NHL Draft and minnesota trip

Well this past weekend, I was up in Minneapolis for the NHL draft and the hockey conference that SMWW invited me to come. I wasn't too sure if I was even going to go at first, but I'm really glad that I did.

First let's start with the rental car incident....when you get to the airport here in Minneapolis...if your renting a car...you have to take a tram to get to your rental car. next escalator then another escalator and then another...how many @#&#ing ways do you need to get to a rental car place. The sheraton in bloomington treated me like a king for great price. The hockey conference was excellent way for me to network and share business cards with people. Dr. Lashbrook founder of SMWW was the nicest guy I ever met...I'm hoping in the near future that this event will eventually land me a job in this industry.

I did go to the Mall of America

And just like Mary Tyler Moore...."I'm going to make it after all"

Signed

Tim "I want to drink out of Lord Stanley's cup" Crippen

Memorable May

Wow, what an interesting month......the first weekend in may was supposed to be about the big royal wedding .....it ended up being about the death of Osama bin laden. Then as of this month will make the longest time I have ever stayed with one company......3 years 10 months, but with the four year anniversary coming up it has been a struggle. Here, I'm trying to get into the sports industry, but yet I don't what part of industry to really go into......this is where I need to be patient with God and let him reveal where my talents could be used for the kingdom of god. I try get back into dating, but that fizzle before it even got started. Oh well, life is too short not to enjoy life. I also got to visit my niece for the first time and my nephew is now 15 months old. It was nice to see my brother and sister-in-law. (note to self.....remember dog drinking fountain and my nephew using it after the dog....hilarious).....June will be an intersting month. Hope all of you had a great memorial day weekend.

Opening Day 2011

Welcome to opening day at the K. These are probably the best seats I have ever had to opening day and I had the best time despite the royals losing 4-2 to the L.A. Angels. It was cool windy and I wore lots of layers of clothing. I had a nice cup fo hot chocolate...5 bucks can you believe that...the worse was that they ran out of cups by the fourth inning. As a baseball fan this is like Christmas Day for me....hopefully next year I will be working for the team or somewhere in the country where they have baseball. Overall, a great experience. double decker party bus

Andy Fairhurst and I tailgating before the game

Signed

Tim "go royals" Crippen

March Potpurri 2011

Too many things happening to post one subject that's why it's a potpurri month. First, I finally finish my class in sports business management class. Now, comes the hard part trying to find a job in the sports industry in this bad economy. Yesterday was my nephew's first birthday...so happy birthday Nate....where does the time go. Was able to get opening day royals tickets for March 31st....I'll post the pics in next month's blog. Then today I went to the Dave Ramsey Live event and guess what it was AAAAAAWWWWsome. Some things i already knew, some things needed to be refresh in my mind and even I learn a couple of new things. The place was pack as the picture below shows.

As far as march madness who is going to win the tournament......I think this year it's anybody's for the picking. I don't see a clear cut favorite.

Signed

Tim "I'm still debt free" Crippen

PS: Please see "the grace card" movie. It is powerful and talks a lot about forgiveness and it there is much better acting in the film.

Blizzard 2011 and the super bowl

Wow I know that groundhog didn't see his shadow, but his accuracy for predicting the forecast for a lifetime is around 40 percent. Another blizzard.......first it was christmas eve 2009 and now February 1st of this year. In my lifetime, I have never seen back to back winters quite like this and the northeast 36 inches of snow in new york city just in the month of january alone. Why is this happening so much??? If you think global warming....then I should send you outside with snow shovel and let you dig out there for an hour without a break. If you think it might be La Nina effect....perhaps that's a little more believable. After all, everytime we have a la nina or el nino effect in the Pacific ocean the winter weather does become a little crazy. Or maybe God is finally trying to tell us something. Me, I'm just sick of winter and I'm already crying uncle right now.

Dallas, TX home of the superbowl is getting the same weather. Yesterday, the snow came off Jerry Jones stadium roof and injured six people. Whatever happen when the superbowl was in sunny places like San Diego, phoenix or miami. Anyway, I digress......as far as predictions there is no way as Bears fan that I will root for the Packers....sorry prediction Steelers 23 Packers 20...go big ben and if you ever do any commercials I think brauny might be looking a new paper towel guy.

Signed

Tim "I'm sick of winter" Crippen

Another first

So it's a brand new year and another first is happening in my life. A little over 10 years ago, I graduated from Pittsburg State with B.A. degree in Communications and I thought I would never go back to taking classes. Fast forward to the present and I'm taking class online for the very first time. It's from Sports Management worldwide, a company associated with Western Oregon university that helps people try to get a job in sports. The class I'm taking is sports business management. Mostly the class deals with ticket sales and what it is like working in the front office. It's interesting class, but I'm wondering if this class is right for me. I figure if I want to be a GM and scout, this is one of the two courses I feel like I have to take to get to this dream. I've always wanted to work in the sports industry, but where god is leading me...I really don't know.
This morning, my pastor was starting a sermon series on "Audacious faith". If you look up the word Audacity it means boldness, daring or fearless. I remember my pastor saying "that if we don't live in audacious faith that we might be missing some of best moments in our lives as a Christian". When I heard that I feel like that's me. I'll admit that taking this class makes him uncomfortable and I that what I'm turning in for assignments sounds intelligent. However, if I don't come in with boldness attitude toward this class......I will never really know what god has in store for me.

My Christmas Love

Me and Alladin (the christmas camel) at Mount Vernon

Looking back

I decided to look back on some of my November posts. Two years ago, I was alone on Thanksgiving eating a Hungry man XXL dinner. Four years ago, I lost my grandpa Schneider. Of course, I had my usual comments about elections, veterans day and thanksgivings past. Yet, for some reason this November feels like there is sense of loneliness in life. Yeah, I have my mom and my brother and sister-in-law along with my nephew are coming in this thanksgiving. I am very thankful for that, but with dad now gone these past four months it seems like my spirit has been moving me in a direction I haven't felt in quite a long time.

This past Veterans Day, the guys at the funeral home finally laid the headstone for my dad. It was only fitting for him on this day since he served in the Air Force. I tend to enjoy this holiday a little bit more than even Christmas not that I don't celebrate our Jesus birthday, but I that I am so thankful in my life that words can't describe. I know that for years I have taken my dad for granted. Whether it was cooking waffles on Saturday, cutting trees, or doing some home improvement projects. Dad would always be the one to do it. Now, I'm one who has to learn how to cut trees ( even though I'm not a fan of doing that kind of stuff).

Maybe I'm slowly letting my guard down and trying to open my heart a little more to others and less of myself. It still isn't easy but I feel I'm heading in the right direction. After all I now I have extra pair of eyes looking down on me. We all will miss him when the holidays come especially his laugh........I think I get my sense of humor from him.

Signed

Tim Crippen

My first NBA game

As a kid growing up my brother and I would compete against each other in game of basketball or in a game H-O-R-S-E just to see who was better. I think my brother won that contest that's why I enjoy baseball a little bit more. Basketball hereoes in our days were Michael Jordan, Majic johnson and Larry Bird. Now the NBA stars are Kobe Bryant, Carmelo anthony and Lebron James. Well, last night I saw my first ever NBA in person as the Miami Heat took on the Oklahoma City Thunder. A sold out game that produce little if any excitement out of me. I know it's only a preseason game, but for some reason I was expecting a little more.

Sure King james had a couple of nice dunks, but I was like where was the excitement. The NBA slogan years ago was "NBA it's fantastic." My slogan would be "NBA.....ehh it's okay." I honestly think the highlights of the night weren't even on the court. Bill Self, Ku basketball coach was there to see his former players Cole Aldrich and Mario Chalmers play. His wife was with him and they showed the lovely couple on the Kiss Cam segment. Also, there was loudmouth near us that was making funny comments throughtout the third quarter.

Will I go to another NBA game.....I doubt it...unless somebody else pays for the tickets

Signed Tim " NBA is better on TV than seeing it in person" Crippen

PS: Here is a nice picture now that's fantastic.

The Great Adventure known as Yellowstone

If you have ever seen the movie "A river runs through it" starring Brad Pitt you know that in parts of the film they do a little fly fishing in Montana. Well, I didn't do in fly fishing (but should have) ,but I did drive Highway 191 from Bozeman to West Yellowstone. A scenic highway that is up there with the likes of Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway.

Since January, I had plan this trip to Yellowstone to see majestic mountains, animals in the wild and the occasional fly fisherman fishing down the Snake river. This trip ended up being more than even I expected or maybe to put in another perspective.....pictures of this place don't do it justice you have to be here to see it for yourself. I can see why they call this area "god's country" because of just how big this place really is in it's unique wonderland.

My trip started with taking scenic highway 191 while I was driving my rental car a 2010 chevy cobalt...nice car for the vacation. As I enter into West Entrance of the Park the cost for admission into the park was $25 for seven days. I drive a little ways and see my first elk....oh what an ahh moment. Then I came across a place in area call Canyon Falls where in the picture below is a place called "Artist Point".
Breathtaking view that still makes me wonder today how grand this powerful waterfall really is. There is a place not too far from the canyon falls call inspiration point, but to me I call it a reflecting point. Yes, the place when you see it is very inspiring, but for me it was time of reflecting of where your life is and where you've been before and to look forward in the future to come. It gave me chance to think about my dad, it only had been two weeks since his passing that I had taken this trip, but in the end it was well worth it. He still would have told me to go on this trip and explore this great adventure known as Yellowstone.

Signed
Tim Crippen

PS: enjoy the pics

The strange T-bones game that never got played

Okay so, I'm finishing off my T-bones debit card that my brother and sister-in-law gave me for Christmas. I invited my cousin and we had some great seats...first row right behind home plate. It had been dry for close to two weeks and with hot temperatures in the 100's this week you think your going to be sitting in a hot seats with a bunch sweaty strangers all trying to watch the game. When I bought the tickets on Wednesday, the weather forecast predicted a slight chance a rain on Friday Night.





Well last night......Murphy's Law came into play.



First of all never buy tickets for a game on Friday the 13th......that should have been my first clue.

Second my cousin shows up a little late

Third a storm rolls in (ahhh it'll be just a passing shower)

The tarp is on....well I just a get a chicken finger basket and something to drink)

Sizzle vision is on and their showing the Chiefs preseason game....I know their trying to entertain fans, but if I wanted to watch the game I could be at home where it is dry. While the tarp was out I should have used it as slip and slide....now that would have been entertaining.

The theme for last night's game was zombie night.....now, I'm wondering if God just really has a big sense of humor.....Friday the 13th, a major storm, and zombies? Coincidence?

Around 8:30 the PA announcer says that domestic beers are two for one the rest of the night.

At 8:52 the announcer comes back on and says that the National weather Service says that the storm will break in about 10 minutes and hopefully (the key word) will play some baseball.

At 9:00 the storm got pretty powerful and not only did it knock the power out at the ballpark, but also for the rest of the Legends area. Okay, right there should have been a clue
that the game should have been cancelled.

9:30 ...when was the storm suppose to pass on by?

10:00 My cousin and I left went to Taco Bueno and had a chicken quesidilla....a wash out weird game that never got played.

Signed
Tim "what a weird night" Crippen

We will miss you dad 1945-2010

Just a couple of pictures of my dad

The Big 12 Break-Up

College sports will never be the same again as teams from the Big 12, I mean Big 11 oops I mean Big 10, no wait I know what they need to call it the super 6. Early this week Colorado announced that they would leave for the Pac-10 conference. Then yesterday Nebraska made it official by bolting for the Big 10. Rumors are also flying around for the rest of the conference teams as the rest of the teams from the south side of Big 12 might leave for the Pac-10, KU might join the Big East, Mountain West or Conference USA and K-state........okay are you just as confused as to where these teams are going.
The only reason why teams are breaking up and joining these major conferences is for the money. They look at the almighty dollar and don't see the fans perspective. With states cutting funding to these major universities, schools are trying to find new ways make money even if means joining another conference. Let me give you example the University of Nebraska is going to more than double their revenue for their athletic dept because their joining the Big 10. Ditto for Colorado and for any other team that wants to take the money and run.
Nebraska yesterday had their press conference and the chancellor of the university just blasted the two schools responsible for this break-up. First he blames Texas for this because they blockade to create a big 12 network, then they blame Missouri for here reports that they might leave back in December.
What I am more mad about is that you won't see some of these old rivalries again. The other part is the geographic location for traveling. Seriously, if KU goes to the Big East are you going to be excited for a KU vs. Georgetown football game in D.C. This is a big mistake.

Signed
Tim "confused college fan" Crippen

There are certain movies you just don't remake.

With the summer movie season getting underway this weekend.....you will see some sequels like Iron man 2, Sex and the city 2 and yes for the final chapter Shrek 4. You will also see some remakes like the A-Team and old 80's tv show that from looking at the previews looks pretty good. However, there are just some films that you just don't remake and one of them is the "Wizard of Oz".

Really? Are you kidding me why do you want to remake a classic. If Frank Baum the writer of the wizard of oz were alive he would say "you already made it once, can't you just leave my book alone." How do I know that their possibly making a remake. Well, not to long ago Robert Downey Jr. was being interview for his film Iron Man 2, but said that he was in talks about playing a part in the new wizard of oz film that wouldn't be out until 2013. If you still don't believe me look it up on imdb.com.

With all the technology and special effects that they do to alot of the these films there is just something about the original that makes it unique. Plus, this just shows you that hollywood can't come up with something original. Now, if they decide to make this awful remake, I would make a few suggestions on who should play some of the parts.

Dorothy: Reese Witherspoon because she can sing, but if their isn't a lot of singing then Ellen page of "Juno" fame would work.

Scarecrow: Hugh Jackman Tin Man: Liam Neeson The cowardly lion: Jack Black or Robert Downey Jr. The good witch from the North: Cate Blanchett or Nicole Kidman
The wicked witch of the west: This was probably the toughest choice of them all either Joan Collins of "Dynasty" fame or Jane Fonda. The wizard himself: Christopher Lloyd or Sean Connery.

Who would you put in these parts if they made this film?

Signed
Tim "please don't do this remake" Crippen

Tea Party 2010

Enjoy these pictures of the Tea Party in Kansas City in 2010.

The Health Care Fight

The moment President Obama signed the Health Care Bill .....I knew that the majority Americans would not be giving up on this fight. Already 14 states have filed lawsuits against this bill and the Republicans will remind people in November that we didn't vote for this garbage. This bill is nothing more on the infringement on our Constitution, it raises taxes and the worse part is that bill is that if you don't have insurance you get fined or thrown to jail. What kind of nonsense is this. Now some people will say that this is no different than buying car insurance.....I would disagree. When you are buying car insurance your buying it for you and the others that you might hurt if you get into wreck. If I want health insurance it should be just for paying for what I need not for some obese person who needs gastric bybass surgery cause he couldn't stop eating. Now I'll admit that we do need changes in health care, but not like this. First reduce the cost of the premiums, second people with pre existing conditions shouldn't be denied and third there needs to be some major tort reforms so that people are not so lawsuit happy. I haven't seen people so mad at such an issue that I wouldn't be surprise to see a revolution in this country.

Signed
Tim "mad as hell" Crippen

Final Four Picks

It's time for my final four picks this year and this year I'm just giving my picks ......no explainations for it. My four teams are Kansas, Villanova, Kentucky and Pittsburg. The national champions this year......I hate to say it Rock chalk, jayhawk ......go KU.


Signed
Tim "welcome to march madness" Crippen

The Million dollar card giveaway and Nelson atkins museum

You all have heard of Charlie and the Chocolate factory where charlie tries to find a golden ticket to visit the factory. Well, this is the baseball card collectors version of that story. The Topps card company is doing a promotion this year where their giving away a million cards. Get one one these insert card and you can unlock any card from 1952 to 2009 including the 1952 mickey mantle rookie card. As you unlock the cards you can do one of many things. You can have the original cards that you unlock delivered to you, trade them online or leave them in a drawing for a chance for an entire set of 1952 Topps.......as a card collector I was geeked up on this promo way to go topps.

Now, last week I went to the Nelson Atkins museum for the very first time and I'll admit that I actually like the place even though I'm not a big art person. Here's a couple of pictures of the museum.

Signed

Tim Crippen

Stop Clowning around

Lately Pastor Dave has been coming up with some great sermon series as well as titles. However, last week's title of "Stop clowning around" really kind of hit home with me. He talked about how we should be able to enjoy to life and laugh at things. Instead of being chained up.....and some of us put those chains on ourselves. We need to to take our next steps to get closer to God and stop clowning around.
It seems like my life has kind of been that way and only lately have I been trying to take those steps because of a certain family situation. Why does it seem like God takes a near tragedy in their family to wake up your life? I mean there are so many things in my life that I would like to do that for some reason or another is not happening. I mean I would like to work in the sports industry, I would like to get marry, I would like to have kids........there are so many goals that it would take a little awhile.
I tend to put some of those chains on myself, but I also know that I need to search God's will in my life that I think there are some things even in my own heart that it still needs cleaning up. I'm really trying to stop clowning around and become the man that God really wants me to be .

Signed
Tim 'trying to open my heart" Crippen

New years prediction

This happens to be a milestone on this blog this is #150 on my posts. It also happens to be another time for new years predictions. I just look back on last year's post on my predictions. I was really surprise that I got a lot of them right this year.

#1 I finally pay off the credit card on May 15

#2 Gov. Blagovich was removed from office

#3 Obama selceted Sonya Sotomayor as newest supreme court justice

#4 In late Novemeber the unemployment rate saw double digits

#5 stock market did dip below 7,000

Those were the ones I got right...the others were wrong or were judgement calls......look on January 2009 and see for yourself.


Now for this year's predictions

#1 A major world leader will get himself into some major hot water (I know this one is kind of vague, but trust me on this one)

#2 The San Diego chargers will win the Superbowl this year

#3 Kansas Jayhawks will win the National men's basketball championship

#4 Health Care Reform will not pass this year.....(with this being a mid term election year)

#5 On the TV show "the office" Pam's little baby will be a boy and Michael Scott will have to drive her to the hospital because Jim is stuck at airport because of sales meeting. ( It could happen)

#6 A major hurrricane will hit the east coast this year

#7 Commerical real estate is really going to get hit hard this year as you see even more empty buildings.

#8 The Jay leno show this year will be eithier cancelled or will be shown on a partial basis say like only one or two nights a week.

#9 The post office this year will finally stop delievering mail on Saturdays.

#10 The Kansas city royals will just be the royals a below 500 team again this year.

Chew on that folks for this year

Signed
Tim " happy new decade" Crippen