Points Calculator

This is what we use to calculate food point values (Weight Watchers). The page also has an activity points calculator:

POINTS calculator

The same link can be found here along with a weight ranges chart and food point values.

Found the Patent information here and a simple mathmatical explaination of the formula here.

The Best Cars of TV

From the Chicago Sun Times:

1. THE BATMOBILE ("BATMAN")

2. THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY BUS ("THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY")

3. K.I.T.T. ("KNIGHT RIDER")

4. THE CLAMPETT FAMILY TRUCK ("THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES")

5. COLUMBO'S JUNKER ("COLUMBO")

6. JIM ROCKFORD'S FIREBIRD ESPRIT ("THE ROCKFORD FILES")

7. THE GENERAL LEE ("THE DUKES OF HAZZARD")

8. JACK BENNY'S MAXWELL ("THE JACK BENNY PROGRAM")

9. CLAIRE FISHER'S HEARSE ("SIX FEET UNDER")

10. THE FORD GRAN TORINO ("STARSKY & HUTCH")

11. DAN TANNA'S T-BIRD ("VEGA$")

12. DAVE CRABTREE'S MOM ("MY MOTHER THE CAR")

13. FRED SANFORD'S TRUCK ("SANFORD & SON")

14. THE BLACK BEAUTY ("THE GREEN HORNET")

15. THE "ROUTE 66" 'VETTE ("ROUTE 66")

THE FINAL FIVE: Magnum's red Ferrari ("Magnum, P.I."); Sonny Crockett's black Ferrari ("Miami Vice"); the A-Team van ("The A-Team"); McCormick's custom Manta, aka "The Coyote" ("Hardcastle & McCormick"); Cannon's Lincoln Continental ("Cannon").

full list (including honorable mention)

Seinfeld Cast Finally agrees to DVD

A multimillion-dollar dispute over royalties between Jerry Seinfeld and the three co-stars of his long-running television comedy series has finally been settled, allowing the release of an official DVD collection of the show's 180 episodes, plus newly filmed interviews and other material.

In an exclusive interview with The Globe and Mail, Jason Alexander (who played George Costanza on Seinfeld) said a deal "has very recently been worked out" after months of tension.

Describing the comedy star's behaviour over money as "inappropriate," Alexander said that he, Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Elaine) and Michael Richards (Kramer) had refused to provide extra material for the DVD collection because Seinfeld and Castle Rock Television, which produced the series for NBC, refused to pay them or offer a share in the royalties.

He said the Seinfeld producers have now agreed that the three co-stars will also earn royalties from the DVD collection.

full story

Chicago Baseball Fans Say Goodbye to a Bad Ball

At Harry Caray's Restaurant in Chicago, a flash of explosive charges shredded an infamous baseball into a spaghetti-like heap on Thursday as fans of the Chicago Cubs (news) publicly demolished the ball that may have cost the team its first trip to the World Series (news - web sites) in 58 years.

With an international cable-TV audience on hand and beer-drinking fans cheering in a tent set up on a closed city street and in bars around town, the ball was exploded inside a clear protective case by an Oscar-winning special effects expert.

The destruction of the ball followed weeks of hype that also raised money for juvenile diabetes research.

Not present was the Cubs fan who bobbled the ball out of play during the National League (news) playoffs last summer.

Ohio State hosts the Big Ten Wrestling Championships

Mobile Post: I posted this from my iPaq.

Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio will host the 2004 Big Ten Wrestling Championships. The meet starts Saturday, March 6 at 11:00 AM EST.

Walt Disney Treasures - On the Front Lines

Looks like this DVD set will be released on May 18, 2004. Sounds very interesting.

On December 8, 1941, the Disney Studio was taken over by the military as part of the war effort. Making the most of the talent that hadn't shipped out yet, Walt Disney spent the next four years creating and producing training, propaganda, and educational films for the Armed Forces. In addition to these films, this extraordinary volume also includes the full-length feature "Victory Through Air Power." Released theatrically in 1943, this powerful propaganda film has never been reissued until now. You'll also see recently discovered on-the-set footage, and get rare firsthand accounts about the work and culture at the Disney Studio in interviews with Disney Legends Joe Grant, John Hench, and Roy Disney. Featuring exclusive introductions by film historian Leonard Maltin.

Bonus features:
- On the Set of ''Victory Through Air Power''
- A Conversation with Disney Legends Joe Grant, John Hench and Roy Disney

you can pre-order here

LeBron is the real deal

To all the doubters, the Cavs are now only 1 1/2 games out of the NBA playoffs.

LeBron James scored 21 points and fellow rookie Jason Kapono added 19 to help the Cleveland Cavaliers overcome a 25-point deficit to beat the New Orleans Hornets 104-100 in a thriller Monday.

The Cavaliers were down 49-24 with less than seven minutes to go in the second quarter but made one of the best comebacks in franchise history to take the lead for the first time with 7:42 to play.

Cleveland then survived a late charge by the Hornets to win its third straight game. Carlos Boozer (former Duke man) led the Cavaliers with 24 points.

Out sick today

I was out sick today. The first time in years. Had a really bad sore throat, upset stomach and all that. Even went to the doctors (that's pretty rare for me).

Chad Bentz - Following in the footsteps of Jim Abbott

Chad Bentz, a left-handed pitcher, is trying to make the Expos bullpen. What's most interesting about him is his lack of a right hand.

Despite being born with a deformed right hand he calls a birthmark rather than a handicap, Chad Bentz hopes to land a job in the Montreal Expos' bullpen. Bentz, 23, throws with his left hand, then switches the glove onto the same hand with lightning speed to be ready to field the ball.

"I don't consider it a handicap," said Bentz. "If I did, I would get a parking sticker.

"It doesn't prevent me from doing anything. I call it a birthmark. I think it would be boring to catch normally, without switching the glove, but I'm sure it's not normal for anyone else."

Playing in the National League means he'll also have to hit. No problem. He hit 23 home runs in high school.

"I can bunt," he said. "I can swing the bat.

"I'm not that good fundamentally, but if they ask me to hit and run, I think I can get the job done."

Do you believe in Miracles?

On February 22, 1980...

In one of the most startling and dramatic upsets in Olympic history, the underdog United States hockey team, composed in great part of collegians, defeated the defending champion Soviet squad by 4-3 tonight.

The American goal that broke a 3-3 tie tonight was scored midway through the final period by a player who typifies the makeup of the United States team.

His name is Mike Eruzione, he is from Winthrop, Mass., he is the American team's captain and he was plucked from the obscurity of the Toledo Blades of the International League. His opponents tonight included world-renounced stars, some of them performing in the Olympics for the third time.

The Soviet team has captured the previous four Olympic hockey tournaments, going back to 1964, and five of the last six. The only club to defeat them since 1956 was the United States team of 1960, which won the gold medal at Squaw Valley, Calif.

Few victories in American Olympic play have provoked reaction comparable to tonight's decision at the red-seated, smallish Olympic Field House. At the final buzzer, after the fans had chanted seconds away, fathers and mothers and friends of the United Sates players dashed onto the ice, hugging anyone they could find in red, white and blue uniforms.

Meanwhile, in the stands, most of the 10,000 fans - including about 1,500 standees, who paid $24.40 apiece for a ticket - shouted "U.S.A.," over and over, and hundreds outside waved American flags.

No hockey game is played nonstop for 60 minutes, but this one came close. The Russians have been famed for their conditioning techniques. They also were considered the finest hockey team in the world.

New York Times article from 1980

Got my replica Ohio State Trophy

THE OFFICIAL 2002 COACHES’ NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY

I finally got my replica of the 2002 National Championship trophy given to the Ohio State Buckeyes by the American Football Coaches Association. It's pretty cool. 12 ½” tall, the base of this replica trophy is hardwood and topped with a genuine crystal football, just like the original.

Things men never say to each other

I got these from a friend.

"Oh you poor baby! That must have really hurt."
“I think you’re showing too much chest. You look like a slut.”
“Let’s go shoe shopping! K?”
“Let’s dress up in pink bunny suits and throw up on each other.”
“Can I put sugar in your wife’s gas tank again?”
“We should all three wear matching sweaters to the hardware store.”
“After the Lakers game, we should frolic in a meadow.”
“I really hate seeing hot women in thongs.”
“Church is so much more fun than skiing. I’m going back every day!”
“That Rosie O'Donell sure is a looker, eh?”
“This business partnership is reaching a new level. Let’s talk about our feelings.”
“God! Another Victoria’s Secret catalog? I wish they’d stop sending these things.”
“Can I borrow your slacks?”
“I just hope that Britney Spears doesn’t pose nude in Playboy. She’s my idol.”
“From now on, let’s do everything our wives ask us to, just as soon as they ask us, OK? Let’s swear on it."

H.R. Pufnstuf: The Complete Series

Who remembers this series? I remember it well watching it all the time as a kid.

You can buy the complete series on DVD here.

"This is terrible! This is awful! We'll never be ready! I'll fail the inspection test! I'll be a washed up, ditched witch, without a wand to witch with!" - Witchipoo (Billie Hayes)

Colorado Coach Barnett Calls Rape Victim 'Terrible' Player

The head coach of the University of Colorado football team called the only woman ever to play for it a "terrible" player on the same day she said she had been raped by a team member.

The statement by head coach Gary Barnett prompted university President Elizabeth Hoffman to rebuke him on Wednesday and warn "I think everybody's job is on the line."

Adding to the scandal swirling around the school's athletic program, a fifth woman came forward on Wednesday to say she was also raped by a football player.

On Tuesday, Sports Illustrated on its Web page reported that Katie Hnida, a former place kicker, said she was subjected to lewd comments by other players, groped in team huddles and raped by a teammate.

Coach Barnett issued a statement saying he knew nothing about the rape but later when trying to explain why Hnida had been harassed said she was an awful player who was not respected by team members.

"You know what guys do, they respect your ability. Katie was a girl, and not only was she a girl, she was terrible. She couldn't kick the ball through the uprights," he said.

After being verbally abused and molested by teammates, ex-Colorado kicker Katie Hnida tells SI's Rick Reilly she was raped by one of them.
full SI story

PNC Park in Pittsburgh

I thought these were some pretty cool pictures of PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

Clemente Top Player by fan voting

PITTSBURGH -- After four months of polling, and with nearly 43,000 total votes cast, Pittsburgh Pirates fans from around the globe have selected their all-time team. Roberto Clemente was voted the top player.

Last week, Bucs fans concluded the balloting by choosing Danny Murtaugh as the top manager in franchise history. Murtaugh collected 42% of the more than 5,000 votes cast, followed by Jim Leyland (32%), Chuck Tanner (19%) and Fred Clark (7%).

Top Player voting results: Roberto Clemente (63%), Honus Wagner (23%), Willie Stargell (9%), Bill Mazeroski (2%), Ralph Kiner (2%), Pie Traynor (1%)

Link to the position-by-position breakdown of the voting for the All-Time Pirates team.

Want a "Reality TV" type vacation?

If you want to vacation at a place you've been watching on TV, USA TODAY has the info you need. Two tickets to paradise will take you to Paradise Hotel's location, the Villa Arabesque in Acapulco. Besides being the site of last summer's biggest skankfest, you might also recognize it as a location from License to Kill. According to a message board post, "[t]he hotel had to even pull their website off the net" because of the interest. Celebrity Mole Yucatan's location isn't a big secret, since the end credits refer to the location. It's the Grand Xcaret by Occidental, which even advertises the show connection on its web site. Soon you'll be able to stay there at a "Celebrity Mole Suite, complete with show paraphernalia." USA TODAY also profiles other locations from shows such as The Bachelor 4 and The Bachelorette Wedding.

USA Today link

Got it!

Just went out and got a Canon Powershot S400. Look for some pictures real soon.

Is the Kerry story true?

Sigfried & Roy replacing Friends?

NBC is planning to roar back after its hit series "Friends" is off the air next season. "Extra" has learned the Peacock has put the Siegfried & Roy-based animated series "Father of the Pride" at the front of the pack to fill the timeslot left vacant by TV's most beloved "Friends."

Sources close to the situation have revealed exclusively to "Extra" the inventive animated series - poised to become primetime's first computer generated imaging (CGI) series - is the network's top contender for their Thursday night line-up. Spearheaded and executive produced by Dreamworks' Jeffrey Katzenberg, "Father of the Pride" is about a family of white lions who work as performers in the Las Vegas act of illusionists Siegfried & Roy.

Katzenberg, the driving force behind the lucrative "Shrek" franchise, once told "Extra" he's always on the lookout for film and TV subjects. "Good ideas can come from anyplace. It's part of it, to keep your eyes and ears open and not be afraid of having a good idea come to you from any place."

An NBC spokesperson told "Extra" the network brass are "thrilled with 'Father of the Pride' but no formal decisions have been made for the fall schedule."

"Father of the Pride" was said to be in question after Roy Horn was mauled on-stage by one of his performing tigers this past October. Katzenberg visited the critically injured showman at his hospital bedside, sources told "Extra." Now, as Horn is making steps towards recovery, the series is moving forward. John Goodman, Cheryl Hines and Carl Reiner have already been lined-up to lend their voices to the project.

Disney CEO Eisner Fighting for Job

Eisner has overseen substantial growth at Disney in nearly 20 years as CEO. But the share price has stumbled in recent years and Roy Disney, the nephew of company founder Walt Disney, has spearheaded a move to oust Eisner from the board.

Comcast's bid for Disney puts still more pressure on Eisner. The top U.S. cable TV operator said it launched its hostile bid after Eisner refused to enter talks.

Institutional Shareholder Services recommended on Wednesday that Disney shareholders withhold their vote to reelect Eisner to the board, to show their disapproval with Eisner and Disney's corporate governance.

Thursday's presentations marked the second day of Disney's annual two-day investors conference, held at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Disney has traditionally used the annual forum as a pep rally to instill confidence among its vast array of shareholders.

Executives stuck to the script in morning sessions. Disney Chief Operating Officer and President Robert Iger told analysts the company was poised for a growth spurt.

Kids today...

WHERE HAVE ALL THE HUMANS GONE? Forget Captain Kangaroo and Mister Rogers. Animated characters like SpongeBob and the Powerpuff Girls are today's TV heroes for kids.

full story from the Detroit Free Press

This would help my portfolio

Comcast Offers to Buy Walt Disney Co.
Cable television systems giant Comcast Corp. proposed early Wednesday to buy Walt Disney Co., the iconic media and entertainment powerhouse that owns the ABC and ESPN television networks, movie studios and theme parks, for stock valued at about $54 billion.

The nation's biggest cable systems operator said it would also take on $11.9 billion in Disney debt to push the total value of the deal to $66 billion.

Comcast's Letter to Eisner

Woman marries dead boyfriend

Now I've heard it all.

A 35-year-old Frenchwoman became both bride and widow when she married her dead boyfriend, in an exchange of vows that required authorisation from the French president.

The ceremony was performed at Nice City Hall on the French Riviera.

The deceased groom, a former policeman identified as Eric, was not present at the ceremony. He was killed by a drunk driver in September 2002.

Demichel told LCI television she was fully aware that "it could seem shocking to marry someone who is dead", but said that her fiance's absence from her life had not dimmed her feelings for him.

According to French law, a marriage between a living person and a dead person can take place as long as preliminary civic formalities have been completed that show the couple had planned to marry. Before the ceremony can take place, it must be approved by the French president.

source

Digital: We're heading into the 21st Century

Shelley has finally agreed to get a digital camera. Maybe we can have one by this weekend.

Crazy Flight!

An American Airlines pilot on a flight from Los Angeles to New York told passengers on Friday, "If you are a Christian, raise your hand. If you are not, you're crazy." He then urged the "crazy" non-Christians to discuss the faith with Christians. Passengers were shocked and nobody raised their hands.

Instead, people immediately reached for their cell phones and in-flight phones to call relatives just in case they didn't make it home! Like the flight from Los Angeles to New York isn't long enough, you have to worry that some Jesus-freak pilot is going to blow a gasket and crash the plane if everyone doesn't convert to Christianity, pronto!

The pilot also told passengers he would be available for discussion at the end of the flight. Well, I can tell you right now that there were no Puerto Ricans on that flight, because the headline would have read a little differently. I am stunned that after the stress of that flight nobody decided just beat his ass when the plane landed. The flight was heading to New York after all, and after the events of 9/11, I doubt New Yorkers have any tolerance for bull on an airplane.

Michael Stanley Band (MSB)

Michael Stanley has a new CD. "THE GROUND"

Some MSB concert dates 2004.

The Tangier
March 5 - 6
& March 12 - 13
532 W. Market St.
Akron, OH 44303

Shows start at 9pm EST
Tickets $35 & $40
Call (330) 376-7171
or toll-free 1-800-TANGIER
for Ticket Info!

Tower City Ampitheater
June 19
Watch for More Info...

Venue TBA - Lorain, OH
August 14

Superbowl Gameball

Janet Jackson at Superbowl