Xma$, Xma$, Xma$. You see where I am going with this. I have spent more money this year for Xmas than I have for the past 2 Xmas combined. Why? Well, although 2003 has not been the greatest year for me personally, it has ended off well for me financially. Thanks to a nice lump sum amount as a result of some excellent investments, I have been able to purchase more quality gifts that have and will make people feel good. That is what it is about. It is not about showing off, not about spending big to get big in return. It is about making people feel great, helping your fellow man. If I can receive half the joy that I think I have distributed with my gifts, then it will be an even greater Xmas than I imagined it to be.


Pet peeve, I was watching the Buffalo-Miami football. When it was over, CBS switched over to the Houston-Tennessee game. I got to see Houston take a 4 point lead with about 1.5 mins left. So you know Tennessee had a chance to drive back up the field to go for the win. And then you know what? CBS stopped showing the game. I nearly threw my remote control at the TV. The studio host came on and explained that due to league rules, they could not show the game but what they could do is show replays. So that what they did as Tennessee marched up the field. And although I did not see one of the greatest plays of the season live, it was okay.
What am I talking about? Well Steve McNair, QB for Tennessee had driven his team to the Houston 25 or 30 yd line. He failed on the first three opportunities to get a first down, so facing a 4 and 10 with 25 secs to go, what does he do? A naked bootleg? A 10 yd out to his TE? A 10 yd crossing pattern to his WRs? Nope. He throws a 30 yd strike to his 3rd WR. On 4th and 10!!! 4th and freaking 10!!!! With a cracked bone spur in his left ankle. Unbelievable, just unbelievable. The outcome of a game, maybe the outcome of playoff seeding and maybe the season on one throw that would have made John Elway proud. MVP! MVP! For that throw alone he should win the MVP.


Ironman is real folks, Ironman is real. He may be known as Tony Starks to a few, but to many he is Brett Favre. He will play football tonight, one day after his father passed away. Some will say what is he doing? Why is he not being with his family at a time like this? Some will say that he is being selfish trying to preserve a consecutive game playing streak that is currently at 204. Some will say that this is his way of grieving. Some will say that his arrogance is so out of control that he believes he can do everything.
I say that that it is the case. All the three are minor reasons for him to do this. But I think the main reason is because he is a selfless leader. He is putting aside his needs for the sake of the team. Is that smart considering what he is putting aside? Maybe, maybe not. But he is doing what he thinks needs to be done to ensure that the Packers make the playoffs. And by doing this and sacrificing for the team by leading by example, he is calling out all his teammates to put everything aside and give all you have for the team during the last 2 games. THAT is what a leader is all about! That ladies and gentlemen is Ironman.

I am not discussing the Raptors today, I am too upset. How they lost that game yesterday to the Orlando Magic I will never know. Nevermind they almost choked the NY Knicks game away on Friday. Very upsetting. Next time.