The top 10 sports moments in Atlanta in 2012

Here are the top 10 sports moments in 2012. I had to work hard to find 10.

10. The Braves made the playoffs! They led 2-0 against the Cardinals with Kris Medlen, the hottest pitcher in big league history, on the mound in the wildcard game. I don't remember what happened next as I took a nap. I awoke to a lot of water bottles falling from the sky.

9. The Falcons were up 2-0 against the Giants with 13 minutes and 44 seconds left in the 2nd quarter. I fell asleep after that so I can't tell you what happened.

8. The Hawks were ahead one game to none and up 11 points in the 2nd quarter while arguably the Celtics best player Rajon Rondo was out with an injury. The Bulls had just lost Derrick Rose so the Hawks knew that a series win would give them a shot at most likely the 8 seeded 76ers and a chance to earn a shot at their first Eastern Conference Championship Series ever. I don't remember what happened next as I had a dentist appointment.

7. The Georgia Bulldogs were driving down the field down only 4 points in the SEC Championship game to Alabama. With seconds remaining, Aaron Murray gave the signal that he was about to spike the ball so the Dawgs would have 2 or 3 plays left. I don't know what happened next as I had to use the restroom.

6. New Hawks GM Danny Ferry traded both Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams. I have never been so happy with a Hawks move in my life. I even burned my Shelden Williams jersey in celebration.

5. The UGA Bulldogs basketball team led number one Indiana 30-29 at halftime in New York. This would be the biggest Bulldogs victory in years. I can't tell you what happened. I've been sworn to secrecy.

4. The Atlanta Dream, after being swept in the championship the last 2 years, stole home court in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Indiana and could close them out at Philips Arena and set up another chance to win a title. I don't know what happened as I changed the channel. The Brady Bunch marathon was on.

3. The Atlanta Silverbacks soccer team - ah, nevermind...

2. Potential Heisman Trophy candidate and Georgia running back Isaiah Crowell had promised he'd learned from 2011-2012 and was not only in great shape but did not plan on having an attitude this year. Then a felony charge happened and then yada yada yada...

1. Chipper Jones played his final game in a Braves uniform. Chipper, we will miss you.

Special goodbyes in 2012:

1. Chipper Jones - we will miss you, Chipper!
2. Jair Jurrjens - Not so much, Jair.
3. Tommy Hanson - Tommy, you pitched at my first Gwinnett Braves game. I wish the success could have continued after that. Good luck in Anaheim.
4. David Ross - David, you are the best backup catcher in the bigs. Good luck in Boston.
5. Eric Hinske - Eric, I heard there are a lot of great restaurants in Phoenix. Your HR should have meant more in 2010...Darn it Brooks Conrad!
6. Rodney Garner - I hope we can recruit at UGA without you.
7. Isaiah Crowell - You scare me. Nothing negative from me. But I will say a sentence I never heard this football season was "Man, I miss Crowell."
8. Joe Johnson - Ha Ha! Thank you Brooklyn!
9. Marvin Williams - Change "Brooklyn" to "Utah."
10. Mike Mularkey - The Jags are my new favorite team.
11. BVG - the guy's resume is an entire notebook.
12. Curtis Lofton - Enjoying the offseason already, Curtis?
13. Michael Bourn - It's not official yet but Boras has brainwashed yet another client to believe he's better than he really is.

Welcome to Atlanta in 2012:

1. B.J. Upton - B.J., glad you'll be patroling CF for a long time.
2. Jordan Welden - We got something for Tommy Hanson...yes!
3. Our 2 new Falcons Coordinators - Nolan and Cutter can now prove why we got them.
4. Anybody we got from the Nets and Jazz for JJ and Marvin - you are welcomed with open arms.
5. Lou Williams - best 6th man in the Eastern Conference.
6. Danny Ferry - I love you, man.
7. Gur-Shall - You guys rock! UGA will be solid for a very long time!!!

Crazy sports predictions for 2013!

10. The Atlanta Falcons will finally win a Super Bowl! Yeah, I said it. I'm one of the most pessimistic fans around but the Falcons have a lot going for them. Homefield advantage in the NFC. They are familiar with the city of New Orleans and the Super Dome if they get there. They have a great QB and a much improved defense. They have a lot to prove after the last 3 postseasons. I'm saying "Falcons over the Patriots."

9. Every year in college football it seems there is one high ranked team that gets to the BCS championship and one sleeper (except for last year when it was LSU and Alabama). My BCS Championship prediction for 2013-2014 is Alabama-Florida State. I want to pick against Bama but they have a schedule that I think they can do very well. I just can't pick against Saban. Florida State is in a weak ACC and has been on the verge the last few years. They're not a true sleeper but they haven't been to the championship in a very long time.

8. The Heisman Trophy will go to...Georgia Running Back Todd Gurley. I know this sounds like a homer pick but the kid is amazing and only a freshman. Wait till next year!!!

7. The World Series winner will be the Cincinnati Reds. I know that's crazy but they were on the verge of beating the Giants last year and they are a good, young team with solid pitching. I also predict the Dodgers will be a major disappointment even with the high payroll. I'll say the Reds over the Rays in a small-market affair.

6. The Stanley Cup Winner will be...who cares! Will there even be hockey at that point? Probably but I really don't care. I'll pick the Flyers just because of my buddy Ross.

5. The NBA champs will be the Oklahoma City Thunder over the Miami Heat. Revenge is sweet for Durant!

4. The NCAA Basketball Champions will be the Duke Blue Devils. They will beat a tough Florida Gator team in the final.

3. Andy Murray will finally win Wimbledon next year.

2. Princess Kate will have a boy. It's not sports-related but I'm on a roll.

1. Tiger Woods will finally win another major.

2012 was a good year overall

2012 has been a very good year for me personally. Andrea and I are doing well. Avery and Ethan had terrific years. Avery has become a great gymnast and she had her first gym meet this year and took home third place. I was very proud of her. Ethan became a soccer star and scored 8 goals in one game. Andrea became the Queen of Scramble and has beaten me 100 consecutive games. I'm always looking for tips.

Healthwise it has been a decent year. I completed P90X and lost about 15 pounds. I've had some minor issues but nothing overwhelming. I'm very thankful to be on this earth. Andrea and the kids are doing pretty well healthwise. Andrea, in fact, looks amazing. She's been working out with a personal trainer. Magic had a tough year with two torn ACL's but she is finally 100% after a few months of rehab.

As far as achievements, I was proud to join the Terry College (The business school at UGA) and proud to be a 40 under 40 honoree at UGA. I was also proud to throw out a first pitch at a Braves game. My softball team won their second ever competitive league championship this fall. Wish for Wendy broke the record for money raised with over $330K so I know my sister would be proud of the money we've raised to benefit the CF Foundation. I also hit three years of sobriety.

Most of all, I was proud to be Andrea's husband and Ethan and Avery's dad. I'm fortunate to spend time with them and I love seeing the kids grow up and form their own personalities. Avery is becoming an avid reader and as mentioned earlier a terrific gymnast. She also talks to me like she is an adult and I am the child. It's kind of scary. Ethan is not only a great soccer player but also a class clown at home. I'm going to try out his skills at baseball this spring.

2012 was a tough year dealing with the Sneiderman case. I still stand behind Andrea and know she will be exonerated one day. It's difficult not being able to speak to her as I am a potential witness and am on the list of people who cannot talk to her. Please don't assume my silence right now means that I am any less behind her. I feel like the best PR for her will be after the case is over. I am sad that the family is at odds due to one man's terrible act. I'm mostly sorry that Rusty isn't here and that his kids have had to deal with so much.

In 2012, I sold many copies of "The Drive at 35" and raised more money for the Wish for Wendy Foundation. None of the proceeds benefitted me personally. I was also happy to make many speeches including trips to Missouri, Virginia and Ireland where we again raised money to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. I also was honored to speak in front of 1,200 students at The Marist School in Atlanta.

In January of 2012, I was excited that Kalydeco was approved by the FDA. It's a big step in treating CF patients. While this drug only helps 4% of the CF population, other drugs will soon be in the pipeline and a cure is near. I'm also proud to still be a board member of the CF Foundation who helps fund drugs like Kalydeco.

My sports teams had up and down years this year. The Falcons lost to the Giants in the wild card round but are now 13-2 and the number one seed in the NFC. Hopefully January will bring a Super Bowl to Atlanta. The Braves won one of the two wildcard spots only to lose the wildcard game. The Hawks lost in the first round against the Celtics. Basically my teams were 0-3 in playoff games (0-4 if you count UGA's tough loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship). I was sad to see Chipper Jones and Andy Roddick retire this year - 2 of my favorite athletes.

In closing, I hope 2013 is a wonderful year for each of you. May there be many celebrations. May each of you forgive yourselves for the mistakes you make and work on improving. Life isn't about perfection. In fact, it's about imperfection. If we were all perfect, this would be a boring place.

Have a great 2013!

Andy

funny

There is a restaurant near my office that I have never frequented so I can't tell you if the food is good or bad. The food may be great but as a marketing major at UGA, I have to question what they were thinking when they came up with the name of their restaurant. To me, when you start a restaurant, you want it to sound inviting and delicious. Here are some good examples: Sweet Tomato, Horseradish Grill and the Spaghetti Store.

I have enclosed a picture I took from outside the parking lot of this restaurant which surprisingly never seems busy. Have a good one!

Andy

Top 10 reality shows I would make

10. Eating up the Kardashians: Kim and her crew get stuck at the Great Barrier Reef. Jaws says hello.

9. Survivor Hilton - Paris and the family have to stay at a Motel 6 for an entire year. Don't drop the soap or the bug spray.

8. The Biggest Celebrity Loser starring Christina Aguilera, Melissa McCarthy, Jessica Simpson and Sally Struthers.

7. Leave IT to Bieber - Justin Bieber takes over as the Director of IT at Facebook and handles all of your complaints.

6. The X-Factor Files - Simon Cowell tries to figure out if Britney Spears is from this planet.

5. The Amazing Face - judges decide if a celebrity has had plastic surgery. Joan Rivers is the host.

4. Project Monday - Big celebrities have to come work a real 9 to 5 job on a Monday. Thank you for calling Usher, how can I help you?

3. Jersey Whore - same show as the old one; just changed a letter.

2. America's Next Top Trainwreck: Lindsey Lohan, Amanda Bynes and Britney Spears judge these young celebrities on traffic tickets, public tantrums and avoided prison time. Danny Bonaduce hosts.

1. So You Say You Wear The Pants: 10 husbands have to prove that they run their households. The last one standing wins. The probability of having zero winners is highly likely.

Top 10 Things I've learned in 2012

10. Atlanta sports fans have had enough of the criticism.

I guess it started when we couldn't sell out playoff games years ago but the national media has constantly berated Atlanta fans. We finally showed our disgust during the "infield fly" call in October by throwing water bottles all over the field (a game we sold out by the way).

9. The heartbreaking sports curse won't seem to end.

The Al Horford missed free throw and the bad call against the Hawks to end the Celtics series, the infield fly call against the Braves and the oops I caught the ball play to end Georgia's hope for an SEC title and a chance to play for the national title. I wonder how the Falcons season will end. At least the Thrashers moved to Winnipeg.

8. America has a gun problem.

I don't know how to solve it but it scares me for my children. The acts in Aurora, Newtown and Chicago (amongst others) also tells me we have a lot to learn about mental illness.

7. Be careful what you say.

Dan Cathy alienated millions by his gay rights statement. The kid from Two and a Half Men told people not to watch his show as he believes it's not a godly show. The guy is getting paid millions so it makes no sense. What is it about that show? First, Charlie Sheen and now this guy.

6. Call Me Maybe and Gangnam Style have been played more than Hugh Hefner gets played by marrying a Playmate.

5. Men's tennis has 4 of the greatest players of all time playing each other. Murray, Djokovic, Federer and Nadal would dominate in almost any other era. I just wish American tennis would make a comeback. Thank you to Andy Roddick. You were a pleasure to watch.

4. Scramble with Friends is very addictive! Look me up at AndyLipman1. Expect to win and to get a nudge if you take more than 24 hours between games.

3. When playing games at an amusement park, think about how much room you have in your car before going for the big prize (see picture attached).

2. Reality TV has jumped the shark. My top 10 awful reality shows are: the X-Factor, anything starring Howie Mandel, anything with a Kardashian, Honey Boo Boo, any American reality show with a British host, Hoarders, anything with Katie Couric, the WNBA, Teen Mom (really?) and Storage Wars (now that we know it is fake). If only the Walking Dead was reality TV and they could eat the Kardashians. A man can dream!

1. I've learned not to take everything at face value. See Facebook going public, the world ending last week and some of the things you read in the media.

December 18, 2012

Today would have been Wendy's 42nd birthday. In her memory, we have raised $1.6 million for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Wendy, thank you for the beautiful weather every year and for inspiring us to find a cure for this disease. I love you and will continue to fight.

Andy

My all-around champion

Avery had her first gym meet this weekend and she did awesome. She won a medal in every event and finished third in the all-around competition. I was so proud of her. She loves gymnastics and works several hours a week to get better. Many of you have seen her doing somersaults wherever we go.

What makes me prouder is that two years ago she was afraid to even get on stage to sing a song with her class and now she is performing in front of over a hundred people and achieving wonderful results.

Avery, I'm so proud to be your daddy...and not because of any medal you could ever win...just because I love you very much and I know you have a wonderful heart and you will accomplish so many great things in your lifetime. This is only the beginning.

Love,

Daddy

My reaction to Newtown

Picture enclosed: Vicki Soto who saved several children by putting them in a closet while a cowardly man shot her and the rest of the children in her class.

Last Friday was very difficult for this country. I had a very difficult time swallowing what happened to 26 innocent people, most of which were children who could not defend themselves.

What type of coward does that? Victoria Soto (picture enclosed) saved several children's lives by putting them in a closet only to lose her own life. She will always be deemed as a hero. The principal and psychologist should be deemed as heroes too as they came running when the man broke in to Sandy Hook Elementary School.

I don't know what's tougher: Seeing the pictures of those innocent children who lost their lives or knowing that there are men and women like Adam Lanza that in a moment's time can ruin our lives and destroy the future of this world.

I saw pictures of some of the kids lost and many reminded me of my own. I can't empathize with the parents. I have no idea how they feel. I wouldn't want to know how they feel. I am so sorry for them. I'm sure they are devastated and they will need a huge support team to get them through this. Actually, they'll never get completely through this. They just need a support team to keep them from losing everything.

I know that this man was mentally ill and that the guns were not registered to him. I'm not an advocate of the NRA but I understand that there are some people that should have the right to own firearms. I'm the first to admit that I'm not educated enough to form an opinion on the matter. I just think there are a lot of people who should not have the right to own a gun. I look at my friend Rusty who was shot down and murdered by a man who should not have owned a gun. I look at what happened in Aurora, Colorado and Columbine.

I think the thing that frustrates me most is that this guy took his own life. He should have been apprehended and made to suffer. I'm not a violent person but I want to tear this guy apart. He killed innocent children who could not defend themselves...and several adults too. And for the ones who survived, he tore away their innocence forever.

I want to tell the Newtown families that they will be in my prayers now and always. This is truly horrible. I have yet to talk about it with my son or daughter but I'm sure that someday Andrea and I will need to discuss it with them. There are some really horrible people in this world and they aren't satisifed until they ruin the lives of others who did nothing to hurt them. Who knows? We could have lost the person who was going to cure cancer or who was going to give birth to that person. We could have lost a future president of this fine country. We could have lost doctors, nurses and lawyers who could help make this world a better place. The sad thing is that we'll never know. The sadder thing is that many of these children not only did not get to realize their dreams, they didn't even have enough time to have any sort of dream of what they wanted to do in the future.

I ask myself what would I have done if I were the mother of the future killer. She knew he had problems but she tried to diffuse them herself. It's not like she asked him to do these things and from all accounts she was a great mom. I'm sure if she could go back in time, she would change things. Still if my kids were like him, would I do anything different? I would like to think so but I have no idea.

How about the killer's brother? He will be villified for a very long time. He lost his mother and his brother. His last name will be placed amongst other awful mass murderers like Bundy, Manson and Dahmer. His life is ruined. From all accounts, he also did nothing wrong.

How about the girl who lost her twin brother? She was one of the children put in a closet by Ms. Soto while her brother was killed. Twenty children lost their lives! 20!!! Six innocent adults lost theirs too.

What is wrong with the world today? That's the question that seems to be posed the most. I don't think it's the world that is all that messed up; it's just a few individuals. The difference between now and then is that there are a lot more things that these people can get their hands on and we have the Internet that will help broadcast all of the horrible things going on. Sadly, some of these people want the fame and exposure of committing horrific acts like this.

To the children and adults who lost their lives on Friday, I am so sorry that you won't be amongst us going forward. No one should have to die the way you did nor should they have to do it so early in life. I promise that you will always be remembered.

I've heard the expression "Everything happens for a reason." I don't think this is a place that this applies. Maybe there will be tougher handgun laws from this. Maybe security in schools will improve even greater. The thing is that it will never bring these people back and that's what I know their families would prefer.

I am the type of person who loves to fix things but I don't know how to fix this. The families will never be totally healed. These people aren't coming back. There will always be guns and cowardly human beings who will use them for the wrong reasons.

I am still scared any time we hire a new babysitter because of the abuse I suffered when I was a little boy. I'm still scared to leave my daughter or son in a room alone with someone due to the issues I had with the daughter of a family friend. Now, though this didn't affect me personally, I will be nervous any day that my children go to school because there are scary people like this one who took out 26 innocent human beings. Life is supposed to be something we should each enjoy. I'm a motivational speaker and that's my message whenever I give talks. Today I'm not a motivational speaker. I'm as scared as any of you about the future of this world. How can we have faith in a higher power when horrible things happen to innocent people? It's difficult to believe in God or anything else right now.

How can we enjoy life knowing that people like Adam Lanza exist? How are we supposed to feel safe? How are our children supposed to feel safe?

I can't answer any of those questions.

I suppose for me that's the most difficult thing.

Andy

My numbers are down but I'm not!

First off, some "firsts" for the Lipman family. Avery can now ride her bike by herself. Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB2VXHI_n9s&list=UUPQYHxtjw13fc2HmrHhUKKw&index=1

Go Avery!

Second, Andrea just found out today that we can stop towel walking Magic. It's been about 16 weeks. This is a big step in the recovery process. Go Magic!

Ethan is getting really good at writing his letters. Today he made me an S. I'm very proud of the little guy. Go Ethan!

Now, back to the topic.

I have not been openly discussing it but since this is a blog I guess it's a good forum to tell people that I've been under the weather for several weeks since about a week before Wish for Wendy (early November). I'm sure part of it is the weather and the viruses that go around. I went to the doctor on Friday and my numbers were down 4%. It's frustrating and I'm emotionally spent.

Last time I got sick, I grew this. That's also when I was battling clinical depression. Not this time (you're welcome Andrea and Avery). Though I think ZZ Top would love another band member.

There was good news from the appointment too. My blood pressure was normal and my weight was stable. My chest sounded good and I was able to find a good parking space at the hospital. Ok, I might be overdoing the positives a bit.

Wish for Wendy is over and softball season ended last week (Champs again!!!). I was proud that I played in that game and contributed to the win. I knew I wasn't 100% but I also knew that I wasn't going to use that as an excuse. I did bench myself for half the game so I could rest. I have no excuse not to take the time to take care of myself. If that means saying "No" to a few things right now then so be it.

Look, I get that things could be worse. In fact, I just found out one of my good friends with CF was recently on a ventilator with pneumonia and just recently got taken off the vent and is doing somewhat better. Sadly, in the CF world, things like that happen to people. It's one of the primary reasons I write books about staying positive with this disease. I'm hoping she can fight this and continue to get better. Please keep her in your prayers.

I'm not sad or depressed about things. I've already had the calls with my parents telling me everything will be ok. I know that but it's when you're in the midst of sickness it's difficult not to feel the frustration especially when you are dealing with exhaustion from taking so many meds. I find myself napping quite a bit during lunch at work.

I'm just sick of being sick. I've been on 3 different courses of oral antibiotics in the past 6 weeks. I'm waking up at 5 a.m. every morning to do my TOBI. I've doubled up on my Pulmozyme. Sometimes I think I'm a tougher doctor on myself than my own doctor. I'm still keeping up the workout routine. That's one thing I can't eliminate as that is what is going to help get me better. This morning, I did a 30 minute workout plus 25 minutes on the treadmill. I'm coming up with a new P90X for CFers. I'm going to call it. BCFX! Beat CF eXtreme!

Andrea and the kids keep me smiling. Ethan plays Xbox football with me in the morning (he will only be Georgia and I have to be some division 2 school) and Avery enjoys kicking my butt at UNO. I just learned how to play Scramble on my phone and Andrea is beating me like a drum.

There is a part of me that wants a pity party. That's the part of me that used to prevail but that's no longer the case. I deal with my emotions a lot better now (in fact I reached my 3-year sobriety birthday this past November). I found myself doing dips in the doctor's office while I waited for her to show up after finding out my PFT results. I considered finding a playground and doing pullups on the jungle gym but I had to tell myself to slow down. Getting better is not going to be instant. It will take time.

On a personal note, I'm sad that the Walking Dead won't be back until February. That has become my show. Andrea just got us Netflix so I'm looking forward on catching up with some horrible horror movies (Just saw Paranormal Activity 3 - creepy). Thanks honey! Here's a quick funny story. I just saw Hostel 3. I'd seen the other 2 so I had to complete the trilogy. The star was Kip Pardue (QB from Remember the Titans). I didn't realize that before I started watching. The funny story is Kip's sister is one of my good friends so I had to e-mail her after watching it. I just thought that was pretty neat.

Today CF is getting the best of me and probably has been for several weeks now...BUT don't expect that to continue much longer. CF, enjoy it while you can. This is only a small battle and I plan to win the war.

I will make CF stand for Can Fight!

Live your dreams and love your life.

Thanks for listening.


Andy

Check out the story of the Berry children and Houston Texans' J.J. Watt

Check out the Berry family with J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans. Simone Berry is one of my wife's sorority sisters from Emory so I was able to meet her a few times in the past. It's a really sad story but J.J. Watt's involvement has definitely lifted everyone's spirits. Check it out.

Andy


http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8734437

The Lipman Awards

It's time for the annual Lipman awards. Winning a Lipman is as prestigious as an Emmy or an Oscar. Just ask me.


Top 5 most under-rated movies of all time:

5. Mask - I still cry when I watch this movie. Not to be confused with Jim Carrey's The Mask. I cried in that movie too but for different reasons.
4. A League of Their Own - see above
3. 25th Hour - Ed Norton has never been better. Great young cast including Philip Seymour Hoffman. A Spike Lee Film.
2. Taken - Liam Neeson has never been better.

And the Lipman goes to:

1. Better Off Dead... - I'm amazed at how many people have not seen this movie. So many great lines.


Top 5 most under-rated actors of all time:

5. Ben Foster (Alpha Dogs)- see Ben in Alphadogs and you'll know what I mean. He's done some other stuff too but the guy is a heck of an actor.
4. Billy Zane - have you seen Titanic or better yet Dead Calm?
3. Vincent D'Onofrio - Watch Law & Order Criminal Intent and Full Metal Jacket
2. Clancy Brown - he's the security guard from Shawshank Redemption and he's awesome! He reminds me of Richard Kiel (JAWS)

And the Lipman goes to:

1. Sam Rockwell - there are too many parts to go through but he was the crazy criminal in the Green Mile.
Honorable Mention: Tim Curry, Richard Kiel, Michael Ironside, J.K. Simmons, Ed Lauter, Frank Whaley and Billy Crudup



Top 5 most under-rated actresses of all time:

5. Catherine Keener - so many roles and always good
4. Laura Linney - great in Love Actually
3. Kathy Bates - just watch Misery
2. Juliette Lewis - Just watch the Other Sister. She was amazing and she really has great versatility - drama or comedy - great in What's Eating Gilbert Grape too

And the Lipman goes to:

1. Rachel McAdams - Mean Girls, The Notebook, etc.



Top 5: I don't understand the big deal about:


5. Julia Roberts - I swear she has incriminating pictures on someone in Hollywood because I don't get how she gets so many big movies and magazine covers. She's average at best.

4. Cameron Diaz - See above.

3. Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian or any socialite

2. Matthew McConaughey's chest

And the Lipman goes to:

1. Honey Boo Boo - I can't tell you how much this show's success gets to me.


Top 5 Please stop showing up on the covers of magazines; it's annoying:

5. Julia Roberts - do you see a trend?
4. J-Lo: No one thinks more of J-Lo than J-Lo
3. Cameron Diaz: Seriously, I can't go grab a Hershey bar without seeing her on a magazine cover.
2. Justin Bieber: I'm not a believer.

And the Lipman goes to:

1. Britney Spears - She was the It Girl in the 2000's. Now, not so much.


Top 5 Most over-rated movies:

5. The Sixth Sense - Look, I loved the end of this movie but quite honestly the rest of it is not that good.
4. Napoleon Dynamite - I laughed a lot but was it really worth of all of the accolades?
3. Any of the Lord of the Rings movies - I fell asleep to most of them.
2. Any movie starring Ben Stiller

And the Lipman goes to:

1. Avatar - the graphics were cool but the movie did nothing for me.

Top 5 Most Over-rated actors:

5. Adam Sandler - he's kind of lost it.
4. Will Ferrell - at one point I loved him. Not now.
3. Keanu Reeves - he annoys me
2. Nicolas Cage

And the Lipman goes to:

1. Ben Stiller

And now for the funniest part of the show. I found an old list of my top 10 Hollywood crushes from 2000. Here is the list and my feelings now:

10. Jenny McCarthy - I'm sorry but once she started dating Jim Carrey and getting into politics, I think I preferred Andrew McCarthy.
9. Tara Reid - Plastic Surgery has been very, very bad to her.
8. Melissa Joan Hart - Like her career, she has plummetted.
7. Eliza Dushku - She's not top 10 material anymore. Sorry Eliza
6. Kate Beckinsale - Still in my top 10. Good job Kate!
5. Anna Kournikova - one of the few that would still be in my top 10.
4. Jessica Alba - still a pretty girl but just heard she's having her 3rd kid. Jessica, that's not a good way to stay in the Top 10.
3. Christina Aguilera - Ummm...yeah, let's just say she's not the Christina of 2000.
2. Jessica Simpson - O.J. Simpson looks better right now.
1. Britney Spears - She's lost it in more ways than one. I can't believe what has happened to her. Britney, we will always have 2000.


And I had a crush on my wife in 2000 and she's still be my number 1 (especially in this shirt). Awwww!

Thank you for watching The Lipman Awards!

Andy

We are the champions...again!

Off The Bench ran into a great opponent last night in the competitive league championship. If we played that team 10 times, we'd probably win 2 or 3. They won the prior game 20-7 over an UNDEFEATED team! The team captain whose team had lost said "Score 10 runs and you will win."

We were smaller but not intimidated.

We were up 2-0 and then 4-2 despite the fact they'd loaded the bases with no one out but we still managed to keep them scoreless with some great defense that inning. You got a feeling this team was ready to blow us out and you'd be right. Thanks to their hulking cleanup hitter hitting two 2-run homers that combined for a distance to Smyrna, we were tied 4-4 in the 5th. Then they scored 5 runs in the top half of the inning and we were shut out in the bottom half. 9-4 after 5.

We finally held them scoreless in the 6th and got 2 back of our own. Again we held them scoreless in the 7th and we came up for our final at-bat. We started with an out and then Sara Kate got on as our opponents made a rare error. I followed with a hit. Soon after there were 2 outs. We were down to our final hitter. Ira was also the tying run. Ira singled and Sara Kate scored. It was 9-7. I remembered the team captain before saying "Score 10 runs and you'll win."

Next Josh came up and lined one to the OF. I came in to score and as I turned around I heard those famous footsteps I'd heard for decades. Ira slid in. It was as if we were replaying Sid's slide from 1992. It was close but he was safe as Ira reiterated several times at Hudson who does not serve food or drinks but that's another story for another day.

The game was tied 9-9!

Kelly followed with a huge walk completing her perfect night. It was up to Brandon with Josh at second and 2 outs. BJ lined a foul ball that just missed the line. 2 strikes, 2 outs. Line drive past second. Josh rounded third, crossed the plate and scored the winning run.

Fall competitive league champs again!!!!

Our only 2 championship have occurred in the Fall. It might be time to rename the team "The Fall Guys!"

GO OTB!!!

Andy

My CF/Exercise Routine

For those of you who are curious what a CFer (myself) does as far as meds in a week, here you go. If you are a CF patient, please ask your doctor before you attempt to use this routine. It has taken years for me to get this routine to where it is today. I am currently on Augumentin as between a few lung infections and a middle ear infection over the last 6 weeks, I've been a little on the recovery side. Still I play in my championship softball game tomorrow night and cannot wait.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday routines

Hypertonic Saline Aerosol 20 minutes
Pulmozyme Aerosol 20 minutes
Therapy vest 40 minutes
TOBI 40 minutes (every other month)
Miralax (Monday only)
4 ZenPep enzymes with breakfast
2 Juice Plus with Breakfast (supplement)
1 Lexapro with Breakfast - for anxiety (not necessarily CF related)
1 Fish Oil pill
1 Caltrate
1 Source CF vitamin pill
1 Antibiotic (I'm on them this week)
1 Zithromax pill

4 Pancrease Enzymes for lunch
4 Pancrease Enzymes for snack

4 Pancrease Enzymes for dinner
2 Juice Plus with dinner (supplement)
1 Fish oil pill
1 Vitamin D pill
1 Caltrate
1 Antibiotic (I'm on them this week)
1 Nexium

Hypertonic Saline Aerosol 20 minutes
Vest 40 minutes
TOBI 40 minutes (every other month)

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday routines

Hypertonic Saline Aerosol 20 minutes
Pulmozyme Aerosol 20 minutes
Therapy vest 40 minutes
TOBI 40 minutes (every other month)
Miralax (Thursday only)
4 ZenPep enzymes with breakfast
2 Juice Plus with Breakfast (supplement)
1 Lexapro with Breakfast - for anxiety (not necessarily CF related)
1 Fish Oil pill
1 Caltrate
1 Source CF vitamin pill
1 Antibiotic (I'm on them this week)

4 Pancrease Enzymes for lunch
4 Pancrease Enzymes for snack

4 Pancrease Enzymes for dinner
2 Juice Plus with dinner (supplement)
1 Fish oil pill
1 Vitamin D pill
1 Caltrate
1 Antibiotic (I'm on them this week)
1 Nexium

Hypertonic Saline Aerosol 20 minutes
Vest 40 minutes
TOBI 40 minutes (every other month)

Plus Workouts:

Mon, Wed and Friday - 10 minutes of running, 25 minutes of working out
Tues, Thurs and Saturday - 25 minutes of running, 20 minutes of working out
One workout at Lifetime Fitness during the week: 40 minutes
One game of softball: 55 minutes
Sunday - a much-needed day of rest

Over a week's time, that means:

1,540 minutes of treatments
213 pills
2 Miralax treatments
335 minutes of exercise

OTB going for the title on Thursday

Off the Bench seeks its 2nd Club Sport Championship on Thursday. We won the title last fall and are now one win away from another fall championship. Last season we got to the finals of the recreational league because we weren't good enough to be in the competitive tournament. This year we are undefeated and in the competitive championship.

I'm looking forward to Thursday as it will be our final softball game of 2012.

This season has been a solid one for me. I have hit 2 inside the park homeruns this season which is more than I've hit the last 5 years combined. I've been doing a lot of sprinting on the treadmill so it's certainly helping.

I've been dealing with some minor bacterial issues in my lungs but hopefully will get a relatively clean bill of health from my doctor on Friday.

Wish us luck on Thursday.

Andy

Another tough defeat

As a fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Falcons,
I have endured more difficult losses than the average fan. Saturday's loss to Alabama was pretty excruciating. It could only be topped by the Braves game 7 loss to the Twins in '91. I'm just glad I wasn't at the game. Georgia's final play got to the 5 yard line before time ran out. I was so down after the game. My daughter said, "Dad, it's just a football game." Instead of agreeing and saying I'm being immature, I stated, "Is your American Girl Doll just a doll?" She said "No." As if copying the old guy from Coming to America who points out he didn't get a spoon for his soup, I said "Ah-cha!"

I was glad at least the kids got to watch it with me though their attention was not as much on the game. I will have to say I was proud of the Dawgs for giving it their all. I just wish one time my team could come out on top. I still have one team left this year and that's my 11-1 Falcons. I'm hoping Matt Ryan can get us to the Super Bowl.

Hey, and my softball team is in the quarterfinals tonight as we try to keep our undefeated season alive so technically I have 2 teams left.

I hope that everyone is well.

Andy