Friday 6 Pack

1. The 30^th Olympics are over, what is your lasting image from the London Games?

Matt – Usain Bolt easing his way to a 100M and 200M repeat and Misty May and Kerry Walsh’s 3 peat in the sand and Oscar Pistorius.

Wendt – Michael Phelps

Painter – U.S. dominating the final medal count

Blake – I'm something of an Olympic junkie so I have a few.  Aly Raisman breaking down just before the end of her Team Gold medal clinching floor routine.  Michael Phelps rebounding after a tough start and just looking pissed off at the world that you knew the world was going to be in trouble, and the sight of Usain Bolt getting the baton behind the American's on the 4x100M relay, and taking about 3 steps to not just catch up, but leave the field in the dust.

BSox – How much of a dumbass fatboy slim looks like at the closing ceremony. Horrible. Spice girls though…AWESOME!

Majors – I enjoyed the Olympics this year. There seemed to be a lot of intensity, the coverage in social media was excellent as well, especially Twitter. WInning 2 Golds in wrestling was awesome!

Zach – My lasting image is the look on the faces of the women's gymnastics team after winning team final.

2. Now that the Olympics are over football is right around the corner, and high school games begin TONIGHT!  Open up your crystal ball, any school any class – what is one headline the state will see this year in IA HS FB?

Matt – GMG will not go 0fer.  They haven’t won a game in over 20 games or so (that’s like 2 full seasons +) but Wendt has assured me that one of the teams on the Wolverines schedule sucks worse this year.

Wendt – Class A football will be extremely watered down this fall (lots of teams dropping to 8man) Class 4A will dominate the headlines because it always does

Painter – I don't care much about high school football unless I'm helping out Mr Wendt.

Blake – That it will take me the entire year to fully remember there is no more CIML

BSox – I really don’t know. I haven’t paid much attention to high school games since my brother played at north polk. However, I live in Johnston now, and I’ve always wanted to head over for a game…maybe this is the year!

Majors – Ummm, no clue. So I will go with Boone & Ogden! Go Toreadors!!!

Zach – The fact that Valley vs. Dowling late in the season adds a new element of drama.

3. College football starts in 2 weeks.  Next week we’ll get to Big Ten/Big XII/ BCS predictions.  This week – Who is your Heisman pick?

Matt – Last year I picked Landry Jones and was off.  This year I’m going to go with Matt Barkley at USC. 

Wendt – Montee Ball-Wisconsin

Painter – Sadly I have to say Denard Robinson

Blake – Well, Honey Badger is out.  I'll take Matt Barkley

BSox – Probably what’s his name from USC. Will he get it is debatable, but he has to be the front runner right?

Majors – Well it won't be the Honey Badger. I think Montee Ball has a good shot, especially if he puts up numbers like he did last year. But the B1G bias will always come out, so the voters will forget about him
Zach – I'll take a layup here and go with Matt Barkley at So Cal.

4. The Iowa Speedway had its second Nationwide race a couple weeks ago.  Rusty Wallace on KXNO was talking more and more that Iowa is a great spot for a NASCAR race and maybe in the next 5 years.  Would this be the biggest sports stage to hit central Iowa? 

Matt – I think the only thing that could top it would be the NCAA 1^st & 2^nd round games if they come to the Well, though the NCAA Wrestling Championships I think will be HUGE here in March.  Those might be the only 2 things.  But no question about it a Sprint Cup race would be AMAZING here.

Wendt – I'd be shocked if Newton ever holds a Sprint Cup race but if they do, more power to em

Painter – While a Sprint Cup race would be huge for Iowa it may not be the biggest sports stage, although it would generate the most interest within any given fan base

Blake – I'm not sure it's ahead of the NCAA Women's basketball tournament or the wrestling tournament, or even the US Senior Open.  But hey, it's good for sports in Iowa to be shown on National TV as much as possible.

BSox – Part of me says yes, but part of me says no. this is still a college football/basketball state. While Jack Trice or Kinnick doesn’t always hold as many as the speedway, the speed way doesn’t have people fighting for a tv to watch an Iowa/Iowa St game every single weekend. Speedway can’t say the same. Speedway has big crowds, not near as many people following at home.

Majors – I think it is pretty cool that there is so much racing up there. You have Knoxville, Boone, plus others I don't know about I'm sure

Zach – Football, both high school and college, will always take the big stage. NASCAR will provide to set up the big "audition" for Des Moines to host other major events and not just NCAA based events.

5. The Expendables 2 opens up this week.  Which of these stars is your favorite and which one is truly Expendable and needs to hang it up?

Matt – Bruce Willis as John McClane is a bad ass!  I think it’s time for Arnold to hang it up, he shouldn’t be coming back, he old.

Wendt – Jason Statham is actually pretty solid, and I always enjoy Chuck Norris. Stallone needs to go away

Painter – Tough question.  I've liked Stallone and Willis but I also think their times have passed.

Blake – I just borrowed a buddies copy of the first Expendables since I hadn't seen it yet.  Let me just say this, I love the old school action stars, but Hollywood hasn't developed any new ones worth a damn for about 30 years.

BSox – I don’t think any of them need to. This is such a throwback to 80s action movies that it makes me warm and fuzzy. I want 47 more movies like this.

Majors – Hmmm, Sly is getting up there, along with Mr. Van Damme. I have always liked Jet Li

Zach – While they all probably need to hang it up, Willis is my favorite. "Die Hard" will always live easy with me.

6.  A 24 hour wedding chapel opened in a Las Vegas Denny’s.  What’s the menu item you are saying “I DO” to after getting hitched?

Matt – You gotta go with the Grand Slam breakfast since later after the I DO’s  and flapjacks you going to most likely hit a home run at the hotel.

Wendt – French Toast Slam (mmmmmm mmmm good)

Painter – A Grand Slam of course

Blake – I'd say chilli cheese dogs with a side of baked beans.  Gotta break her into a new reality quickly.  

BSox – Corn beefed hash…by the gallons.

Majors – A beer...or shot. My last marriage ended in a ball of flames, hopefully I will have better luck next time, haha!!!

Zach – Champagne. And maybe a waffle.

Memorial Day Weekend

This was the first weekend in a while there was no girl scouts, no soccer….nothing, just had to live life.  The weekend started with me taking Addy to a water park for a birthday party.  Tip for anyone going to an indoor water park…its humid!  I shouldn’t have worn jeans.  It was steamy.  Addy had a good time though.  I sat by the pool, at the bar with a couple $6 drinks.  It was a good night.  Saturday the old kids and I hit the zoo while the little one was out cold for her AM nap.  After lunch Bray took a nap and so did Ry in the afternoon.  Then did some grilling of supper and some laundry. Also had Hayden get her first summer time cut.  No more clumps of hair all around. 

Sunday was also really fricken HOT.  So the morning was just hanging out at home.   Watched a little bit of the Indy 500 pre race stuff, then after lunch figured the old kids needed to get out so too them to the Science Center.  Last time there with them we did the Egypt exhibit, this time they were getting ready for the Mars exhibit, opens in about a week so we’ll have to get back there for that.  We just hit the animals, too many snakes there, the discovery zone and the kids played a lot.  Addy and I got the little water power generator going pretty good.  Bray got to run around and explore too.  We watched a little film in the planetarium about the moon landings.  Then hit the play area.  Addy found a friend she knew there and played a bit with her there.

I love that we have this option in Iowa and have a the science center, but I think they need to build on and be bigger, add more stuff.  If you can get through in about an hour and the exhibits change but nothing else does, add on.  It will become stale.  It should be something that takes 2-3 hours or more.  That being said I’m excited to go back for the Mars exhibit.  (I’ll rant on the zoo..again later)

After the science center the kids wanted a snack and asked them what they wanted, they both responded “HIGH LIFE” (I love my kids!)  So we went to the High Life Lounge and had some tots and some drinks, grainbelt for me and shirley temples for the kids.  They had a blast, just sitting at the bar eating and then playing with the buck hunter game.  We went home and had some supper and Bray and I watched the 600…Addy did girl stuff with her mom.

Monday it was just me and 3 kids pretty much and it, and it was a pretty good day.  We hit the zoo early in the am and were there for about an hour and a half (please Zoo add on and get bigger – good job adding a Rhino in 2013 but build on and compete with Omaha, and get more monkeys!), the kids had fun again and usually do all the time there.  Saw the Tiger and Snow leopard up close.  The lions also a bit too; one was laying on a rock close to the fence and they are awesome creatures up close.  We left the zoo at the right time, there was a LOOOONG line forming as we left.  We then headed downtown and hit the Sculpture Park and I let Ryleigh go out and run.  She loved it, she ran after her older siblings.  I got a great shot of her and Addy walking up to the letter sculpture. 

After about 30 mins or so there we went east to the Capital to check out the cannons and memorials.  The kids asked a lot of questions about the memorials which is good, Addy especially was starting to realize the meaning of Memorial Day.  There are a bunch of memorials up by the capital and cannons and cool statues around the capital that everyone should see.  And you get a great view looking downtown Des Moines and to the ball park on the river.  Des Moines isn’t really that bad of a place.

We then headed home for mac & cheese with hotdogs for lunch and Ryleigh went down.  When Ry woke up all 3 kids were then out on the deck playing and it was perfect.  It was great weather, I brought out Bray’s cube and had the ipod playing some good ole country music, and some nice cold beverages too.  We grilled burgers, brats and dogs and the kids wanted to eat outside so I complied.  It was awesome, perfect.  A trip to DQ and then shower time and it was bed time just in time for the Hatfield’s & McCoy’s on History Channel. 

Overall Monday topped the weekend of GREAT!  Hoping not to insult others BUT my kids are the best 3 kids in the world!

Final March 6 pack

1-The Final Four is set.  In State battle with Louisville and Kentucky in one semifinal….some Midwest flavor in a Big Ten-Big 8…er..12 showdown with Kansas and Ohio State.  Who is playing Monday Night and who cuts down the nets?

Matt – I’m going to say that Pitino is going to get the best of Calipari and Louisville knocks off the ‘Cats.  Kansas wins on the other side and Monday Night Bill Self is cutting down the nets.  (**this is the scenario my boy picked on his logo bracket-so I’m hoping this happens)

Wendt – Ohio State vs Kentucky and I'm gonna pick an upset and say the Buckeyes are cutting down the nets.

Painter – Kentucky will beat Ohio State

Blake – Ohio State and Kentucky.  Kentucky is still by far the best team in the Nation, the only thing that stops them is themselves and if they were to have an off night.

BSox –Gut is telling me Kentucky vs ohio st for the title, but I have this weird feeling about Louisville, and maybe this is their year. I’ll go Kentucky though, I picked them to win, and not going to give up now

Majors – Kentucky beats the Cardinals; Rock Chalk Jayhawk beats the suckeyes, and The Kentucky Wildcats beat the Jayhawks

2-The Iowa basketball seasons are over.  In 3 words or less describe the instate seasons and future of the men’s basketball programs.

Matt –  IOWA:  Getting MAD again!        IOWA ST: Keep Transfers Coming     UNI: Damn you McDermott     DRAKE: Future looks better         

Wendt –  IOWA: Future is bright   IOWA ST: Future is unclear   UNI: Future is average   DRAKE: Future is below average     

Painter –  IOWA: Future is bright  IOWA ST: Need high schoolers  UNI: Roller coaster ride  DRAKE: Cotlar loves you  

Blake –  IOWA: Fun Again  IOWA ST: Awesome Run  UNI: Gotta start improving   DRAKE: Who?

BSox –  IOWA: improvement, toughness, crowds  IOWA ST: transfers, recruiting, magic UNI: disappointment, future, bright  DRAKE: ummmmm, wha, who

Majors –  IOWA: On the rise  IOWA ST: does anyone care? UNI: Still hanging around DRAKE: Ummm, about them...         

3-Des Moines had a successful showing at the women’s regional final that may have featured Pat Summit’s final game.  Will this get Des Moines a Men’s first round game?

Matt – I would think packing in 17,000 for the session for a WOMEN’S Regional and selling out the NCAA Wrestling Championships would be enough to get a Men’s First Round site here.  I flipped on the Fresno Regional final last night and ESPN wouldn’t show the crowd at all…like no one was there.  NCAA give us a MENS TOURNAMENT!  Des Moines will sell out!

Wendt – Not next year but I could see Des Moines getting one in the next 5 years

Painter – I'd like to think so but there needs to be some sort of hotel actually connected to Wells Fargo apparently. 

Blake – I believe so, good job Des Moines!

BSox – It’s a step in the right direction, I’d say next 10 years we have a good chance of seeing it. They need to get more stuff to do around the arena to really up the shot.

Majors – Living here in FL I am not in tune with the DSM sports scene. However, it seems they are picking it up rather well. It would be cool to see the state get a 1st round game!

4-Tim Tebow is now on the J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS!  He apparently picked New York over Jacksonville.  Good move for Tebow and the Jets?

Matt – The Jets are going to sell jersey’s and cause controversy when Sanchez goes out and throws picks.  I thought Jacksonville would have been a better fit for Tebow.

Wendt – I'm still not sure why New York thought it was a good idea to even be in the conversation and why didn't Tebow want Jacksonville? Still alot of questions unanswered if you ask me

Painter – I don't think so.  The Jets don't need him and he's not real good with the media.  He would have been better off going to a team with a creative offense that could fit him into certain situations.

Blake – Who cares, fun for everyone else to sit back and watch the drama!

BSox – Not at all. Jets are a mess at the moment. The first time Sanchez has a bad game they’ll be calling for Tebow. It makes no sense bringing in a guy like Tebow to an environment where you have a QB that isn’t the overall leader of the locker room. It’s going to be a huge head ache for them this season. But maybe Sanchez works way harder because of Tebow …

Majors – I think it is an okay one for each side. I do think it shows a lot that the owner, coach, & GM are in Fl when the presser happened. I know the meetings are here, but they could have arranged it. I am a firm believer in the statement: "If you have 2 QB's, you have no QB's."

5-The Saints got punished heavily by the NFL.  Fair punishment or did Goodell go too far?

Matt – This was a statement punishment meant to have a ripple effect throughout the NFL down to College and then to High School.  Saints fans shouldn’t cry like they are, they just got caught.  Then the Cover Up is worse then the crime.

Wendt – Goodell seems to be softening a little bit on Sean Payton but the punishment was fair in my opinion

Painter – Goodell wanted to send a message which he did. Kind of hard to say he went too far or not. 

Blake – Not at all.  I think everyone had an idea that bounties for good clean hits were going on, but money for Cart-Offs is barbaric and wrong in a civilized society.  Goodell had to leave no doubt that such activity would never happen again.

BSox –Completely fair, maybe not enough. Paying someone for a good play, good hit, getting a fumble stuff like that isn’t a big deal to me. Going out and trying to ruin someone’s career/life is a whole other issue. I almost go with the punter who says kick them out of the league

Majors – The Aints... I would say they got busted. I think the penalty is very harsh, however, they had multiple chances to stop the program as well as be honest with Goodell. They did neither. He has shown he hates being lied to, and he punished them as he saw fit. Now with them talking to The Big Tuna, who knows what will happen. I think losing Payton hurts, I think losing Loomis really hurts, though. Losing a GM for 8 weeks, including the draft? Ouch. I know they will find ways to talk, but they better not get caught.

6-WRESTLEMANIA is this weekend.  The Rock vs John Cena!  Finally! What is your favorite Wrestlemania moment?

Matt – Favorite match is WM3 with Ricky Steamboat vs Macho Man…one of the best matches I’ve seen.  Also WM6 with Hogan vs the Warrior at Sky Dome.  I think Jericho-Punk steals the show this year.

Wendt – Hulk Hogan slamming Andre the Giant was awesome

Painter – Wrestlemania X8 in Toronto (2002).  Rock vs Hollywood Hulk Hogan.  The original WWF/WWE superstar passing the proverbial torch to the "People's Champion".  Plus Jericho and Triple H had a good match for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship.

Blake – Um, huh?

BSox –Shawn michaels vs the undertaker…or pretty much any shawn michaels match. Those were the best matches. He sells so well, and tells such a great story throughout the match. I still consider him the greatest wrestler ever, and haven’t watched a ton since he left

Majors – Wow, haven't watched wrestling in years. Fav moment? Probably the original one. I remember being at my buddy's house watching it. Good times!

Friday 6 Pack

A BSox 6er

1. Iowa State got another big win yesterday at Hilton, at the moment; they are 18-7/8-4. What's the ceiling for this team, and at the end of the year, what will we be saying about Iowa State?

Matt – I think this team’s ceiling is Sweet 16/Elite 8 if they get the right draw and matchups and White can make free throws.  Then if White stays and they get the other transfers playing this team will be getting major buzz going into next year.

Painter – Even at 18-8/8-5 (which they are after the Baylor game) I still think they are somewhat inconsistent.  They're a bubble team right now but a good showing in the Big XII tournament will help their chances.

Blake – Iowa State could be a team that makes a sneaky run either during the Big 12 Championship or the NCAA Tourney.  They have a ton of talent, but just need to continue to grow as a team.  I wouldn't be surprised if they got to the Sweet 16.

Zach – The ceiling is higher than what most want to give. I can see ISU WINNING the Big XII Tourney. At the end of the year, fans will be asking when is the countdown to next season? Iowa State men's athletics will soar to new heights

2. NFL season is done, draft is on the way, what do you think was the biggest headline of the season was, and just for giggles, the biggest NON headline of the season?

Matt – Headline:  The Manning Sagas—Eli’s bling and Peyton’s ending Indy Fling     NonHeadline:Jisselle vs Welker in New England

Painter – Biggest headline:  Al Davis passing away.  He did a lot to form the NFL as we know it.  He got a bad reputation over the past decade but he was still a great football man.   Biggest non-headline:   Tom Coughlin on the hot-seat in New York.  That's an annual thing, we can all assume it will happen by week 6.

Blake – Biggest Headline had to have been Tim Tebow, and the biggest non-headline was the kickoff rule change.  Granted there were a lot more touchbacks, but by week two or three, did anyone remember any other way?

Zach – Headline: Eli Elite   Non-headline: OchoCinco Not Even Matching Receptions to Last Name

3. With state tournaments approaching, which one is the best and why?

Matt – Wrestling, when you make SI, you got something special

Painter – Even though I'm not a fan the state wrestling tournament takes the title.  Multiple matches at once and a great environment give it the edge. 

Blake – Um, Boys basketball.  Because wrestling includes men rolling on the mat together and girls basketball is painful.

Zach – Wrestling, simply because of its energy it brings

4. Kurt Warner made some interesting comments on Eli Manning, and his possible place in the Hall of fame, do you agree with the comments, and were you surprised by Warner? If you missed it, here is a link to the story.

Matt – I was surprised by Warner, one because Eli now has more rings than him, so does he think he himself isn’t HOF worthy? I think Eli has the resume to build on becoming the greatest QB in New York football history, IMO he’s already surpassed Simms and Namath.  Give him 7 good more healthy years and he’ll be in Canton. 

Painter – I agree with Kurt completely.  At this point Eli is not Hall of Fame worthy.  I think the Super Bowl ring benchmark for QB's getting into the HoF is now 3 if that's all you go by.  Otherwise they need to have a solid body of work through their career.  So far Eli has shown flashes of brilliance and flashes of crap.  If he can put together a few more strong seasons he'd be more worthy.  As far as being surprised by Warner I'm not.  He's now an analyst; he gets paid to voice his opinion and that's what he did.  It doesn't matter to me that he was a QB at one time.  

Blake – I was surprised by his comments, because it wasn't the normal "be nice to everyone without actually saying anything" talk that you normally get from former players.  I liked that he had an opinion, but he may be wrong. I think Eli has to be in the discussion for future hall of famers.

Zach – Eli is elite RIGHT NOW. Leave him alone, and once he retires, then we can bring up this conversation

5. Taking a major leap forward, Des Moines seems to be the king of the minor league teams (just sounded good in my head), how far down the road, and what would Des Moines need to do to gain a major pro franchise, and what sport would work best?

Matt – I remember back in the early 90s reading in like Sport or Inside Sports that Des Moines was one of 2 cities predicted for a major league team (along with Buffalo), I don’t see it.  I like what we have now with the I-Cubs and Stormers, Energy and Bucs.  I wish we could get a bigger hockey team in the Well with a staff that KNOWS how to get butts in the seats there.  I think the first “MAJOR” sport to come here will be NASCAR in Newton, and I think they are right on track (pun intended) to doing that.

Painter – If you're talking the big 4 (MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA) it's not gonna happen.  The only top-level sporting events I can see coming to Des Moines/Central Iowa are a PGA Tour event (it still may not bring in the top draws like Tiger and Phil) or a NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Newton.

Blake – I think baseball would be the only thing that would work.  Right now, the I-Cubs can nearly outdraw some of the crappy Major League teams.  The NBA wouldn't stand a chance, and I think people are so wrapped up in Hawkeye and Cyclone Football, even an NFL team wouldn't succeed.

Zach – I've argued for a little bit that Des Moines has the best minor league sports market in the country. Frankly, I think it's fine just the way it is. I would like to see more national events come around here, however

6. A kid found a Super Bowl playbook at a yard sale, what is your most prized sport possession, and how did you get it?

Matt – Most prized…wow, I have a Bob Feller ball signed when my dad, bro and I met him at the Field of Dreams with now Ohio Gov John Kasich, also have an autographed Ryno photo from ICubs Convention about 10 years ago.  Don’t know if I’d call that most prized.  I’m going to go with a ticket stub…Last Yankees/Redsox game at Old Yankee Stadium with my dad and brother.  The memories from the game and the trip are something I wont forget.

Painter – I have a simple #18 Iowa jersey that I bought at Scheel's somewhere in the 2005-2007 years.  During the 2008 game vs Maine Chad Greenway was standing on the field right in front of us.  I asked if he'd sign it he said sure and "I didn't know they still sold these".  Too bad no one had a Sharpie, all we could muster was a ballpoint pen.  Needless to say the signature is faded, but at least I still have the picture of the autograph.

Blake – Probably my signed, Derek Lee Iowa Cubs jersey.  Thanks for letting me know the jersey was available again Quentin.

Zach – My most prized sports possession is a signed Tim Lincecum baseball, and I got it as a high school graduation gift.

Best and Worst of the Weekend – I got called OLD

Well that was a fun weekend, too quick of course but still fun. Friday after work I had to run home for the Orkin Man to come and spray some stuff around the house.  After that I got the older kids and then played a quick Xbox game before the “What’s for supper?  We’re hungry” started.  For some reason I’ve been not in the mood to cook or do dishes so S suggested we head to the checkerboard in Pleasantville.  We hadn’t been there in a while so I was all over that.  One, it meant no cooking OR dishes.  And two they have some cool stuff hung up all around the restaurant that it would distract my boy from being ornery.  Got there and the kids were all over the stuffed animals and stuff on the wall.  About the Longhorn above our table Brayden asked “What’s the curly things coming out of the cows ears?”  LOL, that was funny.  The bacon cheeseburger pizza was really good too!  Got home around 745 after the drive home and all 3 kids were OUT COLD!  It was one of the quietest car rides home that we’ve had since Ryleigh was born.  The rest of the night was uneventful and ended with bed around 10.

Saturday started with Girl Scouts and a trip to the dump and groceries.  Mom got to the house to watch the kids around 4.  S and I got a later start and then we wanted for the night.  Got downtown and the waits at the restaurants were already up to an hour and it was 530.  So….instead we hit up Gusto Pizza.  The Stallion was damn good as always.  After that we headed to the Well.  There was stuff going on at the IEC and Civic Center too so the Skywalk was pretty busy.  Got there and got some drinks and headed up to our seats, at the VERY TOP of the arena!  Get up there and on one side of us is a 60 year old couple and the other side are a couple of teenage girls.  They were trying to take a cell phone pic of themselves and I offered to take it for them and then asked if they were excited for the show.  They said yea only for Darius Rucker though!  I replied – “oh Hootie!”, one of them said to me “my dad saw him when he was Hootie”.  S looked at me and said “You just got called old!”  I went and got another beer. 

This was my first concert since Tim & Faith at the Well in 2006.  Thompson Square came out and sang 4 songs, the 2 I knew “Are you gonna kiss me or not” and “I got you”, one I didn’t know and one they are releasing this week.  There was a little break and then out came Darius.  He was really good, did awesome, and he even broke out some Hootie!  My favorite though was when he busted out some Hank Williams Jr, Family Tradition.  That was awesome.  I saw he had it on iTunes but you need to get the whole album.  Before Lady A came out we mozied on down a little closer where S had some friends sitting and a couple open seats.  Just happened to be right on the side of the stage, so that was cool.  Now I’m not a big Lady A fan but they rocked it pretty good too.  I knew more of their songs than I thought I did.  I give that credit to Addyson since she LOVES them.  Got home and crashed pretty good, and woke up with a pretty good hangover, I had to go through my pockets and receipts to see where I was at, apparently I spent a bit of money at the Well on beer. 

Sunday my mom woke up and said she wanted to go to the Cracker Barrel for breakfast, so I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.  Got there and got right in before the rush.  The rest of the day was filled with curing the hangover, laundry, naps for the kids and a little xbox and the kids watched the new Spy Kids movie.  Sunday night ended with crashing before 10pm for the first time in a while.  It was a solid weekend!

The worst of the weekend may have been my diet, ugh.  It started Friday morning when a coworker brought in her famous biscuits and gravy.  Now I did have a salad for lunch, but supper was pizza from the Checkerboard.  Now that wasn’t too bad.  But it continued to the weekend.  S made biscuits and gravy Saturday morning along with hash browns and scrambled eggs.  I had a homemade lumber man, and washed it down with a jitterbug from twisted bean.  Some calories where consumed there. Lunch was a few pieces of the leftover pizza and gusto pizza and then a lot of beer at the concert.  Sunday, well the Cracker Barrel and the smorgasbord of food you get there that included, yes biscuits and gravy (if you’re keeping score that’s 3 days in a row of B&G – not recommended by your doctor) and ham, bacon, eggs, cheesy hash browns and coffee.  No lunch happened and then supper was La Hacienda.  So ate out every mean but Saturday breakfast. That’s not a good thing.  Soooooo this week is going to be different.  I’m getting back on track with eating well.  Ryleigh is sleeping through the night and going to work on my sleep schedule better and then hitting the Y to work out.  It’s on like donkey kong.  You’re going down Dam to Dam. 

Some other bummer news is that an aunt of mine is hitting some bad health problems.  She’s up there in age, like 90s and has lived a good long life, and its just getting close to time, so that’s some sad news. 

Hawks got beat in Indiana, played well offensively, not defensively. 

Hawks wrestling got back on track beating the Gophers.

Iowa State got a nice win vs Kansas, Hilton Magic gave them a spark.

Super Bowl this week, the last football game of the year till September 1^st.

Best and Worst of the Weekend – 120 Minutes of Monster Trucks

The weekend was pretty good, and some ups and downs, more ups though than anything else, which is always a plus.

Friday I got off of work and had a tasty beverage and some buckhunter and picture find before heading home and getting the Brayden to go out for Boys Night out.  After getting him in a cleaned up and ready to go, we headed out to go for supper.  He wanted to go where I went and got Tator Tots New Years Eve.  The Highlife!  I obliged.  On the way there Grandpa called and talked to Bray about where he was going and Bray asked if he was going and was going to watch on TV.  When I parked at the Highlife and got him out, I locked the door, I looked over and he was already at the door.  He got to the bar and helped him up, the bartender came over and Brayden without waiting a second told him, “Can I have a cheeseburger and a sprite?”  The kid at the whole burger, and I told him if he ate his whole burger he could play a video game.  He chose Silver Strike, only bowled a 32 but then it was on to MONSTER TRUCKS!

Last year at Monster Jam there were only 5 trucks and 2 at Free Style blew engines.  This year they had 8 and one was Sun-ava Digger.  A little grave digger off shoot, there was also El Toro Loco, a truck with horns and a brand new Hot Wheels truck.  These things were a lot louder than I remember last year.  Brayden had his ear phones so he was ok; I covered my ears a few times.  But we had a blast.  The best was sitting there with him during the races and we’d each pick who we thought would win, and then El Toro Loco in free style got a little crazy and wiped out and broke a horn.  At one point Bray looked at me and said “Dad – THIS IS AWESOME!”  It was all worth it then.  Saturday Grandpa called too and asked Brayden how it was and they talked about it a bit.

We also had an embarrassing moment in the bathroom but that’s that…can’t go any further.

Saturday not much went on till the afternoon.  The oldest kids and I went to Jordan Creek Mall to play.  Well Brayden played more than Addy.  She wanted to play Angry Birds.  We were there about 30-40 minutes and I guess a fellow tweep was there 5 people down.  After that time the kids did the “I’m hungry dad…I’m Thristy dad” so we walked around a bit and got a snack and walked a bit some more till Lil Miss Social (Addyson) saw a friend from class in a store and HAD to go say hi.  Went in and I saw another tweep there but I didn’t say hi, because Brayden was pulling off all bracelets and ear rings from the racks.  Also on the way Addy was stopped in her tracks window shopping.  She wants a new dress and she stopped dead in her tracks and just looked at the dress.  I’m screwed when she’s a teenager. 

On the way home we stopped and got pizza and a couple movies for Sat night, and then Brayden drilled his head walking into 2 doors too.  Kids wanted to see “How to train a Dragon” and I got “500 Days of Summer” after being told from tweeps it’s was worth seeing.  Both movies cost me $0.47.  Nice deal there at Family Video.  I thought 500 Days was pretty good.  It’s a different flick which I think makes it better than what mostly Hollywood is putting out.  And the New Girl chick is easy on the eyes too.  Minka Kelly at the end is nice too! 

Saturday Night the worst of the weekend came.  Brayden got sick.  There’s nothing like cleaning up puke in the middle of the night.  Changing sheets, doing laundry, cleaning the kid up.  After about an hour I laid with him and a puke bucket the rest of the night, until….Ryleigh woke up and wouldn’t go back to sleep.  So I left Bray and his bucket and went to the hit the recliner with Ryleigh for the next 3-4 hours.  Let me tell you my back felt GREAT Sunday morning. 

Sunday was a lazy day with Bray recovering.  Bray spent most the day in his room playing and napping.  Ryleigh the same way, napping, eating and playing (kids have it easy!).  Addy and I went out in the afternoon for a walk down by Sec Taylor and the river about near dusk.  She took her scooter and I walked by her and we went about 1.5 miles.  We talked about the river and the bridges and the moon and the geese by the river.  It was a fun little time with her.  We stopped by Mullets for a drink afterwards too.  She had a Shirley temple and I a GrainBelt.  Ended the weekend with a little Xbox and a new iphone game, thanks Jen, addicted now.

Over all it was a really pretty good weekend, a dad weekend mostly.   

Des Moines Sports Freaks Friday 6 Pack

For some of you, your first 6 pack of 2012!  For others…a nice start to the weekend!

1-Alabama – LSU the Rematch is the 8^th.  Who you got?

Matt – I’m going with LSU to win the rematch.  If  they lose all hell should break loose with the BCS with both LSU, Bama, Oklahoma State and Boise all having rights to have a shot at the REALY championship.

Painter – College football is dead to me

Blake – Oklahoma State

Wendt – I'm only going to root for Alabama in hopes that the AP writers give us mass chaos

Zach – LSU wins by 10. Honey Badger gets MVP
Dan - LSU, probally 20 - 14ish

2-The Big Ten and Pac-12 came to an agreement Friday that will be a yearly “challenge” in football with an annual matchup of the two conferences for every team.  Also with this the Big Ten will ax its 9 game conference schedule saving the Iowa-ISU and Notre Dame rivalries in the conference.  Is this a good thing for college football and the 2 conferences?

Matt – I like this.  It will hopefully get teams to stop scheduling cupcakes.  It will add to basketball schedules and the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.  I wonder if it was created with something else coming down the line where maybe the BCS formula/system is changing?  Now the SEC needs to follow suit!

Painter – It's not just for football, it's pretty much all sports.  I think it's a great agreement for all sports

Blake – It could be interesting.  I really like it for basketball and the Olympic Sports, and it could be good for football, as longs as schools don't schedule in another cupcake because of this match-up

Wendt – It's a GREAT thing. Love the fact that Iowa could play a Washington or California or a UCLA. Awesome!

Zach – I like the agreement with the Pac-12 but I'm not sure if I like getting rid of 9-game conference schedules. Some teams will get cupcake schedules that way. If Iowa-Iowa State would have to be sacrificed in order for a real conference schedule to happen, I'd be okay with that

Dan -YES! I hated the 9 game confrence schedule. I also like how it will help Iowa's strength of schedule by avoiding one of its fluff wins...

3-Iowa went into the Kohl Center in Madison and upset the #11 Wisconsin Badgers and Aaron White and Melshan Basabe are heating up.  Is this the win that will turn around the Hawkeye program or do you need to see more?

Matt – Big win yes!  Different from last year vs Purdue where that was at the end of the conference season and this is at the beginning, there are a lot more games to grow and with the recruiting class coming in, IN FRAN I TRUST!

Painter – Iowa tends to beat one top B1G team per year.  Give me a 2nd win and that'll be progress

Blake – Basabe looked dead at the start of the year, so it's good to see him taking the next step in his development.  With another road win Wednesday over Minnesota, it would be nice to say they've turned a corner.  It will be a while before we can say that for sure, but actually pulling road upsets, not just getting close, is the first step in turning things around

Wendt – I need more. It was a great win but as Fran said "that win doesn't mean anything anymore" Hawks need more than one win like that per season to keep me interested

Zach – One game doesn't define an entire season in basketball. I need to see WAY more for me to like this squad

Dan -I can see this Hawks team getting to the 17-13 or so mark. With the Big 10 being the #1 confrence Iowa MAY flirt with an at large or the NIT

4-Iowa and Iowa State both lost their bowl games; Iowa’s needs a new D-Coordinator and D-Line coach.  Who had the better season?  Who has the better outlook going into signing day and spring ball?

Matt – Iowa State had the better season as a team with the Oklahoma State win and the win over Iowa.  Marvin McNutt was the best player in the state.  I’m still going to say Iowa has a better outlook, that Big XII schedule is no more than 7 wins max for ISU.  Iowa has a schedule next year that they could…COULD…go 10-0 into Michigan and Nebraska to end the year.

Painter – I'm not real optimistic on either one right now

Blake – Iowa State because of the huge upset of Oklahoma State, and the positive vibe surrounding the team going forward.  Looking ahead, it seems like there's a lot of uncertainty in Iowa City

Wendt – Iowa State going to a bowl with that schedule is stunning. I don't follow Iowa State's recruiting but I know Iowa appears to have a solid class coming in. 

Zach – Iowa State had the better season, but Iowa getting Parker out the door is the first step in order for Iowa to be a national contender

Dan - I see next year being very challenging for the Hawks. I think IA St is on the upswing. State has more going for them. However, this doesn't mean that their the better team - just that they are on the rise and Iowa is in a valley

5-NFL Playoffs Start on Saturday with the Wildcard games…your SUPER BOWL Prediction is?

Matt – I think its going to the Patriots out of the AFC.  In the NFC it will be the Packers over the 49ers.  Brady vs Rodgers..how’s that America?

Painter – Green Bay over whomever the AFC sends to the sacrifice

Blake – Ummmm...I'm going to stick with my preseason pick of the Packers and Patriots.  Although I admit, with those defenses, they could both be gone before the Conference Championships

Wendt – I'll take Green Bay vs Baltimore

Zach – As boring as it is seeing the two top seeds go in, it has to be Packers-Patriots

Dan - New Orleans vs New England

6-Cumulus Radio moved a Lou and Heather from KGGO to 98.3 WOW FM and put Bob and Tom on in the morning here in the metro, this after canning the Round Guy to after buying the station. 

Matt – I don’t like it.  I prefer local over national and with the move you don’t generate more listeners to bob and tom.  It’s a stupid move, like San Diego State to the Big East.

Painter – Wait, you mean there's another morning show other than Morning Moose on 103.3?  Cumulus is really changing their business and this actually makes sense to me.  KGGO is rated higher than WOW and Bob and Tom probably cost a pretty penny compared to Lou and Heather.  I could really care less what Cumulus does with their programming, I'm a 103.3 guy

Blake – I don't listen to those stations.  I don't mind local as long they're good.  Some local is just crap.  I also don't always need to hear about Iowa.  Sometime's I like hearing about more National stuff.

Wendt – Local radio is the only way to go!

Zach – I HATE how money gets in the way of good local programming and media coverage. Leave it alone. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. However, Lou and Heather haven't gotten axed; they are still lucky to have a show on-air in this market
Dan - I like the local guys way better (I do like Dan Patrick though)...It sounds like they got a rough deal..