Secret Document......

I can't tell you how I got my hands on this, but I managed to, nonetheless. In the spirit of the Presidential campaign being in full swing, and the political conventions having wound down, I proudly present to you....

The schedule of events for the final day of the 2008 Democratic National Convention


7:00 pm - Opening flag burning

7:15 pm - Pledge of Allegiance (to the United Nations)

7:20 pm - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast

7:25 pm - Nonreligious prayer & worship, led by Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton

7:45 pm - Ceremonial tree hugging - Darryl Hannah

7:55 pm - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast

8:00 pm - How I Invented The Internet - Al Gore

8:15 pm - Gay wedding planning - Rosie O'Donnell

8:35 pm - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast

8:40 pm - Our War Troops Are Criminals (A Symposium) - John Kerry

9:00 pm - Memorial Service for Saddam and his sons - Cindy Sheehan and Susan Sarandon

10:00 pm - Answering Machine Etiquette - Alec Baldwin

11:00 pm - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast

11:05 pm - Collection for the Osama Bin Laden Kidney Transplant Fund - Barbara Streisand

11:15 pm - Free the freedom fighters from Guantanamo Bay - Sean Penn

11:30 pm - Oval Office Affairs - William Jefferson Clinton

11:45 pm - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast

11:50 pm - How George Bush Brought Down The World Trade Towers -Howard Dean

12:15 am - Truth In Broadcasting Award - Presented to Dan Rather by Michael Moore

12:25 am - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast

12:30 am - Satellite Address - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

12:45 am - Nomination of Barrack Hussein Obama - Nancy Pelosi

1:00 am - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast

1:05 am - Coronation of Barrack Hussein Obama

1:30 am - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast

1:35 am - Bill Clinton asks Ted Kennedy to drive Hilary home


It's truly amazing how much goes on behind the scenes. And, everyone, please "give it up" for all of the celebrities involved. It really is something that they give up their time for an event such as this. Don't forgot about the post-event concert with The Dixie Chicks.

New England Patriots: 18 and N0!

First and foremost, holy crap, what a game! As a loyal Steelers fan that is naturally a "whoever's playing the Patriots" fan, I couldn't be more ecstatic. I've been pulling for these guys to lose for weeks now, and it finally happened. I didn't care WHO beat them. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid could have suited up against the Patriots, and I would have been pulling for the Patriots to lose. And, lose, they did. And it couldn't have happened at a better time. From their coach that got caught cheating early in the season to questionable calls going in their favor week after week after week to their role-model quarterback that left his girlfriend shortly after impregnating her....

I could go on forever, but I won't. This time belongs to Eli Manning and the New York Giants. Congratulations, guys....you deserve it!


I know the video's not the greatest in the world, but if this play didn't get you up out of your seat, I don't know what would. Unbelievable. But, listen to the announcer when he says "and it's caught by Tyree". He almost sounds disappointed. To me, it's another perfect example of everyone from announcers to referees blatantly pulling for the Patriots so they could see their "perfect season" come to fruition.




Oh yeah.....almost forgot.....the commercials. All in all, I was extremely disappointed in this year's batch of ads. Considering companies spent millions of dollars to get their brand out in front of 97 million viewers, you'd think there would have been more memorable moments. The Budweiser Clydesdale ad was entertaining, classy, and a little humorous, as always. The Bud ad with the man breathing fire was also pretty entertaining. However, my personal favorite was this little gem from E-Trade.



I love how the baby's eyes light up when he says he's renting a clown with his "extra coin". Great ad. Not my favorite of all time, but I loved it. If I had to choose my favorite of all time, it would be a tough call, but would come down to these:



"Nope.....I believe that's a zebra."



"Bad dog."




"Sales aren't up....they're....they're down." Follow that with the monkey lighting his cigar with a burning wad of money, and you can't go wrong. Although, I AM pretty sure those are some former co-workers of mine.

What's YOUR favorite?

PirateFest 2008: Are You Ready For Some Baseball?!?

Well, it's that time again. We're just a few short weeks away from the start of Spring Training, which means that it's time to trudge on down to the Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh for the annual PirateFest event. I've taken my kids to this 5 out of the last 6 years, and as always, a good time was had by all.

We didn't make it to the first night of the three-day event, but we were able to attend Saturday and Sunday. If you don't know what PirateFest is, it's an opportunity for kids (of ALL ages) to play baseball-related games, meet and receive autographs from current and former Pirate players, listen in on Q & A sessions with Pirates management and players, and of course, eat and have an all around great time.


Naturally, my kids didn't know who a lot of the "old-timers" were, but they had the chance to meet Dave Parker, Bill Madlock, Al Oliver, and Richie Hebner, from the 70s and the 80s, along with Nyjer Morgan and Jack Wilson, from the current crop of Bucs.

Bill Madlock, Pirate from 1979-1985


Dick Groat, Pirate shortstop from 1952-1962


Current Pirates shortstop, Jack Wilson

Here are a few of the autographs that the kids (with Dad's help) were able to get.....

Bill Madlock, Xavier Nady, and Dick Groat

Speedy outfielder, Nyjer Morgan

Pirates of the future?? Jonathan and his buddy Alex take a break from the festivities to pose for the Giant Eagle Kid Zone photographer.

Now, we just wait for April 7th to get here for the home opener. Play Ball!!