It's Raining Snow

Halleluah!

OK, it's not raining. It's not even snowing anymore, but I've always loved the term "thundersnow", so why can't it rain snow?

I'm back on campus for what will be a one-day week for me. Fresh off Spring Break, which really didn't exist for me, I got to extra days off, though I know at least one of my classes was not cancelled, and I'm guessing another wasn't as well, but even if they weren't cancelled it brings up a question of policy.

There is no consistent policy at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) regarding snow days. It really differs from teacher to teacher, which makes things even more confusing. So, I enforce my own winter weather poilicy: If I don't feel safe driving to class, I don't go. And I think that is something UNO has severely overlooked.

Let's think about this. UNO is a non-traditional campus. There are still not many dorms on Campus, and that is the biggest factor. OK, Iowa State, South Dakota-- they have dorms, so it's not like the students can't walk to class. UNO is a commuter campus, most students drive from home to class, which changes the issues.

The main issue is student safety-- just like it was in high school-- though, I will admit that the schools around here close way to easily. But if you've ever seen a Nebraskan drive, you know why. One flake sets off utter chaos in the streets.

I choose to take no part in it.

My official policy is as follows: If I live to see tomorrow, my education will catch up. Quite simply, going to school is not a reason to risk injury.

The people around here can barely drive on dry streets. Icy, rain, snow, even wind make matters worse. But the common though process around here is that four-wheel drive and anti-lock breaks will keep you safe.

WRONG. You can't even drive with those features as it is, now you're over-confident in the snow, and you're the guy trying to drive 55 miles per hour downhill in a blizzard-- at this point, you had better take your hands off the wheel and start praying, because the only way you're stopping is when your car rolls over and friction eventually slows you down.

Then you've got the other idiots-- driving 5 miles an hour up the hill. Speed up-- just a hint, speed limits are the safe driving speed in ALL conditions. At 5 miles an hours, you're not going to have the momentum to drive up that hill. Now, you're slinding back, causing others to brake, they lose momentum, and you've got 12 cars sitting at the bottom of the hill-- some of them occupuying the same space.

So, I choose to sit at home, in my house, at the top of that hill-- safely laughing my ass off at the morons who forget how to drive in the snow.

The other factor that UNO refuses to take into account is that even if the city has cleared the main streets, they do nothing on the side roads. Matters are even worse if you live outside of city limits-- like I do. If I can't get out of my driveway, I'm not going to class. To get to class, I have to drive down, then up the hill that is already tied up-- and that implies my car is not already sideways in the subdivision. Why risk it?

As a commuter campus, UNO should close when the public school close. It's the only true option. Why add to the problems already out there? The majority of students commute to campus, so it's not like we can simply hike through the snow, or walk on the sidewalks that are already cleared. Think safety first, not money.

The Wild World of Snorts

OK, most don't like soccer, so this goes relatively unnoticed.

LA Galaxy of MLS (the rest of the world's reserve system) loses in CONCACAF (which is some godawful abreviation for North America, Central America, and the Carribean-- any one got a clue how they came up with it?) Champions League. On the way home from the match, their team president dies-- on the flight. Think they want that game back?

But that's not the worst thing to happen to the MLS today.

4 words: Red Bull New York.

Red Bull? This has got to be... you know what-- fuck it... Matty, this one is all yours.

** OK, Matty just got back to me, he doesn't want to take the first shot on this one. Damn you. You better say something good in the comments.

Red Bull? What are you-- the new Microsoft? Are you making a run a golbal domination? You now have a Formula One Racing team, a European Hockey Club, and now a quasi-major soccer club. Honestly, I don't care. I'm still not drinking your product. I don't go for energy drinks-- for me, its rest and good old-fashioned teeth-rotting Coca-Cola. If I'm looking for a boost of energy, maybe I'll load up on pixie sticks, but not energy drinks. I'm sure there is something bad about drinking high quantities of Red Bull or whatever-- and I'm sure it comes in two parts, one being issues of sleep irregularity (I'm guessing the second is that it rots out your stomach). It makes you long for the days of Jolt Cola (I never had that either, but my brother did... once, he'll never do THAT again. Makes me wonder what happens if I mix Jolt and NyQuil.

I don't have a problem with Red Bull owning the team-- but to call them Red Bull New York-- gimme a fricken break. Then again, I didn't like the Metrostars name. BRING BACK THE COSMOS. **

How bad would it be if the USA loses to South Africa tomorrow, eliminating themselves from the World Baseball Classic? Then again, if Rocket wants to go out with gusto-- that would do it.

Twenty five deadline deals in the NHL involving 40 players. Just for those of wondering, NONE of the deals involved me-- though I heard a rumor that back at the Hockey Canada roster deadline in January that my playing rights were dealt several more times.

Nebraska-Omaha's hockey team makes the journey back to Marquette, Michigan to take on Northern Michigan in a second round knock-down drag-out battle for the right to go to the Joe. I have one question about the series: What's higher-- Mojo's blood pressure, or his blood-alcohol content?

Have a great weekend.

While I Have a Few Moments

I have a few moments here to actually blog. Television producership has pretty much taken over my life, and will for at least the next month. Unfortunately, that means that the special editions I had planned for this month are pretty much on hold-- unless Joel, AJ, or Matty want to run with the idea.

But there are a few things I have had on my mind.

I got my wisdom teeth out a week ago. And I thought 'wisdom teeth' was just a name. I didn't realize that having them (all 4) removed would turn me into a bumbling idiot who doesn't know what to do anymore.

I believe I've blogged before on my proposal for a relegation system for all 4 major sports in North America. Take a look at the NHL and AHL standings throughout this season. The first team from the NHL that would get relegated-- the Pittsburgh Penguins. You know who would be in a strong position for promotion? -- the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, their AHL affiliate. Hmmmm...

The NCAA is taking away scholarships form teams that fail to meet certain academic requirements. Great, just what we need, another reason for the Huskers to all enroll in Underwater Basketweaving 101 and Reading Modern Classics. What modern classics, do you ask? "Dick and Jane at the Seashore" and "Run Spot Run". What a joke. This is just going to lead to another grade fixing scandal so teams don't lose scholarships.

While I'm letting in to Myles Brand (what a hostile and abusive name) and the NCAA. Who are they to decide what teams can be called? There is some historical value to some names. And others don't have much of a choice. First, I think it's great that Florida State was able to parade some natives infront of Myles to convince him they have permission to use the Seminole name. OK, but Illinois does not have that option. The Illni were pretty much obliterated by the white man. So, 1. they can't find anyone of the heritage to support the name, but 2. there is nobody to be offended by the name. And if Illinois can't be the Illini. What you you do with Indiana? Do they need to change the name of the state? C'mon, don't stop with mascots. Many people do not like the use of the word Indian.

The NCAA needs to worry about what is right for student-athletes, not their own image. These kids are in school to learn, they're not there to play sports-- in many cases their athletic abilities are providing the opportunity for them to get an education... and the education is the focus of these institutions.

What is in the water in Indianapolis. First Tony George, now Myles Brand... I hope for the sake of the locals it's just a coincidence they reside there.

Ah, Tony George... see that light blinking in the corner of your eye? It's your career dicipation light-- it just kicked into high gear.

Talks of a merger/reconsiilation between Champ Car and IRL. Did TG finally realize how embarrassing it would be if he didn't field 33 cars for the Indy 500? Competition is gone from both leagues, the time for the merger is now. And hopefully we'll see a bunch of 1-off teams at Indy, soon. Once the rift is closed, qualifying for Indy will have some excitement.

And before I leave, UNO plays Bowling Green State University in the CCHA playoffs this weekend. AJ, Matty, and the rest of Mav Hockey Nation love to pick on the Tootsie Roll Perverts. Personally, I think I should help Bowling Green, Ohio with their image. Just a few selections of my love for the suburb of Toledo:

Bowling Green, Ohio: Walmart -- Next 4 Exits
Bowling Green, Ohio: Beacuse Plattsmouth, Nebraska was too posh for us.
Bowling Green, Ohio: You sure do got a purdy mouth!
Bowling Green, Ohio: Imagine King Lake, with a few more teeth, and one less lake.
Bowling Green, Ohio: Someone had to make Toledo look good.

Have a great weekend, folks!