A crop of 3rd generation barley, originally from .14 ounces of seedlings that spent five months in a zero-gravity environment on the International Space Station in 2006, are being harvested and turned into beer.  According to Sapporo Holdings (the brewer and one of Japan’s largest beverage makers) they plan on collaborating with scientists at Japan’s Okayama University to brew what’s been dubbed “The first space beer.”  Only 100 bottles are being made and the beer will not be for retail sale, however, Sapporo says some lucky consumers will get to try it once it’s ready in November.  Scientists working on he Russian project to investigate growing edible plants in space, claim that they’ve yet to find any differences between Earth-grown and space-grown barley.  And the big question from beer geeks is:  Will it taste out of this world?

I just found this article on ESPN and thought you might enjoy it.  Looks like #4 might not be done for good.  He is getting that itch to play.  Retirement looks like it might not be as good as Brett thought.  Either way he is one of the greatest football players and maybe the greatest competitor of all time.

Favre has communicated his potential desire to coach Mike McCarthy but talks have not advanced to a substantive stage, a Packers source said.

The source said the Packers would be reluctant to open the door for Favre because “Brett retired for the right reasons, even though I know his family is tugging on him [to play].” Another source conceded Favre was “getting the itch” to play football in 2008. However, Favre’s agent downplayed the likelihood that the quarterback could un-retire or that he was prepared to report to camp July 28. “As far as I know, right now, Brett Favre is retired and until he tells me something different, that’s what it is,” James “Bus” Cook, Favre’s agent, said. Favre was unavailable for comment. A Packers spokesman said that McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson were on vacation.

Favre has two years remaining on his contract at an average of about $12.5 million per season. His salary is not currently counting toward the salary cap because the Packers placed him on the reserve-retired list.

If Favre decides that he absolutely wants to play this season, the Packers could be confronted with a sensitive issue. The entire offseason has been spent preparing Aaron Rodgers to play quarterback to the point where “the offensive scheme has evolved” and, psychologically, closing the door on Favre’s legendary 17-year career. If the Packers resist a stronger push by Favre to return, sources speculate that the quarterback could press the team to release him from his contract so that he could seek a job with another team. A league official said that Favre could force a decision by asking the Packers, in writing, to reinstate him to active status. The team would have to comply or release him.

Time will tell if he is coming back, I guess we should know over the next week or so.

I feel the football itch coming on, and all I have to say is E-A-G-L-E-S.

Pace

July 1st starts NBA free agency.  I understand the importance of having free agency, but why would you opt out of a contract to become a free agent?

Elton Brand opted out of a contract that would have paid him $16.4 million dollars this year.  Baron Davis got out a deal that would have paid him $17.8 million.  Why opt out?  It is not like you are going to get a great amount of cash elsewhere.   GREED is the answer.

Brand says he is willing to re-sign with the Clippers, which is the team he just opted out of. If you are willing to stay why opt out?  Why not just work on an extension?

The Sixers and Memphis are the 2 teams this year with money to go after either player.  And the Sixers only have $12.4 to offer this year.

The NBA is so screwed up with these players making so much money.  Should Elton Brand or Baron Davis be getting Kobe money?  Are they even close to his caliber of play?

Great players should get great money, but average players should not turn down $17.8 million a year for more.

Pace