My last and final posting about Favre's pathetic tainting of the game. If I didn't see it myself (because I tune in just to see him fail), I would say he engineered these injuries just to keep the attention off his stats and the teams underachievement. That would be 58% completion percentage, 7 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and leading the team to a 2-4 record.
He needs to go and go now, he is ruining prime years of winning opportunity for former Iowa greats Chad Greenway and Albert Young. For $16M they can get a pretty darn good QB in free agency.
As I said long ago, go away to Hattiesburg Brett, run your car wash, do your Levis commercials, and you stay classy with the voicemails and texts!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Mom, I need some money
Shocking headline: athletes on full-ride scholarships still end up spending some money at college. I haven't quite figured out the "shocking" part yet. As I started digging, I just got more and more irritated.
First, as with most studies, this one is funded by an organization that has an agenda, in this case the National College Players Association (NCPA). According to their own website, their number one goal is to "raise the scholarship amount." Again, directly from their website: "The NCAA admits that a 'full scholarship' does not cover the basic necessities for a college athlete, but it refuses to change its rules to allow schools to provide more scholarship money."
Within the statement is a big assumption, and that is that college athletes have the right (insert rant about our "entitlement" society here) to not pay a dime when they go to college for four - hmm - I mean one or two years. The study notes that the average Division I "full-scholarship" athlete has to pay $2951 annually in "school-related expenses not covered by grants-in-aid." Not surprisingly, I could not find a complete list of these school-related expenses used in the study, although the press release mentioned three things: parking fees, calculators, and computer disks. I cannot confirm it, but I suspect the list includes things like baggy jeans, snazzy boxer shorts, two pairs of Nike Air Force Ones, a MacBook Pro, an iPod, and two plane tickets home (for Christmas and Thanksgiving).
Second, if you go to the NCPA website to look further into this study, they throw up the scholarship "shortfalls" against the coach's income and bonus money. The implication is that coaches shouldn't get that money, that the players should get it so that they don't have to spend their own money at the iTunes store. My question is, what is it that normally draws an athlete to a particular school? I don't know that the coach is the number one reason, but it's gotta be in the top three. So for schools to get those big recruits in the first place, to grow a program to the point that it can provide scholarships in the first place, you've got to get top tier coaches. So why would you go after them? You both know that I've had my issues with college athletics in the past, but after doing my research, I fully understand that the bulk of athletic scholarships in any Division I school, and even many of the academic scholarships, are funded by the football and basketball programs. It's pure profit. Coaches are paid with pure profit. My point is, the coach gets much of the credit, in my opinion, for scholarships existing at all. Going after them in this pathetic "full-ride athletes don't get enough money" complaint is ridiculous.
Third, I think most of the population would agree that compared to the average joe that wants to go to college, I don't think athletes have much to complain about. Let's take for example USC. According the the 2010-2011 catalog, the average cost per semester for an undergraduate education is $20K. Yes my friends, that was for a SEMESTER. So you're looking at $40K per year if you're not an athlete. According to the U of I website, cost of attendance is around $36K a year, and ISU around $30K. Duke University will cost you around $55K. Clemson, who is listed in the study as the BCS school with the largest gap for "full-ride" athletes at $4700, costs around $26K to attend for a year. Keep in mind that these figures are also for in-state residents; the cost for many scholarshiped athletes would probably include out-of-state tuition costs.
In anticipation of my previous paragraph, the NCPA has a section of their website entitled, "The 'Free Ride' - Should We Complain?" In general, I think it's a joke, but the last line of the page REALLY pisses me off. It says, "We should not have to keep quiet while being subjected to unethical conditions." UNETHICAL CONDITIONS? Are you serious?
Look, let's quit beating around the bush and get to the bottom of this: College athletics is a multi-million dollar industry. It is money, money, money. No doubt about it. The NCPA has one agenda which it is trying to cover with a lot of smoke-screen issues like guaranteed four-year scholarships, medical coverage, unlimited transfer options, graduation rates, etc. But the REAL agenda is that the NCPA wants to tap into those millions of dollars that college athletes generate. That's it. Regardless of what they say, they don't give a crap about education or anything associated with it. They want college athletes to be compensated like professional athletes. They want the money. They can't stand the fact that big-time college athletes have to pay anything while at college.
Compensation for college athletes is a separate issue for another day...
First, as with most studies, this one is funded by an organization that has an agenda, in this case the National College Players Association (NCPA). According to their own website, their number one goal is to "raise the scholarship amount." Again, directly from their website: "The NCAA admits that a 'full scholarship' does not cover the basic necessities for a college athlete, but it refuses to change its rules to allow schools to provide more scholarship money."
Within the statement is a big assumption, and that is that college athletes have the right (insert rant about our "entitlement" society here) to not pay a dime when they go to college for four - hmm - I mean one or two years. The study notes that the average Division I "full-scholarship" athlete has to pay $2951 annually in "school-related expenses not covered by grants-in-aid." Not surprisingly, I could not find a complete list of these school-related expenses used in the study, although the press release mentioned three things: parking fees, calculators, and computer disks. I cannot confirm it, but I suspect the list includes things like baggy jeans, snazzy boxer shorts, two pairs of Nike Air Force Ones, a MacBook Pro, an iPod, and two plane tickets home (for Christmas and Thanksgiving).
Second, if you go to the NCPA website to look further into this study, they throw up the scholarship "shortfalls" against the coach's income and bonus money. The implication is that coaches shouldn't get that money, that the players should get it so that they don't have to spend their own money at the iTunes store. My question is, what is it that normally draws an athlete to a particular school? I don't know that the coach is the number one reason, but it's gotta be in the top three. So for schools to get those big recruits in the first place, to grow a program to the point that it can provide scholarships in the first place, you've got to get top tier coaches. So why would you go after them? You both know that I've had my issues with college athletics in the past, but after doing my research, I fully understand that the bulk of athletic scholarships in any Division I school, and even many of the academic scholarships, are funded by the football and basketball programs. It's pure profit. Coaches are paid with pure profit. My point is, the coach gets much of the credit, in my opinion, for scholarships existing at all. Going after them in this pathetic "full-ride athletes don't get enough money" complaint is ridiculous.
Third, I think most of the population would agree that compared to the average joe that wants to go to college, I don't think athletes have much to complain about. Let's take for example USC. According the the 2010-2011 catalog, the average cost per semester for an undergraduate education is $20K. Yes my friends, that was for a SEMESTER. So you're looking at $40K per year if you're not an athlete. According to the U of I website, cost of attendance is around $36K a year, and ISU around $30K. Duke University will cost you around $55K. Clemson, who is listed in the study as the BCS school with the largest gap for "full-ride" athletes at $4700, costs around $26K to attend for a year. Keep in mind that these figures are also for in-state residents; the cost for many scholarshiped athletes would probably include out-of-state tuition costs.
In anticipation of my previous paragraph, the NCPA has a section of their website entitled, "The 'Free Ride' - Should We Complain?" In general, I think it's a joke, but the last line of the page REALLY pisses me off. It says, "We should not have to keep quiet while being subjected to unethical conditions." UNETHICAL CONDITIONS? Are you serious?
Look, let's quit beating around the bush and get to the bottom of this: College athletics is a multi-million dollar industry. It is money, money, money. No doubt about it. The NCPA has one agenda which it is trying to cover with a lot of smoke-screen issues like guaranteed four-year scholarships, medical coverage, unlimited transfer options, graduation rates, etc. But the REAL agenda is that the NCPA wants to tap into those millions of dollars that college athletes generate. That's it. Regardless of what they say, they don't give a crap about education or anything associated with it. They want college athletes to be compensated like professional athletes. They want the money. They can't stand the fact that big-time college athletes have to pay anything while at college.
Compensation for college athletes is a separate issue for another day...
Monday, October 25, 2010
Marc on Favre
Man, it was painful just to write that title! Favre can add one more to his long list of records and statistics: the most frequent topic on the Baldwin Boys blog.
I watched the game last night as well. I have to admit that during those last two minutes I was sure that Favre was going to rip the heart out of all of Green Bay again, if for no other reason than because I was hoping that he would fail. As Ed mentioned, I am definitely NOT a Brett Favre fan.
My reasons for disliking him in no way question the incredible career that he has had. I, like many others, have simply grown weary of his weeping press conferences year after year, and then the inevitable drama of July and August when he "suddenly" decides to play again. This year was even worse, with him joining the team just in time for the first regular season game. The fact is that I think he's never considered retiring; he's a superstar, loves having a long summer off, and knows that he can get away with not showing up until the last minute. And no one is willing to even entertain the question of how it hurts the team NOT having the starting quarterback around during training camp.
Unfortunately when he finally does retire, he will be talked about as a legendary quarterback "who threw a lot of interceptions, especially in the playoffs". Granted, you can make the argument that the greatest sluggers in MLB history also had the most strikeouts. In my opinion, Favre is one of the best when his team is in the lead. However, he's terrible when his team is behind, especially as he's grown older, because he tries to force things, and throws interceptions as a result. But hey, I'm not gonna a lie, I'd keep playing as long as someone was willing to pay me $16 million a year!
I'm interested to see whether or not he'll continue his streak of starts with his bum ankle, which didn't seem to bother him much as he celebrated what he thought was the game winning touchdown.
I watched the game last night as well. I have to admit that during those last two minutes I was sure that Favre was going to rip the heart out of all of Green Bay again, if for no other reason than because I was hoping that he would fail. As Ed mentioned, I am definitely NOT a Brett Favre fan.
My reasons for disliking him in no way question the incredible career that he has had. I, like many others, have simply grown weary of his weeping press conferences year after year, and then the inevitable drama of July and August when he "suddenly" decides to play again. This year was even worse, with him joining the team just in time for the first regular season game. The fact is that I think he's never considered retiring; he's a superstar, loves having a long summer off, and knows that he can get away with not showing up until the last minute. And no one is willing to even entertain the question of how it hurts the team NOT having the starting quarterback around during training camp.
Unfortunately when he finally does retire, he will be talked about as a legendary quarterback "who threw a lot of interceptions, especially in the playoffs". Granted, you can make the argument that the greatest sluggers in MLB history also had the most strikeouts. In my opinion, Favre is one of the best when his team is in the lead. However, he's terrible when his team is behind, especially as he's grown older, because he tries to force things, and throws interceptions as a result. But hey, I'm not gonna a lie, I'd keep playing as long as someone was willing to pay me $16 million a year!
I'm interested to see whether or not he'll continue his streak of starts with his bum ankle, which didn't seem to bother him much as he celebrated what he thought was the game winning touchdown.
Favre, again.
Here's a quick message (Marc, I wondered if you would come up with this, after a scan through the headlines to find something to "light your fire") to say that I watched most of the game last night between the Packers and the Vikings, and paid particular attention to what the commentators were saying about Favre. One point they made is that every pass is historic for Favre - a completion, an interception, a touchdown, a pic six ... doesn't matter. He has now thrown for more than 40 miles! Whew, bet that was something we all wanted to know.
Now my brothers and I differ on this. I like Favre. Always have. But his recent off the field antics and slumping capability on the field has me believing more and more that it is his time to step away from the game. He's fun to watch, always, and has an attitude of "so there's a chance" even when playing from behind.
An ugly game from an old man last night, and the rust is showing. Brett, if you're following this blog (probably, right?) here's straight talk from a fan of yours ... It might be time to hang up the helmet for a pair of Wranglers, Sears commercials, and long and illustrious career of commentating.
I know my brothers will be eager to hear your take on the recent crackdown on defenseless headhunting rules or the Manning brothers rivalry! After all, gotta stay in the spotlight right?
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Marc on Music
I think we’ve talked a little bit about music in the past, or maybe it was just about our top 10 list on our iPod, not quite sure. I’ve often wondered how in the world I ended up being such a big fan of rap. I think I’ve got it narrowed down to a few particular events…
I think the first rap song I really loved was “Jam on it” by Newcleus. It came out in 1983, but I have no idea when or where exactly I was exposed to it. I have recollections of listening to it over and over, not because I owned it, but at one time I was going to the weight room at the high school (that is funny in and of itself) and Joe Logan had it on tape. We played that song over and over and over. I loved it, and I guess that’s when I first got the bug for good rap. Amazingly, I remember asking for a Newcleus tape for Christmas sometime later and Mom and Dad actually got me one! In retrospect, I’m shocked that they did. Rap has never been Dad’s gig!
The next thing was the movie “Beat Street” and specifically the song “Beat Street Breakdown” by Grandmaster Melle Mel and the Furious Five. Ed, you may remember going to watch that movie with the Rogge clan (I still kind of think of them as the hillbilly family on the Simpsons). We all went to the Oelwein theater to watch it, and again, I’m amazed that they played it in Oelwein. I love that song – it’s on my favorites list on the iPod and I still listen to it often. I wish I could find the track because I would love to do it on the next Baldwin karaoke album!
Last but not least was “Walk this Way” by Run DMC and shortly thereafter, the entire “Raising Hell” album. That single and album came out in 1986 and I think it was the first tape that I bought with money from my job at Super Valu. I had to order it through Samar Music because they didn’t even carry it (a rap tape in Oelwein?) By that time, I already had a thirst for rap, and that album was like an ice cold Mountain Dew on a hot summer day! I could not get enough of it. I still believe that “Peter Piper” is the GREATEST rap song of all time. “My Adidas”, “Dumb Girl”, “You Be Illin’”, “Is it Live”… there isn’t a bad song on that album.
Incidentally, “Licensed to Ill” by the Beastie Boys was released at about the same time. I didn’t know much about them other than “Fight for Your Right to Party”, but I traded tapes with Kevin Wright on the bus trip to Disneyworld (I gave him "Raising Hell" and he gave me "Licensed to Ill") and that’s when my love affair with the Beastie Boys began.
On a side note, rap has gone sour over the years. I can’t put my thumb on it exactly. Crunk is junk, I know that. There is still some stuff I like (Jay-Z) for example, but on the whole, it all blows. I can’t even stand to listen to rap/R&B stations on the radio. It’s not worth it to hear one good song every 45 minutes.
That’s my rap story.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Ed on Dumb Things WE Do
Did you complete the work in flip flops while listening to your iPod? Did you let the neighbor use the radial arm saw directly below you while you worked? I can recall several of these experiences myself. And interestingly, most involve a ladder, cliffs and the possibility of falling to significant injury. Hmmm?
As they say, your picture is worth a thousand words. Lets challenge ourselves to produce stories (and pictures for extra credit) of our collective mastery in shedding common sense, abandoning reason, and recklessly going where almost every man has gone before.
I had intended to attach a picture of me hanging off the peak of my roof, 40 feet from sure disablement or death, to hang Christmas lights - but I couldn't find the picture. That will be my first entry.
Mixing Love of Music and Family
Why does almost everyone love music? And what elements in particular do each of us appreciate most that makes us love different types of music? Do you like the words, the instruments used, the beat, the voice(s)? To some degree all of these elements play a part in what type of music we listen to and appreciate the most. I've asked many people this question: How can someone try to remember something really important like a birthday, formula, recipe, or quote and find this almost impossible a week or two later (even with repeated effort) and yet they can remember the words to a song that they haven't heard in twenty years with almost no cognitive effort? It's amazing isn't it? I'm certain there are studies upon studies as to the triggers in our brain that cause such memory, love and enjoyment from music. But that's not really my point of posting this blog.
Instead, my point is that when you combine multiple things in your life that you love, you end up with the ingredients for a really great experience. That's what 'making music' with my cousins and brothers was all about. For me, spending time with my family and making music was a perfect combination of two really big loves of mine. Now, the 'making music' is in quotes because no one would describe the output of those two half days in the studio as 'making music', regardless of your musical taste. So I'm using this phrase very loosely. And you'll note, there is no music attachments available ... for good reason. But the experience was everything that I had hoped for and more - everyone of us having raw, unrefined and delightfully tacky fun!
So the next time you eat chocolate and caramel, you bike through the countryside to enjoy the fall weather, you read a really good mystery book, or you really enjoy a song for its instrumental and lyrical characteristics, you will be doing something I've come to realize: take two things you really enjoy and combine them. When you do, you won't be disappointed with the outcome.
I'm hoping for at least one more studio opportunity, not because of the music that gets created, but because of what these two experiences meant to me.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
The Big One That Didn't Get Away!
Here's a couple of photos from a recent trip to the 'honey hole' fishing pond near our house. On this particular trip Dad went with us, and all of us caught some really nice bass. But the Big Daddy (Dad) caught the Big Daddy (probably about a 5 pounder) and I can't remember the last time I saw my Dad so smug. Maybe that's not the right description but you could see so much happiness, pride and satisfaction on his face. It was a great day, a great time, a great fish, and is a really great memory that me and my boys will always cherish.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Dumb things I do...first in a series
One of the more difficult aspects of being a weekend warrior when it comes to being a household handyman is not having the right tools and equipment. One example might be a 8-10 foot step ladder. So when I needed to mount two bike hoists on my 13 ft. ceiling, I had a few options:
1. Try to find someone in the neighborhood that has a ladder.
2. Make the 5 minute trip to Lowe's and purchase a ladder.
-----OR-----
3. Stack a bunch of stuff up and balance on that to reach the ceiling!
So my makeshift ladder consisted of:
- A radio flyer wagon (a children's classic!) with the wheels blocked by stips of wood.
- A children's plastic slide
- Several odd size pieces of plywood stacked thick enough to bear weight.
- A 10 year old rickety wooden 4 ft. step ladder.
It wasn't the easiest or most efficient option, but I got it done. Needless to say I shared this picture and information with my 9 month pregnant wife AFTER I had successfully completed the task without breaking my neck!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)