Last Comic Standing IV

Did we really need a fourth edition of this show?

I'm not sure. I do really enjoy stand up comedy and so I do support anything that helps get comics on TV. I guess my real problem with the show comes from the fact that during the 'audition' shows they regularly toss aside long time veteran comedians who have been making a living at the art for years for newcomers with quirky personalities that would make better television. I watched about half of the two-hour first episode tonight and saw three comedians that I know have been at the business for a long time passed over, Jimmy Pardo, Larry Reeb, and Angel Salazar.

Then of course there is the problem that one of the judges clearly thinks he is funnier than all of them put together. Just hearing the one-liners he used tonight, he clearly is not.

Best fans in baseball, yeah sure.

Some thoughts from the Cardinals game yesterday.

- What I've been told is true, the upper deck seats are too narrow and the rows too long. I know it is more the fan's fault than the stadium designer's problem, but the architects should realize that the average American baseball fan is widening, the seats should not be narrowing.

- I cannot for the life of me figure out why these opposing managers keep giving Albert Pujols a chance to beat them. During the seventh inning of yesterdayss game, the Astros had a 1-0 lead. The Cardinals had one man on base with two outs and a full count to Jonny Load with Pujols on deck. I said, out loud even, "They have to challenge Rodriguez, they can't give Albert a chance to bat in this situation." But sure enough they walk Jonny and Albert smacks a three-run homer.
Not that I am complaining but will these guys ever learn?

- I am impressed by the number of seats in the new Busch that end up under cover during a fair portion of the game. Plenty of shade for those hot July and August day games.

- In reference to my post's title, St. Louisans love to talk about how the Cardinals have the best and most knowledgable fans in baseball. Well in a general sense that may very well be true but I can't say for sure. Yet why is it that I have to sit in front of a 'redneck woman' who says things like, "Whoa that is out of here!" on fly balls to the shallow outfield? Or "Oh we really need some runs right now this is really bad." when the score is only 1-0. Or "They are moving slow there are still eight innings left in the game." when the game is in the fourth inning.
I realize I am no Peter Gammons (after all he is in the Hall of Fame and I'm not) but that becomes a little annoying after a while.

A thank you

I would like the to take the opportunity to praise and thank my good friend Denise. Thank her being a wonderful, caring, and very special person. We've been friends for several years now and she has always been there for me. This year I've been given yet another reminder how lucky I am to have her in my life.

I have many great friends and I don't want to leave any of you out, however right now I just wanted to thank Denise in particular for how great and important she has been to me lately.

Thanks Denise, you're the best.

Weekend Expectations

It was quite a weekend. A pretty difficult one in fact. I lost my grandmother. A wonderful woman who I loved deeply. As I stood in front of her casket Friday I thought about how she is one of the only people I have ever known who I never had a negative thought or feeling towards. My entire life, I cannot think of one occasion where I was mad, hurt, or dissappointed by her. She was the quintessential loving grandmother. For years I have dreaded the day that I would have to let her go. But that day came.

I will miss you grandma, I already do. I love you.

Beyond that, the weekend was interesting due how those around me reacted to the tradegy. I have always felt that it is in times like that, the hard times, that you find out who really cares. And that you should always give others the chance to disappoint you.

Sadly, I was disappointed this weekend at how certain some people who I had hoped would be there for me, were conspicuously absent.

Luckily, there were others who stepped up to be there for me. Some people who I hadn't expected to.