Here We Go Again!

The annual saga of Brett Favre's football future took another turn today. Favre has apparently said that he will play again if the Southern Mississippi University baseball team makes it to the College World Series. Nothing like linking his future to something completely unrelated to football to get the story going again.

Favre is like a 3 year old...look at me, pay attention to me, come on...look at me!!! Every offseason we go through this. Every offseason he holds an entire NFL franchise in suspense as he mulls his decision. First it was the Packers, who finally moved on after Favre retired, then unretired. Next it was the New York Jets, who cut bait after 1 season. Now, it's the Minnesota Vikings who have no other viable options at QB, so they have to wait and see what the Prima Donna decides.

Having lived in Minnesota for about 2 years, I have no love for Vikings fans. They are annoying most of the time, but I actually feel bad for them in this. They have so little to look forward to if Favre doesn't come back...it can't be a good feeling as a fan. No matter what he decides, I bet this isn't the last we've heard from Favre this offseason.

Movie Review: The Blind Side

"The Blind Side" is the first "critically acclaimed" movie I've watched in quite a while. Seems like all the movies that get nominations for Oscars and other awards these days are junk that I don't want to watch. "The Blind Side" is unique in that it achieved some acclaim, including a Best Actress win for Sandra Bullock, and I actually liked it.

"The Blind Side" is based on the 2006 book, "The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game" by Michael Lewis. This movie (and book) tells the story of Michael Oher, who was drafted in the 1st round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens. While in high school, Michael ends up at a private school in Memphis after a friend's father convinces the football coach to get him enrolled. However, Michael's grades prevent him from playing. Around Thanksgiving of his first year at the school, Michael, now homeless, meets Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) and the rest of the Tuohy family. Leigh Anne takes pity on Michael and invites him to stay for the night.

Fast forward a little bit. Michael becomes a part of the family, and is eventually adopted. The Tuohy's, along with tutor Miss Sue (Kathy Bates) help Oher get his grades up and he becomes a standout football player, eventually earning a scholarship to Ole Miss University. And we all know how the story ends...Oher is drafted 23rd in the 2009 NFL Draft.

I really liked this movie. I rate it 4 stars...could be more but that's how I feel. The best part about it is that it's based on a true story. I read that the movie changes some of the story to make it more dramatic, but overall it's a true story. If you google Michael Oher you can get the entire story. This movie reminds us what can happen when people do what is right. I think everyone should give this movie a shot...it'll definitely tug at your heart. It did mine, and I'm a cold hearted conservative.

Baby Grand and Sweet Onions

Yesterday, the Men's choir that I play piano with was invited to Manchester, IA to lead mass at St. Mary's Parish. This was the first time we've ever been invited to another parish. Driving up there, I had no idea what type of piano they would have, though I was expecting an upright. When I got there, I was very happy to find a Yamaha Baby Grand Piano. Oh baby!

I haven't played on a grand piano of any sort for an extended period of time since college. When I was taking lessons as a kid, my teacher had a baby grand, and we always played our recitals on grand pianos, so I got a little spoiled. Don't get me wrong, an upright piano is a fine musical instrument, and even the Clavinova that I have is a good piano. However, there's something about a grand piano...the sound is just richer, fuller. It was wonderful. I loved playing that piano!

After mass, the priest that invited us cooked a meal. He grilled brats and hot dogs, and all the families brought a dish to share. We had a great time, and the best surprise was the Sweet Onion Bratwurst! Up until yesterday, I had always steered clear of flavored bratwurst. I've seen them at the meat counter at HyVee, but I've always gone for the standard brat. My thinking has always been that brats are so good, why mess with them? What a fool I was...the sweet onion bratwurst was one of the best things I've ever eaten. You had the great, juicy brat flavor, with chunks of onion and the juice from those onions...it was unbelievable. My mouth is watering now just thinking about it.

Who would have guessed a Baby Grand Piano and a Sweet Onion Bratwurst would have such an effect on my day yesterday? I know I didn't expect that when I woke up.