There's a hostage situation going on inside the walls of Lambeau Field that needs to be addressed. Facts from the last few days are emerging that must be presented to the Packer faithful. The thin (very thin) veil of cheerleading that the Packer brass has been showing the public has been revealed as complete fraud. I am outraged, to put it mildly, by the actions of those in charge of my team.
Let's recap how this situation has evolved. Brett Favre retired. He changed his mind. They welcomed him back, but he rescinded his un-retirement. Packers moved on with Aaron Rodgers. Fast forward several months, Brett changes his mind again. Okay--I get it. Brett waffled a bit. It happens. I wish it didn't, but it did. On the table now, we have Brett Favre wanting to return to his team. Packers tell its fans that Brett would be welcomed back into training camp. Here's the catch! Favre can come back to Green Bay, join the training camp, but he's told he will NOT be a starter and he will not be allowed to have an impact by actually playing. Management figures this will shut up the quarterback, make him stay home. When this doesn't deter the QB, Thompson makes a call and asks Favre to stay home a few days until they can get this figured out. [This means "give us a few days to get a trade in place so you don't actually show up, even though we are saying you are welcome here]. When a trade isn't working out to Thompson's liking, the Packers send the new CEO, Mark Murphy down to talk to Favre and his agent. This puts a very bright spotlight on the true intention of the Packers. Oh yes it does.
Let's look closely at this latest development. No matter what newspapers or sports shows are reporting about this trip to Hattiesburg by Murphy, any fool knows why the Packer president would go there. The Packers clearly do not want to see Brett Favre in Green Bay. It doesn't matter if they offered Favre 20 million to stay home, or if they are sucking it up to try a trade within the NFC North division, or if they are still saying they will not release him. No, none of those details really matter. What does count is the continued bullshit hard line the management keeps spouting about Brett Favre being welcome to come back, then doing every single thing it can to ensure that does not happen.
Fans should be outraged by their Green Bay Packers! What planets aligned to make the fans in Wisconsin so complacent about this? For myself, I am still bewildered and a little dizzy by the facts that are being brought to light on this fiasco. I feel small. What can one person do, right? Maybe there are some things we can do as fans. Let's think about this. Where can we make management hurt? We can boycott merchandise. We can choose not to go to games. If we do go to games, we can abstain from buying anything while we are at Lambeau. We can call the Packers!
920-569-7500
We can fax the Packers!
Administration: 920.569.7301
Public Relations: 920.569.7201
We can even write to them!
P.O. Box 10628
Green Bay, WI 54307-0628
Go to http://savebrett.net and sign the petition. Read the articles. Do the things they suggest to make our voices heard.
DO IT! Let's inundate them and let our voices be heard. What they are doing is absurd. This is positively wrong in every way. Brett Favre is the face of the Packers. He has been their bread and butter for a long, long time, and this is how they are repaying him? Why are they taking this stand against him??? I do not understand this. While Brett made some poor decisions about his retirement, we know that at least Brett makes his decisions from the heart. Why is there "Favre Watch" every year? Why does the media create a circus every year about his retirement? If he doesn't announce his retirement, why can't we assume he is going to play? Who in the hell decided that every year we have to wait and watch to see if Favre is going to retire? And why do we need to pressure him? If the Packers and the media would let him take his time off, I bet Brett Favre would recoup and come back without fanfare. GEEZ! Conversely, the Packer management team has consistently said one thing, but behind the scenes has fervently tried to ensure that the crap they are spouting publicly does NOT happen. What kind of bizzarro world are they living in? What kind of twilight zone have they dragged us into? WHY IS THIS HAPPENING??
This is not right. I am queasy over my beloved team. I told a friend of mine a couple of days ago that these outsiders who do not understand Wisconsin football are making decisions that are embarrassing and infuriating. I may boycott the Packers. I may be forced to become a NY Jets, or Minnesota Vikings, or Kiln, Mississippi fan if the Packers can't take their foot out of their mouth and get this thing right. Believe me, I have no expectation that the maestro of this mess, Ted Thompson, is going to back down any time soon. However, I can wish him all the bad luck in the world so that down the road, we can run him out of town on the high horse he came in on. He deserves nothing less than impeachment. Shame on Ted for his inability to understand. Shame on Mark Murphy for climbing on for the ride. And shame on Mike McCarthy for forgetting that the NFL is about competition, and getting the best athlete for the job in the starting position. And while I'm at it, shame on Goodell for accommodating the Packer's shoddy behavior by holding off on reinstatement.
This behavior is unforgivable. My faith is shattered. It's a sad, sad day that could forever change the Packer organization's place in its fans lives. The corporate bullshit and playground bullies that have emerged are going to ruin this team. Good for them. They've earned every slander and bad thing that comes their way. We will not forget how they have handled this. I call bullshit. Loudly.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Going to Lambeau
I was privvy to attend the shareholder's meeting last week. I have to say that it's rather fun having this faux importance in the Green Bay Packers organization. Several futile attempts to have a companion attend with me were foiled by powers higher than me, so I traveled the road to Lambeau solo. The good part is that I went about my day at my own pace. The bad part is that I felt a little foolish traipsing among the other shareholders with me, myself, and I. Still...
Arriving at the stadium is always thrilling, game day or no game day. Lambeau is an amazing site. The building is gorgeous, the field is hallowed. The bleachers are stark hard metal. The names on the wall surrounding the bowl are icons in the National Football League and heroes to the Green Bay Packers. Being at Lambeau always brings a somber, joyful, stirring feeling in my soul. Thursday, that feeling was complicated by the latest Brett Favre conundrum. Not knowing how this scenario will play out is excruciating. Not knowing exactly how I feel about all the parties involved (and their crazy behaviors that make NO sense) muddied the usual giddy respect I feel when I approach the grandeur that is my football team's home.
We were given programs upon our entry through the gates. Mostly these programs had the fiscal information that they wanted us to see spread across two glossy 8x11 1/2 pages. There was a schedule for the day and a brief thank you with a lot of color and splash on the front and back covers. It's a festive 'state of the union' meeting. The Packer brass paraded out across Lambeau Field from the tunnel that usually brings us our game day heroes, and walked stoically to a tented stage with a lone podium. New president, Mark Murphy, made some opening remarks beginning by addressing the Favre situation without really saying anything. It sounded like this to me: "We know it's a sensitive blah blah blah and we want to find a compromise that pleases blah blah blah so we hope that you'll remain patient blah blah blah because we don't know wtf we're doing blah blah blah."
Yeah. That was it. Nice try at putting our hearts to rest about it. Let me just briefly say this. No matter what has happened in the last six months, what Brett Favre has given to and done for the Green Bay Packers in the last seventeen years should NOT be passed off as reason for even thinking trade. As shareholders, we were given the mission statement of the team and the goals of the franchise. They strive to re-sign their own players. (Then do it). They promise to make every attempt to win world championships by every move that they make. (WHO gives you the best chance to achieve that again?)!!
I am sickened by the prospect of an announcement this week that tells me Brett Favre has been traded to another NFL team. It's not right. Favre is the face of the Packers. Favre in another uniform is unthinkable; I don't care if it's a team we never play. If Favre is throwing a football, it should be for Green Bay. And yes! I am angry with Brett Favre. I am tired of Ted Thompson. Set it aside. And how about Mike McCarthy? Who does he want quarterbacking his next attempt at a SuperBowl? I don't even want to hear about how Aaron Rodgers is the man. He's not the man. He's not. You can't go to Lambeau and not feel all of this stuff swirling in the air. It was disconcerting, for sure.
The meeting progressed with Thompson (who indeed did get boo's, then a few standers who wanted to ovate him to make it up to him). Pffft. You could see on Thompson's face that he knew he was in trouble with some of the shareholders. He just walked taller and acted tougher. He's not backing down or going away. Damn. I saw a guy as the meeting started who wore a t-shirt claiming, "I'd rather have Favre than Thompson." Me too, buddy. Me too.
Mike McCarthy spoke. He was very Mike McCarthy-ish. Did you know the man cannot pronounce "the?" "Da team is working hard to prepare for da season ahead of us." Based on his acquiescence to Ted's demands, I'm beginning to think McCarthy needs a handler.
We then got the parade of directors giving their reports. Jason Wied is a card. Time actually flew. Around 11:30am, the meeting finally ended. Citgo commercials for game days were then filmed. Look for me to be raising my hand, saying, "Aye" when those gas station ads air on gameday.
I spent the next three hours roaming around a closed Lambeau Field. A tailgate party, the Hall of Fame (see that post below), a trip to the Packer Pro Shop for some stockholder-only merchandise (I got 10% off when I used my Packer checking debit card-woot), and general aimless wandering. I was trying to breathe in the wonder that is this great stadium. Still, I have to admit, there is a lonesome feeling being there with no Favre-who-wants-to-play on the horizon there.
When I left, hungry and a little sad, I turned around to take one last look at the stadium. It was my fervent hope that the God that Ted Thompson assured us the Packers' organization prays to in all things, would grant this place the grace to resolve the differences and bring our iconic quarterback to the place he belongs. If He doesn't, there will be hole in the world that shakes my faith in the green and gold. There were so many 'hold back the tears' moments in my day there, and I find that those tearful moments continue as the legend of Favre becomes tarnished by his own misdeeds.
There's a blue day coming. Lambeau as we once knew it is going to be forever changed by these ugly days ahead. I knew it on Thursday, and I feel it more today. Sometimes being a Packer fan isn't easy. Thank goodness for the boys of Summer to take ourselves away.
Arriving at the stadium is always thrilling, game day or no game day. Lambeau is an amazing site. The building is gorgeous, the field is hallowed. The bleachers are stark hard metal. The names on the wall surrounding the bowl are icons in the National Football League and heroes to the Green Bay Packers. Being at Lambeau always brings a somber, joyful, stirring feeling in my soul. Thursday, that feeling was complicated by the latest Brett Favre conundrum. Not knowing how this scenario will play out is excruciating. Not knowing exactly how I feel about all the parties involved (and their crazy behaviors that make NO sense) muddied the usual giddy respect I feel when I approach the grandeur that is my football team's home.
We were given programs upon our entry through the gates. Mostly these programs had the fiscal information that they wanted us to see spread across two glossy 8x11 1/2 pages. There was a schedule for the day and a brief thank you with a lot of color and splash on the front and back covers. It's a festive 'state of the union' meeting. The Packer brass paraded out across Lambeau Field from the tunnel that usually brings us our game day heroes, and walked stoically to a tented stage with a lone podium. New president, Mark Murphy, made some opening remarks beginning by addressing the Favre situation without really saying anything. It sounded like this to me: "We know it's a sensitive blah blah blah and we want to find a compromise that pleases blah blah blah so we hope that you'll remain patient blah blah blah because we don't know wtf we're doing blah blah blah."
Yeah. That was it. Nice try at putting our hearts to rest about it. Let me just briefly say this. No matter what has happened in the last six months, what Brett Favre has given to and done for the Green Bay Packers in the last seventeen years should NOT be passed off as reason for even thinking trade. As shareholders, we were given the mission statement of the team and the goals of the franchise. They strive to re-sign their own players. (Then do it). They promise to make every attempt to win world championships by every move that they make. (WHO gives you the best chance to achieve that again?)!!
I am sickened by the prospect of an announcement this week that tells me Brett Favre has been traded to another NFL team. It's not right. Favre is the face of the Packers. Favre in another uniform is unthinkable; I don't care if it's a team we never play. If Favre is throwing a football, it should be for Green Bay. And yes! I am angry with Brett Favre. I am tired of Ted Thompson. Set it aside. And how about Mike McCarthy? Who does he want quarterbacking his next attempt at a SuperBowl? I don't even want to hear about how Aaron Rodgers is the man. He's not the man. He's not. You can't go to Lambeau and not feel all of this stuff swirling in the air. It was disconcerting, for sure.
The meeting progressed with Thompson (who indeed did get boo's, then a few standers who wanted to ovate him to make it up to him). Pffft. You could see on Thompson's face that he knew he was in trouble with some of the shareholders. He just walked taller and acted tougher. He's not backing down or going away. Damn. I saw a guy as the meeting started who wore a t-shirt claiming, "I'd rather have Favre than Thompson." Me too, buddy. Me too.
Mike McCarthy spoke. He was very Mike McCarthy-ish. Did you know the man cannot pronounce "the?" "Da team is working hard to prepare for da season ahead of us." Based on his acquiescence to Ted's demands, I'm beginning to think McCarthy needs a handler.
We then got the parade of directors giving their reports. Jason Wied is a card. Time actually flew. Around 11:30am, the meeting finally ended. Citgo commercials for game days were then filmed. Look for me to be raising my hand, saying, "Aye" when those gas station ads air on gameday.
I spent the next three hours roaming around a closed Lambeau Field. A tailgate party, the Hall of Fame (see that post below), a trip to the Packer Pro Shop for some stockholder-only merchandise (I got 10% off when I used my Packer checking debit card-woot), and general aimless wandering. I was trying to breathe in the wonder that is this great stadium. Still, I have to admit, there is a lonesome feeling being there with no Favre-who-wants-to-play on the horizon there.
When I left, hungry and a little sad, I turned around to take one last look at the stadium. It was my fervent hope that the God that Ted Thompson assured us the Packers' organization prays to in all things, would grant this place the grace to resolve the differences and bring our iconic quarterback to the place he belongs. If He doesn't, there will be hole in the world that shakes my faith in the green and gold. There were so many 'hold back the tears' moments in my day there, and I find that those tearful moments continue as the legend of Favre becomes tarnished by his own misdeeds.
There's a blue day coming. Lambeau as we once knew it is going to be forever changed by these ugly days ahead. I knew it on Thursday, and I feel it more today. Sometimes being a Packer fan isn't easy. Thank goodness for the boys of Summer to take ourselves away.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Amazing Hall of Fame
And PLUS THERE'S THIS!!! This is a banner Packer Day!!! Celebrate!!!!
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d809817f1&template=without-video&confirm=true&campaign=email_NL0725
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d809817f1&template=without-video&confirm=true&campaign=email_NL0725
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Karma, Baby!
You reap what you sow, right? I'm not into Buddhism or anything, but I do think we all get paybacks for our deeds. I don't know who or what controls these rewards and punishments, but very often, these happen justly. I know it happened Sunday to a cranky woman I am forced to deal with often these days.
The woman who ran the place I work at now with her husband for many years is a widow. Her son runs the place. She still comes in to wield her power and find a purpose to get up, I suppose. I really don't have a problem with this. Except. Except, she feels the need to nitpick good employees who aren't doing anything wrong. Case in point: We are in the dining room and I am preparing water glasses at the wait station for my table of four. I'm going to get a tray to carry these glasses, but she feels the need to tell me how to do my job, just in case the previous 25 years I've been carrying trays of drinks wasn't fresh in my pea brain. "Use a tray. It looks better." No shit, Sherlock. I opt for a tray for the smallest delivery. I know it looks better. I like to look professional when I do my job, so I use a tray just about every time. It's actually easier to clear a four-top of its dinner plates without a tray, but I know how to clear and stack so it looks professional without a tray on that one. But I digress.
She was riding me like a Disney carousel on Sunday. We have two doors to the kitchen. One set is swinging saloon doors so you can see feet and head when you are going through. The other side is a solid swinging door with a window at eye level. I had a tray of five breakfasts going out. I did what I always do-I kicked the door open (not a hard kick, just enough to swing the door open long enough for me to get through it. We all do it this way). Don't you know that old witch was bent down right there below window viewing range. She shot up from her stooped position and gave me an evil look. Okay, what are you doing in front of the door on a busy Sunday morning? And why, in all of your infinite wisdom, do you not have a foot or hand extended to stop the door from hitting you? It is not rocket science to take this precaution. I have never stooped to pick up something dropped in front of a swinging door in a restaurant without taking the necessary precaution from being whacked by a door getting kicked open. Duh.
I apologized (two or three times) as she continued to glare at me. But I served those breakfast plates with a smug little smile. I also laughed on the way home. The powers that be thought she needed a swift kick in the ass, and she got it. Uh huh. Karma baby. You reap what you sow.
The woman who ran the place I work at now with her husband for many years is a widow. Her son runs the place. She still comes in to wield her power and find a purpose to get up, I suppose. I really don't have a problem with this. Except. Except, she feels the need to nitpick good employees who aren't doing anything wrong. Case in point: We are in the dining room and I am preparing water glasses at the wait station for my table of four. I'm going to get a tray to carry these glasses, but she feels the need to tell me how to do my job, just in case the previous 25 years I've been carrying trays of drinks wasn't fresh in my pea brain. "Use a tray. It looks better." No shit, Sherlock. I opt for a tray for the smallest delivery. I know it looks better. I like to look professional when I do my job, so I use a tray just about every time. It's actually easier to clear a four-top of its dinner plates without a tray, but I know how to clear and stack so it looks professional without a tray on that one. But I digress.
She was riding me like a Disney carousel on Sunday. We have two doors to the kitchen. One set is swinging saloon doors so you can see feet and head when you are going through. The other side is a solid swinging door with a window at eye level. I had a tray of five breakfasts going out. I did what I always do-I kicked the door open (not a hard kick, just enough to swing the door open long enough for me to get through it. We all do it this way). Don't you know that old witch was bent down right there below window viewing range. She shot up from her stooped position and gave me an evil look. Okay, what are you doing in front of the door on a busy Sunday morning? And why, in all of your infinite wisdom, do you not have a foot or hand extended to stop the door from hitting you? It is not rocket science to take this precaution. I have never stooped to pick up something dropped in front of a swinging door in a restaurant without taking the necessary precaution from being whacked by a door getting kicked open. Duh.
I apologized (two or three times) as she continued to glare at me. But I served those breakfast plates with a smug little smile. I also laughed on the way home. The powers that be thought she needed a swift kick in the ass, and she got it. Uh huh. Karma baby. You reap what you sow.
Monday, July 07, 2008
They're Doing it Again
I have this knack for choosing products that don't stick around. I wish I had kept a list of the wonderfully fragranced items I've fallen in love with, only to have the manufacturer of said product discontinue it. Let's see, there was a great bubble bath that I loved to soak in that was probably the first time I was disappointed. There was a mascara, and several shampoo/conditioner combos that vanished. I just went on a buying frenzy for my favorite bubble bath (a new favorite one since the first favorite one is long gone!) that is being changed. Lavender chamomile is not lavender! Why are they changing it?? I have enough to take me through the winter bathing season. :)
And now the recent discovery of yet another discontinued product! Arrggghhh! Avon made a fragrance for a brief time called "Clean Cotton." I searched in vain for any bottle of this nectar. Regional representatives, local dealers, clearance catalogs, online website....to no avail. Other dealers would jump to be my hero and make calls because they were "in the loop" and sure they could find me some Clean Cotton. Never happened, folks. My rescue came in the form of a birthday gift from my mom. Yippee! "Cotton Blossoms" from Bath and Body Works was a nice replacement.
And now.
Now they quit making it. They've CHANGED it. Now it's "Sea Island Cotton" which is not the same as the original Cotton Blossoms that I cherished. The new stuff isn't awful. It's just not "my" stuff. Here's the description of the original:
# Fragrance Top Notes: Sun Dried Linen Accord, Grass, Mandarin Blossom
# Fragrance Mid Notes: Jeans Accord, Peony, Cotton
# Fragrance Base Notes: Musk, Baby Powder
Here's the new stuff:
# Fragrance Top Notes: Fresh Bright Floral Accord, Clean Cotton Accord, Drenched Air Accord, Fresh Linen Effect, Wet Green Pear, Blood Orange, Tangerine
# Fragrance Mid Notes: White Muguet, Crisp Orange Flower, Watery Cyclamen, White Freesia, Cotton Blossom Headspace, Dewy Jasmine
# Fragrance Base Notes: Clean Powder, White Musk, Sandalwood, Vanilla Absolute
You see? They added a bunch of crap to change how it smells. It's no longer the simple fragrance I loved to wear in the summer. Pssshhh. Sure, they have a few closeout items, but now I'm back to the drawing board on my long-term wear.
I guess companies could hire me to love their competitor's products to ensure that they won't be long-lasting competitors. But frankly, I'm tired of replacing my favorite blush, mascara, shampoo, fragrance, even candles. I have a real knack for this kind of thing. Sheesh. I wish I was better at something other than choosing loser products.
And now the recent discovery of yet another discontinued product! Arrggghhh! Avon made a fragrance for a brief time called "Clean Cotton." I searched in vain for any bottle of this nectar. Regional representatives, local dealers, clearance catalogs, online website....to no avail. Other dealers would jump to be my hero and make calls because they were "in the loop" and sure they could find me some Clean Cotton. Never happened, folks. My rescue came in the form of a birthday gift from my mom. Yippee! "Cotton Blossoms" from Bath and Body Works was a nice replacement.
And now.
Now they quit making it. They've CHANGED it. Now it's "Sea Island Cotton" which is not the same as the original Cotton Blossoms that I cherished. The new stuff isn't awful. It's just not "my" stuff. Here's the description of the original:
# Fragrance Top Notes: Sun Dried Linen Accord, Grass, Mandarin Blossom
# Fragrance Mid Notes: Jeans Accord, Peony, Cotton
# Fragrance Base Notes: Musk, Baby Powder
Here's the new stuff:
# Fragrance Top Notes: Fresh Bright Floral Accord, Clean Cotton Accord, Drenched Air Accord, Fresh Linen Effect, Wet Green Pear, Blood Orange, Tangerine
# Fragrance Mid Notes: White Muguet, Crisp Orange Flower, Watery Cyclamen, White Freesia, Cotton Blossom Headspace, Dewy Jasmine
# Fragrance Base Notes: Clean Powder, White Musk, Sandalwood, Vanilla Absolute
You see? They added a bunch of crap to change how it smells. It's no longer the simple fragrance I loved to wear in the summer. Pssshhh. Sure, they have a few closeout items, but now I'm back to the drawing board on my long-term wear.
I guess companies could hire me to love their competitor's products to ensure that they won't be long-lasting competitors. But frankly, I'm tired of replacing my favorite blush, mascara, shampoo, fragrance, even candles. I have a real knack for this kind of thing. Sheesh. I wish I was better at something other than choosing loser products.
Friday, July 04, 2008
My Two Cents
The rumor mill is churning. Brett Favre has the itch to come back and play football. No, he doesn't. Yes, he does. No, he doesn't. Scott Favre says his brother's return is a 50-50 prospect. Brett Favre texts a Mississippi newspaper to say it's all rumor. Why has he apparently been throwing a football and working out at a high school near Hattiesburg?
I can't tell you the angst this new prospect brings up in me. I don't want Brett Favre to come back. (I KNOW, right?)!!! I mean, I would love to see Brett Favre play football, but I can't bear what his return would do to my heart. He just broke my heart in March. Now he's going to mend it because he's going to miss the game? No. He's not going to fill the empty place he left when he announced his retirement. If he comes back, he's going to fill me with anger and resentment for letting me believe that he was gone, only to wave his hand and yell, "Psych!" I would question his character a little if he was that willing to push us onto that roller coaster. He can't wipe us out emotionally by retiring, then come back and ask us to click-clack our way up to the peak of the tracks again for another 100 foot drop and loopity-loop. I can't get on that ride again. I'll be so disappointed if he tricked us like that.
It's not just the the issue of how us fans will feel if he comes back. I don't want him to come back and be just okay. I don't want him to be a second string quarterback. I don't want him to get hurt on the field and have to leave the game under those circumstances. I don't want him to become a wannabe. And most of all, I don't want to see Brett Favre in colors that are not Packer's. If Favre plays for another team, that will be the biggest slap in the face I could imagine.
I understand that it is anyone's right to change his/her mind. I could possibly forgive the hurried or unclear decision he made back in March after a grueling season that ended in great disappointment. I understand the dynamics of all that is going on here. I really do. There's such a multi-layered set of circumstances to be picked through and mulled over. I have to tell you though, it's killing me.
Perhaps the most unsettling part of this equation is the team leaders of this great quarterback's glory. I'll go so far as to narrow it down to just Ted Thompson since his thin veil of support for Favre is so sheer that he may as well be naked. Ted Thompson wanted Brett Favre gone years ago. Yes, I believe this. Thompson has been biding the time to see Brett leave. There's reports about Favre "needing to be needed." There's rumors of behind-the-scenes discussions where Ted slaps Brett on the back and chortles with him about both their tenures at Lombardi Avenue. Blah, blah, blah! [Fictional scenario there]! Ted has done a poor job of welcoming the man who brought national attention back on the Packers. Maybe Ted doesn't care about the far-reaching popularity of the Packers because the local fans support them just dandy. What Ted fails to realize is that he is dissing the man that so many fans have come to love like he is part of their families. Brett Favre is everyman. Brett Favre is down-to-earth, lovable, human, tragic, fun, exciting. Brett Favre is the epitome of good football. Shame on Ted for contributing to this mess in such a large way.
If it's true that Favre wants to return to the National Football League, then it's up to Ted Thompson to make one of three decisions: 1) "Welcome" Brett back to the Packers. 2) Trade Brett. 3) Release Brett.
That's not a pretty equation no matter how you add it up! There's a 12 million dollar differential to contend with if Brett comes back. The Packers have spent that salary cap money. They've also been grooming the Big Mouth Rodgers (who is not making any strides on winning fans over to his camp with his cocky comments). Given Rodgers egotistical attitude, I think I'd like Brett Favre at the helm again, thank you. I do hope that if the Packers turn Brett down (which seems to be what has happened), that Brett Favre has the sense (and I do believe he does) to stay retired and let this rumor die.
This whole situation makes my stomach queasy. Leave it to Brett Favre to spice it up! I love the man, but I have some sincere reservations about his return to football. I guess what it comes down to is that I will feel like he was playing with my emotions when he retired. I'm sticking to my gut instinct. Yep, I'm going out on a limb against what every other sports reporter seems to know already, and saying Brett Favre isn't taking any snaps this year. Know why I say that? I say that because Brett Favre is a stand-up guy and he's gonna stick to his guns. (Gunslingers do that). If I'm wrong, Brett Favre isn't the man I thought he was.
I can't tell you the angst this new prospect brings up in me. I don't want Brett Favre to come back. (I KNOW, right?)!!! I mean, I would love to see Brett Favre play football, but I can't bear what his return would do to my heart. He just broke my heart in March. Now he's going to mend it because he's going to miss the game? No. He's not going to fill the empty place he left when he announced his retirement. If he comes back, he's going to fill me with anger and resentment for letting me believe that he was gone, only to wave his hand and yell, "Psych!" I would question his character a little if he was that willing to push us onto that roller coaster. He can't wipe us out emotionally by retiring, then come back and ask us to click-clack our way up to the peak of the tracks again for another 100 foot drop and loopity-loop. I can't get on that ride again. I'll be so disappointed if he tricked us like that.
It's not just the the issue of how us fans will feel if he comes back. I don't want him to come back and be just okay. I don't want him to be a second string quarterback. I don't want him to get hurt on the field and have to leave the game under those circumstances. I don't want him to become a wannabe. And most of all, I don't want to see Brett Favre in colors that are not Packer's. If Favre plays for another team, that will be the biggest slap in the face I could imagine.
I understand that it is anyone's right to change his/her mind. I could possibly forgive the hurried or unclear decision he made back in March after a grueling season that ended in great disappointment. I understand the dynamics of all that is going on here. I really do. There's such a multi-layered set of circumstances to be picked through and mulled over. I have to tell you though, it's killing me.
Perhaps the most unsettling part of this equation is the team leaders of this great quarterback's glory. I'll go so far as to narrow it down to just Ted Thompson since his thin veil of support for Favre is so sheer that he may as well be naked. Ted Thompson wanted Brett Favre gone years ago. Yes, I believe this. Thompson has been biding the time to see Brett leave. There's reports about Favre "needing to be needed." There's rumors of behind-the-scenes discussions where Ted slaps Brett on the back and chortles with him about both their tenures at Lombardi Avenue. Blah, blah, blah! [Fictional scenario there]! Ted has done a poor job of welcoming the man who brought national attention back on the Packers. Maybe Ted doesn't care about the far-reaching popularity of the Packers because the local fans support them just dandy. What Ted fails to realize is that he is dissing the man that so many fans have come to love like he is part of their families. Brett Favre is everyman. Brett Favre is down-to-earth, lovable, human, tragic, fun, exciting. Brett Favre is the epitome of good football. Shame on Ted for contributing to this mess in such a large way.
If it's true that Favre wants to return to the National Football League, then it's up to Ted Thompson to make one of three decisions: 1) "Welcome" Brett back to the Packers. 2) Trade Brett. 3) Release Brett.
That's not a pretty equation no matter how you add it up! There's a 12 million dollar differential to contend with if Brett comes back. The Packers have spent that salary cap money. They've also been grooming the Big Mouth Rodgers (who is not making any strides on winning fans over to his camp with his cocky comments). Given Rodgers egotistical attitude, I think I'd like Brett Favre at the helm again, thank you. I do hope that if the Packers turn Brett down (which seems to be what has happened), that Brett Favre has the sense (and I do believe he does) to stay retired and let this rumor die.
This whole situation makes my stomach queasy. Leave it to Brett Favre to spice it up! I love the man, but I have some sincere reservations about his return to football. I guess what it comes down to is that I will feel like he was playing with my emotions when he retired. I'm sticking to my gut instinct. Yep, I'm going out on a limb against what every other sports reporter seems to know already, and saying Brett Favre isn't taking any snaps this year. Know why I say that? I say that because Brett Favre is a stand-up guy and he's gonna stick to his guns. (Gunslingers do that). If I'm wrong, Brett Favre isn't the man I thought he was.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Did She Really Just Say That?
I ran to the Dollar Store for paper towels today. While I waited five minutes for the new cashier to check out the five items the lady ahead of me had, I was entertained by the lady's unruly children who were sticking their hands up the bubble gum machine, whining about wanting a quarter, and unsticking push pins holding up ads on the cork board. Oh, the joy.
When the slow woman attending the cash register finally started ringing up my three items, I was a little worn by the previous few minutes of waiting and watching such lame behavior. When the rocket scientist announced my total, "$9.76" I handed her my twenty dollar bill, and said, "Oh, just wait, I have a penny."
TO WHICH SHE REPLIED, "Oh, I already rang it up. I don't know how to go backwards on this."
What? It was all I could do to ask her if she knew how to add a penny to twenty-four cents to give me back a quarter with my ten dollar bill in change. She actually paused the transaction to ask me if that was okay. What? If it's not okay she's going to call a manager over to start the transaction over again?!?
Man! I expect this kind of blundering with cash from high school kids who have had computers, calculators, and adding machines do all of their arithmetic, but not from a woman my own age! I get that she is new. I get that she was nervous. I don't get how your brain freezes up so much that you can't realize that a penny added to twenty-four cents would give a customer back a quarter. And I don't believe that giving a customer change other than what is rung up is against the rules. It's a small town dollar store, for crying out loud. Plus, I've had other cashiers there give me quarters when I handed them a penny belatedly in the transaction.
I'm disappointed.
When the slow woman attending the cash register finally started ringing up my three items, I was a little worn by the previous few minutes of waiting and watching such lame behavior. When the rocket scientist announced my total, "$9.76" I handed her my twenty dollar bill, and said, "Oh, just wait, I have a penny."
TO WHICH SHE REPLIED, "Oh, I already rang it up. I don't know how to go backwards on this."
What? It was all I could do to ask her if she knew how to add a penny to twenty-four cents to give me back a quarter with my ten dollar bill in change. She actually paused the transaction to ask me if that was okay. What? If it's not okay she's going to call a manager over to start the transaction over again?!?
Man! I expect this kind of blundering with cash from high school kids who have had computers, calculators, and adding machines do all of their arithmetic, but not from a woman my own age! I get that she is new. I get that she was nervous. I don't get how your brain freezes up so much that you can't realize that a penny added to twenty-four cents would give a customer back a quarter. And I don't believe that giving a customer change other than what is rung up is against the rules. It's a small town dollar store, for crying out loud. Plus, I've had other cashiers there give me quarters when I handed them a penny belatedly in the transaction.
I'm disappointed.
Ten Things to Smile About
1. Last night was a complete bust at work. The saving smile is that the best server ever took us out for pizza. It was rewarding to be invited out. The college kids at corporate half-heartedly invited me out a few times, but they never meant it.
2. I have a date for dinner tonight--with my family. We have become a strong family over the last few years, and I'm glad that we are making time to break bread together. We have had a very difficult '08 with life-changing events. Supporting my mom is important. I'm grateful to have these plans.
3. The music on the radio and in my cd player lifts my mood daily. My stereo is virtually always on. I don't know where I'd be without my music. Thank you to all the great musicians who fill my world with happiness.
4. I got my inheritance! I shopped carefully and am now the owner of a 32" LCD television. Having a tv that works so great is a blessing. I even hooked up my stereo speakers to the new tv. It's not a home theater, but it's nice. It feels like a great luxury has been bestowed upon me. A small gift of cash will be given to my mom tonight, too. The rest of the money is going into a money market to be my safety net for panic time when it looks like I can't make ends meet. How nice to have that cushion.
5. My mechanic finally scheduled the repair for my parking lot bumps from the winter. How cool is it that the gal who hit me left a note and her insurance company is covering this repair? I can't wait to have an unblemished car again!
6. It's summer! The windows are thrown open and a beautiful floral scent wafts through with each breeze. This is something I will never take for granted. Thank you to my landlord and all of my neighbors for planting such wonderful flowers.
7. I am shipping an autographed Packer football to my best friend who is stressing over her new manager position. She just moved there 10 months ago to escape a bad marriage and make a fresh start. Starting over is hard. This gift from home will make her smile. And that makes me smile.
8. My kitties are all happy (and healthy again, thanks to a wallet-zapping visit to the vet). But having them wandering around the house happily is a joy to me. I love my kitteh babies.
9. I got my tickets to the Packer Stockholder's meeting! I've always 'said' I was going to go, but this year I really am going to go. I'll have a free Packer Hall of Fame tour and an opportunity to buy some stockholder-only Packer merchandise. And I get to go to Lambeau Field and fill my heart with all things Packer. YAY!
10. The trains are back!! How I've missed the affirming whistle of a train. I don't think the trains are all running, but I hear train whistles.
Life is good. Life....is....good.
2. I have a date for dinner tonight--with my family. We have become a strong family over the last few years, and I'm glad that we are making time to break bread together. We have had a very difficult '08 with life-changing events. Supporting my mom is important. I'm grateful to have these plans.
3. The music on the radio and in my cd player lifts my mood daily. My stereo is virtually always on. I don't know where I'd be without my music. Thank you to all the great musicians who fill my world with happiness.
4. I got my inheritance! I shopped carefully and am now the owner of a 32" LCD television. Having a tv that works so great is a blessing. I even hooked up my stereo speakers to the new tv. It's not a home theater, but it's nice. It feels like a great luxury has been bestowed upon me. A small gift of cash will be given to my mom tonight, too. The rest of the money is going into a money market to be my safety net for panic time when it looks like I can't make ends meet. How nice to have that cushion.
5. My mechanic finally scheduled the repair for my parking lot bumps from the winter. How cool is it that the gal who hit me left a note and her insurance company is covering this repair? I can't wait to have an unblemished car again!
6. It's summer! The windows are thrown open and a beautiful floral scent wafts through with each breeze. This is something I will never take for granted. Thank you to my landlord and all of my neighbors for planting such wonderful flowers.
7. I am shipping an autographed Packer football to my best friend who is stressing over her new manager position. She just moved there 10 months ago to escape a bad marriage and make a fresh start. Starting over is hard. This gift from home will make her smile. And that makes me smile.
8. My kitties are all happy (and healthy again, thanks to a wallet-zapping visit to the vet). But having them wandering around the house happily is a joy to me. I love my kitteh babies.
9. I got my tickets to the Packer Stockholder's meeting! I've always 'said' I was going to go, but this year I really am going to go. I'll have a free Packer Hall of Fame tour and an opportunity to buy some stockholder-only Packer merchandise. And I get to go to Lambeau Field and fill my heart with all things Packer. YAY!
10. The trains are back!! How I've missed the affirming whistle of a train. I don't think the trains are all running, but I hear train whistles.
Life is good. Life....is....good.
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