What I can’t understand [...]]]> I can understand if people don’t like the Lakers. And, I can definitely understand why people wouldn’t like the deal they orchestrated to obtain Chris Paul. It is a step in helping the Lakers build a dominate team for many years to come. Bad news for teams like Dallas and Miami.

What I can’t understand is how the NBA, the owners, David Stern, or whoever is responsible for nixing the deal, can justify their actions. The deal “isn’t good for basketball.” Really? To me it looked like the NBA was getting tons of publicity when the deal broke. It would only boost the ratings for the Christmas opening to have Chris Paul in a new role with the Lakers.

The deal is “unfair” to the small market teams? Really? There were some great players involved in that trade. I might even argue that the Lakers were giving up too much to obtain Paul. The problem is, the small market teams are always going to have trouble keeping/obtaining big names. Why penalize them by not allowing them to trade their players and get something in return before they walk away as free agents?

There was an email uncovered from one of the owners to Stern calling foul because the deal would help the Lakers move closer to the salary cap, while obtaining a star player. How can you penalize a team for trying to save a little money? Oh, it’s because that would shrink the NBA’s profits generated by the luxury tax fees? Let me cry foul regarding your greedy ways for trying to keep a team well above the luxury tax threshold.

This whole charade stinks. What I don’t get is why anyone would want to play in a league where trades can be rejected because someone doesn’t like it.

I sure hope the league lets the deal go through. I don’t think they can give any real justification for their actions.

It’s really upsetting to me when votes fall along party lines and nothing gets done. Now, I’m not [...]]]> I got to thinking yesterday, when I heard that the House had voted down the President’s Jobs Bill, that I’m really tired of partisanship. What happened to compromise? What happened to working together toward the common good?

It’s really upsetting to me when votes fall along party lines and nothing gets done. Now, I’m not saying that the Jobs Bill is good or bad. This isn’t intended to be a commentary on that. What bothers me is that I get the impression that Republicans and Democrats will only vote for their own ideas. It doesn’t matter if it’s a good idea or not. What matters is who proposed the idea and that’s a terrible way to go about anything.

So, why do we let out politicians get away with it? Why do we settle for nothing getting accomplished? Are we so disillusioned that we think only one party can be right? I hope not. I hope we know better deep down inside. I hope that in the coming election we can set a course to change this situation. I hope we can get passed our hang ups and work together. We’ve seen what happens when we can’t so let’s try something different.

Apparently you should think twice about liking, or not liking, someone’s posts. Consider this your warning.

It is interesting though, the amount of validation we can get [...]]]> If you thought Facebook was good, harmless, fun, think again. I read this story recently on Mashable.com: Man Assaults Wife for Not “Liking” His Facebook Update (http://mashable.com/2011/10/09/man-assaults-wife-facebook/).

Apparently you should think twice about liking, or not liking, someone’s posts. Consider this your warning.

It is interesting though, the amount of validation we can get and give through social media. There’s power in a good comment, a retweet, or a simple “like.” We probably SHOULD think twice about how we use these tools to encourage. It could make the difference.

Victoria Mansion in Portland

A row of multi-colored apartments in Portland

The Danforth. Our home in Portland

Old Port

The Custom [...]]]> We spent the first day of our Maine trip in Portland Maine. Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Victoria Mansion in Portland

A row of multi-colored apartments in Portland

The Danforth. Our home in Portland

Old Port

The Custom House in Portland

A cool wall mural

Boats and building in Portland

A piece of the Berlin Wall in Portland

The remodel, while fun, was really born out of necessity. The window, seen in one of the pictures below, was in our shower and it leaked like a sieve into the wall causing a [...]]]> It has been a long time coming but we are a week and a couple days into our bathroom remodel.

The remodel, while fun, was really born out of necessity. The window, seen in one of the pictures below, was in our shower and it leaked like a sieve into the wall causing a lot of damage and mold. So, it was time.

In another week we should be wrapping things up but I couldn’t resist an update here.

So, here are a few pictures to show you where we started and where we are today.

Concessions:
Every once in a while you’ll have someone jump on your train trying to sell something. Yesterday it was a young man selling cold drinks and popcorn. Someday I hope to be on a train where they’re selling bacon wrapped hot dogs. That would be [...]]]> We had both concessions and a Bejeweled expert.

Concessions:
Every once in a while you’ll have someone jump on your train trying to sell something. Yesterday it was a young man selling cold drinks and popcorn. Someday I hope to be on a train where they’re selling bacon wrapped hot dogs. That would be amazing.

Bejeweled Expert:
Across the aisle from me a young woman sat quite contently playing a game on her cell phone to pass the time. It’s a pretty normal sight on the train, and usually people will leave you alone if they see you occupied with something, but not yesterday. Yesterday was different. A gentleman sitting behind the previously mentioned young woman looked over her shoulder in a very obvious fashion and asked if she was playing Bejeweled. He proceeded to announce to the train that he knows that there are 3 versions of Bejeweled not including the “ethnic” ones. The version the young woman was playing was apparently an “ethnic” one. For the next several stops he sat there looking over her shoulder commenting on her moves. I was amazed at how friendly she was with him. I don’t think I could have continued to play with someone watching over my shoulder. Too much pressure… especially when you’re in the presence of someone so knowledgeable about the game.

I can tell you what I think about your product and what would make it better but when it comes to creation I am less than inspired. And I wish it weren’t that way.

In all honesty, I figure I have very few original ideas. I like [...]]]> I’m a consumer with a desire to create.

I can tell you what I think about your product and what would make it better but when it comes to creation I am less than inspired. And I wish it weren’t that way.

In all honesty, I figure I have very few original ideas. I like to stand on the shoulders of others and take the next step (adaptation of a line from Jurassic Park).

I have tried to be creative in the past in many different arenas. Something that had come quite naturally to me is my appreciation for music. And since any fool can pick up a guitar and play… I thought it would be an easy transition to creation.

The problem is I lack the discipline and concentration to progress enough to ever play the guitar confidently. For 15 years I have been a mediocre beginner. I’m not sure that will ever change.

And as a mediocre beginner I have tried to write music and poetry, but I have never been as happy as I am when I hear the latest release from (insert musician here).

I guess I am writing this in an attempt to validate this existence. Is it ok to be a consumer?

Is it a creative art in and of itself?

I’m not sure.

All I know is that I have a desire to create… and have yet to find an outlet for that.