According to the Wall Street Journal, most people promise to quit something in the New Year. Smoking, drinking, and overeating are the biggies. Over 80% of the population vows to quit one of these evils, yet only 1 out of 5 will actually keep the resolution past a few weeks.
When you quit on quitting [...]
As Fox TV owner News Corp. and Time Warner Cable continue their fight over fees, consumers are stuck watching a giant game of chicken where they may be the ultimate losers.
Recent signs show Fox is playing to win; despite efforts by U.S. Sen. John Kerry to suggest a solution and Time Warner's offer to enter binding arbitration, News Corp rejected the idea Wednesday.
That means about 2-million households in the Tampa Bay area and Orlando could lose access to Fox programming when the company's contracts to reair their affiliates and some Fox-owned cable channels expires at midnight tonight.
Time Warner is a partner in the Bright House Networks cable system and helps secure their programming. Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network are not affected by this standoff, though channels such as FX, Speed, Fuel and Fox Sports are.
More than 1-million households in the Tampa Bay area receive TV service through Bright House, the community's dominant cable system. And the local Fox affiliate station, WTVT-Ch. 13, is owned by News Corp., which means it could vanish from Bright House cable.
The outage could be a particular problem for people who counted on cable service to help with the transition to digital TV, declining to update their television sets to digital technology because the cable system kept up service to analog TV sets.
At issue: Can broadcast networks get the same kind of payments for rebroadcasting content from cable systems that cable channels such as ESPN enjoy -- about $1 per subscriber?
As I noted during an interview with WUSF-FM Wednesday, Fox may have the stronger hand here, as consumers tend to blame cable systems for programming losses. Bright House and Time Warner also face competition from other TV providers who will continue to have Fox channels, including Verizon FIOS, DirecTV and DISH networks.
A Tampa lawyer has filed a lawsuit seeking to stop disruptions, while Florida U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis sent a letter to executives at Fox and Time Warner asking for a temporary extention of their current contract.
What has many Florida fans in a uproar is the possibility of missing star University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow's last game in the Sugar Bowl Friday, scheduled to air on Fox stations (a hearing on the lawsuit is scheduled at noon today, as Bright House is airing ads alerting subscribers to the coming crisis).
Following Fox's rejection of arbitration, Kerry has also threatened to involve the Federal Communications Commission to force continued service if a resolution isn't found today. But there have been previous outages without federal intervention, and given the alternatives for consumers, can the government justify intervention at this stage?
For the answer, as always, stay tuned.
With the end of 2009 staring us in the face and the end of the 2009 NFL regular season just a few days away, it got me thinking about New Year's resolutions. Not so much personally, but for the Bucs. I wondered if the Bucs organization had told each player and staff member to take some time and write down a list of their resolutions as it pertained to the Bucs, no gimmicky "lose weight" or "quit smoking" stuff, but real resolutions like "Not commit a false start in every game", you know, the things that matter.
Luckily, I was able to get a copy of such a list and thought I'd post it for your enjoyment.
Joel & Brian Glazer- Learn difference between football and "football". Never would have bid on that Manchester United thing had we known it was the other version of football. We also will take a public speaking course and improve our dialogue with the media. RIght now, we want to tell fans that we are willing to spend money and keep Morris, we just get too nervous in front of the microphones.
Barrett Ruud - I play better when I have my mustache, and lets face it, Mustache Power is a great nickname. I seem to be late to most run plays but I forget that it's not two hand touch or that you can tackle players while they are standing up. In that vein, I'm going to brush up on the defensive rules and train by chasing a chicken around. Hey, it works in the movies, why not for me?
Maurice Stovall - I'm going to find a new mentor. I like Michael Clayton, but his philosophy on catching the ball (i.e. Drop it like it's hot) just doesn't seem to work for me.
Josh Bidwell - My New Year's resolution is to be back on the field next year, even if I'm not healthy. I just can't stand to watch our special teams right now.
Josh Freeman - I've decided to make a few resolutions. The first being, I'll learn how to slide and get a first down all on the same play. I thought quarterbacks were guaranteed a first down when they slid, I was wrong. I like to complete passes, but I realize now that throwing to the opposite team doesn't count. Guess I shouldn't have asked Vinny for those pointers. Last, I'm gonna lobby Olson to throw deep some more. I can do it, and as we all know, chicks dig the long ball.
Aqib Talib - I learned a lot this year. My goal for next year is to carry around a stress ball with me. That way, when those late night cab rides get a bit heated (allegedly), I can just give that piece of a rubber a squeeze and let all my tension go. I also will not use my helmet as a weapon against my own teammates. I'll save that for the cab drivers (whoops, shouldn't have put that in writing).
Jeff Jagodzinski - I resolve to go to work for more than a few weeks in 2010, although the time off in 2009 was great.
Stylez G. White - I've got a cool name, but what I need now is a killer dance. I'm gonna study up on Soul Train to see if I can find an awesome move to bust out after every sack.
Connor Barth - I thought baseball was a cool sport. You could succeed 3 out of 10 times and be labeled a good player. I found out that isn't true in the NFL. I guess I'll work on my accuracy and not follow in Nugent's footsteps.
Gaines Adams - I want to find the weight room this year and actually work out. I may even practice against live players. These offensive lineman put up more of a fight than those blocking dummies I see in practice.
Jeremy Trueblood - Well, I set a goal in 2009 and I met it. I wanted to lead the league in something, and I do in False Starts, pretty cool huh? I think in 2010 I want to lead the league in personal fouls, fines by the NFL, and become a living reminder of Kenyatta Walker.
Josh Johnson - I can't wait for 2010, it's the first year of many in which I get to fulfill my role as career back up. I can't wait to work towards that one!
Jon Gruden- I'll be sure to send a thank you note every month to the Glazers. $7 Mil for nothing while I sit on TV and tell everyone how great they are? Sign me the f@*! up!
Geno Hayes - I'm gonna buy a watch so I will never be late to meetings or practice again. (What, they don't all have to be fake)
Antonio Bryant - I resolve to not be such a waffler. I might be bipolar. One week I want out of Tampa, the next week I want to stay, then I complain about the offense. I resolve to be more determined and just make up my mind on what I want to do. In 2009 I vowed to run routes like Moss and TO, only when I wanted to, but in 2010, I'll work on actually completing my routes and not leaving my QB out to dry.
Raheem Morris- I'm gonna join the Glazer boys in public speaking. I don't have any trouble talking to the media, but I can never remember what my point is or what I'm trying to say. During the interview process for hiring coordinators, I am going to try to take out my earphones so I can hear what they are saying. I forgot to do that this year and ended up picking two guys at random, and then I had to fire them. Lastly, I'm gonna have cosmetic surgery on my chin to look just like Bill Cowher. I've already learned how to spit when I talk. Hey, the Glazers cant get rid of me if I look just like him, right?
Kellen Winslow- Who would've thought that staying off my motorcycle would lead to a career year for me. I resolve for 2010 to run upfield instead of side to side. I like to get in some extra cardio work during games but it might be best served if I get the first down before working on my endurance.
Jeff Garcia- I wanted to play quarterback one more year, but it can only be for Jon Gruden. Jon, I just can't quit you.
Mark Dominik- I think I'll start a blog that I can use to discredit the University of Tennessee. I'm tired of losing coaches to that school. First Monte, then Bisaccia, who's next. If Rah leaves, who will I play Wonder Twins with. Activate! Form of a hot seat!
Cadillac Williams- I have alot of goals for 2010. One is to keep screaming and dancing after big carries. It gets me jacked up. I'd also like to go ahead and have surgery on both ankles, shoulders and hips to become a bionic man. It's worked well for my knees, why not the rest of me? This whole 16 game season was fun to, I think I'll try it again in 2010. I also promise to stop scaring the bejeezus out of Buc Wild everytime I run to the sideline and refuse to go out of bounds. Lastly, I'll do everything I can to come back as a Buc in 2010. C'mon Rah, Dominik, make me an offer.
Yes, this was in good fun. Do you have any New Year's Resolutions for the Bucs?
To all of our readers, have a safe and Happy New Year. May 2010 be filled with blowout wins, no injuries and dreams of Lombardi trophies.
The Tampa Bay Lightning lost to the Montréal Canadiens in overtime 2-1.
This was probably one of Mike Smith’s better games this season. He was definitely playing well. He had to, though, since his team wasn’t playing very well for much of the game. He kept them in it even when they perhaps didn’t deserve to be.
For the first two periods, the Lightning had nothing. Oh, they looked good skating around and all, but they had problems clearing the puck out of their zone. In fact, they were unable to clear the puck out of their zone for much of the first period.
The second period wasn’t much better. They were able to clear their own zone a bit more, but they weren’t able to generate many scoring chances. Kurtis Foster scored the lone Tampa Bay goal towards the beginning of the period. Martin St. Louis tried to lead the charge (he had seven shots on goal for the night), but he couldn’t do it all himself.
It wasn’t until the third period that this team decided to try and play. With the score only being 1-1, it wasn’t too late to try to win the game. But you should have to rely on one good period to do that and just coast through the other two.
They played their first overtime game since December 11th – which might be some kind of record for them over the past couple of season – but were unable to close the deal at the end.
The next Lightning game is against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, 2 January. Game time is at 3 pm Eastern. Yes, it’s an afternoon game.
We'd like to wish everyone a happy and safe New Year's Eve. See you all next year, everyone! Which is, you know, tomorrow.
Canadiens vs Lightning coverage [SB Nation]
Habs Eyes On The Prize [SB Nation Montréal Canadiens site]
Canadiens vs Lightning recap [TSN]
Canadiens vs Lightning boxscore [TSN]
All eight libraries will close at 5 p.m. this evening (Dec. 31) and will be closed all day tomorrow (Jan. 1) for the New Year’s holiday. Regular hours resume on Sat., Jan. 2.
Have a safe and happy start to 2010!
One of Lakeland’s best features is the Frances Langford Promenade at Lake Mirror. Photographer Tom Hagerty was there on Christmas Eve.
(Do we need to mention that warm running weather on Christmas Eve is also one of Lakeland’s best features?)
photo credit: Tom Hagerty for Lakeland Local
Lake Mirror Christmas Eve
Lakeland Local and Metro I4 News have a new design.
When was the last time you visited?
Are you sitting home on New Year's Eve? There's hope for you yet. Get the car keys and head to the video store -- they still have those, right? -- to rent 200 Cigarettes, one of a handful of great 80s movies not actually made in the 80s.
The 1999 flick stars practically every decent actor from the '90s including Jay Mohr, Paul Rudd, Ben Affleck, Dave Chapelle, Janeane Garofalo, Kate Hudson and Courney Love. As an ensemble piece, it's basically a series of overlapping vignettes all taking place on New Year's Eve 1981. Is there great music? You bet. And great quotes.
Like all great movies about the '80s, it's nearly impossible to quote it accurately without profanity. So just rent it, buy the soundtrack and open a bottle of something vaguely alcoholic. Let's drive a stake into the heart of this rotten decade together.
Top 5 quotes from 200 Cigarettes:
5. "So, how do you like your eggs done in the morning, scrambled or fertilized? "
4. "You could stand there naked with a mattress strapped to your back and still look like a vestal virgin."
3. "Throwing a party it's like... it's like an invitation for abuse. It's like the last desperate act of someone who hasn't had a lasting relationship since Junior High."
2. "You let somebody move in with you, you make all these little compromises to smooth things along, and the next thing you know, you're on some macrobiotic diet and you're listening to Joni Mitchell."
1. "Everybody's having fun out here. They drinking, they fighting, they pissing on the streets. It's New Year's Eve. They loving the ladies."
If you were to read almost any post in Inkwatu, you’d soon discover the word, “friend,” somewhere in the text. Very few of the places described in Inkwatu I discovered myself. Friends shared with me the things and places they liked. In turn, I shared them with you.
Family is important, of course, but friends are essential to life. Some have called them our “family of choice.” Time spent with friends is cherished, especially when sharing a meal or a cup of tea.
As I wish you a wonderful new year, I also wish for you many, deep friendships, both old and new.
And, I extend to my own friends and family a note of appreciation.
Happy New Year…and many, many more!
Hilton
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It was a close call with Cadillac Williams and even Donald Penn, but K2 wins the award as the Most Valuable Player on the Bucs as decided by staff of BucEm.com.
Its been a long road traveled for K2, as you'll remember, we were bummed the Bucs had lost out on Albert Haynesworth and even on getting Jonathan Vilma. Then the news came down, the Bucs traded their No. 2 pick to get the Tight End, and even resigned him (which several Bucem members were not happy about).
It would seem the money was worth it, as Kellen Winslow Jr passed Bucs record holder Jimmy Giles for most yardage for a tight end in a Bucs season.
In Turn, Winslow not only has produced the best season as a tight end for the Bucs, but one of the best seasons for himself. He has one game left and is within striking distance of his best statistical year of his career.
In 2007, Winslow had 5 Touchdowns on 82 catches with 1,106 yards. So far with one game left, Winslow has 828 yards on 72 catches, also with 5 touchdowns. That 11.5 average is also 2nd best for his career. K2 would need 47 more yards to finish with his 2nd best yardage total ever. One Touchdown breaks his personal best.
When you consider he had to work with three different quarterbacks, two of which were rookies, that makes it even more impressive.
Congratulations Kellen Winslow jR for being picked the Buc'em.com 2009 Tampa Bay MVP. For winning, Mr. Winslow will receive....nothing. Next year will be different as the award will have a different name. Hint.
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Friends and I had heard about the installation of an Artomat machine at the Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland recently. In case you don't know what I'm talking about, it's basically an old cigarette vending machine that has been converted to vend small, inexpensive ($5) pieces of art instead of smokes. This is something that Artomat.org has been doing all over the country since 1997. You can learn more by clicking the link above or this one right here). The stars finally aligned and we were able to go see it for ourselves this week. Now, we've gone on expeditions like this before, and sometimes things don't go as planned. However, under the guidance of our very accommodating (and patient) host, Melissa, we were able to not only utilize the Artomat without incident but also toured the entire museum, which currently features the incredible surreal photography of Jerry Uelsmann. So here are some photos from our visit...
Here's the machine, a work of art in itself!
This is one of the pieces we got, "Stanton the Frogboy" by Julie Armbruster from "Beasts! Series 3". www.JulieArmbruster.net (this is number 46 of 50)
This is "RED~ A miniature book" by Debbie Shannon.
This is "Cracker" by Herbert Hoover (no, not that one, this one: www.herbhoover.com). It's a pewter saltine cracker and this one is number 3451. This was my favorite because I like art (and food) that can be played with. What makes this so mush fun is there's a web site (www.crackertracker.net) where people have posted photos and stories of their crackers and their adventures. Stay tuned, I have a feeling ol' 3451 here will be making appearances there in the near future.
This is a high fire porcelain clay necklace by Marilyn Kirk.
This is a piece by Erin Colligan Lee (www.erinlee.etsy.com). All of her Artomat pieces feature peanuts.
This is "A View Through a Tiny Aperture ~A handmade book of pinhole photos, Volume #4" by Chuck Flagg http://home.mchsi.com/~pinholecamera47/
Before we welcome in a new decade (my 5th!), I’d like to take a brief moment for reflection and remembrance with a Zen koan by Ryokan:
Another year lingers to an end;
Heaven sends a bitter frost.
Fallen leaves cover the mountain
And there are no travelers to cast shadows on the path.
Endless night: dried leaves burn slowly on the hearth.
Occasionally, the sound of freezing rain.
Dizzy, I try to recall the past-
Nothing here but dreams.
- Ryokan (1758?-1831)
This is the second time I’ve posted this koan. The first was at the end of 2006 as a part of my last post of my first year of blogging. That post also contained several haikus on what I thought was going to happen in the world of sports in 2007. For those curious, I got 3 of 11 right. I guess on the physic scale I am more Miss Cleo than Edgar Cayce.
In case you are curious, among my amazingly incorrect predictions were that the NFL Network would go under (nope, still going strong), Shaquille O’Neal would retire (4 years and 2 teams later he is still active), and hockey would be back on ESPN (still on Versus, still not seen outside of Canada).
Oh well, Happy New Year!
(Pic acquired from the blog A Swedish Alien in California.)
No Lightning players made the Team Canada roster. Though leading up to the announcement, the only player based on his performance that was still in contention of making the team was Martin St. Louis. Lecavalier's season was not Olympic worthy, and it has been said that he is not a favorite Yzerman based on his style of play (said Jeff Marek on the Kurtenblog radio show a couple of weeks ago). Stamkos had an excellent start and even played himself into being one of the names that was talked about but in the end, his brilliant start came to a slow down.
This is what St. Louis said to the media today (quotes from The Province):
“If I was going to be part of the team, I would have heard by now,” St. Louis said after the Lightning’s morning skate ahead of Wednesday night’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.
“It’s very disappointing but it’s part of life,” said St. Louis. “There’s a lot of disappointing things that go on in your life and you just have to live through it, fight thought it.
“It’s a hard to team to make,” added St. Louis. “You could make two teams. There are a lot of good players who are left off.”
And what he said was true. With the amount of talent in Canada, you could make two teams. Two good teams. But the decision came down to which players Steve Yzerman et al. thought would give Canada the best shot at winning gold. Whether you consider it a snub or just realized that it isn't always about YOU (the player), Yzerman had one of the hardest jobs in the world today because you knew that many players would be disappointed. Players like St. Louis, Ryan Smyth, Shane Doan, Vincent Lecavalier, Jeff Carter, Mike Green, Dion Phaneuf, Brad Richards...the list could go on.
Perhaps it was the age of St. Louis? Maybe it was that even though St. Louis had Olympic experience from 2006, Yzerman wanted to have the team get younger? The forwards on the roster are quite young, no? Or maybe his size? Or maybe Yzerman was matching his roster against what the Russian team looked like? Or maybe you look at it like this: if you want St. Louis, who do you take out of the announced roster? Corey Perry? Rick Nash? Dany Heatley?
Either way, all Canadian fans care about in the end is if we win gold at home. It's a big deal here to win gold, and an even bigger deal because it will be at home. If the team doesn't win gold, it will be considered a disappointment. That's the amount of pressure that the players will face in Vancouver.
I think Ryan Smith said it best today when asked about how he felt:
"I believe they picked the 23 guys for a reason, and I know there's a lot of hockey between now and then, but you've just got to go out and play and carry forth," Smyth said. "If an accident happens, it happens, but you can't think about that.
"These guys are going to represent our country with pride, and I'll be their No. 1 fan."
So for all the b-tching I've heard from Lightning media and fans about St. Louis being 'snubbed', I really don't think it was a snub. The word is the wrong word to describe it. I'm sure it wasn't that St. Louis was being snubbed on purpose, it just worked out that other players were a better fit for the team that Yzerman wanted to put together.
Years of trial, triumph Tampa Tribune ... superstar Derek Jeter's 30875-square-foot waterfront mansion, expected to become the largest single-family residence in the county, rose on Davis Islands. |
