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".

Baby Jack Update - 33 weeks

I thought I would provide Taco Salad readers a Baby Jack Update since I haven't written one in a while. So, here it goes...Jack is very active and in fact I recently came down with a sinus infection and was at my family doctor to hopefully get some relief. As I'm sitting there he was just moving around having a good time, which I thought was funny because I felt absolutely horrible. My mom was there to witness all of it, so she can tell you first hand how fun of a time the little guy was having!

I turned 33 weeks yesterday and I feel great and anxious for him to arrive. I went to the doctor last week and she said that everything looks great. Everyone keeps telling me how small I am for being eight months but she said I'm on track and to expect him to be 6 to 7 lbs when he is born. Jack continues to bake away for now and I know he looks forward to meeting each of you when he arrives!

Shower Number Two!

This past Sunday, Baby Jack and I attended a beautiful shower that my mom and sister threw for us and they gave it that extra touch that made it such a special day for me. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I know Jack did as well. My mom made beautiful flower arrangements, wrote a thoughtful poem for Jack, Brian wrote our son a very cute and funny letter, which left me with a bag full of treats, and we were even given two beautiful diapers cakes that I absolutely do not want to take apart.

Brian and I are always amazed at the love and thoughtfulness our family and friends continue to show towards welcoming our first child into this world. We are so blessed to have such a great support system and can't imagine our lives without each of you!

So, I want to thank my mom and sister for hosting such a beautiful shower that will be treasured by me always. Thank you to my sister who created such thoughtful and sweet favors for all the guests. Thank you to my neighbor Maggie, who brought such a beautiful cake and finally, thanks to everyone who attended and showered Jack with such amazing presents. We look forward to introducing Jack to all of you very soon!

Showered with Love and Presents

Last Sunday Jack and I had our first shower hosted by the Riddell Girls. We were showered by love from friend and family who presented Jack with numerous gifts that Brian and I are so appreciative for. Some how Jack even managed to get me gift with the help of my mom and helped my mother-in-law create favors for the guests. Jack sure has become so thoughtful and he isn't even here yet!

Brian and I want to say thank you for everyone who attended and showered our little guy with so many precious things. We also want thank Mom Saundra, Tina, Mandee, Kim and Jeannie for hosting such a beautiful shower.

So Long Griffey!

This will be one of the few times I'll speak my mind on sports, so gentlemen mark you calendars!

When I learned about Ken Griffey Jr. getting traded last week from Brian, I was shocked and happy. Happy because for so long I felt that the Reds didn't need Ken Griffey Jr. He surely didn't give the Reds any competitive advangtage and only hit them out of the ball park when he wanted to beat records. He also spent more time on the bench than actually playing and always seemed to be nursing an injury.

So, it's time that the Reds cut their losses and spend the salary they were paying him on finding more pitching talent.

See you later Ken Griffey Jr., hope it works out for you with the White Sox!

Introducing Baby Jack

I figure, over the last month, you all have grown tired of looking at me and my kick $$ss haircut and rocking guitar. Well, now you can look at something a lot more special: our son Jack.

Above are images of our little guy taken at today's 3D ultra sound session. Nothing in our lives has ever compared to the excitement of seeing our beautiful son for the first time. We are truly blessed to not only have him, but live in a time where such things are possible.

I've heard it said that a woman becomes a mother as soon as she becomes pregnant, but a man becomes a father as soon as he sees his child. I strongly disagree with that thinking, as I've hoped for, and worried about, my little boy since the moment we learned we are going to be parents. Even so, today Tasha and I experienced a new joy that I dare say neither one of us could dream of. Indeed, no one can imagine such feelings until the time to experience them comes. Knowing how great Tasha and I feel today, we can't wait for the even greater enrichment of living our lives together with our precious gift.

We love you Jack. -Daddy and Mommy (and Dexter, of course)