This month is always an interesting one for me. I have birthdays for my wife and mother, along with Valentine's Day all in a five-day stretch.
The annual worry of what to get my wife was on for awhile, but I took care of it early. She wanted a new kitchen sink (no kidding). Now me, with no concept of what to look for, got her to look with me one day, but I had to go out and do the rest. I picked one out and brought it home. (Full disclosure here: Her birthday isn't until Thursday, but it was a little hard to hide a sink, so she already knows so the surprise element is gone.)
She looked it over and seemed pleased. Now all I have to do is find somebody to install it for a somewhat reasonable price. I have a couple leads, but if anybody out there knows anybody who is handy with sink replacement, I'd appreciate a heads-up.
Of course, I will have to get a little more than a sink. What that will be, I'm not yet sure, but I will come up with something.
Then there's two days later and Valentine's Day. My wife will tell you (and I won't disagree) that I'm not the most emotional guy around. I am more practical in my thinking and that hasn't served me well on Valentine's Days past.
So, readers, I am open to suggestions. I have a few ideas, but I am always open to more.
Again, any help would be appreciated.
My mother's birthday has become easier. She winters in Florida, so sending card gets the job done. She would just like me to visit down there more often. Maybe someday that will happen.
For now.....it's back to work
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Kach-ine money
I've watched and reported on thousands of basketball games. I've seen great performance after great performance. I've seen shooters who can't miss, defenders who shut down the opposing team's star and I've seen teams put together those special nights where nothing seems to go wrong.
I saw a performance Sunday that ranks right up there, not only because of the performance on the floor, but the story behind the story.
University of Iowa sophomore Kachine Alexander put up numbers rarely seen at any level of basketball. All the 5-foot-9 guard did was score a career-high 26 points, grab a career-high 21 rebounds and dish out 10 assists during Iowa's 97-89 triple-overtime win over Penn State.
Yes the numbers were great, but how she got those numbers was the impressive part. Kach isn't the best outside shooter, isn't the best ball-handler and isn't the best inside scorer you will ever see, but she is the best "want-to" player out there. Alexander "wants" to get every rebound and she "wants" to get every loose ball. You can see it in her face. You can see it in her actions. Even with a back so painful she couldn't sit down, Kach was indeed "Kach-money" for the Hawks against the Nittany Lions.
Now here is the story behind the story, where it all could have turned to "craps" for the Iowa guard.
Alexander was beginning to make her mark with the Hawkeyes last season. She had a steal that locked up a close win at Illinois early in the Big Ten season. It appeared she was on her way to a solid freshman campaign.
Then semester grades came out and Alexander came up short. The focus and drive she had on the basketball court didn't carry over to her first-semester course work and she had to sit out as the Hawkeyes went on to grab a share of the Big Ten title and an NCAA Tournament berth.
Alexander made no excuses. She accepted her punishment, went to work in the classroom and was a hard-working practice player the rest of the season, determined to make amends.
"It was rough," Alexander said told reporters earlier this season. "I put myself in a bad position. I've buckled down. It will never happen again."
According to Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder, during her spring training sessions, Alexander didn't do the workouts everyone else did. She had her own workout.
The payoff for the hard work has come on the court and in the classroom. Her play on the floor has been there for everybody to see and her classroom work has also shown significant improvement.
Iowa fans can only hope history repeats itself with men's basketball player Anthony Tucker, who, ironically, like Alexander is from Minneapolis. He had a strong start to his freshman season, only to get sidetracked by illness, a suspension, and ultimately grades.
I hope Tucker seeks out Alexander and asks her for a little advice. I hope he sees the drive and determination she needed to get back. Tucker is a great talent and is being missed as the Hawkeyes struggle in Big Ten play.
I've never met Alexander, but I've heard she is well-spoken and a great teammate. She is quickly becoming a leader on and off the floor for Iowa.
Last Sunday's game was one for the ages. Alexander did it all. She's done it all on the court and in the classroom.
She's simply "Kach-money."
I saw a performance Sunday that ranks right up there, not only because of the performance on the floor, but the story behind the story.
University of Iowa sophomore Kachine Alexander put up numbers rarely seen at any level of basketball. All the 5-foot-9 guard did was score a career-high 26 points, grab a career-high 21 rebounds and dish out 10 assists during Iowa's 97-89 triple-overtime win over Penn State.
Yes the numbers were great, but how she got those numbers was the impressive part. Kach isn't the best outside shooter, isn't the best ball-handler and isn't the best inside scorer you will ever see, but she is the best "want-to" player out there. Alexander "wants" to get every rebound and she "wants" to get every loose ball. You can see it in her face. You can see it in her actions. Even with a back so painful she couldn't sit down, Kach was indeed "Kach-money" for the Hawks against the Nittany Lions.
Now here is the story behind the story, where it all could have turned to "craps" for the Iowa guard.
Alexander was beginning to make her mark with the Hawkeyes last season. She had a steal that locked up a close win at Illinois early in the Big Ten season. It appeared she was on her way to a solid freshman campaign.
Then semester grades came out and Alexander came up short. The focus and drive she had on the basketball court didn't carry over to her first-semester course work and she had to sit out as the Hawkeyes went on to grab a share of the Big Ten title and an NCAA Tournament berth.
Alexander made no excuses. She accepted her punishment, went to work in the classroom and was a hard-working practice player the rest of the season, determined to make amends.
"It was rough," Alexander said told reporters earlier this season. "I put myself in a bad position. I've buckled down. It will never happen again."
According to Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder, during her spring training sessions, Alexander didn't do the workouts everyone else did. She had her own workout.
The payoff for the hard work has come on the court and in the classroom. Her play on the floor has been there for everybody to see and her classroom work has also shown significant improvement.
Iowa fans can only hope history repeats itself with men's basketball player Anthony Tucker, who, ironically, like Alexander is from Minneapolis. He had a strong start to his freshman season, only to get sidetracked by illness, a suspension, and ultimately grades.
I hope Tucker seeks out Alexander and asks her for a little advice. I hope he sees the drive and determination she needed to get back. Tucker is a great talent and is being missed as the Hawkeyes struggle in Big Ten play.
I've never met Alexander, but I've heard she is well-spoken and a great teammate. She is quickly becoming a leader on and off the floor for Iowa.
Last Sunday's game was one for the ages. Alexander did it all. She's done it all on the court and in the classroom.
She's simply "Kach-money."
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