Musings of a Catholic Convert

The wifey and me had a date Saturday, and we decided to go see the new Indiana Jones movie. Know what? We liked it. I've seen the Indiana Jones movies so many times, I've practically got them memorized. Once the Crystal Skull movie comes out on DVD in the nice little box set, I'm going to add those bad boys to my DVD collection. I've talked to some of you haters who didn't like this latest Jones flick, and I really don't care. I don't watch movies because other people like them. All that matters is whether or not I like them. In fact, the sooner the Academy learns this, the better off we'll all be.

I didn't win a million dollars tonight during WWE Raw. That's too bad, because I really wanted a million dollars.

And, dudes, Lou Ferrigno is still totally ripped. I saw him in the crowd during American Gladiators, and he is huge. He could still play the Incredible Hulk. In fact, I'd like to see him and Lee Majors do an Incredible Hulk & Six Million Dollar Man vs. Kiss & the Space Pirates movie. Who would not want to see that? NOBODY! Because it would be totally awesome. It would be along the same lines of awesomeness as a ninja shark and pirate tiger giving each other a high five with a mushroom cloud explosion in the background. Are you seeing that? Awesome, right? Of course I'm right.

Why did I mention Ted Dibiase? Because I like The Million Dollar Man. Let me see if I can't find a classic clip of his entrance into the WWF.

 

 Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Nothing philosophical to post.  Just wanted to say that we joined the YMCA last night.  Hooray!  I haven’t stepped foot in a YMCA for years so I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially in our little suburbia we call home.  Most Y’s that I’ve visited have been huge facilities with all sorts of stuff and then some apartments available for rent.  This YMCA didn’t have any apartments, and it’s not huge, but it has plenty of space for recreation and exercise and also provides for safe childcare while adults take a class (tiger style kung fu anyone?).  I’m pretty stoked about the pools as well.  Indoor and outdoor pools for my swimming pleasure.  

Last night we took the tour before we signed up.  I had already researched the facility and was confident we would join, but I still wanted to take the tour.  We had fun.  The kids are already telling us what classes they want to take.  Surprise!  My son wants to take Karate.  Of course that is EXACTLY what a four year old boy needs.  Should be fun to watch.  Then we can match our skills in friendly competition.

You have been studying for some time, young one.  Do you think you are ready to face me?

Venerable father, you will soon see that I have learned much in the art of battle

You would be foolish to think one so young as yourself could best me.  I have great experience and my age has given me wisdom.

Then, father, you would be wise to surrender now before I injure your old bones.

Your speech is brash.  What makes you think your monkey style technique can defeat my tiger style? 

Honorable one, have you not seen the YouTube clip of the chimpanzee tormenting not one but TWO tigers?

Oh.  No, I have not.  It is of little consequence.  Let us battle.  I will teach you a thing or two.

So be it, father.  You will soon see that the student has become a master. 

Or something like that. We’ll see.  I’m just glad to have a place like the YMCA so close to home.

I love the Smokies. Every time I visit my folks, I try to find a way to visit the mountains. I could spend days there, just enjoying the pristine beauty of God's creation there. My kids? They just like playing in the mountain streams. I enjoy that myself, but let me tell you, that water is C-O-L-D.

This was a very relaxing and long weekend for us. I enjoyed visiting with my family. The holiday also gave us another opportunity to go together to decorate the graves of our departed family. I took the time to talk to my kids about the family members, some of whom my kids never got to meet. It was a sad time because we miss having our family with us, but it is also a good time to remember our time here with them and share our love for them with our kids.

What did we see in the Smokies?

12 Deer, 2 Black Bear, 1 Wild Turkey (the bird, not the bottle)

Lots of fun and lots of rest, even though I spent a goodly amount of time working on a data project. That's what late evenings are for, especially while I'm watching Unbeatable Banzuke. I gotta get G4 for my cable tv. Our Japanese friends have such awesome game shows.

Not convinced?

 

 Awesome Japanese Game Show Clip: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I found this site via my buddy over at Legal Law.   

Catholic Super Heroes and Catholic Super Villains #1

Many thanks to the good folks at adherents.com for compiling all this data.  I'll try to post the rest later.

I'm looking forward to a semi quiet day at work.  Several people are taking long weekends so things are a bit less noisy than usual.  I love days like this.  I can get so much more done when there are few interruptions. 

And while I'm thinking of quiet, let me encourage all of you to watch "The Quiet Man", starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.  I don't care if you're Irish or a fan of The Duke.  You'll love this movie on its own merits.  I watch it at least once every month or so.

I have a lot of writing to do this weekend.  Still trying to get my first book done and I'm way behind where I want to be at this point in time.  I'm hoping for some time this weekend, but we'll see what happens.  Catholic convert book or not, the reality of being a husband and daddy takes priority over my own pursuits.  I must constantly remind myself of this.

Well, I guess you'll be watching the basketball this weekend.  Maybe I will join you at some point. I really don't have a dog in this NCAA Men's Tournament anymore so I'm not as interested as I was a few days ago.  The Lady Vols are doing just fine though.  Perhaps I will watch them play.

Have a good one, dudes.  I'm off to work.         

Luke, are you reading this?

My buddy, Luke, is a UCLA grad living in California.  I'm in Tennessee.  Although I'm not an alumnus of University of Tennessee (I graduated from a private university elsewhere in the state), I did grow up in Knoxville and remain a lifelong Tennessee Volunteer fan.  In fact, I used to sell hot dogs at UT as a roaming vendor when I was a kid.  It was my way to get into every home game free.  But anyway, the game between the Bruins and Vols has been rescheduled.  I'm still hoping to find a way to get out there to watch the game with my friend.  Below is a writeup from UT Athletic Department because, quite frankly, keywords and content help my blog.  See, I'm not ashamed.

————————————— 

Tennessee’s penchant for national marquee football games is being rewarded.

The Vols and UCLA Bruins, in conjunction with ESPN, have agreed to turn their anticipated September matchup into a Monday night football extravaganza. The intersectional contest now is set for Labor Day evening Sept. 1 – five days earlier than previously scheduled – and kicks off at 5 p.m. Pacific time (8 p.m. Eastern) from the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

ESPN will televise the game.

“The opportunity to play unopposed on national television against such a quality opponent as UCLA was something we couldn’t pass up,” UT athletics director Mike Hamilton said. “It’s a great time slot for a national game of interest like this one.”

Tennessee was scheduled to begin its 2008 season Aug. 30 at home against UAB. The Neyland Stadium opener still features the Blazers from Conference USA, but that game shifts to Sept. 13 with a 7 p.m. start. Sept. 13 previously was an open date for the Vols.

The Sept. 6 slot on the calendar that had featured Tennessee’s trip to UCLA now becomes an off weekend to allow recovery time after the Monday night contest on the West Coast.

The remainder of UT’s schedule, beginning with Florida’s visit to Neyland Stadium on Sept. 20, is unchanged.

“I am very excited about the chance to play in the Monday night national spotlight against an outstanding opponent like UCLA,” head coach Phillip Fulmer said. “I think it will be a great kickoff to the season and our players and coaches are thrilled with the opportunity.”

College football’s opening weekend now culminates squarely on Tennessee’s 14th all-time meeting against UCLA. The Vols lead the Bruins 7-4-2, having won four of the last five dating to 1989. Two of those wins were in Pasadena, including a 30-24 victory behind senior QB Peyton Manning in 1997’s most recent matchup.

Adding to the game’s attraction, a pair of newly-hired coaches in Tennessee offensive coordinator Dave Clawson and UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel surely will receive plenty of notoriety leading into the showdown.

Hamilton added that Tuesday’s announcement is exactly why he strives to maintain Tennessee’s interesting slate of non-conference opponents. After a return visit to Knoxville by UCLA in 2009, the Vols host Oregon in 2010, travel to North Carolina in 2011, host the Tar Heels in 2012, travel to Oregon in 2013, visit Oklahoma in 2014, host the Sooners in 2015, travel to Nebraska in 2016, host the Cornhuskers in 2017, and then play at home against Ohio State in 2018 before traveling to Columbus in 2019.

Last season, UT completed a two-game series against California with a season-opening trip to Berkeley. The home team was victorious in both contests, with Tennessee winning 35-18 in Knoxville to begin 2006 and Cal claiming a 45-31 decision last September.

2008 Tennessee Football Schedule
Sept. 1 at UCLA
Sept. 13 UAB
Sept. 20 Florida*
Sept. 27 at Auburn*
Oct. 4 Northern Illinois
Oct. 11 at Georgia*
Oct. 18 Mississippi State*
Oct. 25 Alabama*
Nov. 1 at South Carolina*
Nov. 8 Wyoming (HC)
Nov. 22 at Vanderbilt*
Nov. 29 Kentucky*
Dec. 6 SEC Championship (Atlanta)

* SEC Opponent; (HC) Homecoming

I don't know if any of you watch wrestling or not.  I've watched "professional wrestling" since I was a little kid.  It's a part of my childhood.  I have good memories of watching with my grandparents, my cousins, my wife, even one of my youth groups.  One constant that has always been there is "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair.  I'm including the article below that was published last night on WWE's website at the close of Wrestlemania XXIV.  Why?  Because to me, it is the end of an era. 

I mean, if you didn't grow up seeing him in the 70s and 80s, you really won't appreciate his career as a sports entertainer.  You grew up seeing who, Hulk Hogan?  Don't get me wrong, Hogan worked a mic quite well.  But Flair was a different breed.  You don't remember the days of the multiple regional wrestling outfits, long before WWF became a television staple.  Really even at the dawn of the WWF media empire, the other promotions on television still held their own.  People knew their regional heroes and villains.  They knew of semi national circuits.  But when the wrestling magazines talked about superstars, they ALWAYS mentioned Ric Flair.  So I knew about him and his exploits long before I saw him on NWA or WCW.  Every wrestling fan knew who Ric Flair was.

"Professional" wrestling is a lost art form really.  These days, it seems obvious that "superstars" are created, much like the music industry creates its poster children.  Talent isn't always prerequisite.  For me, what made a pro wrestler good was not just his skill in the ring, "selling" moves, and showing impressive athletic feats.  It was the way the guys worked interviews and cut promos, talking up the matches.  The good ones really sold their feuds and their characters.  They didn't need half clothed women to get people to tune in.  Their skills as entertainers brought the crowds and the tv viewers.  And let me tell you something, NOBODY works a mic like Ric Flair.  Most of the guys who could begin to come close are either retired or dead.  

Man, it's kinda sad that Ric Flair might have given his last performance last night.  Laugh all you want, but at least allow me a minute or two to remember the good memories of watching Flair perform with my friends and family, sometimes laughing, sometimes arguing, always entertained.  

Is this the end?  There's no telling, to be sure.  However, it certainly looks that way. 

————————————– 

ORLANDO, Fla. – Deep down, Ric Flair knew this day would come. Mr. McMahon gave him a “win or retire” ultimatum more than four months ago, but the “Nature Boy” didn’t need a mandate to realize his in-ring career was coming to an end. And though tears streamed down his cheeks as he said farewell to the millions of fans he entertained for more than 35 years, Flair didn’t feel any agony in defeat to Shawn Michaels tonight at WrestleMania XXIV. After all, how fitting it is that the greatest wrestler of all time ends his career on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

What a week it had been for the 16-time World Champion! Flair received tributes from well-wishers across the country all week, from receiving the key to the city of Columbia, S.C., last Monday to his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame Saturday night. It was as if “Naitch’s” millions of fans sensed he would not be able to avoid defeat like he had since last November. Everyone wanted to pay tribute to Flair and let him know how much they appreciated watching him for so many years.

Still, that didn’t prevent a hushed silence from engulfing the Citrus Bowl tonight after Michaels stunned Flair with Sweet Chin Music to the jaw and the Nature Boy wasn’t able to rise before the three-count. More than 70,000 of our screaming fans seemed amazed because they had just witnessed history – the end of a legendary career.

At first, HBK couldn't bring himself to unleash Sweet Chin Music and it nearly cost him the match. But he realized during his second and third opportunity that he had to pull the trigger. Flair wanted it that way – no sympathy, no remorse. With tears in his eyes, Flair implored HBK. And with a whisper of "I'm sorry … I love you," Michaels turned out the lights on Flair's legendary career.

An exhausted HBK buried his head in his hands. The Showstopper – “Mr. WrestleMania” – had provided many unforgettable moments over the years at The Granddaddy of Them All, but this was not one that he wanted. Flair was his idol and his inspiration, the reason he chose to become a Superstar.

As a boy, and later as an up-and-coming Superstar, Michaels worshipped Flair and aspired to be everything the Nature Boy was in the industry. Even today, as a respected, grizzled veteran who has had his own Hall of Fame-caliber career, Michaels is like an awestruck boy when he is in the presence of Flair. Before WrestleMania XXIV, HBK himself said he couldn’t imagine the industry without Flair.

Whirlwind of emotions

However, the Nature Boy and new WWE Hall of Famer chose to face Michaels at WrestleMania. Flair said he handpicked HBK because he considered him “the very best,” and he had to know if he could still defeat the very best on sports-entertainment’s grandest stage.

Flair appreciated all the kind words from well-wishers, but he didn’t want – or necessarily welcome – any suggestion that a loss to HBK at WrestleMania was a foregone conclusion. In many ways, Michaels had no choice but to face Flair. If he didn’t, he would lose the respect of a man he loved. And Flair didn’t want sympathy from HBK; he didn’t want him to hold anything back. The only true way HBK could honor Flair was to give him his very best at WrestleMania.

A Showstopping encounter

And The Showstopper gave Naitch his very best. In some ways, Michaels’ onslaught was an elixir for Flair. The legendary World Champion at times seemed 20 years younger as he battled HBK with a ferocity and a ring mastery that showed our fans why he has been known as both “The Dirtiest Player in the Game” and “Rembrandt of the Squared Circle,” as Jim Ross likes to say.

At one point, thousands of necks craned and jaws dropped in the Citrus Bowl when Flair trapped Michaels in his trademark Figure-Four Leglock and HBK screamed, seemingly moments away from tapping out. As both legends traded momentum for nearly 20 minutes, it was easy to see why Flair has said he sees traces of himself in HBK.

But ultimately, Michaels outlasted Flair. He gave Flair what he wanted – his very best in the form of Sweet Chin Music. At first, HBK couldn't bring himself to unleash Sweet Chin Music and it nearly cost him the match. But he realized during his second and third opportunity that he had to pull the trigger. Flair wanted it that way – no sympathy, no remorse. With tears in his eyes, Flair implored HBK. And with a whisper of "I'm sorry … I love you," Michaels turned out the lights on Flair's legendary career.

HBK cradled the "Nature Boy's" head, whispered in his ear and then left the ring. When Flair was able to rise, the tears welled in his eyes. Maybe he was relieved; maybe he felt tremendously honored. Flair knew he lost to not only a better competitor this night, but to a man he somewhat molded. In many ways, his career was ended by a near carbon copy of himself.

The Citrus Bowl erupted. Meanwhile, Superstars – Flair rivals and allies alike, who watched the battle from the locker room, gave him a standing ovation. Dusty Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat and Barry Windham – past Flair rivals who were now dear friends and currently WWE officials – saluted him. Flair blew kisses to his wife and children seated in the front row, and even hardened warriors and friends like Arn Anderson and Triple H in the back couldn’t fight back their tears.

Back in 1978, the original "Nature Boy," Buddy Rogers, challenged Flair because he needed to know if his namesake was “for real.” Rogers passed the torch to Flair that night, and nearly 30 years later, the 16-time World Champion has passed it on to Michaels. The Showstopper beat “The Man” on the greatest stage in sports-entertainment. Still, Flair will always be The Man.

"Little Naitch" Charles Robinson, who refereed tonight's match and idolized Flair, wiped tears from his eyes. Robinson could say something no other wrestling official in the world could say: He officiated "Nature Boy" Ric Flair's last match.

Now and always ‘The Man’

It’s amazing to think Flair’s career was almost cut short before it really began. Some doctors predicted that he would never compete again after he was severely injured in a plane crash in 1975. Flair not only came back, but he made a career of defying odds and winning championships. There isn’t a legend or Superstar who has emerged over the last 35 years that Flair hasn’t met and defeated. He even made a believer out of the original “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers, who fell to Flair in an iconic encounter in 1978.

Back then, Rogers challenged Flair because he needed to know if his namesake was “for real.” Rogers passed the torch to Flair that night, and nearly 30 years later, the 16-time World Champion has passed it on to Michaels. The Showstopper beat “The Man” on the greatest stage in sports-entertainment.

Still, Flair will always be The Man. Just look at the champions he has mentored and inspired – Triple H, Michaels, Batista and Randy Orton, to name a few. And DX, Evolution, the New World Order and any other wrestling supergroup that will form in the years to come owe gratitude to Flair’s Four Horsemen. “Also Sprach Zarathustra” has played for the last time, but the Nature Boy’s legacy lives on. Diamonds are forever, and so is Ric Flair. Woooooo!

Morning, everybody.  My appearance tonight on "The Journey Home" with Marcus Grodi on EWTN has been cancelled.  I received the call last night from Jim Anderson of the Coming Home Network, that Marcus was ill and would not be able to make the taping today.  He also said that I would be rescheduled sometime soon.  Check back here for updates.  As soon as I'm rescheduled, you'll see the new information here.

Thanks for your prayers.  Pray now for Marcus that he'll get better soon.  

The trip wasn't a total waste (yes-I was already in Birmingham when I learned of the cancellation).  I had my good friend Larry with me to keep me awake and share good conversation.   

Back to work I go.

Oh, sorry that you all had to cancel your "Andy on EWTN" parties.  Just take the banners and streamers down and save them for the next time.   

Nah, but loads of people are sad at the apparent retirement announcement of Green Bay Packers quarterback, Brett Favre.  Now, not being a big Brett Favre fan myself, I must give the man credit for being one amazing quarterback, accomplishing feats in his 15 year career that will remain in the record books for a long time.  Even if records are broken, will they all be broken by the same quarterback?  It's doubful.

Most AP NFL MVP awards: 3 (1995, 1996, 1997)

Most Consecutive Starts by an NFL Quarterback 253 (275 including playoffs)

Most Wins by a Starting NFL Quarterback 160 (160-93)

Most career passing touchdowns: 442

Most career passing yards: 61,655

Most career pass completions: 5,377

Most career pass attempts: 8,758

Most career interceptions thrown: 288

Most career games with at least three touchdowns: 63

Most Hot Dogs Eaten in a Single Sitting:  297 

Okay, so the last one might be fabricated. 

It might as well be real.  Did you read all of those records?  Not too shabby.  AND HE'S CATHOLIC TOO!  Hooray!  Well, somebody told me he was Catholic.  I don't know him personally.  What I do know is that he and I wear the same brand of blue jeans. 

So, I got that going for me … which is nice. 

The Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Memphis Tigers Saturday night by a score of 66-62.  It was one of the best sports events I've watched all year, and I'm not a big basketball fan myself.  I do, however, support Tennessee's sporting endeavors across the board.

Go UT AD&D Squad!  Roll the Crimson Tide with your 20-Sided Die! 

Coach Pearl motivated the men and they responded, even though they shot poorly from the floor.  Both teams did actually.  I expected a much higher score by game's end.  It didn't matter to me, though, if the score had been 2-0, so long as Tennessee held the 2 points to win the game.

Both teams played aggressively, which is always exciting to watch.  And even though there was some shoving and elbowing, things remained about as civil as you could expect in a heated #1 vs. #2 matchup between in-state rivals.  Now I wasn't at the game - I couldn't afford to pay thousands of dollars for the rare available seats - but I didn't notice any of the fans being uncivil toward one another.  They were certainly emotionally involved in the game.  In fact, even on TV you could tell that the roar was deafening whenever Memphis made a play.  But the fans on both sides seemed to get along well enough, testimony to the overall good sportsmanship I've witnessed among Tennessee fans and Memphis fans.   

Now all eyes and pressure are on Tennessee to defend #1 standing.  They have to play a tough Vanderbilt team (23-4) in Nashville, where the Commodores are undefeated at home this season. 

As historical as all this ranking business is for the University of Tennessee men's basketball program, what matters most to them and to me is a good performance in the NCAA tournament.  I hope they can run the table.  The talent is certainly there, and a high ranking should give them a good seed in a weaker bracket.  Here's hopin'.

Does anybody know UT's AD&D record and/or player levels?