2001

What a year it has been, or was if you are reading this after New years Day. There was good, there was bad. There was tragic there was joy.

For most Americans the events of September 11 will go down as the most dramatic and tragic happening of the year and possibly of their lives. As of today the US is continuing its search for those responsible for the atrocity. I have sounded off at length previously on the subject so I will not go into any great detail here. Suffice it to say that September 11 had a profound effect on our patriotism and our spirit of caring and helping. But it also brought out some ugly sides of our country. Scams popped up all over the landscape trying to make a quick, immoral buck by using phony charity names. There was the Red Cross telling us that only about a quarter of the money donated would actually go to the WTC victims' families.

Of course the celebrities raised boatloads of cash on several different television shows most of which were then neatly packaged and sold to raise further cash. All told it was a very generous thing to do. God only knows how many people have been involved in the enormous cleanup at Ground Zero, but their efforts have been above and beyond the call of duty. That is until some dumbass Fireman union chief decided he needed more money for his men in the cleanup effort. Like I said, there was good-very good, and there was bad.

As for the victims and their survivors there is not much I can really say. I knew none of them, but felt sorrow for their losses. Life goes on and I'm sure that many of them are getting on with it, but I can't imagine this was a very Merry Christmas for them.

In the political arena, W was finally inaugurated in January but has basically been tied up with the war in Afghanistan since September 11th. I'm pulling for you W and when this war ends I think you can make some difference and reverse some of the liberal crap left over from that idiot Clinton!

Most of you who know me know that I really enjoy football and auto racing. Sure I love the Pacers and Hoosiers basketball teams, but they are the only basketball I will usually watch. I won't rehash what happened, but suffice it to say the Colts disappointed greatly again in January in the playoffs when they blew a halftime lead and rolled over and died for the Miami Dolphins in the playoffs. Looking back I guess I should be glad we were even in the playoffs seeings how we are not going to make it this year. It has been pitiful this year. Edge hurt, Peyton playing like crap and coaching and management that have been crappy have led us to this point. Before the end of the year we will be 5-10. That is unacceptable and Jim Irsay needs to clean house with Coach Mora and his staff as well as team president Bill Polian who, in 4 years has screwed us royally. He drafted Peyton-no brainer; I could have made that pick. He drafted Edge-good pick with one exception, he practically gave Marshall Faulk who is quite possibly the best player in the NFL away for nothing. He drafted Rob Morris-too small, holdout and usually hurt. And finally he drafted Reggie Wayne-again a nice player, but with the state of our defense how do you justify that. Polian is a jackass who gets defensive every time someone questions the direction the Colts are taking. Get rid of that bum and get some non-retread guy in here that can get this team to the top.
Another very tragic event happened at the end of the Daytona 500 in February. Seven time Winston Cup winner, car owner and most importantly to me anyway, my favorite driver Dale Earnhardt was killed in a crash. The crash itself didn't look terribly vicious, but apparently there was head and neck damage great enough to kill him. NASCAR took 6 months investigating and probably really don't know any more today than they did the day of the race. They mandated the use of head restraint devices, but seem to want to slap a band-aid on the problem of restrictor plate racing at Daytona and Talladega. Dale Jr. had a decent season and I will be a big fan of his, but I will miss the 3 car and Dale Earnhardt. I was lucky enough to be at Daytona in 1998 when Dale won the 500 for the first time. For that I will be ever grateful!

The Pacers have been rebuilding since their appearance in the NBA finals in 2000. Good luck to Isaiah and the team as they try to get back on top. I hope they make it. IU basketball was about just that last season. Oh the team wasn't any better and they got knocked out of the NCAA in the first round against Kent St., but the focus was not on Bob Knight, but rather on the team. It was a nice change of pace!

One thing I was really glad to see was the success of the Indy Racing League. After years of struggling to make it, the IRL had bigger fields and bigger audiences. They have a solid television contract and seem poised to run CART out of the business. CART has dug it's own grave. Too many road course races, too many races in other countries and too much bickering amongst its owners and franchise holders. The upcoming season will see Roger Penske bringing his team and his Marlboro sponsorship to the IRL. Expect more to follow and expect a merge of the leagues or the complete demise of CART in the next 3 years.

Finally a little about me. School went fairly well. All A's and B's so I'm pretty happy about that! I switched majors from Business to Computer Tech in the spring and am very happy about it. I guess I'll just have to live with the Purdue degree. I made it to the Indianapolis 500, the Brickyard 400 and the US Grand Prix. You can see pictures of some of these event and more by clicking here.

And finally, I lost my grandmother last week. She was 91. Of course I am sad and I will miss her immensely. But grandma was healthy, lived in her own house and basically died within a day of collapsing. She did it right. I feel for my pop as he is still struggling with the blow of losing her, but he will be all right. Grandma, you were a great lady and I will miss you, but I love you and you will always be in my thoughts!

Have a Happy New year everyone! I'll be at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas on New Years eve so it you're there, stop by!!!