Everett was able to walk onto the stage to accept the award, and it brought tears to everyone’s ears during a standing ovation. What an awesome moment and testimony to the mantra, “Don’t Give Up.”

Well, I had a though that the web site for police and military gear, www.lapolicegear.com, might have something so I checked it out. I think I found the perfect solution – a “bail out” tactical gear bag. It has pockets and compartments for all different sizes and types of gear. And while there I decided to get him a Boonie Hat. Won’t he be surprised when Big Brown brings his new stuff to the house next week!

One of the fun parts of this weekend is that my girlfriend and her hubby are going camping, too, and they have a small bass boat. They’ve offered to camp close to us, depending upon what campsites are available at the lake, and take us out on the boat a few times. That would be great!

If they are going to be nice enough to take us fishing, I want to buy something nice to give them as a thank you gift. I can order something online tonight and have it delivered in time for our trip on Friday. I found a nice web site, American Marine Supply, with lots of nautical supplies and novelties. They have all kinds of boating supplies and even nautical jewelry. Since I don’t know what gear they already have, I’m trying to find something either useful, funny, or pretty.

I’ll surf through the web site and see what kind of boat accessories they have and order the gift tonight. If we don’t go camping this weekend, I can save it for the weekend that we do all go, but I hope the weather holds and we can go – I’m looking forward to it.

I was really cheering for the Pittsburgh Penguins to win, but the Red Wings won the 6th game in the series that is best of 7, so that clinched the title for them.

The Penguins had a Cinderella season with the hottest new star, Sidney Crosby, on their team. This kid is a remarkable talent and a thrill to watch him play. He makes it all look so natural and so easy!

The Red Wings are the team that played against my favorite team, the Predators, and knocked them out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, so I guess if we had to lose to somebody it was good that we lost to the team that won the whole shabang. So, congrats to the Red Wings!

The delivery was the father’s day gift I ordered just a couple days ago – a way cool flashlight from a website I came across that specializes in hobby and tactical optical products. Those are big words for some really cool guy stuff, like binoculars, rifle scopes, flashlights, etc.

I was actually looking at riflescopes for hubby, as he has really gotten into hunting again. But when I got to this site, I thought the flashlight would be a much more useful gift for year round use and maybe I’ll get the riflescope for him for Christmas. They have all the good name brands and a helpful article on the site about how to choose the right riflescope, so I know I can pick out something that he’ll really like and appreciate.

The last game was one of the most awesome, exciting, cliffhanger games I’ve ever seen. Pittsburgh took the game to three sudden death overtimes to pull the win out from under Detroit. That kind of hockey game is what hockey is all about – pure adrenalin and the guys playing with their hearts on their sleeves, giving 110% to the game.

I’m going to join in at work with all the NFL pick ‘em games and maybe even join a fantasy team this year. The corruption in the league is getting so obvious that even I can predict the winners of every game, so I might as well make some money off it, too.

Found a website called Addict Sports that has bulletin boards for discussions on the different sports and even has college and NFL football picks on their site. Registration is free and there is a ton of information for people serious about picking the winners when this year’s preseason “games” start up again in August.

Look out, boys! Marge is playing for your money this year!

Casio has several atomic watches in their G-Force line, which is another strong selling point in my book. G-Force means it is super tough, and lots of guys need a tough watch – especially guys who work in construction or the military, and guys who go hunting and camping need a watch that is rugged. If you need a great birthday gift or even a going away gift for an active, outdoorsy guy in the office, you should take a look at the website www.bluedial.com and consider a casio watch. I would certainly get one for my boss on a special occasion.

Around here, it’s all football and I go to several NHL games every winter. I cheer for the Redskins, and love to get into office pools. I listen to sports talk on the radio while I’m working, and even participate at home in sports forums at sites like addictsports.com

If you’d like to try your hand at nfl picks online, maybe you’ll see me there!

The operators of a website that holds backgammon games and tournaments has made plans to hold a backgammon tournament on a huge field with huge playing pieces and dice, then have the people in the tournament flying in helicopters to drop the dice from the air onto the field. Thus, the new world record, based on the distance from the helicopter to the playing field. Interesting plan, don’t you think?

Backgammon is a great way to play a quick game against either a live opponent, a computer opponent or an online opponent and there are some websites that let you wager money on the outcome of your backgammon game and online backgammon tournaments.

Most websites have free downloads of their backgammon game software and many have large communities of regular players who compete online in league games and online tournaments, some of them win points and ratings and serious players compete for money. After all, backgammon was originally a betting game, with doubling the bets a large part of the player strategy to increase their winnings.

The world record seekers, Backgammonmasters.com have online backgammon tournaments and also online blackjack games. If you need help getting started, read the online help for beginners and often an experienced player will not mind volunteering to play a game with you and help you along.

They are in Florida for spring training right now, and the countdown to the first official league game is on the team’s homepage:

I hope to catch at least 4-5 Cards games this year, both in the new Busch stadium and hopefully when they play the Cubs at Wrigley Field, and maybe even when they play the Braves. I still love baseball, America’s sport!

My favorite is the Chicago Cubs versus St. Louis Cardinals games. I can go to Chicago on an early morning Southwest Airlines flight, take the subway right to Wrigley Field, watch the game, take the subway back to the airport and be home before midnight.

Getting tickets to the Cubs games can be tough – the box office sells out really fast, so I have been using aftermarket ticket companies on the internet, and so far no problem, although counterfeit tickets and the possibility of them running off with my money has been a little nag in the back of my mind when I order them.

There might be a better way this year – I can buy tickets to the game but watch it from the rooftop bleachers. Those rooftop seats are a bargain and the people over there have quite the party each game! I can order the Chicago Cubs rooftop tickets online and bring 9 of my friends for our own little rooftop party! The price of tickets includes food and beverages, including a keg of beer and access to the roof 30 minutes before game start and 30 minutes after the game ends. If they still have tickets available for the Cardinals game, I’m there!

Instead of catching fish I think we will take a drive down to Chattanooga tomorrow and take him through the aquarium. It’s a long drive, but I think he will love seeing all the exhibits, especially the sharks.

They have spring break through next Tuesday, so surely the weather will change for the better between now and then and we can take the fishing poles down to the lake for his introduction to the sport.

I tried to get into a local restaurant for lunch this afternoon, and the place was packed. There were no parking spots to be had. There were banners over the canopy entrance to the bar announcing nonstop basketball games and beer specials, so I know that is the reason I couldn’t get in.

Sorry to say I am not a basketball fan, although I do enjoy a live game once in a great while.

The best thing about the tournaments is that I learned how to create and follow brackets. That was an unusual exercise and it took me a while to figure it out, but now I am an accomplished bracketologist and can run tournaments for any kind of competition for any number of players or teams.

Wrightsville Beach was originally one of the Barrier Islands and a popular summer retreat for families. Now the area has actually grown to include two adjacent islands. It is famous for it’s white sand beaches and plenty of vacation rentals either on the beach or a short walk from the beach. This area is great for surf fishing, deep sea fishing, pleasure boating, riding waves, building sandcastles, flying kites, beach volleyball – all the great fun and sun sports and activities! Don’t forget the romantic walks along the tide line in the early morning or as the sun sets.

Buying property on or near a beach area is almost always a great investment. Of course, I’m not giving you investment advice, but this is what my folks told me and it’s proven to be true in my own experience. If you are interested in buying beach property, I suggest taking a look at Wrightsville Beach Real Estate. When you are ready to have weekend guests, just give me a call and we’ll drive right over!

There are several really big rodeos all over the country – and Canada – worth going to, for a full variety of events and shows. The National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is an annual rodeo in Las Vegas – held the first full week of every December. This is the “Superbowl” of all rodeos.

You can count on the NFR to have the best of the best competing in every rodeo event, like calf roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. The events also include bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, and saddle bronc riding. All the fun things that kids and adult both love to watch and cheer for.

The concerts are always the “A” list performers, usually with a focus on country western music recording stars, but also some rock and roll and even oldies bands. You should be able to see big hat acts like Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn and all your favorite artists with C&W radio airplay.

Seats sell out fast and can be hard to get, so if you are interested in seeing the best of the best in rodeo action, you need to plan ahead and lock in the NFR Tickets as soon as they go on sale to avoid disappointment.

He was born and raised in Kenner, LA. I can’t begin to describe to you the world of difference in the life of a little kid in Kenner, LA growing up and getting to attend, much less play sports for, Vanderbilt University.

Congrats to Shan – I hope his dreams for his life after college all come true.

I have always thought Coach Pat Summit was an excellent example of a successful woman, and a mentor to hundreds, if not thousands, of young women from all over the country. Driven to excel and getting the recognition she truly deserves, this is a remarkable woman.