Common Sense, aka C.S., lived a long life, but died from heart failure at the brink of the millennium. No one really knows how old he was, his birth records were long ago entangled in miles and miles of bureaucratic red tape.
Known affectionately to close friends as Horse Sense and Sound Thinking, he selflessly devoted himself to a life of service in homes, schools, hospitals and offices, helping folks get jobs done without a lot of fanfare, whooping and hollering. Rules and regulations and petty, frivolous lawsuits held no power over C.S.

A most reliable sage, he was credited with cultivating the ability to know when to come in out of the rain, the discovery that the early bird gets the worm and how to take the bitter with the sweet. C.S. also developed sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adult is in charge, not the kid) and prudent dietary plans (offset eggs and bacon with a little fiber and orange juice).

A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, the Technological Revolution and the Smoking Crusades, C.S. survived sundry cultural and educational trends including disco, the men's movement, body piercing, whole language and new math.

C.S.'s health began declining in the late 1960s when he became infected with the If-It-Feels-Good, Do-It virus. In the following decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing federal and state rules and regulations and an oppressive tax code. C.S. was sapped of strength and the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, criminals received better treatment than victims and judges stuck their noses in everything from Boy Scouts to professional baseball and golf. His deterioration accelerated as schools implemented zero-tolerance policies. Reports of 6-year-old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing classmates, a teen suspended for taking a swig of Scope mouthwash after lunch, girls suspended for possessing Midol and an honor student expelled for having a table knife in her school lunch were more than his heart could endure.

As the end neared, doctors say C.S. drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments regarding regulations on low-flow toilets and mandatory air bags. Finally, upon hearing about a government plan to ban inhalers from 14 million asthmatics due to a trace of a pollutant that may be harmful to the environment, C.S. breathed his last. Services will be at Whispering Pines Cemetery. C.S. was preceded in death by his wife, Discretion; one daughter, Responsibility; and one son, Reason. He is survived by two step-brothers, Half-Wit and Dim-Wit.

Memorial Contributions may be sent to the Institute for Rational Thought.

Farewell, Common Sense. May you rest in peace.

My jaw is still sore from Stephanie on Saturday!

Tuesday night both the boys had games….Like normal Blaise had fun running around the bases. Austin’s team tied the Red Sox who were the only undefeated team…Kinda disappoints me that we tied we had 2 runs setting on 3rd and the 3rd base coach didn’t send them when he should have….I can’t keep explaining to him…..but HEY…this is for fun right!!!...and for the kids….Michael is starting to come around a little…we keep pumping him up, he’s starting to enjoy it as long as I don’t make him pitch. Jesse on the other hand is so sulky; I assume it has to do with home or school. Seems like I can’t be positive enough around him….I won’t lose hope.
On another note Matt Mitchell is the best catcher at his age I’ve ever seen. I always thought I was good, I was pretty descent at his age, had a stronger arm, and was a much better batter. (I don’t want to hear about my current softball situation). But he is so smart behind the plate, he knows exactly what is going on everywhere on that field. I was never able (my coaches didn’t allow it) to pick kids off of first and third. He already has picked 4 off this year. I haven’t seen anybody else even attempt this besides him the last 2 years.

Last night I had board duty, where I’m in charge of the games going on at the little league fields. I actually enjoyed it; getting to catch up with people that I don’t usually get to talk to. Always so busy coaching or running after the boys when I’m out there. Also noticed there are several hot women that have kids playing, unfortunately most are married. Like normal you can tell how HM they are by the size of their rock, thank god for sun glasses….Austin was out there for awhile last night wearing this kick-ass Bruce Lee button down shirt….he’s picking up too many of my good habits.
I watched some of the juniors playing last night ages 13 and 14...I had several of them on our teams over the years. Almost couldn't recognize alot of them. They have grow so much in the last year and of course most have the shaggy hair going...I'm jealous, can't get my own kid to grow his out. You heard it here first, within the next 2 years Austin will let his hair grow out...just watch.

I had a nice conversation last night with Stef up until I pulled in my driveway and had 2 cows walking around my yard….and I don’t usually go home on Wednesday night’s. They were easy to get in, but still.

Eric is currently driving a U-Haul truck to Phoenix…he should still rot in hell.

?...why do we torture ourselves with work? Once only needed clothing, food, and to find shelter. Make sure you're enjoying what you're doing!

TOP SECRET A certain hockey team is holding tryouts for their cheer/dance squad in the next couple weeks...involvement??....
We have softball tonight…then Charlie’s after our win!

Fabio’s retirement party is Friday, MS walk on Saturday, help mom Sat afternoon on some landscaping, bachelor party Sat. night. Mother’s day Sunday and LAZERfest.

Deep Thought for the Day: If you saw two guys named Hambone and Flipper, which one would you think liked dolphins the most? I'd say Flipper, wouldn't you? You'd be wrong, though. It's Hambone.

Monday evening took it pretty easy, I did beat the hell out of my heavy bag...that felt great.

Dragon Boat Racing is BACK! That was some great times when we did it out at Raccoon River. Now its going to be at Grays Lake on Augest 18th. Web site information for the Dragon racing


Here is that Krasnyansky, I was talking about yesterday that's hanging in my living room. I think it's incredible. Again this picture doesn't do any justice to this piece!

Baseball games tonight for both boys 5pm & 6pm. Looks like the weather should hold up.

Deep Thought for the Day: One thing kids like is to be tricked. For instance, I was going to take my little nephew to Disneyland, but instead I drove him to an old burned-out warehouse. "Oh, no," I said, "Disneyland burned down." He cried and cried, but I think deep down he thought it was a pretty good joke. I started to drive over to the real Disneyland, but it was getting pretty late.

This rain is incredible and it’s suppose to continue through the week. On my way to work this morning every single creek and river was well out of their banks. What does Saylorville look like??...we don't need another 93'

Saturday was Volley’s Beverage in Hand Tournament it was a blast, the boys even enjoyed it. It was kinda windy for the oversized ball we were playing with, nonetheless fun. The only problem I saw was Stephanie jacking me in the jaw, which still hurts. Austin made some new friends…already working on older women. At least his priorities are straight. I left it up to the boys on how long we were staying, they wanted to stay…missing Spiderman 3. I think I’ll be taking them this weekend; I have to give it some consideration as it may be too violent for Blaise. When we finally lost our last game and left the boys fell asleep inside of five minutes, they were exhausted....they are so cute and pieceful at that stage, too bad they have to continue to grow up.

Sunday, I had my last pool league ”Thank God”....Yes, I did win. I think I’m done with pool till fall except for The Masters in June and then probably have to play in Vegas, July or August.

Since it was raining…no biking, Stephanie honored me with her presence and we went to the Art Auction over at the Jordan Creek Marriot. After giving her specific directions not to let me buy anything she failed. Also the auctioneer to say the least was easy on the eyes, staring profusely at me during most of the auction. Afterwards Steph brought me to reality when she said” she was just trying to get you buy more”, as she rolled her eyes.
I ended up buying one piece called After The Ride on canvas, goes very well with my Pinball Wizard one also by Scott Jacubs.

This one has many of my favorite things in it; can you guess what they are? Here is a picture of it…and this doesn’t even come close to doing it justice. You'll have to look at these pieces sometime!



I passed up another one that I have wanted for over a year, called Best Cellar
I haven’t been able to justify spending that much on a piece.... I shouldn't say that as one of my Krasnyansky's was 3x..but I like it much more. Hopefully I’ll pick it up at the next auction as I know they are almost gone.

Then we went to Spiderman 3…it rocked. Don't tell my kids, I'll be going with them too. Wow, Stephanie can be jumpy! About 4 times during the movie she jumps and yelps. One time it was perfectly quite in the theater except for her. After the movie I went home and did some laundry, just thinking how I can’t wait for work the next day….and now it’s the next day!

Coming up on Saturday MS Walk from the state capital...see if I can carry Blaise 4 miles to build those legs up...

Mothers day is coming up…..also LAZERFest on Sunday at the balloon fields in Indianola.

....and Shit Marcus is going to kick my ass when he gets back......

LGN!!!

Deep Thought for the Day: To me, clowns aren't funny. In fact, they're kind of scary. I've wondered where this started, and I think it goes back to the time I went to the circus, and a clown killed my dad.

I have three separate groups of friends going to Vegas over this weekend. Originally when asked about going, I was like in May?...now I’m eating those words as the last 2 days have been crappy and tomorrow may not be much better. I’m sure they will have a great time! Even though none of these going usually gamble, they will be enjoying the reset of the night/day life…..I could always use a little extra $$$ from there, guess I should have went. I’m 7 for 7 in Vegas….one of those was a tie.

Crappy weather for softball last night, but we beat up our competition pretty good. Most of the team were shocked we were playing. It had been raining off and on all day, even some during the game. The field itself was stellar. I wasn’t planning on playing due to my calf being stiff and we were going to have plenty of guys, apparently just not at the start. So I ended up playing the first 2 innings and had 2 home runs…..they weren’t pretty. Scott had a pretty one later. We had Laura, Kim, Temp, Scott, Dave, Bill, Andy, Sedi, Beth, Kim, Sarah S, and me. Laura screwed up her streak by swinging, but she blames me. You know its fun to win…..and there is this Connie girl on the other team…. Most of us went to Limeys for a few hours after….wasn’t patio weather. I got beat up by by a particular woman on the team for what happened over the last weekend…nothing like jumping to conclusions, before you get the whole story…Of course Dave didn’t care about the specifics, what he heard was cool.

Marcus called today, he's coming back in the next couple months. High of 110 today....it's a dry heat? We also talked about him buying half interest in the bus....I'm burned out with it, like most everything else. They way we can finish it up right, for the fall football games. He will probably make one day of Ragbrai...he won't be riding....sound familiar?

LGN

Austin has a overnight B’day party tonight, so it will be just Blaise and I. Probably try to get some soccer practice in with Blaise...

Beverage in Hand Tournament at Volly’s on Saturday. I’m not sure how much I will play. I want to play left handed as I can’t afford to rupture my tendon again in my right elbow. After I thought it was healed the first time. I started another league, the second week first spike,” SNAP”. It doesn’t seem like it’s totally back from then. Sucks, because most my friends play leagues all the time and I can’t…..but I’ll survive. The kids will be with me also, so I'd be constantly chasing them around.

After that, I plan on taking the boys to Spiderman 3. Some cleaning, some baseball practice, maybe a little more soccer with Blaise. Possible some computer work too....SO FAR BEHIND!

Sunday..pool league and some biking……

Eric is still gone and we are losing Fabio in a few days…..who’s next, hmmmm….

Useless information for the day: Killer Rabbit sequence filmed today for Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974).

Deep Thought for the Day: As the evening sky faded from a salmon color to a sort of flint gray, I thought back to the salmon I caught that morning, and how gray he was, and how I named him Flint.

Everyone Have A GREAT DAY and WEEKEND!!!