Acronym Update 12-27-07

Dear Readers,

Today’s Topic: Upcoming TV programs

1. Good news for football fans. If you haven’t upgraded to digital cable yet or one of the two home satellite services, you’ve been given a reprieve for this Sunday’s must-see game between the New England Patriots and New York Giants. This match up has history written all over it, as the Patriots try to become the ONLY team to finish a 16 game season undefeated. Originally, this game was scheduled to be shown only on the NFL Network – a channel that is not carried as part of “analog cable” offerings. Many people complained to their Congresspeople, the National Football League (NFL), and cable operators.

Therefore the non-digital crowd will be able to see the game on CBS or NBC — across the entire USA. Due to the bad press the league has received, the NFL is also allowing CBS and NBC to air 18 commercials each out of the 70 slots available during the game. Talk about a Christmas gift…. The NFL further stated that they are not backing down on continuing the operation of the “Network” and plan to televise 8 or so games on it, exclusively — next season and beyond. New developments could break at any time. I’ll let you know.

As I’ve been telling cable customers for months now — think about renting a digital box. I’d hate for you to wake up one morning and realize that channels 23 through 59 (or thereabouts) are snowed out. It’s not going to happen tomorrow…but it will…..

2. The new (original) Law and Order begins its season on January 2nd. NBC. 9 PM. 2 hour premiere.

3. “24″ starring Kiefer Sutherland was scheduled to premiere on Jan. 13, 2008. Due to the Writer’s Guild strike, the season 7 start date has been postponed indefinitely.

4. American Idol — January 15. FOX. 8 PM.

Have a great weekend,

Kevin

Success Is … (A Christmas Poem)

Dec. 23, 2007

I felt led to write this because of conversations (even some arguments) I’ve had recently with others on what a successful life really is. Some of these discussions contained elements such as: Did you know so and so is buying a house? I can’t believe he doesn’t want to buy ____________ ; surely he has the money. I want to have _________ just like they have.

To me, our own personal gifts (talents) and gifts we give to others are key factors in the quest for success. This whole theme ties in very nicely to the Christmas time of year.

Success Is…

Having more than you can possibly imagine and only using what you really need;
Being willing to share and reach out, even though it means you’ll have less;
Letting happiness come naturally — without faking it;
And Being told light shines from deep within you.

Not thinking that more stuff and more money will always make you happy;
Not a number with many zeros after it or how well you cheated on your taxes;
Not believing all problems will go away when you earn or obtain something;
And not being ungrateful because someone has more than you.

Jumping and dancing with joy because that’s what you feel inside;
And not because you’re in a dance club and/or high on drugs.

Serving others before yourself;
Seeing the lives you’ve changed, whether they thank you or not;
Knowing you have a purpose in life and living like it;
Demonstrating that even the smallest deeds can change and save lives.

The people you’ve helped;
The ones that you’ve fed;
The depressed that you’ve listened to;
The sad that you’ve hugged;
And the empty that you’ve filled.

Success Is …
Closer to you thank you think;
You don’t have to reach some level on a measuring tape to achieve it;
Because most TV shows, movies, magazines, and celebrities have no clue what it is;
Success is your impact on the world.

It’s your legacy;
Who and Whom you’ve served;
Loving until love wins out;
Giving because it’s the right thing to do;
Understanding that it’s not you against the world;
But you with like minded individuals who can give others,
A hand up without it feeling like a handout,
A moment to see true beauty within,
A chance to see that they too have a place and a part in this life.

Merry Christmas 2007,

Kevin B^2

Acronym Update

Dear Readers,

Todays Topic: Baseball Drug Scandal

Like many sports fans, I have been emotionally drained at times since March 2005 when the Congressional hearings on performance enhancing drugs in baseball brought the issue “to the public forum,” like a clock that could never be wound back. The scandal was brought right into my living room via CSPAN that day. I was glued to the TV for nearly 8 hours. I remember it like yesterday…..

On Thursday, DLA Piper’s Report (aka. The Mitchell Report) was made public and it concluded a nearly 2o month investigation into baseball’s “steroid era.” The closure that Senator Mitchell’s report brought this issue allowed me to put a lot of childhood obsessions and demons associated with the game of baseball to bed.

It’s just a game and not even America’s best professional sport anymore. Roger Clemens, perhaps the greatest player in the game over the past 25 years, is just a man, with some extra ordinary abilities. In my lifetime, he WAS my favorite player. I looked up to him and as a youth even idolized him. I vividly recall meeting him when I was 8 years old at a baseball card show. To save time and make more profits for the show’s promoters he was not allowed to personalize autographs, but did write “Rocket” on mine – along with his signature. It was the thrill of my life up to that point.

Today, it’s just a faded memory. I’ve let go of him and those days. The Mitchell Report made a compelling case for Clemens’ use of performance enhancing drugs … beyond a shadow of a doubt … in my opinion. And that’s that. I hope he comes to his senses and apologizes to the millions of baseball fans in this country and around the world who looked up to him. Ever since Thursday — his whole career, the accolades, and his legacy are in pause mode … until he owns up to what he did.

Here are some links I thought you might enjoy:

The Mitchell Report: http://www.dlapiper.com/mlb_mitchell_report/

ESPN (Baseball) : http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/mlb/index

Yahoo Sports (Baseball) : http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb

I’ll be playing in snow tomorrow,

Kevin

Acronym Update 12/08/07

Today’s Topic:  NFL Network

Dear Readers,

Major League Baseball will always be the #1 sport in my heart, but even I realize that the National Football League (NFL) is now the undisputed national pastime.

These days, every sports related conversation centers around pro football. Super Bowl parties are some of the most anticipated events of the year and millions (possibly billions) are wagered on NFL games each year.

However, I’ve received several complains from sports fans who are enraged about not being able to see 8 prime time games this season.   The contests in question can only be viewed on the NFL Network.

The NFL Network is a television channel created by the National Football League in 2004. As if there wasn’t enough football coverage on ESPN, etc., the league saw a long term revenue opportunity in offering NFL-centered programming and several late season Thursday and Saturday evening games that they could choose at-large from the schedule. The new network would also showcase material from the highly regarded NFL Films archives.

The NFL stepped on a lot of toes on the way to establishing their network. At first the league had all but signed an agreement with Comcast to develop and produce their new concept. In fact, Comcast pledged over $400 million to the league for the rights to carry the 8 games. Without publicly stating how much they were putting into the project, the National Football League decided on a “go it alone” approach.  While I don’t support government intervention as some are suggesting, the rollout of the NFL Network has been a public relations disaster for the league.

For the 2006 season, 8 games were televised on the NFL Network.  Some fans realized that the the network was a premium channel, not carried on standard (analog) cable, and found an appropriate solution.  I think the vast majority of the viewing public felt really left out in the dark (ha, ha) on this issue, but a lot of media attention has been given to this topic recently so now many of you know what has to be done if you want to view the NFL Network.

However, if you still want to see the 4 remaining NFL Network games (over the next 2 weeks) and don’t know if you have what it takes to “get in the game,” let me review your possibilities:

1) Subscribe to DirecTV or Dish Network.  NFL Network is included on all programming packages other than the “family tier.”

2) Cable customers need to rent a digital cable box and subscribe to the appropriate programming package.   For example, Comcast customers need to request the Sports Pack.  Cost:  $7.95 per month + plus box rental (if applicable).  The NFL Network is not offered in all cable markets or by all cable providers; please ask before making changes to your subscription.  Note:  most cable providers allow you to add / remove digital packages without contractual obligations.   Theoretically, if you simply wanted to add the NFL Network for a month or two, cancel it, and then add it again next August — that should not be a problem.

3) The NFL Network is also carried on AT&T’s U-Verse TV service and Verizon’s FiOS offering.

Enjoy your Week 14 games.

Touchdown,

Kevin

Acronym Update 12/01/07

Dear Readers,

I’m sending this Update out in remembrance of all who have died of AIDS and continue to fight the battle. I have had the opportunity to meet a few people with HIV / AIDS in my life, and although I have never lost anyone near and dear to me from this condition, I am FASCINATED by the topic. Being someone who was born less than 30 years ago, AIDS is one of the defining issues of my generation.

I’m going to share part of a story with you written by a mother who lost a son to AIDS. I read this story several years ago and it made me well up with tears. This mother’s story teaches us all that even in death there can be life and a chance to serve people.

Yours truly,

Kevin

–

Mom, I Have AIDS

It was July 23, 1988 in room number 414 on the fourth floor of Century City Hospital in California. My husband, Bob, and I had rushed there from Washington because our son Scott’s temperature had hit 106 degrees. It seemed possible that he might be dying.

Then came the confession that changed our lives forever. “Mom and Dad,” Scott said, “I have AIDS. My doctors have given me nine to 24 months to live.”

I was shocked, but no more than when Scott had told us he was gay. And, since learning the previous year that he was HIV-positive, I had read everything factual I could get my hands on about HIV/AIDS. So my mind was somewhat prepared, though I hadn’t expected it quite so soon.

In my heart, however, something else happened–something that defies explanation on a purely human level. Instead of despair, there was peace. From that first moment, as my emotions were numbed by shock, AIDS was unable to conquer me on a spiritual level. The same was true for Bob and Scott. As a result, AIDS was never able to truly beat us.