Just Wandering

As I figured would be the case eventually, so much of my thoughts and activities seem to focus on the baby these days, it seems like I don't have much to say that isn't related to that subject matter. I find myself thinking about a topic every now and then, and thinking that it might be a good blog entry. But then I forget all about it, or have tons of things to do around the house or errands to run, and when I sit down to blog, I have no earthly idea what to write about. So here I sit.

Let's see........What's going on these days?
* A 42-year old teacher is in a bit of hot water for engaging in sexual flings with 3 17-year olds and a 16-year old. While I will acknowledge that is is totally inappropriate, and is indeed criminal behavior, I really hate hearing the kid being referred to as a victim and she as a rapist (Fox News Headline: NY Teacher Accused of Raping Boy). Hello........TWO TO TANGO!! I know that the crime book calls it statuatory rape, but a "rape" carries the connotation of someone forcibly and/or violently engaging in actions such as this against their victim's will. I'm guessing that two people meeting at a prearranged location to satisfy an urge doesn't fit this description. Wrong--yes. Illegal--yes. But I don't consider her a rapist, nor do I consider him a victim. Someone on a blog I read made a very good point--If 17-year olds are considered able to give their consent, and he was 1-month away from his 17th birthday, how does that change the equation? I'm not defending her--but this is VERY close to two consenting adults.

* For the first time in a few years, the Grizzlies seem to be actually addressing their postseason woes and making some significant roster changes. The Grizz have been the Bad News Bears of the playoffs, with one exception --the Bears finally won, didn't they?! I think the Grizz gained a notorious honor this last year--becoming the first team in NBA history to lose their first 8 games in the NBA playoffs. Yes, I'm very grateful that they've turned the franchise around and made it there, but getting escorted out in 4 games every year doesn't do much for your team either. Maybe this year will be different.

* If only I had a little bit of entrepreneur foresight . You see, the University of Memphis is promoting its star running back, Deangelo Williams, as a candidate for the Heisman Trophy. I'm sure it's a long shot at best, being that he doesn't play for a team like Michigan or Notre Dame or Tennessee that's on every TV in ever home and sports bar every single Saturday. But anyway, they sold a limited number of these nifty little 1:24 scale cars for $35 (which included shipping). On a whim, I check eBay the other day to see if there were any up for auction. Are you sitting down? There have been 5 auctions that have ended since 7/21, and the average closing price of those auctions was $148.20. Un-freakin-believeable. That means if I had purchased my limit of 2 and sold them for $148, my profit would've been $226--a profit of 645%.

* After the overwhelming success of it's "Employee Discount Program", GM has announced that it is slashing prices of some of its 2006 models. Their theory is that even though their "factory rebates of $2000-4000 could be counted on most of the time, a lot of people compare "apples to apples" with simple MSRP. All this is great news for folks shopping for 2006 models, but it certainly gives a kick in the crotch to the value of my 2004 model. We brought it brand new (my first brand new, 7-miles-on-the-odometer vehicle), and we vowed to pay it off and drive it til the wheels fall off. But it certainly is gonna be hard when a 3 or 4 year newer vehicle can be bought for LESS. But we'll see. I love my SUV, but Chevrolet is making it hard to love paying for it.

I guess that's all for now......Don't forget baby updates over at RussellBaby.com!!