Top 5

Currently infectious songs that, when they come on the radio, I will never change...and probably turn up really loud and break into dance by myself (wow I just sounded really cool):

1) Promiscuous--Nelly Furtado & Timbaland (I hope you saw her on SNL)
2) Bad Day--Daniel Powter (we can all relate)
3) Hips Don't Lie--Shakira & Wyclef (they certainly don't)
4) Beautiful--James Blunt (it's true)
5) Dance, Dance--Fall Out Boy (no one-hit wonder)

Yeah as you can see, finding new music hasn't been a real priority lately. HOLLA

Tragedy

Last Monday, I saw something I've never seen before. On my way to work, there was a huge line of cars stopped ahead of me and absolutely no cars going the other way. I thought it was a big accident, or maybe just another typical case of D.C.-area drivers not knowing what they're doing. Anyway, when I finally got to the problem, I was turned away by cops and had to backtrack and try several different alternative routes. Two hours late to work by now, I found out that there was some kind of police investigation going on and all roads were shut down, as were schools and other public areas. I saw probably a total of 100 police vehicles, plus SWAT teams with guns drawn and FBI officials. Oh, and it was raining, I was low on gas and my cell phone's battery was dying. What a start to the week.

Most people around here have heard what happened by now--an 18-year-old kid went to a Fairfax county police station and released an ambush, killing one officer immediately and injuring two others before being killed himself by police gunfire. This, alone, was huge (and obviously sad) news that dominated media coverage for the better part of a week. Well today's update is that the other cop--who had been in the hospital since last Monday--is now dead. He was just sitting in his cruiser after getting off his shift. So now three people are dead and multiple families and communities are devastated because of one guy's unexplainable decision.

A few days after it happened, I went to see "United 93." It was very intense, and I've definitely never seen a movie like it, but it kind of gave me a deeper appreciation for law enforcement and others in that line of work. There were some extremely brave individuals on that plane and at that police station on those days; unfortunately they're not around to tell their stories. One thing I hate about this world is that for every kind, charitable person out there, there is a twisted, psychotic individual who, somewhere along the way, learned that it's okay to take another person's life. These people are somebody's mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, role models, teachers, co-workers, heroes, students, neighbors, friends, husbands and wives. Terrorism or one isolated incident--it makes no difference. No person should ever have the right to take another human's life.

Praying for everyone who's suffering right now...

Bonds, Barry Bonds

Alright so I've purposely tried to avoid blogging about anything directly sports-related since I started this, and so far so good. But sports are literally my life, and it's what I know best, so I had to sound off a little on Mr. Barry Lamar Bonds.

He hasn't gone yard in the past six games, and all of my co-workers (myself included) are basically forced to watch his every at-bat because it could come at any time. Thankfully he's in quite a drought now, making our jobs a little easier, but he's just one back of the Babe and chances are it'll happen this week. Check out one of our stories as a reference to what he's going through right now.

I've never seen such a high-profile athlete getting the treatment he's getting in pursuit of a major pro sports record in my 24 years. Teammates, coaches, and those within the Giants are growing tired of the daily monotony this thing has turned into. And MLB itself has said it won't celebrate Bonds' 714th homer when it happens because of the ongoing steroids issues.

I'm just mad because I can't even get excited about this, and I feel like I should be. There's such a dark cloud hanging over Bonds that it takes away any due props he has earned to this point. So what if he's never actually "failed" a drug test? There have been so many ways developed to beat those tests in the modern era that you have to throw that argument out the window. The writing's on the wall...and yes, we live in the land of "innocent until proven guilty," but at some point common sense has to come into play. If it looks like a duck, talks like a duck, and walks like a duck...guess what is folks? (Hint: It's not a goose.)

As a comparison, I remember when Cal Ripken Jr. was chasing Lou Gehrig's Ironman streak for consecutive games played. The celebration and parade that baseball gave him--all well deserved--is the exact opposite of what Bonds is getting right now. He'll probably break and tie the Babe on the road this week, where maybe 30% of fans witnessing it will cheer him. The others will boo him and continue to boo him. You can't blame the average fan for turning against this guy in light of everything we've learned about him. But you can blame Bonds himself for digging his own grave--now it's time to lay in it.

Shameless plugs

So lately I've been requested by a couple friends to link to their blogs in mine. One even said if I linked to hers, my comments would multiply like 5-fold because apparently she's big on the DC blog scene. Haha, this is getting silly. Anyway check these out if you want, if not I don't really care:

http://ytrain.blogspot.com

http://citysparkle.blogspot.com/

http://camstakeonsports.blogspot.com/

http://www.blogger.com/profile/24074452

That's it and that's all for now. LOTS on my mind right now, but in one of those moods when I'd rather keep it to myself. Stay tuned.

Wrapping up the shoutouts

10) Josh Krause--What a solid guy my buddy Josh is. He's probably smarter, cooler, and better-looking than you, haha. We've been through many different eras of friends and significant others...as well as living in the same dorm and playing on several different intramural b'ball squads together. He stayed for a 5th year and did it right--now he's gettin ready to go back to Mass. for grad school at Tufts. I just hope he remembers little people like me when he hits the big-time.

11) Whitney Chesbro--Whitney is one in a million, the kind of girl you've never met twice. She goes out of her way to be a good friend and just asks for that in return. Even though she hasn't had the best luck with guys, I know there's someone out there perfect for her. She, too, took the scenic route through college but has a pretty sweet set-up coming with her own condo at the beach. She's definitely been through a lot and her mood changes with the wind, but that's what makes her Whit!

12) Ron Black--RBizzal/Ronny B/RJB/Biggie's cousin/Diesel! This kid is my boy and I'm pretty sure everyone who knows him loves him. He made a semi-late appearance into our group but now he's come out of his shell and has become the man. I believe at TI '04 he was voted "Most likely to be a great dad/husband", haha, which I can definitely see. Don't be surprised if he and I live together at the same grad school sometime in the future. Way too many memories with this man to list here, and definitely lots more to make. "Holla Holla Holla"

13) Natalie Golden--Last but definitely not least. I don't think I've gotten to know someone who is a more giving person than Nat. I won't forget: your plaid (not striped!) pants, my salsa pants, your red Quicksilver hat, the IHHS building, hiding from roommate's family in your room, Natasha Beddingfield, 4-hour phone talks almost every night, Rascal Flatts, visiting each other, AOL Christmas party, "Are you nervous?," FROTH!, your 22nd, venting to each other, and more. You are a great girl and I'll always be here and on your side. Some kids are gonna be very lucky to have Miss Golden as their teacher :)

So congrats to everyone and also thanks for makin this past weekend so RIDICULOUS. You're now alums of the best college on the planet, where our pregame is your party. Job well done, class of '06...

Graduates part deux

6) Lauren Cochenour--Lauren's one of those people you're so glad to have gotten to know because she's just great to be around. We met at Jen Sherry's b'day dinner and somehow she found out I thought she had real nice eyes, haha. Talking every day/night faded once she met somebody (who she'll marry this fall), and I don't regret that, but she's still a great girl with a good heart who deserves the best.

7) Keely Lindstadt--Keely's a fun-loving girl who I met doing concessions at a football game when she was a freshman. A great semi-formal date and mixed doubles partner who knows how to party (even when she loses her cell phone, purse, keys, etc.) She was a crucial part to a great Penn State trip we had when she was too incoherent to notice Evan sucking on her toes, haha. Just one of lots of memories and hopefully more in the future since she starts work in DC in August.

8) Kelly Brown--A good friend who has a completely unique personality. She kind of looks like Kelly McGillis from Top Gun (definitely a compliment), and makes you laugh by making fun of herself. We have lots of pictures together and I know I'll stay in touch with her especially since she's headed to GMU law school in the fall. Don't let the looks fool you--downtown Kelly Brown has the brains to match :)

9) Laurel Thompson--I'm probably more proud of Laurel than anyone else because she's really matured and come into her own over the years. She always knows the right things to say and ask and genuinely cares about people. The sky is really the limit for Laurel and going to UNC for grad school ain't a bad start. She's always looking out for other people and I don't think I've ever heard someone say she dislikes her. Hopefully her and Josh will stay strong cause they're real good for each other.

Graduates

In honor of JMU's graduation this weekend, I thought I'd post a little memory for each person I know who's graduating. Hopefully the first in a three-part series, and in no particular order...

1) Ashley ?--Forgive me for not knowing your last name. I met you almost last year at this time at Miguel's grad/birthday party. We consumed plenty of beverages then rolled about 15 deep to the VIP room at Fur in DC. Remember they made us spit out our gum at the door?! Then we partied together in January in H'burg when you took one for the team and we packed like 8 into your car from Marcus' house. Maybe we can get to know each other better cause I thought you were a cool ass chick from the get-go.

2) Sam Helsing--One of the best additions to club tennis in my years! You're a crazy girl, even though we don't know each other too well, but crazy in a good way. Classic Sam would show up to practice in a jean skirt and cowboy boots, haha. You have a great personality and your sis Courtney is cool too. Sometimes I pass the time at work by looking at your new webshots, haha.

3) Katie O'Rourke--Ahh Katie O. Probably one of the nicer and funnier girls I've met. Your days of having a crush on Dave are in the past, as are all "the 4 of us" pictures from Highlawn. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have met Natalie, so thank you. You and Matt Kim became best friends with our big brown couch on the weekends, haha. I'll forgive you for being a Giants fan because we all know who the class of the NFC East really is.

4) Adam Newcomb--A-New! I always thought you were kinda quiet, but whenever you talked you had good things to say. One of those kids that liked to make fun of himself and his tennis game, which is always good to be around. I still don't know how you serve left-handed then switch to righty but I commend you for it. You came out of your shell in the past year and kinda remind me of myself senior year--broke up with a serious girlfriend, lived it up, didn't really study, and engaged in shady debauchery on a regular basis. I'll still be your friend even though you're a nursing major and you're a dude.

5) Richard Mooney--Mooney is just a cool guy. Always partied with the older crew and acted real mature. A pretty talented actor/theater guy from what I gather, and has a beer pong style that no one else does. Classic IMs from you a couple summers ago when were both in Stonegate include: "Yo, I got a couple cases, come down the hill and drink with me." (Usually around 4 PM.) Also remember takin the bus together a couple times a week to class, but there was a period of about a month when I wouldn't see you cause one or both of us would skip. We got lots of mutual friends in common and I'll come out and visit if you pursue the acting scene in Cali.

Can't believe some of y'all youngins are graduatin...I seriously feel old now.