Today was rather eventful as far as the history books go. As for me, it's yet another day of recovery. I've basically been sick since Tuesday evening. It's one of those viral things where you have night sweats mixed with chills. I remember Wednesday night I got up for 10 seconds to get my 3rd blanket and proceeded to shake under the covers for half an hour. It was absolutely dreadful. I got the day off today which was a Godsend, so I sat around all day studying and watching a little television. Speaking of television, it was the source of today's big news.
First off, I was flipping through channels this morning and stumbled across the news that former President Ronald Reagan died today at the age of 93. In recent days, his family was called to his bedside because his condition had deteriorated. President Reagan had been suffering from Alzheimer's for at least 10 years and most likely died from pneumonia today. Actually his death may have been similar to my grandfather's a few years back. Pop-Pop (as I called him) didn't have Alzheimer's nearly as long but had deteriorated greatly the last few years of his life. I really need to devote some time to his and all of my grandparents' lives at some point. However, today will be remembered for President Reagan's death. I must say, President Reagan was the first president I ever recognized. I really don't remember anything about Carter. I'm lucky to have been alive during all of Reagan's presidency. He will probably be remembered for helping to end the Cold War and also as shaping what Conservative Republicans are today. He very well may be the greatest president of the last 50 years, but who knows. I remember really enjoying his voice on television and trusting what he would say. I also thought that all presidents pretty much were elected to two terms until George H.W. (thanks to Ross Perot) broke that bubble. Anyway, I'm glad that I grew up with him to look up to as a role model. Ever since Bush Sr. left office, I haven't looked up to our country's leadership like I did for twelve years under Reagan and Bush. It may be too simple, but really all I need is a leader I can trust. Sure, George W. has taken a firm stance on many national defense issues, and I'm glad Al Gore wasn't in office on 9/11. But I really don't trust G.W. like I trusted his dad and Ronald Reagan.
Also today was the running of the Belmont Stakes, which is the 3rd race of the Triple Crown. (The Triple Crown is a set of the three biggest horse races of the season.) The last horse to win the triple crown was in 1978, and since then 10 have won the first two of three races. This year a horse called Smarty Jones was a huge favorite to win. He one the first two races by an average of 14 lengths I think, and there was true excitement across the country for this horse to win. Plus a movie called Seabiscuit came out last year describing one of the greatest underdog horses of all times, so people were kind of tuned to horse racing this year. Smarty Jones was also sort of an underdog as well. As a young horse, he apparently bashed his head against the wall and now sports a huge scar across his face with a skull fracture to boot. Plus, I think he wasn't supposed to be much of a horse but instead won the first nine races he ran. Today he lead much of the race, but another horse called Birdstone blew past Smarty Jones right at the end. I'm not usually a huge horse racing fan, but this race was awesome, and I was sad Smarty couldn't pull the thing off. I'm also glad I didn't bet.
Also today, the Texas A&M baseball team beat TSU to advance to the Super Regional final tomorrow at Rice's field here in Houston. They are in the winner's bracket, so they have two chances to win the tournament tomorrow. It would be great to see them advance. And in more sports, overtime between the Calgary Flames and the Tampa Bay Lightning is about to start. If Calgary scores, they win the Stanley Cup. If Tampa Bay scores, they play game 7 in Tampa Bay. Stanley Cup hockey truly is the greatest sports on Earth (especially overtime Stanley Cup hockey).
Finally, since today is Saturday it would be 10 days since my dad stopped smoking after 40 years. It's hard to say how significant this is, but I haven't confirmed it yet so I won't discuss it too much. Hopefully he's still smoke-free, and I'll be able to discuss it more in the coming days.
First off, I was flipping through channels this morning and stumbled across the news that former President Ronald Reagan died today at the age of 93. In recent days, his family was called to his bedside because his condition had deteriorated. President Reagan had been suffering from Alzheimer's for at least 10 years and most likely died from pneumonia today. Actually his death may have been similar to my grandfather's a few years back. Pop-Pop (as I called him) didn't have Alzheimer's nearly as long but had deteriorated greatly the last few years of his life. I really need to devote some time to his and all of my grandparents' lives at some point. However, today will be remembered for President Reagan's death. I must say, President Reagan was the first president I ever recognized. I really don't remember anything about Carter. I'm lucky to have been alive during all of Reagan's presidency. He will probably be remembered for helping to end the Cold War and also as shaping what Conservative Republicans are today. He very well may be the greatest president of the last 50 years, but who knows. I remember really enjoying his voice on television and trusting what he would say. I also thought that all presidents pretty much were elected to two terms until George H.W. (thanks to Ross Perot) broke that bubble. Anyway, I'm glad that I grew up with him to look up to as a role model. Ever since Bush Sr. left office, I haven't looked up to our country's leadership like I did for twelve years under Reagan and Bush. It may be too simple, but really all I need is a leader I can trust. Sure, George W. has taken a firm stance on many national defense issues, and I'm glad Al Gore wasn't in office on 9/11. But I really don't trust G.W. like I trusted his dad and Ronald Reagan.
Also today was the running of the Belmont Stakes, which is the 3rd race of the Triple Crown. (The Triple Crown is a set of the three biggest horse races of the season.) The last horse to win the triple crown was in 1978, and since then 10 have won the first two of three races. This year a horse called Smarty Jones was a huge favorite to win. He one the first two races by an average of 14 lengths I think, and there was true excitement across the country for this horse to win. Plus a movie called Seabiscuit came out last year describing one of the greatest underdog horses of all times, so people were kind of tuned to horse racing this year. Smarty Jones was also sort of an underdog as well. As a young horse, he apparently bashed his head against the wall and now sports a huge scar across his face with a skull fracture to boot. Plus, I think he wasn't supposed to be much of a horse but instead won the first nine races he ran. Today he lead much of the race, but another horse called Birdstone blew past Smarty Jones right at the end. I'm not usually a huge horse racing fan, but this race was awesome, and I was sad Smarty couldn't pull the thing off. I'm also glad I didn't bet.
Also today, the Texas A&M baseball team beat TSU to advance to the Super Regional final tomorrow at Rice's field here in Houston. They are in the winner's bracket, so they have two chances to win the tournament tomorrow. It would be great to see them advance. And in more sports, overtime between the Calgary Flames and the Tampa Bay Lightning is about to start. If Calgary scores, they win the Stanley Cup. If Tampa Bay scores, they play game 7 in Tampa Bay. Stanley Cup hockey truly is the greatest sports on Earth (especially overtime Stanley Cup hockey).
Finally, since today is Saturday it would be 10 days since my dad stopped smoking after 40 years. It's hard to say how significant this is, but I haven't confirmed it yet so I won't discuss it too much. Hopefully he's still smoke-free, and I'll be able to discuss it more in the coming days.
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