- US Open Cup: Sporting KC won the 2012 US Open Cup at "LiveStrong" Sporting Park. Since then, the stadium's name has changed, Kei Kamara has got loaned, then transfered to a team in the UK, and Sporting KC got eliminated from the 2013 US Open Cup.
In a Wigan-like run, DC United pulled more wins in Cup competition than in league play to this point. Their chance for hardware would come at Rio Tinto Park, visiting Real Salt Lake. (How'd they decide where to play? Good question.) And , like Wigan, DC ended up the winner, making a end-of-first-half goal stick. This is their 3rd Cup win, to go with four Shield wins and four MLS Cup wins. When counting Cup, Shield, and MLS Cup, DC now leads the league with 11, ahead of LA Galaxy's 10 and Chicago Fire's 6. - CONCACAF Champions League. Sporting KC needs a home result (draw or win) to advance to the final eight in the CONCACAF Champions League. Potentially, all four of the US-based MLS teams could advance to the final eight, and, potentially, all four of the Mexican teams could advance to the final eight. (The way they're grouped, it can be an all US&MEX final eight). We'd have to wait for March to see these teams try to make it through up to six games to claim glory. (Wow, sounds like March Madness).
- Sporting KC is in prime position to make the playoff, but probably won't claim the Supporters' Shield, awarded to the team that finishes with the best regular season position (and, of course, a trip to next year's CCL). As of right now, Seattle looks in best position to finish at the top of the table.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Kick it!
MLS Soccer comes towards it's regular season conclusion. (And now I get to a place where I can get to watch my Sporting KC on the telly...agh!)
Top 100
I've made a list of the 100 most important moments in my life (so far.)
And, as happens occasionally, a month has two of these moments*. Like September 2013.
Some things don't change (even when you lose sight of them).
I am Steven, son of William, son of James, son of John;
father of Molly, Noah, Olivia, and Zechariah
Family is damn important, and often it's all I've got.
And, the 3rd Wiberg Law:
Pain hurts.
*Including, but not limited to 11/1980; 04/1999; 02/2003; 04/2008; and 04/2011
- Ok, so far I'm only at 92.
- And 26 of them are births
- And five of them are before my own birth
- 1999 and 2000 each have six moments, tied for 2nd
- 2013 currently leads with seven moments
And, as happens occasionally, a month has two of these moments*. Like September 2013.
Some things don't change (even when you lose sight of them).
I am Steven, son of William, son of James, son of John;
father of Molly, Noah, Olivia, and Zechariah
Family is damn important, and often it's all I've got.
And, the 3rd Wiberg Law:
Pain hurts.
*Including, but not limited to 11/1980; 04/1999; 02/2003; 04/2008; and 04/2011
Ward Cleaver
In how much of human history did we have the luxury of a family making it on a single 40-hour/week income?
The following blog entry is mainly a question of maintaining work-life-family balance. Nothing in this blog entry is meant to say anything negative about my current employers, nor should it be construed to reflect negatively on my current employers.
To a degree, I can arrange my schedule. Over the last couple months, I successfully traded shifts such that my weekdays were clear after 4PM. However, because I needed more hours, I picked up an extra shift on Saturday morning. (Yes, my posts automatically post, because at 8:37 AM, I'm usually working.)
So I've got Thursday afternoon off, so I can watch my daughter's volleyball game. But I don't have Saturday evening off, so I can't make my son's football game.
My kids ask "are your hours in the shadow?" - a term I coined for hours during the time they're at school. They understand I need to pick up hours where possible, especially with the major changes this autumn.
But, at the same time, I remember that my father had to work two jobs (and overtime on one of them) for most of my growing-up years...and I know that things would've been different if it he'd been home more. I know that if my Dad had only worked 40 hours a week...certain changes would've been required...
I love my kids. And, I know how important I am to them.
The following blog entry is mainly a question of maintaining work-life-family balance. Nothing in this blog entry is meant to say anything negative about my current employers, nor should it be construed to reflect negatively on my current employers.
To a degree, I can arrange my schedule. Over the last couple months, I successfully traded shifts such that my weekdays were clear after 4PM. However, because I needed more hours, I picked up an extra shift on Saturday morning. (Yes, my posts automatically post, because at 8:37 AM, I'm usually working.)
So I've got Thursday afternoon off, so I can watch my daughter's volleyball game. But I don't have Saturday evening off, so I can't make my son's football game.
My kids ask "are your hours in the shadow?" - a term I coined for hours during the time they're at school. They understand I need to pick up hours where possible, especially with the major changes this autumn.
But, at the same time, I remember that my father had to work two jobs (and overtime on one of them) for most of my growing-up years...and I know that things would've been different if it he'd been home more. I know that if my Dad had only worked 40 hours a week...certain changes would've been required...
I love my kids. And, I know how important I am to them.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
The boys of summer
Tomorrow, September 29 is the last day of the MLB Regular Season.
The wild card games are scheduled for Tuesday the 1st (NL) and Wednesday the 2nd (AL.)
NL wild card winner plays top NL division winner; AL wild card winner plays top AL division winner.
As of first thing this morning, here's who's in, who's out, and who needs to get the pine tar on the bat...
BOS 97, AL East
OAK 95, AL West
DET 93, AL Central
TB 90
CLE 90
TEX 89
ATL 95, NL East
STL 95, NL Central
LA 92, NL West
PIT 92, NL Wild Card
CIN 90, NL Wild Card
The Royals made a run of it, but couldn't get into the wild card this year. For the first time since 2003, they're above .500
This will be their second-best season since the WS win in '85.
'89 92 wins
'13 85+Saturday+Sunday
'88 84 wins
'93 84 wins
'87 83 wins
'03 83 wins
'91 82 wins
The wild card games are scheduled for Tuesday the 1st (NL) and Wednesday the 2nd (AL.)
NL wild card winner plays top NL division winner; AL wild card winner plays top AL division winner.
As of first thing this morning, here's who's in, who's out, and who needs to get the pine tar on the bat...
BOS 97, AL East
OAK 95, AL West
DET 93, AL Central
TB 90
CLE 90
TEX 89
ATL 95, NL East
STL 95, NL Central
LA 92, NL West
PIT 92, NL Wild Card
CIN 90, NL Wild Card
The Royals made a run of it, but couldn't get into the wild card this year. For the first time since 2003, they're above .500
This will be their second-best season since the WS win in '85.
'89 92 wins
'13 85+Saturday+Sunday
'88 84 wins
'93 84 wins
'87 83 wins
'03 83 wins
'91 82 wins
47%
The October Surprise of the 2012 Presidential Campaign occured in the middle of September, when remarks made by Republican candidate Mitt Romney at a fundraiser were released. Governor Romney, in the recorded remarks, conceded the 47% of Americans who don't pay income tax as votes for the Democratic Party.
An American's tax burden is seen in more places than just the 1040 form. An American pays taxes when he makes purchases - sales tax. When he receives his paycheck - the withholdings. When he owns property - the property tax.
But, just to make life simple, I borrowed an online tax calculator and did some plug-and-play. For a family of 6, how much would I have to make to owe $1 in federal income tax.
With all the deductions, child tax credit, etc. .. I would have to make $67,167 to owe any federal income tax.
I may be part of Romney's "47%", but I didn't vote for President Obama...or Governor Romney.
An American's tax burden is seen in more places than just the 1040 form. An American pays taxes when he makes purchases - sales tax. When he receives his paycheck - the withholdings. When he owns property - the property tax.
But, just to make life simple, I borrowed an online tax calculator and did some plug-and-play. For a family of 6, how much would I have to make to owe $1 in federal income tax.
With all the deductions, child tax credit, etc. .. I would have to make $67,167 to owe any federal income tax.
I may be part of Romney's "47%", but I didn't vote for President Obama...or Governor Romney.
the Internet is forever
Someday I'll understand that I'm just not that interesting.
@Romans_837, Aug 6 2013
Phineas: Enjoy it while it lasts, Candace. Fame is fleeting.
Ferb: But the Internet is forever.
Lights, Candace, Action
Honestly, it's an irrational fear. I know how insanely low my hit-counter is. I know that almost nobody reads my blogs. But I self-censor. I don't say everything. I'm vague about half the stuff I go through, and 15% of it will never never make the blog.
If I said it all, it would look like this.
* I was lucky. I had [blank]. My kids...not so much.
* The noodle incident. I don't forget.
* I want more [blank] and less [blank].
* I used to give [blank] to [blank] every [blank] because [blank] said so.
When [blank] is over, [blank] won't happen until hell freezes over. Or at least Election Day '16.
* I wonder if [blank] ever knew how bad it was.
* What happened in [blank] - the [blank] - should've happened years ago. It would've been reasonable back then.
* May God bless and keep [blank] ... far away from us!
@Romans_837, Aug 6 2013
Phineas: Enjoy it while it lasts, Candace. Fame is fleeting.
Ferb: But the Internet is forever.
Lights, Candace, Action
Honestly, it's an irrational fear. I know how insanely low my hit-counter is. I know that almost nobody reads my blogs. But I self-censor. I don't say everything. I'm vague about half the stuff I go through, and 15% of it will never never make the blog.
If I said it all, it would look like this.
* I was lucky. I had [blank]. My kids...not so much.
* The noodle incident. I don't forget.
* I want more [blank] and less [blank].
* I used to give [blank] to [blank] every [blank] because [blank] said so.
When [blank] is over, [blank] won't happen until hell freezes over. Or at least Election Day '16.
* I wonder if [blank] ever knew how bad it was.
* What happened in [blank] - the [blank] - should've happened years ago. It would've been reasonable back then.
* May God bless and keep [blank] ... far away from us!
Saturday, September 21, 2013
William R. Pratt
William “Bill” Pratt 57, the world’s foremost authority on grilling and holiday dinners, died on September 16, 2013. He passed away in his sleep at home in Lenexa, after surviving world travels as an army brat, reckless sled rides in Fort Leavenworth, canoe trips down the Current River, twenty-five years of service at Lansing Correctional Facility, and raising ten children.
A Leavenworth High School graduate, he is survived by sisters Marilynn Helm of Hays, Nancy Bruhn of Chico, California, brothers Jim Pratt of California and John Pratt of Nevada, by his children Steven and Ivy Pratt of Severance, Robert and Stephanie Pratt of Lenexa, Bethany Pratt of Beaverton, Oregon, Richard and Leah Pratt of Lansing, and Jonathan, Melinda, Wyatt, Kimberly, Lincoln, and Olivia Pratt of Lansing, and grandchildren Molly, Noah, Zach, Olivia D., Karen, and Daniel. Bill is preceded in death by his parents Lt. Colonel James R. Pratt and Ruby Pratt, and his brother Bobby. An army brat, Bill travelled all over the world as a child, and chose to stay in Leavenworth with his parents after they retired. Bill worked 25 years at the Lansing Correctional Facility and 10 years with Food4Less. Thru the years, he also provided for his family as a co-owner of Veteran’s Cab, and working security at Cushing Hospital and Lakeview Village in Lenexa.
His kids will continue his traditions of sledding on post, Yorkshire pudding on holidays, mushroom hunting on government property, and camping in the Ozarks. His children and six grandchildren will miss being the recipients of his wisdom and culinary genius.
In no particular order
A Leavenworth High School graduate, he is survived by sisters Marilynn Helm of Hays, Nancy Bruhn of Chico, California, brothers Jim Pratt of California and John Pratt of Nevada, by his children Steven and Ivy Pratt of Severance, Robert and Stephanie Pratt of Lenexa, Bethany Pratt of Beaverton, Oregon, Richard and Leah Pratt of Lansing, and Jonathan, Melinda, Wyatt, Kimberly, Lincoln, and Olivia Pratt of Lansing, and grandchildren Molly, Noah, Zach, Olivia D., Karen, and Daniel. Bill is preceded in death by his parents Lt. Colonel James R. Pratt and Ruby Pratt, and his brother Bobby. An army brat, Bill travelled all over the world as a child, and chose to stay in Leavenworth with his parents after they retired. Bill worked 25 years at the Lansing Correctional Facility and 10 years with Food4Less. Thru the years, he also provided for his family as a co-owner of Veteran’s Cab, and working security at Cushing Hospital and Lakeview Village in Lenexa.
His kids will continue his traditions of sledding on post, Yorkshire pudding on holidays, mushroom hunting on government property, and camping in the Ozarks. His children and six grandchildren will miss being the recipients of his wisdom and culinary genius.
In no particular order
- "Yes, the Navy Yard shooting was a tragedy, but I've got a death of my own to deal with." - member of my family.
- By distance, I am officially the 9th closest child of my father.
- Due to my father's passing, I moved most blog posts ahead a week. A particularly downer post, typed before 9/16, got moved several months ahead. I don't want to cause more concern to my readers (who I can count on one hand). I did move Constitution Day to 9/17 because, this Saturday, again, there will only be one post.
- The death of a relative gives one a meaningful opportunity to contemplate life. Including your own life expectancy, family relationships, end-of-life questions, etc.
- Dad loved us. I'm going to miss him.
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