I missed the Major League Baseball All-Star Game festivities this week, which is something I would have never done as a kid. And as much as I still love the national pastime, I didn't feel bad about missing it one bit. I don't know if that's a sign I'm getting older, the game is getting worse or both, but it would have been nice to see Bobby Abreu's monster-mashing of homers out of Comerica Park Monday night. (People of the world without satellite or cable, I mourn you.)

Oh well ... onto this week's edition of the T.F.T.T. ...

• Speaking of baseball, part of me realizes there's probably a lot of sour grapes filling Danny Graves cup right now, but despite his lackluster performance this season, don't his comments in this article seem like they might offer some explanation of what's happening down at Great American Ball Park. The majority of the people I've had the privilege of meeting in the Reds organization don't come off this way, but something's gotta be happening to explain the last couple of years. (And I'm used to my Cubbies being terrible every year, which I why I never get upset about them falling off every year - go Derrek Lee!)

• I made another Rudi Johnson sighting this week, this one at NFL.com's "NFL Network" video page even if you're not a Bengals fan, you gotta love that outfit!!!

• You know, with all the people getting attacked by sharks this summer, you would think people would learn their lesson. But as this story or at least the quote at the end shows, some never learn. (If you ever wondered why so many black/African-American comics still make "black people/white people" jokes, this should explain why.)

• Instead of seeing that new boring Jennifer Connelly flick Dark Water, read what happened to this poor woman and remember to make sure your own water meter is working properly!

• You know, I'm not the biggest fan of reality TV in the world, but after seeing Being Bobby Brown (which everyone in America should be required to watch at least once), I can honestly say if someone can create a bigger train wreck than this one, they might as well marry Brit - I'll stop there. And if this rumor is true, I will start watching American Idol just to see Whitney start slapping Simon before Bobby jumps out and tries to compete as a contestant.

• With all the random shootings and terror acts going nowadays, this might be the best piece of news I've heard in the last two weeks. Sweet!

• There is nothing funny about this, but it's definitely something we all - or at least those of us who believe in the true idea of what America supposedly is to stand for - need to be aware. If they can regulate my d- copy of Grand Theft Auto, they certainly can ban this crap, can't they?!?!

• SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT! Lastly, do me a favor and visit the following Web sites of two of my good friends - http://www.enoughmusic.com and http://www.shiningstarsports.com - (Now will you please get off my back for a minute??? You know who you are!!!)