Hubby and I were relaxing the other night watching a NBA game. The analysts were, well, analyzing and they mentioned something that I just had to share…

The owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, is known for a lot of things, but this added a whole new take on his character… He has this Seat for Soldiers thing going on. Isn’t that the best thing you’ve heard all week? I’ll explain… Apparently, men and women of the Armed Services can enjoy a Mavericks’ game (premium seating and all) on Cuban.

I think this is awesome. We add “awesome” to a lot of things that, really, aren’t truly awesome… This, this is awesome. If you ask a serviceperson what he or she would want (of course, outside of a job waiting for them once they’ve served) the answer would be just to get their mind off what they’ve seen… separation, death, nightmares, whatever you can imagine.

I give Cuban mad props for this endeavor… It’s the best use of money and presige that I’ve seen all year.

Okay, one of the best linebackers in the NFL, Ray Lewis, is at a crossroads. He’s a free agent (he can stay with his team or go to another team) and his current team, the Baltimore Ravens, have to decide if they can keep him.

The thing is, for football and at the tough position that he plays, Ray is almost at the end of his career. But, the other side is that he is still great and gives 110 percent every time his foot touches the turf. The third side (Yes, you know every story has three sides.) is that teams have salary caps and they have to decide how their money would be best utilized… A.K.A. Ray wants what the team may not be able to give him (dolla dolla bill y’all!!).

Photo By Truello

I’m having a hard time with this because I think the Ravens should keep Ray, but I also think he deserves to get paid. He’s not asking for anything that any other player wouldn’t ask for. He’s been with the Ravens since the beginning and has helped to put them on the map as one of the greatest defensive teams ever. How could you not accommodate him for all he’s done for the team and the city of Baltimore?

So, what do you do when you’re at a crossroads? Of course you weigh the pros and cons, but what is your innate reaction to being at a crossroads? My reaction is one of a fighter… I fight to survive, to achieve, to get what I want. That way, I know I’ve given my all when it’s all said and done. You?

Okay, yes, it’s been a minute (okay, a week) since I’ve last posted, but life has been crazy (good crazy)… Note the reason (the picture) for this post below (LOL!! I crack myself up!).

We’re just getting back from L.A. for Hubby’s bday (Had a blast!) and then my fave girlfriend delivered a bouncing baby boy and I was there to help welcome him to this world… I didn’t forget about you guys, though. In fact, the picture above says it all… I mean, it does, but I still want to say a couple things. In L.A., with all the shopping, celebrities and beautiful homes, billboards and intense freedom of expression, this air-brushed portrait of Kobe Bryant ranked tops on my list as well. Sports has such its own culture in L.A. and I was glad to see it live and in living color.

Yay, you can say I’m a fan of Kobe…

It’s hard to talk about other sports when the Super Bowl® is fast approaching… so, I won’t (LOL! I just cracked myself up!). Anyway, I’m sure you all have heard by now on ESPN (or on CNN, The View, somewhere… Hey, I’m in to those shows, too!) that the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals are about to face off this Sunday, A.K.A. the Super Bowl®.

If you haven’t watched a game with your significant other all season, here’s your chance to end the season out with a bang. If you don’t know, it’s the king of the sporting jungle, it’s the Motown of athletic melody, and the Bentley of competitive ingenuity (You get the picture… its good!). Seriously! Take the time to show your boo that you’d rather sit square in front of (maybe a little to the left) the television watching collision after collision rather than being on the computer, washing clothes, or sleeping (my fave pass time). You’ll probably even catch one of those million-dollar-slot commercials that you’ll love.

You have a few days, still, until the game… so a few things to note:

• Steelers are favored to win, their coach (Mike Tomlin) is young, and their quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger) is the most sacked (knocked down) QB in the league.
• The Cardinals have a veteran QB (Kurt Warner) who has won a ring (ultimate prize) already, they have this crazy receiver in Larry Fitzgerald, and… get this, the coach (Ken Whisenhunt) used to be the offensive coordinator for the Steelers and was overlooked for the head coaching position with the Steelers.

Remember, questions only during commercials!!

Hubby came in and told me the funniest thing he heard on sports radio on his drive home. Apparently, the host asked if listeners, as Ravens’ fans, would now root for the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the Super Bowl since they are in the same division as the Ravens (You know, some type of division unity?)… From the deluge of appalled-by-the-question fans was a comment that made Hubby and I scream (literally).

“I root for two teams: The Ravens and who ever’s playing the Steelers”!

Priceless…

Athletes all over the place are discussing the history that we all witnessed… (K, if you were sick or under a rock or something else, this guy was elected president of U.S. of America!… Just joking. Don’t be so sensitive.) and I’m just curious about something.

As public figures-which athletes are-journalists asked them of their thoughts surrounding this enormous occasion (uh, just about the biggest event ever…), but do you think they really express their true feelings?

For instance, radio personalities represent a small population of those who can express facts and their opinions, regardless of any impending scrutiny. They’ll say “I think he sucks” or “I think he’s the best” and then break for commercial. But, can a very public figure like Kobe (You know I had to go with him!) or a very beloved figure in the person of Brett Favre say “He sucks” and get away with it?

Everyone should have the right to be true about what they have going on up there in that thought realm, but instead I feel like (just like the new President and First Lady) some may fall into the bucket of being a symbol and from that perspective, aren’t able to be true at all.

Thoughts?

History. Pride. Work. Celebration. Peace. Unity. Victory. Electricity. Possibility. Building. Vision. Realness. Progress. Enlightenment. Amazement. Dream. Character. Liberty. Confidence. Inspiration. Service. Today. Moment. Diversity. You. Me.

Hope.

Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James…

Who is the most dominant player?

I think I am extremely bias when it comes to this, but hands-down Kobe is the most dominant player in the NBA. I don’t take away from LeBron that he is the second greatest and because of his age will then be the greatest for a long time to come, but at this moment, right now (while I am laying on the couch in my robe watching ESPN) Kobe is the best, most dominant player in the NBA.

Once Labron wins a championship, then we can revisit this electric conversation… until then, all hail King Kobe.

The end.

I’m preparing myself for the Divisional Play-offs this weekend… Yep! Saturday and Sunday Hubby and I will be perched in front of the tube, watching high-def helmets and anxious coaches. I’m excited because after not being quite up to par all week, this is definitely going to be the highlight of my week (I know. I’m easily entertained.).

I have it all planned… I’m still going to have on my robe (Whatever. Don’t judge me!) and when you add a throw to the mix, all that’s needed is that perfect spot on the couch. I plan on milking the sick thing by asking Hubby (of course during commercials only) to get me my updated snacks, with the occasional foot rub (Love you, HoneyBunny!… Note: Nicknames go a long way in getting stuff for your planned event.).

What can be better than football, Hubby, snacks, and the couch (…Not necessarily in that order)? Join me in my weekend endeavor… Your boo will love you on the couch.

Go Ravens (No bias intended!)!!

Okay, so I’m not feeling well and Hubby has been the best… There is one thing, though. I think he may be taking advantage of my rather weak state and is forcing me to watch stuff that I normally wouldn’t in full strength (i.e. one-dimensional shows, scary stuff, those judge shows)… (What a sneak he is, right?).

Of course, for me, Hubby would never have to twist my arm to watch sports, but maybe your significant others do… When you fall under the weather, do you open one eye-while lying on the couch-to a game that he or she knows you wouldn’t be down for watching normally?