...2010 Fantasy Champion

Told you this was going to be the result. Enough said. Winner!

...cue the violins

For many of us, Week 16 represents our Fantasy League's championship game. Both of my teams from two different leagues…are ‘ready to rumble’ in the big game. The end of the line. Where winners are crowned and losers obsess over their lineup errors for the next six months.

Losers!..Losers…I will win, I am confident of it. Mostly because of my superior intellect (and Michael Vick). C’mon Michael! You proved you can kill dogs…now go do it on the field. (I cannot stand the fact that he did that to dogs, but he has paid his debt to society).

But just because it's your last matchup of the season doesn't mean it's time to rest. Chances are you didn't breeze your way to the finals with your feet up and your finger off the mouse (like I did). In fact, being that this is the last game of the season win or lose several players on your roster doesn’t hold the same appeal as before. And unlike the previous weeks, knowing which players you're going up against before your game is important, and it could impact how you maneuver your lineup.

First things first: Set your lineup in advance. That determines who you'll likely start -- and subsequently determines who on your roster is expendable. Do you have two DSTs when you only need one? Been carrying an injured player hoping to get him back in time for this game? Got a dud wasting space on your bench? Anyone who you know you're not starting, and more importantly, don't think will help your opponent, is not worth owning. For instance, if you own Drew Brees and David Garrard, and your title-game rival this week has Michael Vick, then Garrard is a dead spot in your lineup. You don't need him, so drop him. Remember; don't cut anyone your fellow owner would consider picking up and starting himself.

Or just kiss your ass goodbye now…because I have Vick.

What do you do with this newfound space? If it were any week but this week, you'd claim the hottest players off of waivers. But this week it's not a bad idea to steal players your opponent might consider starting. For instance, let's say your Week 16 nemesis limped into the title game with Adrian Peterson on his or her team. Peterson was a surprise inactive in Week 15 and could easily find himself ruled out again on Sunday night. If your opponent doesn't have Toby Gerhart, he'd be a guy to target as well as any other good rushers on waivers. I'd recommend doing the same thing if you're going up against Arian Foster this week (which I am unfortunately) -- he was dinged last week and the Texans aren't playing for anything. Perhaps Derrick Ward will pick up a start against the Broncos in place of Foster. That’s why I grabbed Ward this morning off waivers.

What if your opponent is loaded and doesn't need to make a roster move? In that case it's all about maximizing your roster with good talent and eliminating the waste. You might even speculate on a second option for a starter who you're not 100 percent sure on. Let's say you've been disappointed with Dwayne Bowe's stats lately and while you'll probably start him in Week 16 vs. Tennessee, maybe you want to have another option. In that case you could pick up a receiver and drop that second DST or kicker. There's always room for improvement.

Something that's been bothering me all season: How come everyone on the bus in Atlanta bops their head to the rhythm of the music except Arthur Blank in that commercial? Blank has certainly seen things from the dark side. Just three years ago, the franchise was in shambles. Star quarterback Michael Vick headed off to prison for running a dogfighting ring (did I mention I don't care right now?)... Coach Bobby Petrino abandoned the team for the University of Arkansas after just 13 games.

The Falcons started over — new quarterback, new coach, new general manager — but those who thought it would take years to bounce back were way off the mark.  The Falcons (11-2) have already gotten a third consecutive winning mark out of the way, setting their sights on much loftier goals. (Oh, did I mention I have Michael Turner as well?). It pays to be brilliant.

Just remember, it's go-for-broke week. You worked hard to get to this point, so don't stop fighting now.

Or…hand me the trophy now before you get whipped….see ya in the winner's circle. Cue the violins!

...I want 'Chucky' for Christmas!

The Denver Broncos wanted Josh McDaniels to bring the New England Patriots' winning ways with him to the Rocky Mountains when they hired Bill Belichick's brash, young disciple 22 months ago.

What they got instead was the ash-gray hoodie and their very own videotaping scandal to go with a pile of losses and personnel blunders that cost him his job not even halfway through his four-year contract.

McDaniels, the successor to Mike Shanahan in Denver, began his Broncos coaching career with a bang, going 6-0. But since then, the team has gone just 5-17. The loss to the Chiefs on Sunday was their seventh defeat in eight games, dropping the Broncos' 2010 record to 3-9.

He was fired Monday in the midst of the franchise's worst skid in four decades. Spread the word on facebook, twitter and to all your friends. Woo Hoo!

'Baby Josh' might be best known for his decisions to trade quarterback Jay Cutler and wide receiver Brandon Marshall over the past year as well as his surprising decision to select Tim Tebow in the first round of the 2010 draft.

The Broncos traded Cutler and a fifth-round draft pick to Chicago in April of 2009, in exchange for Kyle Orton, first- and third-round picks in 2009 and a 2010 first-rounder. Denver then shipped Marshall to Miami after the 2009 season, following McDaniels' late-season benching of Marshall for disciplinary reasons. And to top it off.... the Broncos unloaded Peyton Hillis just prior to the 2010 draft, sending him and a pair of draft picks to Cleveland for Brady Quinn. What? My Fantasy Team trades better than that!

And...the organization was embarrassed by McDaniels' role in a videotaping scandal that resulted in the firing of a Broncos cameraman and league-imposed fines of $50,000 for both McDaniels and the team. A former team employee was found to have improperly taped a 49ers practice the day before the 49ers beat the Broncos in a game played at London's Wembley Stadium on Oct. 31.

The ex-employee, NFL investigators found, offered to show the tape to McDaniels, who refused to look at it and ordered it destroyed. But McDaniels failed to inform team brass or the league about the matter as required by league rules relating to the integrity of the game, leading to the fines.

Hey! Could there be a second John Elway Era in Denver?

Today, Broncos Chief Operating Officer Joe Ellis publicly stated what has been known for some time — that the franchise’s all-time greatest player has been serving as a consultant for the Broncos. John Elway’s involvement has been predominantly on the business side, but recent developments suggest his role could quickly be expanding within the Broncos organization.

Ellis seems to recognize (and indicates that Bowlen recognizes) that they need to change the model. Ellis graciously admitted that the Broncos may have ensured McDaniels' failure by giving him way too much responsibility. It sounds like they will be changing the model going forward.

First, there was Elway’s address of the players during practice a few weeks ago, a move clearly outside his capacity as “business consultant.” Then, there was a groundswell of media support for Elway’s increased involvement within the franchise, potentially in a pro personnel/front office role.

Denver news reported that Pat Bowlen had dinner with John Elway at the Cherry Creek Elway's restaurant. It seems more and more likely that John Elway will be brought back into the fold.

“One of the things that (Broncos Owner) Pat (Bowlen) asked him to do was come back in the building and get involved with the team,” Ellis said during the team’s press conference Tuesday. “He’s been at practices and in the course of meetings we have on the business side, he’s shared thoughts about the team (and) he’s expressed an interest to some of you in the room.

“I don’t take that lightly and Pat doesn’t take that lightly, that’s for sure,” Ellis continued. “The conversations we’ve had with John clearly indicate one thing. He loves the Broncos, and loves Denver.”

Those conversations, however, are very preliminary. “I don’t know where that’s going to go, if anywhere, I really don’t,” Ellis said. “But, I respect the fact that he’s interested in helping the Broncos. He has a lot of qualities that perhaps could lend themselves to helping the Broncos. But, I don’t know if that’s going to advance at this point or not.”

Will The Duke’s comeback be in a full-time front office role? Is Elway aptly armed for such service? (Yes, I just questioned Elway’s arm). I’m honestly on the fence on this one folks. On-field prowess does not necessarily translate into off-field football acumen, and Elway has no scouting experience. I sense Pat Bowlen is on the fence on this one, too, or Elway would already be signed, sealed and delivered.

We have some time, Mr. Bowlen. Let’s do our due diligence here. Talk to John, and see what he can bring to the table. He’ll bring ticket sales and fan excitement and unquestioned support, for sure — but will he make the Broncos better? And if, Mr. Bowlen, you ultimately decide to bring him in, bring in some checks and balances as well — something I’m sure you wish you had done two years ago with Josh McDaniels.

Then go and get Jon Gruden at any cost! Chucky! John and Jon!

...Minnesota's 'cash for clunkers' program

I have always loved Brett Favre. Today the Vikings quarterback will make his 296th consecutive start against the Washington Redskins, but he’ll do so under the weather...and does anyone care?

Favre told ESPN that he’s been sick most of the week and he might have pneumonia. Favre received a steroid pack, had an injection and missed a portion of team meetings on Saturday because he was resting, according to the report.

Favre has told the media he wants to start the final six games and then retire for good. Thank God!  He is 41 years old, has thrown an NFL-high 17 interceptions, and his 69.8 passer rating is the second-worst in the league.

What a difference a year makes. It was last year at this time when Brad Childress had plenty to be thankful for. Mainly, Brett Favre! Favre completed an amazing 88 percent of his passes in a sold-out Metrodome where the Minnesota Vikings routed Seattle 35-9 and improved their record to 9-1.

The Viking fanatics gave Favre a standing ovation. Seattle head coach Jim Mora gave Favre a chance to quit while he was ahead.

“Would you please retire?” Mora pleaded to Favre.

Of course, Mora’s father is best known more for his infamous 2001 post-game tirade as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts: “Playoffs? Are you kidding me? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game.”

Had Brad Childress not been fired as the Vikings coach Monday morning, he could have used the same line at his weekly press conference. Vikings assistant Leslie Frazier should’ve used the line when he was introduced as the Vikings’ eighth head coach Monday afternoon.

Playoffs? Are you kidding me? Frazier just hopes this disheveled group of Vikings can win at least one more game this season.

Last Sunday’s embarrassing 31-3 loss to the Packers put a fork in the 3-7 Vikings. They are as done as that 25-pound turkey Clark Griswold overcooked in National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation.”

“Save the neck for me, Clark.”

Obviously, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre has had better seasons. The future Hall of Famer leads the league with 17 interceptions. His 69.8 passer rating is the lowest of his career since his rookie season. I know I said that already...but "come on man!!"

The Vikings, who lost in overtime in the NFC championship game last season, are 3-7. Favre reportedly was at odds with former coach Brad Childress, who was fired and replaced, on an interim basis, by defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.

Favre is still capable of big performances. In Week 9, Favre passed for a season-high 446 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions as he led the Vikings to a 27-24 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

He still can sling it…but too much has happened this year Brett…give it up. Do something that no one would expect out of you. Quit. Not at the end of the year…quit now. Go home and mend your relationship with your wife that has been your supporter through thick and thin.

And since you have trouble deciphering the two…this is a “thin” time sir. Mora was right…retire.

...can you generate customer loyalty?

That may be one of the toughest questions your organization has to answer. A consumer might be completely satisfied with a brand, but does that mean she won't jump at a chance to save money, become more efficient, etc?

It can be hard to stay loyal when there are many options available, and simply providing world class customer satisfaction is no longer enough.

Walker Information Inc. recently polled consumers on the topic of loyalty. Their research indicated "there's still a yawning gap between the percentage of people who say they're satisfied with a business and those who consider themselves 'loyal' to that business-intent on maintaining the relationship and continuing it into the future. Many companies have figured out how to deliver satisfaction, but they've not yet figured out how to earn loyalty anywhere near those levels."

With increased competition, and focuses on cost, all companies must continually exceed their client's expectations and focus on building long-term, profitable relationships. Delivering results, at a fair price and with the right level of attention has never been more important or challenging.

Every company spends a huge amount of time and resources on retention. I once worked for a company that each month, we implemented new strategies to 'save' customers from switching to other companies, all while trying to balance profitability and customer satisfaction. The one thing we failed to do was to prepare for our customers' future needs. Most of the time, when we were at the point of trying to retain them, it was already too late.

Anticipating those customers' needs lets them know that you care about their business, and you want them to reach their goal. Instead of focusing on how to simply retain, companies need to think about building rock-solid relationships that have customers wanting to do business with them over their competitors.

Is your company focused on meeting customers' future needs?

..next-5 steps to getting there...

...Cincinnati soon found out

Sparky Anderson was as much a storyteller as he was a baseball manager. Games come and go. Wins and losses are forgotten. But the stories endure.

And that is why Sparky and Casey Stengel are the two managers most prevalent in the memories of fans. They had substance and a pleasantly fractured style that made us want more of them. But we’ve gotten all we’re going to get of Sparky. He died Thursday of complications with dementia shortly after being placed in hospice care at his long-time home in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

He won 2,194 games and three World Series with the Cincinnati Reds (1975, 1976) and Detroit Tigers (1984). And he won over countless people to the game he loved with a passion. There was a reason behind much of what many labeled simply as Sparky being Sparky. Using his gift of gab to take the pressure off his players exemplified that approach.

Anderson was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame five years later, joining many of the players who had been instrumental in racking up all those wins. And he made clear in his induction speech how much his players had meant to him.

"Let me tell you this, and get it straight, and I hope every manager that follows me will listen very carefully: players earn this, by their skills," he said. "Managers come here, as I did, on their backs, for what they did for me. I never believed different, I will never believe different, and I think that's what made my career so lucky."

When Anderson landed in Cincinnati on Oct. 9, 1969 when I was just a kid, for his introductory press conference, he was greeted by a Cincinnati Enquirer headline that shouted the thought on everyone's mind: "Sparky Who?" No one had ever heard of this guy.

Cincinnati soon found out. The Reds went 102-60 in Anderson's first year, making the playoffs for the first time since 1961. They fell to the Baltimore Orioles in five games in the World Series, but the bar had been raised on the banks of the Ohio River (I cried when we lost by the way). After a brief fall back to 79-83 in 1971, the Reds reeled off five consecutive seasons in which they won at least 95 games.

For years as a young boy I watched from Lexington, Kentucky as Sparky built the ‘Big Red Machine.’ I loved watching him and the Reds as they set the bar higher than even the experts predicted they could as the 'team of the decade.'
You will be missed...and don't step on the chalk line as you enter the gate.

p.s. You even turned me into a Detroit fan years later….

...people can be so damn rude!

People can be so damn rude. A prima donna plops herself in front of everyone standing in line at Fry’s. A guy sitting next to his date is ignoring her as he furiously texts someone else. 

A motorist...who either forgot or did not bother to prepare for an upcoming turn.... cuts off three lanes of traffic just to make it work. These are not hypothetical situations, but a few fine Portland examples.

And obviously discourtesy is not limited to the Pacific NW, but instead rears its ugly, rotting head throughout the entire U.S. of A.

SURVEYS:
• A full 69 percent of folks who answered an August Rasmuseen Reports survey of 1,000 adults across the nation said people are generally becoming ruder and less civilized

• Nearly 70% questioned in an Associated Press-Ipsos poll said people are ruder than they were 20 or 30 years ago. The trend is noticed in large and small places alike, although more urban people report bad manners
• A mere 14 percent, perhaps those who don’t get out much, said people were becoming kinder and gentler while 17 percent were “not sure.” (Maybe they were too busy texting during a date to give the question much thought)

• Other poll results had 62 percent saying Americans were ruder to sales personnel than they were 10 years ago and, in turn, 57 percent saying the sales personnel were also ruder to customers than a decade hence.

So why are people becoming cruder, ruder and more barbaric?

We could easily blame TV and call it a day, since TV is already behind most of the world’s woes. Or we could play with a few other theories. Technology could be to blame. Rudeness often comes from loud cell phone conversations, blaring ringing in the middle of meetings and yes, folks furiously texting or yapping on their phones while out on a date or in other social situations.

Cell phones can also indirectly lead to rude driving. Drivers blabbing on cell phones are perhaps not necessarily attempting to be rude but have instead become so oblivious to the road that they have no clue what they’re doing.

Entitlement is another possibility. Some folks today act as if they are entitled to everything, from being at the front of the line to owning last 50-cent sale item in the clearance bin. They will thus push, shove or steamroll others just to fulfill that entitlement.

Lack of manners can also stem from upbringing, with parents and schools feeding kids the idea that they can do no wrong. Children are applauded simply for breathing. They are gifted with new toys and cars just because they exist.  Such children grow up expecting the world and everyone in it, to bow at their feet – or at least not blink an eye when they abruptly cut the Starbucks line.

So what should we do when accosted with such crude actions?

• Only a slight majority of those surveyed – 51 percent – said they have actually confronted someone for the person’s rude behavior in public.

• A full 44 percent let it go without comment while 5 percent said they were “not sure” if they’ve ever said something about another’s uncivilized actions

Yeah right...I am not sure how people are “not sure” but wonder if they took a beating after the confrontation that could have clouded their memories.

Letting rude behavior slide might be the easiest thing to do, but it also threatens to turn us all into a stack of doormats, letting rude people claw their way to the top of the pile and continue to stomp.

Americans' fast-paced, high-tech existence has taken a toll on the civil in society. From road rage in the morning commute to high decibel cell-phone conversations that ruin dinner when eating out, men and women behaving badly has become the hallmark of a hurry-up world.

An increasing informality — flip-flops at the White House, even — combined with self-absorbed communication gadgets and a demand for instant gratification have strained common courtesies to the breaking point.

A slippage in manners is obvious to many Americans. Peggy Newfield, founder and president of Personal Best, said the generation that came of age in the times-a-changin' 1960s and 1970s are now parents who don't stress the importance of manners, such as opening a door for a female.

So it was no surprise to Newfield that those children wouldn't understand how impolite it was to wear flip-flops to a White House meeting with the president — as some members of the Northwestern women's lacrosse team did in the summer.

• A whopping 93% in the AP-Ipsos poll faulted parents for failing to teach their children well

"Parents are very much to blame," said Newfield, whose Atlanta-based company started teaching etiquette to young people and now focuses on corporate employees. "And the media!!"

Sulking athletes and boorish celebrities grab the headlines while television and Hollywood often glorify crude behavior….not to mention the parents that film their kids fighting on youTUBE.

It is NOT getting any better people. Perhaps it is time to take little Johnny out to the ‘wood-shed’ like we did when I was a kid.

...can Napoleon Pete survive?

The story of three envelopes is a business classic for dysfunctional organizations. It starts with an incoming 'my way or the highway CEO' replacing a recently fired outgoing CEO.

Pete had just been hired as the new CEO of a large high tech corporation. The CEO who was stepping down met with him privately and presented him with three envelopes number 1, 2 and 3. "Open these if you run up against a problem you don't think you can solve," … “when things get really tough, open these one at a time." the departing CEO said.

Things went along pretty smoothly, but six months later, sales took a downturn and Pete was really catching a lot of heat. About at his wit's end, he remembered the envelopes. He went to his drawer and took out the first envelope. The message read, "Blame your predecessor." Pete called a press conference and tactfully laid the blame at the feet of the previous CEO. He concocts a story that pins the problems on the previous CEO and deftly sidesteps blame for the issue.

Satisfied with his comments, the press -- and Wall Street -- responded positively, sales began to pick up and the problem was soon behind him.

About a year later, the company was again experiencing a dip in sales, combined with serious product problems. Having learned from his previous experience, the CEO quickly opened the second envelope. The message read, "Reorganize!" …. “Blame your coworkers,” it advises. He does, and once again avoids taking the fall for a problem he caused.

This he did well (blaming others), and the company quickly rebounded.

After several consecutive profitable quarters, the company once again fell on difficult times. Pete went to his office, closed the door and opened the third envelope. The message said, "Prepare three envelopes." ...

A person’s character can be neatly judged when we see how they handle mistakes or tough times. We are all human; we all fail. When confronted with that failure, our next move paints a picture of how we handle responsibility and blame. Do you step up and really own the problem, or do you reach for an envelope?

Good people step up. They acknowledge the problem, accept the blame, and work hard to correct the problem. It is a sad commentary on our world today that most people are pleasantly surprised when you do this. While you may not be able to completely rectify the problem, you will earn some measure of respect by taking ownership of the issue. The problem may not be fixed, but your character is intact.

Bad people step away. They look to blame anyone except themselves, and will sacrifice anyone to protect themselves. Blaming predecessors and coworkers will work for a while, but you will eventually run out of envelopes. The problems remain, but you will not. And your character will be irreparably tarnished….or your nose will continue to grow like someone I (thought) I used to know…..

Sales drive the company mister!....not a predecessor on paper.

..any color you want...as long as it's black

Automobile manufacturer Henry Ford was born July 30, 1863, on his family's farm in Dearborn, Michigan. From the time he was a young boy, Ford enjoyed tinkering with machines.

Farm work and a job in a Detroit machine shop afforded him ample opportunities to experiment. He later worked as a part-time employee for the Westinghouse Engine Company. By 1896, Ford had constructed his first horseless carriage which he sold in order to finance work on an improved model. After two unsuccessful attempts to establish a company to manufacture automobiles, the Ford Motor Company was incorporated in 1903 with Henry Ford as vice-president and chief engineer. The infant company produced only a few cars a day at the Ford factory on Mack Avenue in Detroit. Groups of two or three men worked on each car from components made to order by other companies.

Ford incorporated the Ford Motor Company proclaiming, "I will build a car for the great multitude." In October 1908, he did so, offering the Model T for $950. In the Model T's nineteen years of production, its price dipped as low as $280. Nearly 15,500,000 were sold in the United States alone. The Model T heralds the beginning of the Motor Age; the car evolved from luxury item for the well-to-do to essential transportation for the ordinary man.

Henry Ford realized his dream of producing an automobile that was reasonably priced, reliable, and efficient. This vehicle initiated a new era in personal transportation. It was easy to operate, maintain, and handle on rough roads, immediately becoming a huge success.

Ford revolutionized manufacturing. By 1914, his Highland Park, Michigan plant, using innovative production techniques, could turn out a complete chassis every 93 minutes. This was a stunning improvement over the earlier production time of 728 minutes. Using a constantly-moving assembly line, subdivision of labor, and careful coordination of operations, Ford realized huge gains in productivity.

In 1914, Ford began paying his employees five dollars a day, nearly doubling the wages offered by other manufacturers. He cut the workday from nine to eight hours in order to convert the factory to a three-shift workday. Ford's mass-production techniques would eventually allow for the manufacture of a Model T every 24 seconds. His innovations made him an international celebrity.

The company began construction of the world's largest industrial complex along the banks of the Rouge River in Dearborn, Michigan, during the late 1910s and early 1920s. The massive Rouge Plant included all the elements needed for automobile production: a steel mill, glass factory, and automobile assembly line. Iron ore and coal were brought in on Great Lakes steamers and by railroad, and were used to produce both iron and steel.

Rolling mills, forges, and assembly shops transformed the steel into springs, axles, and car bodies. Foundries converted iron into engine blocks and cylinder heads that were assembled with other components into engines. By September 1927, all steps in the manufacturing process from refining raw materials to final assembly of the automobile took place at the vast Rouge Plant, characterizing Henry Ford's idea of mass production.

It's been a long ride to the Saleen Boss 302 Mr. Ford....nice job!

p.s. Thanks for Grabber Orange!

...Kentucky cracks Top 10....(the hard way)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Steve Spurrier worried about the hangover against Kentucky. He kept reminding his South Carolina players not to get too high following an upset of defending national champion Alabama last week.

The 10th-ranked Gamecocks seemed as if they'd keep it together before freshman running back Marcus Lattimore went down with an ankle injury.

Then they could only watch as Kentucky's Randall Cobb caught a 24-yard touchdown pass with 1:15 remaining then added the two-point conversion to cap a furious second-half rally and give Wildcats a stunning 31-28 victory, ruining South Carolina's chance to get a leg up in the jumbled SEC East.

"Give Kentucky credit, they kicked our tails," Spurrier said.

Mike Hartline threw for a career-high 349 yards and four touchdowns for the Wildcats (4-3, 1-3 SEC), who had lost 10 straight to the Gamecocks (4-2, 2-2) and never beaten Spurrier in 17 tries.

It appeared Spurrier was ready to make it 18 for 18 when the Gamecocks stuffed Cobb for a 4-yard loss, setting up a 4th-and-7 at the Kentucky 24.

Hartline calmly set his feet and faked a slant to Chris Matthews. The South Carolina defense bit and Cobb found himself wide open at the goal line. He then swept over left tackle for the 2-point conversion to put Kentucky up three.

South Carolina drove to the Kentucky 20 in the final minute but quarterback Stephen Garcia's heave into the end zone was intercepted by Kentucky's Anthony Mosley with 4 seconds remaining. Hartline took a knee to set off a raucous celebration and end two decades of torture at the hands of Spurrier.

"We just can't, as they say, put the nail in the coffin," Spurrier said. "We can't put a team away. We just can't do it. I don't know why. We just can't do it."

Not without Lattimore anyway.

The budding star had 212 yards of total offense and three touchdowns but spent most of the second half on the sideline after rolling his left ankle while getting tackled early in the third quarter.

"I just heard it crack and I thought something really bad had happened, but it's just a sprain," Lattimore said.

It was enough to force him to watch his team implode while he sat on the bench.

Kentucky shut the Gamecocks down over the final 30 minutes, holding them to 103 yards - 49 of which came on the desperate final drive - while slowly chipping away at the lead.

"We challenged our guys at halftime, that we were in a street fight," said Kentucky coach Joker Phillips. "We're in a street fight. I'm in a street fight. I want to see who has my back."

Hartline hit LaRod King for a 5-yard touchdown pass to cap a 95-yard drive and bring Kentucky within 28-17. Then Hartline found Matthews for a 38-yard score to get within 28-23. Matthews finished with 12 receptions for 177 yards and a score.

Given one last chance with 7:31 remaining, Hartline guided Kentucky to the South Carolina 24. Facing fourth down, he pumped the ball once and lofted the ball to a wide open Cobb in the end zone. Cobb bulled over left tackle for the 2-point conversion to put the Wildcats up three.

Garcia, who finished with 382 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, quickly moved the ball to the Kentucky 20 with 11 seconds remaining.

The Gamecocks used a timeout and opted to take a shot at winning in regulation. Garcia threw it up to 6-foot-3 receiver Lamar Scruggs. The ball was tipped and Mosley snagged it out of the air.

"I should have thrown it a little further outside," Garcia said. "I don't know. The guy made a good play."

Hartline took a knee and Kentucky had its first win over a ranked team since beating then-No. 1 LSU in 2007.

"We never lost faith, we never for one second thought we were going to lose that game," Cobb said. "We've had struggles at times but we found a way to win."

The giddy celebration hardly seemed possible after a first half in which the Gamecocks did whatever they wanted behind the precocious Lattimore.

The freshman bounced off Kentucky's would-be tacklers on handoffs or ran past the overmatched defensive ends who had the unfortunate assignment of covering him on pass routes out of the backfield.

Lattimore came into the game with 81 yards receiving all season. He had 133 in the first half, when the Gamecocks victimized Kentucky's overzealous pass rush by sending Lattimore on wheel routes out of the backfield.

Three times Lattimore ran by a Kentucky defender and into the open field, gaining huge chunks of yardage. A 48-yard reception set up his own 10-yard touchdown run, and later added a 47-yard scoring pass in which he sprinted past defensive end Taylor Wyndham then easily sidestepped another Kentucky defender at the 10 before strolling into the end zone.

The score gave the Gamecocks a 28-10 halftime lead, and things could have been worse. South Carolina turned it over three times in the half, and the Wildcats turned two of the miscues into points.

"I thought we'd play better tonight but we didn't," Spurrier said.

Instead it was Kentucky who responded. The Wildcats dropped three straight games after a 3-0 start, including a 37-34 heartbreaker against Auburn last week in which the Tigers kicked the winning field goal on the game's final play.

The loss could have been deflating, yet the Wildcats found a way behind the play of Hartline. The oft-maligned senior has spent three years searching for respect. He may have finally found it on the defining night of his career. Hartline completed 32 of 42 passes and never pressed even after the Wildcats fell behind.

He gripped the ball tightly while being mobbed by fans that stormed the field after Kentucky saved its season.

"I wanted this one so bad," he said. "It was just a big, emotional win for everybody. I wasn't going to give up that ball."

Way to go Cats!!

...ahhh, the joy of a salesman...

If you stop any sales person on the street and ask them if they are good at what they do, chances are, they will all say “yes!”

But ask their manager, marketing department, customer service area, human resources department (or any other function of the firm), and chances are the answer is “no.” The difference in defining sales competence is a matter of perspective.

So what is ..."sales?"  A competent sales person has the ability to move into any organization and gain the trust of the decision-makers. They work to create a situation where buying can occur within an ethical environment at a fair price. They have the knowledge to speak to a CEO, the front-line manager, or the newest employee about what issues and challenges they face. Most of all they strive to increase their knowledge, skill, and motivation so they can be the best at what they do.

Well I personally think that "sales" is actually the wrong term for the profession. It's really about 'service.'  Customer service is one area where small companies can outshine their competitors and cultivate intense loyalty among regular customers. But exceptional customer service goes beyond mere politeness into nuanced relationship building.

Why are customer relations so important, particularly for small companies?

Service is a real differentiator, no matter the size of the organization. Small companies particularly need to differentiate themselves because they don't have the advertising and exposure that larger firms do. One of the best ways to differentiate in your relationships with customers is to focus more on listening than on talking.

Companies sometimes are so anxious to sell their services that they do way too much talking. The only way you can meet or exceed customer needs is really listening—not just to what they're telling you, but to get beyond that and understand their unstated needs. Once you do that, not only will you have a better connection, you'll be able to exceed their expectations.

When people feel listened to, valued, and important to a company, it's rare. That's because great service and effective communication are more than a set of skills. It's a mind-set of respect and accountability where you do what you say you're going to do for the customer. If every associate in your firm models that mind-set, you'll create a great experience for everyone.

Is excellent customer service really that rare?

Yes, it really is. Despite the fact that many companies tout their focus on service in advertising, the research shows that overall customer satisfaction is declining. A global benchmarking study looked at showed a reduction in customer service satisfaction from 82% to 68% in the last year alone. Additional studies show that 68% of customers leave a business relationship because of a perceived attitude of indifference on the part of the company. It's not that the associates are actually indifferent—it's the perception that they are.

So a customer may get what she needs from the company, but if it was delivered with indifference, that interaction still won't leave a positive impression. Similarly, 63% of consumers said the last time they stopped doing business with a company it was partly or wholly due to a poor customer service experience. Another very similar study showed that two out of three consumers said they'd stop buying from a company if they had just one bad customer service experience.

Those are dramatic numbers. What accounts for them?

One factor is that customers are not as easily satisfied as they used to be. They have much higher expectations for service as they face far greater demands in their own lives. Another factor is that companies themselves aren't quite sure how to deliver great service. They think they're doing enough by talking about it in a company policy manual or telling their associates to do it. But you can't just put it in a document and assume it's going to get done.

What constitutes excellent service—how do you measure it?

Customers want to feel they have a relationship with a firm. They want to make a connection and feel important. If a customer brings up a complaint, how is it handled? Is your company representative spouting information, citing policies and procedures—or is he genuinely interested in helping? Just listening to a complaint, instead of cutting it off, will increase the chances of maintaining that customer's loyalty.

Some entrepreneurs don't realize they need to make connections with their clients, and that they need to do that with courtesy, empathy, and professionalism. The poor "salesperson" just tries to stay ahead of the sales "quota" ....and service is the name of the game!

...yabba...dabba...doo!

What a killer few months we have had! I had the best sales quarter in a year....man it feels good...to 'feel good again.'

Isn't that weird that we sometimes "forget" how to enjoy life? 

It often is not until something happens...like the shitty economy for us to love the feeling..... of being happy again.  Happy? Well when I was a kid I could NOT wait for Saturday morning cartoons and I loved the Flintstones...now 50 years old. 50 years old! 

I know some smart-ass young adults that might think..."man, you are old!" But you know what? I earned what I have....like Fred earned what he had in the cartoon. Nothing is "given" in this generation...you work for what you have.

The idea that something so "old" can show so much of the technology. Often the "prehistoric" analogue to a modern machine uses an animal. For example, when a character takes photographs with an instant camera, inside of the camera box, a bird carves the picture on a stone tablet with its bill. In a running gag, the animal powering such technology breaks the fourth wall, looks directly into the camera at the audience, shrugs, and remarks, "It's a living."

Other commonly seen gadgets in the series include a baby woolly mammoth used as a vacuum cleaner; an adult woolly mammoth acting as a shower by spraying water with its trunk; elevators raised and lowered by ropes around brontosauruses' necks; "automatic" windows powered by monkeys on the outside; birds acting as "car horns," sounded by the driver pulling on their tails or squeezing their bodies; an "electric" razor made from a clam shell, vibrating from a honey-bee inside; a washing machine shown by a pelican with a beak-full of soapy water; and a woodpecker whose beak is used to play a gramophone record.

The Flintstones were cool...things you might not know about them are:

---The Flintstones was originally aimed at an adult audience and the first two seasons were co-sponsored by Winston cigarettes. But by the third season it was being written for children and was sponsored by Welch’s, who produced grape juice and jellies. The show's famous theme tune, "Meet The Flintstones", was not used until the third series. The musical theme for the first two seasons was called “Rise and Shine”.

---Fred and Wilma Flintstone were the first couple to be shown in bed together on prime-time television when the show first aired on ABC between 1960 and 1966.

---Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble fronted a TV advertising campaign for Winston cigarettes - a move that would be unthinkable for children's television characters today. Can you imagine how Oregonians would react? OMG! I can hear it now, especially from (Kitzhauber for Governor)..."Can we tax that for the State?"

---Many critics believe that the show was a Stone Age parody of the 1950s US TV sitcom, The Honeymooners, which featured two newlywed couples living in New York. One of the show's creators, William Hanna, once confirmed the rumour, but his co-creator Joseph Barbera maintained that it was a myth. And, William Hanna also produced the hit children's TV shows Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo and Yo Yogi.

---The Flintstones held the coveted title of the longest-running prime-time TV cartoon before The Simpsons took on the mantel. The 1959 unaired pilot episode was called "The Flagstones". “The Gladstones” was also mooted before The Flintstones was finally decided on.

---The series was set in the town of Bedrock, although in some early episodes it was referred to as Rockville. The furniture in the Flintstones’ house changed in almost every episode. The family's barking pet dinosaur, Dino, changed colours throughout the program. Its main colour was purple.

---The cartoon was originally aired in black and white. The Flintstones was home to several major-league sports teams. The Bedrock Giants, Bedrock Dodgers and the Green Bay Pachyderms all appeared on the show. Several popular celebrities took residence in the showbiz quarter of Bedrock - Hollyrock. Cary Granite, Alvin Brickrock and Stony Curtis were the biggest stars. Mick Jadestone and the Rolling Boulders were Fred and Barney's favorite band.

Man....the joy on those Saturday mornings were spectacular....Dad getting donuts for us as we had our eyes glued to the set. Those were happy days....and these last few months have been extremely happy as well! Sales are up and we are feeling great.

Now as long as I can stay away from the "doom and gloom" people in the world....let's see how next quarter goes!! Thanks for all the orders. Seriously...thank you.

...the right office design can help

It’s a sad truth, but most workers spend their work days in terribly uninspiring environments. There are some progressive companies, however, who push the envelope of design to provide their employees with a truly invigorating work environment.

Ask yourself…is your office design drab and uninspiring? Do thoughts of going into your office dampen your spirit? It may be time to consider your office design and your productivity.

You may not have the time or budget for an office design makeover, but a few simple ideas can go far in boosting your business productivity….ok how? Match Your Brand: An important element of business marketing is the branding and image of your company…right? Whether you entertain clients or not, your office design should match your brand!

(What?)… Successful branding requires you to look and "feel" the brand. Having glossy business cards and a high-tech image but out-of-date office furniture and equipment, will make you feel like an imposter and you will have difficulty projecting your “brand” to customers.

Bring in Nature: Spending long hours in an unnatural environment can be hazardous to your health. Locating your office in a space with windows if possible is important. Consider nature photos to make your office a more pleasurable place. Add real plants to have fresh oxygen in your workspace.

A cautionary note for start-up companies “not thinking about office design.”

Many start-ups high on hope and low on cash will be tempted to NOT spend on office design or proper furniture. Look before you leap…but be honest with yourself. Begin with frugality in mind…but realize that you are at the office more than you think. The right office design can help you reduce stress, improve productivity, and in the end, enhance the profits of your business.

Isn’t it time you worked with an expert? Maybe you should be working with me on your office design, layout, and furniture.

...Indian Summer? Why not?....

Right out of the box Monday morning, Los Angeles was on track for a record-setting day. A flow of air from the deserts set the stage for the Los Angeles' hottest day ever recorded in the downtown area Monday.


According to Western Weather Expert Ken Clark, "The City of Angels had their hottest day in 20 years on Sunday with a high of 105 degrees." Sunday was the hottest day downtown since the mercury climbed to 107 degrees on Oct. 10, 1991. Temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees above average were being felt as far north as Portland, Ore., and as far south as San Diego. Temperatures in San Francisco Bay Area were projected to peak near 90 Monday and the 80s on Tuesday.

Is this an Indian Summer?

An early American writer described Indian Summer well when he wrote, "The air is perfectly quiescent and all is stillness, as if Nature, after her exertions during the Summer, were now at rest." This passage belongs to the writer John Bradbury and was written nearly an "eternity" ago, back in 1817. But this passage is as relevant today as it was way back then.

The term "Indian Summer" dates back to the 18th century in the United States. It can be defined as "any spell of warm, quiet, hazy weather that may occur in late September, October or even early November." Basically, autumn is a transition season as the thunderstorms and severe weather of the summer give way to a tamer, calmer weather period before the turbulence of the winter commences.

The term "Indian Summer" is generally associated with a period of considerably above normal temperatures, accompanied by dry and hazy conditions ushered in on a south or southwesterly breeze. One explanation of the term "Indian Summer" might be that the early native Indians chose that time of year as their hunting season. This seems reasonable seeing the fall months are still considered the main hunting season for several animals.

It is about time with the "Poor Summer" we had in Oregon this year....the year of "no tomatoes."

....Joker...Joker.....Joker!!!

Kentucky heads south to start SEC play with Florida this weekend.

Starting 3-0 for the third time in the last four seasons, the University of Kentucky football team heads south to Gainesville, Fla., to begin Southeastern Conference play against the ninth-ranked Gators in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Kentucky is 21-53-2 in 76 conference openers, having won two of its last four lid-lifters with wins against Ole Miss in 2006 and Arkansas in 2007. Florida began SEC play last week at Tennessee, notching a 31-17 victory over the Vols in Knoxville...but they just didn't look like the old Gators.

Last Saturday, Kentucky posted a 47-10 win over Akron to move to 3-0 on the season. The Wildcats put together an all-around performance against the Zips, totaling 544 yards of total offense and holding the Zips to only 172 total yards. The 544 yards of total offense was the most by a UK team since posting 568 yards against Eastern Kentucky University in 2007. UK had balanced offense with 200 rushing and passing yards for a school-record third-consecutive game.

The Wildcats are looking to snap a 23-game losing streak to the Gators. The battle on Saturday against Florida will mark the 21st consecutive time UK has played a ranked UF team. Kentucky is 3-27 all-time against ranked Florida teams.

New Coach Joker Phillips talked a big game over the summer about how he was going to bring the "Mildcats to another level"……he gets his chance with a night game at the Swamp. The one playmaker on Kentucky is Randall Cobb, who will line up at WR and occasionally take direct snaps, being a former QB. Mike Hartline has not distinguished himself at QB in 3 years, and doesn’t worry the Gator defense. Derrick Locke leads the SEC in rushing, but so did Tauren Poole of Tennessee, until he ran into (repeatedly) the Gator defense.

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, or “The Swamp,” is widely recognized as one of, if not the toughest, environments for a visiting team in all of college football. Several facelifts after the stadium’s original construction in 1930 have made Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium the state-of-the-art facility you see at today’s game.

Without a bad seat in the house, "The Swamp" ranks as the largest stadium in the state of Florida. The Gators’ average attendance last season of 90,544 ranked ninth in the country. Florida’s home record of 106-13 (.891) since 1990 is the best mark in the country during that time, proving that at "The Swamp," only Gators get out alive!

Except this year....go BLUE! Joker...Joker.....Joker!!!

...."it's just a day in the life of an Interior Designer"

An interior designer is responsible for the interior design, decoration, and functionality of a client’s space, whether the space is commercial, industrial, or residential. Interior designers work closely with architects and clients to determine the structure of a space, the needs of the occupants, and the style that best suits both.

The position is a combination of engineer and artist, and it takes a unique type of mind to handle both of those concepts well. Interior designers have to be good with more than color, fabric, and furniture; interior designers must know materials, have budgeting skills, communicate well, and oversee the ordering, installation, and maintenance of all objects that define a space.

They also have to know about electrical capacity, safety, and construction. This broader range of required knowledge distinguishes them from 'interior decorators.' Interior designers have to be able to work with contractors, other vendors and clients alike, planning and implementing all aesthetic and functional decisions, from faucet handles to miles of carpeting —and all this usually must be done within a fixed budget (and often in a hurry).

Interior designers are hired for their expertise in a variety of styles and approaches, not merely their own personal vision. Therefore, they have to be able to balance their own tastes and their clients’ tastes—and be willing to put their clients’ tastes first. This requirement can be frustrating at first for many who enter the profession. Interior designers are often asked to begin their planning before construction of a space is finished; this means that they must be good at scheduling and comfortable reading blueprints.

This element of the job comes as a surprise to many new interior designers, who expect to have less of an administrative and technical role and more of a role in influencing the overall feel and appearance of a space. Those who thrive in the industry say this ability to balance the practical with the aesthetic is crucial to being a successful interior designer. Interior design is hard work, but those who do it well find the work very satisfying.

I have learned a lot in the last year from one designer in particular, here in Portland...congrats on a well deserved project! You are one of the best I have worked with in the past 20 years. Again...great job!! I watched as you controlled your client while providing excellent answers to the same question...over and over. Your demeanor and expertise actually 'disarmed' the client and literally "won" the business for us. I am proud to work with you on this project.

I know you would just say, "It's just a day in the life of an Interior Designer."

....not a square to spare....

How in the world did we get to this point? What happened? When did we decide as a country that we need to be 'politically correct' about everything? On Tuesday, the U.S. State Department called on Americans to "stand up" and denounce the planned Quran burning as "un-American" and as an inappropriate commemoration of the 9/11 attacks.

I can certainly sympathize with the great responsibility political leaders have in our country during this time of tragedy. I understand that they must be careful to do their part in restraining and discouraging any persecution of citizens of Middle Eastern descent.

However, we have reached a point of "politically correct" insanity. When our country was founded, "toleration" never meant approval or agreement. Suddenly, many of our political leaders and media spokesmen have become theologians, teaching the country that there is no difference in the major religions and that it somehow "hatred of people" to teach that another religion is false.

What's in this book that is sacred that it cannot be looked upon as producing evil? Let's state some facts that are in the book...shall we?

---"Believers, do not make friends with any but your own people...They desire nothing but your ruin....You believe in the entire Book...When they meet you they say: 'We, too, are believers.' But when alone, they bite their finger-tips with rage." (Surah 3:118, 119)

---"Forbidden to you are...married women, except those you own as slaves." (Surah 4:20-, 24-)

---"Seek out your enemies relentlessly." (Surah 4:103-)

---"Believers, take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends." (Surah 5:51)

---"Believers, make war on the infidels who dwell around you. Deal firmly with them." (Surah 9:121-)

---"Try as you may, you cannot treat all your wives impartially." (Surah 4:126-)

---"...make war on the leaders of unbelief...Make war on them: God will chastise them at your hands and humble them. He will grant you victory over them..." (Surah 9:12-)

---"Prophet make war on the unbelievers and the hypocrites and deal rigorously with them. Hell shall be their home." (Surah 9:73)

What? This is Holy Scripture? How did we get to this point?

Well...for them, Jews and Christians are regarded as being part of the great mass of infidels: first, because they have deliberately rejected the truth, and second, because of their connections to Western colonialism and Zionism. Both Jews and Christians are viewed as being part of a wide-ranging conspiracy to corrupt, divide and destroy Islam. This effort was instigated by the Jews and Christians of the 7th century, and it continues down through today.

The Obama administration is working on changing the language of the National Security Strategy to more politically-correct terminology. Counterterrorism officials say the goal of the new version is to emphasize that the United States does not view Muslim nations through the lens of terrorism.

The National Security Strategy document, which outlined the Bush Doctrine of preventive war, currently states: "The struggle against militant Islamic radicalism is the great ideological conflict of the early years of the 21st century."

During a visit to Cairo last year, President Obama promised a ‘new beginning’ in the relationship between the United States and the Muslim world. "Do you want to think about the U.S. as the nation that fights terrorism or the nation you want to do business with," said National Security Council staffer Pradeep Ramamurthy, who runs the Obama administration’s Global Engagement Directorate.

Karen Hughes, who served as President Bush’s top diplomat to the Muslim world in his second term, urged the White House to avoid using religious language. “Whenever they hear 'Islamic extremism, Islamic jihad, Islamic fundamentalism,' they perceive it as a sort of an attack on their faith. That's the world view Osama bin Laden wants them to have,” Hughes said.

This nation and much of the Western world are in a war, not against a generic "terrorism" but against a particular and brutal strain of Islamic extremism that wants to do as much damage as possible to our freedoms and way of life.

George W. Bush was wrong to call this the "War on Terror." But he was right to focus on it as he did in the aftermath of the murderous and cowardly Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on America by Islamic extremists.

Politically correct I have never been....so allow my point of view. No one would say a word if someone in Yemen wanted to burn a Bible.

So lay low terrorists and all will be well....stir it up...lay your rugs and blankets in the middle of the street to pray during rush hour traffic...build a shiny mosque near 'ground-zero'....and someday you will get your ass kicked. You may have our president and leaders fooled...but the average person can see right thru your bullshit.

....I could be driving a Volvo

The heart of the Parnelli Jones Edition is its Boss 302 engine. Ford wanted to keep the Boss label for a future project, so although the 302 appears in oddly familiar script around the vehicle, the word Boss is nowhere to be found. That's ok! In place of the 4.6-liter SOHC V8 of lesser 'Stangs, the PJ has a true 302. It starts out as a 4.6, but Saleen strokes and bores it to make it a Five-Point-Ohhhhhh. They also add bigger injectors, ported aluminum heads, performance camshafts, forged-aluminum pistons, forged-steel connecting rods, a forged-steel crank and dual exhausts with bitchin' big oval tips. Oh, and that huge Shaker scoop up top.

This is a race car remake so the Saleen team made sure the Mustang handles like a race car, but one suited for the street. The Saleen Racecraft suspension system is standard on this car, like on all Saleen Mustangs. The shocks, struts, and sway bars are designed by Saleen to help offer the extra grip and excellent road feel. The wheels check in at 19x9 up front and 19x10 out back and are branded with the Saleen/Parnelli Jones logo. Stopping power is provided by Saleen 14-inch brakes.

Turn the key and it does indeed shake. It also sets off car alarms within 4 parking spots of yours. Really. It revs freely and keeps going well past what you feel it should. Especially if you've driven other recent muscle cars. The whole time producing a wonderfully sonorous wail.

The transmission is possibly the weak link here. Saleen uses the standard Ford 5-speed manual, albeit with a nifty PJ billet short-throw shifter. Reassuringly firm, but a bit sloppy at times. Traction control is standard and helpful, rather than intrusive. You can spin the tires a bit before it intervenes, or shut it off and wait an extra tick or two before the tires hook up and launch you down the road.

It makes for a very satisfying driving experience. Overall, this has to be one of the best naturally aspirated powerplants ever made by Ford.

Watts linkage. Remember those two words. That's what takes this Mustang from acceptable to damn near perfect. As much as anyone would like the sweet-sounding, rev-happy motor, the suspension is what really convinced me this was the Mustang to have. The Parnelli still uses a solid-beam rear axle, but two Saleen-developed Watts links are added in place of the stock Panhard rods on each side. This allows Saleen to use PJ-specific RaceCraft Suspension pieces like a thicker anti-roll bar and stiffer springs, bushings and shocks all around.

The handling and braking of this car is great. The word balance keeps coming to mind. The Watts links really make a huge difference in giving a driver the confidence it takes to truly take on the canyons. It begs to be driven harder, which is very endearing. The steering was nicely weighted and the pedals and other controls gave great feedback so you knew what was happening at all times too. It all adds up to a winner in any book.

The high compression engine also features forged internal components, high revving valvetrain, and an aluminum flywheel. The computer has been calibrated using Saleen's PowerFlash technology. Adding visual excitement under the hood is a set of valve covers bearing the legendary 302 logo.

At the end of the day, this is one fine car. The best Mustang out there to say the least. That strong, free-revving engine, beefed up suspension and retro racer look make it the total package. With performance on par with BMW M3s, Audi RS4s, and Aston Martin Vantages, it can even be seen as somewhat of a bargain. And let's not discount the limited edition nature and the name on the dash. When you buy a car like this, you're buying a piece of the legend that surrounds it.

I have been asked, " How in the world can you put miles on this car Tracy?"...."It should be on blocks in your garage."

My response is..."I could be driving a Volvo."

.....Fantasy what?

Five years ago I read about (and thought about joining) a fantasy football league...thinking at the time how silly it must be to sit and look at numbers and “points” to generate a win in a football game. This is a game built around an alternate state of reality.

Now…everyone seems to have an opinion on fantasy football, and there's no mushy middle to inhabit. You're either with the fantasy players or against them, and the debate is almost entirely dominated by the true believers who worship the game. This scared me a little. What the hell is wrong with people and this must be a "fad" that will not last very long.

So let’s see…in the last five years…..the housing bubble burst, the stock market tanked, and the economy almost slid into a capital-lettered second Great Depression, but fantasy football is bigger and thriving more than ever. That point was soundly driven home to me again when I read that the NFL announced the league was jumping with two feet deeper into the ever-expanding world of fantasy football.

I read that for the first time, NFL.com has launched a new fantasy platform (and don't you know it's all about the platforms these days), featuring "the world's only NFL fantasy game with video and extensive in-game highlights.'' The press release goes on to say that player projections are tied to Madden NFL 11, which seems about right, since that seems to link a fantasy game that really doesn't exist in reality... to a video game that really doesn't exist.... in reality. All by a league that may not play any real games itself next year if it doesn't get its labor situation figured out.

How perfect.

NFL at its March owners meeting heard a pitch from former Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson, who along with current Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is marketing a hand-held video device called Game-Day Vision that would be available to fans in their seats at the stadium, allowing them to keep track of everything that unfolds around the league while they're at the game.

You get the feeling we're headed for all access, all the time, with fantasy football furthering its grip as this sports-crazed nation's favorite pastime while watching its favorite game. In the NFL world, fantasy is the clear-cut king. Even if non-believers like me have our reasons for not liking it, it's not about to go away or decrease in popularity. From the looks of things, to think otherwise is pure fantasy.

Now excuse me...my fantasy draft starts in 13 minutes and 11 seconds.....and I have the second overall pick.

...what a Barista Boy can't teach you

With the growing number of corporations adopting teaming strategies, the workplace is rapidly evolving. Bringing people together is only half of the collaboration equation.

The physical environment must support the group by providing the right tools for effective problem solving, strategic planning and brainstorming. Which factors should you consider when designing a team space?

Casual Collaboration:  The environment must be designed to foster interaction. Casual meetings at the coffee machine, photocopier or even the washroom result in spontaneous creativity. As companies recognize the importance of these impromptu water-cooler meetings, architects and space planners must respond accordingly and encourage these interactions with facility design. Although environment alone cannot guarantee the brightest ideas, workspace design does have a measurable impact on team productivity.

Variety – the Space of Life:  Variety is key when designing team space. Making both closed and open meeting spaces available is necessary to support different work styles. Dedicated office areas can double as meeting spaces for smaller groups. Larger, private areas like war rooms or project rooms are also needed. To maximize the benefits of collaborative work, finding suitable meeting spaces should be effortless. Diversity in room size, layout and design will ensure team members will always have an appropriate meeting space.

Collaborative Communication:  Sharing visual information is often an important component of team communication. Concepts are acknowledged and validated, which reinforces the individual, causes cohesion within the team and creates team spirit! Effective team spaces must be equipped with the tools to display the group's concepts, solutions and ideas.

The Right Tools:  What types of tools can be used to effectively capture information in team spaces? Flipcharts, dry-erase marker boards and notepads have been used in the past, but organizations are recognizing the limitations of such equipment. We are seeing Fortune 500 companies planning meeting spaces that include productivity tools to help team members manage the information generated during group collaboration. With products such as electronic and interactive whiteboards, teams can capture ideas directly to a computer for printing, e-mailing or saving. As companies recognize that time spent in meetings is actually a corporate investment, they will seek ways to effectively record all that transpires in team sessions. Keeping a record of all the notes coming out a meeting is invaluable.

Flexibility:  A group space should be flexible enough that a team can adapt the space when necessary. Open team space and adequate connectivity provide the flexibility for reconfiguration. Designers need to consider telecommunication and IT infrastructure as part of the design-build process. Non-territorial workspace with appropriate connectivity allows teams to pick up and plug in. Teams should have access to voice mail, e-mail, fax and networked information wherever they decide to meet. Consulting with information technology professionals throughout the design process results in flexible spaces that support natural fusion and fission common in work teams. All of the "Big 5" accounting firms are currently using such alternative officing strategies with telecommunications, software – and countless other industries are following the movement toward free-address space.

Designing a true team space is more than simply erecting four walls and throwing in a flipchart. Take a holistic approach by considering space availability, diversity, connectivity and flexibility to create an ideal environment which support the two-heads-are-better-than-one theory. With well-thought out space planning, corporations are experiencing increased productivity, faster product cycles and heightened employee morale.

Now isn't that better than a cup of Joe?...or as the kids say today a Raspberry Mocha Chip Frappuccino- Espresso Macchiato- Triple Tazo Citrus and Cream- Gingerbread Latte Grande? (nonfat of course)...

Tips & Warnings (if working with a Barista)

• Don't mumble
• Slow down, (I may not have made your drink before, or I may be new)
• Your Barista is not an idiot, but he is human
• Don't be jerk if your barista makes a mistake: things happen and nobody is perfect
• Some stores do not train their baristas as well as others. (Keep this in mind when traveling)

This method of ordering is for Starbucks only, though it will probably work just fine at most other family establishments.....

....another Pinocchio story

Ole Miss dropped a bombshell a few weeks ago when Rebel coach Houston Nutt invited former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli to Oxford in hopes of luring him into attending graduate school--and while he's there playing a little football--at Ole Miss.

This is the quarterback who pled guilty to stealing a laptop computer and guitar from a fraternity house at Oregon. He also was caught driving a car with marijuana in the glove box.

Oregon coach Chip Kelly kicked Masoli off the Ducks team, and remember….this was a player who was touted as a Heisman Trophy candidate.

Masoli has earned the reputation as the bad boy of college football much like Lane Kiffin has earned the reputation as the bad boy of college football coaches. But Masoli now tells a very different version of the events that led to his downfall at Oregon. He claims he did not take anything, and in actuality not one witness ever saw him with any of the stolen merchandise. The problem came from the fact that Masoli lied to the police and to Kelly about being at the fraternity house that night, which he was.

Now he writes that it was a ‘misunderstanding.’ It makes for interesting reading. If his version is correct, then Ole Miss would be getting a terrific quarterback just at a time the Rebels need one. If the national perception is right, then Ole Miss could be getting a headache waiting to happen...

My guess? He won’t be able to compete with the real athletes in the SEC Conference. Big diff from running the option against Washington State or UCLA….then it is against Florida, Bama, LSU….and the rest…..we will see soon.

Hey, since he has lied a few times in the past…if it does not go well at Ole Miss…he can just say he was “never there”…right?

Another Pinocchio story…

....hey man, what about Napoleon Pete?

Once upon a time...I worked for a ‘family-owned’ company (problem was...I wasn't part of the family).

We have all had a boss who drove all his employees’ nuts. "Pete" would start wandering the hallways at 4:30 or calling-in to make sure no one left work before 5, he would give assignments but then micromanage them to death, he seemed to enjoy being in everyone's business...reading all the emails of every employee, and he rarely gave good performance reviews (that could be the reason only ‘family’ is left in the company) -- unless somehow it reflected back on him. Everyone referred to him as Napoleon Pete.

All-in-all, Pete drove everyone in the company crazy, and little-by-little every member of the company left (except Pete's family of course). Pete is a perfect example of the workplace axiom that job-seekers join great companies but leave because of bad bosses.

Maybe you have a boss who is sexist or racist…or perhaps a boss who takes all the credit for himself. Maybe your boss thinks you have no life outside work and makes you stay late…..or perhaps a boss who gives out too many tasks with impossible to meet deadlines (or constantly changing deadlines). Maybe your boss is a pathological liar…..or perhaps the boss plays favorites.

Bad bosses -- whether ogres, control freaks, jerks, micromanagers, or bumbling fools -- can be found in all organizations. Pop culture loves to make fun of bad bosses, from the pointy-haired boss in the Dilbert comic strip, to the completely insipid boss from "The Office," to the anal-compulsive and mean boss of the movie Office Space... but bad bosses are no laughing matter when you have to face him every working day. And, unfortunately, with the rightsizing of the last few years, there are probably more overworked and undertrained bosses than ever. It's also possible, though, that bad bossing is just part of the organization's corporate culture….trust me…I know first-hand.

One study found that almost 80 percent of the employees surveyed identified their boss as a lousy manager. And almost 70 percent in that study conducted by Delta Road stated that their immediate superior had "no clue" what to do to become a good manager. Author Harvey Hornstein, Ph.D., estimates that 90 percent of the U.S. work force has been subjected to abusive behavior at some time. He bases his conclusions on a survey of nearly 1,000 workers over eight years (unfortunately it took me nine years).

So, what can you do if you are working for a bad boss? Find the tools you need to manage the situation as best you can, but remember that sometimes the only solution is transferring to a different part of the company -- or switching employers…..

The worst thing you can do is simply to do nothing, hoping the problems will get resolved. No job, boss, or company is worth losing your health, sanity, or self-esteem. If you can't find a way to resolve these issues and/or your boss simply will never change his behavior, you should immediately start working your network and begin looking for a new job -- outside the organization.

Nepotism is favoritism granted to relatives or friends, with no regard to merit. The word nepotism is from the Latin word nepos (meaning "nephew" or "grandchild").

Hey man...you are either blood....or not....

.....don't forget your dog!

The weekend has finally arrived...now get ready for some heat! Saturday and Sunday are going to sizzle with highs getting into the low to mid 90s…or higher. The ridge of high pressure will keep things sunny and dry all the way into your work week.

We all suffer in hot weather. However, for elderly and disabled people and those with chronic health conditions such as vascular disease or diabetes, the weather does not have to hit 100 degrees to cause heat stress or even deadly heat stroke….and don’t forget your dog!!

As we age, we gradually lose the ability to perspire and regulate our body temperature. This is why older people tend to overdress—they don't feel heat the same way anymore. Heart rates do not speed up-or return to normal-as fast during exercise. Older skin also thins and offers less protection from the sun. Poor circulation, heart, lung and kidney diseases, and high blood pressure increase the risk for heat-related illness. Being overweight or underweight also increases risk....and don't forget your dog!!!

A Naples, Florida, man was convicted of cruelty recently when his dog died after being locked in a car for four hours on a warm day. The dead dog’s temperature was still almost 110ºF a full two hours after police removed him from the car. The man was sentenced to six months in jail and slapped with a $1,000 fine for “animal cruelty by abandonment.”

I always try to have sympathy for defendants before making a decision,” the sentencing judge told the man. “I don’t have any sympathy for you.”

Why was the judge so unsympathetic? Because he believed that the man, a doctor, should have known better than to leave a dog in a car for hours with one window cracked just an inch. Indeed, all of us should know better, especially when temperatures climb into the 80s and 90s like they are this weekend. But even a mild day can be dangerous. In May, a dog died after being locked in a parked car on a sunny, 67°F day in Albany, N.Y., even though the car windows had allegedly been left open a crack.

During the “dog days” of summer, the temperature inside a parked car can climb to well above 100ºF degrees in just a matter of minutes. Beating the heat is extra tough for dogs because they can only cool themselves by panting and sweating through their paw pads. Their PAW PADS! So when you are walking your dog on a hot day....on the sidewalk....think!!

In this weather...heatstroke can come on quickly and result in brain damage or death. Watch for symptoms such as restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, and lethargy, lack of appetite, dark tongue, rapid heartbeat, fever, vomiting, or lack of coordination. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, get her or him into the shade immediately and call your veterinarian. Lower the animal’s body temperature gradually by providing water to drink, applying a cold towel or ice pack to the head, neck, and chest, or immersing the dog in lukewarm (not cold) water.

 Many people don’t realize how quickly animals left in a hot car or outside without shade or water can succumb to the heat.

Never leave a dog in a parked car. On a mild 73ºF day, the temperature inside a car can reach 120ºF in 30 minutes. On a 90ºF day, the interior of a vehicle can reach 160ºF in minutes. Next time I see this in Portland...a dog in the car on a hot day with the window slightly cracked....prepare yourself when you come out from your shopping spree....I'll have a surprise for you! (a well-ventilated car)....

Please...don't be stupid.