I’m back…

Wow, it’s been a while hasn’t it.  Somehow I’m sure you were able to sleep at night despite no new posts from yours truly.

What’s happened in the month or so since my last post?  Well apparently Jon and Kate plus eight have split up.  Maybe you haven’t heard.  If not I’ll lend you the dozen or so magazines in my house with one or the other on the cover. 

Kelli loves that garbage.

But who am I to judge.  I’m the one who actually told her of their impending doom BEFORE the news spread like hand and mouth disease (that’s a family joke).

The Kate part of the equation isn’t the only one making news for our family.  Our good friends Kate and Roger are going to be parents for the first time.  Just yesterday they found out they’re going to have a son.

Kate and Roger are two of the most decent, loving individuals that you could ever meet.  They’re one of those couples that just go together.  They fit.

Now they’ll make room for another, and to that I say congrats!

it’s got to be the shoes…

I’m always amazed at the number of guys who wear golf shoes to a golf tournament.  I just don’t get it.

I’ve taken a ball glove to a baseball game in the past.  When I was like 11.  I don’t wear a helmet to a football game, or flame retardant suit to a NASCAR event.  Why the shoes?  It’s not like they’re going to be asked to fill in for one of the pros and even the caddies opt for tennis shoes.

The only thing I had with me today that is part of my golf routine is sunscreen, and I plan to keep it that way.

girl car??

When did the Land/Range Rover become a girl car?

I’ve noticed more and more while driving around town that without fail a woman is behind the wheel.  I’ve noticed it so much that whenever I see one I mentally ask myself “girl or guy” before pulling up along side. 

If you’re driving one and happen to notice me checking you out, consider this an apology.  I’m not trying to be creepy.

Bob

Le George…

The family headed to Panera Bread (get the Turkey Sausage souffle) this morning for breakfast and when we left I saw something that cracked me up.

I’m guessing it was an early 1990’s model Chrysler LeBaron, top down, WITH A CLUB ACROSS THE STEERING WHEEL.

For those of you who don’t know what a club is, it’s an anti-theft device that’s probably as old as the car is.  It had me thinking, someone is really using a club?  Then I caught myself and thought, he’s protecting a LeBaron?    Not sure which is worse.

Seinfeld fans get the heading, others won’t which is a shame.

Observe and wonder why???

Kelli and I checked out “Observe and Report” on Saturday night.

What a disappointment.  And by disappointment I mean, it’s the worst movie I’ve ever seen.  Had we not shelled out nearly $19 to see it I would have never been around to see the end.

I’m no movie reviewer, and I havent’ read one for this other than the trailer which sucked me in.  Rolling Stone called it “Funny as Hell!”  My neighbor told me that People gave it three stars, so maybe we’re missing something (Kelli hated it as well).

But here’s the thing.  We were in a semi-full theater and it’s not like there was a lot of laughter.  I couldn’t tell you one scene from the movie that had the theater rolling.  It just didn’t happen.  BUT, on the way out of the movie I kept hearing kids telling each other how funny the movie was.

Whatever.

From my seat it was a tough watch and one that left me wondering just how the movie was given the green light to begin with.

Keep us #1

Wednesday Kevin and I met with a consultant about what we do right and wrong.  Fortunately for us the good (in his eyes at least) outweigh the bad.

He did mention we should be utilizing the web more, so here’s my attempt, at least for today.

I’ll share my thoughts on what’s going on at Augusta.  Feel free to share your thoughts if you’re actually reading.  And if you are, at least say hi, “The Orange Couch” is the most read blog going at WECT. 

Chad Campbell is currently leading at five-under.  I don’t think he’ll stay there.  While Campbell is a good player, I think this course is better than he can be, at least for four days.  Tiger E through two.  I didn’t start him in my fantasy league, I went with Geoff Ogilvy.

Coverage just now beginning on ESPN.  It’s probably the TV dork in me, but I love the opening montage of the Majors, especially this one.  The hushed tones of the announcers does bother me a bit, but hell, if they let me in to do what they’re doing, I’ll speak the way they want.

Oh, for those of you who might not know my background, I worked in Augusta before coming to Wilmington.  I’ve covered the 98, 99, 99, 01, and 02 Masters which is why I love this event so much.

Harry Connick Jr. doing the narrative for the opening montage?

Chad Campbell a birdie putt to get to nine under.  It’s a sad day when the scores are this low at this event.  I’m pretty sure 63 is the lowest round ever carded in a major, so we could be seeing history today.

I’ve been putting the 6pm show together.  Chad Campbell came back a bit bogeying 17 and 18.  He’s seven under and in the lead alone courtesy Hunter Mahan’s bogey at 18.  Tiger has birdied two-straight to get to minus two.

I’m pretty sure I’m writing this for myself.

Masters week

My favorite time of year is coming to an end this week. 

But it’s still going to be a great week.

Masters week wraps up a great month of sports featuring the NCAA Tournament and the seasons first Major.  Jim Nantz is the luckiest person on the planet.

With Kevin leading our fantasy golf league maybe he should be posting his picks, but I’ll put mine out there for fun only (but if you make a buck, you know where to reach me).

In our league you can pick eight golfers but play four at a time.

Here we go.  My “A” golfers are Tiger Woods and Geoff Ogilvy.  I’m starting Ogilvy because Tiger has never led the Masters after round one.  In my heart I think Tiger will add to his legend, but I really think Ogilvy has the game to win at The National. 

My “B” golfers are Nick Watney, Zach Johnson, Miguel Angel Jiminez and Sean O’Hair.  I’m going with Watney and Jiminez.

“C” group consists of Retief Goosen (who my mother in law is in love with) and Luke Donald.  Goosen has been red hot this season and usually plays pretty well in Augusta.

We’ll see. 

If you’re going, shoot us a picture from your cell phone.  Send it to sports@wect.com… and get me a souvenir!

You should watch baseball…

I just read Kevin’s post about A-Rod.  I didn’t think it all the way through like he did (I rarely do when it comes to baseball) but when I heard about his injury on the radio, I did think, wow, that’s funny.  After all of the trouble he’s gotten himself into it’s very convenient that he can now just go away.

That being said, I’m still high on baseball.  More specifically UNCW.  And if you live in the area you should take the time to go watch this team (team is home all weekend with temps near 80…what are you waiting for).

After losing 75% of the offense from last years team that established a program record for wins, all this year version has done is open the season with an eight-game win streak (program best) and come from behind in seven of those wins. 

The pitching has been solid from start to relief.  The boys come up with timely hitting and I’ve yet to see the team panic.  Simply, the team is playing loose and it’s working.

It’s clear that people are buying in to the product that Mark Scalf puts in the field.  The crowd that showed up for the opening series with Maryland rivaled that of an ECU, NCSU, or UNC game. 

And the seats have been filled for every game this season.  Alright, it wasn’t packed for last night’s Wake Forest game, but it was 37 degrees outside.

Too bad.  The team came from five runs down to win again.

While it’s still very early in the season I get the feeling that something special is happening with this club.  If I were you, I’d get on the bandwagon while there’s still room.

Is this thing on?

There are times that I’m convinced nobody watches our news.  Most of the time I think this when I read comments on this or that blog about a story in the paper that we had the night before.

Today it was two phone calls hinting that we don’t cover the UNCW women’s basketball team or any high school teams outside of New Hanover county.

So here’s the thing.  If you are reading this and happen to be one of the people who called to complain last night, take a look at the video on our website from last night’s 11pm newscast.

Second story, Pender boys high school basketball from Greenville.  Third story, UNCW women’s basketball final home game.

I know I can’t please everybody all of the time, but the nice thing about television is there’s always video proof of what we do, be it right or wrong.

I think we got it right last night (and most nights).

The best you’ve seen…

This is a direct steal from the Charlotte Observer.  At least the list idea anyway.

Who are the top-five professional athletes you’ve seen play in person?

Because of what I do for a living I’ve been spoiled, but there are a few close to my heart that I saw play before I was working in television.

My top five…

5.  Larry Bird.  Cool story.  I was playing in a youth basketball league, our coach had a connection with someone in the Cavaliers organization.  We went to a Celtics-Cavs game and were able to do drills on the court at halftime.  Halftime is coming to an end and the teams are on the court.  A ball bounces my way, and guess who is standing right there asking for it.  I GAVE LARRY BIRD A CHEST PASS.  Don’t remember much more from the game, but for me, that was enough.

4.  Barry Sanders.  Covered the Lions when I worked in Detroit.  Thankfully is was when Barry was playing.  It made the games worth the trip.  In 1997 I watched him rush for 167 yards and three touchdowns against the Bears.  He was so special to watch I still have video from that game.

3. George Brett.  I’ll put him three not because he’s the greatest athlete, but he’s my greatest athlete.  He’s my boyhood idol.  I wore number five because of him.  Played third base because of him.  Saw him play in the 1981 All-Star game in Cleveland and the Royals spring training home, for a time, was within 20 minutes of my house in Florida.

2. Michael Jordan.  I was in Chicago doing a story on Ron Harper and was in the locker room waiting for him.  A door on the far side of the room opens.  It’s Jordan!  Everything starts to happen in slow motion.  He walks across the room with a box of sneakers under one arm and a basketball he needs to autograph under the other.  He walks through another door and everything returns to normal speed.  A day I’ll never forget.  He dropped 43 on Cleveland that night and I watched from press row.

1. Tiger Woods.  To me he’s the best at his sport bar none, and even though I’ve seen Jack Nicklaus also in person, I’m getting Tiger in his prime.  I was lucky enough to see him win The Masters twice and finish runner-up at the U.S. Open.  To watch him hit balls on the driving range is one of the more impressive things I’ve ever witnessed in person.