tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46651832503018305012024-03-12T21:05:42.105-06:00Cancel-out the NoiseA behind the scenes look at the life of Dixon Leavitt. Following a suggestion from my dad to not hold back my opinions so much (obviously he was being sarcastic), I want to archive what is happening in my own life for others to follow if they so please.Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-52372924265176223902009-05-09T19:45:00.002-06:002009-05-09T20:28:00.366-06:00The End of an EraWednesday was the final episode of my beloved Scrubs. For the last eight years, I have gone through the up's and down's of each Sacred Heart employee. There has been laughing and crying, but it was always entertaining. Alec and I confessed our mutual "guy love" before "bromances" became cool.<br /><br />Guy Love<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sxbROMQTjKg&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sxbROMQTjKg&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jkprkMQY_6Y&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jkprkMQY_6Y&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I was very anxious for the finale, to find out if I would be satisfied. This is a show I watch the reruns of multiple times per day, so I know the in's and out's of the whole series. The first 10 minutes was great, but for about the next 15 I was scared that it wasnt going to live up to my expectations. The last 10 minutes were the best in Television history. I hope I can find a youtube clip of it all. I couldnt stop smiling once it was over because it could not have ended in a better way.<br /><br />Even though I can't say these are my 10 favorite clips, I can say they are a few of my favs.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lKIZIavkoAI&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lKIZIavkoAI&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dQ4uZ9AUves&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dQ4uZ9AUves&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/loH7CLbda5E&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/loH7CLbda5E&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Chdh7kjtxTU&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Chdh7kjtxTU&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/usCDYYwEjKs&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/usCDYYwEjKs&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FUBiT_KVrIw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FUBiT_KVrIw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nJ3MSCLBpaM&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nJ3MSCLBpaM&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hZAgT8KOLF8&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hZAgT8KOLF8&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VH7_H05aeiY&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VH7_H05aeiY&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YmkeIZASoH4&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YmkeIZASoH4&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />This is the last 10 minutes of the show. Absolutely fantastic!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5yYD2W5Gy8s&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5yYD2W5Gy8s&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-76775193205773249502009-04-09T10:18:00.002-06:002009-04-09T10:25:09.753-06:00Sports UpdateJust a quick sports update.<br />-I have decided to make a renewed dedication to my SF Giants. They have gone through a few down years, but I think this is the year it starts to change. With a tough pitching staff, they will win a few more games this year, and if the dogs pitching staff doesnt develop well, then I could see an outside chance at the NL West crown.<br /><br />-Masters week may be higher than the first weekend of march madness on my favorite sports week list. I am always excited for it, but every year I watch the par 3 tourney and realize how special this tournament is. Remember, live coverage of amen corner and 15 & 16 can be found <a href="http://masters.com">here</a>, even when ESPN or CBS coverage has not started.<br /><br />-Does it please anyone else to see the Yanks drop their first two?<br /><br />-Any suggestions on sporting events to use my razorgator credit for?Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-65486951043973488262009-04-07T08:07:00.002-06:002009-04-07T08:20:23.836-06:00The Pay OffOk, it has been long enough. I really doubted my testimony of blogging, but my wife has helped me see that I should continue. Lets see if I can keep it up again.<br /><br />Last night, my sports obsession paid off, literally. I am on a site called <a href="http://wazzel.com">Wazzel</a> where you pick the winners of games based on the betting lines. Instead of risking cash, you win and lose points with each pick. They say that in the future you will be able to cash in the points for prizes, like at an arcade. Over the past three weeks, I participated in a contest called Wazzel Madness. While most march madness contests consist of picking all the winners before the tournament starts, this one allows you to pick game by game, again based on the betting line. The amount of points possible to win increased by round, with the first round games worth 2000 points and the championship game worth 10000. Going into yesterdays game, I was winning by 6000 points, with only one other person in the running for a win, who was down by 18000. Since I was in first, I waited until late to make the pick, so no one could make their pick based on mine. Picking UNC at -7.5 wasnt very difficult, it was just hard picking period, knowing what was on the line. I didnt want to be like Tyler and screw up when the pressure was on!<br /><br />Finally it was game time. After Carolina scored the first basket, the CBS feed went out. It was out on both cable and satellite, I dont know if it was just us or if it was the SLC affiliate, but I wasnt very happy. I was able to get the game online, so that saved a very stressful night. Honestly, the outcome was never really in doubt, but I pushed those thoughts out of my head throughout the game so there would be no jinx. Finally, with about 2 minutes left, I declared myself the winner and broke out the champagne. Actually, there was no champagne, but that would have been fun to spray all over the house. In the end, I won a $750 voucher for the ticket website RazorGator. I thought picking with the lead was tough, but deciding what sporting event I want to go to will be a huge challenge!<br /><br />It is about time all the hours I have spent in front of the TV pays off. Let this be a lesson to you kids, hard work pays off.Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-78670115063471053812009-02-24T16:25:00.004-07:002009-02-24T16:47:46.419-07:00The Cold Soda-Location Theory<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/outburger.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/outburger.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />While we were eating In N Out on our way home from Mexico this past weekend, my brain was firing on all cylinders. It had been a while since I had experienced those feelings; in fact, it had been almost six years. Previously, it happened while I was having a slurpee in Virginia, which was a very disappointing slurpee experience. Now, I (with help from my wife) came up with a great explanation for In N Out.<br /><br />While I was enjoying a fabulous burger and fries, for some odd reason it surprised me how good it tasted. It shouldnt have surprised me, as it was In N Out, but then I realized where my last few In N Out experiences had taken place...St. George Utah. I had gotten used to having In N Out in the first state that does not directly touch California. I likened it to the different ways of having Cold Soda, at least through my eyes. The principles apply the same depending on how you like your soda.<br /><br />1. Iced Mug<br />The Iced Mug experience only happens in California. That is the founding place of In N Out and embodies all that the restaurant stands for. When drinking soda out of an iced mug, it stays cold for a good amount of time and some of the gas can escape, flattening the soda. This is how I prefer my soda.<br /><br />2. Can out of the middle of the cooler<br />The COOTMOTC experience happens in the states which touch California: Nevada and Arizona. As long as the soda is consumed quickly, it is still very cold and always has the best taste. It just doesnt have quite the same grandeur as the iced mug. The creative juices and lifestyle of California can seep into these states since they are touching each other.<br /><br />3. Fountain Drink Full of Ice<br />The FDFOI experience is still a great way to have soda, but it is my least favorite. There are many different factors that go into play, from the amount of syrup in the mixture, the amount of CO2 in the mixture, how cold the mixture is coming out of the fountain and how quickly the ice melts. While I can never turn down soda just because it is from the fountain, I prefer the other. The St. George location is still great, because it is In N Out, but now it has California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah variable to deal with.<br /><br />In conclusion, there is no doubt that In N Out in California is the greatest way to consume the burger and fries, but the other locations cannot be ignored. I urge all who think they have experienced In N Out without partaking in California locations, to do so as soon as possible, as it is a life changing experience!Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-27162779693788896152009-02-24T16:22:00.002-07:002009-02-24T16:25:26.414-07:00The End of an Era<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0eS3dCp13ZfJf/340x.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 340px; height: 497px;" src="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0eS3dCp13ZfJf/340x.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />In sad news for Colts fans, Marvin Harrison was released by the team today. After breaking Jerry Rice and Steve Young's record for most TD connections, it was best to let him go. I am very interested to see where he ends up. Marvin has seen better days but is still a very capable possession receiver.Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-77890469621846193632009-02-08T20:41:00.002-07:002009-02-08T21:42:50.264-07:00The Next Best Two YearsToday marks the second anniversary of my return to the United States after a year and a half in Brazil. I have been thinking about all the things I miss about Sao Paulo.<br /><br />-Pastels!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://chefaporter.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/o-proprio1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 361px;" src="http://chefaporter.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/o-proprio1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Tapioca (different from tapioca pudding)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2270/2145339270_371c563296.jpg?v=0"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2270/2145339270_371c563296.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-People watering their concrete<br />-Three tongue clicks<br />-Dodging buses in Santo Amaro<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxCCxdsuIN33FXqdWnXyqS1w23U8vfig7nlwP9IyKVZ7aJpOiW7gf07StbE71yQlHtIU6UjJKCKI0TUoqOHkIS01zoieBaFdqZnQgO3Xv0yCKpulnaIVbUBp94lL-0X89d9CeArz5I9Mb/s400/11+terminal+Santo+Amaro.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxCCxdsuIN33FXqdWnXyqS1w23U8vfig7nlwP9IyKVZ7aJpOiW7gf07StbE71yQlHtIU6UjJKCKI0TUoqOHkIS01zoieBaFdqZnQgO3Xv0yCKpulnaIVbUBp94lL-0X89d9CeArz5I9Mb/s400/11+terminal+Santo+Amaro.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Getting violated on buses during rush hour<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hVCyrU9tjMGJKlhKA-vXVggTlc6iwitv_YLTHMNyne6oGnAREDZIpKm8cxohmukxpS5DmoSAzlsFpLEu4ITRa4jyriR66OnaJI7N_WYTOeIkSiGY5EIi6QHMdihiThNlfqRAMirN6bw/s400/071001_f_024.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hVCyrU9tjMGJKlhKA-vXVggTlc6iwitv_YLTHMNyne6oGnAREDZIpKm8cxohmukxpS5DmoSAzlsFpLEu4ITRa4jyriR66OnaJI7N_WYTOeIkSiGY5EIi6QHMdihiThNlfqRAMirN6bw/s400/071001_f_024.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-The crazy music blaring on the streets in favelas<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.artespain.com/wp-content/uploads/favela_morro_da_providencia_rio_janeiro.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 340px; height: 340px;" src="http://www.artespain.com/wp-content/uploads/favela_morro_da_providencia_rio_janeiro.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Cops driving around with their heads hanging out the window<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.estadao.com.br/fotos/abandono02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 650px; height: 421px;" src="http://www.estadao.com.br/fotos/abandono02.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Crazy motorcycles<br />-No snow!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://charagoesquerdo.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/sol_na_mao_50.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 1024px; height: 768px;" src="http://charagoesquerdo.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/sol_na_mao_50.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Guarana Kuat<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh287/jornalorkut/acao-guarana-kuat_big.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 460px; height: 355px;" src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh287/jornalorkut/acao-guarana-kuat_big.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Sao Paulinos<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.gdmtricolor.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/saopaulinos.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 510px; height: 370px;" src="http://www.gdmtricolor.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/saopaulinos.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Corintianos<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2417/1807818113_6ddb8b3311_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 418px; height: 315px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2417/1807818113_6ddb8b3311_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Favelas<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img325.echo.cx/img325/2804/paraispolis50a8cj.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 1358px; height: 905px;" src="http://img325.echo.cx/img325/2804/paraispolis50a8cj.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Vielas<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeiUTYLVWb-iOBrBQF5v8-RO9kthr52WhRE5nW9B8jRKJwN7l72o_DBG61X3wZab4fccPUtcLOE39hIiXg1IxjXEVISKJpRECaHnzDUM8OIvy7VLrz-Vv7jYJhiYeGYx7OSvLfGRJLpM/s400/porto.viela_da_baleia_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeiUTYLVWb-iOBrBQF5v8-RO9kthr52WhRE5nW9B8jRKJwN7l72o_DBG61X3wZab4fccPUtcLOE39hIiXg1IxjXEVISKJpRECaHnzDUM8OIvy7VLrz-Vv7jYJhiYeGYx7OSvLfGRJLpM/s400/porto.viela_da_baleia_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Random trees planted in the middle of the road<br />-Cipo<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRy6WibToSnChxfRIG4X1QzAgE54JaUOITGx2Duw6M8e5WEYVypDD2F9iyDNBG07CLVD0yxL97Ke31wob4JPO0iJMg_6YyicEMtfTFl_ca-Psv5Otb2XrAThx_8vndb4V_Ku3q3mNHFl-/s200/DSC07180.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRy6WibToSnChxfRIG4X1QzAgE54JaUOITGx2Duw6M8e5WEYVypDD2F9iyDNBG07CLVD0yxL97Ke31wob4JPO0iJMg_6YyicEMtfTFl_ca-Psv5Otb2XrAThx_8vndb4V_Ku3q3mNHFl-/s200/DSC07180.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Evening mist<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcqaGNVYFelxsFwqb3QmUCeeQi9G7tJU9hbM85scTiHJuPv5kFyrhz9PTI2W6XHiwyeW5tBT4NUpSXw_v8A5W6QKMfowNNRqj22Vsv9LTbCL3jxhB3ugSFJwbmJf4TFayoXMVpOw0iBz0/s400/garua.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcqaGNVYFelxsFwqb3QmUCeeQi9G7tJU9hbM85scTiHJuPv5kFyrhz9PTI2W6XHiwyeW5tBT4NUpSXw_v8A5W6QKMfowNNRqj22Vsv9LTbCL3jxhB3ugSFJwbmJf4TFayoXMVpOw0iBz0/s400/garua.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Motorcycles getting hit by buses<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.jfservice.com.br/cidade/arquivo/fotos/2007/12/19-moto/acidente.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px; height: 380px;" src="http://www.jfservice.com.br/cidade/arquivo/fotos/2007/12/19-moto/acidente.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Crazy evangelicals holding their bibles over their hearts<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cache01.stormap.sapo.pt/fotostore01/fotos//4a/6f/17/115738_rcs3O.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://cache01.stormap.sapo.pt/fotostore01/fotos//4a/6f/17/115738_rcs3O.jpeg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Crazy evangelicals taunting you during their services<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.inforside.com.br/galerias/albums/culto-evangelico/culto_evangelico_001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 609px; height: 456px;" src="http://www.inforside.com.br/galerias/albums/culto-evangelico/culto_evangelico_001.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Crazy evangelicals in general<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.jornalagaxeta.com.br/imagens/35/evangelico2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 254px;" src="http://www.jornalagaxeta.com.br/imagens/35/evangelico2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Igreja Universal<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.conteudouniversal.com/wp-content/gallery/fotos/sao%20paulo/joao%20dias/43_1g.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://www.conteudouniversal.com/wp-content/gallery/fotos/sao%20paulo/joao%20dias/43_1g.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Rice and Beans<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.melhor-restauracao.com/clube_mr/admin/resources/files/Receitas/feij%C3%A3o%20com%20arroz%20a%20porto%20rico_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 480px; height: 486px;" src="http://www.melhor-restauracao.com/clube_mr/admin/resources/files/Receitas/feij%C3%A3o%20com%20arroz%20a%20porto%20rico_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Pao de Queijo<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://naopostou.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/bacaninha_pao_de_queijo.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 325px;" src="http://naopostou.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/bacaninha_pao_de_queijo.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />-Parque Ibirapuera<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://jumptour.com.br/papel%20de%20parede/parque%20ibirapuera.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 386px;" src="http://jumptour.com.br/papel%20de%20parede/parque%20ibirapuera.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />There are so many more things that I know I am forgetting, but these are things I have remembered throughout the day.Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-61740132706237352932009-02-04T15:38:00.003-07:002009-02-04T15:42:50.686-07:00DTVWho decided that people need more time to procrastinate the transition to digital tv? IMO those who havent switched over cant afford the $10 it takes, after the govt subsidy (understandable), or dont watch tv enough to care. I am willing to bet a lot of money that the latter make up the large majority, therefore, not be affected. When they turn their tv on and it doesnt get a signal, I am sure they will figure out what is wrong if they want to watch tv so bad. And the government wonders why people are so cynical towards them? There have been ads on tv for OVER A YEAR about this, but lets put it off until June, that should make a huge difference. How about you be an example of how to meet a deadline, instead of your usual excuses and delays?Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-43491256839436966652009-01-28T12:02:00.006-07:002009-01-28T12:20:37.068-07:00Funny Finance FiascosMy most boring class this semester is Managerial Finance. The professor is a good guy, but its about his time to retire. Every session I battle to keep my phone and bejeweled in my pocket, which lately I have been losing. Today, something amazing happened, almost like BYU winning a game in the NCAA Tournament, its bound to happen sometime, but is very surprising when it does.<br />Even though school started three weeks ago, the professor decided to have each student introduce themselves, the typical "what is your major, year in school and a few interesting facts" thing. This provided some obvious comedic gold, but little did we know the last guy (referred to as BB) would inspire laughs previously unheard in room 208 from 11-12. When it was BB's turn, he asked if he could stay sitting since his legs hurt. Then he said, "Well, I will try to stand up, but it is hard to use your legs after doing 450 lbs. on the leg press last night." Immediately, he had 65 people laughing, even though it wasnt meant to be a joke. Then his interesting fact was that he once went 5 days without sleeping, which was probably not very surprising to most in the room. Once the introduce yourself exercise finished, I thought it was back to the normal doldrums that accompany the class...but I was wrong.<br />One assignment in this class is to do a two minute presentation on business ethics. it can be a personal experience, a story from the paper, or even something made up. The first guy got up and put his powerpoint on the wall. The name "Tony Stark", or Iron Man, was on the first slide, which lead us to believe that was the presenters name. What followed was absolutely amazing. His presentation was about the ethical dilemma that Tony Stark faced as the head of Stark Industries and as Iron Man, so it was basically the plot of the box office hit from this previous summer. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.cratchit.org/dleigh/uploaded_images/TonyStark1-702406.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 393px; height: 288px;" src="http://www.cratchit.org/dleigh/uploaded_images/TonyStark1-702406.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Not only did he come up with this great idea, but he was able to present it with a straight face, while the whole class was laughing.<br />I have to do my ethics presentation on friday and am thinking of talking about the ethical dilemma that Batman faces when fighting the bad guys. His whole shtick is not killing people, but that must be hard when he considers all that they have done. The Iron Man presentation opened up a whole new world of ethical dilemmas to me!Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-60739662918759088862009-01-23T16:06:00.001-07:002009-01-23T16:07:12.391-07:00My Nah Nah NahWhile surfing around the interwebs last night, I came across a sneak preview of a new scrubs episode. What follows is the greatest fantasy JD has ever allowed us to see.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7c-5oDGvAoo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7c-5oDGvAoo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-59979832986380407482009-01-22T09:56:00.002-07:002009-01-22T12:28:51.325-07:00Toot Toot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.lasvegassun.com/media/img/photos/2009/01/21/UNLV.014a_t651.jpg?f88c8649bbadbb805ebb7b1c2020cc5b10765421"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 651px; height: 395px;" src="http://media.lasvegassun.com/media/img/photos/2009/01/21/UNLV.014a_t651.jpg?f88c8649bbadbb805ebb7b1c2020cc5b10765421" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />(By the way Johnny, you can't earn a jump ball when you are not touching said ball! Se parafuse!)<br /><br />It's about time. I went through the gamut of emotions in about 4 hours yesterday. When I came home from work, shay and I decided to go to the gym. Since the byu-unlv game was later, I wanted to wear my lucky rebels shirt. After going through my closet I couldn't find it. I started to panic but shay helped me out and the crisis was averted...for now. I had a great workout and we ordered the new Natural pizza from Pizza Hut, which is great by the way. We got settled in for the game and I made a critical mistake...I grabbed a blue powerade from the fridge. The first half then proceeded to mAke me extremely mad, I couldn't understand why the Rebs decided not to show up, especially Oscar on the defensive end! I finished up my powerade as the first half ended and spent halftime mad At the world. Alec called when he got out of class as the second half was starting and I was able to vent my frustrations. After byu called an early timeout, I realized my mistake. How could I enjoy anything blue on this day!?! The rest of the half proceeded in direct opposite to the first and the Rebs escaped with a big road win. It had been a long time coming!<br /><br />Now, to address the blog title. Before the game, I made two predictions: a final score prediction of 78-70, and that the rebels would win if Wink scored more than 20 points with at least 8 of those coming from the free throw line. As the CBSC broadcast ended, I realized my final score prediction was two points off, 76-70, which can be directly attributed to one of the technical free throws that Wink missed and the front end of the last two free throws that Tre'Von missed with a second or two left! I usually predict the score for every game and this is my closest prediction of the season. Then, as I was reading the Sun today, I saw that Wink went 8-10 from the line for 22 points. I batted 1.000 yesterday! Too bad I wasn't around any sports books, I was on fire! Hence the blog title, Not to toot my own horn but...Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-36397744528907587402009-01-14T14:55:00.003-07:002009-01-14T15:21:17.968-07:00A Long-Awaited Reunion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KjiZGJqg4-jZFqxcDNtmmcbUjXWkxK4K4NaXIqvp7bdO3JntraI39_uY2x0MZ85fpMfMAxikER_KCk8z3DLaqdfNi24GSPAU5qUZOMw9c4XnwO5UXXbvmtuc5ib5wKrsG_gNP-JtLvg/s1600-h/Wedding+308.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KjiZGJqg4-jZFqxcDNtmmcbUjXWkxK4K4NaXIqvp7bdO3JntraI39_uY2x0MZ85fpMfMAxikER_KCk8z3DLaqdfNi24GSPAU5qUZOMw9c4XnwO5UXXbvmtuc5ib5wKrsG_gNP-JtLvg/s400/Wedding+308.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291277863657506274" /></a><br /><br />SPIRIT WORLD-After more than 25 years of being apart, Bert and Joyce Leavitt were reunited early Tuesday morning. In a beautiful moment, with countless souls watching, Bert pulled his wife into his arms, speechless after so much time apart. It was a beautiful sight to see, such lasting love being rekindled. The decision had been made, Joyce would no longer be a mortal servant, taking care of her sisters, husband or children during sickness; it was time for the next mission, this time with her husband.<br />Joyce had served hundreds, or maybe thousands, of people during her time on Earth, especially after the loss of her husband. A few missions in Pittsburgh, Washington D.C, and Salt Lake City are just a few examples of the time she spent serving. She outlived not only her husband, but also her eldest son and daughter. This was a woman who had experienced much heartbreak, but had taken those experiences and turned them into positives that she could learn from. For the past 15 years, Joyce organized "Gram's Beach Party," which outsiders may call a family reunion, but those that experienced it will attest to the "party" part of the name. There is no doubt those she left behind will continue this great tradition.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">I am lucky enough to have had a personal relationship with Joyce, who is my Grammy. During my school years, she missed only a handful of sporting events, choir concerts or other events where I requested her presence. Short, routine chores at her house turned into an afternoon full of stories. I have never met another 80 year old woman who was up to date on not only the family team, UNLV, but multiple sports. Countless times I walked into her house on weekends to find a golf tournament or college basketball game on the television. <br />In my mind, Gram didn't age for my first 20 years of life; she jumped straight from 60 to 80. The last few years were hard for her. She walked slower, breathed harder and just didn't have the energy to take her to all the places she wanted to be. All of a sudden I started to think of a time without her, which I just as quickly pushed out of my consciousness. My only regret is that my beautiful wife did not get to experience Christmas Morning with her. The breakfast tradition will continue, but there will always be someone missing; no Charlie brown tree, or crazy sweater with flashing Christmas lights. I hope the weird birthday hat doesn't disappear, that every child or grandchild frantically calls around on their special day so they can put the hat on their head for just a few seconds.</span><br />Witnesses to the reunion say it was one of the happiest moments they had ever seen, second only to their own reunions with loved ones. Even more people confirm what many of us here on Earth were thinking...she did hear the words, "Well done my Good and Faithful Servant."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisO2Mu7CPrvyzPzno0RdLS8ZBLD5uwhY_06Lk4hJrt7aKc1XxIOeH0BWarD8xif0kEBGQ4cmvleAfdDgsjDQPFlTIG7P7Etlofzt_YHi6KbfvBUxGYFAB3_pbtwCfY4-aCCLR0sguUOAg/s1600-h/Wedding+311.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisO2Mu7CPrvyzPzno0RdLS8ZBLD5uwhY_06Lk4hJrt7aKc1XxIOeH0BWarD8xif0kEBGQ4cmvleAfdDgsjDQPFlTIG7P7Etlofzt_YHi6KbfvBUxGYFAB3_pbtwCfY4-aCCLR0sguUOAg/s400/Wedding+311.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291277870902939682" /></a>Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-24610653895670687202009-01-12T15:00:00.002-07:002009-01-12T15:04:21.927-07:00Argue!Last night Shay and I were over at a friends house for a little sunday night get together. It was there I discovered the greatest board game ever created...Argue! The name explains the whole premise of the game, to take an assigned topic and convince the other players your argument is correct. Little did I know, Shay and I would provide entertainment for the remainder of the night. We argued about whether or not Supermodels are overrated, which is better: baked or mashed potatoes and I think there may have been one more argument in there but I dont really remember. It is a good thing we dont have this game in our house or else I would be sleeping on the couch everynight, after winning arguments of course! :) I think this is a perfect game for our upcoming Mexico adventure.Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-41089341763781590332008-12-30T16:09:00.003-07:002008-12-30T16:16:31.708-07:00bookrenter.comFor all those college students stressing about whether or not they can afford this semesters worth of books, I found a great site. It is called bookrenter.com. The name of the site tells the story, rent your books for the semester instead of buying them and getting screwed by the bookstore for a low buyback price, or a new edition all together. I paid $321 for $680 worth of books. I made sure I couldnt buy them anywhere for cheaper than I was renting them and they all turned out to be very new books so it was hard to find cheap copies. This site doesnt let you write or highlight in the book, but chegg.com, another rental site, allows that but it is a bit more expensive. I will return at the end of the semester and report on how well this site works!Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-32631477835071295732008-12-18T16:01:00.003-07:002008-12-18T16:08:41.575-07:00Nada Mais - HateenI got this from Lindsey and liked it, so I will do it myself!<br /><br />Directions:<br />Put your iPod, iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.<br />For each question, press the "next" button to get your answer.<br />YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY OR NON-SENSICAL IT SOUNDS.<br />Try it if you want to, I'm anti-tagging.<br />Well, here we go!<br /><br />1. IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?<br />Never a Better Hero - Greg Hansen<br /><br />2. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?<br />Now - Pat McGee Band<br /><br />3. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?<br />Skin - Rascal Flatts<br /><br />4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?<br />An Oak Tree Stand Behind a Lindon - I Can Make a Mess Like Nobodys Business<br /><br />5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE PURPOSE?<br />Hundred - The Fray<br /><br />6. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?<br />Boombox Generation - Motion City Soundtrack<br /><br />7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?<br />Let It Happen - Jimmy Eat World<br /><br />8. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?<br />Motto - Less Than Jake<br /><br />9. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?<br />Why Don't You Leave? - Homegrown<br /><br />10. WHAT IS 2 + 2?<br />Wonderful - Wicked Soundtrack<br /><br />11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?<br />All I Ask of You - The Phantom of the Opera<br /><br />12. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?<br />Pages - There For Tomorrow<br /><br />13. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?<br />It's Gotta Be You - Backstreet Boys<br /><br />14. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU GROW UP?<br />That Spirit of Christmas - Ray Charles<br /><br />15. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?<br />Better With You - Five Times August<br /><br />16. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?<br />On Your Wings - Iron and Wine<br /><br />17. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?<br />Tired All the Time - Treaty of Paris (This would better fit Alyssa or my mom)<br /><br />18. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?<br />Bastard - Ben Folds<br /><br />19. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?<br />Come Together - The Beatles<br /><br />20. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?<br />Leave You Traveling - Steel Train<br /><br />21. SONG THEY WILL PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?<br />The Saddest Song - The Ataris<br /><br />22. WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?<br />Nada Mais - Hateen<br /><br />That didnt turn out as cool as Lindsey's but I urge all to try it!Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-56812544580418284992008-12-17T20:10:00.002-07:002008-12-17T20:14:26.104-07:00Video ChatSince Alec and Tiff got a mac, we have tried multiple times to talk through iChat. For some reason, we were never successful. After another unsuccessful attempt tonight, I remembered that Gmail had recently introduced video chatting. We decided to try that instead. Alec made a gmail address and we downloaded the necessary stuff. Finally, we got it working! Quickly we discovered one problem, my microphone wasnt working. For a few minutes, as I tried to figure out the problem, I felt like a mute. Alec was asking me questions, but I had to type out answers. Now I know how it feels to not be able to talk. I figured out what was wrong and we enjoyed the amazingness of technology!Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-68377543517257849692008-12-15T14:23:00.002-07:002008-12-15T14:23:57.631-07:00What a TributeThis is an excerpt of todays SI Peter King column.<br /><br />The Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks set off on a six-game, 12-day road trip on Nov. 18 -- to, in order, Phoenix, Dallas, Toronto, San Jose, Anaheim and Los Angeles. (Who thinks of these itineraries? Magellan?) In between a Saturday night date with the Maple Leafs and a Tuesday noon flight to San Jose, the players were going to have their one day off on the trip, a Sunday, back home with family in Chicago.<br />But the day before they played Toronto, the players learned that Stan Tallon, the father of Chicago general manager Dale Tallon, had died after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease in a rural Ontario town, Gravenhurst, two hours north of Toronto. The director of team services, Tony Ommen, told the captains that he could try to arrange a team trip to the Sunday night wake in Gravenhurst if they wanted to go. But if they did, of course, they'd be giving up their only day off on a grueling trip in a two-week period. It was a day most of the players had plans to do something, if only to watch football on TV, sleep all day, Christmas-shop, hang with family.<br />"Guys like their time off, that's for sure,'' Patrick Sharp, an assistant captain, said via cell phone. "But this was something, when we got together, we felt we had to do. Dale's a part of us.''<br />The team meeting was brief and to the point, and there was no objection from a single player: The players would stay over in Toronto, surrender the day off, and bus up to the wake in mid-afternoon on country roads with a fresh blanket of snow. Ommen arranged two buses, one for the coaches and staff, and one for the 23 players on the trip. In all, about 50 members of the Blackhawk traveling party made it to the W.J. Cavill Funeral Home in Gravenhurst, and when they walked quietly through the side door of the place, Dale Tallon couldn't believe his eyes. He tried to say something.<br />"I couldn't talk,'' he said. "I just started bawling.''<br />The players and staff all filed past the open casket and paid their respects to the family, including Tallon's 80-year-old mom, whose mood brightened tremendously. She knew the players from watching the games on satellite TV. Now here they were, her heroes! She had a little crush on the big star, Patrick Kane, whom her son had drafted first overall last year. "Patrick Kane!'' she said, and hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.<br />"I'm sorry for your loss, Mrs. Tallon,'' Sharp said.<br />"Ooooh,'' she said. "I enjoy watching you play.''<br />And then the players sat respectfully among the townspeople for a while, and then they went into a side room to look at the photo display of Stan Tallon's family, which could have been any hockey family in Canada, with shots of Dale as a tyke and moving up through the years 'til he thrilled the family by making the NHL. Before the players left, Dale Tallon told them how touched the family was that they'd make this trip for him.<br />Last week, Dale Tallon tried to explain why this happened. "I think hockey's unique,'' he said. "In every Canadian town, the hockey rink seems to be the center of the community. Families do so much for their kids and sacrifice for them so they can play. You rise up through different levels, but you never forget how you got there. With these kids on our team, I scouted, recruited and drafted so many of them. Watching them walk through that door made me feel so good about the type of people -- not just the kind of players -- we drafted. I hear so many people talking negatively about the youth of today, but don't underestimate these kids. They're good kids. My mother is there. Her husband of 59 years is laying in a casket next to her. And these kids walked in and she was just on Cloud Nine ...'' And then Dale Tallon got a little misty over the phone.<br />"I've played for different teams in juniors and the pros,'' said the 26-year-old Sharp, from the Ontario hockey hotbed of Thunder Bay. "And you walk into every locker room and you become brothers. Maybe it's rare in pro sports, but it's not rare in hockey, I don't think. We're all in this together. It goes back to growing up in hockey. My older brother played, I played, and my parents made huge sacrifices to drive us everywhere we had to go. Everyone in this game knows how much family means.''<br />Said Ommen: "The culture of hockey revolves around family.''<br />The team boarded the buses to return to Toronto and the charter flight home. But on the way out of town, as happens with two dozen premier athletes who have not eaten in some time, the players saw a McDonald's. They got the buses to stop. Inside, as the Chicago Blackhawks walked en masse into a sleepy McDonald's in rural Canada long after the dinner crowd was gone, a teenage kid behind the register figured out who he was looking at. "Coooooool!'' he said.<br />"So on the wall there's this big billboard,'' Sharp said. "I guess McDonald's in Canada has hockey cards, and we're looking at this, and there's [teammates] Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, looking at this. They had cards in this McDonald's series. We all had no idea. So a few of the guys bought the Happy Meals, or whatever, trying to get their cards.''<br />A couple of weeks have passed. The Blackhawks lost all three games on the last leg of the trip, but no one was blaming the Gravenhurst detour. I asked Sharp if the team had any regrets about attending the wake.<br />"None,'' he said. "No complaints. We were where we should have been. We'd do it again, 100 times.''<br />And that's my good news story of the week. Be proud, Canada. You've raised some nice boysDixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-52235867124667795782008-12-09T15:05:00.002-07:002008-12-09T15:08:27.389-07:00SupermanThis is either the funniest, or the most depressing, editorial cartoon I have ever seen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dMEqL9sCXCgGH0hp9bpeenPA9KW6fBFkMg8BHcJWethqm_skXrW0gJwrNMga2S_WqK0rP7eQMgummTxANIQy4N7IiSYdu4wCMUfvbxi6whHIn74ULCu07J5uHaB_sxyJddxld2iOU8k/s1600-h/superman.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dMEqL9sCXCgGH0hp9bpeenPA9KW6fBFkMg8BHcJWethqm_skXrW0gJwrNMga2S_WqK0rP7eQMgummTxANIQy4N7IiSYdu4wCMUfvbxi6whHIn74ULCu07J5uHaB_sxyJddxld2iOU8k/s400/superman.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277915414689316738" /></a>Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-6432197488391073892008-12-08T12:38:00.002-07:002008-12-08T12:51:46.229-07:00Jimmy V WeekAt the beginning of December, ESPN does "Jimmy V Week" to solicit donations to the Jimmy Fund to fight cancer. Jim Valvano was a college basketball coach who won the 1983 NCAA title with NC State. The video of him running around the court looking for someone to hug is ageless. In 1992 he was diagnosed with bone cancer which advanced very quickly. In March of 1993, he accepted the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian award at the ESPN awards show, the ESPYs. His acceptance speech is one that I watch every year at this time. It is very moving and heartfelt, with the love that he had of helping others plainly evident. I have embedded the video below and encourage everyone to take the 10 minutes and watch it. Less than two months after the speech, he passed away. The foundation is set up with ESPN, which pays all administrators and employees to control the fund, so every penny donated is used for cancer research. I hope it moves you as much as it does me.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ePXlkqkFH6s&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ePXlkqkFH6s&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-40732104422694191372008-11-25T09:24:00.001-07:002008-11-25T09:24:11.919-07:00<object width="464" height="392"><param name="movie" value="http://embed.break.com/NjEwMTEz"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://embed.break.com/NjEwMTEz" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess=always width="464" height="392"></embed></object><br><font size=1><a href="http://view.break.com/610113#TellAFriend">null</a> - Watch more <a href="http://www.break.com/">free videos</a></font>Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-45902382543753710302008-11-10T09:29:00.004-07:002008-11-10T09:57:57.436-07:00Another New Beginning<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.lvrj.com/images/2493056.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 237px; height: 400px;" src="http://media.lvrj.com/images/2493056.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />A few weeks ago I expressed my excitement for the opening of the NBA season...that does not even compare with how excited I am for College Basketball. Today marks the day that teams can start playing real games, although many will play an exhibition game early in the week then start the regular season this weekend. If I had to choose one sport to watch and that was it, NCAA basketball would be my choice. The middle of November each year is when I really appreciate satellite TV, since there is usually a game every night and that only increases once football ends. In the next day or two, I am going to do a UNLV and NCAA season preview. In the mean time, USA Today said this Saturday's UNLV-USD game is the best game of opening week. Hopefully that means that after the Rebs win, they will jump into the top 25!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0313/ncb_a_adams_195.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 195px; height: 262px;" src="http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0313/ncb_a_adams_195.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />This pic is not a dig at Mike, but when I googled Wink Adams, it came up 3 times on the first page so I had to put it on here!Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-88736299406059309142008-11-09T09:41:00.003-07:002008-11-09T09:42:57.265-07:00SuggestionsThis article is in todays New York Times, written by Greg Mankiw, a Harvard Economist who was an adviser to President Bush and in charge of economic policy to Mitt Romney during his campaign. He updates his blog very often and provides a level-headed view of politics from a very well respected economist.<br /><br />Congratulations, Senator Obama. You ran a good campaign, and you racked up an historic victory. As you get ready for your new responsibilities, let me suggest four ways for you to become a reliable steward of the economy:<br /><br />Listen to your economists. During the campaign you assembled an impressive team of economic advisers from the nation’s top universities, including Austan Goolsbee from University of Chicago and David Cutler and Jeff Liebman from Harvard. Your campaign’s director of economic policy, Jason Furman, is a smart, sensible, and well-trained policy economist. I know: He is a former student of mine.<br /><br />Pay close attention to what they have to say. They will often give you advice quite different from what you will hear from congressional leaders Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. To make sure you hear the views of your economists, put them in offices close to yours. Tell your chief of staff to invite them to all the relevant meetings.<br /><br />Embrace some Republican ideas. No party has a monopoly on truth. Be ready to take the best Republican policy proposals and make them your own, as Bill Clinton did with welfare reform in 1996.<br /><br />Health policy is a case in point. Over the past several months, you lambasted McCain’s proposal to reform the tax code to include a refundable health insurance tax credit. Did you know that long before McCain ever proposed this idea, it was advanced by Mr. Furman, your campaign’s policy director? He can explain to you why the Furman-McCain plan makes a lot of sense.<br /><br />Now you may decide that this plan does not go far enough. You may want a more generously funded social safety net to help the less fortunate get health care. Fair enough, but in pursuing that goal, you run into the next issue.<br /><br />Pay attention to the government’s budget constraint. The nation faces a long-term imbalance between government spending and tax revenue. The fundamental problem is that the federal government has promised the elderly more benefits than the tax system can support. This fiscal imbalance will become acute as more baby boomers retire and start collecting Social Security and Medicare.<br /><br />Yet during the campaign, you promised that you would cut taxes for 95 percent of Americans, that you would vastly expand health insurance coverage, and that you would never cut Social Security benefits or raise the retirement age. You will almost surely have to renege on some of these promises. As your economic team will often remind you, even if the laws of arithmetic are ignored during campaigns, they provide a real constraint when making actual policy.<br /><br />Recognize your past mistakes. As a new senator, you voted along predictable left-wing lines. As president, you will need a more eclectic, nuanced approach.<br /><br />Take trade policy, for example. In the senate, you voted against the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement. You opposed free trade agreements with Colombia and South Korea. You supported Senators Charles Schumer and Lindsey Graham in their quest to put tariffs on Chinese goods if China failed to revalue its exchange rate. You supported the Byrd Amendment, which encouraged domestic companies to file anti-dumping suits against foreign competitors. You supported subsidies for domestic producers of corn-based ethanol and tariffs on imports of more efficient sugar-based ethanol.<br /><br />Your economists can explain to you why these positions were wrong-headed. Economic isolationism is not in the national interest. A high point of the Clinton presidency was the enactment of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which passed both the House and Senate with a majority of Republicans and a minority of Democrats.<br /><br />This past Tuesday, many people voted for you hoping you would achieve the kind of economic success that Bill Clinton enjoyed in the 1990s. Your best chance of delivering what they want requires that you abandon some of your past positions and pursue a more moderate, bipartisan course.Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-58063959171663653572008-11-07T10:34:00.001-07:002008-11-07T10:34:22.261-07:00"To those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight, we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope."<br /> -- Barack Obama, Nov. 4, 2008Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-48408864422133544032008-11-05T15:53:00.002-07:002008-11-05T15:54:02.461-07:00Picturing the futureI thought this was a cool picture.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.thetripwire.com//assets/images/november-4-2008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 294px;" src="http://www.thetripwire.com//assets/images/november-4-2008.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-47850159111114019082008-11-05T08:55:00.002-07:002008-11-05T09:05:43.961-07:00Acceptance LetterDear President Obama,<br /><br />I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that I accept you as the next President of the United States. Even though I did not vote for you, I understand that by casting a vote, I am expressing my willingness to support my elected leaders, whether or not I choose them. Your leadership and oratorical skills are very impressive, skills which I hope you use to strengthen this beautiful country. I would like to offer some advice; keep exercising, eating right and quit smoking...this should keep Joe Biden in the Naval Conservatory as Vice President.<br /><br />The next four years will be interesting for this whole nation, especially for you. I am ready to support you 100% and I am sure I will be willing to offer constructive criticism whenever you need it. You have already made history, dont let that be the last time it happens. If I can ask one favor, it would be to create a College Football Playoff. I know that may seem trivial compared to the problems facing the economy, or our foreign relations, but it would really make me happy. Think about it, no President in the history of our nation has been able to accomplish that, while many have been able to win wars, or create new jobs. I think that is the way you can leave your true legacy on Main Street!<br /><br />President, good luck and God speed.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Dixon LeavittDixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665183250301830501.post-11585715714630367382008-11-04T09:42:00.002-07:002008-11-04T09:52:22.198-07:00election dayAs I drove to school this morning I was filled with emotion over how blessed I am to live in this country. There has been so much negativity surronding the elections but how lucky am I to not have to worry about a coup by the democrats if Obama loses? I have the choice of whether or not I want to vote, then if I do choose to vote, I can support those who I feel best represent my way of life. Even in a time of economic hardship, I have a job which allows me to provide for my family and fill my car with gas. Not only that but I can watch people make fun of our leaders on tv, without them fearing for their lives for being so outspoken! Even those being made fun of want to participate in the joke!<br />Around 10 or 11 tonight when I am finding out who will be the leader of my country for the next four years, I will remember all of the many blessings that I enjoy now and will continue to enjoy through his presidency, although I may have to share more of those blessings if the "quasi-socialist" is elected! Life can't get much better than it is now and a 40 year old black man or a 72 year old angry white man can't change that.Dixon Leavitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00518761786067673720noreply@blogger.com0