Random thoughts

[RICHARD]

It was 29 years ago today (1986) that the Challenger space shuttle exploded 2 minutes - maybe less than that - after it took off. I wonder why I haven't heard much about it on the news today. I remember exactly where I was that day. It was my junior year of college, mid-morning and I was one of the few people in the dorm- most had already left for classes. My schedule was different because I was a nursing major. A sad day.

I had called in sick to work and my buddy called me up to tell me to turn on the TV to watch the coverage....
It was unbelievable.

[cassiesmom]

Did Kanye West's fans really think Paul McCartney was some unknown newcomer to the music world? Seriously, people, you've never heard a Beatles song?! *smh*

[cassiesmom]

I read this quote and it was mis-attributed to Nelson Mandela. It is actually by Marianne Williamson. No matter, I still really like it:

"...Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

[Karen]

I am recently celebrating the fact that I am no longer allergic to malt - you'd be surprised at how prevalent it is in things like bread and crackers. So I am inordinately happy I am sitting here eating Wheat Thins with a little peanut butter on them (Teddy Bear brand, crunchy) for my afternoon snack!

[cassiesmom]

Big story in Chicago sports news today ... The Little League governing body has ruled that Chicago team, Jackie Robinson West, will lose its U.S. title because there were players that live outside the team's geographic area. The team's manager allegedly used a "fudged" map to recruit the best players with the cooperation of other local teams. The Little League administrator for the area may also have had some knowledge that this was going on. The title has been transferred to a team from Las Vegas.

This was a very big "feel-good" story. All of Chicagoland was rooting for this team. Their games were shown on an enormous screen down in Grant Park. There has been so much tragedy in Chicago lately with gangs and drugs, it was nice to have some good news to celebrate because of this team.

The reporter didn't explain how the Little League organization found out about this. I wonder why it took so long to come to light. I don't know a lot about kids' sports programs, though. Our local park district offers several sports- baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse- and when you sign your child up, you provide documentation that shows whether you live within the park district boundaries or not. That happens before practices even start.

[RICHARD]

Big story in Chicago sports news today ... The Little League governing body has ruled that Chicago team, Jackie Robinson West, will lose its U.S. title because there were players that live outside the team's geographic area. The team's manager allegedly used a "fudged" map to recruit the best players with the cooperation of other local teams. The Little League administrator for the area may also have had some knowledge that this was going on. The title has been transferred to a team from Las Vegas.

This was a very big "feel-good" story. All of Chicagoland was rooting for this team. Their games were shown on an enormous screen down in Grant Park. There has been so much tragedy in Chicago lately with gangs and drugs, it was nice to have some good news to celebrate because of this team.

The reporter didn't explain how the Little League organization found out about this. I wonder why it took so long to come to light. I don't know a lot about kids' sports programs, though. Our local park district offers several sports- baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse- and when you sign your child up, you provide documentation that shows whether you live within the park district boundaries or not. That happens before practices even start.

The 'problem' was that the new director for the league changed the boundaries of the area w/o telling the league. this allowed players from outside the area to play in that league.

People also try to work the system in High School athletics...People will falsify an address to get the kid into a school with a good track record in that sport....

A coach, who's team lost to the Chi team something like 34-3 (I may have that score wrong), noticed that AFTER the LLWS games, people from outside the area were having parties to honor the kids, when he did a little digging, he found out that the kids were living outside the area that the LL had set up for that region.

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I had to laugh at the call of 'racism' by jesse Jackson. I guess the rules only apply to everyone else? I feel for the kids, but after all is said and done? the blame should be laid at the feet of the guy that caused the problem?

[mon]

Jesse Jackson has always been more than a little "out there" to put it mildly, IMHO. In one ear and clean out the other springs to mind.