Michael Jackson Memorial @ Staples Center in LA

That memorial; there are no words.

I didn't cry or anything around the beginning, not until one of my MANY favorite songs from Michael, "Heal The World" came on, with everybody and their mom was there; literally.

I cried my ass off singing that song; then what really capped it off was MJ's daughter Paris went up and said her respects for her late dad. That was something special. I really hope those kids stay with the Jackson family because it's quite evident from the memorial earlier today that they don't belong anywhere else but with them.

R.I.P. Michael Joseph Jackson; you'll live on forever and ever.

Lance's Quest for 8 has begun

Well this is it.


No, not a potential MJ comeback, [No pun intended; R.I.P.] but I'm talking about Armstrong; Lance Armstrong. He's going for his 8th and probably final title in the Tour De France. Has already had 7 in-a-row going for him.


You guys have already known the tremendous obstacles that he's already conquered and surpassed:

Cancer.

Media allegations over rumors about taking performance-enhancing drugs.

Life after retirement.

The tour, itself.


The new ad for Nike that he's in has him talking about how he's not racing and coming back for all the 'nay'-sayers and the rest of the skeptics and critics alike; he's back because of the people that drive him that much more to be glad and thankful for what he's able to do now that he's cancer free. At the same time, raising awareness to his LiveSTRONG foundation.


As of today, Lance is now 3rd overall; rising from 10th off of the initial stage of the Tour, the individual time trial. Hoping he actually does pull it out and bring another one to the Lone Star State.

R.I.P. 'Air McNair' -- Steve McNair gone at 36

This was just unbelievable once I heard the news. After just about more than a week after the late great Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, and as well as notorious TV pitchman Billy Mays pass, another distinguishable figure has left us.

Steve McNair, former long-time Tennessee Oiler now present-day Titans and Baltimore Raven, was found shot to death in his apartment in Nashville; shot four times. His body was with another accomplice, a 20-year-old woman who worked at a local Dave & Buster's restaurant; suffered a single gunshot to the head while the gun was near her own body.

Now with a single shot to herself and multiple gunshots to Steve McNair, while the gun's near the woman's body, to me, that sounds like a homicide/suicide. Which is pretty sad. That woman's sounds like nothing but trouble; she was arrested earlier in the week for DUI. McNair's wife wasn't around at the time of the shooting; was in another state other than Tennessee.

First heard about the news just when I got out of the shower getting ready for a family barbecue for the 4th, and tune in on ESPN and there it was in black and white. Wouldn't ever thought that he'd go down like that.

McNair recently retired from the 2007-'08 campaign of the NFL and he came off of pro football's map as being one the best competitors in the game to date. He most certainly had taken his part of the blows, hits and injuries during his 13 years in the league.

Attended Alcorn State University, a HBC [Historic Black College] settled in Lorman, Mississippi. (actually spelled it right the first time. Hah.) There is when his famous nickname 'Air McNair' stuck with him whenever he was in a spread formation and he'd not just have a rocket of an arm but he could run all over you with his legs. Something that's well known with quarterbacks like Vince Young, David Garrard, Michael Vick, as well as others.

3-time Pro Bowler; 1-time Co-MVP with Peyton Manning in '03; became the third QB to throw for 30,000+ yards as well as run for 3,500+ yards [Fran Tarkenton and Steve Young]; led the Tennessee Titans to Superbowl XXXIV with nearly winning the whole thing if Kevin Dyson wasn't a yard away.

He was survived by his wife and four kids. Respected by his teammates and peers alike. A true seasoned vet who really knew what the definition of toughness was all about. He'll certainly be missed.

Shock The World: US Soccer

US soccer. WOW.


Coming oh so far with disappointing showings in the beginning of the Confederation Cup for FIFA; then waking up with a 3-0 win against Egypt and a 2-0 win vs. the #1 ranked team in the world Spain.


So then that means that US has to face a Brazil team that defeated the good guys 3-0 in the preliminary rounds of the tournament.


Brazil had they're ticket punched to the final as they beat the World Cup home country favorite South Africa 1-0 after getting a free kick last-minute goal to seal the deal.


But as for the final.


You guys had it. Against practically the best team in the world, they were up 2-0 but let it all go away in the second half with Brazil pretty much wrapping up the game with 3 unanswered goals.


3-2 in Brazil's favor. Gosh that close...I really felt for Nacogdoches' own Clint Dempsey when he cried; guy had a goal in the last 3 games including this one.


Well, they gave it they're all up to the very end. It's okay, for now, but this time next year's the World Cup; can't dog out and slip then.

Away from the sports world...R.I.P. MJ & Farrah

This is some really sad stuff; hate to have two of entertainment's most biggest stars/icons pass on the same day; "King of Pop"™ Micheal Jackson and former Charlie's Angels™ starlet, Corpus Christi and UT's own, Farrah Fawcett.


Cancer had to take another life away. Sad to have that happen to Farrah; I remember watching the special doc. of her on tv about roughly a month ago. And now it all came to an unfortunate end. May she rest in peace.


And for MJ; man, man, oh man. He was a "bad" man. A "smooth criminal" to the rest of the artists on the charts. A "thriller" of a man who you'd listen to over, over, and over...


"If they said that all the kids in the world died, I'd jump off the balcony and end my life." [Not word-for-word, but along the lines.]


He's practically larger than life, He is amazing. They're pretty much not enough words to express his talent and contributions in the world as well as the passionate fans he's had like I ever since the Jackson 5, "Off the Wall", "Thriller", "Bad", and so on. I have so many songs I love from him that I truly cannot pick out a sole favorite. I listened to his music pretty much throughout the past two days. Watched a DVD we own with the music videos that made Jackson who he is...and who is was...Me and my dad along with my uncle, we went to like Best Buy to look at laptops for myself for school, and we were just playing around to see if they had any Michael Jackson stuff; CDs, DVDs, whatever.


They didn't. ha. lol. Fry's, as well. [Also saw my buddy Edith at Best Buy; good to see her there.]


I also will remember where I was when I first heard the news of his passing. I was with my dad and we were just crusin' 'round like we'd do whenever he's off, and we were just coming from the Irving Mall, and we were listening to his [Michael's] music on 105.7...At the stop light on the corner of Beltline and Northgate heading home...I then thought that, "Hey, what's the occassion? Why are they playing his songs consecutively and such?"


Then after the song, the DJ says, "Michael Jackson has died at the age of 50."


Totally blew my mind and it just let me down, big time; just after waking up to hear that Farrah passed on, Michael did just the same later in the day.


People should just stop talking about the allegations of the kids and all that right now, b/c you know you wouldn't someone to talk about you once you pass, reflecting upon the things you've had mistakes at. Go and talk about the greatness and how he's a paragon in music and to other fellow artists that most of us all listen to. Michael Jackson, you'll be missed by everyone.


Another thing; the media should really express equally the lives of both MJ and Farrah Fawcett; great American icons that we cherish. I say this b/c of the enormity of attention to Jackson; of course, we ALL know why it's like the way it is, but really, they should equally reflect the lives of both. Me myself, I do not favor someone than the other, no matter who it is, and so it just bugged me a little while watching the news. Just sayin'.

Texas actually wasn't the "Team of Destiny"

Sorry about the month or so hiatus on here...really been busy just, well, watching sports and/or taking care of business:


Graduating high school. [Irving-MacArthur High, Class of '09]


But now on to the nature at hand.


UT pissed me off tonight.


Seemed like the "best pitching staff in baseball" couldn't get it done as they fall to LSU, 11-4.


Really?


And what really pissed me off is whenever Texas had LSU on 2 outs and then all of a sudden the pitcher wants to shy away from the strike zone letting those batters get on base.


I don't know, but makes me think that 25-Inning win vs. Boston College earlier in the season look like a fluke. Now, now, hold on there, yes that's a feat in itself to come out on top and last that long to win 2-1, but I mean, kinda speechless; other than actually yelling out expletives.


And this same Texas team that had to lose due to poor pitching the first game of the CWS Championship Series, they came firing back in Game 2, going with Taylor Jungmann [YOUNG-mann] throughout the whole game.


And he did it with style.


Though they sure didn't have any style this game; really thought ya'll had it in ya. Better luck next year, I guess. Really not trying to kick them to the curve, but could you really finish what you started?


So that you wouldn't be the next day's topic of foolery at the water cooler.

Dirk's 44 keeps Mavs hopes alive

Hey Denver, time to put away those brooms, 'cause there isn't going to be no sweep around Dallas.


The Mavs, lead by no other than Dirk Nowitzki, came through in style as they rallied to win against the Nuggets 119-117.


Dirk was amazing; carrying the team on his back like he usually does, most especially in this series. 44 points; 19 of them coming from the 4th alone. That's a big difference from what he's been putting out in the last quarter of play in the past games this round. He's really coming into his own, and might I add, he showed a couple glimpses of defense.


What also fascinated me was the way he was attacking the basket. Now if you haven't already known or figured out, but Dirk's typically not the type of player that would slash his way to the basket like a Josh Howard would do, but he has made do with what he has; 7-foot, 245 pound frame coming at you. That should be something others can be frightened of.


There's also a stereotype that most Europeans that are in the NBA are known not to be hard nose, but to be soft; a frail piece of imported cardboard holding a leather orange ball. Which I think is right, sorry to say. I mean, most of the Euros that would play the game of basketball are always lengthy, tall and lean; wouldn't seem like they've got a lot of meat on them or look like much but they'd shoot the living daylights out of you.


The perfect specimen: Dirk Nowitzki. The patented sick fadeaway of his = flat out money.


He pretty much stands out alone as arguably THE [Notice the all caps.] best premier jump shooter coming from foreign soil. Does a lot of stuff many people his size cannot do.


He's one of my idols and I'm just glad he's on our team; I expect more of the same again with Dirk as we fight to stay alive vs. the dreaded Nuggets.


The Mavs just need to stay clear from the "thugs" out on the court. We don't need any of that nonsense. Hah.

Blatant Foul Downs the Mavs 3-0

I really want to make this post G-rated.


Kinda hard to do when the Mavericks really got sandbagged by the referees this evening.


They are literally between a rock and a hard place now.


I mean it was clearly a foul; Carmelo had the arm out and pushed Mavs' Antoine Wright while the ref was right on the scene. Though I heard the analyst say that Dallas had a foul to give, making a point how Wright was probably wanting to foul Anthony; making Denver needing to reset from the sideline.


Déjà vu all over again; 2006, anyone?


Dirk was his usual self. 33 and 16. I know he's going to do his thing. Even when there was all this ruckus about the whole girlfriend hanging around his house and stuff. Felt bad for Dirk, because he's not the type to have his personal life all out there like another guy we all know in Dallas. (No knock on him, though.)


He still needs more from his team, Dirk does. Almost got it done, but almost doesn't count (Thanks Brandy), along with fouls here and there; left and right.


It's 3-0; don't know how they're going to do it now. It's not a fair fight when you have to battle the opposing team and also the dang refs.

Cowboys' Facility in Shambles

May 2, 2009; around 3:30 local time (central).

The Dallas Cowboys indoor facility, located at Valley Ranch, is now history.

2003-2009; we hardly knew thee.

Weather was terrible around the area; bad rain along with gusty winds and thunderstorms were scattered throughout, so practically everywhere was wet and ugly. Around the time the news broke, I just finished watching Pros vs. Joes on Spike TV.

Very entertaining, by the way.

Anyway, so that episode was over and I was flipping through the television, seeing what was on or whatever, (I mean c’mon, it’s Saturday.) then I click onto the local news.

Once I saw the breaking news about the whole fiasco at Valley Ranch, I felt terribly bad; did someone get trapped? Hurt?

Killed?

I'm now glued to the set, wanting to know as much as possible to see if everyone’s alright and stuff. My sympathy side came over me that moment. Not just that, but my personal chauvinism of the Cowboys. I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone, because if I was in that moment, it’d suck, which is clearly an understatement.

I’m now going back and forth through FOX 4, channel 8 (WFAA), CBS 11*; pretty much any channel that was covering the news over at Valley Ranch. [*first saw the story there.]

Steve Dennis, a CBS 11 sports analyst and also “Radio Boy” on 103.3 ESPN FM was speaking from “ground zero”, if you will, and he said that he was called out to come inside the facility while he was in the news truck editing video. So basically he was lucky not to have been in the bubble in the first place.

The Cowboys were just about wrapped up with their second day of rookie training camp, among the players was former Texas A&M QB Stephen McGee; McGee played most of the ’08-’09 season as a backup when Jerrod Johnson; a guy that pretty much came out of nowhere; a 6’5”, 229 lb. red-shirt sophomore was practically thrown into the pack of wolves to get implemented to the college scene.

Back to the story; all of the players were accounted for (a phrase that was cliché by the end of the day.) along with the coaching staff. Both players and coaches including head coach (Don’t know how long we can be calling him that.) Wade Phillips and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett were helping out victims that were in distress. Though a few people did not get away unscaved by the collapse.

Joe DeCamillis, 43, the new special teams’ coach that was brought in from Jacksonville, suffered a fractured vertebrae; had surgery and is now out of the hospital; he suffered no paralysis.

But for another aide in the Cowboys’ personnel, he, unfortunately is.

Rich Behm, 33, who is one of the Cowboys scouts is accounted for paralysis from the waist down after suffering a similar injury as DeCamillis. There is a trust fund under his name where people can help out the Behm family after now what has happened to the man of their household. In all, 12 people were injured.

This shows how life truly is a fragile piece of work.

So where’s the big bossman in all of this?

Jerry Jones was actually at the Kentucky Derby.

Yes, the Kentucky Derby; one of the most storied and followed sporting events in modern civilization; guess he was there to be seen; maybe he’s a betting man, I don’t know. With the money he has, I think he could dip his toes into a little horse race. He truly is a betting man once it comes to signing a player and not knowing what you’re getting in return.

“Ah, but don’t hold that against me.” [*Jerry Jones’ accent.*]

I was wondering where he was in the whole thick of things; though he was properly informed by his people here about what has gone down; literally. And he showed some of his concern as he was interviewed by renowned sportscaster Bob Costas.

Another person that was hurt was an assistant athletic trainer Greg Gaither, who sustained a broken leg. He too has gone through surgery as well.

Now the news is that the company that has built the Cowboys indoor facility has come out to say that they have built 3 other similar structures. It now leaves the Cowboys to finish up rookie mini-camp at local high school grounds.

ALL of which have come down since the Cowboys got there so called “bubble” in ’03. They have also had to replace the facility last year, though the repairs then were never inspected, when it’s actually required by law in Irving.

Those people are the real losers in this story. Not the ‘Boys, and not the City of Irving, either.

Underdog Mavs win the Battle of Texas

We got it made. Well so far.


The Mavs, who were clearly the underdog in the this bout between elite state rivals came out and came through the first round. Both teams really came with it in the games


But Dallas was clearly the stronger team.


San Antonio definitely has the experience; note that they’re also the oldest team in the league with wily veterans like Duncan, former Mav Mike Finley, as well as a few others that are probably “weak at the knees.”


Dallas was pretty much too much for them; Manu Ginobili was no where to be found on the court other than on the bench with a suit and unbuttoned shirt.


Now, it’s now an even tough task at hand as the home town heroes take to the Mile High City to go up against the Denver Nuggets, where they, the Mavs, have not won a game against them this season. (0-4)


Then again, Josh Howard and Jason Kidd were not a part of the games.


Let’s see how the tide turns when they’re present.

Mavs v. Spurs; I-35 Showdown

This is getting good.


The first round series of the Mavs and Spurs has really been tough for both teams. My Mavs are now on the up and up [notice the 2 “up’s” as wins.] from winning last night’s game 88-67, making the series 2-1 in the ‘Good guys’ favor.


Yes, the Spurs got annihilated.


That lousy outpour of 67 points was the least amount of points ever allowed by the Mavericks in franchise history.


And they’ve been in the league since 1980. That’s saying something. Though after that night when the Spurs did a number on them in Game 2…


We’ll just call it even.


Certain key players have been up and down, but that trend’s got to go and should be replaced with consistent play; hard-nose defense, especially with Spurs G Tony Parker; and for the Mavs team itself, they should just put the orange ball into the bucket.


*Cha-CHING* Gotta have that Mavs’ Money Ball in the hoop. [a 3-point shot.]

140 points is somethin'

Sunday afternoon, Mavs win 140-116 vs. the Phoenix Suns; Jason Kidd passes Magic for 3rd all-time in assists. He piled up 20 assists to go along with his 19 points.


Funny how things turn a full 180 with this Mavs team.

*I pretty much went a little ahead of myself with that last post. You just never know what you're going to get.

The Maverick Blues

Don't mind if I quote the late great Green Bay Packers' coach Vincent Thomas Lombardi:


"What the hell's going on out here?!"


Yes, what is going on here? The Mavericks right now aren't looking too good at all. The season's nearing a close, and there's no progress showing by the team. Dirk is maintaining his share of the points being scored, but sorry to say, during the end of a few game late, all of a sudden the shots he'd make earlier in the game won't fall in.


Then at the same time, other players aren't being consistent with not hitting shots or not clearing the boards with the rebounds that are vital for second-chance points and also getting down on the other end to score. The Mavs are one of the best teams in the league in rebounding, but they lack to show that they do in the games.


Dallas is presently in the 8th spot in the Western Conference; the last spot in qualifying for the NBA Playoffs. Lately the Utah Jazz haven't been doing well, sitting there at the 7th spot. The Mavs should use their initiative; start winning these last few games of the season so they wouldn't have to face Kobe and Co. the first round.


Or out of the playoff picture totally, just like their fellow inhabitants on the "cool side" of AAC, the Stars.


And from past experiences with Kobe, those meetings do not turn out very well.

Cycling's great is down...but out?

7-time Tour De France winner Lance Armstrong has taken a tumble overseas in the Vuelta of Castilla and Leon; a 5-day, 5-stage tour. From the outcome of the crash, he broke his right clavicle, also known as the collarbone.


Once I heard the news, I just wondering how he was going to overcome an injury when he's got the Tour De France not far from now. Without question, the best cyclist of all-time, Armstrong has been through it all.


Whether it's climbing up the Alps, competing with other top bike riders in the world, or it's the media who would speculate whether or not he's taken performance-enhancing drugs. Lance makes sure he's at his best no matter what is thrown at him.


He's actually taken the drug testing regimen to another level, using a hair sample that normally others do not do, in order to attempt to clear his name out of the speculation. This wasn't not too long ago; about a month or so.


Lance Armstrong's a true hero, personally to me and everyone else who idolizes him and everything he stands for. Ever since he's been diagnosed with cancer on October 2, 1998, he and his foundation, LiveSTRONG, as well as other scientists have been working hard in order to rid the case of cancer. I wear a LiveSTRONG band for Lance Armstrong; because of his 7th Tour De France win on July 25, 2005 (haven't taken it off since then) and to show awareness of the disease.


Though I'm thankful that no one in my family has been stricken with the case, my next door neighbor's wife passed on about a month ago and she was on the obituaries a day later. They [next door neighbors] have been really close to my family because whenever they need help with anything, since they're elderly, we do anything we can in order to make sure they're fine and they do the same to us. My family's thoughts and prayers are with the neighbor's family.


Other than that, I'm really hoping everything with the rehabilitation for the injury comes out great so that we can all see him back on top of the Tour De France for a record 8th title.

T.O. is no mo' in Dallas

I guess you can say the popcorn machine's worn out; done; obsolete.


Terrell Eldorado Owens is no more a Dallas Cowboy. Now did you really see this one coming?

Eh, you can have your opinions; which you're entitled to, but I'll stay true to my own.

I personally and glad and a bit struck by this whole ordeal. I was getting ready to hit the sack while my television was on you guessed it, ESPN, and it's all like, "BREAKING NEWS": Cowboys have released WR Terrell Owens, according to sources.

It was actually broken down by ESPN columnist Michael Smith, and I was stunned and surprised; T.O. was as well, the media says he was. (I don't know; can you really trust the media?)


Now Owens is left without a team, but believe me, he's going to get picked up pretty fast if the deal's right, especially when he has a notorious agent Drew Rosenhaus who loves to run his mouth. (And also if the team's desperate for an answer at WR, or an answer in general.) The Cowboys certainly don't have to deal with his mouth, behavior, or even dropped balls anymore.


Though we're definetly going to miss all of his TDs. You know? The stuff that makes you win games?