Mark the HUGE

This is my godson Mark Christopher.

Suffocate the Day!

My Family

Went out with the FAM tonight to have a few beers and see #8's
boyfriend play. He is in a band called "suffocate the day." I'll let
you know how it is.

My Crazy Niece

You will see this girl on the X-Games someday....

Favorite Web Site

Well maybe I should start a favorite website of the week post. Because while we are on the topic of cool websites, here is another recently discovered favorite. I think a little background is in order.....
After hearing that my step-father-in-law loves Bill O'Reilly, I had to look for an appropriate place to find him a Christmas present. And here it is!!!! Enjoy!
In case you are wondering, the only thing I hate more than Fox News, is Bill O'Reilly. He really is a chump and for some reason it irks me knowing that there are MILLIONS of people out there who take his opinionated dribble as the gospel (pun intended for all the neo-conservative bible-thumpers out there) truth. The guy is worse that Rush, only by reason of the fact that he purports to be reporting the news. Rush on the other hand is simply a "shock jock."

My New Home Page?

Of all the cool things that I have seen in the last week, and there must be at least one or two, this is the "coolest." The creators of "Newseum" have created a website where I now have the ability to read newspapers all around the globe, without having to know what each newspaper is called. It's not that I really care about what happens in Santa Fe New Mexico, but I would like to see what the world view is without the interferance of special interest groups that taint the news we are spoon fed in this country.
For all you right-wing conservatives out there, I doubt you care what happens outside of our borders and I am sure you are content with the news (read "sound bites") as created and spoon fed by Fox News, but if you ever get tired of drinking the Kool-Aid, want to see what is going on in the world and make your own deccisions, check out this feature from Newseum’s Web site called “Today’s Front Page.” It’s a world map much like those found on Zillow or Google maps — move your cursor over any area, and the front page from that region’s daily paper appears.

Winter Wonderland????

Christmas is coming,
the goose is getting fat,
please put a penny in the old man's hat.

If you haven't got a penny,
a half a penny will do.

If you haven't got a half a penny,
then god bless you!

That is just a little jingle that we (our family) learned when we were little. Not sure if it came from my mom or grandpa, but for some reason those things just stick with you. It seems like a lot of things involving the holidays just stick with you. My wife used to think that many of the traditions (read "rituals") that my family and I have done and insist on continuing were weird. But now that we are looking forward to having kids, it seems like she is starting to buy into the importance of family traditions.

One thing that didn't stick with me is the need to have a cold snowy Christmas. It is supposed to dump a ton of snow tonight in the Washoe Valley and even more up in the mountains. I am hating the winter right now and longing for the days when I was in San Diego. Don't get me wrong, I love the snow - especially when it is up in the mountains, but I remember surfing with my buddy (and house mate at the time) Mike the morning I came home for Christmas the first year I was in San Diego. Can't wait for those days to come again. Winter weather is definitely something to VISIT. You can't beat flying to NYC for a few days, enjoying the NYC winter atmosphere all bundled up, and then flying home - only to get off the plane to jeans and t-shirt weather and palm trees. Can't beat it.

Christopher Walken - Weapon of Choice

The first music video I remember watching was Van Halen's Hot For Teacher.
I was over at my buddy Jayson Culbert's house for a slumber party in 4th grade with some other guys and we watched music videos late on friday night.
Anyways, while Hot For Teacher may hold a special spot in my heart, this may be one of the greatest videos of all time. Enjoy!!!

Sophia - my niece - loves the water

What is it about little kids and their laughter?

Darnell Jackson slam Kansas vs Depaul

This is sick! Darnell bringing the thunder in KU's 84-66 drubbing of DePaul (my other alma mater).

ALS

Some of you may know that my mother-in-law (far right in picture to left, #13 and our brother also pictured) was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS in the fall of 2005. ALS is a disease that effects motor neurons, or nerve cells. It damages the ability of these cells to carry messages from the brain to the muscles. As the muscles are used less and less, they grow weaker and lose bulk. Eventually they become paralyzed. ALS does not effect sight, hearing or thinking. Most cases of ALS are sporadic, affecting anyone anywhere.

Anyways, as part of her participation in the ALS Association Keith Worthington Chapter, Carol created a list of the things she misses the most; the things ALS has taken away. Very sobering.

- ALS has left me longing for the day when I was able to:

Smile.
Laugh.
Kiss my husband.
Talk with my children over the phone.
Have conversations with my dogs.
Enjoy my morning coffee without choking.
Enjoy my evening wine without my throat being on fire.
Wear myself out planting flowers.
Make a phone call to schedule an appointment.
Make conversation at a social gathering.
Make people comfortable rather than uncomfortable.
Go through a drive up window.
Bite into a crunchy taco.
Go out for a romantic dinner.
Wear shoes with heels.
Look forward to the day I would become a grandmother.
Look forward to growing old with my husband.

- ALS begins with the inconsequential and progresses to the inconceivable.

Carol is the greatest mother, mother-in-law, and friend one could hope for.

K-State's New Sponsorship Deal?

Thanks to Roddy, I received this tidbit of information....

Evidentally, K-State's Michael Beasley has a bit of a hard time controlling himself and needed a few gatorade towels to "relieve" himself.....

Imagine what will happen when the #3 Jayhawks play at Allen Fieldhouse West next month. Where is K-State's Depends sponsorship when you need it.

Introducing ......

My godson!!!!! Mark Christopher. He is my parent's first grandson and #5 and #10's first child.

Weekend Recap

Last weekend was a great weekend. While I missed most of the athletic fun - Mizzou losing to Oklahoma in the Big XII title game and KU beating USC in basketball after a close game - I did have a great time with some friends from Chicago.
DC and LC - two great friends from law school - and DC's brother and his wife came out for a weekend of snow, "gaming" and fun in Tahoe. While the snow part was a total bust, there was plenty of fun to go around and everyone came away a winner on the gaming front. It was a great weekend and hopefully they will be back soon when there is snow on the ground so DC can "shred it up."
On the sports side, KU fans should be bummed right now if the pre-big XII game rumors proved to be true. Prior to Saturday's big gagme, it was thought that Missouri would have to win the game for KU to be invited to a BCS bowl game. However, come sunday afternoon it was not KU that was left out as a result of Missouri's loss, but Missouri!!!! While on the outside I feel for the MU players and fans who have a real argument for getting screwed, my sides hurt so very bad from laughing on the inside. So Orange Bowl and Virgina Tech, here come the Jayhawks. And for those left out of the BCS and headed down to the Cotton bowl - it just doesn't pay to be a MU player or fan!!! Ever.
So while you may have won the Border Battle, it turns out you lost the Border War. See you guys after the new year when KU thumps you in Bball.

KU/Arizona Game Revisited

During half time of the game last Sunday night, this guy put on a show
where he danced and sang to popular 70s music. It was hilarious and
the guy was good.
By way of explanation, only the guy in the middle is real and the
other 4 are dummies that he is controlling. So as he moved the other
"guys" moved as well. Best half time show I have seen at a KU game.

Allen Fieldhouse

Amazing how a little good bball from the friendly confines of Allen Fieldhouse can lift your spirits. Went to the KU-Arizona game on Sunday night. And aside from the 1,000 or so empty seats in the Northwest corner of the student section (not cool students) it was awesome.
Although the fellas were a little soft after leading 20-9 and failed to put the Wildcats down, BRush was money on his not-so-gimpy knee. He showed some explosiveness that he has not shown since being at KU. He definitely seems to be playing with a sense of urgency and was clearly the best player on the floor - although Chase "I can whine with the best of them" Butinger gave him a good run.

My new favorite thing about Allen Fieldhouse? The video board and the history film they show before introducing the KU players. It is simply impressive and I can't help but get goose bumps everytime I see it. Amazing.

Other than that, it is always great to be back in Lawrence. It always feels comforting.
Went to Quinton's and did a little shopping for my buddy Tibid [if you don't know Tibid, he will be making his appearance on the blog shortly].

How do you spell choke?

K.U.
Alternate spelling ...... REESING.

Not sure how it looked at home folks but at Arrowhead it was not pretty.
Missouri's keys to the game in winning 36-28....
1. Get Reesing to play like he is 5 foot 10 inches. He was anything but cool under pressure, throwing two interceptions and underthrowing it numerous times. He did not show up in the first half ... period. To his credit though, he was a stud towards the end of the game and his rushing TD on 4th and 2 was money. But by then the damage had been done.
2. Paging offensive line. Please report to arrowhead.
3. Secondary....... please cover someone.
4. Webb. Your only job is to kick the ball through the uprights. What were you doing in the first half. Seriously.

So my assessment. KU is either the most overrated team in the nation or they choked. Hard. (At least for 3 quarters). I think had they played their game from the beginning, they would have beaten MU. But MU took KU out of their game and, as they say, that was that.

Not too happy right now.

I am going to the bar. See you all later and hopefully KU basketball will make me feel better tomorrow.

M.I.A.

For those who were worried something had happened to me in the last,
you can rest easy knowing I am ok and am on my way to Wichita for
thanksgiving.
Since I blogged last, a lot has happened. KU football won again.
11-0!!!! Woo hoo!!! Coach Mangino now has a record above .500 and KU
is guaranteed to get into only its second bowl game in the last ten
years. The last one was the VERY prestigious Tangerine Bowl in 2003.
Anywho, I am off to Wichita for a few days and will make a pilgrimage
to old KU. Festivities will include some drinks on Mass, the KU-MU
game on Saturday and the KU-Arizona basketball game on Sunday. Should
be a great time.
Stay tuned.

What a Weekend if you are a Jayhawk

If you forgot to turn on the tv last weekend, were in a coma, or like me, live on the west coast where the wonderful people at Disney chose to show the USC-Cal game on ABC rather than the KU-OK State game, then you missed a great one (from what I hear). From the updates I received on the computer and the sporatic updates on ESPN and ESPN News, it was a great game. Jayhawks were victorious 43-28.

Prince Akeem: Sir, did you happen to catch the professional football contest on television last night?
Cleo McDowell: No, I didn't.
Prince Akeem: Oh sir, the Giants of New York took on the Packers of Green Bay. And in the end, the Giants triumphed by kicking an oblong ball made of pigskin through a big "H". It was a most ripping victory.
Cleo McDowell: Son.
Prince Akeem: Yes?
Cleo McDowell: If you want to keep working here, stay off the drugs.
Prince Akeem: Yes.

So Kansas is now the ONLY D-1 university in the land with undefeated football and basketball teams. KU football is now 10-0 and the basketball team is 2-0. And while it might not seem like a feat to be 2-0 in basketball so early in the season, Hawaii - the only other underfeated D-1 football program - lost their seasoner opener to San Diego last friday night. The Rainbow Warriors have begun the basketball season 0-1.
So cheers to you old KU!!! You have placed yourself squarly at the center of any and all basketball AND football national championship debates. A feat which I am not sure I had the guts to even think possible before this year. Keep it up and soon KU will no longer be just a basketball school where the inventor of the game perfected it, had legendary coaches, had some of the greatest players in the game, and can trace the success of other "storied" programs to the Phog (Dean Smith is a Jayhawk). A few more years of this kind of football success and the school will soon be a full athletic machine. Maybe then the athletic department will bring back the many men's olympic sports it has dropped in the last decade.

On a separate but related topic all the crap that people are spewing now about the weak strength of schedule that Kansas has ripped through this year is just that - crap. Kansas' SOS is 75th out of 119. Granted not the best rating. But everyone is so hung up on good wins - let's talk about bad losses; nay, just LOSSES.... KU does not have any. Oklahoma is 69th in SOS and USC is 74th. But no one trashes Oklahoma for their schedule. In fact, they are - even with one loss - ranked just behind Kansas in the BCS and ahead of Kansas in the AP and USA Today polls. Bottom line is that it just won't matter anyone says because the argument that "KU hasn't played anyone yet and shouldn't be in the BCS Championship game" will never have anything to do with if they get into the championship game. KU still has to play #5 Missouri and, if they win, #4 Oklahoma. No other team in the country will finish the season with a schedule that tough. So if they win out then they WILL be in the BCS chmapionship game.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=3106287

The Golden Compass

So the other night, I went to see Rendition with #13, #1 and #1's girlfriend. It was a pretty good movie, but between that and Lions for Lambs, I need to stop watching these politically motivated movies. They are a bit dark and depressing - although sobering.

Anyways, before the movie there were two trailers for the movie the Golden Compass. It was kind of strange to see the trailer twice and I it took me a few seconds to realize it because they were actually different trailers. Anyways, it looks a bit like a Lion the Witch and Wardrobe look-a-like (although I am not sure which book was published first), with much better special effects and well known actors. So I checked out the website this morning and it is one of the better movie websites. Pretty cool graphics. And ...... my "daemon" was also chosen.....

KU Basketball 1-0

So Kansas is now UNDEFEATED - just like the footall team. Not too out of the ordinary because I don't know if I was alive the last time KU lost their season opener. Although it may have been against UNC in the pre-season NIT a few years back. Anyways, Darnell Jackson and Sherron Collins led the way; each putting up over 20 points.

KU's Game Leaders
Points - S. Collins 22
Rebounds - Arthur 6
Assists - R. Stewart 8
Steals - S. Collins 4
Blocks - S. Kaun 1

HERE WE GO!!!!

Tonight the Kansas men's basketball team tips off and begins their 2007-2008 season. It should be a great season with good games against Arizona on November 25, at USC Dec 2, DePaul on December 8, Georgia Tech on December 18, and Boston College on January 5 before they start their regular conference season.

I think the Jayhawks will be very strong this year. Admittedly, the loss of Julian Wright to the NBA is not insignificant. However, with Darrell Arthur's improvement over the summer, KU will have a solid (and big) scoring and defending presence to go with Sasha and Darnell. And once Brandon Rush returns from his injury in December sometime, they will have what may be the best backcourt in the country: Brandon Rush, Russell Robinson, Mario Chalmers and Sherron Collins.

Once KU is at full strength, Coach Self will have many different options to put on the floor. They can go big with Sasha, Darnell and Darrell, or they can got with a quicker three guard set-up and rotate through Brandon, Russell, Sherron, and Mario.

And the kicker is, that is not even taking into account the possibility that one of the freshman will step up and earn some serious minutes. KU is deep this year. D - EEP.

Anyways, (minus Brady Morningstar, who is redshirting this year) here is the 2007-08 Kansas Men's Basketball Team.

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr.
00 Darrell Arthur Forward 6-9 230 So.
2 Conner Teahan Guard 6-5 200 Fr.
3 Russell Robinson Guard 6-1 200 Sr.
4 Sherron Collins Guard 5-11 200 So.
5 Rodrick Stewart Guard 6-4 205 RS-Sr.
10 Jeremy Case Guard 6-1 182 RS-Sr.
11 Brennan Bechard Guard 6-0 183 Jr.
14 Tyrel Reed Guard 6-3 180 Fr.
15 Mario Chalmers Guard 6-1 195 Jr.
22 Chase Buford Guard 6-3 200 Fr.
24 Sasha Kaun Center 6-11 245 Sr.
25 Brandon Rush Guard 6-6 210 Jr.
32 Darnell Jackson Forward 6-8 250 Sr.
40 Brad Witherspoon Guard 6-1 180 Sr.
45 Cole Aldrich Center 6-11 245 Fr.
54 Matt Kleinmann Center 6-10 247 RS-Jr.

With KU's great football season (Game tomorrow against Oklahoma State) and the expectations of a great basketball season, KU may just have the best athletic season ever. Now all KU needs is a good season for the men's swimming team. Oh wait, they dropped that program - jerks.

ROCK CHALK!!!

Roddy Part Doo

Ok, back to Mr. Roddy's profile in a moment, but first - a shout out to the my new readers, er reader.

This is an exciting day because with this new reader, it doubles the viewership of this blog to TWO!!! (Not including me). So in addition to my wife, Roddy himself has actually viewed this blog. If the viewership of this blog continues to grow at this rapid pace, it will have over 33 million viewers in less than 6 months!!!

Way to go thirdof9 blog. Keep up the good work!!!

Anywho, back to my Random Profile for Week 1 of the thirdof9 blog. So let's get to know Mr. Roddy a bit better....





Middle name you wish you had: I wouldn't have said this when I was younger, but I kinda dig the one I have. Leahy.

Unknown Talent: Holding one foot with the opposite hand, I can then jump and send my other foot through the loop.

Job you would want if you could do ANYTHING: The one I got, only with a little more job security.

Food that gives you the worst gas: Bulgur Wheat

Favorite quote(s)/saying(s): “That's just what we call pillow-talk, baby”

Favorite movie(s): Army of Darkness followed by Old School

Favorite place(s): In the middle of a lake (during a fresh water triathlon)

Favorite book(s): The 7 Harry Potter books

Favorite mathematical equation/formula: That's classified mister.

Thing you are the BEST at: Being the coolest dad in the whole world (at least until the dude smartens up)

Favorite website(s): http://www.phog.net/ http://www.mulletsgalore.com/

Cheating a Bit

Because I do not have anything original to say, I am going to cheat and use my buddy Mike's blog as my own content! Periodically, I hope to reference the happenings in my friends' lives. We shall call it the "Random Profile" section on the thirdof9 blog. So below is Mike's short profile and here is his Blog. http://halfsoul.blogspot.com/ Mike doesn't know I am doing this yet, so I will get back to you with other details on Mike.

Mike and his wife Jeanine both went to KU with me and we all swam while we were there. Because I was not nearly as cool as I am now, Mike and I didn't get along nearly the way we do now. But since meeting back up in SD a few years ago we are pretty good buds. We both love Jayhawk sports - especially basketball. We also like triathlons, although we have never done the same one. And we have both done the "walk of shame" in La Jolla.

The walk of shame is what happens when you swim the mile and a half from the cove to the pier and then can't make it back, so you just swim in to the beach and either walk back, or worse, you do what Mike and I did and had one of the other guys we were swimming with, swim back to the cove, get his car and come and get us. Not my finest moment, but it was f*cking cold!!! I am talking really really cold - sub 60 degree cold. And Mike and I are not the burliest of guys. Now in Mike's defense, he had just ran about 15 miles before the swim to train for the SD Rock and Roll marathon. So he was pretty beat. Me on the other hand. I was just a colossal wimp that day in the sub-60 degree ocean water.

Anyways, Mike and Jeanine have added to their twosome by adding the Nolan. Or as I like to call him, Nolzilla. Nolan was held by Bill Self, slobbered on the Allen Fieldhouse floor (see pics on 3rd page of Roddy Blog) and has a penchant for fast women, 12 year old scotch, and mini Ugg boots.

Anyways, tune in the next few days and I am sure that I will have plenty more to talk about. If not, I will just point you to another blog. In the meantime, enjoy the Roddy Blog.

End of World - or - End of Era????

Kansas is now 9-0 in football. What? Are you kidding me?

Either this is the most recent sign of the apocolypse, or it is truly the end of an era an era when KU was the most sought after homecoming opponent in the land.

I mean seriously. I googled "fighting Manginos" and was suprised that there are over 1,300 hits!!! [Results 1 - 10 of about 1,320 for "fighting manginos".]

And the first hit was another blog with the headline "Kansas Over Nebraska 39-76: Fighting Manginos Will Go To A BCS Game" http://dreadnaught.wordpress.com/2007/11/03/kansas-over-nebraska-39-76-fighting-manginos-will-go-to-a-bcs-game/

This is an unprecedented year for the "fighting Manginos", or as my step-father-in-law calls them, the "fighting Mandingos." The last time I remember being this interested in the football program was back in 1995 when I was a student at KU and the football team went 7-0. But this is all cool and hopefully it is not a fluke.

Regardless of what happens the rest of the year, a top 5 BCS ranking, national exposure, and a guaranteed season of 9 wins convinces me that Mr. Mangino - that fine athletic specimin - is definitely worth his weight this year. And that is no small feat.

My niece loves sweets

So here is the oldest of my two nieces; I also have one nephew - Mark
- of whom I am his godfather! She is the daughter of #7 and #12.
This is at Italian catholic dinner. She didn't like the ice cream as
much as the she liked the cookie in it.

[this was also sent from my iphone]

Testing my remote blogging skills

Ok. In order to improve on my blogging skills, I am sending this from
my iPhone. Hold your applause.

Welcome

Well I am not sure how you found my "new" blog [new implies that there was an old one], but welcome. This blog does not yet have a theme, but I am hoping that it will take on a life of its own and will develop some sort of identity over time.

Anyways, as described in the title of this blog, I am the third child of nine. Actually, with marriages, there are 13 of us right now, with a fourteenth on the way next September or so. Congrats to my brother (#4) who got engaged last weekend. I digress. My wife (#13) and I were married a year ago last summer.

On the recreational front, I have always enjoyed swimming and running and have really gotten in to cycling this past summer. I have also dabbled in soccer, tennis, surfing, skiing, snowboarding, triathlon, water polo, blah blah blah.

I am a lawyer, but in a transitional phase. I have joined my father and the aforementioned #4 in opening our own law firm. So far it has been interesting, but I miss my previous job working for large firm in SoCal. My wife (#13) and I also miss our friends and lifestyle. So that is something that we will have to work out over the next year - "do I stay or do I go now."

Anyways, I am a huge KU fan and rarely miss a game on t.v. I am looking forward to my ultimate KU weekend later this month when I will be going to the KU-MU football game at Arrowhead on saturday and the KU-Arizona bball game at Allen Fieldhouse, aka the Phog, aka mecca on Sunday. Other teams I root for are:

-Dodgers (grandfather played for them in the 1910's)
-Cubs (lived in Chicago for a bit)
-Bears (ditto)
-USC (#1 and #5 both went to school there)
-Yankees (cause you either love 'em or hate 'em)
-Celtics (grew up rooting for them in the 80s and I've been a Paul Pierce fan since he signed with KU)
Vancouver (my uncle played for them for 10 years)*
Rangers (see above)*

*haven't seen a hockey game since my uncle retired.