Nieko 8/28/04

Nieko is Lithuanian for 'nothing'. And that is what the fighting Lithuanians got in Olympic basketball. The USA finally found a team to beat and got the bronze medal. Lithuania will have to re-group and try again in Beijing in 2008.

The bronze medal in basketball gave the USA it's goal of 100 medals for the 2004 games. The women's team won the basketball gold! I bet more people will watch the WNBA than the NBA now. I would imagine there will be a lot of 'back to basics' training for NBA players and the up and coming collegiates.

On a political note, why hasn't anyone questioned the composition of the men's basketball team? If it would have been all-white, I'm sure Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and Julian Bond would have been filling the airwaves with rants and condemnations. I guess the issue really only does swing one-way.

Went to the Sounds game tonight. Another loss, with New Orleans coming out 7-2 with a grand slam in the top of the 9th to seal the game. The fireworks were great, as they usually are after the game. Tomorrow is the last home game of 2004 season. Will finally meet up with Ed and Mary--have some pre-game festivities at Blue Moon. What a great place! What great friends! An afternoon and evening I am looking forward to!

Hope everyone is doing well and having a great weekend so far. Weather is perfect tonight--the humidity has vanished. Hopefully it'll stay dry overnight and I can get out and cut the grass tomorrow morning before 11 am Mass, well at least the front!

That's about it from Germantown...I took it easy at the game, so I guess I'll go and get an adult beverage and sit on the porch and enjoy the night.

Thanks for being such great relatives and friends. I'll remember all of you at Mass tomorrow!

Mark