Dear ESPN P.S.

NASCAR is not a sport. Please remove it from your reporting. I realize that statement may permanently ban me from the state of Alabama, or at least North Carolina, but I never have nor never will understand the athletic ability required to drive a car around in a circle. I've driven further distances by myself, without a pit crew telling me when to stop. Does that make me an athlete?

P.P.S. While we're at it, poker and pool aren't sports either. Please remove those from your line-up as well.

Religious Ramblings

Why is it that people seek out God only when things are bad? I teach in a Christian school and admit I've recently been guilty of really only thoughtfully praying during bad times. Last weekend, my friend and I rode down to Nashville to celebrate the wedding of one of our sorority sisters. As we were preparing to leave Sunday morning, my mom told us their two cats escaped during the night and only one had returned. As of today, Charlie is still missing. Both of the cats have been indoor cats their whole lives, so Charlie lacks street sense. He's also not entirely a cat-cat as some of his instincts are lacking. He is so darn cute and lovable, though. Obviously, that event has led to a whole lot of prayer. I have even been quoting Scripture (Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. --Philippians 4:7 New Living Translation and Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?²⁸"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. --Matthew 6:25-34 NIV). If God cares for birds, surely He cares about and for Charlie. This has been a humbling experience in seeing that most of my prayer revolves around requests. What I want. This is what God wants to an extent, mixed in with some praise, too. I'll still keep sending up a request for a safe return, though. I hope you will pray to whatever ultimate your religion dictates as well.

Dear ESPN

Please stop referring to Glen "Big Baby" Davis by no more than his stupid nickname. Yes, he had a young face in college, but let's face it: he could eat you for a pre-dinner snack and keep on going. No other NBA players are referred to by only a nickname. Why must Big Baby suffer alone?

Also, the phrase "Score Update" implies a team has actually SCORED. Having runners on base with 2 outs awards no points and thus does not count as a score. I appreciate you not interrupting the program for such an earth-shattering event, but I tend to watch the ticker more anyway. Don't tease me.

Sincerely,
Me

We're All Going to DIEEEEEEEEEEE

As several friends have pointed out on Facebook, thousands of people die each year from regular strains of influenza (the flu). Why are we freaking out about Swine Flu? Probably the media. Nothing else good is going on, let's create global pandemonium! However, being the caring person I am for all 2 people that may or may not be reading this, here is a link to check symptoms for swine flu. Because I care.