Kayleigh Anne Freeman

I was very upset today to read in one of my favorite blogs that Kayleigh Freeman has taken a turn for the worse. I have been reading her families blog for so long that I almost feel like I know them. I have been cheered when Kayleigh has done well and been sad when she has to endure more pain. She has battled heart and lung problems but now has suffered brain damage and it does seem to be an unknown and bleak prognosis. To think that she may not ever go home or at least have some semblance of a normal life makes me so very sad.
I read a post today that some person wrote that they thought that Kayleigh's parents were putting her through unnecessary pain and suffering. That Aimee and Adam should have made 'the hard decision' instead of prolonging the inevitable. This post filled me with anger. Have people no sympathy? In the age of faceless chatting via Facebook, IM's, and texting have we lost the filter of empathy that should be between our brains and our mouths? Even if that is a valid opinion (which it is total crap), keep it to yourself! This is someone's dear daughter that may not ever survive that you are so casually commenting on a board for everyone to read.
I have also read comments on Kayleigh's blog that people have posted that talk about how her parents are exploiting her situation for their own gain. Really? I wasn't aware that wanting to share your daughter's inspiring, amazing story with other people would be considered exploitation. Kayleigh's father is too much a faithful man to tell these people what should be said, so I will. Take your judgemental, idiotic, thoughtless comments and shove them up your ass.

Comcast is dropping NFL Network

My husband refuses to join Facebook, blogger, or twitter based on the grounds that it is 'a waste of his time'. However, he is so peeved about Comcast canceling the NFL Network channel that he asked me to post this rant to my blog. I have no knowledge on this subject, so read at your own leisure.

Most of you may or may not have heard about the dispute over the NFL Network. Comcast has decided to discontinue this channel after May 1st. This argument between Comcast and the NFL is ridiculous and only hurts the consumer, or the fan, in the end…

I have heard rumors about Comcast being upset that they were not given rights to carry games on its own Versus network and they also want a shot at carrying the NFL Ticket (exclusive rights are owned by DirecTV through 2014 – which is a joke I don’t have time to discuss). The NFL is upset that Comcast is charging consumers a premium to view the NFL Network as part of a Sports Tier package (read: extra money).

Neither Comcast, nor the NFL for that matter, is thinking about me. In the end, I am the one that is hurt. I am a self proclaimed sports geek that loves watching the NFL Network. As a matter of fact it is on right now in the background as I write this.

I guess I have to place most of the blame on Comcast. Just go ahead and agree to the NFL’s terms. Put this channel in your basic digital package and hide the extra $0.70 per customer in there somewhere. It is not like anyone is going to notice (most cable bills approach $150-$200 anyway - which is another joke I don’t have time to discuss). C’mon, you carry the Golf Channel in the basic digital package!

Or is it that Comcast fears that many customers will drop their $4.95 Sports Tier Package without the NFL Network. That is more likely. I know I would. Honestly, who cares about the MLB Network, soccer, the NHL Network, tennis (well maybe some people do but they have the right to pay for it if they want).

With that said, some of the blame should go to the NFL Network as well. I really don’t care that Comcast puts the NFL Network in a package. I am more than willing to pay the extra $4.95 a month. Again, how much does $5.00 affect my $150+ bill anyway.

C’mon kids, work this out. Think about who you are hurting in the end… Thanks for reading my rant.

Thanks,
Ryan

Newborn Survival Kit

I know a few people who are currently due to have babies any day now and it got me thinking about what I am going to get for the new additions to the family. The traditional gifts involve cute baby outfits, diapers, or stuff that your newborn couldn't care less about. Let's get real here people, the new Mom is the one that needs gifts. Here is what I wish someone had gotten me in a huge box for those first harrowing weeks (some serious, some wishful thinking):

1. Huggies disposable washclothes (with the soap built in) and deodorant- because you never get enough time to take a proper shower and even when you do you'd rather take a nap instead
   
2. Paper plates, disposable cups, and plastic silverware - who the hell wants to do dishes?
3. Ponytail elastics - this is related to problem number one
4. Mint gum and chapstick - this is also related to the lack of time for personal hygiene
   
5. Earplugs - because if you are lucky enough to have hubby feed the baby at night you don't want to get woken up anyway
6. Food - proper home cooked meals because you will be starving (especially if you are breastfeeding, I have been known to snack on a bowl of cold ziti in the middle of the night)
7. A maid service - this may be the wishful thinking item but I did actually get this from my mom when Morgan was born and it was the most fabulous thing ever
8. An outfit that you can sleep in and also go to the grocery store in (shoes too)

Food for thought for the next newborn gift you buy :-)

Bloggers Block

I can't think of a damn thing to write about since I got home from vacation. Everything seems boring or trivial. In order to keep the few people around that read this blog I have to come up with something.

• Easter was this past weekend and if I never see another bunny or colored egg I will die a happy person. I have eaten at least 10 hard boiled eggs in the last week and the impact on my digestive system is painful. I think the dye on the eggs are making my vision blurry. Morgan crashed hard on Sunday at 5:30pm after two days of easter egg hunting and didn't wake up until 7:30 the next day.

• Morgan also figured out how to fart on command. This is the same kid that can't figure out how to blow her nose or keep her mouth closed under water.

• I am waiting for the excavator to come and dig a giant 8 ft deep hole in my back yard for an addition onto our house. In the meantime it is hard enough to keep my golden retriever from falling into the 3 foot small hole that is already there.

• I have my first 5K to run on Saturday and I am praying it will not be windy. The last thing I need is anything else to slow me down.

That is about it, will post again soon when something interesting strikes me.