I had a load of fun this weekend. I finally got to go back on the pitch and photograph a soccer game. This weekend’s action included a 4-1 win by FC Dallas over the Colorado rapids. Nunez scored twice in 5 minutes–it was nuts after that goal. The image to the left shows the team celebration after the goal. (Picture taken by yours truly)

From mlsnet.com:
Bobby Rhine had given FC Dallas an eighth-minute lead, but Kyle Beckerman pulled the Rapids level in the 34th minute. Then Nunez scored in the 71st and 74th minutes — the first on a rebound, the second directly from a free kick — to give the Hoops the advantage. Kenny Cooper scored in stoppage time to put the game away.

After the FC Dallas game, Everton took the field. It was certainly fun watching them play. The crowd really got into the game.

I may post more photos of this game later. They may show up on 3rddegree.net as well.

2theadvocate, the Baton Rouged-based news organization, today released an article about how Jeff Clark led a spontaneous march in support of the purple and gold rebel flag (originally known as the Navy Jack). This caused quite a stir in Baton Rouge yesterday. “Students marching Saturday to ban a Confederate flag, dyed in LSU’s colors met the most fiery opposition from tailgaters since the students began protests of the popular game-day decoration three weeks ago.”


A man who identified himself as Rev. Raymond Brown, a member of the National Action Network and the New Black Panther Party, sets afire a Confederate flag during a pre-march rally Saturday on LSU’s campus. More than 200 students and community members walked to Tiger Stadium in protest of a purple-and-gold version of the banner, which they say is a symbol of racism.



Well, Jeff Clark decided to excercise his own free speech rights and march down there waving his purple and gold rebel flag. I spoke to Jeff for about an hour tonight and found out just what went on. “I bought the last one in Baton Rouge. Because of these protestors, they don’t sell them anymore”, Jeff stated.

“If they’re going to march down the street and speak their mind, I’m going to speak mine,” he said. He also said that the crowd grew and followed him along his march. Cops were eventually called. Concerned that the pole could be used as a weapon, they took it away and gave him the flag. This hardly deterred Jeff–he simply had someone hold the other end, and they raised it high while they marched.


Something tells me this story isn’t over. I might have to start selling these flags


Jeff clark can be reached at the following address: mind@ubergeeks.ca

The BSA (Business Software Alliance) has recently been hard at it with advertisements that claim they’ll give huge “rewards” to people who report software piracy.


I wouldn’t call myself a supporter of piracy or anything, but what I’ve noticed is an alarming increase in volume of these commercials on the radio around Christmas time. The rewards are up to $5,000! This sure sounds like they’re wanting to capitalize on the Christmas needs of people by having them rat people out on piracy.

It ain’t wrong, but I tink it’s maybe a bit underhanded, and surely amusing.


BSA: Promoting a safe and legal digital world narcs and rats!

In a move stunning the fitness world, John Basedow is giving it all up. Basedow, made famous from his “Fitness Made Simple” (www.fitnessmadesimple.com) commercials, said he could no longer continue his strenuous fitness regimen. He said he was trading in his slogan “Anything is possible once you believe in yourself and have the knowledge and determination to accomplish your goals” for a new one: “Anything is possible, but ‘nothing’ is easier”.

Basedow said he was doing quite well, but the constant posing he had to do on his television commercials was detrimental to his health. He said his ribs constantly were in pain because the camera man always wanted him to twist at the waste to make him look bigger on the television. He also said he felt like the fitness world’s “Bob Villa”. He said he was tired of being a sellout.
Basedow said he is going to trade in his fitness training and selling of tapes and instead, he’s going to flip bugers at McDonald’s. When asked by one source, Basedow was quoted as saying “I was tired of raising the bar. It’s time to just be good enough to get by. It feels good not to have to worry anymore about being better than everyone else around me.”

It sounds like John Basedow is tired of having to deal with the rigors of self-improvement. It also sounds like he’s finally embracing mediocrity. Yay!

The NHL season for 2005 has officially gone bust.

This marks the first time a Major pro sports league in North America has lost an entire season due to labor disputes. This will likely set the league back, in terms of popularity, a great deal. Not that NHL is America’s favorite Pro sport anyway. It’s no secret that the NHL is already struggling for support, especially among southern states.


“This is a sad, regrettable day that all of us wish could have been avoided,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said.

“Every day that this thing continues we don’t think it’s good for the game,” NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow said in Toronto.



What could be seriously sad about this whole ordeal is the possibility of ending the careers of many aging greats in the game:

• Mario Lemieux (39)
• Mark Messier (44)
• Steve Yzerman (39)
• Brett Hull (40)
• Ron Francis (41)
• Dave Andreychuk (41)
• Chris Chelios (43)

The playing days for these guys could be ending on someone else’s terms.


There’s a lot more to this story than meets the eye. Players want to substantially raise the salary cap. The amount They finally came to was somewhere around 49 Million. Owners wanted it somewhere around 42 Million.

Now the players (and the players union) will have a year off to think about what they’re willing to bring to the table for the ‘06 season, and hopefully something will be agreed upon.

OK. I set a lofty goal for in raising $5,000 for the American Heart Association, but there’s no way I can do it alone. I need your help. Together, we can do this. Pass this information to all your friends at work, to all your church friends and family, and all your little IRC buddies…. Please get the word out.


To donate, click the link below labelled “donate to American Heart Association”:


Donate to American Heart Association


There is a progress meter on the page showing everyone how far we’ve come, and how close we are to reaching the goal.

We have until October 2, 2004 to make this happen. Every dollar counts! If you want to donate, but don’t want to donate $25, please EMAIL ME and I will give you my physical address, so you can mail a check. Don’t address it to me. None of this money comes to me. It goes to the American Heart Association.


The American Heart Association is the largest voluntary health organization working to prevent, treat and defeat heart disease,stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.
For more information please visit their website at www.americanheart.org

Finally, someone is doing something about the Patriot Act.

A federal judge has declared unconstitutional a portion of the USA Patriot Act that bars giving expert advice or assistance to groups designated foreign terrorist organizations.

The ruling marks the first court decision to declare a part of the post-Sept. 11 anti-terrorism statute unconstitutional, said David Cole, a Georgetown University law professor who argued the case on behalf of the Humanitarian Law Project.


In a ruling handed down late Friday and made available Monday, U.S. District Judge Audrey Collins said the ban on providing “expert advice or assistance” is impermissibly vague, in violation of the First and Fifth Amendments.

“The USA Patriot Act places no limitation on the type of expert advice and assistance which is prohibited and instead bans the provision of all expert advice and assistance regardless of its nature,” the judge said.

Cole declared the ruling “a victory for everyone who believes the war on terrorism ought to be fought consistent with constitutional principles.”

Click here for original story.