Feeling Lucky....

There are certain weeks in my life that tend to produce moments that really should make me stop and think about how lucky I really am. I had the same feeling as I went to Game 4 of the World Series this past October, got on the field with my team to celebrate and then in April went to the Masters. In the past however, I've made the mistake of pushing past the smaller moments. You know what I'm talking about - we all rush through life - looking for the next best thing instead of what is sitting in front of us. As a Type A personality, I tend to skip over special happenings as just run of the mill and treat them as ordinary - the next step in life. I do it a lot in relationships and is probably a reason why at 31 - I've never been married. Yet, I'm growing....and learning how to stop and smell the roses.

This is a week where I have stop and soak it all in. Sunday night at the Qwest Center was magical. Watching Michael Phelps break the world record in the 400 IM was great....but the atmosphere surrounding it was even better. I was so proud of Omaha for pouring out the support and congratulations that were in order...and for the other American and World Records that were set that night.

Tonight (Monday) I got a chance to sneak preview the Will Smith movie "Hancock". Not a bad flick - nothing mind blowing but not bad. We had a chance to welcome in a full house to the theatre to watch a free movie that doesn't come out until tomorrow. Small thing I know - but I got to take a buddy of mine and it's the small things that I'm trying to appreciate more.

Tuesday Night - I get to go back to the Swim Trials to watch Phelps and Co. go after it again.

Wednesday Night - I have been a huge fan of the band 311 since I first came across "Music" in college. I have seen them 6 times - every time on the East Coast. The first time I ever heard the name "Omaha" was from the Counting Crows but the first time anyone made it sound cool was from 311. When I was interviewed on the phone for my job I was asked "What do you know about Omaha?"....."311" I answered. And now, I get to see the hometown boys in their hometown. I couldn't be more pumped!

Thursday Night - I fly to New York City to see my college friend who I haven't seen in 5 years. Not bad after doing my show - to jump a plane and be in Manhattan by 11 pm eastern.

Friday - RED SOX VS. YANKEES on the 4th of July!! Does it get any better than a day game in the stadium that hosted the greatest comeback in sports history??!!! The best rivarly in sports...and I get to say goodbye to the Stadium with my boys on the field.

Friday Night - Fireworks in NYC. Never seen them....seen Boston, Washington DC, Birmingham...never NYC. Should be fun..

Saturday - Fly home to see my family including my 8 year old sister who is counting down the days til I land........

Now that is a week worth being thankful for....and just think - DropKick Murphy's on the 16th in Omaha!! At 31 - after Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics titles - 6 in the last 9 years - I couldn't ask for much more than a week like this for myself.....

Our Friends From Floswimming.com

What a night last night at the Qwest! Best Sporting event I've seen in Omaha. Period. Unreal. Here's what Garrett and Co. from Floswimming.com said about it...Garrett will be on all week to talk about the Trials here in Omaha.

Floswimming.com

Pat's Night Last Night

Another Ring and Good Friend Fitzy to Celebrate

WOW! To be that kid huh!?....wait I am that kid.

Enjoy - 18+ and NSFW!

HOME TO THE CHAMPS!!!

OUR TEAM CRUSHED the Lakers tonight! What a win! KG is in the Hall of Fame as he should be now! Paul Pierce has now justified 10 years! Ray Allen showed he can win a ring! What a win!!! Red Sox and Celtics in one year of Sports! Patriots 18-0....how blessed am I!???

Shipping Back to Boston

Not happy tonight....the Celtics had a chance to end it and didn't. The Lakers didn't play very well in the 2nd half but like Tiger Woods, Kobe made a play when he had to to stay alive. Game 6 in Boston should be very interesting.....C's need to close this thing out....you don't want to go to a Game 7. Celtics need to hit Fts (KEVIN GARNETT!) and they need to protect the ball (Paul Pierce). Too many turnovers and mistakes.....See you Tuesday night.

WOW WOW WOW

That's all I can say!! What a win by the Celtics but I'll write more tomorrow....down by 20+...what an F'ing win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Boy Scouts Camp Hit Tonight....

This is a really sad night for the Omaha metro community. The Little Sioux Boy Scouts Camp has been hit by a tornado tonight. According to OWH - 4 people have died and up to 40 have been injuried. Big Sports 590 was planning on doing a fundraiser for American Red Cross during the College World Series. After tonight, we will most likely change the direction of that fundraiser. Stay Tuned tomorrow to Big Sports 590 tomorrow for futher details.

Game 3 tonight!

Let's get this on.....LA. Boston. Don't matter where we play....Celtics are the better team. 2-0 Celtics....Paul Pierce and Co are coming for the Trophy....Game 3 tonight!

Quick Notes....

- Big Sports 590 Golf Tournament to benefit D.R.E.A.M. is today at 12 noon. You can come by Bayhills in Plattsmouth if you want to bid on the silent auction items that are going to be up for bid. 100% of the silent auction goes to D.R.E.A.M.

- 1-0! Celtics take game 1 by 10 over L.A. How about Paul Pierce!! Don't tell me he was faking...overly cautious, yes...but not faking. He was hurt, still is hurt, but came back. He just wasn't injured - thank god! The 2 3's he hit after coming back were the biggest shots I've seen in Boston basketball in 21 years. He was CLUTCH. KG was awesome as well....can't wait for Sunday night!

- Finally, my little brother had a no hitter going in a 6 inning baseball game this week. Owen, 12, had thrown 65 pitches after 5 and 2/3. No hits - 9 k's - 1 error - 2 walks. THEY PULLED HIM because of pitch count! Are you kidding me!! Let the kid go - he's a kid! Stupid Little League rules.....

We Are Living History......

I know politics and sports don't mix. But given the fact that we have a african-american man running for President....I thought this was too good not to re-post:

From the New York Times:

A President Like My Father

By CAROLINE KENNEDY

Published: January 27, 2008

OVER the years, I’ve been deeply moved by the people who’ve told me they wished they could feel inspired and hopeful about America the way people did when my father was president. This sense is even more profound today. That is why I am supporting a presidential candidate in the Democratic primaries, Barack Obama.

My reasons are patriotic, political and personal, and the three are intertwined. All my life, people have told me that my father changed their lives, that they got involved in public service or politics because he asked them to. And the generation he inspired has passed that spirit on to its children. I meet young people who were born long after John F. Kennedy was president, yet who ask me how to live out his ideals.

Sometimes it takes a while to recognize that someone has a special ability to get us to believe in ourselves, to tie that belief to our highest ideals and imagine that together we can do great things. In those rare moments, when such a person comes along, we need to put aside our plans and reach for what we know is possible.

We have that kind of opportunity with Senator Obama. It isn’t that the other candidates are not experienced or knowledgeable. But this year, that may not be enough. We need a change in the leadership of this country — just as we did in 1960.

Most of us would prefer to base our voting decision on policy differences. However, the candidates’ goals are similar. They have all laid out detailed plans on everything from strengthening our middle class to investing in early childhood education. So qualities of leadership, character and judgment play a larger role than usual.

Senator Obama has demonstrated these qualities throughout his more than two decades of public service, not just in the United States Senate but in Illinois, where he helped turn around struggling communities, taught constitutional law and was an elected state official for eight years. And Senator Obama is showing the same qualities today. He has built a movement that is changing the face of politics in this country, and he has demonstrated a special gift for inspiring young people — known for a willingness to volunteer, but an aversion to politics — to become engaged in the political process.

I have spent the past five years working in the New York City public schools and have three teenage children of my own. There is a generation coming of age that is hopeful, hard-working, innovative and imaginative. But too many of them are also hopeless, defeated and disengaged. As parents, we have a responsibility to help our children to believe in themselves and in their power to shape their future. Senator Obama is inspiring my children, my parents’ grandchildren, with that sense of possibility.

Senator Obama is running a dignified and honest campaign. He has spoken eloquently about the role of faith in his life, and opened a window into his character in two compelling books. And when it comes to judgment, Barack Obama made the right call on the most important issue of our time by opposing the war in Iraq from the beginning.

I want a president who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and encourage others to achieve it; who holds himself, and those around him, to the highest ethical standards; who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal; and who can lift our spirits, and make us believe again that our country needs every one of us to get involved.

I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president — not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans.

That THUD was NU Baseball....

Mike Anderson is hearing it today from Nebraska baseball fans who are upset with the way the season ended....but to be honest - nobody expected NU to be any good this year. Very low expectations of this team allowed them to gel and become a nice unit. However, when the chips were down - we saw why many thought this team would struggle. Not enough offense, not enough starting pitching, and no bullpen really hurt NU. They end the year 2-7!

UC Irvine won the regional like I thought they would because of pitching. When you have the No. 2 ERA in the nation - that should tell you about their arms. Good pitching beats good hitting and thus - Oral Roberts got sent home last night after a 8-0 win by Irvine. They will play LSU in the Super Regional. Let's hope they come back to Omaha - they were the story of the series last year.

JINX

whoops....sorry ORU. 1st batter in the 7th reached ending that streak...

No Hitter Coming?

It's 7-0 Oral Roberts in the 6th as I type this. Nebraska hasn't had a hit since a homer by Jake Optiz YESTERDAY in the 3rd inning.

Oral Roberts is known for it's hitting...not pitching but today they are getting it done. 9 outs away from history in Lincoln. Hell, if you are going to go out - why not go out in memorable fashion.

How Much Trouble Is NU In?

The Nebraska baseball team is in serious trouble at 1 pm today against Oral Roberts. Yesterday, UC Irvine beat the Huskers 3-2 behind great pitching and timely hitting. The Anteaters got just enough offense against Johnny Dorn to need just one more win to advance to the Super Regional.

Mike Anderson and the Huskers are once again one loss away from losing a home regional for the 2nd straight time. NU hasn't played well at all recently as they have won only twice in their last 8 games and now they have a hammering ORU club to battle against to stay alive. It's all hands on deck for the Huskers this afternoon....

I'll update the blog again after the early game today.....I picked Irvine to win the regional and I won't change that now.