A-R*d is a CHEAT!

I warn you now... this will be a pretty heated rant. This is a pretty serious subject in my eyes and I have very strong feelings about it. You've been warned.

*Steps on soapbox*

Alex Rodriguez used steroids. Surprise surprise. I mean, I always suspected he used. He is a world class douche bag, so it was logical to assume he was also using steroids. Anyone else see a pattern here? Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez... all enormous douche tools and all of them were users.

I get being an asshole. I am one, but there's a line between being an asshole and a complete ass clown. I also get wanting to be the best at something, but you have to play within the rules. I know what it's like to pound yourself in the gym, run your legs off, practice 'til you pass out, but I have never and would never resort to using steroids. I have seen what it does to people who I have played with and against, and it's just not worth the risk.

Those who take steroids and performance enhancing substances (not pot or alcohol, let's be smart here folks) are cheaters and should be banned for life. I have no tolerance for it. If you can't be the best within the rules, then you don't deserve to play at all. I have no sympathy, no forgiveness, nothing to those who use steroids. I think that everything you did while using should be taken from you along with all the money you made. I think you should be treated like a common criminal for lying, cheating, and stealing.

Anyways back to A-R*d who will now always be looked down upon (even more than he already was) and will effectively end all the talk about how he might end up being the best player in baseball history. He is now in the class with Clemens, Bonds, and McGwire of players whose enormous stats are now tainted with an *. He is now a pariah of baseball.

You know what I say to that?

Couldn't have happened to a more deserving person.

So Alex, I hope it was worth it to you. I hope you go to sleep every night in your bed made of the stacks of money you have extorted from the baseball fans knowing you cheated them. You have to live with that you dickbag.

I hope you get suspended. I hope you get kicked out. I hope the Yankees suck so hard this year that they miss the playoffs again. And I hope you get blamed for it. I hope they treat you like dirt, because that is what you are... dirt on the face of baseball. The man who spoke out against the use of steroids, and who said he would never use... way to go jackass.

Fuck Barry, Fuck Roger, Fuck Mark, and now Fuck Alex. I hope you all burn in baseball hell.

Have a nice day.

*Steps off soapbox*

Pride

When I used to watch military movies, hear about the fighting our troops were doing for our freedoms, listened to songs about those who battle for our country, I felt a little bit of pride.

After just 11 months in the Navy, those things mean so much more to me for one reason: PRIDE. I feel a swell in my chest when the National Anthem is played. I hurt when I hear about the troops we lose over in the Middle East. I burn with anger when I hear people talking about killing Americans.

I have always been a born and bred, red blooded American. I am proud of my Irish and English heritage, and proud to be from the great state of Texas, but to be an American... means a massive amount to me. My father served in the Air Force, and his Father and Uncles before him served in the Army Air Corps. Serving my country runs in my family's blood, and to continue that amazing trend is my absolute honor.

I can't say that I am fighting for our freedom. I am not standing on the front lines defending this country against all enemies. I am not on guard standing tall against evil. What I am, is a man who decided to serve his country in a way that fits his personality and his skills, and with those things, I will make myself and my Navy better. I don't think I am or pretend to be some American hero. I don't believe I am someone who deserves thanks for serving this great country, or to be bought things for what I do for the USA. I think I am just doing my part. I am simply proud to serve and honored to call myself a United States Sailor.

Thank you to my brothers and sisters in arms, thank you for everything you do, whether it is defend our lines or fix our ships, aircraft, and vehicles. Thank you to those who do those things necessary to keep our military running. Thank you to each and every man and woman who serves this great country of ours. Stand tall, be proud, and salute smartly... you serve the greatest military in the greatest country in the world.

For those who have fallen,
For those who still stand tall,
And for those who are yet to come,
BE PROUD!
To the past,
The present,
And the future Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, and Airmen,
Be proud of who you are,
What you've done,
And who you will become.

Believe in yourself,
Those who stand beside you,
And those you defend.

Be proud of what you stand for,
What you protect,
And what you are fighting for.

HONOR!
COURAGE!
COMMITMENT!

HOO YAH U.S.A.!!!

Public Service Announcement No. 3: Laugh, it's good for you

I believe in the power of laughter. I come from a naturally funny family. If you are ever around us, you are guaranteed a lot of laughs. All of my friends are funny. The great things is they all have their own humor style.

It is a proven fact that laughing makes you feel better. It releases endorphins and there is nothing better when you are feeling down then a good laugh. I know when I am in the dumps, I automatically feel better after laughing... and sure it may not last long, but it is still nice to get that good feeling.

There is a reason why we love telling those funny stories and jokes to everyone. It makes us feel good to relive funny times, and to make other people laugh with them. Your life is so much better and much more enjoyable with laughter in it.

I go out of my way sometimes to make people laugh. Whether it is telling a bad or stupid joke, or doing something entirely dumb, I will do it to get a laugh. I really don't have to try to make someone laugh, but sometimes that extra effort is worth it.

So the point of this PSA is to bring up this point. Do a little (or a lot) of laughing. Try to find the humor in every day life. If you do that, you will find yourself enjoying your life that much more... and will make even the most dull, boring, or monotonous things seem a lot better.

So in the immortal words of George Carlin, LAUGH YOU BASTARDS IT'S GOOD FOR YOU!

~Ian

Are you serious?

There is a picture of Michael Phelps smoking "what appears to be" pot.



Oh the uproar. Oh the humanity. How can one of our sport role models do such a thing. (Can you sense the sarcasm?)

He is a 23 year old. He is entitled to bonehead mistakes. I mean seriously.... how else do you think he eats a table full of food 5 times a day? Ever heard of the munchies?

This really doesn't bother me, and everyone who actually knows Phelps says it was out of character, and that he made a silly mistake. No one is really making that big of a deal over it, and even his sponsors and the IOC are just brushing it off. Now the idiot police in the county where the picture was taken, are thinking of pressing criminal charges. WHY? For what reason would it serve any good? What difference would it make to do that? All you are doing is bringing more unneeded light to a situation, that in my mind, is over and done with. Plus let us not forget he would have to test positive, or they would have to find proof of possession... neither of which they have. Case closed.

The picture was posted, the damage was done, the apology was issued... move on. I think his only real mistake was letting the picture get taken. So he smokes grass... so what? You know how many famous people smoke weed or do worse? How many of our upstanding public figures do illegal things? Lets charge them all and put them all in jail. While we are at it, lets look into the backgrounds of the police and the lawyers and judges. Put them in jail too. How about the media? Shall we just go ahead and put the whole of the human race in jail? Seriously... it was a picture, and he said sorry. It isn't like it was steroids... I mean pot really isn't a performance enhancing drug... except for enhancing your eating and sleeping abilities.

I still think Phelps is a viable role model and someone any athlete can look up to, and all this does is prove that he is human and can make a mistake. What happened to forgiveness? Aren't we all entitled to screw up now and again?

The worst part of this whole thing is the reaction of the public. Most people are just saying "whatever" but some people are blowing it out of proportion. A select few people... very select are claiming his race has something to do with him getting off easy. What? Where are your brains at? I have noticed an upturn in racism lately. I don't know why all of the sudden its all about race again. Bryan brought it up very well in a post he did on Facebook, where people are acting a fool because we have a half black president. I really don't want to go into this subject, because I think racism is stupid, and no one race is impervious to idiocy and lunacy. The color of your skin doesn't determine if you are a total mental case or dumb as a brick. It all has to do with what is on the inside... and guess what... we all look the same in there. So let us not be stupid and bring race into something so silly.

I support you Mike. You're still an American Sports Hero in my mind! Now put the bong down and go out there and swim some more laps!

Lazy post

1. In two words, explain what ended your last relationship?
insecurity

2. When was the last time you shaved your legs?
um.... like sophomore year in college? Track thing....

3. What were you doing this morning at 8am?
sleeping.

4. What were you doing 15 minutes ago?
sleeping.

5. Are you any good at math?
mostly, except for those dumb types of math that somehow 2+2 does not =4. that's just fucking retarded.

6. Your prom night?
forgettable.

7. Do you have any famous relatives?
depends on your definition of famous

8. Have you ever taken out a loan to pay for school?
yeah.... and boy do they want their money....

9. Do you know the words to your MySpace song?
sure

10. Last thing u received in the mail?
a gift from Bryan

11. How many different beverages have you drank today?
none, surprisingly... I need to fix that....

13. Who did you lose your concert virginity to?
Fleetwood Mac, Pat Benitar, and REO Speedwagon.

14. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?
Who doesn't?

15. What's the most painful dental procedure you've had?
All the work I have had done since joining the Navy. I had appointments for like a week straight. Fuck that.

16. What is out your back door?
I don't have a back door.

18. Do you like the ocean?
It's overrated.

19. Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different kinds of popcorn for Christmas?
actually yes.

20. Have you ever been to a planetarium?
sure... in my youth.

22. Something you are excited about?
a day in the future.

23. What is your favorite flavor of JELLO?
cherry.

24. Are any of your great-grandparents still alive?
no.

25. Describe your keychain?
a car key, a room key, and a UT thingy.

26. Where do you keep your change?
around.

27. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group?
Um.......... dunno?

28. What kind of winter coat do you have?
I have a Navy Peacoat, which is currently in the possession of the sister.

29. What do you think of the person you copied this from?
a friend of the sister I haven't met. (the friend that is)

30. Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed?
well since the only door is the door to the outside world... closed. It would get a bit drafty and I wouldn't want everyone sticking their head in....

Congrats Steelers!

Congrats to the Pittsburgh Steelers on winning a record setting sixth Super Bowl, and in such a fantastic fashion. This was one of the best SBs I have ever watched, and I was very impressed with both teams will and fight to not give up. Congrats to both teams for making it to the Big Game.

Now the wait begins for next season.... *sigh*

Super Bowl XLIII

So here we are on the day of the biggest sports event on the American sports calendar. What a match up we have too. The defensively dominant Steelers vs. the entirely improbable Cardinals. I doubt ANY expert picked this SB match up, and if anyone claims to, they are liars.

The Steelers are usually a decent pick for a chance at the Big Game, but the Cardinals are almost never even in the conversation. True, they have made decent strides the past few years, but no one ever saw this coming. They blazed their way to an easy NFC East title, but after that they fluttered. They boasted a 0-5 record on the East Coast and staggered into the playoffs as a probable first round exit. They dominated the likewise surprising Falcons, then went for another expected East Coast beatdown to Carolina. WRONG. They pounded the Panthers and faced another unlikely opponent, the Eagles who upset last years Champs, the Giants. The Eagles thumped the Cards first time around, but this time, Arizona jumped out early and held off the Eagles to make it to the Ultimate Game.

The Steelers destroyed people with their defense, and the good enough offense. They handled the Chargers, then won a physical defensive battle with the Ravens to make it to their second Super Bowl in 4 years.

So who will win this David and Goliath battle? Will the underdog strike big like last year? Will defense dominate a powerful offense? I really don't know. I want to make a prediction, but I Don't really have a good prediction. My head says the Steelers will pull it out, but something still tells me that the Cardinals have a bigger chance than anyone really thinks. This is probably one of the hardest games to predict because it all depends on which Cardinals show up. Is it going to be the Playoff Cards or the Last Quarter of the Regular Season Cards? That is what will determine this game. However, I could be wrong. That powerful team from the past 3 games could show up and the Steelers could still hold them off. Who knows? We will see in a few short hours!