It's been that long since Notre Dame beat USC. No other game means as much in the Young household. Indeed, we only have three football rules in my house-- 1) you don't cheer for the Packers; 2) you don't cheer for any team from Florida, and 3) you never, ever say anything nice about USC.
I've forgiven violations of rule number 2. I've thankfully never been tested on rule number 1. I don't know what I would do if one of my sons violated rule number 3. I don't even want to think about it.
Tonight's ND v. USC game was such a non-event that I had to watch in online; neither ESPN nor ABC would cover it on tv. But, it was the biggest game of the day in my house. And, I'm glad to say that the drought has ended.
I actually don't care anymore about the losses to Tulsa or Navy. Michigan? No big deal. Michigan State in overtime? Long forgotten.
No, my college football season ended just fine tonight watching USC lose at home to Notre Dame.
I'll sleep good tonight.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
black friday for the Young family
We have our own black friday tradition and it isn't shopping. No, for the last three black fridays my oldest son and I have sold Christmas trees for his Boy Scout troop. It's actually a pretty good day to sell trees as you get a fair amount of business and that makes the shift go by quicker. I noticed this year, though, that i'm not hoisting the trees on top of cars as easily as I have in years past. The effects of age aside i actually enjoy this event quite a bit. I get some good time with my son and you get to make nice chit chat with people. Yesterday a young couple with newborn in tow bought a tree and asked me to take their picture with the trees in the background. It was nice playing a supporting role for someone's Christmas memory.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Is Forest Hills failing its students?
I find the Eden Prairie boundary controversy pretty interesting to watch. There are a lot of lessons there about how NOT to make a community decision.
As to the merits of the issue, I really don't know what the right answer is. But, it seems to me that a fundamental question (and one which I haven't heard anyone address) is whether Forest Hills is failing its students. I think the answer is "no," but assuming that to be true it is very unclear to me why the school district intends to make such drastic changes to the elementary boundaries.
If students at Forest Hills, despite changes in teachers, lower class sizes, and extra after-school homework opportunities, were failing to make AYP then I would at least understand why the school district would look at other options.
But, as I understand it Forest Hills is NOT failing its students and has actually improved on standardized tests over the past few years. If that is true, then why is the school administration continuing down this path? What is it exactly that needs to be fixed?
As to the merits of the issue, I really don't know what the right answer is. But, it seems to me that a fundamental question (and one which I haven't heard anyone address) is whether Forest Hills is failing its students. I think the answer is "no," but assuming that to be true it is very unclear to me why the school district intends to make such drastic changes to the elementary boundaries.
If students at Forest Hills, despite changes in teachers, lower class sizes, and extra after-school homework opportunities, were failing to make AYP then I would at least understand why the school district would look at other options.
But, as I understand it Forest Hills is NOT failing its students and has actually improved on standardized tests over the past few years. If that is true, then why is the school administration continuing down this path? What is it exactly that needs to be fixed?
honey or vinegar?
I've always subscribed to the old adage that you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. The point being that a polite, persuasive argument is usually more effective than simply taking shots at someone.
You'd be surprised how many times, though, that a seemingly smart person comes to city hall with a request and actually choses vinegar over honey. I've never understood it.
I saw a little bit of vinegar in last week's Star Tribune by someone who I thought was a little more savvy. It appears I overestimated her.
You'd be surprised how many times, though, that a seemingly smart person comes to city hall with a request and actually choses vinegar over honey. I've never understood it.
I saw a little bit of vinegar in last week's Star Tribune by someone who I thought was a little more savvy. It appears I overestimated her.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
I don't miss the snow
Mona and I just got back from a long weekend in Phoenix. It was nice to get away. Weather was great. Played golf at the Phoenician on friday--beautiful course. Then on Saturday Mona took a Hummer tour of the desert with about half of our group while I and the others in our group went on an atv tour. It was a lot of fun. One friend rolled his atv going up a rocky part of the course; luckily no serious injuries. I'm in the red shirt below.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
No trip to Vegas for Phil
It's a good thing I'm not a gambler. Were I then I might have wagered on Tuesday's election returns. I can't believe to tell you how wrong I was in my predictions. In fact, the only one more wrong than me was the Star Tribune.
Which brings up a point I've made before but will make again--how many times does the Strib get to undercount GOP votes in the famous "Minnesota poll" before they simply admit that they do it on purpose?
Indeed, is there now anything which is more predictable than the fact that the Strib will claim that (fill in the blank GOP candidate for major MN office) trails by 10 percent a week before the election.
And, perhaps in no other year has this undercount been more important. Let me tell you why.
I've had a few people come up to me and say that they initially wanted to vote for Horner; then decided to vote for Emmer because they didn't want to "waste their vote" and far preferred Emmer to Dayton; but ultimately voted for Horner because they assumed that Dayton had a lock on the race and thus wanted to vote for Horner to send a message to the GOP about moderate candidates.
Now, clearly my anecodotal information is totally unscientific. But, it at least illustrated to me how the Strib's poor polling can influence a tight race which they claim really isn't tight.
Which brings up a point I've made before but will make again--how many times does the Strib get to undercount GOP votes in the famous "Minnesota poll" before they simply admit that they do it on purpose?
Indeed, is there now anything which is more predictable than the fact that the Strib will claim that (fill in the blank GOP candidate for major MN office) trails by 10 percent a week before the election.
And, perhaps in no other year has this undercount been more important. Let me tell you why.
I've had a few people come up to me and say that they initially wanted to vote for Horner; then decided to vote for Emmer because they didn't want to "waste their vote" and far preferred Emmer to Dayton; but ultimately voted for Horner because they assumed that Dayton had a lock on the race and thus wanted to vote for Horner to send a message to the GOP about moderate candidates.
Now, clearly my anecodotal information is totally unscientific. But, it at least illustrated to me how the Strib's poor polling can influence a tight race which they claim really isn't tight.
Pump it up!
Long gone are the days of simple children's birthday parties. Today's parties are far more elaborate and expensive. The idea of goodie bags for the attendees was a nice piece of salesmanship by some creative novelty vendor.
Pump It Up is one of the more popular venues for the 4-9 age group. It is a lot of fun, I'll admit. But it's a racket, especially for parents who wait until the last minute and thus have to buy the up-to 25 attendee package for about ten kids. I still don't understand why they wouldn't sell the time slot I wanted to a smaller group...but I clearly was in no position to argue.
Youngest son Riley had his a party this past weekend. My wallet is shockingly lighter, but a great time was had by all. I guess that is what's most important.
Picture of guests below, absent cousin Josie who was probably tired of all the squirrely boys by photo time.
Pump It Up is one of the more popular venues for the 4-9 age group. It is a lot of fun, I'll admit. But it's a racket, especially for parents who wait until the last minute and thus have to buy the up-to 25 attendee package for about ten kids. I still don't understand why they wouldn't sell the time slot I wanted to a smaller group...but I clearly was in no position to argue.
Youngest son Riley had his a party this past weekend. My wallet is shockingly lighter, but a great time was had by all. I guess that is what's most important.
Picture of guests below, absent cousin Josie who was probably tired of all the squirrely boys by photo time.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
election night jitters
For the first time in eight years I am (primarily) a dis-interested observer in a local election.
I remember well my first election in November of 2002. I spent the evening Camp Edenwood with Jerry McCoy, Harry Davis and a bunch of their supporters.
Election 2006 was a night I’ll never forget. I reserved the back room at Biaggi’s. I was not predicted to win, evidenced by the fact that neither of the local papers even asked me where I was going to be on election night. Guess they had to leave the party at Ron’s house earlier than expected.
In 2004 and 2008 I was busy helping other local candidates seek office. That, too, was a lot of fun.
I don’t know how to describe how I feel about it. It’s an odd mixture of emotions. It’s been a privilege serving the residents of Eden Prairie for the last eight years and in a few hours it will be official–my successor as mayor will be revealed.
I remember well my first election in November of 2002. I spent the evening Camp Edenwood with Jerry McCoy, Harry Davis and a bunch of their supporters.
Election 2006 was a night I’ll never forget. I reserved the back room at Biaggi’s. I was not predicted to win, evidenced by the fact that neither of the local papers even asked me where I was going to be on election night. Guess they had to leave the party at Ron’s house earlier than expected.
In 2004 and 2008 I was busy helping other local candidates seek office. That, too, was a lot of fun.
I don’t know how to describe how I feel about it. It’s an odd mixture of emotions. It’s been a privilege serving the residents of Eden Prairie for the last eight years and in a few hours it will be official–my successor as mayor will be revealed.
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