when she is caring for our baby.  It's comforting to know that when I'm working she's isn't putting our daughter in harms way.  

 
10.  I'm extremely happy that my wife was born because there really isn't anyone else I can imagine who can make me laugh, cry, mad and happy all at the same time.  It makes life an emotional roller coaster that I hope won't stop anytime soon.  

Ihi's Perfect Present.  Young and skinner me.

 
Love you Bugga.  Hope I can make this birthday memorable.  In a good way.                              

 

Why Football Players Are Crazy!

On Wednesday, September 5th I was excited and nervously anticipating not only the start of the NFL season but the healing prowess of Jason Witten, who after injuring his spleen in a preseason game was suited up on the sideline.  After listening for hours on ESPN's Fantasy Football podcast, I was assured by their resident injury specialist, Stephania Bell, that it was impossible that Witten could be back for the start of the season.  She emphasized it's an injury that can't be rehabbed and if injured again could be lethal.  So to my surprise and unhealthy desire to observe a car accident, I watched and anticipated what would happen if Witten were to get speared in the back by a corner back.  Luckily, nothing happened, however, it confirmed what I already knew, "Football Players are Crazy".

When does it start?  In my opinion it starts in Pop Warner, however, the first time I encountered courageous and stupid actions by football players was in high school.  There were several occasions when players bit their lip as they played with a broken foot and possible concussions.  I actually had a teammate who played a whole second half of football after being laid out on a punt return and the next day didn't remember what he did the whole second half.  Even I begged my coaches to let me play after hearing a pop in my right knee that required my knee to be drained. 

Now this macho attitude is not only on the football field but probably in every sport.  As a society we watch movies, hear stories from old timers and revere superstars like Micheal Jordan and the like who play sick and injured.  We admire these men and women.  They are what we wish we could be.  Our modern day heroes that sacrifice their bodies for our entertainment.

So what should our society do?  Should we do away with football that a study just revealed makes players more vulnerable to degenerative brain disease such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Lou Gehrig's disease?  Or should we allow players the right to play football?

Personally, I believe if players are educated and still willing to play football they should be allowed to with the caveat that they can't sue the NFL.  Is being a football player anymore dangerous then mining coal or serving in the military?  Is it anymore dangerous then working in a prison or fighting brush fires?  It's not and in a lot of those instances those jobs are a lot more dangerous and doesn't pay those men and women millions of dollars.  But we accept that reality because those jobs are necessary. 

Does that mean football is necessary?  Not as much as the jobs I previously mentioned.  However, it does serve society as a form of entertainment.  Like acrobats that fly in the air during a circus or a high wire act above Niagara falls.  As long as players understand the danger and accept it, football players can be as crazy as they want to be.              
   

NFL Roundup: Week 1 Results

Overall, I got 9 out of 13 games correct.  It's safe to say I didn't win this week but at least I'm better than the flip of a coin.  If you want to take a closer look at my picks I've pasted them below with the results of each game.  

1. Colts at Bears: Peppers and the Bears will win and officially greet Luck to the NFL.
 
Results: (41-21 Bears) Welcome to the NFL rookie.

2. Eagles at Browns: Another sucky season for the Browns. Eagles in a blowout.
 
Results: (17-16 Eagles) Wasn't a blowout and makes me wonder if the Eagles are in for another up and down season.

3. Patriots at Titans: Tom Brady vs Jake Locker. Patriots, closer then you think.
 
Results: (34-13 Patriots) Patriots defense looks tough. Patriots more dangerous then ever.

4. Falcons at Chiefs: High scoring game. Falcons has to many weapons. Falcons
 
Results: (40-24 Falcons) Turner is older, it's time to rely on the arm of Matt Ryan.
 
5. Jaguars at Vikings: Vikings defensive line is going to eat up Gabbert. Vikings
 
Results: (26-23 Vikings) Adrian Peterson is super human.

6. Redskins at Saints: Trust in Drew. Saints
 
Results: (40-32 Redskins) RG3 rookie of the year.
 
7. Bills at Jets: This will be probably be a low scoring game. Bills will end up on top.
 
Results: (48-28 Jets) Jets have a good poker face.
 
8. Rams at Lions: Megatron is back. Lions
 
Results; (27-23 Lions) Closer then I thought it would be. Lions may take a step back.

9. Dolphins at Texans: My team is going to suck this year. Texans
 
Results: (30-10 Texans) My team didn't disappoint.
 
10. 49ers at Packers: Still don't trust Alex Smith. Packers
 
Results: (30-22 49ers) The Alex Smith stock just rose. Still not going to put any money on him.
 
11. Seahawks at Cardinals: Russell Wilson is already better then the Cardinals QB's. Seahawks
 
Results: (20-16 Cardinals) Don't know what to say about this game. I don't understand the NFC West. 

12. Panthers at Buccaneers: Cam Newton vs Josh Freeman. Panthers in a great game.
 
Results: (16-10 Buccaneers) Great game but turned out differently then I thought. Greatest nickname: Muscle Hamster.
 
13. Steelers at Broncos: Weak offensive line vs quick defensive line = Big Ben on his back. Broncos
 
Results: (31-19 Broncos) Big Ben made some big plays but not enough to beat the young defensive Broncos.

I'm How Heavy?! Part 2

After my wife read "I'm How Heavy" she quickly asked where were the pictures of people I could look like, "wink, wink".  So for her eyes, here is what she can look forward to:

BJ Penn 5'9" 169 lbs

Steve Smith 5'9" 185 lbs

Jeff Demps 5'9" 180 lbs

Wes Welker 5'9" 185 lbs

Funny, it's easy to find the weight and height of athletes but good luck finding the weight of actors.  I guess they're "sensitive".  

Antonio Banderas 5'9"

Mark Wahlberg 5'7"

NFL Roundup

With another NFL season around the corner the ever popular Maui News NFL Roundup Contest is starting back up.  This weeks prize is a $50 dollar gift certificate to Longs Drugs a.k.a. the movie concessions.  If you live on Maui make sure you check Monday's paper for your ballot if you want to enter.

This year I've decided to use this blog as an on-line record of my picks.  Just trying to make sure I not getting juiced (cheated).

Here are my picks for Week 1

1. Colts at Bears:  Peppers and the Bears will win and officially greet Luck to the NFL.    

2. Eagles at Browns:  Another sucky season for the Browns.  Eagles in a blowout.   

3. Patriots at Titans:  Tom Brady vs Jake Locker.  Patriots, closer then you think. 

4. Falcons at Chiefs:  High scoring game.  Falcons has to many weapons.  Falcons  

5. Jaguars at Vikings:  Vikings defensive line is going to eat up Gabbert.  Vikings

6. Redskins at Saints:  Trust in Drew.  Saints

7. Bills at Jets:  This will be probably be a low scoring game.  Bills will end up on top.   

8. Rams at Lions:  Megatron is back.  Lions 

9. Dolphins at Texans:  My team is going to suck this year.  Texans

10. 49ers at Packers:  Still don't trust Alex Smith.  Packers

11. Seahawks at Cardinals:  Russell Wilson is already better then the Cardinals QB's.  Seahawks  

12. Panthers at Buccaneers:  Cam Newton vs Josh Freeman.  Panthers in a great game.   

13. Steelers at Broncos:  Weak offensive line vs quick defensive line = Big Ben on his back.  Broncos

Let me know what you think and who you think going win.

I'm how heavy?!

Around 2 weeks ago my family and I were doing our usual Monday ritual.  Wash clothes and shop for groceries.  Our usual spots are Walmart, Costco and Safeway.  Safeway and Costco to shop and Walmart to look at the things we can't afford yet.  While window shopping there was a scale on the floor, which enticed me to check how fat I had gotten.  When I stepped on that scale and the numbers popped up I thought to myself, "I knew I was fat but I'm that fat?".  I actually thought I was maybe 230 lbs but shockingly after weighing myself 3 times, I'm 250 lbs.  Now for some people that may seem like an okay weight but if you consider that I'm 5'8", which means my natural weight should be 175 -180 lbs, I'm overweight and due for some exercise.

5'8" 250 lbs

As I thought about it more, I wondered "Who am I heavier then?" Here are some of the names I came up with.

I'm heavier then Junior Dos Santos, the heavy weight champion of the UFC.  If I was fighting in the UFC I'd be in the Heavy Weight Divison and going up against the likes of Frank Mir, and Brock Lesnar.  Needless to say, I don't belong with those giants.

Junior Dos Santos 6'4" 236 lbs

Brock Lesnar 6'3" 266 lbs

Frank Mir 6'3" 259 lbs

I'm also the size of the average NFL linebacker like Ray Lewis, Brain Urlacher and Clay Matthews.  I can promise you that I don't look like any of those dudes.  

Ray Lewis  6'1" 250 lbs

Clay Matthews  6'3" 255 lbs

Brian Urlacher  6'4" 258 lbs

End of story, I need to pray for another growth spurt or stop eating like a linebacker.