Saturday, the U of M alumnni club hosted a euchre tourament. For those with no ties to the midwest, this is a card game consisting of cards 9 through ace. You play with four players, two teams and five tricks. Four cards are left and the dealer flips of the top card and each player can decide to order up the dealer. If someone orders up the dealer, the dealer picks up the card and discards one card and that becomes trump. If no one calls up the dealer, someone can call up another suit, going clockwise. The suit that is called up are the most powerful cards. If hearts are called up, then the order of most powerful are jack of hearts, jack of diamonds, ace of hearts, king of hearts, queen of hearts, ten of hearts and nine of hearts. You must follow suit. That's the basic deal. You play up to ten points. If you call it up and get three or four tricks you are awarded one point, if you win all five, you get two points. If you only win one or two the other team is awarded two points and is called a euchre. You can also go alone, meaning your partner doesn't play. If you win three or four, you only get one point, but if you win all five, you gain four points.
The tourney was a best of three games. In the first round, my partner was no help and we lost 10-5. The second game was a mo' turner and we won 6 of the last 7 points and won 10-5. The rubber match, the mo' was still in our favor and we euchred them on the first hand and continued to roll and were up 9-0. Then, something happened, similar to an unassisted triple play. They euchred us, then they went alone, 9-6. And as the finaly dagger, they went alone again and upset us 10-9! I was stunned for the next five minutes...
All in all, it was a good time. I hung out with some good people, only wish the results would have been better.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Ridiculous Item of the Day
As I walked into my elevator, I saw this:
CONEY ISLAND
IMPEACHMENT SUMMER BEGINS THIS SPRING! THE GREAT CONEY ISLAND BEACH IMPEACH Saturday, April 28, 2007 George Bush and Dick Cheney have lied the nation into a war of aggression, are spying in open violation of the law, and have sanctioned the use of torture. These are indisputably high crimes and misdemeanors. Since Congress doesn't seem to get it, Americans all over the country will come together on April 28 to spell it out for them… Beach Impeach in San Francisco, January 2007 Where NYC will hold its Beach Impeach To mark the beginning of Impeachment Summer, people everywhere will be spelling out IMPEACH in whatever creative ways they can imagine. In New York, we are looking for a thousand people to form a giant human mural with their bodies on the beach at Coney Island. A plane towing a giant IMPEACH banner will circle the city and then fly over Coney Island to take aerial photos. Bring a beach towel or tarp to lie on, and dress warmly. Make a statement! Make new friends! Make history! WHEN: Check in at 10:00 AM. Rehearsal at 11:00 AM. Beach Impeach at 1:00 PM sharp. WHERE: Coney Island. By subway: Take the B/D/F/Q to Coney Island/Stillwell Ave. By car: Take the Belt Parkway to Exit 6. Go south on Cropsey Avenue to Surf Avenue. Signs will be posted and volunteers will be stationed by subway exits and parking lots to direct you to the Beach Impeach site. INFO: Sign up to participate at www.A28.org . For more information about this and other A28 events taking place in NYC and around the country, please visit www.A28.org. Please sign up if you can attend. We also need a volunteer crew for duty that day. Bring friends and family, and be part of this great event! SIGN UP TODAY!! This action has been called for by A28, a coalition of dozens of groups including the Green Party, CODE PINK, Progressive Democrats of America, World Can’t Wait, Gold Star Families for Peace, Campus Antiwar Network, National Lawyers Guild, Brooklyn Parents for Peace and many more.
I laughed. I laughed because it's crazy! Now, don't get me wrong, I am not a fan of Bush, but is this really worth anybody's time?
If they were to attempt to impeach Bush, which would take at least until the Fall if they started the proceedings immediately, what good will that do? It will just waste the time of Congress, who could be spending their time for better causes. Even if they did succeed, Cheney takes over. He's running the country anyway.
Here's what I suggest. Write Bush, Cheney, other Repubicans, Democrats and tell them to stop being so power hungry and focus on passing laws. LEARN HOW TO COMPROMISE!
CONEY ISLAND
IMPEACHMENT SUMMER BEGINS THIS SPRING! THE GREAT CONEY ISLAND BEACH IMPEACH Saturday, April 28, 2007 George Bush and Dick Cheney have lied the nation into a war of aggression, are spying in open violation of the law, and have sanctioned the use of torture. These are indisputably high crimes and misdemeanors. Since Congress doesn't seem to get it, Americans all over the country will come together on April 28 to spell it out for them… Beach Impeach in San Francisco, January 2007 Where NYC will hold its Beach Impeach To mark the beginning of Impeachment Summer, people everywhere will be spelling out IMPEACH in whatever creative ways they can imagine. In New York, we are looking for a thousand people to form a giant human mural with their bodies on the beach at Coney Island. A plane towing a giant IMPEACH banner will circle the city and then fly over Coney Island to take aerial photos. Bring a beach towel or tarp to lie on, and dress warmly. Make a statement! Make new friends! Make history! WHEN: Check in at 10:00 AM. Rehearsal at 11:00 AM. Beach Impeach at 1:00 PM sharp. WHERE: Coney Island. By subway: Take the B/D/F/Q to Coney Island/Stillwell Ave. By car: Take the Belt Parkway to Exit 6. Go south on Cropsey Avenue to Surf Avenue. Signs will be posted and volunteers will be stationed by subway exits and parking lots to direct you to the Beach Impeach site. INFO: Sign up to participate at www.A28.org . For more information about this and other A28 events taking place in NYC and around the country, please visit www.A28.org. Please sign up if you can attend. We also need a volunteer crew for duty that day. Bring friends and family, and be part of this great event! SIGN UP TODAY!! This action has been called for by A28, a coalition of dozens of groups including the Green Party, CODE PINK, Progressive Democrats of America, World Can’t Wait, Gold Star Families for Peace, Campus Antiwar Network, National Lawyers Guild, Brooklyn Parents for Peace and many more.
I laughed. I laughed because it's crazy! Now, don't get me wrong, I am not a fan of Bush, but is this really worth anybody's time?
If they were to attempt to impeach Bush, which would take at least until the Fall if they started the proceedings immediately, what good will that do? It will just waste the time of Congress, who could be spending their time for better causes. Even if they did succeed, Cheney takes over. He's running the country anyway.
Here's what I suggest. Write Bush, Cheney, other Repubicans, Democrats and tell them to stop being so power hungry and focus on passing laws. LEARN HOW TO COMPROMISE!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Memphis Revival
I have been letting my work take control of my life. My personal life was comprimised and more importantly my blog was compromised...
I headed to Memphis last weekend and before I had left I decided that this would be my "revival".
The main reason for my Memphis trip was created because my brother, Kevin, had suggested to my sisters, parents, and I that the St Jude's Childrens Research hospital was looking for donations. In return for a donation, you were provided a brick in the garden at the hospital in honor/memory of someone/something. We did in honor of my brother, Michael, who died of a brain tumor. The donation was made last year and earlier this year Kevin received a letter inviting the donors to come down and see the unveiling of the garden. My parents, Kevin and me headed down there for the ceremony.
Additionally, I was able to visit the great city of Memphis. The trip turned out to be very fulfilling in several ways. It helped me realize 1) The importance of family 2) Enjoy life while you are alive and 3) Adding value to what you can provide while you are alive.
My parents are normal people who provided plenty to my brothers and sisters along with less fortunate people in their lives whether it has been through the church or the clubs they belong to or the money/time they have provided throughout their life. I cannot even imagine what they had went through losing a child to a brain tumor at the early age of seven. But their faith had kept them strong. And I'm sure through the tough times that they had once my brother became sick until he passed, they maintained the strength that kept my brother (and his sisters) positive. Not to undermine anything else that they have (or will do) in their life, but this above all has defined their character, and has made them very strong role models to me.
Now that I have made my peace with that, let me tell you a little about Memphis. I had a great time there. The food was unbelieveable, whether it was the wonderful spin that Felicia Suzanne's did on southern cooking, the ribs at the Rendezvous, Blues City Cafe, or Corky's BBQ, and the great little Italian place, Conte's, or the sandwiches at Huey's. There were great bands like the Great Dempsey's or Freeworld. Beale street is great place full of life and great bars that hosted these great blues band and probably is only comparable to Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
And of course no trip to Memphis would be complete without a trip to Graceland and the Civil Rights Museum. I've only recently been into Elvis and his music, but the guy was a great entertainer and his house was kept the same since the 70s. It was quite a spectacle! The civil rights museum helps you realize the plight that people had taken on knowing that even though it would possibly cause immediately pain and repurcussions, knew that there strife would provide future generations a better life. Memphis was a great place and I would like it make it back there, possibly when my children can see the legacy that the Cansiani's provided to the St Jude Research hospital.
I will be posting plenty of pictures. Some will tell of my tale. Some will be from my walk through St Jude's. I hope it pushes you to donate to a wonderful cause for some children who did nothing other than to be born with a disease that was not any cause of their life, only a mutation of their cells or their genetic DNA. I'll leave you with one statistic and the St Jude website. When the St Jude Hospital was founded by Danny Thomas and ALSAC, the survival rate of most of their patient was about 15% in the 1960s. Due to their research and other advances for scientists around the world (and a little hope), the survival rate is now over 75%! Only 25% more to go...
I headed to Memphis last weekend and before I had left I decided that this would be my "revival".
The main reason for my Memphis trip was created because my brother, Kevin, had suggested to my sisters, parents, and I that the St Jude's Childrens Research hospital was looking for donations. In return for a donation, you were provided a brick in the garden at the hospital in honor/memory of someone/something. We did in honor of my brother, Michael, who died of a brain tumor. The donation was made last year and earlier this year Kevin received a letter inviting the donors to come down and see the unveiling of the garden. My parents, Kevin and me headed down there for the ceremony.
Additionally, I was able to visit the great city of Memphis. The trip turned out to be very fulfilling in several ways. It helped me realize 1) The importance of family 2) Enjoy life while you are alive and 3) Adding value to what you can provide while you are alive.
My parents are normal people who provided plenty to my brothers and sisters along with less fortunate people in their lives whether it has been through the church or the clubs they belong to or the money/time they have provided throughout their life. I cannot even imagine what they had went through losing a child to a brain tumor at the early age of seven. But their faith had kept them strong. And I'm sure through the tough times that they had once my brother became sick until he passed, they maintained the strength that kept my brother (and his sisters) positive. Not to undermine anything else that they have (or will do) in their life, but this above all has defined their character, and has made them very strong role models to me.
Now that I have made my peace with that, let me tell you a little about Memphis. I had a great time there. The food was unbelieveable, whether it was the wonderful spin that Felicia Suzanne's did on southern cooking, the ribs at the Rendezvous, Blues City Cafe, or Corky's BBQ, and the great little Italian place, Conte's, or the sandwiches at Huey's. There were great bands like the Great Dempsey's or Freeworld. Beale street is great place full of life and great bars that hosted these great blues band and probably is only comparable to Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
And of course no trip to Memphis would be complete without a trip to Graceland and the Civil Rights Museum. I've only recently been into Elvis and his music, but the guy was a great entertainer and his house was kept the same since the 70s. It was quite a spectacle! The civil rights museum helps you realize the plight that people had taken on knowing that even though it would possibly cause immediately pain and repurcussions, knew that there strife would provide future generations a better life. Memphis was a great place and I would like it make it back there, possibly when my children can see the legacy that the Cansiani's provided to the St Jude Research hospital.
I will be posting plenty of pictures. Some will tell of my tale. Some will be from my walk through St Jude's. I hope it pushes you to donate to a wonderful cause for some children who did nothing other than to be born with a disease that was not any cause of their life, only a mutation of their cells or their genetic DNA. I'll leave you with one statistic and the St Jude website. When the St Jude Hospital was founded by Danny Thomas and ALSAC, the survival rate of most of their patient was about 15% in the 1960s. Due to their research and other advances for scientists around the world (and a little hope), the survival rate is now over 75%! Only 25% more to go...
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
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