Lobbyist gone wild!

Know how lobbyist are painted as the moral enemy? The demise of America? The make big a big, bad word. Big money. Big corporations.

Turns out that some of our representatives are big liars.

What was that promise? Oh yeah... "We will not take a dime from Washington lobbyists."

Aren't you glad that politicians were looking out for your interest, for my interest and for America's interest by putting ethical parameters on these ee-veel lobbyist?

Egad! Those cunning lobbyists were able to tear their claws in the moral fibers of America and find some loopholes. All ethical, of course.

The sarcasm of the story is never smile at a crocodile... and good thing $50 million isn't a "dime"... or else politicians wouldn't be able to accept it!

WARNING! Gratuitous ABBA ahead

Thank you Meryl Streep for taking the summer to remind us that "The Winner Takes It All" is ABBA at best.

What could be better than Meryl, musicals and ABBA?

British pop band McFly covering the gem post Olympics.

The umph factor

I don't like plugging products of multibillion dollar companies that will never send a penny my way, but Nike: Here's your free (and lucrative might I add) endorsement.

I finally got around to getting to know my Nike+ Sportsband product. It's a nifty USB band and shoe chip that wraps around your wrist to keep track your distance, time, pace and calories burned; a fan favorite of runners. Sync it up to your computer when you are ready and the doodad graphs your progress.

Sounds great huh?

Wrong.

It's as humiliating as viewing a candid photograph of yourself in wet Spandex. It just confirms my suspicion, that my running pace is horrendous.

That's me?! Surely the camera adds 10 pounds/ surely the USB band is slow by 10 minutes a mile.

Unfortunately, technology doesn't lie.

Only one thing can cheer me up now... Roo's baseball video of Kip's unintentional bunt and sprint to first base.

cactus jack softball debue!

Way to put that "e" in effort indeed.

Wind Beneath My Wings

Red Sox Pitcher Josh Beckett is currently my most favorite athlete to watch during an interview. He's a man of few words. Brash, to the point and unmistakably cocky. Oh-- and he's Texan.

As a superfluous lover of words, Beckett is my comic relief.

Such past nuggets include: "Is that that supposed to be an allegory?" and "I don't get paid to make those [expletive] decisions."

Today's soundbite is priceless. The ace gave up eight earned runs in 2 1/3 innings.

The reporter's question is: "How frustrating a day was it?"

The ace's response can be found at the 50 second mark.

Wordsmith Beckett, you are truly the wind beneath my wings.

Effortless

A lot of attention has been given to the heavily decorated American Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. I am in utter amazement how one person can make such record-breaking feats seem so effortless. Phelps just seems to glide through the water. 

But these feats are most certainly not effortless. Phelps does no glide. Phelps competes. 

Publicity has been fixated on Phelps' seemingly superhuman (and quite honestly, freakish) physique. Granted Phelps' wingspan is three inches longer than his 6'4" height, but what good is the equipment if you never utilize it? 

Phelps makes the most of his opportunities. Training includes two sessions everyday (or three when in high altitude!), seven days a week and he logs around 50 miles in the pool once a week. 

Effortless? By no means. 

We should all take a cue from Phelps. May we all work hard and make the most of our talents, abilities and opportunities and make the competitions seem effortless. 

"I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel his pleasure." Eric Liddle, Chariots of Fire (1981).

What is your "effortless" talent? We all have one... in fact several! Are you making the most of it?  

Billy peed in his pants

If there is one thing I love, it is The Office. Be it American or British-- both are brilliant. 

If there are two things I love, it is The Office and staying hydrated. Yes my friends. I have a vice and its elements are two of H and one of O. (That's dihydrogen monoxide y'all.)

So if there are three things I love, it would have to be The Office, water and getting to reference Billy Madison. 

"Of course I peed my pants. Everybody my age pees their pants. It's the coolest."

Read on!

"... I'll look back on this time as a delicious, tiny window where I got to whatever I wanted." Nice quote, Mindy Kalig. 

Another step closer to National Geographic

Congratulations to North Texas photographer Hansel Dobbs!

Hans has not only earned a spot in KXAS NBC5i's North Texas Weather Calendar, but has garnered the front cover as well.



Be sure to let Hans know about the great photo by dropping him a comment here.

¡FELICIDADES!

Congratulations to Esteban Velásquez for making it in TV Azteca's La Academia! Remember to keep checking back here to find out when the recent Odessa High School graduate will be making his debut as one of Mexico's newest reality stars as well as showcasing his great vocal talent. Esteban is featured below in the first column, second row as one of 24 classmates to enter La Academia (The Academy).



¡Échale valiente! (That's Spanish for WOOHOO!)