Guard Dog

Yup, having lived down there during the Alonzo Mourning years, this hits the nail square on the head. south Florida sports fans are notoriously disloyal. The only exception is the NHLs Panthers. The do have a dedicated, albeit small, following despite all the misery the last 14 years.

I think he is a Heat lifer anyway. He'll get more from them than anyone else because suddenly they are going to have attendance problems. The Miami sports fans are VERY fickle about supporting teams that fall on hard times. Not a lot of loyalty there. Keeping Wade in house will help even if his contributions are more about perception than reality these days.

Some big moves in the west. Suddenly it seems like the Grizz are standing still.

It's official, Lebron is going home. He's signing with the Cavs. That means Bosch will split for Houston. Is it ok to top hating the Heat now? Their future looks pretty bleak. And their first round draft selection looks pretty dumb now. On that note, will the owner of the Cavs apologize for that nasty letter calling James a coward 4 years ago.

Now reading Seasons in Hell: With Billy Martin, Whitey Herzog and "The Worst Baseball Team in History"-the 1973-1975 Texas Rangers. Very well written!

You would need some serious upgrades to the RV anyway. Namely flotation pontoons and outboard engine!

Kansas... I spent a week there one night. A Merv Griffin tribute!

Well it's official. If I had to choose between going with Hurlshot on his trip or Woldan, I'd have to say Woldan. Those pics are incredible!

Leaving today Knoxville for work. I love Knoxville!

You chose the wrong profession. After 20 years of working around RF transmitters, Radar to begin with, microwave radio after that, then Cellular, then WiFi & WiMax, I got a non-surgical vasectomy for free!

I spit up my coffee reading that!

We're going to a flea market today. Why we need to buy fleas is beyond me.

One word of advice, Don't speed in Dyer County, especially the city limits of Dyersburg. The cops there are like cartoon caricatures of redneck southern cops. And the County budget is largely funded from traffic citations! That is unless you crossed the river in Memphis to West Memphis AR. Then you won't go through Dyersburg.

They did a nice write up in the paper about that place when it opened, or re-opened actually. I've got to find time to go see it. Sun Studios is awesome, I went once back when I first moved here. You still planning on hitting Graceland? I'd say it was a must see but I've been here for four years and haven't come any closer to going than driving by. If you are going back near downtown you should check out Gus's Fried Chicken. If you like that soul food place in MS. you'll love Gus. It's right on Front Street by the river in downtown. It's like 2 blocks from Mud Island if you're going there. If you're going to be around Overton Park, well, there are a ton of great places but I LOVE Central BBQ. It's a mile or so south of Overton off East Parkway & Central Ave. It's almost Rendezvous good but costs less and no waiting.

Did you guys hit Beale St since you were down town anyway? The stadium is awesome too, one of the best in the MiLB.

Yep, your boys just went all in!

The best part of that picture is that he's still got the beer in his hand. That's dedication. Yeah but it looks like the can in his hand is open. That's not dedication, it's just dumb. Unless he plans on finishing it once that dirty water gets in. Now THAT would be dedication!

Hurlshot you are going to have a tough time topping this trip next year!

Off-topic, and certainly not meant to disturb y'all's Indepence Day celebrations but... It really is ironic how that song with the lyrics... "Got in a little hometown jam So they put a rifle in my hand Sent me off to a foreign land To go and kill the yellow man Born in the U.S.A., I was born in the U.S.A. Born in the U.S.A., born in the U.S.A. Come back home to the refinery Hiring man said "son if it was up to me" Went down to see my V.A. man He said "son, don't you understand"" ... ended up seen by many as a tribute to the greatness of the USA. Not bashing, just... puzzled. Yeah, it's not exactly a complimentary song. I just figure the folks who think it is only listen to the chorus.

One thing I love about the South, and a big reason why I've never left is once settling here is that red or yellow, black or white, 90% of the people you meet are really friendly and polite.

I made a dry rub and prepped a standing rib roast for smoking last night. I let it sit overnight in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. I got up this morning a 4 AM and put it in the smoker and went back to bed. I just got back up and added more wood chips. It smells so f-----g good! It's going to be a long 12 hours waiting for that bad boy!

Oby! I didn't know you were at my family reunion! You should have said something, I'd have bought you a Budweiser!

Wow, we went to war and threw out the Brits, a country nearly everyone in the colonies descended from and still had family in over a 3 pence per pound tax. Now consider what our current tax burden is. WTF happened?

Nothing exciting, my wife's friend and her husband are coming out to the house for dinner but we are way too far out to see any fireworks. I'm smoking a rib roast and grilling some veggies from the garden. And of course domestic beer and top shelf bourbon will be served and enjoyed.

Well.... back to baseball I guess.