Random Thoughts

The Thanksgiving holiday is over and there are a few random thoughts running through my tiny little mind. In no particular order, here they are:
Went to Michigan for Thanksgiving. Started our journey wednesday afternoon while pulling our camper. About an hour into the drive, my truck suddenly veered right, then left. I looked into my rearview mirror while saying "oh shit, oh shit, oh shit" and noticed the trailer was basically by my door. I was jack-knifing all over the road. I went down into the middle a little where my camper then went onto two wheels. It was pretty freakin' scary. Luckily I was able to save it. It's the closest I've ever been to having a major accident and the closest I hope I'll ever come. Immediately after, I was so pumped up. My heart was racing, my wife was crying but all I could think was "damn, that was some great driving!" It wasn't until about a half an hour later that I realized how close we came to serious trouble...then I worried. Needless to say, I limped back home and left the trailer there. I don't know why there was nobody beside me at the time of my near spin-out, but someone must have been watching over my girls in that truck.
Once at the "cabin" (the next day) I was a little more relaxed. I went hunting that evening. We were all clear to shoot "anything brown" and I was ready. It had snowed the night before and the woods were absolutely beautiful. Fresh, clean, crisp. It's amazing how in tune with your surroundings you become when you are sitting 30 feet in the air in a tree stand. Your ears become your best tool and you hear absolutely everything. At first, every time a bird lands on a tree within 50 feet of you, you think it's a deer coming up. When a small puff of snow falls from a branch and lands on the ground, you expect to look up and see this monster buck. What's neat is that none of that happened. There were a million sounds and no deer to be found when about an hour into the hunt you start to daydream and become careless with your careful movements. It was at that time that out of the corner of my eye I saw a doe walk down the path. My heart started racing. (so much for that finely tuned listening that I mentioned earlier) I slowly grabbed my gun in anticipation of that deer walking into range. The deer gingerly made its way into the clearing where I could begin to think about shooting. But I then made the decision to not shoot. Instead, I stood there and watched this beautiful creature cautiously make its way to the bait pile of sweet potatoes and corn about 30 yards away from me. For the next 45 minutes I did nothing but enjoy the show. I was so close that when the deer went for some corn, I could hear her mouth crunching it. Soon, she made her way right toward me and walked directly under my tree stand. I coulda' spit on her!
It was really great. Don't let me kid ya', if an 8 pointer walked in behind her, I would have taken a shot...I guarantee you that.

I saw a comedian the other day and I was reminded of what she said while on the way home sunday. I never really "got" the whole sun blind thing that people put in their car windows to block the sun from their children's eyes. This comedian mentioned that "god forbid that we allow our kids to have sun shine on them!" So true.

People are talking about Brett Favre's 200 consecutive games streak (when he starts on monday night) and how impressive it is. What a great record...and I love Brett. He's an absolute stud and probably one of the top 3 quarterbacks to ever play the game (somebody please argue that with me...I dare you). Instead of appreciating it, sports folk decided that we should compare it to Cal Ripken's streak 2000 plus games. First of all, it's apples and oranges. Secondly, you are comparing a streak that I am sure neither athlete would dare try to diminish the other one's. Understandably, it is now football season and the NFL, and college football for that fact, are King...much bigger than baseball in America right now. What surprised me is the overwhelming votes for Brett's streaking being Greater. Football is far more dangerous, no doubt. Quarterbacks take more blindside hits than anyone. But Ripken's streak is incredible. 162 games a year 1982 to 1998...not to mention post season and pre-season games, spring training, etc... Yes, Favre plays a violent sport and plays through incredible injuries and his position demands that he be the leader on every play, but Ripken played in 2500 plus games with injuries too. I would take Favre as the qb on my team in a heartbeat. But at the same time, I would have Ripken as my shortstop (also the leader of the team) on my all time team.
Let's just say that both are two of the best at their sports and go with it...without diminishing what either of them have done. p.s....isn't it good that we are talking about two athletes like this? The topics are "heart" "desire" "leadership" and "guts" instead of brawls that spill into the stands, someone dropping their towel on the Monday Night Football intro and arrests...this is good for everybody.

Finally, how can Michigan be in the Rose Bowl? What's more, how can they be mentioned in the BCS picture? They got beat by a mediocre Notre Dame team (who played the toughest schedule in the nation this season) and then get DESTROYED by a less than mediocre Ohio State team. It doesn't add up.

Oh, one more thing. WHO DEY?!?!?! Actually, lost in all of the hype over the Bengals victory is how they can give up 40 odd points to the Browns who aren't exactly an offensive powerhouse?
P.s....I love the Bengies uniforms despite what others say. They look great!