George Carlin

Here's another vintage Carlin routine, one that rings particularly true even today. He was talking about the first Gulf war, but since they're essentially the same thing his points remain quite relevant. Strange how many of the other problems he mentions are still the case today too.

Play Like A Champion Today

I came across the following clip today on ESPN and was presently surprised by the nice job that Mike Greenberg did in expressing the feeling generated by one of college football's greatest traditions: touching the Play Like A Champion Today sign before running out onto the field at Notre Dame.

I must say that the segment isn't 100% accurate. Greenberg notes that 1986 was the first year that the sign was hung in the locker room, though Lou Holtz's recollection suggests it was in use before that time.

According to Lou, he saw the sign in a book - he doesn't remember which one - and thought it was a neat tradition that he should revive. Not a bad thought for his first year on the job at ND and with or without the sign Lou would still have his place in ND coaching lore.

One of the best memories I have from my years at Notre Dame was during my senior year when I was able to take a tour of the stadium press box, locker room, and of course touch the Play Like A Champion Today sign.

Sliante!

George Carlin

I've been checking YouTube recently and watching lots of great comedy routines. I'm going to start posting some of my favorites, sort of like the songs of the day just..different. Today's selection comes from the late great George Carlin. This one is all about "stuff".

Song Of The Day- Richard Thompson

You probably don't know the name Richard Thompson, but you should. The Englishman is considered to be one of the best guitarists, being listed in the top 20 of Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

"1952 Vincent Black Lightning" is a track of Thompson's 1991 album Rumor and Sigh. This particular tune has become Thompson's most well known and to this day is the most requested song on NPR.

It's a tale of star-crossed lovers that utilizes a traditional English melody and structure. It's played in a very folksy way and has come to be a favorite song of bluegrass fans and is a standard in that genre.

Special thanks to Loran Bush who posted this acoustic version on the Facebook for me to find. That thing is useful once in a great while.

Song Of The Day- Flight Of The Conchords

This is just an absolutely brilliant song from Flight Of The Conchords' self-titled HBO series. This particular cut is both laugh out loud funny and somewhat serious thoughts on love. I too feel that love is the very strongest adhesive.

For reference and randomness, "sellotape" which is mentioned in Jemaine's part at the end of the song is a European brand of adhesive tape. Us Yanks wouldn't be aware.

An All-American Rant

There are plenty of wonderful things about America and I've extolled this country's positives on many occasions. Today though, I feel the need to rant on something so typically disgusting and American.

The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is held annually on the 4th of July in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York.

It's about as American an event as you can imagine, and I don't mean that as a compliment.

Contestants spend 10 minutes soaking buns and shoving them and hot dogs down their gullets at a dizzying rate.

This year's champion and two-time defender of the crown, American Joey Chestnut sent 68 1/2 hot dogs and buns down his attention-craving gluttonous throat. For this feat, he wins $10,000 and presumably a day's worth of the most frightful indigestion on record.

The fine irony here is that for some reason these people feel that continuing this warped tradition is a good way to celebrate the 4th of July. The tradition started with four immigrants in 1916 who wanted to settle a bet as to who among them was the most patriotic.

Apparently, intestinal fortitude is an intelligent and accurate way to determine one's allegiance.

In a world where people are starving and struggling to get by everyday, we in the U.S. watch and applaud a group of "competitive eaters" as part of our celebration of freedom. It's entirely fitting that the nation with the most obesity and the least motivation for being healthy acts in such a way.

But no no don't stop your festivities on my account. I just wanted to rant until I was red, white and blue in the face. Now I'm ready to get out there and eat excessively, light things on fire and blow things up because I'm an American and damn it, that's what we do when we really screw it on.

What a country. Go U.S.A.!!!

You Have to Believe Me... I'm Batman!

Just a normal day at the park for Long Beach Armada outfielder Josh Womack as he shows off a few fancy tricks with his bat.

Wether or not this kid makes it to "The Show" he at least has his 15 seconds (technically 2 minutes and 15 seconds from the first video below) of fame.

Note to any aspiring future Major Leaguers - even though your teammates would shower you with praise I doubt you'd ever win the heart of your manager/coach by attempting a feat like this during an actual at-bat.