Quick notes..

Quick notes is simply a collection of ramblings about whatever the heck is on my mind. It might be confusing, but I'm just writing what comes to mind.

The rumors about Joe Torre were validated late last week as news of his signing through 2010 for $13 million filled the airwaves and Internet. Great news for Dodger fans, like me. Finally, a top caliber manager running the show.

The weekend was great. We did absolutely nothing. I had the girls (from MBS) over Friday night for some food and Guitar Hero III. Jennifer and Jenny got into it. Saturday, Matt, me, and Isa just sat around the house watched TV, played together, and did nothing, all day. It was great.

Yesterday, Sunday, we attended a great service at Woodcrest. They started a new series called Sex, Drugs, and I Want Control. You hardly ever hear churches deal with the issues of sex and drugs head on. Well, Woodcrest isn't your typical church. The dove right into a topic that needs to be talked about, especially today. The main ideas from the service, sex was designed by God for a man and woman to enjoy, not just to procreate, and that it was intended within the marriage commitment. Next weekend, they're tackling the subject of drugs.

The Chiefs almost pulled it out yesterday. Almost, but the great Brett Favre stole the show. The Packers are having a great season, and I was torn between who to root for. I respect Favre and am a Chiefs fan. While I don't like to see the Chiefs lose, I like that Favre and the Packers won.

More football, the Colts and Patriots match up lived up to it's billing. The game went back and forth, and, in the end, Brady came out on top. I like both teams, and think that these two teams will meet again in the post-season.

Rumor Mill: Joe Torre in Dodger blue?

Rumors that former Yankee manager Joe Torre making the move from east coast to west coast are rampant. With no confirmation from Torre's manager, it has been reported that the former Bronx Bomber skipper has been offered Grady Little's job. The rumor flames were fanned yesterday as Little put in his official resignation.

Personally, I would love to see Torre in LA. It's been a long time since we've had a top caliber manager as Torre. I think since Tommy Lasorda. The Dodgers have been in the playoff hunt for years, but have fallen short many times. I think Torre can change that.

Side note:
As I read one of the articles on ESPN's website, I noticed an ad that seemed a bit off. It's quite funny actually. Can you tell what's off?

Fight night craziness

Saturday night, we had the privilege of hosting our monthly fight night, UFC 76. The night was sure to be a fan's delight with fights between Forrest Griffin and Mauricio Rua, Diego Sanchez and Jon Fitch, and Chuck Liddell and Keith Jardine. All were great fights, with Griffin pulling off the upset win over Rua, who brought a damaging Pride reputation into the octagon. Griffin submitted Rua in the third round by rear-naked choke.

Sanchez and Fitch was definitely a crowd pleaser. Fitch, in short, manhandled Sanchez. Not allowing the young grappler to get in rhythmn and dominate on the ground as Sanchez is accustomed to. Fitch won by split-decision, which brings up questions as to what fight one of the judges was watching. It was clear to everyone, that Fitch deserved a unanimous victory.

The main event, Liddell versus Jardine, proved contrary to the excitement and expectations of UFC fans. My husband stated, Liddell looked like a "one-trick pony." Jardine went toe-to-toe with the heavy handed Liddell and dominated. Liddell won the first round with smart boxing. However, after getting comfortable and confident, Jardine hammered 'The Iceman' with great combinations and devastating kicks. In the end, Jardine's hand was raised. A noticeably bruised Liddell, body as well as confidence, left with back-to-back losses. His prior loss going to Quinton Jackson just months before.

UFC fans now raise the question about Liddell's future. In fact, Yahoo Sports reported today that Dana White, UFC president, is thinking the same thing. Time will tell.

On a side note: Our UFC fight night brought the largest group to date. We've been hosting UFC events to just a few people for just over a year now. Saturday night, we had over 20 adults and their kids. If this continues, we'll have to find a different venue.

Great weekend and an odd question

I'll start with the question first, otherwise, I might forget. I have to ask because it bugs me each time I hear people say it. What's the difference between an over-the-road truck driver and a truck driver? Aren't they one in the same? Or do truck drivers not drive "over" the road? Maybe it's a southern thang, I don't know. I lived in the South for a few years and some common phrases just cracked me up. Not the typical y'all's or fixin' to's that people throw around, but phrases like hind catcher (catcher in baseball/softball) and hot water heater. Isn't it common for the catcher to be situated 'behind' the plate? Isn't the water in a water heater 'supposed' to be hot? Maybe someone else can enlighten me, I don't know.

Okay, onto my great weekend. In reality, it was an awesome end of the week, capped off by a fabulous weekend. I flew off to Portland, Oregon last Wednesday for a softball tournament. The weather was perfect.

We arrived, got situated in our hotel rooms and hit a local seafood restaurant for a nice dinner. Man, was that good. We were able to get a tour of the Nike campus on Thursday morning. As if that wasn't cool enough, we each got passes to the Nike employee store and made good use of it. I spent just over $100 and it was well worth it. After the Nike visit, a small group of us drove to the coast and then had dinner at beachside pub that had fabulous clam chowder. The same small group hit Mount Hood on Friday, me included. And walked briefly up the mountain. We then made our way, by car, to the Columbia River Gorge and hiked up a handful of waterfalls, Horsetail, Triple, Multnomah, Wahkeena and Latourell. The river itself was beautiful as well as it's surroundings. I will definitely have to come back for a much longer visit.

The weekend was dedicated to why we came to Oregon in the first place, softball. More specifically, the national tournament. We played well up until our last 2 games and finished 3rd overall. I've been on this team for only 2 years and I think this is the most fun I've thus far. Our 3rd baseman made 1st Team All-Tournament, and 4 of us made 2nd Team All-Tournament. Yup, I made it. I also got an award for having the best batting average of the tournament, finishing up with .667. I knew I got on base a lot, but had no idea. Especially with all the great hitters at the tournament. It certainly capped off a wonderful trip to Oregon and I look forward to returning with my husband for an extended vacation.

Going on holiday!

Tomorrow I'll be flying to Portland, Oregon for the ASA Women's (Class C) National Championship Tournament. I'm really excited about this trip for many reasons. Not only do I get to take a brief vacation from work, but I get to visit the northwest for the first time and I get to play ball while I'm at it. The crappy thing about it is that my husband and daughter aren't coming with me.

Tournament play starts Friday and continues through Sunday. Hopefully, we'll be playing on Sunday. Aside from playing softball, I'm looking forward to visiting the Nike World Campus in Beaverton and checking out Voodoo Doughnut in Portland. The entire team is headed to the Nike campus on Thursday morning for a tour and some shopping at the employee store. I can't wait! I don't know when we'll head over to Voodoo Doughnut, but a bunch of the gals are curious about the place, and it's 'products'.

I'm looking forward to being away for a few days. I won't be back until Monday, so I've got 5 days of personal retreat, sort of. I was able to make enough money through freelancing to cover my trip, which works great for the budget. All you fellow Dave Ramsey fans should love that.