Hurricane Ike Hits Cumberland Circle

Today was hands-down the scariest experience I've had as a homeower. As Hurricane Ike moved north and slightly to the west of the tri-state area, it brought with it win gusts of up to 75 mph (that's hurricane force winds people). Tasha and I spent most of the afternoon without power, and praying that a tree or some other large object would not slam into our home. The winds appear to be subsiding, and aside from taking out one tree that I don't like anyway, and tearing apart a dead elm tree that I was planning on having cut down in the next couple of weeks, we escaped with only minor damage to our home. Here's what the winds did in and around Cumberland Circle this afternoon.

Hopeful Lutheran Church Oktoberfest 2008

Be sure to get out next weekend for Hopeful Oktoberfest (Friday 6-11 pm and Saturday Noon-11 pm). Highlights include a raffle (tickets are $25) for a chance to win a 2008 Mazda Miata or $20,000 cash (the drawing will take place on 9/20 and you do not need to be present to win), a beer garden, a chicken dance with local celebrities, a beer mug relay, carnival games, inflatable rides, and lots of delicious food. 6430 Hopeful Church Road, Florence KY 41042.

T-Minus Four Weeks

On Monday we will only have four weeks left until Jack's due date. Everything's set-up and waiting for him. In fact, J.D. already has more stuff than his Mommy and Daddy. Mommy's starting to feel a lot more uncomfortable, but is holding up like a trooper. She's been absolutley fabulous (pon intended) throughout the entire pregnancy. Here are some updated pictures of Tasha, the nursery, and some of the wonderful gifts Jack has recieved from our friends and family (thanks to you all). You will see a U of L outfit in the pics. Thanks to Uncle Greg and Aunt Kelly Seelbach for that. If I didn't love our good friends so much that sweat-suit would never see the light of day. Also, shout-out to Uncle Brad for the cool Matt Cassell No. 10 USC jersey. Even though he didn't see much of last night's game, Jack's looking forward to another Buckeye Beatdown next year in Columbus. Fight on! Also, special thanks to Aaron Gruelle and the Union Fire Department for setting up the car seats so our little dude can stay safe while riding in style!

How Hurricanes Get Their Names

Every year, during hurricane season, there is much debate about how hurricanes get their names. Here's a little knowledge that you can drop at your next cocktail party.

While alphabetical order is clear, there is much more to naming storms. Short and distinguishable names are now used (as opposed to the older method of identifying a storm by its latitude and longitude).

Every region in the U.S. has its own naming procedure (the storm-prone Atlantic and Eastern North Pacific having the most elaborate), with a pre-approved set of names familiar to that area. The lists are used in rotation every six years, meaning the same list of names that was used to name Gustav will be used again in 2014.

Each of the six alphabetized lists includes 21 pre-approved names, with the letters Q,U,X,Y, and Z excluded.

Lists are not designated by year. If the third name on a list is the last storm to hit, then the first storm of the following year is named simply by picking the next name on the list.

Exceptions to these rules include retiring severe names from the list (Katrina, Andrew, etc.). Also, in extreme conditions, the Greek alphabet is an option in the Atlantic. As a back-up, storms take on names like Hurricane Alpah and Tropical Storm Beta whan all 21 names from that year's pre-approved list have already been used.

So, there you have it. Stay dry.

Fight On!

Taco Salad is fired up and ready for Saturday's big match-up against the Buckeyes!

Helping Out

Dexter is so excited about Jack's arrival that he's volunteered to act as Jack's boppy if the other one from Babies R Us does not work out.

One Shining Moment

Dexter finally accepted his water-dog destiny by catching a mallard duck (even if it's not real).

Go Pats

After much discussion, and as a follow-up to "The Fleecing of Cincinnati" post, Taco Salad, along with his good buddies Sean Suder and Greg Cecil, have decided to become New England Patriots fans. Sans Tom Brady, the Patriots are still 100 times better than the Bungles. The organization knows how to get it done, and it will figure out how to overcome this obstacle. Call us front-runners if you like (although I'd beg to differ considering the revolutionaries are without the league MVP), but I think we've earned the right to cheer on a winner.

The Brown Family Is Fleecing Cincinnati

No matter how bad the opponent, the Bengals always find a way to play worse. Talk about futility. The Bengals are a total mess. When parity in the NFL is greater than it has ever been, the Bengals should not be perennial losers. Nonetheless, here we are again. The Bengals have not been a legitimate NFL franchise for over twenty years, and the blame falls squarely on Mike Brown.

There's no discipline, no leadership, no accountability, and no heart. Moreover, a major talent upgrade (in the front office, on the field, and on the sideline) is needed. But, the only way the Bengals will ever achieve the requisite level of talent (on all fronts) is for Mike Brown to: (1) give up control of football operations, (2) hire additional scouts and a GM that know how to evaluate personnel, and (3) let Marvin Lewis (or whoever the coach, as it's just a matter of time before an under-appreciated and frustrated Lewis leaves for greener pastures) manage his team and hold players accountable.

Simply put, Mike Brown has no idea what he is doing, and, his refusal to operate the black and orange like a true professional sports team is selfish and greedy. Even though Hamilton County taxpayers paid millions of dollars to build "HIM" a new stadium, and, despite the fact that he makes millions of dollars in profit each year from revenue sharing and optimistic fans, Mike Brown has done nothing to upgrade the Bengals despite the generous resources that have been provided to him. He's sacraficed nothing, but has been given everything (including the team itself). Good job Mikey Boy!! Way to build upon your father's legacy! Way to give back to the people and community that have supported your family for almost fifty years! Way to take advantage of countless Bengals fans from Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana!!

I'm tired of this one-sided relationship, and I'm tired of the crap I see each week, year after year. Enough is enough. I'm not going to anymore games, I'm not watching anymore games, and I'm not buying anymore merchandise, until I see marked improvement and/or at least a commitment to winning.

The only chance of this ever getting better is for Mike Brown to either sell the team or give up control.

20 Things I Don't Understand (In No Particular Order)

1. The phrase, "I know (blank) like the back of my hand," when, do any of us really know anything about the back of either of our hands?

2. "For Sale" signs when "Buy Me" seems much more persuasive.

3. Disease.

4. Why so many people in my neighborhood spend such an inordinate amount of time sitting in their garages.

5. Speaking of neighbors, why my twenty-something neighbor drives a BMW when he needs four roommates to help pay his mortgage.

6. My purpose.

7. Why dogs are always hungry; particularly mine.

8. Despite all the crap humans are doing to the Earth, why our planet still looks immaculate from space.

9. Violence.

10. Why I never have enough time to get really good at any one particular thing.

11. Hate and intolerance.

12. Why, even though Jack is not here yet, I always feel like I did not get enough sleep.

13. Why the good die so young, or if not young, why they go even though it still seems like it's not their time.

14. Earthworms.

15. Ankle knobs.

16. Poverty.

17. Chemistry.

18. Why (as aptly pointed out in a South Park episode) many of our political choices are between a d-bag and a turd sandwich.

19. Why I'm so smart and good looking.

20. Vanity.

Ocho Cinco Is Official

You may disagree with his attitude, behavior, and comments. But, you have to agree that this is hilarious. Today, the Bengals officially announed that they will refer to the outspoken Pro Bowl reciever, formerly known as Chad Johnson, as Chad "Ocho Cinco".