Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter

Some might think this post is in jest...with a bit of sarcasm thrown in. To those I say, read on...it is truly heart felt.

Last week the world received the news that renowned Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray. I woke up a little hung over Labor Day morning and thought it was a joke when I flipped on the tube. But, I listened on, and it was fact, he was gone.

Amazing that, just like that ...you are here, breathing, then dead. Yes its true that he put himself in front of life threatening situations all the time. I don't argue that. The irony of this whole thing is that the stingray, a rather docile creature, was the one to bring him down. A few days earlier, I was at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and learned all about stingrays. "Shuffle through sand, " they said, "to avoid being stung." We also learned that a sting could be painful, but rarely life threatening. In fact, the last reported stingray related death was something like 1943! That one too was in the chest.

All I can say is I loved Steve's enthusiasm, his love for life, his love for his family, and his passion for what he did. Some saw it a different way, but here was a man that truly made an impact on the conservation and education of wildlife. Even the Prime Minister of Australia wept for him.

I really was a little down all week. I'll miss the "mates" and the "Crickeys!" when watching his show and I feel for his family. Hopefully they will continue with his wildlife efforts because he did make a difference.

In jest, I do say "too bad Australia...you had the Crocodile Hunter, sort of a real life Crocodile Dundee...and now all you have is those damn Wiggles!"

In respect I say, "Steve, you'll sure be missed, Mate! Thanks for the many laughs, the education, and the memories....and thanks for making the world that much more of a better place while you were here. You knew your passion, and you lived it! That's damn respectable."

So there's something to think about next time you see the show on repeat...maybe we all should throw a couple shrimp on the barbie, and tip a few FOSTER'S back to the man. He sure deserves it!

GOOD BYE STEVE!

Massage Therapy....

The massage worked wonders...I'm a new man, physically and mentally. I have decided that this is going to be a once a month thing right now. It can help fend off stress and helps the muscles recover too.

On top of that Zito almost no hit the Rangers....how great was that? Awesome. It sucked for us in the Bay however, because our good for nothing stations did not show the game.

Mid life crisis...

How do you determine when you are in a mid life crisis? How does it differ from frustration and general stress from the every day world? I hope I'm not in one...I plan on living longer than 70.

I really don't think I'm there...just not much else to write and I need to post something. The marathon training is a little tiring at this point, so I just need a drink, my massage (getting one on Friday) and some good sleep.

The A's are on a role and the Raiders may actually win a few this year.

I'm out for now!

Keeping up with the Jones...

This shit isn't for me. If you want to compete over material goods, how much more you "think" you earn than me, or what vacation you are going on....then FUCK YOU!

Life is too short and I hope you will bring more to the table and offer more in a friendship than that. Its not about keeping score, who has what, or what brands we wrap ourselves in. Yes, I can be a shallow, materialistic SOB, but what I won't do is cast judgement on you or anyone else.

So if you want to play that game, leave me out. If you want to leave your insecurities at home, and engage in a solid conversation, I'm all ears and I'll even supply the drinks.

Oh Canada!

All this shit going on in the world has been driving me nuts. The Middle East crap has been downplayed for a little while now, but I still think this can escalate into one big fat war. I love America...I really do...but I love Canada too...what a great freaking place.

Today I found that because I am part Canadian, I can get that same benefit for my kids. They too can become citizens of the Great White North. It may amount to nothing, and Canada does have its problems. But I want to give them (especially my boy) options. Should things ever get way bad and the good old draft should come back. My son will have a legitimate option to exercise tha Canadian side of his citizenship. Now it may seemed a little far fetched, and a lot of people would disagree with my statement, but if this does ever happen and he wants to go North, the he can do it and have protection.

Argue all you want, this and that...9-11, dirty bombs, etc. Yeah, I hate it too...and I still can't look at a Middle Easterner without suspicion...especially ones with back packs. The bottom line here, however, is that Muslims hate Jews and Jews hate Muslims. That has been going on for 1000 years and will continue to go on. Don't get me and family involved. Figure out a way to live and let live.

In the mean time...its Molson and back bacon!!!

Lance Bass

Lance Bass is gay???? No way!!!!

On the ropes...

The lawn I have strived so hard to maintain is on the ropes. The heat wave we have had has just been brutal on it and there is only so much water can do. I have been maintaining fertilizer and all that but the crab grass is rampant and the spots from the dog have been tough to get going again. The heat just kills any new seed.

I am going to do what I can to maintain it but then this fall I am doing a full overhaul. Aeration, weeding, overseeding...the full 9 yards and my lawn will be back in shape by the spring. I would totally go for sod but the kids and the dog would be tough on it. I'll give it another year then explore my options.