Musings

2 good friends of mine passed away within 24 hours of each other-Rich Bircumshaw, the Play By Play voice of the Colorado State University Rams, and Glen Gondrezick, basketball analyst with the UNLV Radio Network. I saw both 6 weeks ago in Las Vegas at the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament. "Gondo" had a heart transplant in the summer of 08. He looked good and told me he was feeling great. The doctors now think his body rejected his new heart. Rich had a stroke Tuesday night, and died Wednesday evening. I called Rich because his company, Clear Channel Communications had laid off 950 people, and his job was very much up in the air. I got his answering machine. Two good guys, who loved their jobs and loved their schools. It makes you both sad and sick. Rich was under the gun every single day. He did, and this is not inflated, 54 newscasts every day Monday thru Friday for his radio stations in Fort Collins. He was worried about his job. Seems like there's a lot of that going around. Did the pressure of his job, of the radio business in general, have anything to do with his passing? I don't know. We never will. I know Rich made a lot of sacrifices to call games, because he loved the job. I will miss Rich and "Gondo." I hope we all slow down a little and smell the roses. Death calls 24-7 and you never know when you will be tapped on the shoulder and asked to step out of the line.
I will miss them a lot.

Inspiration

Her name is Susan Boyle. She is the latest Internet sensation. Its not often I am at a loss for words, but after watching a clip of her on YouTube I am speechless. There are moments in life that sometimes cross your path, and if you're lucky, you recognize those instances and appreciate them. I have always been an underdog. I have always rooted for the underdog. And I am rooting for Susan Boyle. She lives in Scotland and recently appeared on "Britain's Got Talent," a show much like "America's Got Talent." The 7 minute segment on YouTube is both a condemnation of how shallow we are as humans, and, a shining example of pulling for the "good guys." If the piece doesn't bring a tear to your eye, get your heart checked. The video on YouTube has been viewed by over 20 million people. The more that see it the better. It needs no more set up. After viewing it, please post your thoughts here.

Tough

I watched and listened over the weekend as U.S. Navy Seals shot and killed 3 Somali pirates, and rescued Captain Richard Phillips from a lifeboat off the coast of Somalia . There are so many details to this incredible story that are just amazing , and I'll be commenting on many of them. A couple of things stood out-1) President Barack Obama gave the order to use force, if necessary, to free Captain Phillips. 2) We didn't wait a week, or a month, or 6 months to do something. We used aggression and it saved an American life. I have become sick and tired of the do-gooders in this world who think we need to treat terrorists, murders and thieves with kindness and compassion. No Sir! We are dealing with enemies around the world who are not afraid of dying, and who believe the United States has become soft, especially since the Iraq War. Thank Goodness we had someone, starting with the President, who realized force might be necessary. Thank God we could drop Navy Seals by helicopter to the USS Bainbridge. And Thank God, the Captain of the Bainbridge had the common sense, to realize they had a chance to take those Somali pirates out, and they did. Sorry, but many times violence is the answer to other violent actions. The more countries negotiate and pay ransoms, the more Somali Pirates will hijack vessels. No, the deaths of 3 pirates will not be a deterrent. However it sends a clear message this country will use whatever force is necessary to protect Americans. It would be nice if this policy would extend past the Horn Of Africa and to other conflicts we are involved in around the world. Like him or not, the President of the United States made the right call, and a captain, who gave himself up so his crew could escape, is alive today. More to come.

Musings

Saw the moving "Knowing." Loved it, but I can see why a lot of people did...Ever try to get into the Texas Roadhouse Restaurant in Monument? Standing room only. Better go early....Went skiing up at Monarch not too long ago. What a great day. I used to be an all right skier but have not been up for a while and it showed. Plus I was wearing jeans. So on one run I go headfirst into the snow. As I start to get up a couple goes past and I hear the woman say, "Now that's why you shouldn't wear jeans!!"......Love this time of the year-the end of the college basketball season, baseball begins, the Stanley Cup Playoffs get underway (Go Rangers)...I am a not so closet wrestling fan, and I watched the WWE's "Wrestlemania 25" Sunday with a bunch of buddies. The show was great and the company was better. Had way too much fun....Am also a big concert guy, and although I missed Elton John, I plan to hit a lot of shows this spring and summer.

That's it for now....Stay Tuned