Merry Christmas 2009

Apple Acquires Lala

Apple Inc has acquired digital music service Lala, as the dominant online music retailer explores new models for selling songs. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed by Apple, which confirmed the purchase on Friday.

ITunes is the leading music service in the United States with more than 70 percent of all digital music sales and it is the leading music retailer overall. But newer music streaming services from the likes of News Corp's MySpace Music and Spotify have begun to win over music fans in the last year.

Monday Morning Quarterback

A few thoughts on sports this Monday. First, congratulations to the Maryland Terp Field Hockey team. They had an undefeated season going into the National Championship game, but lost in the last 11 seconds of the game, 3-2 to North Carolina. The Terps still had a great sesaon, finishing 22-1 and setting many records during the year.

The Maryland football team continues to find way to lose and is now 2-9, one of the worst seasons in the past 30 years. I'm not sure a coaching change is what is needed but many do, so it very well could happen after the season is over next Saturday.

The Washington redskins, also, continue to find a way to lose. This past Sunday they lost to the Dallas Coboys, 7-6, when the Cowboys scored the winning touchdown in the last three minutes of the game, making the Redsin 3-7. But, six points is not enough to win in the NFL and the offense is just not putting enough points on the scoreboard. Coaching change here is most likely after the season.

The Wasington Wizzards were expected to be better this season but they are off to a rough start even with a new coach and Gilbert Arenas back. But, it is too early in the long NBA season to write them off - they have the players and a good coach so still hope they will make the playoffs this season.

The Washington Capitals are playing the best of all the area pro teams and have proven they can win even when Ovetchkin is out hurt. Hockey is another long sesaon so anything can happen and injuries can definitely play a part in the final record. But the Caos are real good and I do expect the Caps to be in the playoffs and go far.

Honor Our Veterans Every Day

Happy Halloween

Football Season is Over

2009 Football season is over, at least for me. Done. No more sceduling my weekends around the Maryland Terps games on Saturdays or the Washington Redskins games on Sundays. Time to enjoy some other Fall activites rather than football.

The Maryland Terps lost a pitiful, rain-soaked game to a not very good Virginia team 20-9 on Saturday. This leaves Maryland with a 2-5 record and not much hope of a winning record or bowl appearance this season. Both the offense and defense have looked bad. The team is "young" but we hear that every year, lately and that is no excuse.

The Washington Redskins lost to a team(Kansas City) that was 0-5 before Sunday by a score of 14-6, making the Redskins record 2-4 with the first six games being the easiest part of their schedule. The remarkable thing is that the defense has been playing great. They have not given up more than 28 points in a game for 28 games in a row, which is the best in the NFL. But, the offense can't score more than 20 points a game.

Can't see the Redskins winning more than three more games the rest of the season.The Redskins just look awlful - there is no other way to say it. The team lacks leadership on and off the field and there is not much hope for the future until some major changes are made. And this does not mean just firing Jim Zorn and hiring another coach. Changes need to be made higher than Zorn. Can we fire the owner?

Sharapova Wins 2009 Pan Pacific Open

Former world number one Maria Sharapova won her second Pan Pacific Open title after Jelena Jankovic retired with a wrist injury in Saturday's final.

It was Sharapova's first title since shoulder surgery last October and the 20th of her career. Her last tournament win came at Amelia Island in April 2008.

"It's funny to win trophies again after thinking I might never be able to hit a tennis ball again. But I'm back and I'm hungry. I can be better than before and win more grand slams" said Sharapova, who will now be ranked back in the top 20.