Sports For Chicks: Moms should consider Lions Kids Clubs

Okay, so this might be a reach for Sports For Chicks, but since a lot of our Chick Readers are moms, I thought it would fit.

There is SO much excitement taking place in the NFL with the Draft this week/weekend.  For those of you who read me, you know I am a die-hard Detroit Lions fan...no pausing for any negative commentary here, not on my blog...Anyway, the Lions first four round picks have been substantial.  Ndamukong Suh is the number one pick for Defensive Tackle, and we got him!  Jahvid Best from California, is yet another dynamic Running Back.  Building up the depth of the team Jason Fox of Miami and Amari Spievey from Iowa.  And there are still three rounds to go.  I am so excited for the new season!!  Woo hoo!

While spending time on the Lions website, keeping track of all this excitement, I came across the info on the Detroit Lions Kid's Club.  I'm not sure why I've never checked it out before, after all, we've been taking our kids to games for years.  It's so cool I wish I could join it...ummm, but I'm a little over the age limit.  (Shhh!)

For $20 bucks, your kid gets quite a bit if they are a Lions fan.  It's even more beneficial to the ones who often go to games, or if you're on a budget like us and try and catch a pre-season game.  Don't forget, Ford Field has a family section now too without cigarettes, alcohol or that colorful crazed-fan language.

Here's some of what you get:  A welcome letter from Roary, a Free 2010 pre-season ticket, video birthday greeting from a Lions player, tee shirt, membership card, Lions pencils and other goodies, a Lions Yearbook or Program, automatic entry into the Educational School Assembly Contest (a visit at school from Roary and the "Lions Leaders for Life" assembly), quarterly newsletters, an opportunity to watch a 20 minute warm-up from the sideline, a chance to form the Lions tunnel on the field and a pre-game Tailgate Party just for kids club members.  That's a LOT for $20 if your kid is into Lions Football.

Anyway, just wanted to share the Lions love with all the mom Chicks out there. Go Lions!

Women need to take a stand against Ben Roethlisberger: A Sports For Chicks and What Got To Me Today? Combo!

This is the first time ever my Sports For Chicks series also qualifies for my What Got To Me Today? series.  I can't believe what I am hearing today about the way the NFL is handling the Ben Rothlesberger scandal.

For those of you unfamiliar with this particular topic, here it is in a nutshell:  Ben Roethlisberger is the beloved quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has been accused of sexually assaulting a 20 year old woman in a bathroom while two of his cronies guarded the door.  He did not rebut the charges.  This is not his first alleged sexual abuse.  He kind of has a habit of women accusing him of not knowing the meaning of "no means no". This is the second time he's had to say something like, " I'm sorry this makes my team look bad" but never sorry to the girl.

  I love football more than any other sport, and next to the Lions, have been a huge fan of the Steelers, but more back in the day when Cower was coach and Bettis battled though the defense as a monster fullback, even back when Cordell Stewart was the man in the pocket.  That being said, I can't convey enough, how the NFL let me down today.

All we're hearing in the media is what a great example NFL Commissioner Goodell is setting for players across the league because he suspended Roethlisberger for six games.  The district attorney on the case says there is not enough evidence to prove the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, so that is why he didn't indict.  I get that.  I'm totally for the "innocent until proven guilty" thing in a court of law.  But what do you say about a guy who has two sexual assault allegations over the past two years? Both with the same MO, and the rumor mill says there are more that date back to when he was in college.  For pete's sake he is being called  "a serial rapist that won't get busted because he's Big Ben".  At least, he should have steeper consequences on the field and in the eyes of his fans.

Which fans?  How about the hundreds of thousands of kids in this country who sport his jersey?  How about the hundreds of thousands of female fans who sport his jersey in pink?  Ben Roethlisberger is in the top ten most recognizable faces list for the league.  He is one of the NFL's mega-star quarterbacks.  If he was any other joe, without the money, resources, and fame, he'd be locked up already.

So, yay, Big Ben can't play six whole games. Awww...that is so sad.  He might even have to think of the consequences of his actions while he sits on the bench, for three hours before hopping into his fully loaded Cadillac Escalade and driving home to his life of luxury. Those two women aren't living a life of luxury.  They aren't even asking (in case you thought they might be law-suit happy).  They are sitting on a different bench, living with real consequences.  You know what?  Enough is enough.

An article in the Florida Sentinal today talked about the power of the NFL's female fans.  And there are a LOT of us...like 34%.  If the judicial system isn't going to take a stand against this kind of behavior, and the league is only going to give Roethlisberger a time-out, then I say female fans need to take matters into their own hands.  I think we need to take the boycott ball and run with it!  No more Steelers #7 jerseys, no more ticket sales, cutoff Steelers support and encourage their husbands, boyfriends and anyone else to do the same until Big Ben is out.

The NFL is my favorite place to be every Sunday between August and February.  I literally live and breathe football during the season...especially my LIONS.  So I want the NFL to live up to the adoration of its fans, and to appreciate the fact that a huge number of fans out there are wearing pink jerseys, and have influence over those wearing every other color of jersey.

So Mr. Goodell, show us, all of your female NFL fans, a little respect.  Many of us are the ones shopping in your NFL stores and signing the credit card statements. We are throwing the parties to rally around your games. We are worthy of more than you are giving. On the eve of the Draft, please, please, please, give us a reason to stand up and cheer for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the rest of the league, by standing up for what is right for women.

Sports For Chicks: Phil Mickelson deserves headline for winning Masters 2010

Augusta, Georgia.  The Masters 2010.  It was suspenseful, it was exciting, and Phil Mickelson played the game of his career.  Every story covering the Masters should start with Phil's win.  His 139 yard sinker, his eagle-eagle-birdie, his courageous "are you kidding me!" shot out from behind two pine trees in the rough.  For the human interest angle, the embrace of his cancer stricken wife, Amy,  that never seemed to end.  She, their children and Phil's mother had traveled to Augusta to be there.  Amy had been resting the entire trip, but made it to the 18th hole on Sunday to be there when he took the title. 

These are the stories that should be headlining Masters media coverage.  NPR was the only media outlet I heard this morning who stuck to Phil Mickelson's win, and left Tiger Woods as an afterthought. Kudos NPR.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing this morning on the networks.  For example, the TODAY show (of which I am a fan) started their coverage like this:  "Tiger Woods finished fourth at the Masters Sunday."  They went on to talk about the anticipation of Tiger beginning the week, how he took the loss and when we'd see him play again.  THEN, they mentioned that Phil Mickelson won. To top it off, they didn't mention any of the other players giving Phil a run for his money: Westwood, Choi, Kim or Couples.

PLEASE!  I like Tiger Woods too.  I think he's an excellent player and I'm glad he's returned to the game.  But I like Phil Mickelson just as much and he's the one who played stellar golf this past week, he's the one wearing the green jacket, he's the one who deserves the adoration, first mention on Masters coverage, and the headline.  Congratulations Phil Mickelson.

A Review of Sorts: The Way We Were 1974

I know, I know,  what the heck am I doing reviewing a movie that had it's 25th Anniversary Edition formatted in 1999?  On VHS!!  Well, truth be told, I was strolling around the Saline District Library and saw the title.  I had always heard about "The Way We Were", and of course I knew the theme song sung by Barbra Streisand.  I knew she and Robert Redford were the stars and I figured it was just a really good romance, chick flick.

Well, was I ever pleasantly surprised!  Yes it is a romance, but with a lot of substance!  For those of you readers who know me, you probably know at least two of my passions: writing (no-brainer there) and politics.  This movie has them both in spades.  As a matter of fact, he, Hubbell Gardiner (Redford) is a writer, and she, Katie Morosky (Streisand) is an activist/writer for radio. And kudos to selecting the name "Hubbell". What a cool name for a beefy and sensitive guy, and it rolls well off of Streisand's tongue whether she is crying it, laughing it or yelling it.

Hubbell and Katie are truly opposites, and have this incredible roller coaster relationship in the 1940's, amongst all that goes with that time, as quoted on the movie jacket, "foreign war, domestic prosperity and McCarthy-era paranoia in Hollywood."  For those who aren't into politics, no worries, it is not in-depth enough to be boring or a distraction.  The relationship itself is a classic one, that mirrors the relationships we all have had, and I'm sure some people still have in current day.

I love this movie, and Redford never looked better! (Seriously!)  Streisand is beautiful and the storyline just as attractive. I recommend it highly.  Not only is it a good movie, but it is a kind of motion picture history that I hope doesn't get lost among the archives. It is worth renting, I'll probably find a way to own it.  The best way to view it though is for free, from your District Library.  Enjoy!

Sports For Chicks: Hello Augusta...it's The Masters 2010

I love the Masters.  I love the prestige, the gorgeous course, the hunky biceps and the green jackets.  We get a real feel of southern Augusta, Georgia hospitality and an inside look into the Augusta National Golf Club.

I don't understand how some people think watching pro golf is a bore.  Like any sport, once you are behind a player or two, it is impossible not to let the lust for great competition take over.  Especially on Sunday, the fouth day of the tournament, when the sun is setting and your favorite player is at sudden death with the second place player.  It is suspenseful, hold-your-breath-please-sink-it-in-the-hole-please-please-please competition that ranks with any other knock- down -drag -out action in the world of sports.

You might have heard of a little distraction this week.  It appears Tiger Woods is back in play (Really?  Hadn't heard...).  As a matter of fact, tonight (Wednesday) he is being honored by the Golf Writers Association as the 2009 Male Player of the Year.  Yep.  He's being honored for playing golf, as he should be.

You heard me correctly, he should be.  Tiger Woods, despite his off the course behavior which is none of our dang business, is the best, winning-ist golfer in the world.  I for one am glad he is back. He is exciting to watch.  He is fun to watch.  He is SO good at playing golf!   It appears other fans and players feel the same.  And certainly, the PGA is thrilled to have him back because they finally will have their audience back and sponsors are lining up in droves. The Masters Tournament Management expressed their disappointment in him, well, someone had to, for the viewers who want Tiger Woods to pay in some way, professionally, for something he did personally.

Even if you don't want to watch Tiger Woods, there are so many delicious players to keep your eye on...any one of them could break forward and claim the green prize.  Slocum, Kelly, Weir, Els, Kim, Cabrera, Cink, Harrington, Goosen, Furyk, Mickelson....and the list goes on.

I like Phil Mickelson too because he is so "pro-woman and their rights", he appreciates his wife, his mother, his daughters.  Mickelson's wife and mother were both diagnosed with cancer in the last couple of years.  This past weekend, for the first time ever, Mickelson let someone else sub-out his Caddie for the last few holes of the tournament.  Who was the lucky fan?  None other than his wife's cancer doctor.  Pretty cool.  Phil's a classy guy.

The only golfer I don't care for is Vijay Singh, because of some less than polite views he has toward women golfers.  Just rubbed me the wrong way and I haven't liked him since.

Anyway...tomorrow is the big day.  Day one of Masters 2010.  Dig into the luscious greenery, the beautiful bridges and gardens, the hunky biceps and the cool plaid pants...it's the Masters baby.  Hellooo Augusta.

A Surprising Review: The Price of Beauty with Jessica Simpson

I will be the first to admit that I put Jessica Simpson right into the "no substance" category when she was at her peak, filming Dukes of Hazard, wearing the daisy dukes (and no, I didn't see the movie, but didn't really have to with all the hype).  Then her relationship/personal life was all over reality TV (more lack of substance), and then all the drama with her on again/off again relationship with Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo was on every newsstand.  With all of this fluff media, my opinion of her worsened.  Any mention of Jessica Simpson and I was like, "blech! enough already".  If only the press would give so much attention to smart, successful, beautiful women who make their way on more than looks alone.  Give me brain power, culture and substance--PLEASE!

Next was her shoe line.  Jessica Simpson Shoes.  Not bad, but did she really design them?  Could I trust that she actually operated the business and didn't just promote it with a pretty face?  Where were the shoes made?  Could I be sure they weren't being glued together by 8 years olds in some country without child labor laws? Would she even know?

I didn't really give any more thought to Jessica until I started to hear her fighting back against all the bad press she was getting for her weight.  Yep, according to the tabloids, the daisy dukes would fit no more.  What stood out, however, was that Jessica Simpson started pleading her case for healthy women who weren't exactly a size 0.  I think I heard she was a size 12 at that time, a very standard size for the everyday American woman, yet the media was killing her, calling her fat, tubby, and wallowing in ice cream sundaes.  For the first time, my opinion of her began to change a bit.  Not because she was heavier (I would like her at a size 0 too if I got some brainpower with it!), but because she seemed to finally be being herself, and standing up for what she thought was right and healthy for her body, and to hell with everyone else.

So now, imagine my surprise when I hear Simpson is doing a new show for VH1 called "The Price of Beauty".  Simpson and her pals travel the world to see what women do in other cultures to maintain their beauty, and how each culture differs.  Before I could give it any more props other than "cultural fluff", I thought I'd better do my homework.  While it is true, some of the story lines mirror the same headlines we have here in the U.S. For example, in Mumbai, the show did a piece on how people are only perceived beautiful there if they are copying what they see on the silver screen of Baliwood.  Not too substantial.

But then...

The Simpson group traveled to Thailand where fair skin is meant to be more beautiful.  The fairer the better, because tan skin signifies one working outdoors, meaning less status.  For that reason, the cosmetic industry in Thailand puts bleaching cream in just about every kind of foundation there is, much like our obsession with the opposite, our bronzers, or "sun-kissed" cosmetics sold here.

Jessica and her group met a woman whose life was ruined by too much bleaching cream.  She had been a singer, had wanted fairer skin, but after using a bleaching product and going in the sun, her complexion was completely ruined.  She stopped singing.  Her husband left her. Tragic.  A true price of beauty.  Jessica was noticeably affected by this woman's story, and she talks about it here.

http://www.vh1.com/video/shows/jessica-simpsons-the-price-of-beauty/490967/skin-treatment.jhtml#id=1633535

 I think it is brave to travel the world and be submerged into other cultures and customs, and to make the point that being obsessed over beauty has it's costs.

I'm all for being the best you can be, looking and feeling your best too.  As long as what is on the outside compliments what is on the inside...substance.  The Price of Beauty is no Frontline, heck, it's not even a Dateline, but it does show a different side to Jessica Simpson, where she is being educated right along with the viewers.  Let the substance begin.

What Got To Me Today? Something good: I'm a Weeble!

Today I found out I am a Weeble.  Now, to someone from a younger generation that might not sound so great.  And for someone from my generation who knows what a Weeble is, they might be thinking, "Are you sure you want to be a Weeble?  Bottom-heavy and all?

Yes! Yes! Yes!  Today I met a terrific, energetic, smart businesswoman named Julie.  We had never officially met, but turns out we mirror each other on many levels, but especially on our determination to be optimistic, and to "keep on keepin' on" no matter what.

Anyone who knows me knows I am outrageously optimistic, always looking on the bright side.  Unlike someone from the other end of the personality pole, I see obstacles as opportunities, and then I make use of them.  I am never really down for very long when facing a problem, it's just that my being down consists of trying to find ways to get up.

Anyway, all of this self proclaimed Ms. Sunshine stuff brings me back to the Weeble.  For those who don't know, Weebles were like the original "Little People" you see now made by Fisher Price.  They were egg-shaped little people, with weights in the bottoms, so anytime they tipped over, they bounced right back up.  The commercial jingle was "Weebles Wobble but they don't fall down!".

So, this woman I met today is a Weeble, because she shares the same positive characteristic/personality traits I do.  And as she pointed out to me today, I'm a Weeble too.   So I think I'll proudly add that to my resume: "Professional Writer and Big Time Weeble".