Samuel Beckett

This may be the defining game for Lamar Odom. His performance over these playoffs have been characterized by inconsistence and foul problems. A poor performance tonight from Lamar Odom may mean the end of the Lakers season.

Being the primary option for the Lakers has not been a comfortable role for Lamar Odom. It seems that he would rather rebound and make assists than be a primary scorer. However, the Celtics defense has been focused on keeping Kobe Bryant on the perimeter and away from the basket. The inside presence of Pau Gasol has the attention of Kevin Garnett. So the offensive responsibilities and pressure fall on Lamar Odom.

It is not a matter of physical ability with Lamar Odom. There have been stretches during this post-season where Lamar Odom has been the dominant player on the court. There have also been segments where Lamar Odom seems to disappear. Can the Lakers solve the mystery and coax out the dominant Lamar Odom? If that Lamar Odom does not show up for Game Six, the Lakers may have the rest of the summer to ponder what might have been.

Catherine

Some shelters are trying to keep the pets with their families. Many animal shelters are supplying free pet food:

“…The South Suburban Humane Society, which hands out free pet food to needy owners on the fourth Thursday of each month, added the second Thursday of the month this week as well because of increased demand.”

link: Need for donated pet food rising

Even if your local shelter has not reached the point of supplying free pet food, the amount of pets now housed is created budgeting problems. Your local shelter needs food. If you can help, your local facilities would appreciate any assistance.

Catherine

link: Conference Bike

Here is sample of one of the clips of the Conference Bike on YouTube:

It is really analogous of a business meeting. It is seven people trying to work together. There is one person working and “moving backwards”… literally and figuratively. The Conference Bike was great fun and no fuel costs.

Catherine

The Lakers had a twenty four point lead and home court advantage. The Celtics had had a horrendous first quarter and trailed 35 -14 to begin the second quarter. Then, in the second half, the Celtics chipped away at the lead and the venue became very quiet. The Lakers scored thirty three points (33) in the second half. The Celtics had fifty seven (57) in the final two quarters. The Celtics dominated in rebound: 24 - 15. And the three points shots were falling for the Celtics.

And people were silent. It was disbelief at what they were seeing. Was it a historic comeback or a monumental collapse?

The score was 94 - 91 with the ball in Ray Allen’s hands. Ray Allen had played every minute of the game and now he was guarded by Sasha Vujacic. Kevin Garnett started towards Ray Allen to set a screen on the Lakers defender but Ray Allen waved him off. Ray Allen had Sasha Vujacic alone and went by the Lakers defender for a layup. It was uncontested. Boston led 96 - 91.

There was a smattering of cheers from a few of the Celtics fans. Most of the fans, even the Celtics supporters, sat in stunned silence. It is amazing how such a large group of people can be so quiet. It was a historic game. Game Four become an instant basketball classic. Afterwards, one Lakers fan commented that it would be years before he could bring himself to watch that game again.

Catherine

• do you use a leash or a long rope? - This is something that I discourage. The rope or leash may become tangled and it becomes more of a hindrance to the dog. The point is to build the dog’s confidence so that initially you are close enough to reach and push the dog toward shore. That is the easiest way to handle the problem if the dog suddenly finds the situation to be frightening. I would not like to drag the dog by leash or rope. This just creates too many possible problems.
• your anxiety - Teaching the dog to swim may be something that makes you anxious. The approach that I have given makes the dog’s safety the first priority. It is best to acquaint yourself with the approach and just do what is comfortable for yourself and the dog. There is no speed of progress that you have to achieve. If this takes weeks - or even the whole summer - that is fine. It is important that you are comfortable with the lessons. Part of the lesson that you want to teach the dog is that the water is a fun place. If you are not confident and anxious, the dog will know and wonder if there is cause for concern.
• more than one person - Some have suggested that teaching the dog be done as a team with another person or persons. While there may be support in numbers, I would encourage that this be one to one lessons with the dog. You want to focus on the dog and have as few distractions as possible. The same applies to the dog. You want the dog’s focus on you - and only you.
• my dog takes to the water naturally - You are fortunate that you have a dog who likes the water. However, even for dogs who initially enjoy the water, I would like to add a word of caution. Sometimes, the dog does not know its limits in the water. Don’t be fooled by the ease with which the dog takes to the water. The dog may tire or become scared with a wave. Until the water is something with which the dog is experienced, caution is important. The dog may like the water but it still lacks the experience.
• my dog thrashes about in the water. How do I know if it is trouble? - If you have been teaching the dog in a systematic approach, you know what your dog’s “style” is. Thrashing and splashing may be your dog’s swimming style. If you are looking for signs of trouble, the dog’s head is the best indicator. As a rule, dogs like to keep their heads and noses above the water line. (Yes, I know that there will be some dogs who like to dive down, explore and retrieve a rock or something.) Watching the dog’s head is a good first indicator. - And remember, if the dog is in trouble, you are close enough to give a push toward the shore. You push from behind the dog. And if the head is dropping consistently, you want a hand under the dog but still your approach is from behind.

The three part series can be found at the following links:

links: How To Teach Your Dog To Swim Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

And finally, just like kids, no matter how good or how experienced the dog is in water, it still needs your attention. Watch your dog and, in the process, your dog will remind you how to have fun.

Catherine

“NEW YORK (CNN) — Citing higher fuel prices, United Airlines said Thursday it will begin charging domestic passengers $15 each way for one checked bag.

The carrier, based in Chicago, Illinois, said the fee to check a second bag will be $25 each way…”

link: United to charge for checked luggage

On a positive note, airlines have rolled back the twenty dollar increase for round-trip fares. Northwest Airlines did not increase their fares and the other carriers removed the additional charges. As fuel costs increase, these additional charges may be revisited again.

Catherine Forsythe

“NEW YORK — The company that sends wealthy tourists into space announced plans Wednesday for a private flight in 2011 to the international space station on a Russian-built Soyuz rocket and said Google co-founder Sergey Brin has paid $5 million to reserve a seat on a future flight.”

link: Google co-founder reserves seat to outer space

The Google accountants might be able to write this off as a promotional trip, to explore marketing opportunities. At least it is not boring like buying a yacht or some small country…

Catherine

• Kobe Bryant missed seven free throws. Usually, for Kobe Bryant, a trip to the free throw line means points. How often does one see Kobe miss two consecutive free throws in a crucial game? The television commentators were speculating that the next ploy would be a ‘hack-a-Kobe’. Ouch! Somewhere Shaquille O’Neal is smiling.
• No starter for the Lakers, with the exception of Kobe Bryant, scored in double figures.
• Ronny Turiaf played nineteen minutes. He had no points, no rebounds, no assists and no steals. His two blocked shots were offset by three personal fouls.
• Luke Walton played eleven minutes. He had no points on three missed shots. Luke Walton just does not look comfortable playing. He is turning down shot opportunities and is being beaten badly on the defensive end. Luke Walton’s confidence seems to have abandoned him.
• Lamar Odom had more fouls (5) than points (4). His playing time is limited by this foul trouble. This is not the Lamar Odom of the regular season. In the first half of Game Three, Lamar Odom did not score. Without a doubt, the Celtics can see that Lamar Odom is struggling and this allows the defense to place more emphasis on Kobe Bryant and whoever is playing well that night. The question is whether this is a temporary slump or whether this is the Lamar Odom on basketball’s brightest stage.

The Lakers were fortunate that Paul Pierce had a poor shooting night. He made two field goals in fourteen attempts. If a few more of those attempts had dropped, the Lakers would be looking at a 3 - 0 deficit in the series. At this point, Kobe Bryant really needs some help. In this championship series, some of the Lakers simply have disappeared. Who would blame Kobe Bryant for not trusting his team mates?

Catherine

“…Recognized globally as “the world’s toughest foot race,” this legendary event pits up to 90 of the world’s toughest athletes—runners, triathletes, adventure racers, and mountaineers—against one another and the elements. Covering 135 miles (217km) non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA in temperatures up to 130F (55c), it is the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet.”

link: Badwater

There are some runners who return to challenge the elements again. This must be one of the toughest competitions in the world - and one in which the pain threshold is tested repeatedly.

Catherine