Northsiders, my life has changed forever. Say what? You see, a few weeks ago I bought my gorgeous better half and myself iPhones....My life has changed. Wow. This device simply rocks.....This phone has so many features; allow me to expound.

First up, text. I know you can text from any phone, but as you know as of last column, I did not text. Text messages may be the single best invention of all time. I signed up for the 1500 text a month plan, hopefully this will be enough. You can surf the web as well as e-mail from your iPhone. Perhaps my favorite thing about my iPhone is that it has an iPod in it, also. If text is the best invention of all time, iPod is a close second.

Downloading select songs on to your iPod - there is no substitute. I don't care who your favorite recording artist is; you do not like every single song they sing. The ability to hand-select songs is a wonderful thing. Not to mention that we all have those one- or two-hit wonders we like. Who wants to buy the whole album from a one-hit wonder?

If you work out or jog, an iPod is a must. Listening to hand-selected music has single handedly changed my workouts for the better. When you listen to exactly what you want during your workout, time simply flies. No more commercials. No more horrible songs on the radio. No more listening to sports talk during off (not football) season. Actually, I could rail more about local sports talk, but that is for another column.

As you could have guessed, my iPod music is quite diverse. I have actually downloaded several rap songs. Rap songs are great for workouts. The only problem for an ole Replacements fan like me is, I don't understand lots of Rap lingo. I mean, I'm rather certain, I know what "da club" is, but many other words leave me in the dark. For example: Who exactly is "Shorty"? Apparently, all Rappers know about Shorty. What is a bottle of "Bub"? "Bub" seems to be the drink of choice of Rappers when they are attending "da club."

Well, nevertheless, you can now see me in "da club" (gym) listening to my own music....I would be remiss if I did not thank my man Michael Courtney for the few hours he spent helping me and my gorgeous better half set up our iPhones. Then again, maybe he does not want Northsiders to know he possesses such knowledge. Oh well, too late now....

It's Buddy Ball and T-ball season. My four-year-old and my seven-year-old are sitting on ready. It is my oldest son's second year in Buddy Ball, so he will likely be a veteran. However, T-ball and my four-year-old is an entirely different story. My four-year-old is the type of person that does not do things half way. So when we practice hitting in the back yard, he insists on wearing full uniform...right down to his new red cleats.

You know the old saying that each child is different? Well, as my oldest child never hit me while I was assisting him in T-ball, my youngest has already hit me several times. I am here to tell you that an aluminum bat hitting you in the arm, wrist, or leg is not a good feeling.

With the help of Michael Courtney and Dodds Dehmer, I am coaching both teams. The three of us will have a busy and entertaining spring. With all due respect to Upward Basketball, there is simply no substitute for spring baseball.

First of all, it is spring and it just doesn't get any better than spring weather. With 200 boys signed up for Buddy Ball, it is also safe to say everyone you know will be there. Being outside in perfect weather, teaching boys about baseball, and a great social scene is a fantastic combination. See you around the ball fields....

My wife recently won a seven year war with me. Say what? You see, my wife has been negotiating for several years now for me to agree to landscape our yard. Like all husbands, I eventually gave in. The first thing that comes to mind regarding landscaping is that I am in the wrong business. Landscaping is so expensive, I think it is best for the husband just to give the "ok" and not ask about the price. In fact, it is spring break and we have decided to "Spring Break" in our back yard. Last year, Watercolor; this year, our back yard (after landscaping)....

Is it just me or is there not a good choice for president? I'm mostly Republican. However, do not care for McCain whatsoever. It astounds me that the Republican party could not come up with a better candidate than him. As far as the Democrats go, I do not like the choices there either. Additionally, if I were Hillary Clinton, I would campaign like a broken record. I would constantly remind Americans how good their financial situation was in the 1990s. Although set up by Reagan, most folk would fall for that hook, line, and sinker. I can't imagine any one of the three being our president and this concerns me....

If you have HBO, their new series "In Treatment" is must-see TV. Look for this show to rack the Emmys next year. You heard it here first. HBO always has the best original programming. The recent series finale of "The Wire" put an end to another fine show....

If you find a better pizza than Sal & Mookies’ 4 Train pizza, let me know....

You look up the word "Scoutmaster" in the dictionary and you get a picture of Bill Cheny. Keep up the exceptional work, Bill.....

My man Nick (formerly Nicky) Morgan wanted to be mentioned in The Shuffle. Here you go, Brother....

It's the first Friday of spring break, sunny, and about 75 degrees outside. Folks, it doesn't get any better. The Rebels got ousted in round one of the SEC tourney. Ouch.....

Speaking of the Rebels, rarely can I type The Shuffle without mentioning SEC football. This column is no exception. Ole Miss may want to revisit playing cool/hip music while the teams warm up at Vaught- Hemingway. I couldn't help but notice the LSU players last season getting more fired up with each cool/hip song that was played. Like Larry David said, "I'm not an inventor, more like an improver." So, there you go....

Oh, I almost forgot. My four-year-old recently got into a verbal exchange with a classmate. They were arguing over whose Dad "poots" the loudest. My four-year-old insist he won the argument....

My sock drawer is totally out of hand....

Think, Think, Think....

Mike Brooks is a Northsider.