D Backs are Finished...On to Summer Movies!

If the Fredstrom wanted to watch low scoring games he would just go watch soccer!  Score some runs! The Fredstrom thought that they were going to steal bases, bunt people over and try to manufacture runs!  

Even though it's early the Fredstrom is concerned.  So far the D-Backs are:

27th in Batting avg. (.225)

27th in walks drawn

27th in runs scored (24) 

19th in strikeouts (46)

19th in ERA (5.43)

18th in fielding percentage (4 errors so far)

So let's set the expectations for the year really low, that way we won't be disappointed. 

Let's face it... already they are 2-5 and all these have been home games! That projects to be a 62 win season!

The Suns have been depressing, the D-Backs are promising to be the same, what does the Fredstrom look forward to? 

Oh yeah...summer movies! Let's take a look at the upcoming May movies that excited the Fredstrom. Here's the countdown.

4. Angels & Demons- May 15th- Author Dan Brown has written this prequel of the Da Vinci Code.  Although highly controversial, (and fictional) it was an entertaining story.  This one should be interesting. Robert Langdon (Hanks) helps stop a secret society from trying to destroy the Vatican.

3. Terminator Salvation- May 21st- Loved T2, thought T3 had some pretty crazy special effects.  The Fredstrom is only seeing this based on the coat tails of T2 and that Christian Bale is an incredible actor. It's set in post-Apocalyptic 2018, where John Connor (Bale) has to figure out if a stranger he meets has been sent from the future of rescued from the past.

2. Night at the Museum 2- May 22- The first one was awesome and The Fredstrom has missed Ben Stiller. The Fredstrom appreciates the historical components to these movies.  This one is set in Washington D.C. at the Smithsonian, should be interesting.

1.Up by Pixar- May 29- If Pixar touches it, The Fredstrom is highly interested. It's about an old man (voice by Christopher Plummer) that tries to live out his deceased wife's dream of mountain exploring, befriending an adventurous boy along the way.  Like Wall-E not your stereotypical animated plot...increasing the Fredstrom's anticipation!

Schooling? We Talkin' About Schooling?

First, to the Suns, great game last night and it doesn't matter...on to more important things.

The Fredstrom became aware of some recent statistics regarding education in Arizona and thought that the people should be informed so here goes it.

Arizona has the 2nd highest student-teacher ratio in the country. 21.4 students per teacher.

Arizona is ranked 35th in the nation in average teacher salaries. $7,000 below the nat'l avg.

In 2008, the U.S. average per student expenditure is $9,963. 

Arizona ranks dead last in student expenditure at $5,346. The chart below shows 2005, Arizona was passed by Utah in 2008.

Over the past decade inflation has risen 31.4% Teacher salaries on average have declined 1%.

Now the Fredstrom isn't going to go off about all these sad statistics...He just wonders how a state like Arizona can be so far behind? Where has all the money gone?  Look at the states that spend more than Arizona? How can you be dead last?  Pathetic!

According to Tom Horne the State Super of Education, we are ranked above the national average in almost every category and are dead last in spending.  Imagine Arizona's potential if they could manage a budget and increase educational spending?  He poses that we are not the "Dumbest State" but are the "Dumbest Business".  

Then there you have it... The Fredstrom is employed by the Dumbest Business! Sweet!