Lynn Kawano

After spending almost a week in New Orleans to cover Hurricane Katrina, I knew rebuilding the storm-torn city was going to be a long and difficult process, but after going back for the Sugar Bowl, I was so disappointed.  Not just because of the outcome of the game (my Warriors lost by a hefty margin), but also because of how the city still seems to be ... in transition? 

While some of the hotels and restaurants seem to be forging ahead, so much of the city remains abandoned and in ruins.  What surprised me the most, it seems like progress, for the most part, is crawling along.

The hotel we stayed at could not have been up to code, the smoke detector was hanging off the wall, there was no phone--imagine needing to call 9-1-1 to report a fire, since the smoke detector wasn't working.  There was no clock, two of the three lamps didnt work, and the TV didnt work either.  To open the door, the front desk attendant told us to insert the key, then use our shoulder to push it open.

To be fair, the Ritz Carlton, Marriott, or Hyatt, all looked fabulous, they were also sold out. 

There was a homeless camp right outside our hotel, on both sides of the street.  We had to walk by it to get to the Superdome.  I have to say, the homeless never bothered us, were even polite, but it is not the Chamber of Commerce's finest moment to display the rows of tents and people digging through the trash. 

It seems like the city, after two years, would have put more emphasis on attracting tourists back.  I did visit New Orleans on several occasions before the Hurricane and while it was not the cleanest city, it did have a certain charm that couldn't be found elsewhere.  Sixth street in Austin was the closest I could find, then Savannah, Georgia.

Dark and empty, many of the buildings still had broken glass falling onto the street, and the smell of mold overwhelmed us in some parts. 

Hopefully two years from now, the City will have made more dramatic improvements in their effort to draw people back to the town which thrived on the tourist industry. 

Years ago the Cowboys had a reputation, they won football games, but lacked class.  All the legal troubles were exhausting to hear about and almost impossible to keep up with.

Thanks to the Cincy Bengals and --more recently--Michael Vick, the Cowboys' headlines were about football, not about their players in trouble... until now. 

Weapons Charges, witnessing his friend's murder, then being caught speeding ... while none would send him to jail for a significant amount of time, is he worth it?  He can't even play until mid-November, and Jerry Jones is having to work around Tank's restrictions: He's allowed to work out at the team facility, but not with his teammates...

Hiring Tank Johnson may be good for the defense, but is it good for the team? 

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell doesn't tolerate criminals, should the Cowboys?

An article came out in the Dayton Business Journal that said Fantasy Football costs businesses $435M from lost productivity. 

How much time do you spend on FF at work?  Talking about it with rival co-workers? looking up players? watching ESPN?

Bad for business or key to a competitive, but cohesive work environment?

Before taking a recent trip to Chicago, I was told by many that I had to have the "world famous" Giordano's Pizza.  I've had Chicago Pizza before--in Chicago--Pizzeria Uno and Due and Gino's, so I really didn't think Giordano's could be THAT good. 

I also *had a favorite, Fireside Pies in Dallas.  The ingredients are more gourmet, really different, worth the wait--since there always is one.  So I really didn't think Giordano's was THAT much better.

I can honestly say, I was wrong.  It was probably THE best pizza I'd ever had.  I went with a group of 10 people and we ate there every single day of our vacation.  We even ordered more than we could eat, to have leftovers in our hotel rooms later and I hand-carried a big pizze back to Dallas.  It was THAT good.   If you don't believe me, you can order it delivered overnight from Chicago. 

So ...  now that I am more open to other people's food suggestions ... any other Pizza joints here in DFW that can rival Fireside Pies or even ... Giordano's.  Im open to suggestions... oh... and only deep dish lovers need apply

Why is it that the best mastercard commercials show baseball?  And why do those commercials always make me stop what I am doing and watch? 

Maybe it's because baseball is America's Favorite Pasttime.  Maybe it's because my father and grandfather took me to ballgames when I was growing up in Hawai'i.  We'd watch the Hawaiian Islanders--a AAA team in the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise.   But it's also those moments that we weren't there for... Hank AAron running the bases, then getting mobbed by a crowd.  Carlton Fisk urging the ball to stay fair in the 1975 World Series.

It's like baseball has a romanticism that other sports can't seem to embrace--even though they can fill super-sized domes.

I've been to just about evey Major League Baseball Park.  Fenway and Wrigley Field are by far, my favorties.  On a recent trip to Chicago, I went to watch the Cubs play the Astros.  I used to always sit in the bleachers when I visited Chi Town: get a sunburn, do the cheers--"left field sucks", but those seats that were once the 'cheap' seats are now too expensive for my budget.   So this time, I sat in the second tier, behind home plate.  I drank Old Style Beer--really--it's not very good... and my food choices were limited... no Garlic Fries here.

When I go to the Ballpark in Arlington I get my choice, Garlic or Cheese Fries, Beer from a Brewery and ... the bathrooms have automatic spouts... but still ... it's not... Wrigley.  Not to knock on the Rangers, I am a Rangers fan, but the stadium--as beautiful as it is--doesn't give me... 'chicken skin'. 

Is it the history of Wrigley Field, the outfield bleachers, the built-in stadium seats on the roofs of nearby buildings?   It seems that even though I can't get any of the food or beer I love, I can't drive or find parking... I can't find any better way to describe it but...  priceless.

I am NOT an A-Rod fan, never have been, but I am NOT a Barry Bonds fan even more (There's no sign that A-Rod is doing steroids).  So now that Barry Bonds has tied and WILL break Hank Aaron's record, I can only hope that he retires soon and A-Rod--being as young as he still is--can break that record too.  Leaving Bonds's a forgotten memory.

It sounds a little bitter, but I think Barry Bonds cheated.  Hank Aaron didn't have to...

 

There is much controversy about whether or not NBC did a service to viewers by releasing the video of Cho Seung-Hui.  On it, the Virginia Tech shooter rants about the 'rich brats' and those he felt--forced him into a corner. 

NBC got a package from Cho which he apparently mailed in the two hours between the shootings.  There were also pictures--which you've probably seen--of him bearing guns and wearing military vests and gear--some say--reflect those worn by a character in a violent korean film.   The pictures reminded me of pictures released after Columbine of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. The two were in 'goth' attire and then, more graphic pictures supposedly from inside the crime scene were put out by the tabloids.    Cho called Dylan and Eric martyrs.

While I do think the pictures reflect his mental state and his fascination with violence.  Cho justifies the killing spree... but is it gratuitous?   NBC is not a tabloid... the network said the decision to air the video was not one that was made lightly.  Some of the victims' families canceled interviews with NBC after the video was released, calling it insensitive.

It's an issue journalists seem to be divided on... Do we have a responsibility to air the video and let the viewers learn about Cho's rage, or should we filter what he sent to NBC, in the interest of those still suffering?  Does the video provide anything to those watching?

I just love Opening Day at the ballpark:  Hot Dogs, Peanuts, and *Hope.  Hope that Sammy Sosa will bring the Rangers pennant-like offense.  Hope that Ian Kinsler will homer with someone already on base.  Hope that Eric Gagne will recover from injury and Hope that Ranger could, possibly finish the season 159 and 3 (they had already lost 3 games before the home opener). 

On Opening Day, it cost three times as much for tickets in the same seats, takes two hours to exit I-30, park the car, then walk to our seats. 

But it seems the fanfare slows immediately after Opening Day, and just plain dies by the summer.  Where do all the fans go?

Perhaps Opening Day is just a ritual, a tradition... families and friends tailgate, watch the game, then, like it was a holiday... we pack up the decorations: The Rangers hat, jersey and keepsake plastic cup, putting them in a giant plastic bin with a label on top. 

I am as guilty of this as anyone...and I consider myself a baseball fan.  I attend no more than a dozen games a year, and then look forward to the next home opener. 

Do we just lose Hope that the Rangers will silence their critics?  Or do we turn our attention to the Stars and Mavericks, then anxiously wait the start of Football season? 

Here at FOX4, we send multiple crews, and more than one live truck to the Opening Day game.  Even have news crews join the sports ones to cover the game.  That too falls the day after... with highlites from Day Two limited to 30 seconds in the sports block. 

I know this happens everywhere, I've been to Royals games, Dodgers games on Opening Day... So what happens?  I have been trying to figure this one out for years...

A recent survey found that 27% of empoyees join March Madness Office Pools... and that employees spend at least 30 minutes filling out brackets. 

I have four brackets, three online and one on paper with people I work with.  So far...my boss hasn't given anyone a hard time about it, but I know several people at other companies who have been told to put them away.    Is your company cool with the pool?  Or does your boss think it's wasting precious work time?

I know my eyes will fail as I age, but hardly geriatric, I should be able to read the score bar on the top of the screen. It seems as though FOX has switched to a smaller font for the NFL games. The scores are smaller and ... wow... try reading the baseball scores.
I don't have a big screen t-v, but a 32-inch should suffice, yet I find myself squinting to see what down it is, and how the rangers did.

I know he's probably one of the best owners in the NBA, and yes, a savvy businessman, but does he really need to be in the huddle, running up and down the sidelines, jumping into the stands?

He is very approachable to the public, but seems the approacher* when it comes to the t-v cameras. No question he loves the spotlight... as evident by a failed attempt at a reality, trumpesque show. So does he take the pressure off of the players, coach or just the *spotlight*? Shouldn't it be about the team?

Do you know who the owner of the pistons is? the suns? the cavs? Do you need to?

As my friend Steve Noviello would ask... deal or dud?