s

http://espn.go.com/page2/s/sportoon/011024.html

http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Field/5658/

Matt Shultz's bulletin board at geeklife is talking about Oak Lawn:

"It has come to my attention that Oak Lawn has become a hot-spot for many would-be travelers. I don't blame them. Oak Lawn is a veritable cornucopia of cultural events (Bed Races at Fall on the Green), hip clubs (B.J. McMahons), and trendy shopping (Chicago Ridge Mall). It also happens to be the hometown of a couple of world-renowned GeekLife contributors"

some of it is pretty funny
go ahead and leave your comments on Oak Lawn, IL

http://www.geeklife.com/news/gln2537.asp

did you know that the Cubs new pitching coach, Larry Rothschild, grew up on the south side of Chicago?

"Rothschild, 47, who grew up in Beverly on Chicago's South Side"
http://www.chicagosports.com/cubs/content
/story/0,1984,165661,00.html

G.I.Joe is back in the comic books! First time since 1994.

#1 just got released this month. It's got Snake Eyes on the cover. Cobra Commander is bringing back Zartan, Tomax, Xamot, Major Bludd, and the deadly Destro!

here's the URL to preview the comic, download desktop pictures, join the email group, and to buy the comics
http://www.gijoecomic.com/

Here's a funny question posted on the G.I.Joe comic book site:
Tomax and Xamot
ª What would happen if one of them was killed.

http://www.devilsdue.net/cgi-local/ikonboard/topic.cgi?forum=3&topic=1217

Here's a funny response:
If one of them died? ÝHasbro would put a new silly Viper in place of the dead one in the new two-pack.

I really don't like pigeons. They are like rats with wings. Please DO NOT ever feed pigeons. They are disgusting animals that poop everywhere. I wish the city would get rid of all pigeons. Today at lunch they were flying swarms at me. It was actually quite humourous as it seemed like something out of Hitcock's "The Birds".

http://ask.yahoo.com/ask/20010223.html

Looks like I'm going to have to wait until next year for my croquet classes. It looks like it took a bit longer to build the new monster USCA headquarters in Florida.

Originally the croquet america website said that there would be classes in november and december. But now all official public events have been moved to 2002. As of right now the Croquetamerica still lists the old classes.
http://www.croquetamerica.com/newCalendar.asp

Check out the headquaters' new website:
http://www.croquetnational.com/events.html

Link of the Week:
http://www.psubs.org/psub_pic/psub_pic.html

Find sports partners!
Form or join teams!
Find coaces or venues!
http://www.sportingboard.com

I just set up the Chicago Croquet Squirearchy of Gentlefolk on this site.

Look out! I'm gonna have fast internet at home, with 24/7 connection! :)

I'm thinking about going to the USCA croquet school for 3 days in Florida at the brand new USCA headquarters.
Anyone interested in going? Let me know at: matt@spudart.org

1. 3 days of instruction (18 hours)
2. Use of all necessary equipment
3. Official USCA rulebook
4. Official USCA shot-making manual
5. Morning coffee and refreshments
6. Daily Lunch
7. Frameable certificate of completion
8. Group photo
9. Closing reception

The dates for this year are:
November 9-11, 2001
December 7-9, 2001

Tuition:
USCA member: $375
non-USCA member: $425
groups of six or more: $300

America's favorite croquet pros, headed by Bob Kroeger, will teach this course at PGA National in Palm Beach County, Florida. The popular course is organized around a 6-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio for a maximum of 24, to give every student a full measure of individual attention. Everything in the American Rules game is covered, from basic shot-making to deadness management strategies. The course is designed for novice, intermediate, and advanced level players.
http://www.croquetamerica.com/schools.asp

While riding the bus this morning, I saw someone reading a book with an odd book cover. It made me think, if I was reading that book, I would put a cover over it. Then that reminded me of when we were in grade school, how we would cover our textbooks with brown kraft paper from grocery bags.

How odd that is. Were our parents (or the school) really that concerned that the books would get that dinged up. But then again, we were little kids that would throw our books around and treat 'em like total crap. And those books had to last for over 10 years (which was neat to see what kids had signed their name at the beggining of the book. You know if a big screw-up had a book before you, then you were doomed in that class!)

But really, it was kinda neat, because it allowed us to write on the cover of our books. In essence to personalize our study books. In a way, that gave us kids a psychological ownership and pride in our school books.

I just created a new yahoo email group called "Matt's Link of the Week". You can join at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LinkOfTheWeek/join.

This week's link:
Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie
Keep out the martian rays and
intercept enemy intelligence
http://zapatopi.net/afdb.html

And the bonus question:
Do you believe in aliens?

I just bought a book, "Bowling Alone" by Robert D. Putnam. It looks like to be a very good book.

You can buy the book too, and we can discuss it. (just shoot me an email at: matt@spudart.org to let me know that you got the book). You can get the book at:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0743203046/artiwu03

Here's the editor's notes:
>>>
Once we bowled in leagues, usually after work; but no longer. This seemingly small phenomenon symbolizes a significant social change that Robert Putnam has identified and describes in this brilliant volume, Bowling Alone.

Drawing on vast new data from the Roper Social and Political Trends and the DDB Needham Life Style -- surveys that report in detail on Americans' changing behavior over the past twenty-five years -- Putnam shows how we have become increasingly disconnected from family, friends, neighbors, and social structures, whether the PTA, church, recreation clubs, political parties, or bowling leagues. Our shrinking access to the "social capital" that is the reward of communal activity and community sharing is a serious threat to our civic and personal health.
>>>

Here's a neat email that I just got:

Last night on NBC it was reported that 81% of Americans want restraint. Perhaps this suggestion is what they have been waiting to appear! A military response, particularly an attack on Afghanistan, is exactly what the terrorists want. It will strengthen and swell their small but fanatical ranks. Instead, bomb Afghanistan with butter, with rice, bread, clothing and medicine. It will cost less than conventional arms, poses no threat of US casualties and just might get the populace thinking that maybe the Taliban don't have the answers. After three years of drought and with starvation looming, let's offer the Afghani people the vision of a new future. One that includes full stomachs. Bomb them with information. Video players and cassettes of world leaders, particularly Islamic leaders, condemning terrorism. Carpet the country with magazines and newspapers showing the horror of terrorism committed by their "guest". Blitz them with lapto p computers and DVD players filled with a perspective that is denied them by their government. Saturation bombing with hope will mean that some of it gets through. Send so much that the Taliban can't collect and hide it all.

The Taliban are telling their people to prepare for Jihad. Instead, let's give the Afghani people their first good meal in years. Seeing your family fully fed and the prospect of stability in terms of food and a future is a powerful deterrent to martyrdom.

All we ask in return is that they, as a people, agree to enter the civilized world. That includes handing over terrorists in their midst. In responding to terrorism we need to do something different. Something unexpected ... something that addresses the root of the problem. We need to take away the well of despair, ignorance and brutality from which the Osama bin Ladens of the world water their gardens of terror.

Kent Madin