I haven't been the best person lately. I've been down. I've had some personal things going on. Work's been a slog and the only people outside of work that I know is my brother who doesn't really like Vegas either.

So, I was out Thursday,Friday, and Saturday and as much as I would like to try to convince myself that I'm the cool party, going out guy...I'm really not. I much rather prefer a semi crowded bar where I can just drink my beer and converse with folks around me. I'm not the club-dancing-guy. I don't even have the clothes for it.

The long and short of it is Saturday night after I left my work friends down and disappointed I went to a bar near my house. The bartender remembered me and was very nice to me. This is a big change of pace in Las Vegas for me.

I went home and for some reason downloaded the new Coldplay record. I've heard the first single and though it was pretty good. Then I heard the rest of the album.

This is the best record I've heard in at least 2 years. I've played it at least a dozen times in the last 24 hours.

It's good, and it starts off with this jam called 'Life in Technicolor' that just hits it right. It makes you want to hear what's next and what's after that and on and on.

'Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love' is pretty damn amazing as well. 'Death and All His Friends' is going to sound amazing live. It's like 3 songs in 1!

Sometimes a piece of music or a record just finds you. It hits you at the right time. Coldplay's Viva la Vida is that record for me. I know people throw out those U2 comparisons when the talk about Coldplay. I didn't agree with them and still don't. But now that Coldplay is working with Brian Eno (who's worked with U2 on multiple records) I can finally see where people draw the comparisons.

I feel bad sometimes telling people that 'you know what...I'm tired'. Usually people just go 'oh my God. That job must be awesome!' Yeah it is but it's a lot of hard work.

I hate and always will hate not being able to tell people what I really feel. ' Just doing my job' doesn't cut it in my book. I hated news people who shoved camera's into the faces of people who's child just died or house just burned down. Yet here I am, shoving a camera into the face of fighters who have loss. Who gave their all and have come out in the loss column.

I had to do this a lot lately it seems. The last time I did was to Evan Tanner. He's had a hard life. Sometimes he made it harder than it needed to be. In any event I interviewed Tanner after his loss. He later pointed me out in his blog in a good way which made me feel good because immediately afterward I felt like dirt.

Here's an excerpt from his blog on Spiketv.com

The dressing room cleared, and I had another moment to myself. I was there gathering my things when Brad walked around the corner with a small hand held video camera. He understood where I was, and respectfully asked if he could have a moment to ask a few questions. I've known Brad for a little while. He's always seemed like a good guy.  I had no idea where to footage would be used, there are so many cameras all the time. I wasn't paying so much attention to the camera. It was more like I was talking to a friend. I guess that's the footage that's been out on the Internet. I haven't seen it.

Earlier this week I spent part of my afternoon at the WARRIOR TRAINING CENTER shooting Forrest Griffin's semi press workout. I interviewed him and at one point asked him about his jab and how important it was going to be in his upcoming fight against Rampage. He said, seriously, 'That's actually an intelligent question..' and then preceded to go into the importance of his jab and his footwork. PUT THAT ON MY REVIEW!

These two things told me that on some level I'm getting through. I'm getting the stuff I'm suppose to get and more or less doing my job correctly (on some level). I'm beginning to get the respect of the fighters.

It's nice to see my work getting noticed by it's subjects.

A Kentucky judge confirmed that Duke football sucks balls. Bad enough for Louisville to have to find another opponent in football. Here is the full story.

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Desert Life

This week signifies the first full 7 days where I will not be on a play or working on the weekend in 5 weeks. It also represents the first time in about that same time frame when I'll actually be at my house for more than 4 days in a row.

I came across an article on espn.com a while back talking about MLB Players who were named in the Mitchell Report, One of those players is named Jay Gibbons formerly of the Baltimore Orioles.

Gibbons has written a letter to all 30 teams asking for a second chance at a minor league contract.

I feel bad for the guy. This is a guy who made a mistake, has apologized and is not being given a chance to redeem himself. It's not he's Barry Bonds or Jason Giambi. He's a 31 year old outfielder who most of us haven't even heard of. Yes he's still being paid by the Orioles who released him but in the end the guy just wants to play baseball.

I'll leave it up to you to decide is he deserves a second chance or not. After reading his letter I think he does. Below is the letter he wrote to all 30 MLB teams. 

Writing this letter is both painful and humiliating. It has been almost six weeks since my release from the Orioles and I am still unable to land any opportunity at a second chance to play the game that I love.

I am young, healthy and determined. I have acknowledged and apologized for the mistake that I made and writing this letter should be proof enough that I have indeed suffered for my mistake.

I have faith and hope that some team will give me the chance to prove that I can not only be a productive player but also be a stellar member of their organization. My faith in a second chance has inspired me to work harder than I have at any time in my life. My faith has gotten me through this most difficult period in my life.

All I need is a chance -- any chance -- anywhere. I am more than willing to begin the process of proving that I can and will be a productive major league player by playing in the minor leagues.

As you know, I have played seven seasons in the big leagues and have hit 20-plus homeruns in three seasons and have hit .277 in three seasons (2003, 2005 and 2006). At 31 years old, I have NO DOUBT that my best baseball is ahead of me.

I know that my agents at ACES have tried to land me an opportunity in the minor leagues but have been met with negative responses by each and every Organization. I am not blind to the fact that I have made a mistake and that mistake has raised doubt about my character and ability. It is important that you know that my indiscretions, while regretful, were made in an effort to heal a nagging wrist injury. I would encourage you to speak with anyone in this game, including players, coaches, front office etc. who know me. I am confident that everyone you speak with will vouch for my character.

I respectfully and humbly request that you grant me the chance to play for your organization.

I am so willing to prove myself as a player, and a person, that I will donate ALL of my minor league earnings to your Club's charity. In the event that I earn the right to play at the major league level, I will gladly donate a significant sum to that same charity.

Once again, all I need is a chance and I will prove that I can be an extremely productive player and a great addition to your organization.

Please feel free to contact me directly [phone numbers redacted].

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Jay Gibbons

i know people in a place like charleston,sc don't fly much. i also understand bringing your medication with you. but please leave the rest of the medicine cabinet at home. the economy size of bengay is not going to get past the crack tsa workers.

Just when it seems like I might get a break it just keeps adding on. More and more and more.

Some things appear to be on the surface as choice. They're not. They are required by something down in the belief system of my conscience. Others are outside forces allying against me to see that I do not fully rest.

This was the first day since I can remember where I had no legs. They felt heavy during my morning jog and felt weak later in the day even though I was sitting most of the day.

show 2 of 5 in 7 weeks is done. currently i reside in the ghetto terminal b of the sacrmento airport waiting for a puddle jumper to san fran to get on a 10 hour flight to london.
hooyaon the cool side i did get below avg temps in sac and got to sit out yesterday am at a coffee shop, outside and do some sunday morning reading.