Jeremy's World

I suppose that because I make a good living and I identify as a Christian I am supposed to be a Republican. For the record, I am not. However, regardless of one’s political affiliation, I don’t think anyone can hear this speech and not be moved.

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The text (and video) can be found here.

Also consider Caroline Kennedy’s recent endorsement of Obama: “I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president.” Pretty powerful stuff.  I would link to the post on the NY Times website but they won’t let you read it unless you’re registered.  And I think that stinks.

I shouldn’t be surprised by this anymore, but I couldn’t believe the contents of the "Latest Video" portlet on a website I visited. Not a bit of good news on there except for the Giants win over Green Bay last night (which isn’t good news in Green Bay). And we wonder how people become cynical.

How are we supposed to be good evangelicals talking about a loving and just God when stuff like this happens? I know that isn’t a new question, but it’s still a pretty damn good one. Chime in…I’d be curious on your thoughts.

All I was trying to do is watch this video of this idiot getting a tattoo on his head…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8guMii5Uuw

Bon Jovi, who I am unashamed to say is my favorite band of all time, is coming to Greensboro, NC on March 16. Daughtry – probably the most successful American Idol contestant who didn’t win – is opening. Awesome show, I’m sure. So, Jenn and I decided, "What the hell, let’s go see them."

I logged on to TicketMaster on Friday for the "Internet Pre-Sale" event. Well, seems one has to be a member of the official Bon Jovi fan club to be able to do that (as an aside, I see someone is selling their password on eBay). $50 per person to be in the "club." Nah. So, I wait until they officially go on sale at 10:00 this morning.

First pass on "best available" returns 200 level seats straight away from the stage, clear at the other end of the stadium. Um, no. Try again…try again…try again…Finally there are some just-ok tickets available. Again, "What the hell, let’s get them."

Now, I’m a big fan of capitalism and all, but I find it retarded that decent tickets can’t be had at a decent price. Sure, you can get killer tickets on the floor near the front on StubHub. Just give them your credit card number and $700 per ticket you’re golden! Psh. Maybe in 1989 on the New Jersey tour. But considering I was in high school then and made $3.35 an hour flipping burgers, um, no.

So yeah, we’re going. Their latest album isn’t my favorite of theirs, but it’s ok. It’s not my least favorite so that’s better I guess. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to go, and Daughtry will be very cool to see. But the ticket-buying experience and lack of ticket availability just as they officially go on sale (yes, I was online right at 10:00 like a middle school girl) pisses me off as a fan of 25 years.

Rock on, and get off my lawn.

This is an old friend of mine, Kevin Johnson We met when he became an associate pastor at our church in Redding, California. Sadly, I haven’t seen him in YEARS…check out his appearance on Letterman a couple years back. Kevin is the most talented artist in his field, don’t you agree? And for me, it’s one of those "I knew him when" things.

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Kevin’s Website (www.laffalot.com)
Another One (www.kevinjohnson.tv)
Obligatory MySpace

As always I’m on the lookout for new music. Well, I found some new-to-me music by Edwin McCain. His big hit a few years back was "I’ll Be," and his albums are kind of bluesy, slow-burn, chick songs…especially his "Messenger" album from 1999 which I particularly like. But I dig ‘em. And, on "Messenger" he does an acoustic version of "I’ll Be" that I think rivals the original depending on my mood.

Thanks to my in-laws who gave me iTunes gift cards at Christmas, I have plenty of chick music in my library.

Here’s my man card. Take it.

With my Seahawks left with tee times instead of hosting the Giants in the NFC Championship, winning, and then losing in the Superbowl to the Patriots, and being months away from baseball season, I am faced with this many days on my homepage:

For a while, at least, I will occasionally see:

I guess it’ll have to do.

After watching the Patriots beat the Jaguars and getting some sleep, I’m more objective about the crap fest the Seahawks displayed yesterday. It’s never one thing, but I have to say that this team is significantly better if the offensive line could perform. They just aren’t the same since the Hutch debacle, Tobeck retiring and Walter Jones inching toward the back end of his prime (accelerating since he’s carrying the line). And it all starts with the o-line.

Think about it…If the line kicks ass, the offense can be balanced between run and pass keeping the opposing defense in check. We had zero running game this year which has been the conversation of many sports stories. We have Shaun Alexander who was the rushing champ, record-setting MVP two years ago. He couldn’t have fallen off that far that fast (in my opinion). It’s all about what’s in front of him…Nobody can run if they have nowhere to go. In a league where no-name backs routinely reel off 80-110 yards in a game, there is something grossly different here. I believe it’s an o-line that can’t run block.

When a line can block, the offense – especially our offense – can grind out long, clock-eating drives. The defense rests, the opposing offense stays on the sidelines, and we could score a lot of points. However, we put ourselves in 3rd and long WAY too many times as we stumble with the running game letting the defense focus solely on pass defense.

Focus on the o-line in the draft, Mr. Ruskell. The other pieces are in place. Go get Alan Faneca. Re-sign our free agents. We do these things and we go deep into the playoffs.

1 hour to liftoff.  Even as I lay here on my recovering-from-surgery ass back, thankfully we have a TV in the bedroom.  Will my team win?  It’s possible.  As possible as they will lose.  I think this is one of the most evenly matched playoff games so far.  And Hasselbeck‘s quote from 4 years ago that I’ve heard 20 million times just today?  I love it.  He’s like a kid talking smack to his buddies (many of whom were standing across from him since he played in Green Bay so long).  The guy is really a media darling…He has skills, he’s a team leader, he’s hilarious, he speaks coherently, he has a purdy smile…Oh wait.  Man crush alert.

Go Hawks.  27-24 Seattle.