Marathon Day...............

Today I am watching all 6 Star Wars movies. Check in with my Star Wars blog.

Ice Monster one post per hour 10PM...............

This will make 10 post today. I did not plan the tenth at ten thing.


We will finish tonight with Delta Squad. Delta is a Republic Commando squad and they first appear in the Star Wars: Republic Commando video game. They go on to appear in the Karen Traviss book Republic Commando: Triple Zero. One of my favorite figures put out this year has been the Scorch figure. Scorch is not alone anymore. All four of the squad comes in a multi-pack. Now they just need to put out an Omega Squad multi-pack.

Ice Monster one post per hour 9PM...............

I have taken recent pictures of my Star Wars collection. This is only one picture of many. If you want to see more, go to My SW Collecting Blog.

Ice Monster one post per hour 8PM...............

I was at Hollywood Video the other day and noticed a DVD that they recently got it stock. MXC - Most Extreme Elimination Challenge. This is one funny show and I am watching it right now.

Ice Monster one post per hour 7PM...............

One thing could stop my posting marathon. I am going to attempt to pick my wife up from work so she does not have to stay at the hospital. It nothing but ice outside and it is very stupid to be out on the roads. It does not matter how far or short you have to drive, it is stupid to be out. It will be even worse in the morning when I have to take her back. Prayers please.

UPDATE: Made it back!!!

Ice Monster one post per hour 6PM...............

Tony Gwynn.
#19.
San Diego Padres.
Lifetime batting average of .338.
3141 Career Hits.
8x National League Batting Champion.
5 Gold Gloves.
16x National League All-Star.

Tony Gwynn is the greatest hitter of our time. He is the greatest hitter since Ted Williams. It is awesome to see the Hall of Fame honor placed on him.

I do not remember how I started to like Tony Gwynn. Their is only one player that has been my favorite besides Tony Gwynn. Early on in my life George Brett got notched down of the "my favorite player" honor. The answer to "How?" probably can be explained by what I admire about his playing ability. He is a pure hitter. When I played baseball and even now when I play softball, I have always strove to be the best hitter. In 1984, Tony only struck out 23 times in 606 at-bats. That is unheard of. He led the NL in AB-to-SO ratio in 10 different years. Through all my years of playing baseball, I always modeled my hitting after Tony Gwynn.

A few of you will get this next part. It was an old debate we used to have.
Who would you rather have up to bat in the bottom of the nineth with the bases loaded, two out, down by 3. Frank Thomas or Tony Gwynn? After all the years, I think I win the debate.

Here are some of my Tony Gywnn items. As always, click on the picture to see a larger view.


1982 TCMA Hawaii Islanders minor league card and 1983 Topps rookie card.









A picture of me shaking Tony's hand at a card show with the card I had autographed.









The commemorative card handed out at Tony's final home game on Oct. 7, 2001.









My albums of Tony that I collected as a kid.









Yes, they are all Tony.

Ice Monster one post per hour 5PM...............

The next two post will pay homage to this years Major League Baseball Hall of Fame inductees.

I have always admired players that have stuck it out with the same team for the duration of their careers. Other career players of note that are on my favorite players list include George Brett, Carl Yastrzemski, Roberto Clemete, Mike Schmidt, Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, and I am sure their are others. It is hard to find something bad to say about a career team player. It says something huge for the player.

Cal Ripken was one of these such players. Growing up with a huge love for baseball, Cal was only one player away from being my favorite of all time. I have a couple pictures of my Cal Ripken baseball cards. The first picture has my 1982 Topps and 1982 Fleer rookie cards. The other two pictures has my album of Ripken cards. Congratulations Cal!!!

Ice Monster one post per hour 4PM...............

Everyone go buy and read this book. It does not matter if you like war stories or not. Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters was my first book to read for 2007. Amazing. This is the type of book that will make you a better person. It will at least make you want to be a better person, regardless if you are already a good person. I have read a handful of war books. None have made me want to skip work and keep reading.

No other soldier from Easy Company has written a war memoir. This is the only one and will probably stay that way since the remaining survivors are in their eighties. Dick Winters is one of my heros.

Ice Monster one post per hour 3PM...............

Have you seen the teaser trailer to the live action Transformers movie yet? You better go on over to www.transformersmovie.com and watch it. Even if you have seen it, go watch it again. As of this post, I would say I have watched it about 5 times so far today. It is going to kick some Decepticon hind ends.

A post every hour..................

Since the Ice Monster has me hiding, I will write up one post per hour until at least 10PM.

The Ice Monster is here..........

Ladies, Gentlemen, and Justin. That is not snow you see in my back yard. That is sleet. Before it started coming down, it had been raining. The precipitation is supposed to keep coming down through tomorrow. I was able to get some work done this morning, but now is not the time to have the rearwheeled, clumsy old van out on the roads. Amanda is at work and might be stuck there. Since she is scheduled to work tomorrow, they may have her stay the night because the roads will only get worst over night. She is prepared with extra clothes, food, hair stuff, etc. Even though this Missourian has been living on Oklahoma for a while, I sure have not picked up the bad weather Oklahoman idiocity. I have books, food, Dvd's, and my computer. I can ride this out with no problem. I do hope Amanda is able to come home. I love my dog Jack, but my Honey is a heck of a lot better company. Not to mention all the legal things we can do to stay warm. Tomorrow's agenda: Star Wars Marathon. I have yet to do this. It is going to happen. Anyone want to join me?


Picture taken at 2:00PM.

Hall of Fame or bust..................

All though expected, it is now official. My two baseball heros will enter the Hall of Fame together this year. "Iron Man" Cal Ripken and "The Master of Hitting" Tony Gwynn will be inducted on July 29th. I am planning a trip to Cooperstown this year. You can read about it here.