These aren't the people that built the railroads, Walter

To say that I’m excited for the upcoming week is a huge understatement. Besides going to Seattle, the NBA playoffs start this weekend, of course the NFL Draft is next weekend and I’ll be in attendance at the Mariners-White Sox game Wednesday night. Fantastic from all angles.

Have you noticed how the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft are a lot like a soap opera? There’s so much posturing, hearsay, and lies to throw you off the trail that it’s great. Now this all culminates with the official start of the NFL season. Yes the draft. From that time on I will spend a portion of each day checking camp results. It’s all very exciting.

I still have no idea who the Browns are going to take. It’s going to come down to who’s available on the defensive side of the ball. Phil Savage has come out and said that if Ngata from Oregon is there at #12 the Browns are taking him. But I’m leery of that pick because I’ve heard some negative talk about his work ethic and let’s remember the last time the Browns took a DT in the 1st round (see Big Money Gerard Warren). If he’s not there I’ve heard a lot of people saying they’ll take Kameron Wimbley from FSU. Besides this guy being a Seminole I have no problem with the pick. The Browns need to get better at rushing the passer and he would help. Plus he would greatly benefit from the tutelage of Willie McGinest. And I’ve already heard the comparisons to Michael Boulware (before the injury) and that excites me. The parallels are there with him being from FSU and Savage having a hand in drafting both.

This is probably as excited as I’ve been for the NBA Playoffs since I was in high school. And its not just because the Cavs are back in. That helps, but it seems like every great player that made the playoffs has really raised their game this season. I’ll admit that I’m on the Lakers over Suns bandwagon in round 1. While I love Phoenix’s style of play, Raja Bell is only a speed bump in Kobe’s way to dominating this series. I think that the Wizards-Cavs series could be the best of the 1st round. LeBron and Arenas will go back and forth in every game. Eric Snow won’t be able to stay in front of Arenas and while Caron Butler may contain LeBron to a point, he’ll still get his 35 a night against the Wiz. Two teams that play zero defense always means good times.

I got a little insider info the other day regarding the whole Duke lacrosse deal. There was a high school game here Monday between the local team and a team from NY. Apparently the pitcher from the NY team is a big time prospect so there were 8 or 10 scouts here to see him. One of them was an assistant from UNC. He said that he has heard from people he knows at Duke that the lacrosse team is regarded as probably the craziest, most out of control sports team in the ACC. The statement “if you’re looking for cocaine in Durham, go to the lacrosse house” was made, and apparently no one goes to their parties but the players because everyone is worried about getting busted in a house that contains multiple illegal narcotics. Now I’m not implying that if you use drugs you’re more prone to rape someone, I’m just saying that these guys have the reputation for being out of control.

I’ve got a pretty big thing going on tomorrow. I’m getting my first tattoo. It’s my birthday present from my wife. It’s my own original design. I’m not going to go into more detail, so you guys will just have to wait until we get to Seattle to see it. But it’s going to be awesome.

Did someone say something about a five-day bender?

Califonia Penal

In under 2 weeks I'll be in Seattle, WA. Hanging out, getting drunk, and other fun stuff. There are plans to head up to America, Jr. and even visit Jimi Hendrix. Of course the NFL Draft is the motivation for this trip. I really hope that this becomes a yearly venture. Maybe some day when all of us are making good money we can move this party to Vegas or some tropical locale where we can sit in hot tubs drinking margaritas while watching the draft.

Anyways, every time I think about this trip I smile. I sincerely can't wait.

I was on hold today with Office Max and "All that she wants is another baby" by Ace of Base came on as the hold music. I almost wet myself. All I could think of is John singing it in the office. Awesome.

Rand McPherson, everybody. And don't forget the 9:30 show is completely different than the 7:30 show

My run down of things that have happened lately.

Florida’s basketball team was unbelievable the entire tournament. They out ran the teams that played up-tempo (Nova, GMU) and were able to adjust or force the tempo against slow teams (Georgetown, UCLA). Well coached, but more importantly well executed. I hope that all of the starters come back for next season. I love that everyone is talking about how UNC, Ohio State, and UCLA will be stronger with their recruiting classes. And while this is true, UF could have a starting 5 that will be in their 3rd season of playing together, a deep bench, and oh yeah a great recruiting class that no one is talking about. Can you imagine Noah with another 10-15 lbs of muscle next year? I get the shakes just thinking about it.

I got a hair cut the other day for the first time in about 3 months. It was some new girl who almost gave me a bowl cut. But hey, it’ll grow out. Besides, I get my hair cut at Wal-Mart so what can you expect?

My wife and I found a great rental house last weekend. 3 bedrooms, washer and dryer, and its cheaper than what we’re paying for our 2 bedroom apartment.

I booked my flight for the NFL Draft Party in Seattle at the end of the month. Damn it, I just blew my load again.

The whole Duke Lacrosse team thing is out of control in my mind. Anyone who doesn’t think that race was involved is an idiot. Durham is a fairly dark community and Duke is the whitest of white places. And not only that but rich, white kids. I saw an interview with a city council member and she brought up a great point. If the same thing would have happened to a white girl at NC Central (a historically black school) those kids would have been at the Police department that night and probably in jail. Instead of hiding in daddy’s wallet like these kids.

One thing that I’d like to do in Seattle is go to the Jimi Hendrix memorial or whatever it is. He’s my all-time favorite musician and I will fight anyone who argues that (Hughes included).

I stopped in on a potential client today. This place is a golf supply store. He told me that he hadn’t gotten a chance to look over the stuff I gave him because him and his dad were in Augusta last weekend and played a couple of rounds. He apparently has a pretty sweet hook up with some suppliers. Then he goes onto tell me that they’re heading back down for the weekend rounds. It took everything I had not to punch him in the face. And he’s old so I know I could have taken him.

I just checked the Masters’ leaderboard. Its good to see that the pride of Florida Southern, Rocco Mediate, is having his typical solid first round in a major. This guy almost always play well the first 2 days of a major, but inevitably falls apart during the weekend. This happens when your name is Rocco.

Major League Baseball started this week. Its funny to watch opening day with all of the packed stadiums and then see about 250 fans the next night. Who is in charge of group tickets for these teams? Call me; I’ll be more than happy to take over the department.

One last thing. I saw that Heather Locklear is going out with David Spade. How the hell is that? I would surely hope that this is a get back at Richie Sambora hookup for Heather. But hey, good for David Spade. Whoever said he wouldn't be anything without Chris Farley?