TO BLOG OR NOT TO BLOG, THAT IS YOUR CHOICE

I have always been a competitor. I feel that competition promotes excellence in every area of life. When I think of quitting it brings up images of Duran's "no mas" fight with Leonard, even if he now claims that Howard Cosell never heard him say it. Quitting is never an option unless you want to go down in history with people like Osten from Survivor: Pearl Islands who gave up his shot at $1,000,000 for a cheeseburger and a nice bed to sleep in.

WHAT DOES DILBERT HAVE TO DO WITH THIS?

As a young boy I was able to compete in athletics starting at age 6. The best times in my life were spent on a soccer field before I was old enough to know what a job was, much less have one. After the calendars changed a few times, I got a job, as all self-respecting people should. A few stops later I wound up in the world of the Dilbert comic strip - literally because Scott Adams' inspiration was drawn from working in the very same building I was in. After a corporate spin-off our department was later led by the most vicious Vice President that I dared ever imagine. The entire group under her command was disgruntled and for some reason they chose the youngest manager in the bunch to voice their grievances at a round table meeting. Yes blog fans that would be me.

I took the bullet (not in a House finale kind of way mind you) because I consider myself to be a good teammate and willing to stand up for what I believe in. I eloquently reeled off everything that was bugging my co-workers in a way that left the V.P. wide eyed at the thought that someone could take her on. The room became silent for a moment after what might have been the best speech of my life. It was no surprise that the V.P. had an equally well-stated response, but some of the words were George Mason in the Final 4 shocking. She told everyone in the room in no uncertain terms to consider the option of seeking employment elsewhere if things were not to their liking. That was harsh.

MAY THE BEST BLOGGER WIN

When the NGS II finals were announced I knew that a certain number of people would flee the site quicker than restaurant guests seeing a cockroach crawling across their table. What I hoped was that the quality bloggers passed over this time would stick it out. In the case of a few, that has not happened. I respect their decision. Upon reflection and with a few years of wisdom under my belt, as nasty as I thought our V.P. was then by telling everyone to not let the door hit their rear she may have been right. If you enjoy blogging on FOX then by all means stay. If you do not there is really no reason for you to be around just to kick up dust.

EXPRESSION THROUGH THE STARS

For those who do stay, I recommend that you vote every day. It is my hope that someone with integrity who is able to stand up for his or her opinions will be the NGS II winner. I have already crossed one finalist off my list for disingenuous claims to have read and appreciated the work of fellow finalists. Liars should burn in purgatory next to plagiarists. The best way to really help a quality blogger advance is to go on a 5-3-1 voting scheme, which is what I am doing.

First plod through all 16 finalists. Then throw them into three groups, solid, mediocre and weak. Forget voting 2 or 4 stars it is a mathematical waste of time. The top group should contain no more than six bloggers in this opening round and the bottom group should be no less than four. If you fail to cast a vote for every finalist it does not work because the law of averages is in play here. It isn't the total number of votes a contestant receives (like American Idol) it is the average stars. Anyone in the top 7 when the judges have their say is guaranteed a spot in the next round because that is how math works when they have half the vote.

SWITCHING GEARS COMPLETELY

Now as for the real competition I am in, what a way to start. Hot wives of professional athletes? This underground event certainly is taking things to a different level that I might not be up for. Eva Longoria? Obvious and quite frankly does nothing for me. Dating a Frenchie ruined the fantasy anyway and this season of Desperate Housewives stunk. Janet Jones? Yeah, maybe like twenty years ago. Anna Benson? A little on the tramp side for my taste so I suppose I am going to settle on Alicia Rickter, Mrs. Mike Piazza. If I am to advance into the next round it will require topics that are closer to the field of play. Cut me if you must detroitsports, I am at your mercy.