Let's talk about Jesse

Had a meeting in the Main Library today. After, I checked out some of the special collections exhibits.

Where else but at The Ohio State University would you find the couch that was in Woody Hayes' office behind ropes?



There also a very cool exhibit that honors Jesse Owens in the 100th anniversary of his birth. He went to the university. Never received a scholarship because of the color of his skin. Imagine that.



There's a neat display of memorabilia of his from the 1936 Olympics, in which he received a photograph from Hitler, but nothing from President Roosevelt.



It's not everyday you get to see four Olympic Gold Medals in the same place.

On May 25th 1935 at a Big Ten Track Meet in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Owens did what may have been the greatest sports feat of all time. He tied the world record in the 100 yard dash, set world records in the long jump, 220 yard sprint and 220 yard low hurdles - all in a time span of 45 minutes.



That's one of the shoes he wore, bronzed, in the case. Owens still holds the school record in the long jump.



Easily one of the greatest athletes that ever was.

Three Losses in a Day

Yesterday consisted of loss. Sports loss. Nothing I have not written about here before. It was a frustrating morning finding links to the Old Firm game. Once I had, it was time to find another link to the Everton/Tottenham match. All happening with a shouty child and a pounding headache.

Everton went down 2-0 in the first half. It was time to find the Celtic/Rangers match. Maybe something was happening there. Nothing happened until Maurice Edu scored with seconds left in added time for Rangers, and one loss was in the column.

By now Yakubu had managed to score for Everton, but the tying goal was not to be.

Two teams defeated and it was not even 10AM yet.

After the match my wife announced that there was no water. So I went to the basement with great trepidation, expecting a massive leak and saw no signs of damage.

I went outside and saw a sign blocking out road and some construction being done a block away, looked like there was a problem with the water main. Went over to the neighbors to see if they had water, like us, they did not.

Problem solved, and I did not have to get a wrench out.

The water came back on in about half an hour.

Later, the whiny boy and his whiny father took a nap before the hockey game.

I woke up about halfway through the first period.

The game was fantastic. End to end action, skill and suspense. Too bad my son slept through it. I was not yelling at the television, but let out a good squee when Parise tied it late.

It was disappointing to see the U.S. team lose in overtime, but few expected them to get into a medal round, let alone the gold medal round. Goalie Ryan Miller got the MVP, I’m sure he’d exchange that for a gold medal. He’s going home with hardware though, which is something few people can say.

It was not a sad day, just unproductive – which is what happens when you attach yourself to a computer or screen, watching instead of creating.

What I saw of the Olympic closing cermonies was amusing. Neil Young doing his thing, weird opera singers, SHATNER!, Catherine O'Hara sadly bombing, a well loved Michael J. Fox, mountie statues that looked like they came from Easter Island, Michael Buble lip synching very badly, mountie go-go dancers, inflatable moose and beaver. Go Canada!

Today is frustration, waiting for phone calls. Dealing with the medical/insurance complex, I crawl on.

Some girls will tell you anything...

Lead singer Doug Fieger of the Knack, died yesterday of cancer. He was 57.

The first album made high school suck less. The second record was a wash out. The third, Round Trip, was an under promoted masterpiece. He also sang with Was (Not Was) on a few songs. His brother, Geoffrey, is an attorney who represented Jack Kevorkian.





A somewhat productive weekend. Some good thrifting was done. Locks were changed with minimal cussing.

If you watch the Olympics today, send some love out to American Luger Erin Hamlin. She's the niece of a friend of mine.

Bob Costas Said 'Slam Poet'

I do not know Shane Koyczan, but he just went on a podium in the middle of the opening ceremonies for the Olympics, in front of an audience of hundreds of millions and did this poem.



And he nailed it!