They Played Basketball!

So the Lakers got the 2009-2010 season started with a bang as they shut down the Blake Griffin less Clippers 99-92. Yeah, I know, real impressive. But at least Ron Artest got to show off his great new hair do. Like the doctor said when Lindsay Lohan came out the womb, it's gonna get crazy!

P.S. - In related crazy Lakers news Khloe Kardashian and her big rump sister had prime seats for the game last night. Khloe's new hubby Lamar Odom didn't disappoint her with 16 points and 13 rebounds. He did however disappoint me by having her initials tattoed on his hand. Way to go LO! I'll go ahead and schedule the laser removal for later this spring.

Texts From Last Nite Moment of the Day

"(402): I'm not saying I want a booty call. I just want what Cory and Topanga had.

"If Carmen San Diego and Waldo ever got together, their offspring would probably just be completely invisible."

Thanks to my girl and former Bowl partner in crime A Staff for sending these along.

Mustang Dummy

Once again, I'm late to the game on this story but the trip to Lubbock threw my week off balaance. My favorite Yard Dog Lil' Terry passed along this series of emails between SMU Dedmon Law student Jonathan Eakman and the Cox School of Business at SMU. What ensues is the finest form of egotistical behavior I may have ever read. Like my boy Tony Kornheiser once said of college, "it's just a bunch of self indulgent children and out of touch adults."
_____________________________________________________

From: Eakman, Jonathan
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 1:00 PM
To: Murdoch, Holly M.
Subject: Ivy software
Holly,

Having too much fun this summer. Need a little extra time on the ivy software. Got the worst out of the way with the accounting, and the business math shouldn’t be a problem (econ degree), but the I have a hitch in my step with the corp finance. Have patience with me.

Thanks. Jonathan


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Murdoch, Holly Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 1:18 PM
To: Eakman, Jonathan
Subject: RE: Ivy software

Jon - You can have an extension until August 5. Please have them complete by then.

Thanks, Holly Murdoch MBA Admissions


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Eakman, Jonathan
Sent: Thursday, August 06, 2009 9:17 AM
To: Murdoch, Holly M.
Subject: RE: Ivy software

Holly,

Had some family issues and haven’t been able to get the last Corp Finance study prep test done. Be cool on this. In my last job, I dodged having to take responsibility for a billion dollar budget, so I know what I’m doing. Thanks for your help/understanding.

Jonathan


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Murdoch, Holly
Sent: Thursday, August 06, 2009 3:46 PM
To: Eakman, Jonathan
Subject: RE: Ivy software

Jonathan - Please have them complete by the end of the weekend.

Thanks,
Holly Murdoch MBA Admissions


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Eakman, Jonathan
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 11:11 AM
To: Murdoch, Holly M.
Subject: RE: Ivy software

Holly,

I hate excuses, but I find myself using them. A car wreck, computer problems, stupid family issues and a kidney stone scare have made my three weeks less than productive. I suggest maybe an oral examination to prove my competency or, since bootcamp is already in progress, we forget about it. The downside risk for me is that my grades might suffer, and I am OK with that. Looking forward to a great year in school!

Jonathan

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Cudney, Patricia
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 11:40 AM
To: Eakman, Jonathan
Subject: RE: Ivy software

Jonathan - I am sorry to hear of your recent troubles. However, successful completion of the 3 online tests is required of all students for full enrollment in the MBA program this fall. Please let me know when you’ll be able to complete them.

Regards, Patti Patti Cudney
Director, MBA Admissions Cox School of Business at SMU


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Eakman, Jonathan
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 12:17 PM
To: Cudney, Patti
Subject: RE: Ivy software

Patti,

The legal education received next door has made me a cynic. Not once has there been an exception made? Never? Not once? Would you admit me if I actually believed that? I’ll get it done. Just don’t feed me the cock and bull story.

Jonathan

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Cudney, Patricia
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 12:26 PM
To: Eakman, Jonathan
Subject: RE: Ivy software

Jonathan - I can only speak definitively to the last 6 entering classes since I have worked here, but there has not been an exception made.

Patti Cudney Director, MBA Admissions Cox School of Business at SMU


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Eakman, Jonathan
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 12:43 PM
To: Cudney, Patti
Subject: RE: Ivy software

Patti,
So you would admit me if I believed that.
Jonathan

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Cudney, Patti
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 12:44 PM
To: ‘Eakman, Jonathan’
Subject: RE: Ivy software

Since I have been here, no one has been allowed to start the program without completing the test requirements.

Patti Cudney Director, MBA Admissions Cox School of Business at SMU


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: marci
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 2:35 PM
To: Eakman, Jonathan
Subject: Re: JDMBAs

Dear Mr. Eakman,

Your e-mail messages regarding your failure to complete the prerequisites for entering the MBA program have been forwarded to me. First, no one has ever asked for an exception for completing work required to enter the MBA program, nor, obviously, has an exception ever been granted. You were, however, granted several extensions of time to meet the requirements. Frankly, if you are having problems meeting these requirements, whatever the reason, you may well find the program expectations to be very challenging. In addition, the tone you have taken in communicating with Cox staff about the matter is inappropriate. I cannot imagine that you would communicate this way with faculty and staff at the Dedman School and it won’t be tolerated here. If you would like the opportunity to enter the MBA program, I am available this week for a face-to-face meeting to discuss your sincere interest in the program and in meeting all requirements of the program. I strongly suggest that prior to such a meeting, you complete all the requirements if you haven’t done so already. Absent completion of all requirements and a meeting to discuss your seriousness about the MBA program by Friday this week, your admission to the Cox School of Business MBA program will be revoked.

Sincerely,
Marci Armstrong Marci Armstrong, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Graduate Programs Cox School of Business Southern Methodist University


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Eakman, Jonathan
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2009 2:19 PM
To: marci
Subject: RE: JDMBAs

Marci,
Did you read the whole email? Don’t use undergraduate threats with a graduate student. Its unbecoming. And hysterical. Furthermore, you granted me an exception on time, so how is an exception on completion any different? As for ability to complete the SMU MBA program, did you check my resume? Do you know I’m a law student next door? On academic scholarship? It is on my resume. It’s a pretty solid resume, you should look. I have real world corporate finance experience for the world’s largest airline. I did their sales strategy. I got there by programming metrics based web applications. I have an econ degree. Might make that corporate finance test seem unnecessary. Furthermore, you assume I have time for a face to face meeting. That is the problem with completing the requirements. I agree that the test is easy to complete. I passed the other two without opening the study materials. I just had a some bad luck and need time to deal with it. That is why I have been granted several extensions. Which I appreciate. But once I complete the requirements, which is one test, what do we have to talk about? My sincere interest in the program? I’m already admitted and my deposit has been paid. I’m enrolled in classes. That’s what I consider sincere interest. What’s your definition? As for my tone. Please define inappropriate. If there is any school bylaws I need to refer to please let me know. This is how the grownups over at the law school communicate. Do you not have a sense of humor? I’ve been at SMU for two years now and I am aware how people communicate. Does this work on people with work experience? Maybe its just hard to threaten (future) attorneys. As for the revoking my admission. I paid the deposit. That means I’m acccepted. Please send appropriate bylaws dealing with rejection of admitted students. You act like I’m a trouble maker, and I’m a law student. What caused the misperception?How many JD/MBA’s do you have problems with? I’m unimpressed with your response. Is this how the business school is going to treat its best students?

Jonathan Ellison Eakman

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: “Eakman, Jonathan”
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2009 18:28:31 -0500
To: Armstrong, Marci
Subject: FW: JDMBAs

Marci,

The admissions department revoking my admission when I am already admitted?? Good try. As an admitted student there is a process for expulsion. Once you allowed me to pay the deposit, put me on the student email, enrolled me in classes, and caused me to spend $900 on textbooks I was admitted. Just because you call the tests prerequisites doesn’t mean they aren’t part of the school curriculum. This goes to the honor board. I am requesting they be brought into this. I am also re-requsting the appropriate bylaws you are acting under.You refunded my nonrefundable deposit. Glad I didn’t get deposit insurance. I’ll be there on monday, since I’m on the roll. It really was a good try.

Jonathan

On this day in...

On this day in...
1636 – A vote of the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony establishes the first college in what would become the United States, today known as Harvard University.
1886 – In New York Harbor, President Grover Cleveland dedicates the Statue of Liberty.
1918 – World War I: Czechoslovakia is granted independence from Austria-Hungary marking the beginning of independent Czechoslovak state, after 300 years.
1919 – The U.S. Congress passes the Volstead Act over President Woodrow Wilson's veto, paving the way for Prohibition to begin the following January.
1922 – March on Rome: Italian fascists led by Benito Mussolini march on Rome and take over the Italian government.
1929 – Black Monday, a day in the Wall Street Crash of 1929, which also saw major stock market upheaval.
1942 – The Alaska Highway (Alcan Highway) is completed through Canada to Fairbanks, Alaska.
2005 – Plame affair: Lewis Libby, Vice-president Dick Cheney's chief of staff, is indicted in the Valerie Plame case. Libby resigns later that day.

Births
1936 – Charlie Daniels, American musician
1937 – Lenny Wilkens, American basketball player and coach
1944 – Dennis Franz, American actor
1949 – Bruce Jenner, American athlete
1955 – Bill Gates, American software executive
1956 – Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran
1966 – Steve Atwater, American football player
1972 – Terrell Davis, American football player
1972 – Brad Paisley, American musician
1980 – Christy Hemme, American professional wrestler


We've got some good and some bad on this day. The Statue of Liberty got dedicated, Harvard was established, the titan of the software game was born as were two of my favorite Bronco players. On the bad side we had the beginnings of prohibition, Italian Facism, Cheney's Facism and the birth of Ahmadinejad. So is it a good day or a bad day? I hope this photo settles that.

Minnesota Mascot Mock Trial

Minnesota apologizes for mascot mocking praying PSU player
AP

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The University of Minnesota is apologizing after its Goldy Gopher mascot poked fun at a Penn State football player who was praying before last week's game.

A video made before Saturday's game at State College shows Penn State defensive end Jerome Hayes kneeling in prayer in the end zone.

Goldy Gopher kneels in front of Hayes, according to the video posted on YouTube. When Hayes stands up, so does Goldy. The mascot tries to make some contact, but Hayes ignores him and trots back to the bench.



Minnesota spokesman Dan Wolter says the stunt was "plainly a mistake" and the mascot didn't intend to offend anyone or trivialize religion.

Penn State athletics spokesman Brian Siegrist had no comment Thursday. Penn State won the game 20-0.

I know I'm at least a week late to the party on this story but I wanted to get to it eventually. If you can see above Minnesota's mascot mocked a Penn State player for praying before the game. I for one was not surprised.

It's well known in the naimal world that gophers are godless, evil creatues. Almost all rodents are. Only the beaver is said to be a more sacreligious creature (for obvious reasons). Of course if you had greenskeepers like Bill Murray trying to eradicate your species continuously, you might find your faith in the higher power shaken as well. WWGGD? What Would Goldy Gopher Do?

Drunks, Start Your Engines

Man drives motorized La-Z-Boy while drunk
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota man has pleaded guilty to driving his motorized La-Z-Boy chair while drunk.

A criminal complaint says 62-year-old Dennis LeRoy Anderson told police he left a bar in the northern Minnesota town of Proctor on his chair after drinking eight or nine beers.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Prosecutors say Anderson’s blood alcohol content was 0.29, more than three times the legal limit, when he crashed into a parked vehicle in August 2008. He was not seriously injured.

Police said the chair was powered by a converted lawnmower and had a stereo and cup holders.

Doesn't this seem like at least the 10th story about a drunk guy who augmented some type of seat into a motorized vehicle. I think this has to be the most exciting form of one-upsmanship since the Space Race. The only fallback is that most of these guys probably aren't quantum phsyicists. Its too bad Albert Einstein wasn't a drunk.

I also liked how they have to point out each time one of these guys drives these machines that he's drunk. No shit he's drunk. Who would drive a motorized Lazy Boy sober? That'd be ridiculous.

F My Life Moment of the Day

Today, I witnessed a homeless man fall off of his bike and land face first onto the pavement. Bleeding and shivering in the 40 degree weather, I gave him the coat off of my back. He got up like nothing happened and sprinted away with it. Oh yeah, my wallet was in the inside pocket. FML

Today, I was at AT&T getting my phone fixed. At one point, the salesman said 'you should see this'. It was a text message from some girl apologizing for sleeping with my boyfriend for the past four months, and telling me that they were moving him out of our apartment. FML

College Football Road Trip

I'm eschewing the usual College Football Wrap Up section of the Blog today because I only watched one game last week (Nebraska). Thus, I have no frame of reference on the games and my commentary would simply be useless. Instead I am going to use this space to unveil the plans for this weekend, my first ever Live Blog and the ultimate College Football Road Trip!

Things will begin Friday morning as the Clark Family Band travels to lovely Waco, Texas. After a lovely night of Big O's at George's Bar and conversing with fellow backsliding Baptists, I will be waking up and watching the 11:30 a.m. Nebraska vs. Baylor game at Floyd Casey Stadium. I'm hoping the Nebraska offense comes back to life, but if not I can just fixate on the live bear mascot like I did the last time NU played in Waco.

After what should be a disappointing game I will be making the trek South to my former stomping grounds in San Antonio and the Alamodome where the Notre Dame Fightin' Irish square off against Washington State.

Some would ask, if you were planning on going to two college games in one day, why not pick two good games? To that I say, I got free tickets to the Notre Dame game so it was kind of a no brainer.

I'm going to try and keep the iPhone updates rolling on the BYB Facebook so continue to check the Saturday and chart my progress. Wish me luck minions.

Wal Mart Person of the Day

On the same day as Lee Greenwood's birthday I thought it would be appropriate to keep the patriotic vibe going. Good thing this man from Florida had the same idea. Oh, when will we change the National Anthem to Tony Keith's 'Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.'

Texts From Last Nite Moment of the Day

(951): she faked being pregnant for 2 months? so does that mean she didn't drink for 2 months? cuz that would be awful
(760): thats what you are concerned about? that she couldn't drink?

They're Playing Basketball!

After two week when I'm convinced Nebraska was trying to ruin my life its easy to feel like all is lost. And then I remember basketball season starts this week and I get to glomb back onto my beloved Lakers.

It reminds me of a paper I did in college about the terror management theory, dealing with mortality salience and preference for teams. Basically, if I reminded of death I'll want to be closely associated with a winning team. Thus, when Nebraska lost to Tech I wanted to kill myself, but that also drove me to foster a closer bond with the Lakers because they're successful. They're like my disfunctional security blanket.

The Lake Show begins the season with a game against the crosstown Clippers tonite and the Lakers offseason acquaisition Ron Artest (above) will play his first regular season game as a Laker. Earlier this season SI.com wanted to do an interview with him so he set up his own photo shoot and hired his own model, despite the fact that SI asked him to do neither. I love me some Artest.


But he may have some competition in the form of coolest Laker from a dark horse candidate. That's right - Adam Morrison. I was surprised to read that he's very well aware the moustache looks ridiculous and he's not a complete tool.

Here's an excerpt from his interview with NBA.com's Mike Trudell.

MT: Fair enough. Solely in terms of facial hair, which athletes did you look up to as a kid?
Morrison: I remember Black Jack McDowell*, the pitcher that flipped off the crowd and had the ‘stache going. Larry Bird had a little ‘stache growing too, but I just grew mine because I could. I’m proud of myself.

*The former right-handed pitcher played for the Chicago White Sox for the majority of his career and is now a musician with the rock band “Stickfigure.”

MT: Tell us more…
Morrison: Well, one of my teammates in college dared me to play with a mustache all year when we were joking back and forth, and it kind of grew an identity of its own.

MT: Do you see yourself as a role model to youngsters out there looking to grow their own facial hair?
Morrison: No. I want little kids to aspire to go above and beyond my facial hair capabilities.

I'm in love already. I love L.A.!

Aggies Hump It in Hub City

Texas A&M leaves Red Raiders searching for answers
By Alex Ybarra/Managing Editor

Trailing by two touchdowns to Texas A&M just before the half, it was loud and clear what fans wanted Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium.

“No more Potts,” chanted the student section as Texas Tech players motioned with their hands to quiet down.

Those chanters got their wish after two possessions to start the second half. Potts was rooted in the pocket and sacked by A&M’s Von Miller. The ball squirted out of his hands and the Aggies recovered.

In came quarterback Seth Doege, who immediately showed more mobility and awareness than Potts. It didn’t change the outcome though, which was a crushing 52-30 loss to a rejuvenated Texas A&M team.

All the blame can’t be placed on Potts though, as Mike Leach, receiver Alexander Torres and defensive lineman Colby Whitlock put it after the game: This was a team loss, plain and simple.

“We have a great play and then not a real good play,” Leach said. “I mean, you can go through any position you want and the same description applies to all of them. You want safeties? How about linebackers? You know? Running backs? D-line? Quarterbacks? Hell yeah on quarterbacks.”

Some may question whether the absence of quarterback Steven Sheffield had any impact on the game.

Leach has said in previous weeks Sheffield brought a certain enthusiasm and leadership quality to not only the offense but the entire team.

He said Potts looked “statue-like” in the pocket and he never got in a rhythm. Potts turned the ball over three times while passing for 310 yards and two touchdowns on 25-of-36 passing.

I don't have much of a take from this game as my judgment was pretty clouded by o baby's, jager bombs, Coors Light and Boone's Farm challenges and my only means of experiencing the game was through Clay's car stereo in the West Commuter Lot. There were more than a few Tech fans who told me they had a bad feeling going into this game, especially with Potts starting but honestly I thought any QB could have torched the Wrecking Crew. I guess almost any quarterback could. If its any consolation to Tech fans, I doubt Zac Lee would do any better.

I did have a pretty good time in the Hub from what I can remember. Saturday night was a blur and my stomach paid the price on Sunday/Monday. I don't think I can really indulge like that anymore unless I want to start shaving months off my life. But luckily, I didn't do anything stupid so that's nice. Maybe I'll make it up for the OU game but I can't party that hard.

On this day in...

On this day in...
1682 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is founded.
1904 – The first underground New York City Subway line opens; the system becomes the biggest in United States, and one of the biggest in world.
1964 – Ronald Reagan delivers a speech on behalf of Republican candidate for president, Barry Goldwater. The speech launched his political career and came to be known as "A Time for Choosing".
1992 – United States Navy radioman Allen R. Schindler, Jr. is brutally murdered by shipmates for being gay, precipitating first military, then national, debate about gays in the military that resulted in the United States "Don't ask, don't tell" military policy.

Births
1858 – Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States (d. 1919)
1940 – John Gotti, American gangster (d. 2002)
1941 – Dick Trickle, American auto racer
1942 – Lee Greenwood, American singer
1982 – Patrick Fugit, American actor
1984 – Brady Quinn, American football player

A pretty nice batch of of birthdays with Brady Quinn, the singer of 'God Bless the USA' and the man with quite possibly the best name ever, Dick Trickle.

Husker Don't: Nebraska has eight turnovers against ISU

Turnovers doom Huskers against Iowa State
By BRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON / Lincoln Journal Star

Turnovers 8, Huskers 7.

Take those numbers and run with them. Just don’t fumble.

There was a little rain, but no sleet or snow. The football wasn’t greased, as far as we know.

It just appeared that way Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. Many Husker fans will go to confession for their foul mouths on a day Nebraska turned the ball over eight times, four coming inside the Iowa State 6-yard line.

There is bizarre and then there is that level beyond that explains Iowa State’s 9-7 win against the Huskers.

“Eight turnovers,” Husker coach Bo Pelini said. “We could have gotten run out of the stadium. I don’t know if I’ve ever been around that in my coaching career. You can’t win a football game like that.”

“It was just like a force field to get across the goal line,” said sophomore wide receiver Brandon Kinnie.

Nebraska fumbled seven times and lost five.

For Husker fans, annoyance became concern, and finally settled at disbelief.

Pelini said he didn’t want to say his team beat itself, because that would take credit from what Iowa State did. Indeed, many of the turnovers were as much caused by Cyclones as lost by Huskers.

“I’m disappointed in our football team,” Pelini said. “I’m disappointed in it. It starts with me.”

After the game, junior nickel back Eric Hagg was asked if he’s ever been in a game where a team turns the ball over eight times.

“I haven’t,” Hagg said. “But on Madden (the video game) it happens sometimes.”

Oh, how the Huskers wish they could push the reset button.

You wanna talk about turnovers? This game turned my stomach. Another god awful performance by the Nebraska offense, which used a steady combination of interceptions and fumbles to spoil a spectacular effort by the Blackshirts and a tremendous individual performance by DT Ndamukong Suh.

How bad is the Big Red O? Well they've drawn rave reviews recently like these.

Mark Schlabach's Off the Mark - 1. Nebraska
The Cornhuskers had eight turnovers -- five fumbles and three interceptions -- in a 9-7 loss to Iowa State. It was the Cyclones' first victory in Lincoln since 1977.

Collegefootballnews.com's Not Hot List
3. The Nebraska Offense
Against decent opponents, Zac Lee and the Husker offense have wilted all season. In the last four games with BCS opponents, they’ve produced just 59 points and a bunch of miscues. In Saturday’s ugly home loss to Iowa State, Nebraska failed to score a point over the final three quarters and Lee was picked off three times. Expect some changes in Lincoln because the status quo just isn’t working on offense.

Watching this game was honestly like watching a high school offense, but not a good offense like OHS. Maybe like Rotan High. But I trek forward with my favorite team. Hey, its just like Terrelle Pryor's wide receiver said about his play, "it has to get better, it can't get much worse."

Crushing the Coach: Who Ya Got?

Chiefs' Johnson takes swipe at Haley in Twitter post
AP

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson used a gay slur for the second time in as many days Monday, the Kansas City Star reported on its Web site.

Johnson refused to speak with reporters, a day after the Chiefs' 37-7 home loss to the Chargers. Sitting in front of his locker, he turned away and muttered the slur in telling reporters to get "out of here," according to the Star, which recorded the comment.

On Sunday, Johnson belittled rookie head coach Todd Haley on Twitter in a series of posts that also included the same gay slur.

The Twitter remarks were posted after San Diego routed the Chiefs (1-6).

One tweet read: "My father got more creditentials than most of these pro coaches." That was followed by: "My father played for the coach from "rememeber the titans". Our coach played golf. My father played for redskins briefley. Our coach. Nuthn."

The tweets drew responses, including one that referred to a nightclub incident in which Johnson was accused of spitting in someone's face.

Johnson's response include a three-letter gay slur. The final post read: "Make me regret it. Lmao. U don't stop my checks. Lmao. So 'tweet' away."

Full story here.

A lot of hullabaloo has come about in the last day or so after the Chiefs Larry Johnson criticized Chiefs coach Todd Haley and referred to him as a 'fag' in Twitter posts. But what has missed out and garnering the same national attention is the comments made by UCLA freshman receiver Randall Carroll who referred to legendary college offensive coordinator Norm Chow as a 'nigga.' Chow, of course being Asian.

Tweet from UCLA player's account uses racial epithet for Norm Chow
By Chris Foster/LA Times

A Twitter message sent by UCLA freshman Randall Carroll to a top high school recruit complained about Bruins offensive coordinator Norm Chow and referred to him with a racial epithet.

The post, from the account of OCiAM, dated Oct. 22, referred to the Bruins' last three games before Saturday and read, "man oregon, stanford and cal should have been easy wins ,, but [expletive] thys [racial slur] norm chow dnt be trustin us ,, so it is what it is."

Carroll directed the tweet to the attention of La Cañada St. Francis High running back Dietrich Riley. It also could be seen by the public.

"I was frustrated, tired of losing," Carroll said Saturday after UCLA's 27-13 loss to Arizona. "I wasn't trying disrespect Norm Chow in any way. . . . He was one of the reasons I came here. I was just saying I didn't feel like he trusted us, because we are such a young bunch. I wasn't downgrading his coaching."

So my question is, who is the bigger bonehead? My first inclination is to go with Johnson. This certainly isn't his first negative brush with an authority figure as he has had his issues with Joe Paterno and Herm Edwards in the past. But on some level I can understand his concern about playing for someone who hasn't played the game. I hate it when athletes tell writers that can't properly comment about the game because they didn't play but I can see how a coach might need that background to connect with his players. I just think LJ could have refrained from questioning's Haley's sexuality.

But calling the greatest offensive mind in college history a nigga on a message board might be the ultimate absent minded move. I guess I missed it when Twitter and Facebook turned our athletes into 16-year-old girls. I'm wondering how long it is before they start 'sexting' during games or updating the media on who their BFF's and frienemies are each week. I guess some things about technology are bound to suck. I do enjoy my iPhone though.

Don't Toy With Me!

Cops: Man claims bag of stolen goods just sex toys
Associated Press

SALEM, Mass. — A man has been arrested for breaking into three cars after police spotted him carrying a suspicious bag he said was filled with his former wife's sex toys.

Michael Conway was ordered Monday held on $5,000 cash bail for felony larceny. However, he was detained without bail on the probation violations.

According to a police report, the 34-year-old was seen by a Salem patrolman around 3 a.m. Monday walking around town with an empty bag. An hour later, police saw Conway with a full bag.

Conway told police he was carrying his former wife's sex toys. But inside police said they found credit cards, an iPod, a GPS device and a number of other items.

The robber really screwed the pooch on this one. I guess he was thinking that if he said something embarrassing was in the bag like sex toys the cops would just let him go on his merry way and not investigate. But I'm under the other school of thought.

Just like the cop I'd want to take a look in the bag and see what kind of sex toys we're talking about. Sure, it could just be your everyday, average vibrator or it could be something crazy I've never seen before. Who knows? This robber was wrong to underestimate the curiosity of the cop.

BYB One Day Vacation

The hangover fairy has visited me with punishment for Saturday's fun in Lubbock. Call it the coal in my drunk's stocking. So I'm taking Monday off for reflection and crying. The BYB shall return Tuesday with worthwhile news. Peace!

F My Life Moment of the Day

Today, I realized that choosing to live in the honors dorms was a terrible mistake. Quiet hours start at 6 PM and the only exception is if you are a member of the university marching band, which means you can practice your instrument at anytime in the lounge... located next to my room. FML

Today, I stumbled upon my girlfriend's Twitter account that I didn't know existed. A recent entry states that living with me is pathetic; "it's just that the current economical situation doesn't leave her with many options." FML

College Football Picks

There's not many bets that I'm in love with this week. I haven't lost any money the last two weeks since I haven't bet. If I would have bet my picks last week I'd be singing and washing dishes for my beer this weekend in Lubbock.

Since there are very few "big" games this week I've just got a few picks. If you'd like any other betting advice just put the game and the line in the Comments section and I'll tell ya what I think.

Winners are bolded

Georgia Tech -4 at Virginia
The Cavs have fooled me a time or two this season but I still think they're just awful. After another strong rushing performance last week I'll take GT to win here and give up the four points.

Clemson at Miami -6 1/2
I like the Hurricanes at home here. Clemson has been up and down all season and horrendous on the road with a loss to lowly Maryland. I'll take Miami and give up 6 1/2 at Land Shark Stadium. By the way, is that named after the beer? Get back to me on that.

A&M at Tech -21
I know one shouldn't get so wrapped up in one game but after what K State was able to do to A&M I don't know how anyone could possibly pick A&M in this game. I think I'd give the Aggies 31 points in this one. Tech rolls big.

Oregon -7 at Washington
Oregon has looked strong since the Boise loss. Washington has been strong at home this season with the only home loss coming to LSU. But something tells me Oregon isn't about to slow down this week. I think the Ducks get a 10 point win in this one.

TCU -2 1/2 at BYU
BYU has put up some decent numbers since the loss to Florida State but I like the Horned Frogs by at least a touchdown in this one. I think TCU finally hit another gear against Colorado State last week. The home field will keep it from being a blowout but I think TCU looks convincing in this one.

Wal Mart Person of the Day

This guy has to be my favorite Wal Mart Person ever. He's from Florida.