Andy Fales called me Sunday at midnight just to talk. Like me, Andy was exhausted from all the negative energy swirling around the U of I investigation and all the collateral fallout. We've been besieged by angry Hawkeye fans eager to kill the a couple of the messengers they feel responsible for all the bad publicity for Iowa. Many seem to think we relish the opportunity to deliver bad news. Well, to paraphrase Kirk Ferentz, for anyone to enjoy this kind of story, you'd have to be morally bankrupt and fairly ignorant. We're as tired of it as anyone. No one gets into sportscasting for the unhappy stories.
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Brett Favre. No one ever says "Brett" or "Favre", it's always "Brett Favre". Anyway, speaking of Brett Favre, I can't believe the Packers don't want Brett Favre. I know the 49ers didn't want Joe Montana, and the Yankees dumped Babe Ruth, but we're talking about the Packers and Brett Favre. Hard to picture one without the other. I don't blame Green Bay for growing tired of his shenanigans, but it's Brett Freaking Favre!
It really is a business.
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Lolo Jones may race a horse at Prairie Meadows? If it's the 100 hurdles, I'm there. And my money is on Lolo.
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The Iowa Chops gear is selling in a way the Stars never did. That doesn't stop the hate mail, though many admit it's growing on them. Some don't.
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The new I-State football commercial is a winner. It's a long ways from one of the worst spots I've ever seen. Iowa State once had a lightning bolt hit an empty stadium. I'm not making that up. Nothing says, "I want to buy season tickets!" like no one at a game and severe weather.
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I'm sure Carson Palmer is getting clobbered in Ohio for talking about how much he hates the Buckeyes, but I love a guy who really says what he thinks instead of what he thinks he should say. We'll get enough of the latter at the upcoming football media days.
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40-0? That is unbelievable for a baseball team, especially one which played a tough schedule. I know Johnston got a break in the rained out game the Dragons likely would have lost to Marshalltown a few weeks ago, but 40 and 0 takes a little luck, along with a lot of skill. We won't see it again soon in 4-A.
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I don't think Shawn Johnson fully realizes how much her life is going to change in three weeks if she wins the all-around gold. Overnight she will become one of the most recognized people in America. Get ready.
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I still haven't seen The Dark Knight a second time, mainly because it's too dark and intense for the kids. It's a great movie, with a lot of important things to say, but it's in no way appropriate for most under the age of 10 (and in some cases 12). It's really unfortunate that there are so many toys and marketing tie-ins aimed at kids because it makes my 4 and 7 year olds want to see Batman.
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Step Brothers is crude, profane, and hilarious. It's hit and miss, but when it's on, it's a gut-buster. However, I will never look at a set of drums the same way again.
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The Barnstormers part 3 is a huge hit by any measure. Well, any measure other than winning. Even with a 6-10 season, the Stormers averaged nearly 10,000 fans a game. In the season finale, with nothing at stake except the outcome of the Mascot game, more than 10,500 showed. I only wish Andy hadn't embarrassed us all by drilling the 12 foot National Guard inflatable in the side of the head. The Barnstormers figured out the winning formula for fans: a fun time at an affordable price. Congratulations.
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Last week we started my parents 50th anniversary celebration. Unfortunately, I'm not going to make it to 50, though I'm lucky to have found the person for which spending 50 years together would not be enough. Unlike my parents, I didn't get it right the first time. It not only makes me appreciate what I have, but I really respect those who made it work from a young age.
The anniversarypalooza began with great seats at a Neil Diamond concert, thanks to my friends Ryan and Heather Lund. If you look up "great people" in the dictionary, you'll see their picture. (Not true. I just looked it up. "Great people" is two words, and there's no picture. Sorry.) Neil Diamond, along with Johnny Cash and Elvis, sang the songs of my childhood. My mother always had one those guys blasting. Still does. Anyway, Neil is 67 but it was a great show. I'm not kidding. I promise not to give Iowa State a hard time for playing Sweet Caroline for at least one season.
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Anniversarypalooza moves next to Rathbun Lake. Thanks Heather!
Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad. I love you.
Keith
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2 comments:
I am sick of Brett Favre and this whole situation. This guy is starting to come off like he is bigger than the game of football and he is bigger than the Packers. I remember watching the press conference where he way crying and saying he had nothing left to give. Did the Packers force him to say that as well?? Did they hit him with some pepper spray to induce the tears?? Give it up Favre! Thats right, I just called him Favre!!
Born in Greenbay:
My family has had season tickets since 1960--we LOVE Brett Farve! Noone had this kind of reaction when Michael Jordan vascillated with his retirement. True Packer fans would watch Brett play in a WHEELCHAIR. You'd have to BE one to understand!
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