XOS Is Now JumpTV Sports ... Well Almost

It was announced yesterday that my company was merging with JumpTV to create JumpTV Sports. The particulars should be finalized in August.

I wasn't sure how I felt about it but after hearing the plan moving forward and meeting some of the JumpTV folks, I'm very excited about the new challenges and happy that my immediate future in Florida is secured.

If you care to read more, see below:

Online video service JumpTV Inc. said on Tuesday it would buy a U.S. college sports broadband network for $60.25 million to expand beyond its portfolio of ethnic channels.

JumpTV, which raised about $100 million in February with an eye on acquisitions, will buy the broadband network business division of XOS Technologies Inc. in a deal that also includes the payment of 3 million retention warrants to employees.

Toronto-based JumpTV offers online video channels from countries including Albania, Australia, Egypt and Hong Kong.

The unit of Sanford, Florida-based XOS, which developed and maintains official Web sites for collegiate and professional sports teams, streams over the Internet thousands of U.S. National Collegiate Athletic Association football, basketball, volleyball, baseball and track & field games.

It has more than 150 official and exclusive relationships with U.S. colleges.

The unit generated about $2.45 million in revenue in the first five months of this year and logged an operating loss of $3.17 million in the same period.

The sale to JumpTV follows last month's acquisition by Yahoo Inc. of Rivals.com, a site for fans of college and high school teams, for an undisclosed price.

Here is the official release from JumpTV.

Here is the official release from XOS Technologies.

Spider Pig

Are All Car Dealers Like This?

We all know they're filthy rats but wow, watch this shit.

House Is Finished

Now the fun begins. Thank God my Dad is here to assist me with cleaning, etc. Also a big thanks to my good friend Harry for the moving help.

Got it all done, no thanks to the help of my good friend Amy, who consumed many a Michelob Ultra with me and my Dad this past weekend. But as usual, we had a blast. We've known each other since before kindergarten.

Now, it's just unpack and put all the shit away, hang pictures and clean old apartment. I can't believe the difference in my life in just a few days NOT living the apartment lifestyle.

I'll be posting pictures soon as folks have been asking but for now, just wanted to give a generic update.

So, I decided to post a picture of Biskit as she helped move some boxes.

House Countdown Less Than 3 Days!

I had my walk through today and am pleased to report there are no major issues. The window treatments (blinds) and the garage door opener are the only outstanding options that need to be installed.

Then, it's just a bunch of touch up here and there. I was joined by my brother Khris, my realtor Rich Wize, KB Home Project Manager Jerry Muncy and KB Customer Representative Aaron Mayes. Both Aaron and Jerry were very helpful and immediately acted on my requests to get shit done.



They list the progress at 94% completed and guarantee that all work will be done by Friday. My closing walk through/sign off is at 10 a.m. and then final closing at 11 a.m. in Ormond Beach at the title company.

Then, I get my keys! I've already scheduled for my new furniture to be delivered Sat. June 30 at 2 p.m.

Then, it's just pack and move, pack and move and of course, clean my old apartment. Thankfully, I have such great family and friends that it will be a piece of cake.

Khris leaves tomorrow and my Dad arrives. We will have a blast!

One Week and Counting!

Closing is now less than a week away. It's scheduled for Fri. June 29 at 10 a.m.

Here is the latest progress update.

The Pirates are so Damn Bad....

That they have to resort to making bullshit like this to keep people interested at the games in PNC Park.

Sell the team already Nuttings!

Closing Date June 29

Things are really getting close. KB Home informed me that closing will be June 29 and I'll have a walk through on either Monday June 25 or Tuesday June 26.

They dug out the yard over the weekend and painted the entire inside. Baseboards, banisters, window sills and doors have all been installed.

It should be a busy week but I am very excited. I made my final closing cost payment today so no more $$$ for KB until I get my place.

My brother rolls into town this week and my Dad will be here for closing. Should be lots of fun. Stay tuned.

p.s. Anyone who knows me knows that I know how to throw a party. Well, just wait until August as I'm gonna throw a housewarming party of epic proportions. All are invited.

I'm Happy, I'm Relaxed

I won't even comment suffice to say the video speaks for itself. Some funny ass shit right here.

Can Never See This Too Many Times

Screw fat ass John Madden and the Raiders. This is by far the best video of the Immaculate Reception I've seen on the Web.

House Update: Drywall Done

Wow. The builders continue to make great progress and are still shooting for end of June for completion. Supposedly, June 29 is the target, but anything can happen.

The outside has been painted as you can see and now it's time for touch up and then I'm told they will start painting the inside and doing floors and cabinets.

It's absolutely crazy how fast this is coming together, yet very exciting on the same hand.

I usually do a drive by every night and bring Biskit. She loves climbing the stairs and as you can see, she's found a new spot on the window sill in the guest bedroom.



I'll find out more this week, but it's gonna be a busy couple weeks. That said, my apartment lease runs through July so I don't have to do everything in a weekend.

On a different note, the Yankees swept the Pirates with ease and the Bucs are now 11 games under .500 and only 1.5 games out of the NL central cellar.

This entire organization is a shitful embarassment to the entire city of Pittsburgh.

Relief Is On The Way, But What About The Bats?

To quote a poster from a popular Pittsburgh Pirates message board “The Pirates kicked their entire fan base square in the,” well, you get the picture.

That’s certainly how the masses (except one fan that nobody takes seriously anyway, except himself) feel.

How could a team so desperately starved for hitting pass on a prospect like Georgia Tech standout catcher Matt Wieters?

A power-hitting switch hitter that stands six feet five inches tall…

Well, we do have Ronny Paulino so don’t take a chance right?

The fact that the Bucs not only passed on Wieters but took a reliever, yes a reliever in the first round shocked the fan base yesterday.

But why should it? Anyone who has followed this team consistently should know and know well that this organization is committed to nothing but itself and its profits. This was made ever so clear yesterday by this insanity.

I have nothing against Daniel Moskos and I wish him the best, but this choice really shows that this organization as a whole is out to lunch.

If Dave Littlefield really thinks Moskos was their guy, he should be canned immediately. If he doesn’t he should take many fans suggestions and resign, letting the fans and MLB know that he wasn’t given the opportunity to do his job by ownership.

As for the commitment by ownership, read this: "Clearly, anybody in the organization could say the goal is to win more games and build a championship team," Bob Nutting said.

So you build championship teams by selecting relievers with the no. 4 overall pick?

Sad my friends, quite sad but not the least bit unexpected.

I’m 33 years old and I hope I see the Pirates win before I die. But I’m really starting to wonder.

It’s a good thing though that they’ll have a closer to close the 40 games they win when he’s called up.

Yikes! I Haven't Even Moved in Yet

So I'm driving home from work Tuesday night and I see a massive smoke cloud and a few helicopters flying over top. As I get closer, I realize the fires are very close to my apartment.

But, they're even closer to my new town home. I took a ride to the new place and a road less than 1/4 of a mile away was blocked off. I'd say the raging Florida wildfires were less than 1.5 miles away. Now that is scary.

Good thing though, they were contained. Here's some more info from my good friends at WFTV.com (sister station of my former employer WSOC-TV).

Firefighters in New Smyrna Beach were keeping a close eye, Wednesday, on a fire that crept dangerously close to some homes. The fire burned about 50 acres just southwest of the intersection of Turnbull Bay Road and Martins Dairy Road near the Sugar Mill Country Club, Tuesday night.

Firefighters said they had the fire under control, but they were keeping close watch on the hot spots, because they were burning close to homes and because neighbors know what could happen if the fires reignite.

To read more, click here.

Fantastic Week

I had the best week in a long time this past week. My parents joined me for some fun in the Florida sun. I'm truly blessed to have the best parents in the world.

We did as much as we could and had a blast. Some highlights were the St. John's River Cruise where we saw birds, alligators and all sorts of beautiful plants. We also trekked to St. Augustine (along with my friend Gary Usina) and did the tour with a stop at the Fountain of Youth (pictured, below). That was neat. Of course we went to the beach/pool a bunch of times and just enjoyed each others company. My friend Julie was also here for a few days and enjoyed catching up with my folks.

They also had the privilege of watching the world's worst softball team lose again last Thursday. But, we remain undefeated at the bar.

Thanks again Mom and Dad for a great week. Biskit and I miss you already and send our love. SEE YA SOON!

Happy 30th to John Henry

My pal the piggy celebrated at Hooter's and boy is this vintage. Enjoy!

Progress and Relaunch of Iratefans

The house is really coming along nicely. The roof is finished and electrical wiring begins. Windows are to arrive within a week and then they will drywall the place. After that, it's smooth sailing and I am ready to leave apartment life for good.

Here is a picture of my kitchen and garage. The door opens into the garage.


I've already met a neighbor who will let Biskit out for me while I'm working and that is huge. I have a great view of a wooded area in my backyard and I look out into some beautiful old trees from my master bedroom.

The tentative closing date remains end of June/early July which is perfect as my lease is up end of July.


We're revving up Iratefans.com again as the shitful Pirates are back at it again.

It's really a damn shame how bad this team is year after year and the entire organization is run extremely poorly. There is no accountability whatsoever.

For those looking for a forum to vent, I offer the fastest-growing Bucs site on the net, MaximumGrilledPirates.com.

Same Old Cleveland Brownies

I liked this image so much I had to blog it for everyone to see. It's nice to see some things just don't change.

Tough to chide an ND guy, but now that he's a Brown, screw him.

So I Got Promoted...

Please excuse the mug shot but you get the point. I've been elevated to Senior Manager following a stint as Project Manager. Here is the news release for your reading enjoyment. Please e-mail me if you would like a new business card. The first 50 requests will receive a signed and numbered card. These will be worth big money.

XOS Network Enhances Customer Support with Internal Structure Changes

Additional technicians combine with current leadership to offer the most comprehensive XOS support services to date

ORLANDO, Fla. – May 14, 2007 – XOS Technologies, Inc., the leading technology provider for maximizing the value of content, commerce and services for sports organizations and fans, today announced a series of structural changes to its Network Operations and Support Center as the XOS Network of more than 150 partners continues to expand.

Jeff Young, XOS Network vice president of Operations, today announced new leadership appointments for XOS employees John Henry, Kraig Koelsch and Jeffrey White. Young designated the new leadership positions to accommodate the company’s rapidly growing support center staff. XOS Technologies continues to demonstrate “strong organic growth” which places a heavy emphasis on support services, according to Young.

“We’ve continued to make some big investments to ensure that the superior level of service that our Network partners are accustomed to continues to exceed their expectations even as we grow,” Young said. “The XOS Network Support Center has expanded its well-rounded team of experts to include an even greater variety of skill sets. In addition, with a new management team in order, our partners will continue to receive the same prompt responses to help them answer their questions immediately.”

As part of its continued investment to enhance its support center, XOS promoted Henry from project manager to senior manager of Partner Support. In addition, Koelsch was promoted from project manager to senior manager of Fan Support and White was promoted from partner support representative to project manager.

In his new position, Henry will oversee a team of partner support representatives and ensure that the evolution of the team progresses smoothly, adequately and with no interruption to Network partners. Henry’s professional background includes more than six years of sports-specific Web experience – four of which were spent at CSTV Online and its precursors, and two with AOL.

Koelsch’s new role entails daily oversight for the fans of the XOS Network partner teams to ensure complete satisfaction with premium site offerings. Koelsch served as programming manager for two years at AOL and Netscape before joining XOS. Prior to that, he spent nearly three years as the online content manager for Cox Television's wsoctv.com, the No. 1 Charlotte ABC affiliate, where he achieved record page view, page weight and ad revenue figures within first year.

White began his XOS career working in the trenches of the XOS Support Center, where he formed solid relationships with many of the Network’s partner teams. In his new position, he will lead a designated support team in assisting select Network partners.

The XOS Network Support Center focuses on assisting its professional and collegiate sports partners with troubleshooting regarding:

*Web production and development
*Web publishing (non-digital media assets)
*Web content implementation
*Digital media
*Information technology
*Streaming video across broadband networks

The XOS Network Support Center offers partner and fan support 24/7 through a variety of options including e-mail, phone and live instant messaging based on customer preference.

“Our Network support team needs to be as dynamic as the content that our partners are delivering to fans via the Web, “Young said. “To this end, we’re always examining ways to ensure the best possible support for our many and varied partners. Today’s announcement goes to the heart of our belief that no matter how superior our technology offerings, people make the difference”

XOS Network President Nada Usina also added, “The XOS difference can be summed up by one word – integrity. When we say 24/7 service we mean it. Nothing proves this more than our partners’ trust in that XOS promise. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Just ask any of our partners who have switched to the XOS Network from other providers whose integrity couldn’t match what is demonstrated by XOS every day.”

Happy Mother's Day! Roof Roof, Woof Woof!

First off, Happy Mother's Day to my Mom, Kathie Koelsch. Also, Happy Mother's Day to all the rest of the mothers out there as well.

Had a good weekend thus far with Fat Bradley. The slob currently is asleep after eating 10 mini doughnuts, a bag of Gardettos, half a can of peanuts and half a bottle of wine.

We're having tacos tonight and Lonely John Henry will be attending. I was pissed that the race was rained out last night, but it is always great on a Sunday.

We went to the dog beach yesterday (Smyrna Dunes) and were horrified to see the damage caused by the latest storm last week. I'd say more than half of the beach is now ocean.

Biskit loves it there and it so so peaceful. So that's what makes it so sad.

In other news, the house is going awesome. The guys are working sunrise to sunset 7 days a week.

Here's to hoping Dale Jr. end up driving the no. 3 car (with GM Goodwrench) for Richard Childress Racing next year. That would be awesome.

Happy Birthday Biskit, House in 50 Days!

Biskit turned 1 today and my friend Fat Bradley and I celebrated by buying her some Doggie ice cream, which she loved. She is all better from her colitis and happier than a pig in shit.

Also, I found out today that my new townhome will be ready ahead of schedule. The builders are targeting end of June. I am so excited as I finalized my options today and toured the site with the head foreman.

I look forward to entertaining my family and friends. My parents will be here in two weekends along with my friend Julie.

In other news, Alan Faneca told the Steelers to screw off in a manner I've not seen in some time. It's really ugly. I hope they get Polamalu squared away.

The Walls, Come.....Tumblin' Up!

So the picture sucks but don't blame the photographer. I got as close as I could as there were 10 Mexicans running around.

I'm so excited and every day brings more progress. I got promoted today at work so congrats to me. I'm now a SENIOR Project Manager.

Bow down to my presence.

Don't ask what it all means as it's as confusing as a Pirates personnel decision.

But, we press on and count down until home ownership.

Look Closely: Second Floor Appears

Biskit is under the weather with a form of colitis so says the best Veterinarian, Dr. Ginger Bryant Hutchinson from the Glencoe Veterinary Hospital in New Smyrna Beach.

But regardless, Biskit and I are so happy with the progress of our new house. On a side note, Biskit turns 1 this Friday May 11.

Send gifts to:

Biskit
C/O Kraig Koelsch
13104 Lymestone Court
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168

p.s.s Thanks again to the best parents in the world for helping make this dream come true. Biskit and I love you very much!

Damn: Maybe It Was a Good Pick

A punter in the fourth round? Take a look and judge for yourself. That's one hell of a shot laid out by new Steelers' punter Daniel Sepulveda.

Update: Foundation and Walls

This shit is really coming together. Just a few days ago, KB Home was acting like a spoiled brat and now today, I have concrete, a foundation and a back porch. Baby steps I understand but this is absolutely cool.

On a lighter note, the Steelers took LB Lawrence Timmons from Florida State in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft.

I've heard nothing but good things about him so it's a solid pick to replace the downward-trending Joey Porter.

April 23: Dream Comes True

After some rough sailing I have finally secured the loan and KB is coughing up more than they would have liked in closing costs.

Before it was a dream, today it is a reality. I am a homeowner. Special thanks to my realtor and friend, Richard Wize and home loan coordinator extraordinaire, Jennifer Matacale.

This is the beginning of my plan to rid myself of debt and while it will be a significant lifestyle change, it will be necessary one that will pay off big time.

The foundation will be poured this week!

If you are in the market, consult these two. They are good and they try to help, which is a rarity these days.

Richard's Web site information is linked above and Jennifer can be reached via the information below:

Jennifer Matacale, Home Loan Consultant
Countrywide Home Loans
1530 Cornerstone Blvd. #120
Daytona Beach, Fl 32117
(866) 804-1921 Ext. 3016 Toll Free

Big News in KK Land

That's right, I am finally going to be a homeowner. I was able to find a good deal and am building a townhome in New Smyrna Beach. Scheduled completion date is end of July, which is perfect as that is when my lease runs out.



(Note: For the above picture, my place is located in building A, lot 4....to the left (only green peg). Notice that I am surrounded by conservation land that will NEVER be built on.

Biskit and I are very excited and will be posting progress pictures often. It looks like a great investment opportunity and thanks to the best parents in the world, I have more of a downpayment than ever imagined.

So stay tuned, we be buildin'.

p.s. Had a scare with Biskit over the past week. She had two episodes of appearing wobbly and lethargic. She was checked and given a clean bill of health, but we are monitoring her closely.

Spring Training: A Big Reason I Moved Here

Well the Bucs might have lost but I saw some good things today.

The following are random thoughts after the Bucco loss:

First, Ian Snell's velocity was impressive. Sitting there seeing him hit 96 mph consistently was awesome. And when he missed with a pitch, it wasn't by much.

Tony Armas Jr. looked good, but nothing like Snell.

Brad Eldred (pictured above) can hit. Eldred is also a liability in the field. The picture was take right before his home run.

Jose Castillo is skinny. Real skinny.

How long until we consistently hear Bixler calls when Jack shits the bed this year at the plate in the no. 2 hole? Nice, solid stroke on the HR today.

Many people commented on my Iratefans shirt....all positive, including many Braves fans.

Dave Littlefield was laughing and joking with people for most of the game and appeared to be writing a decent amount. He was also frequently on the phone.

Carlos Maldonado may weigh 300 pounds.....in his legs alone.

The pitchers were to blame for the stolen bases (on Einar Diaz), but every throw Diaz made also seemed to bounce to the bag, and also into centerfield.

Why is Adam LaRoche no. 96? I know it will change but still, why?

Neil Walker showed better discipline (minus the K), but he looked awful on the line drive that went over him. He has a ways to go. But that's OK.

Decent amount of Bucs fans at Disney complex today.

Lots of Only Bucs Network admins (crusty and old codgers) at the game.

If you are a baseball fan and have never been to spring training, you're missing a real experience.

That's all for now...

KK Dodges a Major Bullet

The shock is now gone and the cleanup begins. So many times, the people are forgotten. The killer tornadoes came a little close for my liking this past Friday.

They missed me by five miles, but hit my city of New Smyrna Beach, just thankfully not to the west.

Twenty people lost their lives and many lost everything. Let's hope we can all stand side-by-side and help them rebuild.

Thanks to the many who called, instant messenged and e-mailed. Biskit and I are just fine and prepared to do our part to help our fellow Floridians.

Crazy as it is, Biskit may have saved me had the storm come our way as she was going ballistic, running and barking in my bedroom and eventually hiding under the bed. I took her outside to wee wee and thought it was just a bad storm brewing.

Little did I know the weird skyline and eerie feeling was an actual monster lurking nearby.

Needless to say I now own a quality weather radio. God Bless all those who were victimized by the 2007 killer tornadoes of Central Florida.

For information on how to help, click here.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Estimates show the tornado that hit New Smyrna Beach caused $5.9 million in damage in the New Smyrna Beach area. The latest tally shows 25 homes were destroyed and 91 were damaged.

Let the Pounding Begin!

There were rumors swirling about the re-emergence of the Salt Mine and I'm here to confirm that indeed a salt mine has been spotted in Central Florida. So grab your pick axe and have at it.

Who doesn't love to pound salt?

Shitty Reporting

What a mess this past weekend concerning the Steelers hiring of a new coach. First. SI.com's Michael Silver said it was Mike Tomlin. Then ESPN backed him up. The next day, SI backed off a bit as ESPN stayed with it.

Out of nowhere, the Pittsburgh Tribune and reporter Mike Prisuta say Russ Grimm was offered and accepted the job. It obviously wasn't true, but nobody I know that reads the Scaife rag gives it much credibility anyway.

So, everyone is asking, "KK, what do you think about the Tomlin hiring?" Well at first, I didn't know what to think but after reading and listening to the man, I'm thoroughly impressed and support him 100%. He'll need the support of diehard fans as the racist asshole Steelers fans will certainly turn on him fast. I sure hope this isn't the case, but I know better.

That said, congrats Coach Tomlin. Here we go Steelers, Here we go!

Three Pigs Weekend

It was a wild one this past weekend as Fat Bradley and Fat Robert joined me for some football watching.

A good time was had by all, especially Fat Robert who pillaged, boozed and mauled for a day and a half without even leaving so much as a dime to compensate Bradley and I for our $150 grocery bill.

Fat Robert mauled lasagna, an entire can of easy cheese, half a box of crackers, cereal, bacon and eggs, chips, tacos and a few pieces of cheesecake.

The cow also split half a bottle of my Grey Goose vodka with Lonely John Henry and drank half of my 18 pack of Bud Light.

What a lowly tightass. Oh well, karma will bite him in his fat ass.

Dave the Seal aka Fat Bradley remains for the week and will be doing some sightseeing and getting some much-needed rest and relaxation away from his hopefully soon-to-be ex-wife Angie aka Richard Tator.

Thanks Coach, We'll Miss Ya

Class act all the way....

"And to the fans. To the Steelers fans in Pittsburgh and the fans around the country: Second to none. I want to thank you for your passion and your support. I've said this before: I'm a part of you. You can take the people out of Pittsburgh, but you will never take the Pittsburgh out of people. I'm one of you. Yinz know what I mean."

-Steelers head coach Bill Cowher

Cowher Is Gone!

I'll be the first to report it, officially. Well, obviously not but that's my guess.

The writing is on the wall. Cowher takes a year off, recharges, gets all of his girls to college and he roars back making beaucoup bucks and ready for a new challenge.

Where will he land? This is where I will make my prediction.

CLEVELAND

Yep, Crennel will be canned and the Browns will go get Cowher.

Remember where you heard it first.

A Fat Kid Freaks Out On A RollerCoaster Ride(funny)

Watch as Aunt Janice cackles in the face of a terrified and extremely tubby young blimp. Listen to his shrieks of terror as his fat ass squirms like a snake.

Hold Them Accountable

I challenge everyone who cares to voice their displeasure with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for their idiotic decision to not award a slots license to the only vendor willing to keep NHL hockey in Pittsburgh.

Here is their e-mail address:

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

Express your opinion. These same panel members stood and had the gaul to give themselves a standing ovation for their hard work and decisions.

I am so disgusted I could puke. I wish some board members were near as I would throw up on them.

Shame on you. You are an embarrassment and disgrace to the state of Pennsylvania. Chairman Decker, resign your post.

KK Shines at Holiday Shindig

Wow! Our company Christmas party was a blast. Held in Apopka, Fl at the Captain and the Cowboy, a good time was had by all.

Drunk Santa aka my boss who shall remain nameless here in cyberspace needed some help so I stepped in to emcee the entire event, for the most part. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm perfectly happy to do shit like this so it was no big deal.

So, I busted balls, cracked the entire crowd up, hammered my boss and a few select others and got solid props for making people laugh, which again, I love to do.

It was a lot of fun. Wah, wah, wah, wahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pictured are (Left - KK, Santa and Jonathan Stone - Right). Hope to see everyone again next year. Same place, same time and hopefully, same atmosphere.

Happy Holidays to all and to all a good night.

Dumbass Littlefield Strikes Again

Another set of MLB winter meetings have come and gone and what do the pathetic, downtrodden and flat out sickening Pirates have to show for it?

A small amount of cash acquired in exchange for a rule 5 pick and the re-signing of a lefthanded reliever. While the Marte deal was good, GM Dave Littlefield failed again to acquire the lefthanded power bat the Buccos so desperately need.

It is so easy to lose interest in this team any more.....it really is.

Here is a great little nugget from an ESPN article:

Also, oddly enough, I saw another general manager at McDonald's: Pirates GM Dave Littlefield. He said Pittsburgh's ownership budgeted him only 20 bucks of expenses for the entire trip, so it's 99-cent McNuggets for breakfast, lunch and dinner all week. Poor guy. Although I suppose he's lucky he's even at the winter meetings. I'm surprised the league still bothers inviting the Pirates.

Philly Sucks, But the Cheese Steaks are Good

I went to Philly/Sicklerville, NJ this past weekend to visit my little brother Khris and take in a hockey game. We watched happily as the Penguins beat the piss out of the hapless Flyers. The crowd was not as bad as expected, but as usual, Philly fans showed their asses early and often. The whole area (Jersey included) is filled with millions of miserable, mean and frustrated fans.

I had the privilege of getting a cheese steak from the owner of renowned Geno's Steak's, Joey Vento (pictured, left). I told him I wholeheartedly agreed with the stand he recently took on speaking English.

"The brash owner of Geno's Steaks has sparked new controversy after two weeks of nearly nonstop national attention for signs posted near his take-out window that declare: "This is AMERICA. WHEN ORDERING, 'SPEAK ENGLISH.' "
--Philadelphia Inquirer

To read more, click here.

I hope my next visit includes a trip to Geno's...............

p.s. Vento appreciated my support and gave me a pen......gotta love that.

Same Shit, Different Name

Old Najeh Davenport, fresh off a 70+ yard week and a touchdown for the Steelers in an impressive win over the Chiefs, landed himself a new nickname.

Word out of the Burgh is that Davenport will now be known as 'The Dump Truck.'

What's so funny about that you ask? Read below:

MIAMI — A woman is suing Green Bay Packers fullback Najeh Davenport. She says he invaded her privacy by breaking into her dorm room and defecating in her closet.

Mary McCarthy sued yesterday in a state court in Miami.

Criminal charges were settled in October 2002 when Davenport agreed to perform community service. He denied breaking into the Barry University dormitory.

Police say they were told that Davenport entered a dorm room at the small Catholic university in suburban Miami in the early morning hours of April 1.

Mary McCarthy says she was asleep in the room. She told police she was startled awake by a strange sound and saw a man squatting in her closet. Police said the man, later identified as Davenport, had defecated in her laundry basket.

So take a ride on the Dump Truck and watch your laundry baskets!

Blimp Benedict Arnold Surfaces in Fla.

Be very, very wary of the lard in this picture and what you tell him. He is an extremely lousy person who will get you at the drop of a hat. He can be found near the beach and is usually grumbling about food and money. The 'Pig' as he is known should not be counted on to keep his yap silent and must be kept out of any loop. If not, you'll hang yourself by that rope. In other news, the said 'Pig' will also try to eat the rope. BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Check out that combover.

Old Joe Pap Had The Shits

The poor old coot was turding his britches left and right during Saturday's showdown with the highly-overrated Ohio State Buckeyes. That said, the Bucks won me some $$$ after returning two INT's for touchdowns. So Hang on Sloopy yourself. For those interested, JoePa did not put on an extra 50 pounds. I played the senile bat at last year's AOL Halloween party.

Fat John Henry Comes to Florida

Yes my friends, the lards are reunited. Through some lobbying by KK and a stellar work record, John 'Pig' Henry is now onboard at XOS Technologies. A round of applause (and some hot dogs) please.

The manatee started last week and stayed with me the first few days. He was his usual lazy slob self and left the place worse than when he arrived. Pillows tossed around, blankets, lint in the laundry filter and such. I think he forgot that he was not the dictator as he was when I lived with him in Hell for a month in Ohio (Yes, it was that bad). But I handled the heffer with humble class.

Oh well, you can't teach a pig to be clean and this super swine ain't changing anytime soon.

However, Biskit and I are glad to have him in Florida and wish him well.

Rough Night in Jacksonville

What a boring game. That said, it was fun for the most part. It's obvious Big Ben was rusty, but it was still great to see him out there.

The Steelers will bounce back this week against a banged up Bengals squad.

Speaking of banged up, I was feeling fine at the game and the crowd was fun. I met a Jaguars fan and we had fun going back and forth.

I only had to let one guy know he was an asshole so that's not too bad. I'd definitely go to Jacksonville again, hopefully not to see a shutout.

Steelers vs. Jaguars: KK Live on Monday Night Football

Look for me. I'll be on the 50, 5 rows back. I'm gonna wear my Roethlisberger jersey and a cat in the hat style Steelers hat.

The return of Big Ben in Alltel Stadium and my first game since Super Bowl XL. I took Tuesday off so look out.

Here We Go Steelers Here We Go!

KK B'Day in FLA

Not much going on today as I turn 33 here in sunny Florida. Of course, today being my birthday is overcast and nasty looking but it's a work day anyway so no biggie. No plans for the night, but I'll hit it hard on Friday.

Gonna go to Giuseppe's Steel City Pizza in Port Orange Friday night to watch the Steelers take on the Eagles. Giuseppe's is a cool place and the owner is from western Pennsylvania. It's got a lot of flavor, and the food ain't bad either. I definitely recommend it to any Floridians.

All else is well as we inch closer to football season. Of course, it's almost September and the Pirates still haven't even won 50 games. Who cares? It's not even worth discussing.

Here's a picture of Biskit. She turned 3 months old August 20. She's a lot of fun, but potty training is still underway. I'd set progress at about 88%. That's all for now.

Biskit the Dog Comes to Florida

Been a long time since my last blog entry, but we're back. And yes there is a we. Biskit the baby Apricot/Fawn Pug came into my life yesterday. I got her from a wonderful breeder in Dunellon, Fla., Mrs. Pat Japart. Biskit was born May 20, 2006.

You can see her web site here.

She was given a clean bill of health today after a veterinary appointment here in New Smyrna Beach. Everyone loves her and she is adorable, despite numerous shits and squirts about the house.

Life is great so far after almost one month in the Sunshine State. I just moved into my new apartment (2 bedrooms, 1000 sq. ft) on Saturday. See it here.

NOTE: Click communities, then Lyme Stone Ranch.

Some amenities:
Sun drenched pool
Heated Spa
24-hour fitness center
Business center
Laundry care center
Car care center

Biskit and I live 5 miles from the Atlantic Ocean so we're beach bums. That rules! That's all for now, but rest assured we'll be back. We're a mile off I-95 so stop and visit.

Iratefans Make the Paper; Combat Counterfeiters

So, we're big now. Read this:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06179/701647-63.stm

But, as is the case with any good idea, thieves rush in:

Bogus Iratefans.com Shirts Surface
PRESS RELEASE: June 29, 2006
CONTACT: Kraig A. Koelsch
KraigK36@gmail.com
(704) 608-9117

Imitated, but Never Duplicated

Various reports are surfacing from Pittsburgh that area opportunist vendors are trying to cash in on the iratefans.com brand. "It's not a bit surprising. When people see a good thing, they all want a part of it," said iratefans co-founder Kraig Koelsch.

The bogus shirts say Irate Fan, rather than the plural fans. One loyal iratefans supporter discussed the shirt with the vendor who quickly moved on. Also, the P on the shirt's front has fallen to halfway between IRATE and FAN, but is still upright and lacks the "tracer marks" of a genuine iratefans t-shirt. The skull with the crossbones has baseball stitching, but lacks the lower jaw. The upper bones are shadowed against baseball bats.

"True fans that became aware of who we are and what we stand for won't fall for this weak imitation. Thanks for the flattery, but there's a big difference between driving a Mercedes and bouncing in a Mitsubishi," he added. To ensure you have an official shirt, make sure you get it from the iratefans e-bay store.
http://stores.ebay.com/iratefans

-30-

Breaking News From the Breadline: KK Gets Job!

Yes, it's true. Team KK saved himself from the storied and popular breadline. I've accepted a new position as ESPN Project Manager at XOS Technologies, Inc. in 'Fred G.' Sanford, Florida. I'm really excited to start a new career path and XOS is just beginning to blow up. I think it's a great fit for both myself and the company. My first day is July 17 and I'll be in corporate housing for the first month so I have no address as of yet. My phone number remains the same if you need to reach me. Here is the product I'll manage. And now, the former breadline countdown has changed to the goldmine countdown.

Iratefans Gaining Steam

Well, we've reached some serious eyes and ears and now have a few new editions to our cause. I submitted our plight to Deadspin and they loved it. Also, Baseball Prospectus was kind enough to make reference to our McClatchy Line term, which, for those who don't know, means .a .500 record in Major League Baseball.

And today, I appeared on AOL's Sports Bloggers Live to trumpet iratefans.com. The report will be online and available at 5 p.m. June 15 at the above link. Ironically, I was sandwiched in a three-guest lineup that included #1 Drew Carey, #2 KK and #3 Lucas Black, Star of Fast & Furious and QB in Friday Night Lights.

Those mentions, along with our appearence on WPXI-TV Channel 11 and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette mean our cause is at least a valid one that people have interest in. And that is our goal. Expose these bums and get some change.

Keep it going gentlemen. Visit Iratefans.com!

Iratefans Unite!

The first gathering of Iratefans gathered Saturday to watch the Pirates take on the Padres. We survived a nasty lightning storm and saw the Bucs beat the Padres 6-4.

The group consisted of about 12 fans (a few didn't come into the game).

The minute we put our shirts on, the looks started. We were hanging out on the street at Firewaters North Shore Saloon & BBQ. We actually had a few people walk up to us and buy shirts, even though none were technically for sale.

Everyone who commented loved the idea. The owner of Firewaters, Jeffrey Joyce, was very receptive to our cause and welcomed our group. Jeff also offered a room for our next get together and some food at a good price. Thus, Firewaters is now the official bar of the Iratefans.

As we waited for WPXI to film us, everyone got a chance to meet each other. Many were acquainted via OnlyBucs.net, but had never met in person.

As soon as WPXI came, we got even more looks and smiles as we were being filmed. As I entered the stadium, numerous double takes and comments were often heard.

In a nutshell, the cause is off and running and the news on the street is very good.

So get your shirt now and join the cause. We'll be planning Game no. 2 very soon.

-Kraig A. Koelsch