WHY WATER.
Right now, 1.1 billion people on the planet don't have access to safe, clean drinking water. That's one in six of us.

WHO WE ARE.
charity: water is a non profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. We give 100% of the money raised to direct project costs, funding sustainable clean water solutions in areas of greatest need. Just $20 can give one person in a developing nation clean water for 20 years.

GET INVOLVED.

Nice shot in the arm today from B. McCarthy who comes off the DL to deliver a nice quality start. Add in a couple of dingers from Josh Hamilton and it looks like this team is no fluke.

I think back to the beginning of this season and remember thinking that if they were just in the hunt after the all-star break that I would consider it a huge step forward. Given the young talent and the questions surrounding the starting rotation and this didn't seem like a reasonable request but now anything less would be a disappointment.

I have thought about which is easier - being a fan of a team that doesn't win or being a fan of a team that is expected to win? Take the Mavs the year after they beat Utah to advance to the 2nd round. The following year they were expected to do well, which they did. They were ultimately beaten in the Finals by Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat.

Now what? Disappointment.

The following year was a huge disappointment and pretty much since has been the same.

But take the Rangers....nobody ever expects anything from them. Especially after the all-star break. Now that they are playing quality ball and keeping their farm prospects in-house it is a lot easier to get entrenched as a Ranger fan.

These are exciting times my friends.

Stay thirsty.

Congratulations to the LSU Tigers!!

Well, another college baseball season is done and one team stands alone at the top. Unfortunately that team is not my team, the Texas Longhorns.

They had an amazing season with a young group of kids and should be fun to watch next year but I must give some props to the LSU Tigers for a great CWS run. They have some serious talent over there in the swamps and deserve to be #1.

The hard part about all this is that it is no secret who my favorite teams are: Texas Rangers, Texas Longhorns, Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Cowboys. I am very open regarding my fandom of each of these teams and follow them religiously (when my 3 daughters let me). This leaves me open to ridicule from my sea of friends when their teams best mine.

With last night's victory that opens up a large number of these friends as my Dad lived in Metairie (outside of New Orleans) for a couple of years and some former co-workers either went to school there or grew up there. So be it. I will have my day in the sun once again. Oh yes, I will have my day. :D

So enjoy this victory David, Lynsey, Jena and Dad for it will not come at the expense of one of my teams again anytime soon (I hope).

Over and out and Roger that.

Um....

Mermaid Parade
Originally uploaded by d76.

...Check please.

I don't even know where to begin with this one. I just felt the need to share it with the world. Well, some friends. Ok, myself since I am the only spare that reads this blog.

Peace.

My Girls

021
Originally uploaded by jabbott.

Check out my girls....this was taken when Charlotte was born (9/9/08) at the hospital.

Hurricane Charlotte

Charlotte
Originally uploaded by jabbott.

Today is the day that Baby Charlotte arrives into this world. I am at the hospital with my wife (who has been here since 7am) waiting ever so patiently to meet Baby Charlotte. I am hoping she will be here relatively soon as the quicker the better for my wife.

Stay tuned.

Water Cube aka National Water Center in Beijing

Water Cube in night
Originally uploaded by fairy810621.

This is the National Water Center in Beijing that will host the aquatic events for the 2008 Olympics. It took 4 years to build and is very impressive, especially in the evening when it is lit up.

Very cool.