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Its time that we listen to Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Mike Tice and take him at his word. He asked us early in the season to reserve judgment until the end of the year. He told us that if he failed then it was on his shoulders.When Tice took over as head coach three years ago we were all led to believe that he had all the ingredients necessary to do well.

Mike Tices Vikings arent any better today then they were three years ago. Mike Tice has made the playoffs one time and that was last year. Mike Tice has a combined win/loss record of 31-33.

It seems as though every time Tices team takes a step forward, they take five steps backward.

So we should take Tice at his word. We must listen to him and hold him accountable for his actions. Mike has failed once again and I dont feel that there are any reasons that he should be given another chance.

If Tice had the character and could instill values into his players then I might have a different opinion. His team had off the field scandals from Onterio Smiths Whizzinator incident to the Vikings Boat scandal.Then there was Tices scalping incident. Mike Tice scalped Super Bowl tickets and was caught. The NFL fined him $100,000. Tice blew the incident off and considered it a minor infraction. Very few people are fined as much as $100,000 for a first time offense. Obviously the NFL considered his actions to be serious enough to warrant such a stiff penalty.

Mike Tice says that he shouldnt be held accountable for his players actions. This is nonsense.I dont think that his players respect him. How can he command any respect when he broke an NFL rule?How can he demand that his players respect rules and laws. How can he demand that they conduct themselves in a respectful manner on and off the field?

The answer is that Mike Tice cant command respect and he cant demand that his players follow the rules. There are a number of coaches in the NFL that demand more from their players on and off the field. These coaches wont put up with the type of behavior that was exhibited by Vikings players this year.

Mike Tice also has a big mouth and has been known to yell at fans and call them stupid when he disagrees with their criticism.

I just cant see any logical reason why Mike Tice should keep his job. I do feel that people should do their best to keep their word and when they ask us to judge them based on the results of their actions, we should listen to them.

Mike Tice asked us to judge him based on his success or failure with the Vikings this season. He asked us to wait until the end of the season to judge him.With Sundays loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Vikings season ended in failure. The Vikings will not be playing in the playoffs.

I hope that Vikings ownership doesnt give him too much credit for his winning streak. That winning streak came against some of the worst teams in the NFL. When his team faced tough opponents they stunk up the field.

Its definitely time for the Vikings to start a new era with a new coach.

posted by eyidzgl  # 11:59 PM 0 comments

It is maybe... No, it is too early to talk about the end of a hype when the hype has not really started yet. In this way this contribution is not really client focused. Never row against the flow...But it can do no harm either.

Not only some stock exchange experience will teach us that expectations are sometimes inflated. For some trends it could take years before they grow into a real hype. But then, when the expectations are no longer met you should be prepared... For those who are in the Article production business. The threat comes from on aspect which is easily underestimated.

A Hype Cycle is a graphic representation of the maturity, adoption and business application of specific technologies. Since 1995, Gartner has used Hype Cycles to characterize the over-enthusiasm or "hype" and subsequent disappointment that typically happens with the introduction of new technologies. (http://www.gartner.com/pages/story.php.id.8795.s.8.jsp)

Such a cycle consists of five phases;

• 1. "Technology Trigger"
• 2. "Peak of Inflated Expectations"
• 3. "Trough of Disillusionment"
• 4. "Slope of Enlightenment"
• 5. "Plateau of Productivity"

An important lesson of Gartner is that all that is new is fancy and gets (press) support. Then, when the enthusiasm is over, the disappointments follows and support (commitment) falls back. And this commitment is needed for projects to succeed.

The project in this case could be: article production and syndication. If you think that the hype cycle is only for introduction of new technology, you could use the wisdom of the stock-exchange; there too the stock prices are often inflated because of unreal expectations. Disappointment will also follow.

Now what could lead to such disappointment?

Quality.

What is very likely to happen is that the quality of the article production gets hurt by the demands of quantity. We want more and we do no longer bother about the quality. Quality is in danger when quantity gets all the freedom.

Interesting in this context is the economic law of Gresham:

bad money drives out good money

The universal reach of this law is debated. Yet for those who think this future threat is relevant might as well act with further investigation on the topic. Be aware...

2006 Hans Bool

posted by eyidzgl  # 4:43 PM 0 comments

Soccer is growing in popularity around the country. Many kids want a soccer themed party for their birthday. There are lots of fun ways to have everything at your event be soccer related!

Pick a list of kids to attend your party and send out soccer ball invitations. A party supply store will have all the accessories and motifs available for soccer. Have the kids wear their soccer cleats to the party if they have any or their favorite jersey.

The soccer party can be for a birthday, but it can also include a fun scrimmage soccer game. Set up two goals a short distance away and let them run around and score. If there is a parent coach nearby, have them set up cones and let the kids run through some drills. Make up a game for the two teams and have them be the sharks and the guppies and run! The exercise will do them good, not to mention wear them out so they sit better inside the house to eat.

Prizes to give away can be personalized trophies or ribbons. Attach a team picture for a great keepsake for everyone. Other treats can be candy, plastic trinkets or soccer related toys. A soccer ball piata is another great entertainment and prize piece all in one.

Soccer decorations can be found at any party supply store. Soccer balloons, black and white streamers and wall hangings make for a perfect sports party. Special soccer favor bags and treats can also be purchased to give away to each guest.

Party planning stores will also have all of the paper products needed to serve cake and lunch. Plates, napkins and tablecloths to match your soccer motif make clean up easy! Special ball shaped cake pans make round cakes which can be frosted to make soccer cakes!

posted by eyidzgl  # 9:28 AM 0 comments

Carlisle returned to the top of League Two after thumping basement club Rushden & Diamonds 5-0 at Brunton Park. Derek Holmes put the Cumbrians ahead after 42 seconds and it was one-way traffic thereafter with two goals each from Karl Hawley and Simon Hackney. Paul Simpsons side were 8/15 favourites on the day and 4/1 to win the division outright.

Second placed Wycombe were held to a 1-1 draw at Boston. Julian Joachim gave the home side a 56th minute lead but Kevin Betsy levelled matters 15 minutes later. This was John Gormans sides seventeenth draw of the season, something noted by shrewd punters backing at 9/4.

Veteran Ian Taylors goal nine minutes from time propelled 8/15 Northampton into the third automatic promotion spot with a victory against Torquay United on Friday night.

Fifth placed Leyton Orient kept up their promotion dreams and plunged Chester into further relegation trouble with a 2-0 win. A Matthew Lockwood penalty 10 minutes before the break and Paul Connor after 72 minutes secured a 13/10 win.

Play-off chasing Peterborough chalked up their fourth win in five matches with a 2-1 victory at Notts County. Danny Crow and James Quinn put the 9/5 Posh in the driving seat before Eugene Dadi netted a late penalty for the Magpies.

Wrexham looked set to earn victory at 9/5 after on-loan Blackburn striker gave them a 2-0 lead at Mansfield, only for Richie Barker to hit back with two goals in three minutes to secure a point at Field Mill.

Stockport kept their heads above water after coming from two goals behind to draw 2-2 at Bristol Rovers. Two goals from Richard Walker looked enough for an 8/11 home win, but the Hatters fought back through Adam Le Fondre and a Mark Hughes equaliser two minutes from time.

posted by eyidzgl  # 2:07 AM 0 comments