This Weekend….

What I disliked about this weekend:

• Seahawks winning. Ironically my hatred of the Seahawks and their fans was increased exponentially by a bandwagon Seahawks fan, who tried to convince me that "Seattle plays by the rules. They don't skirt them. In the recent past, they seem to have followed the highest ethics and tried to do things the right way." Yeah, ok. Pete Carroll is a shining example of playing by the rules (see Bush, Reggie – I am sure Pete didn't know a thing and I love how he left USC, including the players he recruited, with a bunch of penalties without any real punishment for himself) and holding his players accountable with this quote:
  • "I'm not disappointed in a guy being in a donut when they've got maple bars like Top Pot has," coach Pete Carroll said. "However, under the circumstances I think they were closed or they were trying to closed or something like that. "So that's definitely one we talked about it, and he's most remorseful about it and all that. I do understand the allure of the maple bars."
  • I wouldn't even care about what Pete did, except for the sanctimonious claim by my friend about the perceived purity and goodness of the Seahawks organization. For the record, I think all professional sports teams cheat on some level. Sad, but true.
• KC being outmatched by the Ravens. Snooze fest in the 2^nd half. Was KC's offense so anemic because of the Charlie Weis media frenzy about going to be the offensive coordinator of the Florida Gators?
• Most importantly, what happened in Arizona and the aftermath.
  • The shooting itself and the deaths of people who wanted to peacefully participate in the political process.
  • "Reputable" news organizations on both sides of the political spectrum prematurely reporting events that had to be horrifying to the families involved. Yes, the news is breaking minute-by-minute, but evaluate your sources and their credibility. The focus to be first to report has trumped being responsible.
  • The pundits on both sides trying to score points whether it is on hateful speech, gun rights, etc. without knowing anything about the suspect. How about taking a leadership role in bringing down the rhetoric instead of increasing it, huh?

What I liked about this weekend:

• Our government leaders (again: credit to BOTH sides) actually acting in a constructive way to not over-react, thinking through their responses to the public and praying for the families of those involved. I hope that line of thinking continues. Gotta hope, right?
  • I also happen to think that the vitriol in politics is too much now. It turns me off as it discourages helpful discussion around the real issues facing the country and how to work together to solve them.
• First proper stairs workout in my life (325 steps up * 4 rounds – wow!) and then a quick visit to Crossfit after. Thanks, TN Multisports!
• Saturday's football games. Both close until the end. Rex and the Jets putting their money where their mouths are. I'm probably in the minority amongst Giants fans about liking Rex. And what the heck was Jim Caldwell thinking with that timeout call in the last minute of the game?! Peyton Manning's face when that happened said it all in terms of what he thought of the call.
• Marshawn Lynch's run – absolute determination. Buffalo Bills fans are crying in their beer.

UPDATE: Friend from Buffalo responded by saying, ""Bills fans are crying in their beer?" Nah...Fabulous run, Marshawn, but you're still a thug! Seattle fans, you can keep him!!"

• A guarantee of a QB controversy in Seattle now that Matt Hasselbeck realizes he actually has to work to keep his job. Hasn't played consistently well for a long time, although he was excellent yesterday afternoon. Will the Seahawks go for the local boy in the draft, Jake Locker, who has been coached for the past 2 years by a Carroll disciple – Steve Sarkisian?
• Most importantly, awesome food and wine with great friends.

We'll see how the GB-PHI game turns out to assess whether it goes into the like or dislike column for the weekend.