Damn cars

I've had pretty good luck with my car. I started driving my current vehicle in summer '02 and to this day it hasn't failed me yet. I've dropped almost 50,000 mi. in it (without any crashes or incidents) and it's taken me all over Minnesota and the midwest, with long trips to and fro to places like Boston, Maine, Cape Cod, Orlando, Daytona Beach, Atlanta, Nashville, Miami University (in Oxford, OH). Hell, I even took it North and South Dakota(gasp!). But besides the basic oil changes, I only had a few basic repairs: vandalized windows, a new battery and snipped hoses to my radiator.

Today, I learned I need all new breaks and a starter (the current one was rusted out). I went to the family auto repair shop that we've used for years - so I don't feel I'm getting ripped off. I never trust car repair folk in the cities. If anyone knows any, drop me a line.

I was due for an expensive repair. As far as the bill received today -- let's just say I know where I will be spending my gov't refund check instead of at Pinehurst No. 2 or Pebble Beach.

Golf should be an Olympic sport

The closing ceremony for the Torino Games occurs in a few hours. I’m ready for it, particularly since the last three weeks of my life feels like I’ve become a crack addict. On most nights, I struggle to fall asleep because I’m so wired on making sure I’m doing my job well. I wake up almost every morning sweating and uncomfortable because I keep dreaming that I’m at my desk saying, “god, I gotta change the top story, shit – what should I pick?” So pretty much whether I’m awake, eating or sleeping … my mind is all-Olympics all the time. I'm getting rather sick of it.

I shouldn’t complain, though, that should pass soon. After all, not too many people get to be involved in a unique experience like this and at least I got to stay inside and away from the frigid weather in February. I just saw a promo for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Go figure – NBC has already started the countdown. Only 893 days to go….

My aches for golf season were mildly alleviated yesterday. Number two and I headed to our rusty toilet bowl stadium for the MN golf show. It was pretty much golf heaven for Minnesota in February – new/used golf clubs, countless contests for golf vacations, free lessons, etc. Ironically, I head to the golf show and only end up buying sunglasses.

The expo encompassed the entire floor, including a full-scale driving range. The driving mats were located on the left-field foul line, and of course I grabbed a couple of the best new demo clubs, took a few hacks – definitely ugly – and smacked a few balls off the seats above center field. I loved it and it made me think, once the Twins, Vikings, and Gophers leave that craphole – I think we’ve got the perfect place keep my golf swing going during the long winter!

An eternal question: there must be golf in heaven, right? I’m not trying to be cryptic, but do you have to make a tee time?

Big news

It's time to share the news. I love the Olympics and all but those paychecks won't continue soon until another four years from now. At the end of March, I'm moving on -- and crossing over even more into TV-land. I've been hired as a web producer for WCCO-TV (the CBS affiliate in Minneapolis). My parents have always watched the station's evening news ever since I can remember (I don't understand how people get stuck on one newcast versus another) and it arguably had a big role in developing my passion for journalism next to the Star Tribune. Geez, this is sounding like a press release. A few years ago I would have never predicted getting this much into news producing on the web, but I've found it's quite fun and I can't wait to start my new job. Another big plus: happy hours downtown with the fellas. Big minus: getting all the flak from my adored friends who hate TV news. Note: Don't worry, my master plan includes infiltrating the organzation and improving coverage. Just be patient folks...

Now if we could only get an outdoor ballpark a few blocks away... Should be fun!

Olympic fever

My life has been consumed by the Olympics of late. Long days, long hours, and my ass is sore a lot from simply sitting at my triangle desk pounding away at NBCOlympics.com. Yet I never feel bored and often overconsumed by the amount of work it takes to keep a website updated constantly. I've been given the duty of updating the top story on the Olympic Zone sites almost hourly, so wherever you are in the country, it's quite possible you can see what I'm posting on the site. Just go to the site, plug in your zip code, and you'll have access to localized tv listings, stories on local athletes , and then all the cool stuff like video games, sport previews, photo slideshows, video clips etc. It really is mind-boggling how much junk is on the site. If you missed something on TV, like a short program in figure skating or the final race in snowboard cross (which you need to learn about), you can check it out if you're on DSL as if you're watching it on NBC.

I paid attention to the Olympics when I was a kid, but I'm far more informed and interested in this one. There's compelling athletes, new sports, and it's just been exciting working in the high-profile project that a few million people are visiting each day. Surprising my favorite sport to keep up with has become curling. I've really enjoyed learning how to play the sport, and just think it's interesting. It is "chess on ice." Also, the snowboarding events have been fascinating --- I've been a life-long skier, but even I say comfortably that you need to check it out.

Blogs and photo slideshows have been by far the most popular things on the site. Make sure you check some of these links out:

• A Bonspiel blog -- (Bonspiel = curling) from the curling club president in Fairbanks, Alaska. He's working for NBC in Torino.



• Willie's World -- KUSA (Denver) photojournalist Brian Willie has a photo slideshow blog he's producing from Torino.



• Perk's Blog -- KARE 11's Eric Perkins is also in Torino, and he's got some funny thoughts in his blog.



• OOHHH so hot! -- America's Sexiest Olympians



• Snowboard, ski, and bobsled online -- VISA made a cool and FREE game you should check out.

U of M alumni: Taking idiocy to new heights!

I think many people who are familiar with me know what my personal feelings are on the on-campus stadium debate that goes on and on and on in these parts. But dear lord, there are some idiots in this town. I'm just floored. I can't even begin to describe how magnificently stupid this guy's argument is. Here, just read this hilarious thing for yourself:

From the "Letters to the Editor" section of the Minnesota Daily, Feb. 6, 2006:

There is only one explanation why University star running back Gary Russell is ineligible for further competition and no longer in school. You guessed it! The University has no on-campus football stadium.

I don’t blame Russell one bit; why should one apply himself in the classroom if he has to play in a domed stadium off campus? If I were the other Gopher footballers, I’d drop out too. There is only so much abuse and neglect a student-athlete can take.

I can only hope football coach Glen Mason and President Robert Bruininks use Russell’s case as an example of how much the University needs an on-campus stadium when the next session of the Legislature takes up this most urgent matter in March.

— Willard B. Shapira, University of Minnesota alumnus

Now see the light. If only we had a campus stadium, I'm sure I would have gotten a 4.0 every semester. Hell, I'd probably be on track to be the youngest president in U.S. history.

We didn't need 'em

The continuous loss of quality in-state basketball talent is starting to make me feel that the Gophers are like the guy who can't get off the first tee because he keeps slapping tee shots in the pond. The simple reason of Dan Monson not snagging top-notch talent or even a steady stream of quality basketball players is deplorable in my mind. Day by day he is either proving he sucks at judging talent or frankly, he simply can't make the sell. Here's a few examples of players I highly bet he could have gotten from Minnesota. How do I know -- well, just look at the schools these players ended up at and tell me they wouldn't rather wear Maroon & Gold at Williams Arena. I'm sure I could find more as well, but I'm in particular taking a look at these two neighboring teams who are enjoying more success than the Goph's.

Northern Iowa (#24 in AP Poll, RPI of 14 on 2/1/06):

• Eric Coleman, F, soph, Maplewood, MN: he's averaging 28 minutes, 12 pts., 7.6 rebs., 2 ast., 1.7 TOs
• Erik Crawford, G, sr., Oakdale, MN: averaging 32 minutes, 10.5 pts., 4.5 rebs., 2.6 asts., 2.1 TOs

North Dakota State (beat Wisconsin on 1/21/06, RPI of 171, w/ 7 MN players on roster)

• Ben Woodside, G, fr., Albert Lea, MN: team leader in points (17.8/gm), minutes (34.9/gm), and assists (5.1/gm)
• Andre Smith, F, jr., St. Paul: 27.8 min, 13 pts, 7.5 rebs
• Brett Winkelman, F, Morris, MN: 31.3 min, 11.9 pts., 6.8 rebs, 2.2 asts