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This past Saturday (March 28, 2009) at 8:30 PM was designated as Earth Hour across the entire world. The task of Earth Hour was simple–turn off all your lights for 1 hour. 

However, the meaning behind everything went a little deeper. Here’s what the official site, EarthHour.org said about the event:

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Obviously, the phrase “global warming” raises a red flag to many people. Immediately, we think of Al Gore, liberalism, and truth that is apparently inconvenient. 

While Earth Hour is something that is being promoted and endorsed by people that believe in global warming, should it also be followed by people who believe global warming is a hoax?

 Christians acknowledge (or at least should) that God created the earth and we have the responsibility to care for His creation. We are called to be good stewards of what He has given us…including resources like water, wildlife, and even energy. It’s all part of protecting what He has given us. 

Is Earth Hour something people from both sides of the spectrum can agree on, even if we disagree on the intended purpose?

Or is it something that should be ignored by conservatives who reject the idea of global warming and acknowledge that God is in control of the earth?

If you completely disagree with the idea of global warming, should you turn all of your lights on so your “vote” doesn’t get counted?

Let the debate begin…

Leaving in a few minutes to go to Memphis for the Sweet 16 games. I get to see Syracuse vs. Oklahoma in the first game, and (my) North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Gonzaga in the second game. Then, I get to drive back from Memphis right after the games. Woohoo!!! I can’t wait! Let’s go Heels!!!

(Btw, kudos to the Mizzou Tigers for beating Memphis last night!)

Sweet 16 kicks off tonight. Who are you picking?

Connecticut vs. Purdue
Pittsburgh vs. Xavier
Memphis vs. Missouri
Duke vs. Villanova
Louisville vs. Arizona
Oklahoma vs. Syracuse
Michigan St. vs. Kansas
North Carolina vs. Gonzaga

My quick picks: Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Memphis, Villanova, Louisville, Oklahoma, Michigan St., and North Carolina.

Really pulling for Mizzou and Syracuse though.

I’m headed to Memphis for the games tomorrow night. Can’t wait!

What are your picks?

Yesterday I heard a debate on ESPN Radio on whether basketball players should leave college early and go to the NBA, or stay in college and enjoy the remaining years as a kid. The debate really boiled down to become an adult NOW and make millions, or enjoy the fun years now as a kid, and become an adult and make millions later. The host of the shower, a former college basketball player, said if he could do anything, he would go back to college to play basketball and enjoy college life again. Chris Paul, PG for the New Orleans Hornets said if he could do one thing over, it would be to play in the NCAA Tournament as a college student one more time.

I have a feeling many people would share their sentiment about college, even those of us who haven’t played Division I sports or made millions of dollars as “adults.” But I wonder about high school. Would people regard high school in the same way?

Different people have different memories of high school. Some view it as the time of their life. Others look to it as utter misery. I’ve heard some people say if given the opportunity, they would easily go back to high school, no doubt about it. Others couldn’t be paid to go through that torture again. Some people even say they would love to go back to their high school, but there’s no way they would enter today’s high schools because of all the problems and temptations 

What about you?

If you could go back to high school…would you?

I just need a chance to vent. 

A couple weeks ago I dropped my phone in the parking lot of Cofer’s Chapel. The phone made a loud crashing noise and the battery shot across the parking lot. When I put the phone back together, it seemed to work fine. However, things were not as good as I had originally thought. I damaged the phone in some way, and now every time I touch the back of it, set it down too hard, shut the phone without carefully lowering it, or even look at it funny it resets and turns off.

Thankfully, I’ve had the phone for 2 years and I’m eligible for a free upgrade with AT&T. Thanks to Walmart.com, I found the phone I was really hoping for–the Samsung Eternity. Better yet, I found it for free! I called the company, ordered the phone on Friday, and had it sent to be with 2-day shipping from FedEx. The expected arrival date was last Friday. I tracked the package online and found out it arrived in Nashville on Thursday at 3:35 PM. Looking good, right?

Well, the phone never came Friday. I called FedEx (and after being given 4 different phone numbers) and talked to a lady who told me they were really behind and my phone would arrive on Saturday, guaranteed! I thought a Saturday delivery sounded too good to be true, but she reiterated several times that it would definitely come on Saturday.

Saturday = no phone! Today (Monday) I called up FedEx to check on the problem. The website still says my phone is sitting in Nashville. The lady took my tracking number and was confused. She said the phone should have been to me by Friday and definitely by Saturday. Something was wrong. What was wrong?

FedEx lost my phone! They are now starting an “investigation” to find out what happened. They said it could take 8-10 days for the investigation to take place. If they can’t find my phone after that, then I’ll have to have a new phone shipped to me.

So, even though my phone is broken and I ordered a new phone with 2 day shipping, it looks like I’ll be without that phone for probably another 2 weeks. 

I understand mistakes happen. But I also know if you’re in customer service, you shouldn’t make a guarantee to someone you can’t back up. It also seems like someone should be able to step in and clean this up a bit, rather than making me wait 10 days for a phone. This wouldn’t bother me nearly as much if this didn’t happen with the last package I received from FedEx. It finally arrived, but it was late, and the online tracking was never updated.

Hopefully when they ship the phone a second time, they won’t ship it with FedEx.

Everyone and their dog has a bracket this time of year. And everyone thinks they have good reason why their bracket is better than others…even though they haven’t watched a college basketball game in its entirety this year. Even the experts like Jay Billas Doug Gottlieb Seth Davis and Digger Phelps have no idea what will happen in the tournament. Some of the selections have to do with knowledge and insight; other selections are pure luke. Seeing 4 #1 seeds make the Final Four last year: Lot of insight and a little bit of luck. Predicting George Mason to make the Final Four in 2006: ALL LUCK! So what’s gives me the insight to make these predictions? Well, nothing. I’m just a big college basketball fan that tries to ignore the hype of the media. I might be right, I might be wrong, but here are a few of my predictions:

Arizona St (6) will defeat Syracuse (3) in the round of 32
I doubt anyone outside of Arizona St. actually believes this will happen. Anyone who saw Syracuse’s run in the Big East Tournament knows they can play. I just think that by having to play 2 games in 3 days, after playing what seemed like 37 games the previous weekend will be too much for the Orangemen. Not to mention, James Harden is a VERY underrated player at Arizona St. I’m looking for him to take the Sun Devils past ‘Cuse and even into the Elite 8. 

(3) Kansas will defeat (14) North Dakota St.
For some reason, picking North Dakota St. has become a trendy pick. The Jayhawks aren’t nearly as talented as last year, but they are coming out of a strong Big 12 Conference. This one won’t even be close! 

(6) West Virginia will knock off (2) Michigan St. to go to the Elite 8
We’ll have to wait to see if this plays out, but I really feel like any Top 7 Big East school is better than the number 1 Big 10 school. The Big 10 is weak, soft, and only competitive against itself. Michigan St. had some big wins earlier in the season and does have Tom Izzo coaching, but I think Bob Huggins will finally have a team ready for the tourney (Cincinnati fans will disagree!). 

The Curse of the 12’s: (12) Arizona will defeat (5) Utah and (12) Western Kentucky will defeat (5) Illinois IF Chester Frazier is out
Arizona doesn’t deserve to be in the tournament, but they will make it to the 2nd round because their conference has trained them well. Don’t consider this one an upset. Vegas actually favors Arizona. IF Chester Frazier does not play for the Illini, I think they’re going to be packing their bags early. Not 100% confident on this one, but I’m about 65-35. The Hilltoppers are underrated. Don’t believe me? Check out their nonconference wins. 

(4) Wake Forest will defeat (13) Cleveland St.
You may say “Duh!” but a lot of people are starting to look for the upset. Wake Forest might have the most talented group of players in the field. Only problem is, they’re young and don’t always play as a team. Don’t count out Cleveland St. They did beat (9) Butler, and could have beaten them 3 times if a few odd things didn’t happen in their games. Regardless, look for Wake to win this. 

(5) Florida St. vs (12) Wisconsin will have fewer combined points than Louisville’s total points in their first round game
FSU and Wisconsin have 2 of the most incredible defenses in the country. Look for both teams to play shutdown D and also have trouble shooting. My prediction is probably inaccurate, but it might be closer than some think. Expect the FSU-Wisconsin game to be about 68-55 Seminoles. Louisville could put up 140 on Morehead St., but I expect to see the walk-ons take the floor to keep that from happening.

IF Ty Lawson is healthy, North Carolina cuts down the nets. If not, they’ll be lucky to make it to the Elite 8
He runs the team. Larry Drew III and Bobby Frasor are nice backups, but neither have the speed or passing and shooting ability as Lawson. But if he’s completely healthy, I see UNC taking down Louisville for the Championship!

Feel free to post some of your own!

My brain has been very scattered today so sorry if this post doesn’t even make sense. I thought I’d share this with some of you who are curious:

Today I had the opportunity of a lifetime. I had the privilege of interviewing Texas Rangers All-Star OF Josh Hamilton for 15 minutes. If you’re asking, “How did that happen?” my answer pretty much “I’m really not sure.” All I can tell you is that it had to be a God-thing. I first contacted the Rangers back in October 2008 about the interview. I found out last week that Hamilton was available for the interview. 

It really is amazing to think about. In the last month alone, we’ve been turned down by numerous writers, authors, etc. for one reason or another. Yet in the middle of Spring Training, a major league all-star gave us time to do an interview.

The article is still months away from being published, but I thought I’d share a few things that were said in the interview.

When asked about the advice he would give teenagers, Hamilton said teenagers need to get their priorities in order. God should always come first. Then comes family. After that comes baseball or whatever they’re involved in. 

He also mentioned that he’s so outspoken about his faith because he believes he has the responsibility and privilege to do so. Keeping quiet would make him a hypocrite. Since God has given him this unbelievable opportunity, he feels the need to tell others about it…including 55,000 people in Yankee Stadium during the HR Derby.

Ryan Golightly, you were curious about what’s on his iPod. His answer: Casting Crowns, Philips Craig and Dean, MercyMe, Aaron Shust, Hillsong, any many others.

After hearing about all this junk with steroids and PEDs, it’s nice to hear a about someone that is doing not only what an athlete should do, but a true person of God should do.

Last night was one of the greatest basketball games I have ever seen! (Maybe the greatest). Syracuse defeated Connecticut 127-117 in 6 overtimes to advance in the Big East Tournament. Did you stay up for it? What did you think about the game? If you missed it, check out the highlights:

In an age where celebrities are often noted more for their mishaps, failed relationships, wardrobe malfunctions, crazy behavior, and drug and alcohol abuse, Jay Leno is doing something that shows not all celebrities are quite as nutty as we may think.

Last week on the Tonight Show, Jay Leno announced a special engagement for the people of Detroit. As a car enthusiast, Leno has many ties to Detroit and the automaking industry. Unfortunately, the economic downturn has struck Detroit severely. In January, the city had an unemployment rate of 11.6%, one of the highest in the country.

In order to boost spirits, even if for only one night, Leno has decided to give a free show to unemployed individuals in Detroit on April 7. Leno has rented out the Palace in Detroit and has partnered with Pepsi to bring a night of relief to people who are out of work. 

The show costs no money. In fact, tickets, refreshments, and parking are all free. In order to get tickets, people only have to say they’re unemployed. Leno is even putting the event on the “honor system,” taking the word of people who ask for tickets. 

I am not trying to endorse Jay Leno, the Tonight Show, or even his standup comedy with this post. However, no matter if you like Leno or not, you have to agree this is a very nice gesture coming from someone who doesn’t have to do it. Yes, he has the money to do it, but he doesn’t have to.

It’s nice to see someone in Hollywood is looking out for the common man in America. Now if our politicians could take a hint from Jay Leno, maybe we’d be back in business…literally.

By the way, if everything goes well, Leno said he’d like to do this in more towns.

I found this video on USAToday.com this morning. The guy on the video plays 100 theme songs from TV shows and movies in 10 minutes (well…9:15). He’s also giving away a prize to the first person who can name all 100 songs in order. Check it out and give it a shot: