Today's firing of the day

Chargers part ways with LT.
I understand that pro sports is a business. And sometimes teams need to make difficult personel decisions. It's sad, but a necessary evil. I wonder if NFL teams will ever over pay a fallen star for timed served as the face of the franchise. Only time will tell, and that time is soon, as the CB agreement is up in 2011. Yayyyy union! We know MLB teams do it, and frequently.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-chargers-tomlinsonreleased&prov=ap&type=lgns

Today's retire of the day

WOW! This is a tough call. We had a couple announcements to choose from.

In the wide world of sports, after 22 years of service, Randy Johnson has decided to call it quits. He is a sure fire first ballot Hall of Famer no doubt. Yes he had a barely hittable fastball and a devastating slider; but who could forget the time he threw behind Kruk's head in the All Star game. Or when he nailed that poor bird that took errant flight in Randy's deadly fastball path. Aside from 1 kid outta wedlock, he seemed to be an all around solid guy. I wonder if he will take to the world of commentator or studio analyst. I picture him setting off to pasture, full of hunting and tending to a farm somewhere in parts unknown. Whatever he chooses we here at SMS wish him all the best and we tip our hat to an outstanding career.

Next up in the political arena is the 3 stooges, ahem Democrats. 2 senators and 1 Governor have decided not to run for re-election. First up is Seneator Chris Dodd of Connecticut. This is the guy that came under fire for receiving favorable mortgage terms while chairing the Senate Banking Committee. Hmmmm, conflict much??? His seat will most likely be filled by another Democrat, that's ashame.

Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota shocked the Dem nation when he announce his plans to pursue family interests outside of the public life. Well good for you, at 67 you might wanna start checking off the bucket list items sooner than later.

And lastly Colorado Governor Bill Ritter is bailing after 1 term. Wonder what his deal is? I mean, 1 term is hardly enough time to amass a small fortune in bribes and partake in multiple acts of illicit unadulterated activity. What in God's name is goin on out there.

Anyway, I gotta give the nod to Big 'Ol Randy. Good luck and God speed in your retirement sir. You deserve all the best.

- Stomp

Today's hire of the day

From phillies.com:
Philadelphia - The Phillies have signed free-agent right-hander Danys Baez to a two-year, $5.25 million contract, the club announced Tuesday.

This proves once again that you can be a loser and make over $2M per year. And by loser I mean, go 4 - 6 with a 4.02 ERA.
I really do hope he earns every penny.

Today's firing(s) of the day

The Bills wasted no time giving their whole coaching staff pink slips. But they gently let them go by allowing them to pursue oppurtunities elsewhere. Isn't that nice. Imagine if Pro sports had a no compete clause.

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/01/04/report-bills-fire-entire-coaching-staff/?icid=mainaimdl4link6http%3A%2F%2Fnfl.fanhouse.com%2F2010%2F01%2F04%2Freport-bills-fire-entire-coaching-staff%2F

Take this job . . .

Hearing a bunch of disturbing accounts of coach’s losing control on all levels from rec soccer to pop warner to tee ball. When I was a young lad I remember being dropped off at the first practice and my dad told the coach he had free reign to knock the living daylights out of me should I get out of line. Feel free to take whatever means necessary to straighten him out he said. Many youth sports organizations have done a great job keeping parents in check with Zero Tolerance policies. But that mostly covers parents harassing umpires, referees and opposing teams. What about the kids? These days, it’s an all new ballgame. Kids have the upper hand. They see parent’s disrespecting coaches, teacher’s, officer’s, just total disregard for authority. Now the kiddies run the show. Instead of the parent taking their child to the coach and asking what needs to be done to get better. If precious lil Trevor gets his feelings hurt cuz he didn't play every minute of every game, parents go right to the board. How’s about a little hard work, try making more than half the practices and by all means, please try to pay attention, just a wee bit. See we don’t run these drills and teach fundamentals for the sheer joy in it. I mean, I do have some real important stuff to do like fixing the leaky faucet, unclog the lint from the dryer vent and rearrange my sock drawer.
I actually saw a kid this year laugh at a parent when they asked him to stop messing with her kid. Flat out laughed in her face. Oh boy, if my old man caught me disrespecting an adult, it was all she wrote. Didn't matter if it was a coach, a parent or the old bag in the concession stand hawking dogs, grape soda and big league chew. See in the 70's we didn't have the luxury of getting disciplined in the privacy of our own home. Oh no, my dad would march right into the dugout, smack me upside the head and ear drag my butt straight to the parent and make me apologize. And I'm not talking about a soft head down whimper sorry ma’am. Nah this was head up look em in the eye and let's hear it, load and clear for the whole stands "sorry and I’ll never do that again".
Being a volunteer is thankless enough. But now, dealing with over rewarded, below average talent, spoiled brats is just too much. Maybe I am getting old and outta touch. Did we disrespect our elders? Did I overlook the whole eff you coach era? Well at least my kid will know better, cause I got that ear drag on the down low down pat. Man I sure do miss that grape soda and big league chew.
- Stomp

Wheelin and Dealin

What is up with grown men and wheelie bags??? I can see using the wheels on vacation when you got 7 bags, 3 screaming kids and no Terminal C in sight. In that case, they are not a luxury but a necessity. I see these contraptions all over the place. They come in all sorts of designs. Luggage, backpacks, attache's, some are even small as a laptop case. What are laptops now like 4 - 5 lb's tops. Are you serious? Seeing a grown man 6 ft +, over 200 lb's with a teenie weenie glorofied euro man purse on wheels is nothing short of obnoxious. 10 outta 10 real men agree - strap a set on and pick up the damn bag. Am I wrong? Is this a fashion statement and not laziness? I dunno, but you know the old saying if you can't beat em, join em. We'll I 'm off to the drawing board, the world is sooo ready for the 'Wallet on Wheels' I've been working on. And oh yeah, if you act now I'll throw in 'i-Wheely i-Pouch' - When that 0.04 oz 1.2 inch 9g iPod Micro is just to heavy to lug around.

- Stomp

Pssssssst. Here’s a tip for ya . . .

TAKE THAT TIP JAR OFF THE COUNTER IMMEDIATELY!!!
Tipping is supposed to be a gesture for services rendered AND to supplement a workers income in a service industry where hourly compensation is typically below minimum wage. Serving a cup of coffee over the counter is not the same as running around a busy diner, slingin greassy eggs and getting your tooshie squeezed. C’mon, let’s be real, the toughest pat of counter work is trying to make change when a customer gives you the last minute – “oh wait, I have change”. First off, you’re makin minimum wage. Secondly, you’re barely providing a service. Heck I could probably reach over and grab my own donut and coffee, if it wasn’t for this 5’6 frame and pudgy nubs. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind tipping at all. I’ll throw an appliance installer a fiver or so. Or even the warehouse guy helping get that oversized very unnecessary and overpriced future garage sale item into the trunk. But this whole ‘tip every little service idea’ has spun way outta control. I once saw a tip jar on the counter of a self service coffee bar. No joke, the place even had the muffins on a side counter. The only task for this jacko to do was reach under the counter and grab me a to go cup and collect that $2.25 for that cold and well passed born on date coffee. Unbelievable! Hey, at least he put his cell call on hold to wiat on me. Yeah I gotta tip for ya, take that 65c in your tip jar and buy some poster board. Write up a catchy phrase about how you don’t mind beggin for money and hit the streets. Show some dignity. Cause you sure don’t warrant a tip for doing the absolute bare minimum.
- Stomp