Monday Randomness from the HC

Changed Today's Column heading after writing post.....random seemed appropriate.

.....Cedar Rapids last Wednesday was nearly 80 degrees. With imminent colder weather forecast, my neighbors were out in full force in their yards. Why? Well, it is October and leaves are departing trees and taking up residence on the ground. I glanced around, and listened, and discerned no fewer than 6 leaf blowers operating. Not one rake in sight......I don't own a blower.

.....Election Day in eight days. Good! I don't watch much TV, but if I did, I would be really appalled at the viciousness  of the political ads. Especially, but not exclusively, the Presidential Ads. Each Party would have you believe the other is just shy of being a wanton criminal. That said, please VOTE next Tuesday. Whatever your political affiliation, your vote is the only way to express your opinion.

.....Coe College's undefeated Football team moved to 8-0 and #14 in the national rankings with a 35-7 beatdown of Wartburg. Good for Coach Staker and Coach Staker(son Tyler is the OC). Football winning also keeps the AD pleased. Especially when combined with a Packer win on Sunday. Should be an OK week around here!

.....In Istanbul, Turkey (since when is Istanbul a hotbed of Tennis and deserving of hosting the WTA year-end championships?) Serena once again won. As stated somewhere in this column before, no doubt in my mind that a "Fit" Serena is the best female player in history......just hasn't happened all that much in the past 12 years.

.....ATP wraps up play for the year with the Paris Masters and then the London year-end Championships. No Nadal. Out with lingering knee issues. Paris is worth at least monitoring, as Federer (aka The GOAT--Greatest Of All Time) drew recent nemesis Tomas Berdych in the Quarters, on fire Andy Murray in the Semis, and if he survives, Djokovic in the Finals......with London beginning on November 6th, I wouldn't bet the ranch on Federer winning. The Skeptic within would not be at all surprised to see NONE of the top three win in Paris.....Just Sayin'!

.....speaking of The Skeptic, how about that Lance Armstrong saga with the USADA? Ugly. And predictable. Similar to Baseball's steroid years, pretty sure all cyclists were "cheating". Mr Armstrong was just the best at deception. USADA's quest seemed reminiscent of a Salem witch hunt. Why? Oh, and did they take away all the HR's and Strikeouts from the "cheating" baseball players? Uh, no they didn't.

.....I just noticed...well, Curtis told me: there is no NHL right now. My thought: Will anyone besides Curtis(and Scott) know if they don't play this year? I have no idea what the Owners, or Players Association are thinking in this case. But isn't the cantankerous Donald Fehr involved? Just sayin'....

.....Finally, it is a good time of year(except on the East Coast with Hurricane Sandy) get Outside and do something. Anything. Everything. The World spends too much time indoors, even when exercising. 

.....Take a Hike!