Walking a mile in their shoes.....

So much of what my wife and I do these days is centered on the arrival of our baby. We are so excited for him! I got to feel him kick a couple weeks ago and it was so awesome! I can’t wait until he is here!

Another aspect is making sure that we are prepared for his arrival. His crib is up, his changing table is ready to go and the rocking chair works perfectly. After some trouble setting up, we got the stroller ready.

As we looked at getting ready for the medical bills, we looked around at things we could do additionally, to make sure that we are ok financially. Fortunately, in addition to my full-time job, I am able to continually write for the Davis County Clipper and also tutor athletes at the U. of U.

In looking for some additional things to do, we looked to see if there was any tutoring jobs open. So we looked in the newspaper. There was a position advertised that claimed to pay $50 an hour, three times a week. We were skeptical, but since it was in the newspaper, we figured it wasn’t a scam. $50 an hour is not likely, but it’s not completely out there either. So I emailed them with very little info, just trying to get more info.

A couple of weeks later, I received this email:

Hi,
Thanks for your interest in the tutor job. My name is Edward Ashley. Me and my family are relocating from England to the US this month, my 12 Yrs old Son (Wayne) my only family would be coming with me to continue his studies in the state, i would like you to help him in this follows subjects, Mathematics, English writing and essay, Science and reading tutorial. He is a 5th grader, very brilliant, sharp and smart little Boy. You are expect to tutor him 1hr per day, and 3 times per week, that is you are having to work with him for 3hrs total a week, the tutoring can take place in our house, your house or any nearest library(Morning or Afternoon) As we are moving to your locality but we have not reached final agreement with the landlord of the house so i would let you know on our address as time goes. My Son would be the first to be in the state because i have to clear all my business transactions and i would join him later in January. I got a good and responsible nanny that will take proper care of him and also to always drive him down to the location of the lesson.

I am offering $50 per hr, kindly let me know if this charge is okay for you or if any let me know, So i can be able to send you the payment and book your service prior to my Sons arrival in the state. I'll be sending you the payment inform of a check for the tutorials while I'll also pay the Nanny that will look after him in the state while i join him later on, so as soon as you get the money/funds cleared you'll deduct cost of tutoring for the month and send balance to the nanny that would be looking after my son in the state.

So please Kindly get back to me with the following:

1.Your charges per hour.
2.Total charges for first month that he will be taught one hour per
day-3 times a week.
3. Full Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip code:
Home phone number:
Cell phone number:
Age:

Will be waiting to read your mail soon.

Very Respectful

Edward Ashley
T: +44 703 188 9704

Is that it? Is that all you need? I mean, why don’t I fork over my social security number, my credit card number, my house key, my car key, my office key, my TV, my personal computer, my checking account number, my routing number, and a lifetime supply of Rice-a-Roni “the San Francisco treat!” while I’m at it?

I had a hard time telling that this was a scam. I mean yeah, the grammar is a little bad. And yes, it’s true that this person had never met me. What’s wrong with that? People get hired all the time for $50/hour jobs without meeting their boss, I can overlook that. Of course he also could not have been more vague about details, like what city he was moving to. And the fact that he wanted to cut me a big check right off the bat for nothing? Nah, no big deal, that’s legit……….

I finally realized it was a scam when I re-read the email and noticed that his son’s name was “Wayne”. Who the heck names their kid Wayne? That’s when I knew, something about this Edward Ashley is not quite kosher. Sorry Eddie-boy, but you can’t put anything past me!

I called the newspaper to report this, and they told me that several other people had reported the same result. Additionally, I went to google and typed in “Edward ashley scam” and the first link that popped up was to a message board where others were discussing this exact email, word for word, in different parts of the country.

The person at the newspaper indicated to me that the person who placed the ad had used a made up name and a made up address and phone number, in the area, and had not paid for his ad (shocking!)
These “people” are pond scum. They are literally vermin who somehow crawled out of the swamp. They pray on people who don’t know better and have ruined lives. If I was a prosecutor, I would seek a life sentence for convicted scammers.

You have to be careful with your personal info!

Moving on to my original thought, about preparing for a baby. It seems I look at news differently now and pay close attention to anything involving kids. I guess that’s why I was so excited to see Brian David Mitchell declared “guilty”, why I am so passionate about bringing the sub-human couple named “sloop” to justice quickly. These jerks would bother me no matter what, but I just can’t seem to let those things go, because they are crimes against children. With greater frequency, I am putting myself in parent’s shoes.

So, I read with great interest this article.

Before I give my opinion about this, let me know what you think in the comments below.

random stuff

On KSL this week, they featured this video below:  Warning: this video contains LDS and Utah themed humor, viewer discretion is advised.  Only watch it if you have a high tolerance for saying the word "wow..........."


Provo, UT Girls- Divine Comedy

In fact, Id go so far as to watch this video on silent, since the words are there.

It just got me thinking, there are plenty of parodies that I like.  For instance, I have always been a Weird Al fan.  He has some really good ones that are good for a laugh.  But, not everyone can be a Weird Al.  In fact, most people fail, as this next clip shows.

Baby got book

Anyway, enough of that.



  
Elizabeth Smart got her day of justice on Friday.  I took the day off to study for my next test, but I couldn't pass up watching the TV as they read the verdict of her kidnapper, Brian David Mitchell and the ensuing press conference.

I am glad that she can go back on her LDS mission and not have to testify or deal with this nonsense anymore.  She is strong and amazing to get off the ground like that and continue on in her life.

And of course, it reminded me of this next clip, where she is interviewed by quite possibly the most inept human being on planet earth.  She is a lot nicer to this lady than I would have been.

Elizabeth Smart, Nancy Grace

Good for her that she has been able to stare adversity in the face and knock it out cold.

That's all for now!

inconvenienced?

I had a science teacher in junior high who would say something that I still like to quote.  His name was Tri Tri Tran.  He would tell us that we had a lot of homework coming if we didn't shut up.  He would say "If you waste my time, I will turn around and waste yours."

What if we all had this eye-for-an-eye mentality?  What if everytime someone inconvenienced us, we turned around and tried to waste their time?  What a world.........

For example, my Dad had a roommate back when he was younger who had this approach.  Give him a ticket for parking the wrong direction?  He paid his fee with a HUGE piece of paper (bigger than a posterboard) that had all of the info a check would have. Basically, the person taking his payment had to key in everything by hand rather than simply scanning a check.  Imagine taking that to the bank!  What a hassle! Give him another ticket?  Three words.  Jar of pennies.  Have fun with that!

Another example, you know the junk mail you get?  Stuff that comes addressed to you which really has no point other than they want to sell you something?  Or that you have been pre-approved for a credit card?  Typically, as a "convenience" to you, they include an envelope where they have paid the postage.  You can fill everything out and then use that envelope to return it to them.  I have heard of people who will write a note and stick it in there that says something like.  "ha ha! I dare you to send me one of these again!"  They will then attach the sealed envelope to a brick or a cinder block and ship that.  The post office will bill the company for everything. 

I admit, I find this stuff hilarious.  I know how frustrating getting junk mail is.  I know how frustrating getting a ticket you don't think you deserve is!  Been there, done that. 

But you know who the real loser is in these stories?  The people pulling the pranks.  Sure, they were annoyed that people would do this to them, but then they went out and wasted their own time and money trying to get back at them.  The person taking the money to pay the tickets may be slightly inconvenienced, but what about all the time and effort it took to fill up a jar with pennies or write all of your information on a large piece of paper.  Additionally, the post office is just going to figure out how much total that the company owes.  A brick will be negligible once everything is added up.  That would only work if everyone shipped bricks through the mail.

On top of that, they didn't "get back" at the person who caused them the trouble; they are getting back at someone else who did nothing to them.

We all are going to have experiences where somebody else inconvenienves us.  In all likelihood, we will inconvenience someone else with our mistakes.  I know my Mom has covered for me when I made a mistake on so many occasions I don't even know where to start.

Yeah, things can be really frustrating.  And yes, some of these solutions are down-right hilarious.  But I hope we can go about life with a smile on our face. 

There is one group of people out there who do not deserve this though.  If they do something to you, you should absolutely retaliate, they are called "scammers", and ill discuss what to do with them next time.......

A change of pace.....

I am very excited to say that a few friends and I are launching a sports website at the beginning of next year. As such, my posts here will not be sports-centered, but instead my thoughts on the world around me and the observations I make.

Thoughts from around the sports universe.......

So now its official, Auburn and Oregon will play for the national title.

Both won in convincing fashion yesterday to preserve solid, undefeated seasons. Oregon has so much speed that it just hurts your head trying to keep up. I can’t imagine what it must be like having to play them. Auburn has Cam Newton, who became only the second quarterback in history to go 20/20 (20 passing touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns).

This is going to be a very fun championship game.

Only thing is, the BCS scored a big win here. Two teams, from AQ conferences went undefeated. There is no “one-loss controversy this year”. While TCU is also unbeaten, there is less national outrage at them being left out.

Another big win for the BCS is that two of the biggest Non-AQ programs (
Utah and TCU) are joining the big boys next year. The BCS took on the philosophy of “If you can’t beat them, invite them to join you.”

Now the Boise St. Broncos are the only non-AQ team left who has crossed the threshold and busted the BCS. Though they are a small market, logic says that the Big 12 (with their ten teams) could be eying them, along with BYU, to return to a 12-team league.

Still, it begs the question, what about TCU? What haven’t they done to prove that they are just as worthy of this accolade? I am telling you, there are not many teams out there who could come into Salt Lake City and beat down the University of Utah the way that TCU did. They punched the Utes right in the mouth and didn’t stop landing blows until the refs waved them off. And that was a Kyle Whittingham-led team riding sky-high on confidence.

At the very least, the BCS needs a play-in game. TCU deserves the right to play their way into the national title. It would only be one more game, and if Oregon is really the best team, why not prove it against TCU?

TCU is on its way to the Big East where it will dominate for the foreseeable future. Next year, if they are able to run the table, they will have a more compelling argument. For now, they will have to go to the Rose Bowl and face a tough Wisconsin team.




From the time I was little, I cheered for the Houston Oilers. When they moved to Tennessee and became the Titans, ,I moved with them. I loved the days of Steve McNair and the boys going to the Super Bowl.

How the mighty have fallen!

This last week, Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan was able to rile up the usually mild mannered Andre Johnson to the point of a fight. Some people call that "doing his job". I call it being an M.v.P., most volatile punk.

Its just the latest in a string of non-sense. For a team that has had to deal with Vince Young’s up and downs, and the “I was just being rebellion” of Adam Jones, it’s the last straw. I officially forfeit all my rights and priviledges that come with being a Titans fan. No longer will I cheer for them. I still have a lot of respect and wish them the best, but I cannot cheer for a group of hooligans like this anymore.





In 2007, the Boston Celtics assembled a “Big 3” that they hoped would compete for an NBA title. They matched the hot-shooting Ray Allen and the defensive minded Kevin Garnett with do-everything Paul Pierce. Everyone figured that with those three, it didn’t matter who else was on the court, they would win the NBA title.

It is true that the “Big 3” did a lot of the heavy lifting, but this team’s real strength comes from its role players, who do their jobs so that the “Big 3” can do theirs. It’s the reason they won the 2008 championship and why they are the best team in their conference this year.

In 2007, Rajon Rondo was a no-name and won the starting point guard spot by default. He has turned into an animal. He is one of the top 4 point guards in the league, no matter how you slice it. His growth has taken a lot of pressure off of the aging Big 3.

Kendrick Perkins is an extremely underrated player. At 6’10” and 285 pounds and long arms, he is the prototype powerhouse defender. He OWNS Dwight Howard. He can lock down just about anyone one on one.

Off the bench, the faces have changed, but the results have been the same. Guys like James Posey, Tony Allen, Glen Davis, Eddie House, PJ Brown, and Rasheed Wallace have all given a big hand to make sure that the team is strong.

Compare this to Miami. Miami tried to copy this idea by assembling their own “Big 3”. They combined the talents of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh. We don’t have a big enough sample size to really see how good this Heat team can be, but what we have seen, the Heat have been little more than bullies, beating up the bad teams, and getting beat by the good teams.

Why is this so? The Heat big 3 has more pure talent than Boston’s big 3, so why the performance discrepancy?

Let’s take a closer look.

Wade v. Allen

Allen is one of, if not THE, best shooters of all time. Wade is not. Allen is in constant motion and runs around off of screens to get himself open. His trigger is quick and his shot is sweet. He does not need the ball to be effective.

Wade relies on power and speed. He needs the ball to be effective. His shot is so erratic that defenders can let him have as many jump shots as his heart desires.

Allen, because of his veteran experience, knows how to position himself on defense. Wade has more physical tools and is better at dominating on defense.

Pierce v. LeBron

LeBron is a freak of nature. At 6’8” and what has been reported as probably 270 pounds, he is one the fastest players in the league. He can get to the basket at will and has astounding court vision. Pierce is very crafty. He can do a lot of things well.

Both of these guys need the basketball to be effective. But, because of his ability to shoot and his maturity, Pierce is many times over more effective than James without the ball in his hands. He can absolutely punish teams for a double team of a teammate.

LeBron is so inconsistent when it comes to shooting that it makes it much easier to guard him than it should be. Additionally, while he can pass well, he will only make passes that can lead to assists. Unless it will benefit him in the numbers column, he won’t make the pass. This KILLS the team concept. The fact that this is eighth season in the NBA and he still hasn’t figured out this basic concept boggles my mind. At that size, you would think he would dominate in the low post, Nope! His moves are raw and undeveloped. I don’t think he really wants to win yet, he seems content with just being good, not great.

Pierce has lost a step, but can still be a lockdown defender, when he so chooses. LeBron can be as well, but its more a matter of technique. His stance is wrong and he doesn’t always go all out on that end. His highlight reel blocks give the impression he is a good defender, nothing could be further from the truth.

Garnett v. Bosh

Similar in build, but much different in heart. Garnett is certainly not a clutch player offensively, but he intimidates and doesn’t back down from anyone. Bosh would back down from a housefly if it got too close.

Bosh has more offensive talent and a more diverse repertoire of moves, but with Wade and James dominating the ball, his touches have been sporadic. Bosh is so easy to bully that it is almost humorous.

Garnett is not nearly as tough as he thinks. In fact, his chest thumping antics get old and look silly. Still, he is not afraid of anyone and talks a very good game. He is in more than a few people’s head. Including, as we found out this week, Joakim Noah.

In his prime, Garnett was the closest thing to Hakeem Olajuwon and the Dream Shake. Now he is merely a jump shooter. Still he passes well and understands the team concept on both ends of the court.

Bosh is also a jump shooter, but that’s merely because, as I have said before, he is tissue-soft.

Others:

This isn’t a fair comparison at all. Carlos Arroyo would be fortunate to be Rajon Rondo’s towel boy. Outside of Udonis Haslem, the Heat have no one who has an ounce of toughness in them. Big Z is soft, as is Juwan Howard. Eric Dampier will someday win the award for career underachievement.

In the 2004 movie “Miracle”, Herb Brooks says “All-star teams fail because they rely on the talents of indiduals.”

He was spot on. The Heat are not even the best team in the Eastern Conference, by a long way, and are nowhere near the best team in the NBA. TEAMS like the Celtics will beat the INDIVIDUAL TALENTS of the Heat any day and every day.



Derek Jeter and the Yankees agreed to a 3-year deal, the reports say.
This is a very good thing. I honestly can’t imagine Captain Clutch in any other uniform and it just wouldn’t seem right.

You don’t know what you have until its gone certainly fits here. In a way that Yankee fans perhaps don’t grasp yet, Jeter is a legend whose name deservedly belongs in the same breath as Mantle and DiMaggio, as Ruth and the rest of the best.

Who knows how many more titles the Yankees will win before Jeter hangs them up. At 37, his best days are behind him, but he is still a top 3 shortstop in the game.

Kudos to both sides for making some compromises to make this work.