Gasol Shows Laker Fans No Respect

My work is across the street from the Portland Trail Blazers’ opponent’s hotel. Something about it being one of two hotels that have long enough beds.

Today Laker fans were standing outside hounding their fave players to take pictures or touch greatness. They’re decked out in their team’s colors waiting in the f-ing rain for hours to get Lamar Odom’s autograph on their precious #7 jersey.

These people are sad.

I walked by and gave an all-yellow-clad guy crap about if they were going to ask a Lakers player who he were going to maim when the team was losing by 25 points to the Blazers--as Trevor Ariza did to Rudy F. last month. They joked it was going to be LaMarcus Aldridge.

Nice.

As I was leaving Pau Gasol rolled past the line. “Pau, Pau!” they all called. And he didn’t even respond. Wow, what a disappointment! Good for them they’re not wasting days off from their jobs since they probably don’t have any.

For Woody Monroy.

Betty Brown, we love you!

Crooks and Liars is one of my favorite sites. For the most part it illustrates how the cable news shows are out of touch. What I really like is when they show under-reported stories like this one.

Rep. Betty Brown of the Texas state legislature thinks Asians should adopt names that are “easier for Americans to deal with.” Awesome! Never mind the obvious issue about a name being a very large part of Self.

And bless the people of Terrell, Texas, who will probably elect her again in 2010, because “she’s good people.”

Read more: http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/why-cant-you-just-change-your-name-so

Yay, Blazers!

In January I predicted the Portland Trail Blazers would NOT make the playoffs and would NOT win 47 games.

Today, I eat crow.

I was wrong on both counts. However, I was right about how team should not lean exclusively on Greg Oden. I’ve been surprised by the consistent output of Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, especially LA. The team has been fun to watch and played tough all year.

I am worried about their inability to win against playoff-caliber teams from the West on the road (1-10 this year). That means they really need to finish strong in their last six games to earn a top-4 spot in the West, and win home court advantage.

Go team!

Church Talk on the bus

I love riding the bus to work when I'm not riding my bike!

Overheard the other morning on the 10-Harold (only the best bus line in all of Portland!)

Hey, Brother--it’s J___. I wanted to tell you how much I love you and how
much I enjoy your fellowship. I wanted to invite you to Bible study on
Wednesday. See you there.

“That’s sweet!” I thought. This guy is into his church and spreading the Love. This was until he delivered the same message five more times—verbatim. Now I thought, “What a disingenuous motherf___er!” This guy is no better that a telemarketer for his church.

What a drag.

Ask Dr. Tom: Stay home, sickies

Hey, Dr. Tom –

It seems like the flu is coming back to the office. What can I do?

Wants All to Stay Healthy

Dear Wash,

Yes, this is a troubling trend. In this economy people will continue to work since they think they will be fired for taking a sick day or two. They say things like, “got the plague” or “got the crud” and then they go home anyway. Why are you dragging your sorry ass into the office to spread it around? Stay home! Lastly, whenever I hear people say they are “not contagious” despite hacking up a lung on the carpet, I cry BS. Do they say this to try to convince themselves?

My advice to you apart from eating well and getting plenty of rest is to get angry at the sick people in your office. “The work will survive your absence!” The more agro and over-the-top you get the better. Never underestimate the power of public humiliation.

Stay well,
Dr. Tom