Good news to all my loyal readers out there, it is time for your favorite blog, the random I need to clean my desk blog. This is when I share with you stories that I didn't have enough to say for an entire blog but wanted to get things out there anyway. As always thanks for taking the time to read this and remember, no wagering.
Let's start in Colorado Springs where five people were shot and killed in another targeted attack against the LGBTQ community. Every mass shooting is tragic and unnecessary and avoidable if only we could agree to pass some common sense gun laws but I'm just wasting my breath on this topic.
What can be done is to make the conservative community, and the deranged right wing media, stop with the nonsensical continued attacks against this group of our family and friends. It is because they are spreading lies and hate that this BS happens.
Stories about grooming kids, violent anti gay rhetoric, and a never ending string of lies about the LGBTQ community feeds into the deranged minds of some who take it upon themselves to go out and target people who are just minding their own business having fun with their friends and partners.
We saw again this week how the right uses these horrendous events to start up another round of hate with ridiculous lies and false stories in order to keep attacking people who mean them no harm. I will never understand why the right is so crazed with the gay community.
They are not forcing anyone to become gay, as if you can just turn that on like a light switch, or are forcing them to run in their circle. They just want to be left alone, like the rest of us, and be able to enjoy their lives without having to worry if they will be shot when going out for drinks with friends.
Enough is enough.
It is hard enough for the LPGA to get coverage of their league so the last thing they need is to get negative coverage when they do get it but this past weekend they really stepped in it big time.
In case you missed it, their year end prize, the CME Globe, was going to be awarded to the top point getter on the LPGA Tour. Like they do every week, the hosting sponsor has a meet and greet for their clients, friends, family , etc. As the title sponsor this week CME held a dinner for their top clients to share corporate information and to showcase the ladies of the LPGA who were going to receive the top prize money on tour, $2 million to the winner.
The President and CEO was left looking foolish when he stood onstage and asked for the golfers to stand up and be recognized and not one golfer was there. Not only was it humiliating for him personally, but it was a complete slap in the face to the LPGA Tour.
This was unconscionable on the part of the LPGA to let this happen and another example of how the tour is losing control now that a new commissioner is in charge. For years the LPGA has been known to be the most fan and sponsor friendly tour in pro sports and for this to happen is a huge black eye to every single player on this tour.
I'm beyond stunned.
This week is one of my favorites in college football, it is rivalry week. (Cue Keith Jackson voice over) There are a bunch of great match-ups scheduled, including Bowling Green vs. Ohio, Georgia/Georgia Tech, Kansas/Kansas State, and others. You can go to the ESPN college football page and click schedule to see them all.
Here is my list of top ten favorites.
South Carolina/Clemson - this would be higher but Clemson has dominated lately.
Arizona State/Arizona - usually the only thing they have to play for lately, plus great cheerleaders on both sidelines. (Yes I said that out loud and I mean it.)
Mississippi State/Mississippi - this is always a barn burner and a great game to watch.
Florida/Florida State - they just don't like each other and it shows from the coin flip.
Illinois/Northwestern - whichever team has the better record going into this game is in for the game of their lives as the other school wants to kill any chance of decent bowl games.
Oregon/Oregon State - what uniforms will Oregon wear and can the Beavers make a statement?
Minnesota/Wisconsin - if you know anyone from either state you already know how much this game means to each school. One of the fiercest rivalries in football.
Auburn/Alabama - the Iron Bowl is always one of the days great games and full of surprises.
Notre Dame/USC - these two schools have been trying to humiliate the other for years and the pomp and pageantry is only overshadowed by the hate for each other.
Michigan/Ohio State - The Game. Enough said. If Keith Jackson was still alive he would be here and then you would know it was big.
For those of you unfamiliar with the torture chamber shown above, it is an MRI. If you've ever had the misfortune to have to be in one you already know it is rather unnerving and claustrophobic. Yesterday I got to make my reacquaintance with it.
About ten years ago as I was leaving the home of our friends, Terri and Tom Barnicle, after our traditional Christmas dinner. I managed to slip on some ice on their driveway with my arms loaded with gifts and landed hard on my right shoulder. It hurt much more the next day when I was sober and eventually the pain subsided to a dull ache so I ignored it.
Lately it has reared its ugly head and I can barely lift my arm without a shooting pain screaming down my arm. I went to an orthopedic specialist and x-rays indicated a torn rotator cuff but he wanted an MRI done to be sure. I find out the results next Tuesday but we are pretty sure it is what it is and surgery will be needed.
So the good news is that have never been knocked out, for medical reasons, and that scares the crap out of me. The biggest fear is what happens if they can't wake me up? I know I am day to day at this age but going out voluntarily is not on my list of approved ways to go. I also know that I really can't go through the rest of my life not being able to use my right arm, and while I've lived with the dull pain for this long common sense says to get it fixed.
I haven't decided which way I'm going to go and trust me it is not going to be an easy decision. Stay tuned.