Do the Math Black Mamba!

So they say that Kobe Bryant's Divorce will cost him 'Half' which according to some is about $75 million.  Now we are hearing grumblings that they might reconcile.  That's a lot of paper to give up but it might not be as much as he might think if he does the math on the price of getting back together.

A few years back in Denver, Kobe's 'indescretion' with a maid cost him a $4million dollar ring!  If we take this cost and multiply it over the 100 or so hoes that Vanessa says he hit since then we are looking at a cost of $400 million!!!!!!!  That number does not include inflation. 

In other words by my math Kobe is getting a deal by paying half.  He is making $25 million this year, $30 next year and I expect he will be playing a couple more years after that.  He will make that paper back.  Getting back together could mean a trip to bankruptcy court!  Or at the very least, signing everything over to Vanessa. 

Then again you can't put a price on having your family with you and not with Step-Daddy......and your $75 million!

Do the math Black Mamba!

That's All I Got!!!!
I'm Out!!!
44Black

Penn State: A Collosal Failure in Leadership

I just read the full Grand Jury report on the child sexual abuse debacle at Penn State University and I am just sickened by the lack of institutional leadership at Penn State University and the lack of moral character by everyone involved on that campus.
Here is an institution that is dedicated to the development of young people that is covering up the destruction of the lives of children.  Why?  So that they can protect the Penn State brand and protect the name and reputation of Joe Paterno. 
People, witnessed child rape and did nothing!  Where is our moral fiber?  Does it not exist anymore.  Has our country come to only recognize money and power to be the moral standard.  Is football that important?
I love football.  The sport saved my life, the men that coach it (and basketball) saved my life.  I was sexually abused by my step-father and my only outlet was sports.  I played Division I football in what used to be the Pac-10. So it sickens me to hear that a monster, a serial child rapist has invaded what was my sanctuary.  Not that these abuses didn't exist before but it is unbelievable that people would do only what is required by the law when witnessing something as hanious as child rape! 
I am disappointed in Joe Paterno, the most powerful man at Penn State University.  This is a man that has gone into, or sent representatives including Jerry Sandusky, living rooms of 17 and 18 year old boys across the nation for 46 years to convince parents to send their sons to Penn State.  I have been through this process and I know how it works.  They come in and convince the parents that they will be cared for at Penn State just like mom will care for them at home.  The fact that this man, this monster, Jerry Sandusky, was on coaching staff at Penn State for 30 of the 46 years tells how much of a lie they have all lived.  College coaching staffs are very close so I guarantee that it has been widely known for years that Jerry Sandusky has a 'taste' for young boys.  Hell, the janatorial staff even knew. 
So Mr. Paterno you are telling me you did not know prior to the Graduate Assistant coach telling you?  I think you knew at least by 1999 when you told Sandusky he would not be the next head coach at Penn State.  I think you knew long before that even.  You showed tremendous leadership in telling a 30 year assistant that he would not be the heir apparent.  You protected Penn State Football from this monster.  My question is, "Where was that leadership when those children needed to be protected?"  Were they not important enough?  Clearly not as important as Penn State football.  Yes, you reported it to your superior but why did you not take further action when it became clear that nothing would be done?  What kind of example did you set for all of those around you including the 28 year old Graduate Assistant (who also did nothing beyond what was legally required)? 
This was a collosal failure in leadership.  Everyone who knew facts in this situation should be fired.  This is a culture of open secrecy that has to be rooted out by removing all that stood by and did nothing.  The President of the University, campus police, the janitors, the football coaching staff (probably coaches of other sports also) and their spouses all knew and stood by and did nothing.
Joe Paterno of all people should know that leadership is not doing what is required, it is doing what is necessary.


That's All I Got!
I'm Out!
44Black

Game of the Century, College Football Top 5

Well this week's 'Game of the Century' lived up to the hype.  Alabama vs. LSU was a nasty defensive battle that went to overtime. 
LSU pulled out the victory 9-6 on a field goal but it never gets to O.T. if Alabama has one kicker who can make a field goal.  They missed 3 legit field goal attempts.  You can't and shouldn't be #1 if you can't make a field goal.  Or at least one of the three they missed.
Only true football fans enjoyed that game.  It was an 'old school' defensive battle filled with 'big boy' hits from two teams filled with NFL talent.
I would not be surprised if they play again for the National Championship.  They both deserve another shot at each other.  Oklahoma State is up there but they don't have the caliber defense to hang with either one of these teams.  OSU just gave up 45 in a win against Kansas State.  Boise State won but they don't play anyone, and Stanford beat Oregon State (hurts to say that OSU is my Alma Mater).
Next time Nick Sabin will have to act like it is youth football and make anything over the 50 yard line 4 down territory.  That would give them a better shot than missing field goals with 2 shaky kickers.
Speaking of youth football, we are now 9-1 and playing the team that beat us in the semi-finals of the playoffs.  We are a better team than they are, all we have to do is show it.
Here is the "44Black College Football Top 5."
1. LSU - They outlasted Alabama in a physical dogfight.  Hopefully they get to do it again in the title game.  The offense is pedestrian when faced with a defense like 'Bama's but the defense is special no matter who they are facing.
2. Alabama - After the performance last night I cannot drop them more than one spot.  They missed opportunity after opportunity offensively.  The defense kept getting it back for them but they could not deliver.  I thought they would at least once and that would have made the difference in the game.
3.  Stanford - They are a strong, physical team with a great quarterback.  They dominate Oregon State and win easily 38-13.
4. Oklahoma State - They won 52-45 but only because Kansas State could not punch it in on the goal line with no time left.  They are good but give up way too many points to be a real contender.
5.  Boise State - They won but they are supposed to.  They don't play anyone.  Not sure they would be here if they played a tough Top 20 opponent most weeks like the other teams on this list do.

That's All I Got!!
I'm Out!
44Black

College Football Top 5

Before I get to the 44Black College Football Top 5 I need to sat a couple of things.
First, it is a terrible thing when USC is no where to be seen in any one's Top 25 poll.  Coach Kifin, I know you are on probation but USC should have enough talent on the shelf to be somewhere in the top 25.
Second, my youth team is coming along nicely.  We are 6-1 with 2 games to go.  We are dominating opponents right now and getting ready for the playoffs.
Now on to college football:

1. LSU - Even with the suspensions and controversy they are #1.  The defense is suffocating and the offense is good enough.
2. Alabama - Very good D and very good O.  Aren't we all just waiting on the Alabama vs LSU game.
3. Wisconsin - I saw them play Oregon State in person and they are awesome!
4. Oklahoma - They are good.  They destroyed Texas but are they in the class of the top 3?
5. Stanford - I have to put them here because I can't put Boise State here.....yet.  Plus Andrew Luck is NICE!!!!!!

That's All I Got!!!!
I'm Out!!!
44Black

Screaming Like A Bitch!!!

So I get on a quick flight to Pittsburgh from Chicago O'Hare.  It had been a long day and I just made it to the airport in time to make my flight.
The plane was an Embarcadaro.  A little larger than a private jet with a row of single seats on one side and two seats on the other.  My seat was on the single row side, 10A.   
I stooped to get my 6'4" frame into the doorway of the jet.  "Hi, good evening!" the stewardess said as I got on.  "Watch your head."
"Yeah, I don't want to knock myself out" I said with a smile. 
"I would have to put you off the plane."
"Since I will be knocked out, you will have to drag me off the plane and I will wake up still in Chicago!  That wouldn't be good."
Anyway, so I walk to my seat slowly because everyone seemed to be taking their own sweet time getting to their seat. 
As soon as I sit down I feel that sense of relief that I always feel when I sit down on an airplane.  My busy schedule means that I always have a million things to do before I leave town.  Even if I am leaving on business like this trip to Pittsburgh.  In order to get the million things done I usually have only gotten a couple hours sleep the night before and had several meetings to attend during the day before heading directly to the airport.  So you may be able to understand my sense of relief when my butt hits that seat. 
As the airplane is taxiing towards our runway for takeoff I ignore the safety directions by reading my Wall Street Journal.  If my six year old can fasten her seat belt so can I, so I don't have to listen right?  The airplane lifts off and its' business as usual.
Once we are up at 10,000 feet or so I remember the snack cart going by headed for the front of the airplane.  Once she got to the front of the plane she started working her way toward the back row by row.  By the third row I faded away to sleep. 
Sleeping comfortably or soundly on airplanes has always been a challenge to me.  When I fall asleep I dream about the damn plan going down so every little bump makes me jump.  Somehow, in this instance I have gently fallen into a slumber with no dream.  Only peace while my body exhales.
Suddenly, I feel a pain in my knee.  Well not even a pain just a hard bump and it shakes me awake.  In one motion I lunge forward a let out a bitchy yelp/scream!?!?!?  WTF?
At the same time the stewardess says "Oh, I'm so sorry." 
My damn knee was sticking out in the aisle and the stewardess hit it with the snack cart but in my mind the slight pain in my knee was the first thing I felt as the plane was going down!  My worst fear is that the plane goes down while I am asleep and I don't have time to repent. 
I obviously screamed, or whatever I did, loud enough that other people could hear because at least four people in front of me turned and looked when I screamed like bitch. 
I think the old lady in front of me turned looked and smirked as she turned around, "What a bitch" she mumbled under her breathe.
Shameful.  I put my fitted brown Dodger hat on nice and low for the rest of the trip and kept a low profile as I got off the plane.
"Have a nice day" she said, but then mumbled, "next time don't scream like a bitch!"

That's All I Got!
I'm Out!!
44Black!!

I Am NOT the Victim

I really don't live my life as the victim.  Although some of my recent posts would indicate otherwise.  I guess the reason is that life has been hard lately and life is looking for me to fold.  I have no desire or interest in folding.  I know that things will get better and no matter what happens I won't fold.  Even when others around me appear to be folding and or not being on my side.
I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel but my faith tells me it is there and I will continue to have that faith.  I realize that even when I stand alone I am not alone and I am thankful for that.
I can't wait to be back on top.  It's been a long time.

That's All I Got!
I'm Out!
44Black

I'm Failing

I want to write but I'm not sure what to say.  I feel like I am failing in almost every area of my life.  How can that be?
I am not sure what else to do.  I am truly lost.  I am trying to trust God but I am lost.  I really don't know what to do with myself now.  My life is like the economy.  It took a long time to mess up and will take a long time to fix.
I want to motivate you with what I have overcome yet all I have done lately is rain on your parade.  I know things will get better.  God will take care of that for me.
I can see how cats go in the hole and 'off'themselves when things get bad.  Don't worry, I'm not suicidal but I understand.  It may sound crazy but I see and understand it.  I am not weak minded but I am truly struggling right now. 
That's All I Got!
I'm Out!
44Black