The End Is Near

For followers of this blog, you know that I have taken a hiatus from my normal eating plan for the holidays. There was just no way I could fight off that much temptation... lol.

So this is the final week before things get back to normal.

Normal is defined by very limited access to fried food, and hopefully regular trips to the gym each night after work.

Several of my friends are wanting to prepare for a 5K race, and want me to join them. There is only one problem with that... the running.

Even when I was in the best shape of my life (during my enlistment in the Air Force), I had trouble running. The mile-and-a-half run that was required of me annually was very difficult.

So one can understand my apprehension to the idea of running a 5K. That being said, I am going to do my very best to get into 5K shape.

I'll keep you posted... either way.

May the Blog Be With You.

And so this is Christmas...

And so this is Christmas, and what have you done? Another year over. And a new one just begun.

As things ramp up toward Christmas Day, please remember why we are doing all that we do. Remember that Christmas is about more than just gifts and gatherings and trees and lights and Santa.

Count the many blessings in your life, even if this Christmas isn't as bountiful as past ones.

For Christians, it is important to remember that miracle of Christmas isn't the just the birth of Jesus, but His eventual death on a cross for our sins. Without the cross, we would have no hope.

In these final days of the holiday season, let's remember to be nice to one another. Yes, even those crazy people in our families.

Let there be peace on Earth — and let it begin with me.

Merry Christmas.

2011 in the News - and Song

Sometimes, we in the news business take ourselves too seriously. Maybe this might remind us how ridiculous some things in the news actually are. Keep in mind, this is satire folks.

May the Blog Be With You.

Long live the (incandescent) light bulb

From the "I didn't even know they could ban that" department, fans of incandescent (non fluorescent) light bulbs can breathe a sigh of relief, at least for now.

According to the Washington Times, Congressional negotiators struck a deal Thursday that overturns the new rules that were to have banned sales of traditional incandescent light bulbs beginning next year.

That agreement is tucked inside the massive 1,200-page spending bill that funds the government through the rest of this fiscal year, and which both houses of Congress will vote on Friday. Mr. Obama is expected to sign the bill, which heads off a looming government shutdown.

Congressional Republicans dropped almost all of the policy restrictions they tried to attach to the bill, but won inclusion of the light bulb provision, which prevents the Obama administration from carrying through a 2007 law that would have set energy efficiency standards that effectively made the traditional light bulb obsolete.

Stopping the bulb ban was a chief GOP priority coming into this year, with all of the candidates seeking to become chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee saying they would push through a repeal. That bill cleared the House but Democrats blocked its consideration in the Senate.

House Republicans then insisted on adding a provision into the year-end spending bill, and it was one of the last major sticking-points in the negotiations.

The spending bill doesn’t actually amend the 2007 law, but does prohibit the administration from spending any money to carry out the light bulb standards — which amounts to at least a temporary reprieve.

You can read the entire article here.

No need to stock up on those bulbs now. I know you were worried.

May the Blog Be With You.

No Secret Santa, Please

We all know the drill. Someone in the office gets the "bright idea" to administer a "Secret Santa" gift exchange. Before you know it, you have a little slip of paper with a coworker's name on it and a mediocre budget.

It is at that moment where the panic sets in. While you may have worked with this person all year long, you really have no idea what to get them for Christmas — especially on a $10 budget.

Over the years, I have given and received a whole host of Secret Santa gifts. From jump drives to an autographed copy of "Jerry Byrd's Football Country" (guess who gave me that one), these gifts have run the gamut.

While the intention is noble, the Secret Santa has run its course I believe.

The fine folks here at the Bossier Press-Tribune came up with a new concept this year. Instead of drawing names of coworkers, we all donated our Secret Santa money to the Bossier City Police Local 645 and the Bossier Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #39 Shop with a Cop program.

While our individual contributions would not have been much (based on the Secret Santa stipulations,) collectively, we were able to give a nice sized donation. In fact, some of the folks here even gave more than their Secret Santa allotment.

A funny thing happened as our team gave toward this cause: More smiles and less stress.

Tomorrow, officers will be taking approximately 75 underprivileged children on a Christmas shopping spree at the Wal-Mart Super Center, 2536 Airline Drive. Starting at 10 a.m. officers will accompany the children, each of whom is pre-selected from Bossier City elementary schools, as they go shopping for Christmas gifts with funds raised locally by members of Local 645 and the Bossier FOP chapter.

Along with providing children in need with Christmas gifts, the Shop with a Cop program is designed to build positive relationships among children and police officers.

There are plenty of local causes worthy of the "Secret Santa Alternative."  If your office hasn't already passed out the little slips of paper, this might be a great idea for you.

’Tis the season of giving.

May the Blog Be With You.

Welcome to the bandwagon, America

Some folks may think I am late to the game with my "Tebow" column in today's Bossier Press-Tribune. However, to my closest friends and co-workers, they have known my "Tebowmania" for many years.

While I could write today's blog about many things, the further frenzy around Tebow, created by yet another come-from-behind win has me thinking about little else. So, I am sharing that column on my blog today, because there really isn't much else to discuss around the water cooler.

Those who know me best knew I would be writing this column at some point. Afterall, I had a poster of him with his Heisman hanging in my office for the longest time. I have his jersey — which I proudly wear. So here it is — my “Tim Tebow” column.

The first time I heard his name, my dad was telling me about this quarterback Urban Meyer was trying to recruit. “There is something special about this kid,” Dad said.

I knew Florida needed some kind of help. Meyer’s spread offense wasn’t going all that well with Chris Leak at the helm.

I witnessed the struggle first hand when we went to Baton Rouge to watch the Tigers beat the Gators in 2005. Little did I know, Tebow was in Tiger Stadium that day too — on an official visit while being recruited by LSU.

Leading up to his freshman year at Florida, I couldn’t even remember his name most of the time. I had to keep asking Dad, “What’s the name of that quarterback again?”

Dad would be ribbed by Gregg Parks at the Minden Press-Herald. “How’s that spread working in the SEC?” the die-hard LSU fan would ask.
 
“Just wait. Tebow is coming,” Dad would respond.

The rest, as they say, is history. Tebow became the first Sophomore in history to win the Heisman Trophy. He broke countless records in college and earned countless awards. He has two BCS Championship rings. He was a first-round draft pick in the NFL (a surprise to many.)

Now, Tebow is a national phenomenon. He has lovers and haters, and as of the writing of this column, a 6-1 record this season as the Broncos quarterback.

Hopefully I have adequately expressed my bias in favor of Tim Tebow — I am certainly not objective. However, I would like to offer the following opinion.

Regardless of his football prowess, there are many reasons to like this young quarterback — not the least of which is his commitment to be a role model.

As the father of two teenage boys, I see Tim Tebow as a positive Christian example. He is tough as nails on the field and unapologetic about his faith off it.

Tebow gives glory to God, both in the good times and bad. We all have heard him praise the name of Jesus after a win, but who remembers his statements about “God has a plan and a purpose” when things didn’t go well? I do.

Certainly we shouldn’t put anyone on a pedestal. Tebow worship is just as destructive as the worship of any idol. That being said, this young man is certainly doing many things right, and for that I am grateful.

When I see my 17-year-old don his #15 Florida jersey, or my 15-year-old talk about how cool it is that “tebowing,” the act of kneeling in prayer, is taking off, I smile and thank God.

There are so many negative influences in our kids lives — and it seems there are very few role models out there who encourage boys to become godly men. The fact my kids can look to someone like Tebow is a blessing.

One question to the skeptics, cynics and “haters” out there. Who would you rather your daughter date? Someone like Tim Tebow or someone like many of the other players out there? Who would you like your son to emulate? Someone like Time Tebow, or someone like Charlie Sheen?

That’s what I thought.

Not a bad column, if I do say so myself. Of course, it is easy to have a take on such a extraordinary story.

I even heard Rush Limbaugh and his audience discussing Tebow today. A caller wanted Rush to break down what the GOP presidential candidates could learn from Tebow, and his success. In addition, I've seen some Facebook posts with "Tebow for President."

I am not so sure with that line of thinking. Based on his career in the NFL thus far, his first 3 1/2 years as president would be horrible, followed by 6 months where he fixes everything.

It's a joke, people. Lighten up.


May the Blog be With You.

Better late than never?

I don't usually complain about things such as mail delivery, but two instances this week have led me to believe there are some issues.

Monday, I received a postcard in the mail asking me to support a particular candidate for State Representative. Unfortunately, that election took place LAST MONTH. Of course, this is Louisiana, I may actually still be able to vote in that election.

The other instance took place today. I received a periodical that I regularly read. I was very excited to get this one, as it contained a special section I was anticipating for quite awhile.

I knew it had seemed a long time coming for this periodical, but then I looked at the date: November 15, 2011. Oops, again.

I truly feel for the folks at the Post Office. But, I wonder if I am the only one who has seen these delays?

With Christmas rapidly approaching, and so many packages to be delivered, I truly hope this is just a pair of coincidences. But if anyone asks, the check is in the mail.

May the Blog Be With You.

A funny thing happened...

One of my favorite local blog sites is asseeninshreveport.com, which unfortunately seems to be ending its run on the world wide web.

In honor of their irreverent look at our fair cities, here is an "ASIS" moment I witnessed today.

Can you See it? Let's take a closer look...

Someone is going to be a little "conflicted" on January 9.

May the Blog Be With You.

They did this to us...

On the CBS Early show this morning, there was a news report about the possibility of Standard and Poors downgrading the European Union's credit rating. While the story itself wasn't unexpected, the anchor's reaction was.

Erica Hill said, "We over here (in America) know what that's like. They did it to us."

They did? We had nothing to do with it I suppose. Standard and Poors arbitrarily assigned a credit rating to the U.S.


It is my hope that Ms. Hill just misspoke and meant to say that we know what is it like to have a downgraded credit rating.

Unfortunately, I suspect she honestly felt that "they did it to us."

This line of thinking is akin to the student (or parent) who believes a teacher "gives a grade."

When I was younger, I tried that argument on my parents which didn't get me too far. "She gave me an 'F,'" I would say. To which my dad was quick to correct, "You earned that "F,' son."

The United States, through its borrowing and spending, earned the downgraded rating. And, if the European Union receives the same fate, they earned it as well.

Until we take responsibility for the consequences in our nation as the result of our decisions, we will never begin to solve our problems. The buck has to stop somewhere.

May the Blog Be With You.

My two-cents on the BCS situation

Since everyone is commenting on the BCS Championship matchup between LSU and Alabama, I thought I'd throw my two-cents worth into the conversation.

First of all, it really doesn't matter to me who faces LSU this year. They are a fine team and deserve to be playing for the title. That means a lot coming from me, a Gator fan. LSU has certainly shown the nation it is the team to beat.

That being said, I was somewhat hoping Oklahoma State would enter the BCS Championship Game — not out of disdain for Nick Saban or something as petty as that, but for closure at the end of the season.

What happens if Alabama wins by a field goal? Do they deserve to hoist the crystal trophy?

Should Alabama win, either Oklahoma State or Stanford (depending on who wins the Fiesta Bowl)  will claim they deserve at least a share of the national title.

This could all have been avoided by splitting LSU and Alabama to play the aforementioned Oklahoma State and Standford, laying the typical SEC smackdown such teams have received in bowl games — does anyone remember Florida vs. Cincinnati in the 2010 Sugar Bowl?

Certainly an LSU win will put to rest any of these scenarios, finishing undefeated. Let us all hope that is the case... so we don't have to listen to all that whining.

May the Blog Be With You

Songs of the Season

Last night as we were putting up Christmas decorations, we had Pandora playing Christmas music to keep us in the spirit of things. There is just something about Bing's rendition of White Christmas, or his duet with David Bowie on Little Drummer Boy that really makes it feel like the holiday season.

Just for fun, I changed the Pandora station to "Christmas Parodies" and got quite a few "different" songs. We all laughed at some of them, cringed at others and ignored many.

One of my favorite Christmas Parody songs is "The Twelve Pains of Christmas." Here is a youtube video of it for your holiday enjoyment. See if you can catch some of the "sitcom" references in the voices.

May the Blog Be with You

Surprise Surprise Surprise

It is not often someone can pull "one over" on me. But this past week it happened — fortunately, in a good way.

My wife gave me an early Christmas present in the form of a redecorated office — all without my knowledge.

She, my son and a close friend of the family all set me up. I should have seen it coming, but it was so far out of my realm of possibilities, I just didn't.

They weren't the only accomplices though. Ad Manager Randy Brown coordinated things on the "inside," making sure they had a key when they needed it to pull of this diabolical plan.

Days and weeks of keeping secrets and countless hours of work all culminated on Sunday afternoon when my wife insisted we go to lunch a Nicky's on Viking Drive, just down from the Press-Tribune office. She even involved our Pastor to make sure I didn't back out from the lunch.

As we left the restaurant, she said she needed to use the restroom, a ploy to get us to stop by the paper.

Sports Editor Russell Hedges was working and I went into the newsroom to say hello. That's is when I saw a glow coming from my office.

At first, I thought that I might have left my computer turned on, so I walked to the door way and turned on the light... all I could say was "WOW."

It isn't often I am speechless, but I certainly was in this case. I was floored, humbled and appreciative.

It has been 10 days since the "big reveal" and I am still in awe of the work all these people did for me. I am truly blessed.

This holiday season, remember that gifts of service will leave impressions that last. Their gift of service to me certain will.

May the Blog Be With You