Buhner Dot Com Est. 2000, which is like 1947 in Internet years.

Dolphins 13, Chiefs 10

Eh, I just feel the need to speak about my beloved Dolphins this week.  Got to catch maybe half of the game off and on through the day (mostly first half, then portions of the 4th quarter) thanks to Cole being "needy" (ie. insisting that I watch him play with toys - not necessarily needing someone to play with).  Since he was content without a television on but requested some of his programming once I did try to put it on, I was sans TV when we were up in his room or in the spare room playing trains.  Attempting to put the TV loud in our bedroom and listening to the game echo through the hall was thwarted by Cole enjoying playing cars on his car bed - and Hot Wheels on hollow plastic just doesn't allow for overhearing of televisions down the hall.

Culpepper revisited

Followup from two posts ago, re: the quarterback who gave away jewelry and took it back -

http://www.startribune.com/stories/510/5221966.html

An exerpt:

We were standing at Culpepper's side when the transaction took place. There was no animosity, no hurt feelings and no accusations of impropriety -- only thank-yous from Townsend, his parents and a doctor nearby.

The AP version of the story, however, in essence painted Culpepper as a spoiled athlete who "sheepishly" took away a gift from a paralyzed teenager once the cameras stopped shooting. Newspapers and Internet sites picked up the story nationally. One problem: Nothing could have been further from the truth.

Anyone who has met Culpepper knows he wears the necklace every day. He has for years. Garish as it might be -- its main ornament is a 6-inch hot pepper -- it carries sentimental and personal value. Since when is anyone -- athlete, actor, politician or average schmoe -- obligated to hand over personal possessions permanently when someone asks? Or should Culpepper have shot down the request and embarrassed Townsend on television?

If that's your story, then the next time someone asks you for your wedding ring or a sweater your grandmother knitted, you better cough it up. Or else find some real news to write about.

ZING! Who called it, eh? Good job, media!

Dante: “I’m not even supposed to be here today!”

Thin ice: Culpepper gives jewelry, gets it back

Talk about being put into a no-win situation. For those of you too lazy to read the story, it breaks down like this. NFL quarterback is taking questions at a press conference. Paralyzed high schooler asks if he "can get some of that ice", referring to the $75k necklaces quarterback is wearing. Quarterback puts necklaces around high schooler's neck. High schooler's parents assume quarterback was giving the necklaces to their son. Quarterback finishes press conference and looks to get his necklaces back from high schooler. Uncomfortable situation ensues.

I'm actually impressed that the media is reporting the story fairly - using the direct quote that the high schooler gave and reporting the story. However, you can guarantee that every half-ass local news hack and sports radio troll is going to report this as if Culpepper pushed the kid down a flight of stairs. We don't even know if the kid really meant that he wanted the necklaces - such a request sounds pretty ballzy (ballsy?) - and was more likely the kid being a kid and throwing a compliment in Culpepper's direction. When Culpepper figured he'd try to give the kid a thrill, the parents took it the wrong way and Culpepper was left looking like crap because he wanted to get his jewelry back.

Now, the argument that people have is that Culpepper makes a lot of money, why not give him the jewelry. Well, why should he? The rich are supposed to just give away their possessions? Since I'm not rich, should I just randomly ask rich people for their possessions? "Wow, you've got a nice car, can I have it?" I could have my mom faint or something.

Culpepper's apparently "making it up" to the kid by giving him a gift in the future of some variety. Hopefully everyone will end up happy in the process - the kid gets something for nothing, the radio and local TV hacks get a story to make them seem like they have opinions about something, and if Culpepper trys hard enough and ignores what the hacks might say about him, he might be able to feel good about meeting this kid and doing something nice.

Doubtful, though. Media hacks - bah.

Dream job

From Antonio Gates, tight end of the San Diego Chargers and one of the biggest reasons the Chargers are a... gasp... Super Bowl contender:

"You know what helped? Playing Madden. I was always the Chargers. After I got here, I'd play the game and notice things about the defenses. I started recognizing formations in the (video) game, then I'd get to practice and see them there."

I want a job where playing video games makes me a better employee.