A postcard from Gavin's world

The teachers at UW Infant Toddler Center are kind enough to take photos of the kids during the day and so I thought we'd share some snapshots from Gavin's first month or so...

And the shiny mirror-ball trophy goes to...?

Some observers have their theories as to why it's a sensation but, for me, tonight's cameos in the studio audience of "Dancing with the Stars" are an excellent reminder of what is so weird and wonderful about the program: Bruce Jenner! Florence Henderson! Lisa Loeb! Lance Bass! They all love the dancing apparently. I love everything from the gravity-defying costumes to the over-the-top enthusiasm of the hosts who warn us the celebs are about to perform "the most important dance of their lives!" to the nameless back-up singers who perform everything from standards to Michael Jackson on any given night. Screw American Idol, that takes talent. After tonight's performances, my money is on Apolo the Olympian and Joey Fats to move on to the final.

Wisconsin Weekend

We were so lucky to have Gavin's Uncle Chris and Aunt Kathy visit us over the weekend. Don and I managed to take them out on Friday night to The Old Fashioned for a taste of Wisconsin fried cheese curds and their signature cocktails, too. There was a long wait, but trying to solve a riddle from a stranger at the bar helped us kill time (See if you can solve this one: a man lies dead in a field of green, surrounded by 53 bicycles. How did he die?). Chris solved it in about 5 minutes, it took the rest of us awhile!



We hosted our annual Kentucky Derby party on Saturday and Gavin had a great time mingling with guests, especially his Aunt and Uncle! Again, a shout out to Troy for his fabulous mint julep making skills and his rendition of "My Old Kentucky Home." You'll have to take my word for it that people were there, I did not get around to snapping any pics this year.



I just realized it's been a long time since we posted. Things are going well and I am holding up after 2 weeks on the job. I am enjoying the work ... though I still get a lump in my throat after I drop Gavin off, but the way he runs toward me at the end of the day when I pick him up helps me forget the hard parts. He is walking SO well and can get to where he wants to go (toward T-R-O-U-B-L-E) in a hurry : )

The Latest

Since Gavin has a head start on me -- having begun "school" last week -- he's got more to show for his efforts than I do, as you can see.
I made it through my first day today but was exhausted and considered it a major accomplishment to just get my e-mail set up and contemplate how to write an 80-word brief on Bo Ryan's pay raise.
I called to see how Gavin was doing at about 10:30 a.m. and was informed he was "painting" (something he did last week, too) so I decided I could get it together enough to soldier through the rest of the afternoon.
My co-workers are all very nice and no one batted an eye when I walked out the door at 4:45 to go and pick up the G-Man, for which I feel very lucky. He was so tired when we got home that we didn't have more than 30 minutes or so to play before it was time for him to hit the hay, but I have to say it's going well for just being at the the beginning of this journey.
I'll have something to show for it in the fall issue of On Wisconsin, so stay tuned...
Many, many thanks to all of you have called, e-mailed and just let me know you are thinking of me. It helps more than you know!

Bath Mohawk!

Trivia update

The Cakers finished 12th this year -- a pretty good showing in what is always a competitive contest. We hope to be back next year to help return to the Top Ten!

It's Trivia Time

It's trivia weekend in Stevens Point, and our team -- this year known as "The Cakers: An Inconvenient Truth" -- has gathered for the annual contest. Don and I are not making the trip up this year -- too much going on with job starting Monday -- but we are keeping our cell phones on in case we're needed for questions on soccer, baking or Broadway musicals. Actually, this year you could add "Elmo's World" to that list, too. Current standings show our team is in 13th place out of more than 400 teams with about 36 hours to go. Fire up Cakers!!!

Here's an article from USA TODAY about the contest, if you want to read up.

Update on the G-Man

Thanks to those who have called or written to ask about how Gavin is adjusting to day care (he had his first full day today).
I'll toss it over to his teacher, Erin, who was kind enough to send us this e-mail today:

Hi Jenny & Don,

I wanted to let you know how Gavin is doing today. He made an umbrella for art, played on the playground, ate lunch, took a long nap, and played with his friends. He had a wonderful day...it seems like he has been here for a long time! If you have any questions please feel free to send me an email or give me a call any time.

Take care,
Erin

It's so great to know he is doing well and has such wonderful and caring teachers. Let's hope his mommy does just as well when she starts work next Monday.

Big Monday for Gav (and his mommy)

Gavin starts tomorrow at the child care center where we'll have him attend as I return to work. I don't start my job until next Monday, he's going to spend this week getting acclimated to the place, going a couple half days and then working up to full days. Should we let them know what they're in for?

Postcards from Grayton Beach, FL

With winter rearing its ugly head once again here at home, I decided I would try to relive a few more moments from our spring break getaway last week by posting some more pics. Keep hope alive for Spring, it should show up sooner or later...

We may be back home, but we can still dream of the beach...

Gavin's other 1-year shots

Gavin is 13 months old today, but these pics from just a few weeks back are worth sharing now that they've been distributed to the family...

My new office...

Is somewhere in the basement of Bascom Hall (pictured here). As many of you already know, I have accepted a position as the lead writer for On Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin's alumni magazine. This is an amazing opportunity to write the kinds of stories I had hoped to have the chance to do when I made the leap from AP into freelancing two years ago, so I am incredibly excited. I will likely start work the week of April 23rd. Thanks to everyone for their love and support as we make this big change for our family!

Mrs. Price is retiring!

My mom is leaving her post teaching second grade in Verona after 26 years in the district. She was honored last night by the School Board, kicking off our celebration of her great accomplishment. She'll wrap up her teaching career in early June, followed by a party and a vacation in Scandinavia. Way to go Mom!

A sneak peek...

...at Gavin's official 1-year-old photo shoot late last month. We have some even better ones but we're holding those back until they are gifted to family members. So, for now, enjoy!

Trend stories...

...are always interesting, but here's an article that serves as a good reminder of why we may want to keep a healthy dose of skepticism handy when we give them a read. For me, it's evidence of what happens when an idea cooked up by an editor replaces good reporting.

The Opt-Out Myth
By E.J. Graff
On October 26, 2003, The New York Times Magazine jump-started a century-long debate about women who work. On the cover it featured “The Opt Out Revolution,” Lisa Belkin’s semipersonal essay, with this banner: "Why don’t more women get to the top? They choose not to."

The piece goes on to point out that only 4 percent of women in their mid- to late thirties with children have advanced degrees and are in a privileged income bracket like that of Belkin’s fellow Princeton grads and asserts that "such 'my-friends-and-me' coverage is an irresponsible approach to major issues being wrestled with by every American family and employer. It's a thought-provoking read.

I can do it myself!

Gavin is pretty clear about certain things. He loves his dog, grapes and he does not want to be fed from a spoon by one of us. Here are the early results of eating some yogurt on his own. The cleanup required is fairly involved, but he's having such a good time with it how can we not let him try?

I'm walking!!!

Well, sort of. I can take anywhere from five to a dozen steps across the room. I've taken a few spills, but I don't let it discourage me. When I get going without hanging onto anything, I get really excited and wave my arms around and start running toward Mommy or Daddy or Keely. That's probably why I fall down so much, but don't worry, I'll get the hang of it. Daddy says pretty soon I can walk the dog by myself.

25 days and counting...

Until we leave for our trip to Grayton Beach, Florida. Don and I were lucky enough to go in 2005 and are so excited to return, this time with Gavin and a boatload of sunscreen for the three of us. I've lived in the Midwest most of my life, but I have to admit that the cold is getting to me this winter. A getaway is just what's needed: a slower pace of life, watching the sun set every day and deciding what's for dinner being the biggest decision of the day.

Oh, and the delicious muffins, too!

Red Bar, here we come!

Rock down to Electric Avenue

Happy Birthday Eddie Grant!
(he turns 59 today)
Some songs = memories and this is one of them for me. It was in heavy radio rotation the summer I spent a week at summer camp in Waupaca with my cousin Mel. And it was on the radio in Vikki's car on an early morning when we surely needed some pumping up before attending Schwai's graduation. To quote EW.com today "wouldn't it border on shameful if we didn't rock down to the address in question? So press play and let the chair-dancing commence — not even your cranky boss can deny this groove!"

Gavin's 1st Birthday Party!

Gavin doesn't officially turn 1 until Monday but we had a great time Saturday celebrating early with friends and family. It was a full-fledged kid brigade, with our younger guests ranging in age from 3 weeks (little Ben) to 7 years (our niece Anna). We had a great time watching Gavin eat his first cake (he wasn't so sure at first, but warmed up to the taste, as you can see) and enjoy playing with his new toys.

OK, we didn't make the stadium cake (as many of you had predicted), but this Winnie the Pooh creation turned out pretty well, no? Jenny borrowed a special pan her mom used to make her 3rd birthday cake.

We also enjoyed a from-scratch chocolate cake, thanks to a chance viewing of "Martha" at the gym featuring this awesome recipe. It was soooooo good it might become a birthday standard, if Jenny can get past the labor involved in making the frosting.

A shout out to the cooks (us!). Gavin's pre-party nap gave us a chance to roll up our sleeves and whip up some fried telapia tacos, turkey tacos, guacamole and quesadillas. A huge thanks to Jenny's mom and dad for allowing us to hold the party at their house and for all the work they did to clean up afterward when we were too exhausted to do very much.

Thanks to to Mimi and Grandad for making the drive from Colorado and Jenny's sister Heather for braving the snow and traveling from Minneapolis and for taking all of these great photos. And also thanks to everyone who came and made it such a special day for Gavin and for us!!!!!

Numero Uno

It's a day most of us thought would never, never, ever come. Wisconsin is ranked No. 1 in this week's AP Basketball Poll. When I heard the news, I had lots of memories of the days when Bucky still played in the Fieldhouse and my dad used to take me on game days to buy "partially obstructed" seats up in the rafters so we could watch the Badgers play. Sometimes our team surprised us back then -- like the time we beat Michigan at home by a good 20 or so points the same season the Wolverines went to the NCAA Championship Game with the "Fab Five." But mostly it was just about the atmosphere, watching the band and the smell of stale popcorn. Don't get me wrong, I love the comfort of the Kohl Center and the fact that we have a winning team, but the old days were fun, too. I must admit that in the excitement, I bought Gavin a new Bucky T-shirt yesterday and hope we are lucky enough to get tickets to take him to a game someday, win or lose. GO BIG RED!!!

Make your reservation now...

...for the new World Cup Suite inside the Smith House! We've made over the downstairs office yet again, this time in what we hope will be its most popular incarnation: a guest room!

Our first guests -- Mimi and Grandad -- will arrive in less than a couple weeks for Gavin's birthday celebration. Some features of the room not shown in this photo: cable TV, Don's CD catalog (letters M thru Z) and a convenient location next to the WC. We'd love to see you in Madison this spring or summer, so let us know if you're up for a road trip!

Random thoughts - upon further review...

Well it has been six days since the US-Mexico match-up in Arizona which was won 2-0 by an under strength US squad over a full strength Mexico squad (woot!). Watching “big” games of the teams I follow, and US-Mexico is always big even if it is just a friendly, I always get this weird combination of intense focus, stress, anxiety, and excitement all in one. Last Wednesday was no exception as we continued our recent trend of beating Mexico everywhere but in the Azteca. The nervousness and stress I felt in game gave way to euphoria following Donovan’s extra time game clincher.

The next day when exchanging post game reviews with a fellow Yank I was fairly generous with my ratings and thoughts on the performance of the team overall (though not everyone, is there a right back out there that can step up and perform besides Cherundolo, anyone? Bueller?). I even was able to find praise for the guy I love to hate, Landon Donovan.

Once again, we had showed our regional dominance and left the Mexican team so frustrated that they left the field in a collective sulk. Everyone is happy, things are good, Bob Bradley is doing fine in his “interim” run as manager.

A few days later though the doubts have crept in and I find myself reflecting that the game, despite the score line, was an indicator of problems we will be facing as we prepare for 2010.

Several things occurred to me as I pondered the game and digested various print, internet, and TV media coverage of the game. There are several inescapable facts that emerge and several popular opinions that I find disagreement with.

Fact – the Mexican team outplayed us. They had more of the ball, created more chances, terrorized the right side of our defense, completely disrupted our flow through the midfield, the only thing lacking was the finish. Wynalda was practically having a conniption as they missed chance after chance, proclaiming we were going to get scored on if things did not get switched up.


Popular opinion seems to be that it is OK that we were outplayed because we still “found a way” to win the game. While I agree that it is a hallmark of good teams that they can still win games when not at their best (XL - Pittsburgh 21, Seattle 10), it does not make it “OK” that you did not play well. Just because you suck out runner-runner to take down a pot does not mean you want to be in as a 4-1 dog the next time you get all your money in the middle. Not playing well will eventually catch up with you.

We won the game, however we have a lot of work to do to get better here. Fortunately, we have four years and a lot of player development before the big one in 2010.

Copa America this summer could be a different story though….

Fact – our two goals came on a set piece and a counterattack. We have generally excelled on these two methods for getting our goals in international competition for as long as I have been watching the national team play (1999 - US 1, Trinidad 0). Unfortunately, the world (with some exceptions) has figured that out.

During qualifying for 2006 there were numerous games where teams bunkered in against us forcing us to try to break them down through possession and creativity. This leads to less counterattacks and fewer set pieces earned (since many counters result in fouls or corners). There were games where we struggled mightily against some pretty average competition.

The Czech game in the WC was another level. A good team sits back on us, we cannot break them down, they catch us in transition and wallop us 3-0. Heck, even Morocco came to the states a month earlier and beat us 1-0 using the same formula. The only goal we did score ourselves in the tournament was on a counterattack following a turnover.

We surprised a lot of teams over the last 10 years who assumed we were a weak team that they could attack down the throat and destroy. Teams are adjusting and forcing us to find different ways to get goals. Against weaker teams, we are eventually breaking them down, against better teams we are still learning.

Our win this past week is a thing of the past. Sure, Mexico seems to persist in seeing us as a “weak” footballing nation that they can run over, giving us opportunities to counter them all day long, and that is great. Keep the blinders on, give us the advantage we will take it. Does not help against anyone else though who has their eyes open

As a national team, we have a lot of learning and growth to do in this department. It will not happen overnight, but we need to develop and give first team opportunities to players who can create and break teams down who are playing ten behind the ball.

Opinion – The US was fielding an under strength squad, while Mexico had a full strength team.

The second part was pretty close. They brought a full strength team, however Sanchez chose to leave many of his best players on the bench in favor of the more established “big” names who may be a few years past their prime. They did enter the game in the second half as substitutes, so pretty much full strength.

Under strength US team? Whom, exactly were we missing? It is not as if the guys on the pitch are all back-ups come Gold Cup and Copa America.

Onyewu, check. Arguably our best central defender, left in Newcastle to blend with his new team. Looking at the game though, Conrad was the man of the match, and Bocanegra had a solid game as well. It is not as if we had a huge drop off in that department.

Beasley, check. DeMarcus definitely had a rough WC, however he has recovered nicely and is getting regular play with City. I will grant this one in that a just back from injury, hardly fit Convey was a big drop off from Beasley.

Cherundolo, check, check, check, check, check. This is the big one for me, we appear to have absolutely no cover for Steve at the international level right now.

Anyone else? I know I am leaving someone out, maybe Eddie Lewis, but is there another automatic first team selection out there that was not on this team?

Opinion – Bradley did an outstanding job coaching this game and Gulati should remove his “interim” tag.

He did win the game.
He did use the same tactics that Arena used for years against the Mexican team.
He did leave Dempsey in the game way too long. Clint has a great future in front of him but after traveling halfway around the world to play, the guy was out of gas and it was killing us. Carroll was not brilliant, but he helped solidify the midfield a bit.
He did motivate the troops and keep the focused and concentrating for 90 minutes.
He did throw the young guys into the thick of things and let them get a taste of high pressure, big time international ball.

The last is the best thing he has done in his short tenure. Develop for the future.

The whole interim tag thing just bugs me. I realize that perception is reality in a lot of cases, but it is not like removing the tag makes him bulletproof. If Klinsmann comes along and wants the job next year, he gets it, regardless of the job Bradley has done, and regardless of his title.

Opinion, which I actually agree with – Donovan played well.

Landon easily played his best game for the national team in years. He was aggressive, taking people on with the ball, tracking back, his dead balls were well struck and accurate, and his goal was quality, especially the move he put on the defender which let him break free into all that space. Pretty much to opposite of his entire 2006 WC performance.

Truth - I am a huge Landon basher. I have never liked the guy very much. The hype surrounding him has bothered me to no end over the years. When looking at his performances, I search out every little fault and play down the good things he does.

Last Wednesday he gave us a glimpse of what all that hype is about with an outstanding game. It also brought home my frustration for him. He has the ability to impact a game in a huge way if he performs at 100%. The problem has always been he does not consistently perform there.

Here is hoping he keeps this level up this summer for the tournaments we are in.

Circling back for a second, Donovan’s game is best suited to spaces, which makes him very effective on counterattacks. He is not the creative, break them down, distribution guy that can hold a team together. Right now, no one is. He could be out there, Bradley, Feilhaber, Clark, and a few others have shown potential, maybe one of them develops into that guy.

Damn, I am long winded.

Topic # 2 – Badger hoops.

Watching the last few games, it seems like we are coasting a bit, relying on our depth and talent to wear people down over a full 40 minutes. It is working against the lower and middle tier teams of the Big 10 as we have dominated the last 8-10 minutes of games since the loss at Indiana. Not sure if it will fly against Michigan State on the road, and it definitely will not against Ohio State in Columbus. We need to step up like we did against, Pitt, Ohio State, and Marquette and lock down that # 1 seed.

Go Bucky!

The start of a beautiful friendship?

The Smith Boys on a Saturday

Fourteen

That's the number of bags we took to Goodwill today after succumbing to Jenny's decluttering frenzy. That's a closet worth of stuff we pulled out of two closets upstairs. So, we bid goodbye to some pleated pants, out-of-date shoes, purses we can't remember why we bought (Jenny) and T-shirts from high school (Don!).

Fugly Fashion Week

So here's a few snapshots from NY Fashion week. I've got no real issues with the looks on the right and left. I can get behind a real world application of the kicky cocktail dress with the empire waist in black or the idea of a bold-color trench coat. And it's nice to see opaque hosiery in the rotation -- bare legs are hard to imagine for fall (which is what these collections are meant for). But let's take a minute to check out the look in the middle photo... to borrow a phrase from Grey's Anatomy: "Seriously? A high-waisted pant that will look good on no one? I mean, seriously!" We'll let the hairdo go for now. As my beloved Tim Gunn would say "I'm concerned." So, I'm throwing down the gauntlet here and now -- I will never buy pants with a waist that high again. You heard me Anna Wintour. Don't even try and make me.

Random thoughts - not all soccer related even

Bolton seems to own Arsenal. Arsenal seems to own Spurs.

After speculation of Chelsea, Madrid, and Milan, Onyewu winds up at ?Newcastle?. Really? More playing time for him I suppose, but still, not quite in the same league as the others. Both of the Toon games I’ve seen lately they dug themselves a nice little whole with early consolations before storming back for a tie or win. Onyewu may just get a chance to shine if he can tighten things up back there.

It’s been said in both the national and local media, but as frustrating as the Badger hoops loss at Indiana was last night, it still made me chuckle that the Indiana students stormed the court after the FIVE TIME NATIONAL CHAMPION Hoosiers beat Wisconsin.

My how times have changed. Or is it, my how the mighty have fallen?

I usually start my workday with the IPod on “Shuffle Songs” and let it go for the day. Occasionally though a song catches my ear and I switch over to that artist and/or album for a while.

Today good old Vic Chesnutt did the trick while I was eating my lunch. I only have three of his early albums on there (none of the newer stuff which I haven’t been able to get into as much, not that I’ve given it a huge chance).

Point of this rambling is, man could that guy turn a phrase. I still pull out the old “sharpies and guns” reference occasionally to eye rolls from my lovely wife.

Meetings for the spring over-30 season, indoor with Celtics men (aka spring training) starting in two weeks, it may be 20ish degrees outside, but I can already taste the outdoor soccer season! Woot!

Eleven Months Old!!!

We got out of the habit of posting a monthly photo -- so here's a few to give you your Gavin fix. The two of us went to the grocery store today and for the first time Gavin rode in the shopping cart seat. You would have thought he was going on the world's most exciting carnival ride for the first time... his giggles and squeals of delight made every shopper we encountered smile from ear to ear. Who knew it would be such a fun experience?

Random Thoughts - Team USA, ManU-Arsenal

Back at you here with some more random firings from the brain....standard caveats apply.

Saturday Team USA knocked off Denmark 3-1 in California. Nice to get the win, but it was a game we should have won, so not too excited about that.

I am excited about Justin Mapp's 60 yard run with the ball and assist after beating four players. Not often a guy in the red, white, and blue makes that kind of play or has the guts to run at people with the ball (Dempsey and maybe Convey being the only other guys recently who would have gone for it). He did pretty much disappear for the rest of the half after that play though.

Cooper's goal was well taken, but he was more the beneficiary of a great pass over the top against an extremely high Danish line than having a moment of brilliance. Well taken though, would like to see him light it up in MLS this year and continue to get chances with the nats.

Donovan's goal was lucky twice over. Shouldn't have been a penalty and should have been saved by the keeper. Overall Donovan continued his weak, non-assertive play. The only part of the game that he steps up for is in demanding to take all the free kicks, despite the fact that he seemingly failed to deliver a single quality dead ball in all of his 2006 appearances for Team USA. Here's hoping Bradley finds someone else that can actually do the job. We aren't asking for Becks (knew he'd work his way in here somehow), just a guy that can consistently put the ball into good spots and get his shots actually on frame instead of high and wide EVERY time.

Last thought on the game, the only guy more open while standing six yards from the net than Danish goal scorer Dennis Sorenson this last weekend was Thierry Henry in the Manchester United - Arsenal game Sunday.....

.....which was an excellent, excellent game to watch, especially for Arsenal fans as they stormed back in the last 15 minutes to notch a 2-1 victory. Even for the neutrals such as myself this was a heck of a game, great play by both sides, great attacking, defending, and goal keeping.

The biggest pleasure for me though was watching Henrik Larsson. I certainly wasn't keeping a tally or anything, but damn if he didn't win 4 out of every 5 balls played to him in the air, getting a large # of them down for his wingers to run on to. In addition to playing a great target role he also forced a tough save for Lehman on a corner, though to be fair an Arsenal defender would have had a shot at it. For a man in his mid-thirties though, I was extremely impressed with his play, wish we could have seen him play in the premier league in his prime.

Arsenal again showed that they are going to be challenging for the title within the next few years despite playing one of the youngest teams they've had in years. Similiar to the 1-1 draw with Chelsea a few weeks back, they played with grit, determination, and skill, matching their "more experienced" opposition stride for stride. For a team that has been almost completely made over in the last three years, the Gunners are starting to look downright scary. Give them another year or two of experience and get them performing consistently every week? Just maybe one of the faster "re-loading" jobs in recent memory.

And people, get pumped as we are just 3 weeks and 6 days from Champions League round of 16 games - my Tivo is already salivating!

Sleigh ride-The Movie!

Sleigh ride pics

We enjoyed a visit to the park down the street from us this afternoon when Don got home from work. It was a good reminder that winter has its joys -- a great boost after a week that definitely brought about a case of the winter "blahs." Keely enjoyed the snow, too!

Real Women Have Curves

Most of you know my fondness for watching awards shows. Earlier this week was no exception, as I enjoyed the Golden Globes Monday night in the company of some good friends. I also like to take a few minutes after the show to read up on people's best/worst lists for fashions of the night and other fun commentary.
This year, I am finding myself aligned with two of my favorite bloggers at http://gofugyourself.typepad.com/
The funny, often irreverent women who put this site together have been singing the praises of actresses who look like real women and are not in dire need of a sandwich and I wanted to devote a little space to doing the same.
I couldn't agree more with their assertion that the word "curvy" has become some sort of euphemism in Hollywood-speak to say someone is overweight EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT. It's asinine and it has to stop. Just within the last week, the Council of Fashion Designers of America put out some new guidelines for models, saying they want to discourage them from being too thin. Do you believe them? I am not sure I do. The rules don't seem to have a lot of teeth, let alone fat or muscle, so we'll see. The most striking thing about the article I've linked here is how one source quoted says the scary-thin ideal gets passed on to the general public through actresses, many of whom probably starve themselves to fit into the designers' size zero sample garments. That might be why the lovely and stylish women pictured here (who probably ate 3 squares a day in the weeks leading up to the event) seem to be a rarity on these glamorous nights. I say, work it ladies!

Random Thoughts – Becks, MLS, and why Real has been out-everythinged by Barca over the last few years.

First, thanks for taking the time to read this. Second, this is a random collection of thoughts that have been kicking around my head as I’ve digested the various media, domestic and international, reports, stories, opinions, etc… that have been tossed around over the last week or so. Any silly mis-spellings, mis-quotes, glaring errors, and made up words like “everythinged” are all me, but at least they are as random as the rest of it. Third, feel free to ignore me, comment (positive or otherwise), or do whatever else floats your boat.

$250 million for Beckham. Damn. Honestly even if he wasn’t sure he wanted to make the move to the States just yet in his career, how do you say no to that kind of money? Even if most if it is endorsement money, and not guaranteed at that. Nick Saban’s interest level in the Alabama job certainly changed once the talk moved to a guaranteed $4 million a year over eight years, and really can you blame him for that?

Does this, as some people have said, mean Beckham’s best days on the pitch are behind him? Maybe, maybe not. By all reports, he could have signed with a number of Premiership teams - Bolton being the one I heard most often, and they are challenging for European competition consistently the last few years. Not ManU ceratinly, but nothing to sniff at either, especially with Davies and Anelka available to get on the end of his crosses. For me, the main thing it indicates is that his priorities have changed. He’s played at the highest level, won everything you can at the club level (at least in England), he’s out of the England set up for Euro08 and the next World Cup, what else is left to do? Moving to Los Angeles is a decision made putting his family, their financial stability and their lifestyle ahead of his soccer career. Can he still bring it on the pitch at the highest level? I do not know. What seems clear to me is that he does not feel he needs to anymore.

Is this a desperate MLS ploy that will bring it to a NASL-like demise? The whole set up of MLS is designed to prevent an implosion and the “Beckham rule” is no different.

Is this a genius-marketing move that will catapult professional soccer into the mainstream of American sports? While it is certainly getting soccer into the discussion held by the talking heads of our national sports talk scene, it doesn’t make the sport viable in their eyes. Soccer will continue to be blasted by those who are threatened by it, don’t understand it, or just prefer football and basketball. It is another small step down the path to grow our game in this country, but not nearly as large as Garber and company would like you to believe.

One thing I think it does accomplish – AEG’s money is buying the MLS more awareness internationally than domestically. It will not bring a sudden influx of “in their prime” international players (and Edgar Davids is definitely past his prime, though he will be just as effective as Beckham if he does sign with FC Dallas), especially when they realize that they are not going to get Beckham like money. It will cause players and fans across the globe though to take a second look at MLS as a legitimate league, and (for the same reason Real sprung for him to begin with) don’t be surprised the next time you are in Asia to see MLS games being broadcast and children wearing Galaxy jerseys.

Finally, on the subject of Real Madrid - Capello has banished Beckham to training only. Calderon has publicly blasted him for going behind Real’s back and claiming he will be nothing more than a “second-rate” star or some such thing. I honestly wonder how much of the anger coming from that camp is really indignation over the $$$$. Seriously, when was the last time someone was able to outspend Real Madrid? Ever? And Calderon, do you think that Beckham is going to complain about getting MORE money to deal with LESS paparazzi. Oh yeah, you get to live in nice, sunny, warm weather too. Though David, I must warn you the traffic is total “pants”.

Beckam signs with another team and finds himself benched by Real. Henrik Larsson signs with another team and not only keeps his place, but manages to break Gunner hearts everywhere by crafting the two goals Barca needed to see off Arsenal in the Champion’s League Final last May.

Real pride, Barca pragmatism. An indicator of why the Catalans have topped their rival in the standings going on four consecutive years and hold the highest honor in European club football right now?

Oh yeah, this is "the other half" blogging, not your regular blogger...but you probalby figured that out...

Speedy Gavin Smith

Under the spell of the Sisters Mandrell...

...Come on, you know you watched it. Now it's out on DVD. Available TODAY people. It aired from 1980 to 1982 and featured Barbara, Louise and Irlene, often in matching, spangled costumes. There was also usually some kind of skit, sometimes involving puppets.
Barbara played 19 instruments or so, including the saxophone. Louise played the "fiddle," and Irlene played the drums. It was what we people over 30 know as a "variety show."

It got me to thinking, where are they now?

I know Barbara continued on with her singing career. She survived a car crash and Maureen McCormick (Marcia Brady) portrayed her in the TV movie of her life story. Remember, she was country when country wasn't cool. My grandmother went to see her at the Dane County Coliseum once and described her as being really slim and wearing black leather pants and a white blouse. Sadly, her official Web site says she gave her last performance in 1997. The site also notes she is slated to appear in the upcoming spring fashion issue of Harper's Bazaar and on the 700 Club. How's that for opposite ends of the spectrum?

So what about Louise, you ask? Well she's been performing in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (home of Dollywood, in case you didn't know). She had her own theater, even. Apparently hers was "the most attended show in the Smokies." I am not sure what the competition is, but I bet it's fierce. Her last show was in 2005.

And that brings us to Irlene ... not the most talented of the bunch. She skated by on her looks and ability to pretend to play the drums. She came out in 1983 with "Texercise," the first country-western exercise program, which included "The Thighs of Texas," "The Big Bend," and "The Saddle Bag Stomp." She is now the spokeswoman for a gun manufacturer. At least she shoots for charity now and then, too.

Thanks for reading -- this extremely random post has been knocking around for a few days. It might become an occasional series -- next up "Whatever happened to Dawn after the gig with Tony Orlando was up?"

A belated New Year's wish...