Why baseball is hard to watch

I love baseball. I love to play baseball. I usually like to watch baseball. If it is the regular season, I can't watch too much on T.V., but I love to go and see it in person. Come playoff time, I like to watch the games. Usually. This year, the teams I wanted to be in the playoffs didn't fair too well. The Diamondbacks? Not even close. The Cubs? Please. The Twins made it in spectacular fashion, but got swept in the first round. The same for the Red Sox, lost in the first round. I have been watching the Angels and the Yankees (AKA The Evil Empire) series. So far, good games, but the Angels have come up short in the first two games.

Anyway, baseball has become hard to watch. The pace of the game is usually brutal, but this time of year, the stakes are so high that it is fun to watch. So, why is it so hard to watch? Three reasons:

1) Spitting. Really, do they have to spit as much as they do? Even the players who are not chewing tobacco are spitting? What are they spitting up? Luge's? Any time they have a close up of a player, they spit. Disgusting.

2) Scratching. It's horrible. The only thing players do more than spit is scratch themselves. I get it. The gear isn't the best. But really, do you need to "adjust" every time you are on camera? With the technology today, there has to be a more comfortable solution.

3) Thundersticks. For those of you who are not in the know, Thundersticks are long, narrow plastic balloons that are used as promotional noise makers. The noise is created when two thunder sticks are struck together. They were first used by the Angels in the 2002 World Series. These should have been prohibited by Major League Baseball. I am all for the cheering and supporting of your team, but this is ridiculous. They are too loud. Usually, crowd noise is an advantage to the home team and I usually say the louder the better. Clap, whistle, stomp, whatever you can produce is fine. But these Thundersticks go too far. They turn cheering on you team to just unbearable noise. It is no longer an advantage, it is a distraction to all. If you were to ask the players what they think, they would tell you the same thing. It disrupts the game. They should be banned!

Tell me what you think. Agree? Disagree?

Is this your future car?

Terrafugia has completed flight testing of the Transition POC (Proof of Concept). Introducing the Transition®. Simply land at the airport, fold your wings up and drive home.

Fly a distance of 450 miles at speeds of 75 MPH

The time required for the transition from plane to car takes less than 30 seconds. Vehicle speed 115 MPH, range is 450 miles on highways Vehicle is fueled with gasoline, and the price of the car is expected to be around $200,000. The first shipment will be in 2011.

Fun, Odd Facts

All 50 states are listed across the top of the Lincoln Memorial on theback of the $5 bill.

Almonds are members of the peach family.

The maximum weight for a golf ball is 1.62 oz.

There are 336 dimples on a regulation golf ball.

Charlie Brown's father was a barber.

In Mel Brooks' 'Silent Movie,' mime Marcel Marceau is the only person who has a speaking role

An ostrich's eye is bigger than it's brain.

Deborah Winger did the voice of E.T.

In most advertisements, including newspapers, the time displayed on watch is 10:10.

Bob Dylan's real name is Robert Zimmerman.

When the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers play football at home, the stadium becomes the state's third largest city.

The characters Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street were named after Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver in Frank Capra's "Its A Wonderful Life"

A quarter has 119 grooves around the edge.

A dime has 118 ridges around the edge.

It was discovered on a space mission that a frog can throw up. Thefrog throws up it's stomach first, so the stomach is dangling out of it's mouth. Then the frog uses it's forearms to dig out all of the stomach'scontents and then swallows the stomach back down again.

Certain frogs can be frozen solid then thawed, and continue living.

ABBA got their name by taking the first letter from each of their first names (Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny, Anni-frid.)

The name for Oz in the "Wizard of Oz" was thought up when the creator, Frank Baum, looked at his filing cabinet and saw A-N, and O-Z, hence "Oz."

The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.

The average person falls asleep in seven minutes.

To "testify" was based on men in the Roman court swearing to a statement made by swearing on their testicles.

The only planet without a ring is earth.

Customer Service...

I am a big fan of Customer Service. It stems from the days of working at Ace Hardware. Everybody knows that Ace can't compete with the big box hardware stores when it comes to price. So how did we compete? Yep, customer service. We worked hard to provide the service customers needed. Ever walk into a Home Depot and get greeted by an employee that was willing to serve you? (not an official greeter). Nope. Chances are, if you do need help, you have to search for someone and most likely, the advice you get is questionable. So, when I come across great customer service, I recognize it. I try to make sure the person who has just succeeded in getting my attention is recognized. Ask my wife. She had had to wait a few times while I ask to talk to the person in charge. We all should do this when we can.

So, the purpose of this blog. McDonald's got my attention. All companies are looking or should be looking for that magic phrase that makes the customer feel wanted. Its not a big deal. But it goes a long way. Mickey D's has recently changed how they greet you when you get ready to order. At least at the location closest to my work. It used to be "can I help you?". Now, it's "what can I make you today?". Corny? A little. But it caught my attention. It made me feel like they cared. And that is the purpose. It's working. Hats off to the manager of my McDonald's that made the difference!

A skewered look at the world of sports...

This is not my idea, just an article I found amusing...

The WNBA's Atlanta Dream is set to play their first home playoff game Friday night against Detroit at Philips Arena. But "Sesame Street Live" already had booked shows for next weekend at the downtown arena, so the Dream will play at Gwinnett Arena, about 25 miles northeast of Atlanta.

When asked how this will affect attendance, a rep has announced that all the team's fans have been notified, and that they will both be at the new arena.

The Dream tried everything they could to stay in the arena despite the conflict with Sesame Street LiveIn fact, they argued with promoters for several hours, claiming that few Sesame Street fans would even notice the game going on since so many of the WNBA's players look like Big Bird

During the US Open, Serena Williams angrily confronted the lineswoman who made a foul call, dropping the f-word liberally and, getting in her face and waving her racket and later the ball menacingly, saying, "I swear to God I'm [expletive] going to take this [expletive] ball and shove it down your [expletive] throat, you hear that? I swear to God."

Fans called Serena a disappointment, players called Serena a crybaby, and John McEnroe called Serena his new favorite player.

The Philadelphia Eagles elevated Michael Vick to the team's 53-man roster Tuesday, a move that allows the quarterback to practice with the team.

In fact, Vick will join the team just as soon as he gets a rabies shot and flea bath.

Cowboys spokesman Brett Daniels says the team's standing-room "Party Pass" tickets, at $29 apiece, have sold out. The Cowboys will say only that the standing-room total exceeds 20,000 fans.Combined with regular ticket sales in the 80,000-seat stadium, Dallas could challenge the NFL attendance record of 103,467 when they take on the New York Giants.

While the Cowboys would set an attendance record with 103,467, they would also likely shatter the record for most amount of chewing tobacco spat in one location.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco says he'll do a celebratory "Lambeau Leap" if he scores in Sunday's game at Lambeau Field.

And in future news, Chad Ochocinco has been beaten to death.

The Denver Broncos completed the longest game-winning play from scrimmage in the final minute of the fourth quarter in NFL history to defeat the Bengals Sunday.

Experts say this is the worst thing to ever happen to Cincinnati fans, next to having to actually live in Cincinnati.

Joke of the Day

In a city park stood two statues, one female and the other male. These two statues faced each other for many years.

Early one morning, an angel appeared before the statues and said, "Since the two of you have been exemplary statues and have brought enjoyment to many people, I am giving you your greatest wish. I herby give you the gift of life. You have 30 minutes to do whatever you desire."

And with that command, the statues came to life, smiled at each other, ran toward some nearby woods and dove behind a couple of bushes. The angel smiled to himself as he listened to the two statues giggling, bushes rustling and twigs snapping. After 15 minutes, the two statues emerged from the bushes, satisfied and smiling.

Puzzled, the angel looked at his watch and asked the statues, "You still have 15 minutes. Would you like to continue?"

The male statue looked at the female and asked, "Do you want to do it again?"
Smiling, the female statue said, "Sure. But this time you hold the pigeon down and I'll crap on its head."

How to Drive in Phoenix

HOW TO DRIVE IN PHOENIX:

1. You must first learn to pronounce the city name, it is: FEE-NICKS'. There are other names to learn such as Awatukee (Ah-wa-Too-Kee) but that will be included in the advanced course.

2. The morning rush hour is from 5:00 am to noon. The evening rush hour is from noon to7:00 pm. Friday's rush hour starts on Thursday morning.

3. The minimum acceptable speed on most freeways is 85 mph. On Loop 101, your speed is expected to at least match the highway number. Anything less is considered 'Wussy'.

4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Phoenix has its own version of traffic rules. For example, cars/trucks with the loudest muffler go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second. However, East Valley , SUV-driving, cell phone-talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way.

5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended, cussed out, and possibly shot.

6. Never honk at anyone. Ever. Seriously. It's another offense that can get you shot.

7. Road construction is permanent and continuous in Phoenix. Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment pleasure during the middle of the night to make the next day's driving a bit more exciting.

8. Watch carefully for road hazards such as drunks, skunks, dogs, barrels, cones, cows, horses, cats, mattresses, shredded tires, squirrels, rabbits, crows, vultures, javelinas, roadrunners, and the coyotes feeding on any of these items.

9. Maricopa Freeway, Papago Freeway and the '10' are the same road unless it's the part of the I17 that is also called the Maricopa Freeway. SR202 is the same road as The Red Mountain FWY unless it's east of the 101 and then it becomes the SanTan, then it ends, and then becomes the SanTan again. SR 143 is a street AND a freeway at the same time. Either way, it's the Hohokam Expressway. No one really knows what purpose SR153 has exactly.· SR51 has been called both the Squaw Peak Freeway and Piestewa Freeway. Depends who's talking to you.. US60 on the east side is the Superstition Freeway. On the west side it's a diagonal road with lots of traffic lights that's best avoided altogether. Sometimes you'll hear things on the traffic reports that refer to 'the innerloop.' No one (besides traffic reporters) ever called anything in Phoenix by that name. Matter of fact, I'm not sure where that is exactly. Dunlap and Olive are the same street. Jefferson becomes Washington, but they are not the same street. SR 101 is the Pima FWY east of I-17, which is the Black Canyon FWY (south of the 101, north of the 101 it is Veterans Memorial HWY) unless you are south of the 202 then the 101 becomes the Price FWY. SR 101 west of I-17 (at all times) is the Agua Fria FWY. No one is quite sure where Bethany 's Home is. Lastly, Thunderbird Rd. becomes Cactus Rd. but, Cactus Rd. doesn't become Thunderbird Rd. because it dead ends at a mountain.

10. If someone actually has their turn signal on, wave them to the shoulder immediately to let them know it has been 'accidentally activated.'

11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55-65 mph zone, you are considered a road hazard and will be 'flipped off' accordingly. If you return the flip, you'll be shot.

12. For summer driving, it is advisable to wear potholders on your hands.

13. It's a sport to make a yellow light from at least 500 feet away.