Don't Like the Summer Heat!

 As I am out and about this weekend it is hard for me to forget why this is my least favorite time of the year. Sure there are more things to do; longer days to enjoy them; and I’m outside more. But the bottom line is that it is “HOT!” And I don’t like it! If I liked it, I would have never moved to the great state of Colorado in the first place over 20 years ago.  I mean look at the temperature, 100 degrees! Ugh!!!

My car is over heating. I’m sweating were ever I go. And the energy just gets sucked right out of my body. The fall can’t get here soon enough! Okay I will quit complaining……

I guess the other reason that I feel that it’s not a great time of the year right now is that our home town Major League Baseball team (Colorado Rockies) are just flat out horrible this year. Normally as Rockies fans at least we have something to cheer for this time of year. Even though we tend to forget that the Rockies have only 4 winning seasons in the last 12 years, usually at this time of year they are still in the hunt in the National League West crown.

Not this year:

The Rockies are In 2^nd to last place in the NL West with a (27-44 record) & are now 15 games behind the 1^st place LA Dodgers. The have lost 14 of their last 17 games. With tonight’s loss to the Texas Rangers the Rockies are now 8-29 on Sunday games over the past two seasons. And now with the NHL & NBA seasons over, football season still a couple of months away, these next 4 or 5 weeks are the slowest time of the year for sports talk.

What’s it going to take for this organization to make some changes? Can the Rockies owners really justify not making changes at the GM or coaching level if this team loses 90 + games this year?

As fans will we keep going to support this team if the Monforts don’t show us that they are committed to putting a competitive product back on the field?

Personally, I still go to games, not because I am happy with the home town team, but to see players from other teams play. Sad as it is the case, I have truly lost any interest in watching or talking about the Rockies until I see some changes that prove to me that the Monforts are really trying win games, not just put more money in their bank accounts.

So for now I will just continue to complain about the heat and count down the days until football season starts!

The following steps can help you keep cool this summer.

1.    Use box fans and ceiling fans to promote air circulation throughout your home. Opening doors in the house and using box fans to push hot air outdoors can function as an "exhaust" system and draw cooler evening air into the house. In the cooler evenings, open all windows and promote as much air circulation as possible. When the sun rises, close all doors and windows, making sure to close curtains and blinds as well, to keep the indoors cool for as long as possible. When the outside air cools to a lower temperature than inside (usually in the evenings or at night), open up the windows and turn on the fans again.

2.    Take advantage of the cooling power of water. Fill buckets or basins and soak your feet. Wet towels and bandannas can have a cooling effect when worn on the shoulders or head. Take cool showers or baths, and consider using a spray bottle filled with cold water for refreshing spritzes throughout the day.

3.    Head downstairs. Since hot air rises, the upper stories of a home will be warmer than the ground floor. A basement can be a cool refuge from the midday heat.

4.    Eliminate extra sources of heat. Incandescent light bulbs can generate unnecessary heat, as can computers or appliances left running. Eat fresh foods that do not require you to use the oven or stove to prepare.

5.    Remember to maintain an adequate level of hydration, which means you'll need to consume more water than you usually do when it's hot. If you're sweating profusely, you will also need to replace electrolytes by eating a small amount of food with your water or by drinking specially-formulated electrolyte replacement drinks. Thirst is the first sign of dehydration; you should drink sufficient amounts of fluids before you feel thirsty in order to prevent dehydration.

6.    Avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine, as both of these substances can act as diuretics and promote dehydration.

7.    For a homemade "air conditioning" system, sit in the path of a box fan that is aimed at an open cooler, or pan filled with ice.

8.    Try to visit public buildings with air conditioning during the hottest hours of the day if the heat becomes unbearable. Libraries, shopping malls, and movie theaters can all be good places to cool down.

9.    Don't eat large, protein-rich meals that can increase metabolic heat and warm the body.

10.  Be able to recognize the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and true heat emergencies (heat cramps, heat rash, heat exhaustion, heat stroke). Call emergency services (911) in the event of a heat emergency and try to cool the victim until help arrives.

11.  Finally, remember that pets also suffer when the temperature rises. Cooling animals (dogs, rabbits, cats) by giving them a "cool" bath or shower will help keep their body temperature down. A cool towel on a tile floor to lay on, a cool towel or washcloth laying over the skin next to a fan will also help cool the animal. Make sure they have plenty of cool water to drink as well.

When is the right time to wear a sports jersey?

The NFL revealed this week that Peyton Manning’s Bronco Jersey has been the best seller on NFLShoop.com over the last two months, with Tim Tebow’s Jets jersey checking in at No.2.

 

Sports jersey sales is “BIG” business not only in the US, but all over the world. Professional sports team owners make millions each and every year from fans snatching up jerseys at team stores and at retail outlets. Although the majority of jerseys we see on the street probably come from illegal outlet operations that will always be present. But whatever the case, jersey sales bring in a majority of the revenue that make sports one of the biggest businesses on the planet.

 

I want to start a debate on if adults should wear sports jerseys? Let’s talk about the ins and outs of “when is the right time to wear a sports jersey?”

If you own a jersey, are you one of those who don’t leave the house without your favorite jersey? Or are do you believe that the proper time to wear a jersey is only when watching or attending games.

I'm going to fall somewhere in between.
I do wear a Texas football Jersey from time to time while watching a college football game at home or at a sports bar. But I have never worn it to an actual game.

I have also worn a Broncos jersey for a special event, like a pre game pep rally, show, or maybe even in the studio showing my support after a “big” win.

 

What ever your feeling is about jersey’s, you have to admit that you probably, as an adult, look a little foolish. That's the key for me: It's fine to wear the jersey if you acknowledge that. It’s a “get in to the moment” type of thing that makes you feel like you are becoming part of the experience of the game that you are watching.

 

Now wearing a jersey on a non-game day, for no particular reason,  is a whole another story. Don’t get me wrong, there are exceptions, like, I think there’s something very exciting when you’re at home and your significant other is wearing a jersey and maybe nothing else (ahem… okay you know what I’m thinking here?). To each there own, but wearing a jersey out on just any random day, for no specific reason, doesn’t sit well for me.

 

I know for the serious jersey wearing fan that etiquette comes into play. For instance there are rules to follow, like while at a game; “only wear a jersey of the teams who are playing”, or, “only wear jersey’s of current players on the roster.” And so on and so on. I have actually seen fans “front” other fans up on some of these issues at games!

 

And I do think there is a fine line on the way certain sports jerseys should be worn, if at all too. Like basketball tank-tops jerseys should never be worn without a t-shirt underneath. Unless if you’re on the court, there is no need to display the “gun show” or lack there of!

 

Whatever your beliefs are on wearing jerseys we are all sports fans. So don’t let my opinions or anyone else’s take away from your fan hood. Be yourself, wear whatever you want and support your team. Sports bring us together and that’s why I love talking about them everyday!

OK: Your thoughts on adults wearing sports jerseys?

According to NFL.com here are the “Top 25 best-selling NFL jerseys” in April and May:

1. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
2. Tim Tebow, New York Jets
3. Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins
4. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
5. Eli Manning, New York Giants
6. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
7. Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers
8. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
9. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
10. Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers
11. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys`
12. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens
13. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
14. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
15. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
16. Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers
17. Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears
18. Victor Cruz, New York Giants
19. DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys
20. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders
21. Von Miller, Denver Broncos
22. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
23. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
24. Wes Welker, New England Patriots
25. Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

“Mother’s Day”

 It’s here, that special day in May that as boys or men we all should never ignore. It’s the day that we can all sit back and reflect on to remember how we got here in the first place and how we became who we are today. It can also be the day that we recognize the hard work and devotion that our significant others put in year in and year out raising our children along with juggling their own careers and juggling us. Oh yes, I am talking about “Mother’s day.” And believe me, if you miss or forget about it, the couch will be your very good friend for the next week or possibly longer.

Just like Valentine’s day, her birthday, or your anniversary,  Mother’s day is a day that, although not mentioned out loud, is the most important day of the calendar year. Now you’re laughing right now, going, wait a minute, “what about Super Bowl Sunday, opening day in Major League Baseball, the opening day of March Madness, or maybe even the Daytona 500?” Don’t laugh, it’s true.

We are sports fans, we know it. What does that mean to her?

Maybe there’s a reason that women seem to be saying all the time, “All men care about is sports! They don’t listen! (What did she say?) They don’t understand us!” To which we nod mindlessly and reply, “Hon, did you DVR the Rockies game for me?”

But before game 6 of the Nuggets/Lakers series starts tonight, as guys we would very much like to say to the women in our lives, “Why is it always about you? How about you trying to understand us for once? For instance..........

When she says, “Put some Neosporin ointment on that cut. It will reduce the scaring,” she doesn’t get it. We want it to scare more. Just because we haven’t played catch in years, it’s not okay for her to throw out your baseball mitt. Don’t throw away that old ratty college sweat shirt that we wear (if it could talk it would have some stories). Should I go on?

If she has something to tell us, don’t do it during SportsCenter. Because when she comes up and says, “I’ve decided not to get my masters and do do something else, like sing,” we hear, “I’ve decided the Masters will be won by Els or Singh.”

She says it boggles her mind how we can watch a college basketball game that was played in 1969. Or for me watch the 2005 BCS national championship over and over again.

We say it boggles our mind how she can watch Rachel Ray bake a meatloaf.

She can vacuum all she wants, we are not turning off the third game of the Thunder/Maverick series.

We don’t really get some of her holidays like Valentines day. Flowers, candy? Why is it a one way street? Why can’t it be the day when they give us a new sleeve of Titleists?

Really, honestly, no joke; We don’t give a nose hair about which curtains to pick, or which table cloth to use. All we want is one room where we can sit in the Denver Bronco helmet chair you hate, and watch the game.

And when we get home from the golf course, there’s no point asking, how did Anthony’s operation go? We have no idea. When we were on the course, we were either talking about the last shot, the next shot, sex, or the game! It isn’t Dr Phil!

In a nut shell, here’s what we don’t get about her:

1)  Her friends don’t have nicknames.

2)  She never spits.

3)  She never wants her own fries she just eats mine.

4)  Why does she say, “If your team frustrates you so much, why do you still watch them? (That’s like men saying, “If your kids frustrate you so much, why don’t you sell them?”) They are our teams forever.

5)  How does she throw out so many words and talk so fast first thing in the morning?

And here are things she needs to know about us:

1)  We know we’ve got zero shot with the swimsuit models. But do we spoil it for her with George Clooney?

2)  We never stop competing. Ever. Whether it’s not letting that Porsche behind us pass, or tossing crumpled paper into the trash can, or getting the promotion---we are always trying to beat the other guy.

3)  Certain things are to never be brought up in front of the guys: (the Nuggets pajamas, the Bronco house slippers, the Rockies boxer shorts, how we whine when we are sick).

4)  We like it when you ask us to open a jar or kill a bug.

5)  Women aren’t the only one’s who are insecure. When we meet a guy for the first time, we think, “Could I kick his butt?” When we meet a woman for the first time, we think, “Would she sleep with me?”

6)  When we go to the neighbors BBQ this weekend, she can hug the neighbor as long as she wants, laugh at his jokes too. That won’t make us jealous. But if she comes back home and says that his flat screen is bigger, then we have issues!

7)  She says that we don’t plan for the future. That’s a lie. For the Super Bowl didn’t we buy two cases of beer?

8)  She doesn’t get why the last two minutes of the game take 30 minutes. We don’t get why, (when she says) “I’ll be ready in two minutes” it takes 30.

But the truth is, we love her more than we say and need her more than she knows.

“Now will you tell us where you hid the remote”?

“Happy Mother’s Day”