"What's more important, the announcement of the new Pope or the NFL Draft?" Response: NFL Draft

That was the question posed on Pardon the Interruption today, and I must say, I can't argue with the response. Does that make me a bad Catholic??? I mean, at least for me, I never looked to the Pope that much or considered him a centerpiece of my faith. So, yeah I'm excited for this new guy, but for me personally, it doesn't dramatically alter or change anything in my life. The NFL Draft, when measured on the grand significance scale, doesn't register with the new Pope, but it is a day I circle on my sports calendar every year. It allows me to forget about the boredom of baseball and pro basketball, while talking college and pro football (and Chris Berman). Considering this is the most important day of football until the Hall of Fame Game in early August, this is a big deal. So, I don't know, but the new Pope is in my prayers, and I hope he doesn't try to become a big political figure. I don't see how politics and the Pope can mix. I see the Pope's job as to provide guidance for us Catholics and to strengthen our faith, not to be an activist.

Anyway, it's been awhile since I've been posted, what can I talk about:

• I went home for the weekend to relax and do a little work, which I accomplished. Friday night was the Miami Spring Game, another nice distraction from baseball boredom. Even though he threw 2 TD passes, thanks to a couple of spectacular catches by Ryne Robinson, I didn't see the improvement from Josh Betts I was looking for. He's still throwing off of his back foot too much and he has no touch on the ball whatsoever. I also purchased my ticket for the Miami/Ohio St. game Sept. 3rd, so no matter where I end up, I'll be finding a way to get to Columbus for the game.
• That provides a nice transition into the job search. Nothing substantial has happened, but the list of cities where I've applied now includes: Baltimore, Detroit, Philadelphia, Cleveland, New York, and Boston. No East Coast bias, there just isn't anything on the West Coast as of yet.
• It was a good night of reality TV for me last Thursday. First, in Survivor, everyone came together and Coby was the first to go. Mr. Know-It-All was getting on my nerves. Then, young, rich, talented, but obnoxious Chris was fired after he and his boys created a very boring Pontiac Ad. He, Alex, and Bren were all terrible in some aspect, but Chris had been in the boardroom 7 straight times. There's no getting around that. Chris was arrested last week for disorderly conduct when he refused to pay a cover fee to get into a casino. In typical Chris fashion, he got in an argument with the bouncer and lost his cool. I'm not jealous of his money whatsoever, at least I have class and a temper. Props to Kendra for pulling the all-nighter and getting the win. I'm really rooting for her to win. Tana regressed in my book for going to bed, then trying to steal Kendra's thunder. I'm not a fan of that.
• Continuing with The Apprentice, the reward was getting to go to Madison Square Garden, meet Isiah Thomas and some of the Knicks, and play some ball. I would give anything for that, seriously. Just 1 3-man weave, and I'd die happy. This led me into thinking my Top 10 places I'd like to see a sporting event before I die.
• 2008 U.S. Open at Bethpage (rent an RV, spend the night, play the course, then come back and watch the Open)
• U.S. Open tennis night match at Arthur Ashe stadium
• Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke University
• Madison Square Garden, Big East Tournament (maybe this can happen if I get that NYC job hehe)
• Wrigley Field
• Soldier Field (Daaaaa Bears)
• Yankee Stadium (no Fenway because I don't think I can deal with Red Sox fans right now)
• Orange Bowl, The U vs. Florida St., I swear there's no louder stadium in the country when it's full for a primetime game, I hope it never gets torn down
• Army/Navy, wherever it is, the Greatest rivalry in sports
• Alpe D'Huez, Tour De France, the Super Bowl of cycling, camp out and party with the natives, then claim a switchback, paint ARMSTRONG on the road (even though he'll be retired) and watch the epic battle on the mountain take place
• Speaking of the man, Lance announced his retirement from cycling, which will happen after this year's Tour. I think this is a good move for him. It will take him somewhat out of the public eye, allow him to be a father and the cancer spokesman I think he wants to be. It's a sad day when one of your heroes announces he's retiring, but for him, I hope he kicks butt in the Tour to give everyone a nice goodbye present. You know that's what he's thinking. We'll see how his training is going from his performance in the upcoming Tour of Georgia.
• Maybe the most exciting news is that I've dropped 8 pounds in the last 5 weeks, 13 pounds since Winter break. As part of my interview strategy, in order to "dress to impress", it wouldn't hurt if I trimmed down as much as possible. The warmer weather and running outside is really going to help the cause. And to show how serious I am about this, I've gone back to crackers and now have Sugar Free Kool-Aid. There is no pop in my apartment currently and I'm reading nutrition labels like its my job. So, watch out!!!
• I played 9 holes at Hueston Woods, where again the wind was up. My long and iron game were ragged at best with my short game saving me. Let's just say my golf swing had the rhythm of an average dancing white boy (of course, not including me haha).
• And, in tonight's Amazing Race, Lynn and Alex were eliminated as they went to the wrong palace, which allowed Meredith and Gretchen to stay alive. I love it that the elderly are still alive and are one of the Final 4. I also love it that Lynn and Alex are gone and I don't have to hear them complain about Rob and Amber anymore. You guys weren't much better yourselves.

Alrighty, I think that's it, have a good one everybody.