Monday, May 31, 2010

Memorial Day Meissnervations












It's Memorial Day. The day set aside for honoring those who served our country and gave their lives to protect our freedom.

Here's what's happening...



Hockey Playoff Roundup ----

NHL:

Stanley Cup Finals

Last night --

No games

Tonight --

Philadelphia at Chicago 8:00pm EDT on NBC (Chicago leads series 1-0)

Next game --

Chicago at Philadelphia Wednesday, 8:00pm EDT on Versus (Game Three)

AHL

Calder Cup Finals

Last night --

No games

Tonight --

No games

Next game --

Texas at Hershey Thursday, June 3rd 8:00pm EDT (Game one, best-of-seven series)
















Leighton to start game two.

Hawks' Toews sees room for improvement.

5 things the Hawks and Flyers can improve on.















The Tampa Bay Rays wiped out a thre-run deficit Sunday afternoon, only to drop the finale of their seven-game homestand 8-5 to the Chicago White Sox, in front of 26,878 at Tropicana Field.

The Sox scored twice in the top of the first, with Juan Pierre scoring on an Alex Rios single, and Rios scoring on a Mark Kotsay ground out.

A Rios one-out homer in the third stretched the lead to 3-0, before Tampa Bay came back. Ben Zobrist belted a two-out homer in the bottom of the third, then drove in Reid Brignac with a sacrifice fly in the fifth, followed by an RBI single by Evan Longoria that brought home Sean Rodriguez with the tying run.

The excitement of the Rays comeback didn't last long however as in the top of the sixth, Paul Konerko, Mark Kotsay and Carlos Quentin all cam home on Jayson Nix blasted a grand slam home run into the left field stands, putting Chicago up 7-3.

Tampa Bay mounted another comeback, as B.J. Upton scored on a sixth-inning Brignac single, then Brignac scored on a Carl Crawford two-out line drive single to center, drawing the Rays to within 2, at 7-5. The rally fizzled there, and the White Sox picked up an insurance run on Omar Vizquel's eighth-inning double that plated Ramirez with the final run, giving Chicago the 8-5 win and a split of the four-game series.

Jake Peavey allowed five earned runs but fanned five over 5 1/3 innings to pick up the win, he's now 4-4. James Shields allowed seven earned over 5 1/3 innings to take the loss, he's 5-3.

Despite being just 15-12 at home, Tampa Bay is a major league best 34-17, good for a 3 1/2 game lead over the Yankees in the A.L. East. The Rays now embark on a six-game road trip, starting tonight in Toronto, with first pitch set for 7:10pm on 620AM WDAE and the Rays Radio Network, Sun Sports and MLB.TV.



Today in Elvis History:

1975 - The Elvis Presley song "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" hit #31 in the U.K.

2005 - The original broadway cast recording of "All Shook Up" was released. The release included 25 renditions of Elvis Presley hits.








Dario Franchitti wins second Indy 500

From http://www.indycar.com


Fifty years ago, a wreath was placed around Jim Rathmann’s neck in Victory Circle at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to start another Indianapolis 500 tradition. Dario Franchitti, a motorsports historian, savors the heritage of the Speedway and soaks up the ceremony of the 500 Mile Race, which celebrates its centennial in 2011.

So the Scot especially has enjoyed the customs during his two trips to Victory Circle. Though both wins have come under caution, the swig of milk (a tradition started in 1936) still tastes as sweet.

Franchitti handed Target Chip Ganassi its fourth Indy 500 victory in a dominating performance under a searing sun (90 degrees at the green flag) and worldwide spotlight – 45 years after his hero, Jim Clark, won at Indy.

Read the rest here.

The Indy Car Series moves to Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth this coming Saturday, June 5th, for the Firestone 550K. Coverage on Versus and the IMS Radio Network begins at 8:00pm EDT.













Shhhhhhhh! Smokey's trying to sleep!










CONCORD, N.C. -- Call it Roger's revenge.

Kurt Busch won Sunday night's Coca-Cola 600 for team owner Roger Penske, spoiling a dream day for rival owner Chip Ganassi, who started Sunday off with Dario Franchitti's victory in the Indianapolis 500.

Busch crossed the finish line .737 seconds ahead of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's Jamie McMurray to complete a sweep of both NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Charlotte -- last Saturday's Sprint All-Star Race and Sunday's 600.

Read the rest here.

Nascar's Nationwide Series moves on to Nashville this coming weekend, with the Federated Auto Parts 300 Saturday, June 5th at 7:30pm on ESPN 2 and the Motor Racing Network. The Sprint Cup Series races on Sunday, June 6th. The Gillette Fusion ProGlide 500 presented by Target takes place at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. TV coverage on TNT starts at 1:00pm EDT, with radio coverage on MRN starting at 12:00pm EDT.





The Star Spangled Banner









Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?


On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!


And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.


O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause. it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!





John and Kim








Jimmy








Snoopy and Smoke






That's it for today. Now, go have some fun, but remember what this day is really all about. God bless you all, and God bless America! See you tomorrow.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

It's Sunday!










It's Sunday. The sun is up, the birds are percolating and the coffee pot's chirping. Here's what's happening....

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Hockey Playoff Roundup ----

NHL:

Stanley Cup Finals

Last night --

Chicago 6, Philadelpia 5 (Chicago leads series 1-0)

Tonight --

No games

Next game --

Philadelphia at Chicago Monday, 8:00pm EDT on NBC (Game Two)

AHL

Calder Cup Finals

Last night --

No games

Tonight --

No games

(Note: Calder Cup Finals between Hershey and Texas start June 3rd)

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Blackhawks outlast Flyers in wild Game One.

How loud is it?

Goaltending questions already plaguing Flyers.

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The gang's all ready for Jimmy's birthday party yesterday.








Let's see....Nums or play? What's a boy to do?








Okay, nums it is.








NOW it's time to play!








Dis is fun Wivia!








Okay Jackson. Let's go get more nums.








Time for Elmo cupcakes Daddy.








These are really nummy!








Are you thirsty Buddy?








Why, yes I am Auntie Denise!








Back home, opening presents.








Mommy and Snoopy help.






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Rays manager Joe Maddon said Friday creating a lineup to face White Sox left-hander John Danks is "maddening." So Maddon went to the drawing board, loaded his lineup with lefties and ran out a lineup that gave Danks fits.

But the contributions from players stuck in monthlong slumps made the biggest difference, as Tampa Bay (34-16) overcame its recent struggles at the plate and its history against Danks with an 8-5 win over Chicago (21-28) on Saturday night before 33,558 in Tropicana Field thanks to huge hits from the scuffling Carlos Pena and B.J. Upton.

Read the rest here at raysbaseball.com.

The Rays, 34-16 and 4 1/2 games up on the Yankees in the A.L. East, host the White Sox one more time, this afternoon at 1:40pm EDT on 620AM WDAE and the Rays Radio Network. You can also watch the game on Sun Sports and MLB.TV. Tampa Bay then hits the road for three games against the Blue Jays and three against Texas, starting tomorrow night in Toronto, with first pitch scheduled for 7:07pm EDT.

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Today in Elvis History:

1956 - In "Time" magazine, an article entitled "Teener's Hero" referred to Elvis Presley's appeal. It said "his movements suggest, in a word, sex."

1968 - The Elvis Presley movie "Clambake" opened at London's New Victoria Cinema.

1977 - In Florida, Elvis Presley played at Jacksonville's Veteran's Memorial Coliseum. It was his last show in Florida.


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The 94th running of the Indianapolis 500, "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," is today, with coverage on ABC, the IMS Radio Network and indycar.com starting at 12:00pm EDT.

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Never in the history of Major League Baseball, have two perfect games been pitched in the same year. Until this year, that is.

Roy Halladay of Philadelphia set the Marlins up and down in order last night, leading the Phillies to a 1-0 victory over Florida.

Read all about it here.

Wrap and box score here.

Here's a list of the twenty perfect games pitched in the big leagues.

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More from Indianapolis:

Want to read some history about the race? Then, go here.

Check out this live blog of what's going on at Indy today.

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That's it for today. Now, go have some fun. See you tomorrow.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

It's Saturday!










It's Saturday. Here's what's happening....

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Hockey Playoff Roundup ----

NHL:

Stanley Cup Finals

Last night --

No games

Tonight --

Philadelphia at Chicago 8:00pm EDT on NBC (Game One)

AHL

Calder Cup Finals

Last night --

No games

Tonight --

No games

(Note: Calder Cup Finals between Hershey and Texas start June 3rd)

************************************************













Blackhawks have made Chicago a hockey city again.

Boucher ready to suit up again.

Five questions for Hawks, Flyers.

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ORLANDO - Perhaps Friday night's win is the one that will get the Tampa Bay Storm untracked this season. It was certainly one to savor.

Tampa Bay went on the road and knocked off rival Orlando in the latest installment in the War on I-4, earning a 62-50 victory at Amway Arena that marked several firsts this season for the Storm.

Read more from the Tampa Tribune here.


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Jimmy's all ready for his birthday party today.








And he's ready for the Stanley Cup Finals too.






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Today in Elvis History:

1967 - Elvis and Priscilla Presley held a second wedding reception at Graceland for family and friends that could not attend their wedding in Las Vegas.

1976 - Elvis Presley's single "Hurt" hit #28 in the U.S.

1976 - The Elvis Presley compilation album "The Sun Sessions" hit #76 in the U.S.

1977 - In Baltimore, Elvis Presley left the stage in the middle of a concert and did not return. It was the first time he terminated a show in this manner.

1989 - Lisa Marie Presley gave birth to a baby girl. Danielle Riley was the daughter of Danny Keough.

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The Chicago White Sox took game two of their four-game set in Tampa Bay, beating the Rays 4-2 last night, in front of just 20,650 at Tropicana Field.

The Rays grabbed the lead in the third, as Reid Brignac singled home B.J. Upton. Chicago took the lead with two in the fourth, as Alex Rios blasted a two-run homer, with Alexei Ramirez scoring ahead of him, to put the White Sox up 2-1. Ramon Castro made it 3-1 for the Pale Hose with a solo homer in the fifth, but Tampa Bay would strike back in the sixth, with Ben Zobrist scampering home on an Evan Longoria two-out double. That's as close as they would get however, with Chicago adding one more run in the ninth, as Carlos Quentin scored on a Gordon Beckham single, giving the White Sox their final winning margin of 4-2.

Freddy Garcia fanned 7 in 7 innings on the way to the win, he's now 4-3. Matt Thornton fanned three over the final inning-and-a-third, to record his second save of the season. David Price took the loss, allowing two earned runs while fanning 7 in 7 innings. He's now 7-2.

The Rays, now 33-16 and 3 1/2 games ahead of the Yankees in the AS.L. East, host Chicago again tonight at 7:10pm EDT. It's the third game of the four-game set, with the final game tomorrow afternoon at 1:40pm EDT. Both games are on 620AM WDAE and the Rays Radio Network, along with Sun Sports and MLB.TV.

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The Indianapolis 500, "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," is tomorrow, with coverage on ABC, the IMS Radio Network and indycar.com starting at 12:00pm EDT.

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Alex Linnenkohl named to Rimington List.

Rodgers Brothers and Stephen Paea earn more preseason honors.

Former sports publicist John Eggers to be inducted into Hall of Fame.

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More from Indianapolis:

Thirty-three get in final laps before '500.'

Team Penske, Castroneves win second straight pit stop competition.

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That's it for today. Now, go have some fun. See you tomorrow.

Friday, May 28, 2010

It's Friday!










Happy Friday, just one more day 'til the weekend. Here's what's happening....

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Hockey Playoff Roundup ----

NHL:

Stanley Cup Finals

Last night --

No games

Tonight --

No games

(Note: Chicago hosts Philadelphia in games one and two tomorrow and Monday on NBC.)

AHL

Calder Cup Finals

Last night --

No games

Tonight --

No games

(Note: Calder Cup Finals between Hershey and Texas start June 3rd)

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Owners talk cup finals.

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When it comes to the military, there's no shortage of rules, regulations, charts and manuals -- even for baking. Someone's uncovered a 26-page Pentagon document which holds specifications for baking oatmeal cookies and brownies.

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More Jimmy 2nd birthday pictures from yesterday....



Mommy helps get Jimmy ready for a day of birthday fun.








Oh boy, presents!








Finger paints. YAAAAY!








Our neighbor helps Jimmy open his presents.








Nite nite little man. You've had a big day.








I love you Daddy.








I love you Mommy.






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The Tampa Bay Storm, off since May 15th's 48-44 road win against Bossier-Shreveport, are back in action tonight, again on the road, against their arch-rivals, the Orlando Predators. The Storm and Orlando are both 3-3, trailing first place Jacksonville by 2 1/2 games in the South Division of the AFL's American Conference.

Game time tonight at Orlando's Amway Arena is 8:00pm EDT. Catch the game on 1250AM WHNZ, 740AM WQTM, the NFL Network and Nifty TV.

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Today in Elvis History:

1955 - Elvis Presley performed live in Fort Worth, TX. The show was played live on radio's "Big D Jamboree."

1965 - The Elvis Presley film "Tickle Me" premiered in Atlanta, GA.

1966 - The Elvis Presley soundtrack album "Frankie and Johnny" hit #20 in the U.S.

1977 - The Elvis Presley compilation album "Welcome To My World" hit #44 in the U.S.

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The Tampa Bay Rays, rebounded after three straight losses to Boston, with a 5-1 win over the Chicago White Sox last night, in front of 13,299 at Tropicana Field.

The Rays grabbed the lead on Carl Crawford's first-inning solo homer, then added to that lead when Crawford's fifth-inning sacrifice fly chased home Sean Rodriguez. Evan Longoria belted a solo homer in the sixth, giving Tampa Bay a 3-0 lead. The White Sox got one back in the eighth as Mark Teahan hit a solo homer, but the Rays got that one back, plus another, as Hank Blalock's single in the bottom of the eighth scored Longoria and John Jaso, giving Tampa Bay the 5-1 win.

Jeff Niemann fanned five and allowed just the one run over eight innings for the win, he's 5-0. Gavin Floyd took the loss, he's 2-5.

The Rays host Chicago again tonight at 7:10pm EDT on 620AM WDAE, Sun Sports and MLB.TV. It's the second game of the four-game set, with games tomorrow night at 7:10pm EDT and Sunday afternoon at 1:40pm EDT. All games of the series with the White Sox are on 620AM WDAE and the Rays Radio Network, along with Sun Sports and MLB.TV.

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A Vermont woman faces child abandonment charges after she allegedly left two young children home alone to go tanning.

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The Tampa Bay Rays are 33-15 and lead the A.L. East by 4 1/2 games over the Yankees, 6 1/2 games over both Boston and Toronto, with Baltimore lagging 18 games behind.

In the A.L. Central, Minnesota leads Detroit by 1 1/2 games, the White Sox by 7, Kansas City by 7 1/2 and Cleveland by 9.

Out in the (not-so)wild A.L. West, Texas is 1 1/2 games up on Oakland, 4 over the Angels and 7 1/2 ahead of Seattle.

In the N.L. East, Philadelphia leads Atlanta by 1 1/2 and the Mets by 2, with Florida and Washington both 3 games back.

In the N.L. Central, Cincinnati leads St. Louis by 1, the Cubs are 5 back, Pittsburgh trails by 8 and Milwaukee by 8 1/2, with Houston 11 1/2 behind.

San Diego is still on top of the N.L. West, 2 games ahead of the Dodgers. Colorado is 3 games behind, the slumping San Francisco Giants are 3 1/2 back, with Arizona bringing up the rear, 8 1/2 games out of first.

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Mann becomes first female pole winner at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, grabbing lead spot for the Firestone Freedom 100 race this afternoon at 12:30pm EDT.

Team ownership next best thing for retired drivers.

Indy 500 plans changes to vault it back to top of heap again.

Looking for a local radio station to listen to Sunday's Indianapolis 500? Check this list here for stations in your area.

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In TV news:

Sarah Ferguson will be on Oprah next Tuesday to talk about being caught on video offering access to her former husband, Prince Andrew, for $724,000.

In a milestone of sorts, President Obama's White House news conference on Thursday was his longest so far: 63 minutes.

ABC Outdraws a Sports-Fueled NBC for the Season, Even with the 17-Night Winter Olympics: Despite NBC’s enormous boost to its season averages from 17 nights of Winter Olympics coverage in February and record-setting “Sunday Night Football” numbers, ABC topped NBC for the season by 5% in Total Viewers (8.6 million vs. 8.2 million) and also held the edge in Adult 18-49 actuals (3.54 million vs. 3.53 million).

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Cody Vaz now #2 quarterback, Peter Lalich dropped from team. Read all about it here.

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More from Indianapolis:

Jewel will sing the national anthem before the race.

Drivers will be allowed to use a horsepower-raising power boost 15 times. The boost would last 18 seconds each time it is used and will take 10 seconds for the button to reset so it can be pushed again. It's like a racing video game!

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That's it for today. Now, go out there, have fun and get ready for the weekend. See you tomorrow.

Oh Baby Vision

How to watch the videos on Oh Baby Vision

In the upper left hand corner, there's three horizontal lines. Click that once or twice and it'll bring up thumbnails of all the movies. Click on the one you want to watch and it'll start. It may play the next one automatically, or you may have to click the little box to bring the thumbnails back up.



Now with the addition of more videos, just use the scroll bar on the right to choose the one you want to watch.



I hope you like 'em