Watchout Cheaters! A New Day is Dawning...

Cycling, arguably the sport with the worst reputation regarding doping is about to take a bold step to return the sport to it's rightful level of prominence.

Cheaters beware! With the Tour de France only four months away and Lance Armstrong's return to professional cycling, I believe its perfect timing for a huge impact.

Advance notice: Summer Olympians of 2012, you're next! Train accordingly.

For more background on the genesis of this type of testing, grab a large mug of java and click here.

Top ten list of why golf is better than Scrabble

On my most highly anticipated sporting day of 2009 (so far), Tiger Woods' return to professional golf, here’s my top ten list of why golf is better than Scrabble.

10. Golf has a handicap system and lets really poor players compete with really good players

9. You get to walk 6 miles when you play golf, Scrabble uses a chair.

8. Golf is scored by doing the least, Scrabble by doing the most

7. Golf uses a leather bag, scrabble uses a letter bag.

6. Golf is played outside.

5. Golf has water and sand hazards. Scrabble has spelling hazards.

4. Golf uses “clubs”. Scrabble uses “tiles”.

3. When playing golf you use a leather glove to get a grip, Scrabble used a dictionary to get a grip.

2. Golf has cool clothes and cleats. Scrabble has ehhh…a board.

And the number 1 reason golf is better than Scrabble…

You only need to know four letter words to play golf.

O44’s Address to Congress – Superficial Observations

• Why wasn’t this called State of the Union?
• I bet the Prez Holding Room is nicer than the Lew Sterrett Holding Room
• Interrupted by applause = 13
• Interrupted by Stand Ovation = 35
• Interrupted by Bi-partisan Standing Ovation = 4
• We have the prettiest 1st Lady since Jackie O
• Hillary is still campaigning
• Fox needs to work on the mic attached to the camera
• Tax cut on April 1st…hmmm
• Joe Lieberman seems bitter
• Thanks, O44, for the strong words about sustainable energy, can you do that with only $15 billion/year
• Healthcare reform…is there an echo?
• Best sound bite = “dropouts aren’t just quitting on themselves, they’re quitting on their country”
• In another life I bet Nancy Pelosi was a cheerleader
• I still (heart) Hillary
• O44 could be a coach
• When I cut through the political rhetoric of the Republican response I don’t see any bi-partisan differences

Brent - Man of Iron...errr...Cast Iron, that is

Let the truth be told, I admit I love cookware. I have a number of pieces of different brands, All-Clad, Calphalon, and Mauviel, but my all time favorite-gotta-have-go-to is a cheap (as in free) decades old cast iron skillet. A father's father's camping skillet was its primary use. I intended on carrying on the tradition. It was given to me (did I mention free) at a family garage sale in a neglected, rusty state.

I scoured the skillet with steel wood down to shiny metal and began the long drawn-out, but caring process of seasoning the skillet. I slathered canola oil in the thin sheen on the inside and outside of the pan and placed it in a 300 degree oven for several hours, removed and cooled it. Then repeated the process, then repeated the process, then repeated the process. Over time it developed a coating slicker than my finest non-stick skillet. I quickly rescued it from the camping supplies and elevated it to everyday kitchen usage.

I now find myself relying on it more than any other skillet in my kitchen. I use it for anything I need to sear on the stove and finish in the oven such as steak, fish or chicken. I use it to fry CFS or fried chicken or French fries. Oven roasting veggies or potatoes are as easy as scrambling eggs. I've even used it to poach eggs. And there's no better piece of equipment for baking cornbread.

Clean-up is a breeze, but no soap or scouring please. On the rare occasion that sticking occurs, I simply use a tablespoon for kosher and a paper towel to rub the residual foodstuff off. Then rinse with warm water, dry, lightly coat with canola and park it in the still warm oven until it's next needed.

Does Your Talk Match Your Walk?

Currently it is easy to become disappointed in top-tiered athletes. For example, A-fraud and Bong Phelps, so this is a breath of fresh air...an athlete WANTING to be a role model. You go DD!

Men's Health Magazine - Off Target Again

I love these types of surveys. They're so easy to hit with spit-balls. So, I'll now toss a few at Men's Health's list of 20 worst foods.

I’m sure most of us, when going out to eat at places listed, aren’t intending on having a “healthy” meal. We’re there to have a good time, good food and, most importantly to the caloric count, take a doggy bag home. Most total calories on these items can be automatically cut in half.

Here’s a look see at a few of the items:

19. Worst Drink – Jamba Juice. MH is looking at a 30 oz drink…almost a quart. Anything a quart in volume is going to be caloric dense. A reasonable size of 12 oz would be about 300 cal, have 10% of the RDA of vitamin D and calcium.

17. Worst “healthy” Burger – how does its name imply it’s healthy? Just because it’s turkey? I can’t find anything on Ruby Tuesday’s website claiming a health benefit. BTW…Men’s Health misquotes (inflates) the actual reported nutritional information of this product.

16. Worst Mexican Entrée – that’s the best (worst) they could do. How about On the Border’s Double Stacked Club w/ Jalapeño Ranch Dressing at 1900 cal and 1143 of the cal are from fat. Do some homework Men’s Health.

12. Worst Burger – Missed again. Should have stayed at Ruby Tuesday’s…the Colossal Burger is at 2014 cal with 1300 coming from fat.

11. Worst Steak – Hey, its 20 oz of beef. That much isn’t healthy for anybody. Divided by 4 people and you have a manageable 400 cal/per person. Men’s Health, you’re going strictly by quantity why not list Amarillo’s Big Texan Steak Ranch with the 4 ½ pounder.

8. Worst Chinese Entrée – Again, a misquote of what’s posted on PF Chang’s website for nutritional information. Perhaps “misquote” is an understatement Men’s Health says, 1820 calories, website says 473 calories.

2. Worst starter – Hello, Men’s Health…it’s not even on the menu. Try a little easy research. Ms. Google can help.

1. Worst Food In America – Spot on, but I bet Snuffer’s is worse (better), but I’m a glutton.

Fitness Diary - Initial Edition (date: 2-17-09)

A fitness-y friend of mine (hi, G) had a particularly (in said friend’s mind) disappointing workout and subliminally expressed so. In my altruistically inclined heart, I sent and email – diary log - with my (actual) disappointing tempo run, but with a different perspective. Said friend didn’t read the email, so I had a great idea to slightly edit and make the masterpiece a blog post.

After having the privilege of spending an extended length of time with my grandmother, who must use a walker (she call her Harley) I’ve relearned a valuable lesson – the ability to move at liberty is a blessing to not be taken lightly or critically.

With that said, I’ll now blog an occasional diary of my uncommon running events, starting with Tuesday, February 19^th. Please excuse my run-on sentences, fragments and other grammar errors…hey, it’s my diary.

Entry 2-19-09 – tempo run with a target of 1 mile warm-up, 4 miles at an average pace 8:15-8:30, 1 mile cool-down for a total of 6 miles.

After a heated internal debate I elect to run with music and not take a water bottle…hindsight says “big mistake”.

Mile 1 - easy warm-up, Rosco chased two pickups that were over a mile away. I had to round him up. Total mileage 1.25

Mile 2 – found my groove, 8:20 pace; total mileage 2.25

Mile 3 – crested the final hill before turnaround #1 to find cattle out, 1 bull (angry or amorous, I didn’t bother to ask); had to, again, round-up Rosco, then trot back to known mile marker to restart mile 3 and alter route; total mileage 3

Mile 3 redux – back in the groove, 8:23; total mileage 4

Mile 4 – ear buds start to skip and omit crucial music; I slow down to evaluate; can’t find Rosco; ditch full of tumble weeds starts to gesticulate; Rosco is after something; short prayer - hope it’s not a skunk; I want water; in vain I jerk ear bud connection from Zune, toss into ditch; note to self: nice move, Brent; finally find Rosco; smell Rosco; short prayer of thanks; at this point I scrub the watch and just hope to finish; total mileage 5.25

Mile 5 – at turnaround #2 Rosco is foaming at the mouth and trying to stop me for a drink of water, which I don’t have; stop to pickup ear buds from ditch; all the sudden a horrible rotten smell overcomes me; Rosco smells it too and makes a b-line; spot a dead, half decomposed coyote; Rosco wants to play, I persuade him differently, another quick prayer of thanks; total mileage 6.5

Mile 6 – cool-down, jackrabbit pops up and Rosco is off to the races; I give up on stopping him because he’s so pooped he can’t run very fast, I swear the jackrabbit is looking over its shoulder just taunting. I crack up and realize this was a great run. Total mileage 7.5

And…most importantly...my workout didn’t get the upperhand. I finished.

Title IX Redux

Now I love Title IX even more. Coming next September full contact, I'll keep you abreast.

Dia Hacer el Amor

And just when I was beginning to think mistletoe was a pretty good idea this is announced. Geez...be careful out there.

Need Some New Wheels

Runner's World has it's 2009 running shoe review online.

PS - how does one get the gig of reviewing shoes. Dream Job!

Phelps Follow-up

I wondered how long it would take for a law-type with too much time on their hands to shoot for fame. Don't they have a DA somewhere telling them "it'll never stick"? Tax dollars at work.

I Thought I Knew a Secret

Just when I decided normal folks don't understand/care about the enormity of cheating in professional sports. This happens. Go O44!

Mise en place (2-9-09)

1. This isn't big news to anyone believing in moderation, but for Papa John himself to make the announcement, might just make me rethink from where I order my next pizza.

2. Label me Not Surprised.

3. Guess what her strategy will be to raise quick capital for the state of California? Hasta la vista excess capital equipment.

Grammy Musings

• Sheryl Crow = still hot (what was Lance thinking?)
  
• Taylor Swift's guitar is way cool
• Why aren't Grammy commercials up to par with the Super Bowl's...wait, they are. Suck.
• I prefer Stevie Wonder sans Jonas Brothers.
• Stevie Wonder can rock no matter what the circumstances.
  
• Craig Ferguson = not funny. Still.
• I dance just like Kanya West. He gets millions of dollars. I get millions of laughs.
• P. Diddy, fashion dude...dress it up a little.
• I should listen to more Coldplay.
• Robert Plant still "has it".
• Queen Latifa can make me sweat.
• MIA...whoever you are...NASCAR called and wants the checkered flag back.
• John Mayer should open a school for acceptance speeches.
• Hey, Sugarland Chica...You want a new stalker? Volunteer I am.
  
• USC Trojan Band - Awesome!
• I want to not like Justin Timberlake. I can't.
• Secretary of the Arts? Cabinet position? YES WE CAN! Do it O44.
  
• Jamie Foxx...dude can rock and roll from the backseat.
  
• Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline was the first "cool" song I learned to play on the trumpet.
  
• I can pick B.B. King's tone and style out of a million pickers.

Songs I purchased because of the Grammys .
Kenny Chesney - Better as a Memory
John Mayer - Say
Sugarland - Stay
Kid Rock - Rock-n-Roll Jesus (album)

An Open Letter to Michael Phelps

Dear Michael Phelps,

You’ve let me down, Michael. You were a part of the USADA’s My Victory program. I understand the program monitors athletes much more closely than required by the USOC, USA Swimming or any other sanctioning organizations. Supposedly My Victory raised the bar and included many others, including your hard-working colleagues as well as us normal folks that wanted to take the pledge to play clean, play fair and be role models. Since you’re no longer part of the My Victory website I assume you’ve been kicked off the team. Deservedly.

Michael, understand I’m not against a few rounds of binge drinking, nor do I condemn a puff or two of the wack-o-tabacco. But I do; however, draw the line at stupidity. You were stupid.

Many (okay, all) of my well-respected friends (and fans/supporters of yours) have argued that you’re young and deserve a break. Poor Michael “under-the-microscopic-pressure” Phelps has made a “youthful mistake”. Dude, you’re twenty-three years old! You’ve got coaches, advisors, unlimited resources and most of all a mother who has sacrificed all for your career. You have talent, genetics and drive. You have fourteen Olympic medals and multimillion dollar contracts. What’s going on in you effin’ mind?

Bro, let me give you a clue…a frat party + tequila + bong = not a good idea for a high profile celebrity. You did know you were a celebrity, right? Did you not learn from the DWI at nineteen years old?

I hope you take the next three months and contemplate the serious damage you’ve done to the name of athletes, around the world. Take the time to get a grip. Take the time to evaluate your issues with recreational substances.

Come back stronger because of this, Michael. Come back the winner you are. Lots of us will be rooting for you.

Sincerely,

Brent

Just When You Despise Editorials

Food Porn at its best.

All Kidding Aside...

Scuse me while I remind myself how much I love Dallas.

Not So Fast...

Thinking of fasting? I highly recommend it. A regular one-day per week fast was part of my regime for several years. Why, you might ask. I’m not a particularly religious fellow, I love food and I don’t feel it’s an effective weight loss tool.

I fasted for the challenge of fasting. The challenge was an especially enlightening experience on three memorable angles.

First, I learned how to taste food. Miguel Cervantes had it right when he said, “hunger is the best sauce in the world.”

Second, I began to crave food I’d never thought of craving, such as, raisins, tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, apples, nuts or a simple sautéed fish filet.

Third, before my first few fasts I expected to complete the fast with one of my favorite meals like chicken fried steak, hamburger and French fries or pepperoni pizza. The fact is the thought of these foods were borderline repulsive to me.

How my thought process of food changed in only twenty-four hours baffles me. An amazing thing is this mind/body of ours.

Interested in fasting? Here’s an article with pros and cons.

Broccoli Stems - What to Do?

I love broccoli stems. I love'em better than the crowns because the broccoli-y flavor is so intense. In my experience making a cheese and broccoli soup without the stems never tastes quite balanced. But here's a recipe that I've never heard of but will soon try. Like tomorrow. Two suggestions...blanch and shock the broccoli stems before tossing with salt, and forgo the medallions for the spears.

Super Bowl Half Time Show

When the Boss started the show by jumping (awkwardly) on the piano, it dawned on me that he's getting old. Then he cranked it up with a few Michael Jackson movesand the show started rolling. With an opening number of Fifth Avenue Freeze-Out, my fav of his, I was onboard, but by the end I was thinking "Tampa Bay Sale-Out". Born to Run without Cortney Cox is like CC Rider without Joe Namath.

I do admire Bruce's uncanny ability to sing way behind the backbeat...just like Willie.

The segway using Workin' On a Dream with the choir wasn't a choice I would have made.

And, Bruce, changing the lyrics to Glory Days?...leave that to cover bands.

Frankly this half time show would have been better performed by Emerald City.

Super Bowl Musings

A great Super Bowl we had. In my mind here are the highlights/lowlights...

• My first hoo-raa was Kurt Warner winning the Walter Peyton Award
• The best commercial was the Asterisk - Steroid PSA. Awesome! Too bad it was shown before the game started.
  
• I have the feeling that during the coin toss General Petraeus was channeling Pat Tillman.
• The economy must be dragging down the quality of SB commercials.
• I kinda liked the Pepsimax "I'm good" commercial
• The game turned on James Harrison's 1st half interception return
• James Harrison was the highlight and lowlife of the game. Sportsman he's not.
  
• Godaddy.com's commercials were a letdown. Danika...get classy.
• NBC's studio crew has no chemistry. I like Dungy, Holmgrin and Collinsworth, but Fox's guys are much more synergistic.
• Al Michaels and John Madden are still the best.
• Can't United Way afford a professional voice coach for Jason Whitten?
• Even on high def, 3-D isn't appropriate. So...1950s.
• I love HD