Thursday, December 30, 2004
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Holiday cheer
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
What Does "Christmas" Mean?
See Francis X. Weiser, The Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs (New York: Harcourt, Brace, and Company, 1958) and Clement A. Miles, Christmas (New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1912).
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Quote of the day
Let There Be Peace on Earth and let it begin with me.
Let There Be Peace on Earth, the peace that was meant to be!
With God as our Father, brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me. Let this be the moment now.
With ev'ry breath I take, let this be my solemn vow;
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally!
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me!
Written by Sy Miller and Bill Jackson
Monday, December 20, 2004
An Embarrasment of Riches
Jessica got a fire bowl from a couple of generous friends.... we sat outside until 1:30am last night around the Port-A-Bonfire...kinda was wondering last night if it shouldnt make it warmer around the old campfire, so to speak. Upon further thought this morning, I realized that since it was ...like....10 degrees!!!!!!!! outside last night, i think the fire was working overtime to counteract the extreme cold. It will probably fare better in the future when it isnt as severely cold. But it is cool...a ready made bonfire that we can place anywhere (within reason)
I have got to get our xmas cards out this week...been slack the past week.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Happy Birthday to Rylee and Ian
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
not..a good night
So the jury gave that guy out west the death penalty...kept saying something about him not showing any remorse, etc.... excuse me, but....if you are claiming that yu are innocent, why would you show remorse. Now dont get me wrong..I think he's guilty, but I dont think his not showing emotion would have been a factor in my decision....
Monday, December 13, 2004
Wow..time flies
Braves making moves at the wintermeetings...looking like they are going to try to contend and rebuild at the same time...tis good....
Rylee refuses to go to bed last night...then comes into our bedroom and crawls into bed at somepoint, hten is all sprawled out and chilled out this morning. For some reason, she was reluctant to get up...got all upset and stuff... keep trying to tell them that they would be better served to go to bed when we tell them to...sigh...kids...tsk, tsk...
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
What do they say to each other?
...but what is equally interesting and amusing is to what them when one is upset about something, or especially when one is being scolded. For example, if Ian is upset or being scolded for not doing something right, Rylee will quietly chid Ian saying something like "Ian dont do that!" or kinda giggle at Ian...and you can clearly see the frustration on Ian's face as he whacks Rylee upside the head...in a "I may be getting yelled at, but you sure as hell aint going to make fun of me while it happening" sort of response. Of course, this causes Rylee to start bitching that Ian hit her, and I have to scold both of them, all the while knowing that Rylee had it coming to her..... of course, it happens the reverse way too....
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
another day, another dollar....
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"It is better by noble boldness to run the risk of being subject to half the evils we anticipate than to remain in cowardly listlessness for fear of what might happen." - Herodotus
FACT OF THE DAY
Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
Spades - King David
Clubs - Alexander the Great
Hearts - Charlemagne
Diamonds - Julius Caesar
Friday, December 03, 2004
why is it?
So, Barry Bonds says he didnt know they were steriods he was taking.... heh, heh...this is the same, notorious control freak who doesnt let anybody or anything control his daily life. Are you telling me that he would just use that stuff, and when he suddenly bulked up and started crushing balls out of the park at the age of 37, wouldnt suspect that something was up?...please....
ah...weekends here.
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
man...
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
spotty internet at FU today
Monday, November 29, 2004
"Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking."
- H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
It was a nice Thansgiving break. My family came on Thursday and then Jessica's family came on Saturday. Took pictures, but I left my camera at home, so weekend pix will have to wait till tomorrow.
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Top things to be thankful for
A) I am thankful for the job I have I have a great situation that allows me to do work, have fun and feel like I accomplish stuff on a daily basis.
B) I am thankful for my family and friends. My mother is the most absolute sweetest person to be on this planet. My friends, well... while far flung all over the country (except for a couple) are always near my heart, and I think about them all constantly.
C) Rylee... I can already tell that it will be extremely difficult to let her go one day. She seems to be that type of girl that will always pull on my heartstrings....
D) Ian... I sense that he is going to do great things, be it sportswise, Nascar wise or music wise.... and I know he is going to make me proud.
E) Jessica... I know I dont tell her that i love her enough... I know i dont show her overtly that I love her enough... But I do love her, and I am a far, far better person, and happier, because she is my wife.
Monday, November 22, 2004
Quote
- Lou Holtz
Wow...no bowl.....
...FOOLS!!!!!!!.....
....FOOLS!!!!!!......
Past weekend
Saturday, November 20, 2004
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Can you imagine how this person feels?
The Nike swoosh was designed by a Portland State University student, and purchased by Nike for $35.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
A 10-year-old mattress weighs double what it did when it was new because of the debris that's absorbed over the years.
Lets see.... USC/Clemson coming up...what joy!!!!.... still tryin to potty train the kids with spotty success. Lots of jockeying for positions at work, with the new CIO (Chief Information Officer) on board and some people a little nervous about their job security. I had my interview with him today and I am feeling pretty secure that my job is safe. But I get the feeling that some people are going to get moved around...and some people might not be here too much longer. That being said, i still must continue to perform at a high level, or else I might be on the chopping block too. But for now, unless I startr screwing up (which I dont plan to) I am 99.9 percent sure I am safe with my job. And as long as Susan is still around, i will always feel happy here at Furman... Xmas shopping all done except for a few things for Jessica, a couple of last minute things for Wes and Jessica's Dad, and couple of other things. I feel pretty good that Xmas is covered for now... except for maybe having to by a new Xmas tree since our other one seems to have become a casulaty of the flood. I tried to get it to work the other day and one of the branchs wouldnt light up... and it is supposed to light up even if one lamp is out....
Monday, November 15, 2004
back from the weekend
Friday, November 12, 2004
On task...
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Tsk, tsk...sigh....
on another "tsk, tsk" thought...went to a "Reading to your kids is good" thingy last night at the daycare. They provided pizza, cookies and passed out info on the importance of reading to your kids everyday. Now, we read to our kids virtually everyday, so this is not the gist of my rant... but what i did notice was that I was the only male adult there. You mean to tell me that no other father could find the time to be there? Now I know that some legitimate excuses existed, but surely some guys were being slack asses. I am proud to say that I am always going to make sure to be a positive influence in my twins life, and that starts by at LEAST making an effort, even if it means getting off your ass and showing up for something that might actually bore you. I hope any beginning father ( and I know that some of my friends with kids a little behind me on the timescale read this at times) sacks up and does the right thing for their kids, at anytime possible. Of course, thinking about this makes me realize that I am happy to say that my friends who are reading this are probably all doing what they need to do to raise their children properly. and thinking further, I doubt that the people who need to be admonished for not doing things are sitting online reading blogs.... so...forget I even ranted about that. You guys are all doing what you need to do anyway....
National Security Issue?
http://www.license.shorturl.com/
simply...interesting....
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
by the way,
P Diddy's guest are, em, baring all
http://lightbox.retna.com/retna/kf_TaraReid35thDress_1105/index.html
Kinda amusing.....
Sunday, November 07, 2004
well, well, well....
...trying to potty train the twins right now... sigh...not the most pleasant of times at home these days....
...Going to Darlington this weekend for the truck race on friday and te Nextel race on Sunday. Sould be lots of fun....
Friday, November 05, 2004
Dude...totally awesome, Man!
Thursday, November 04, 2004
just thinking...
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Yo...Brown? Democrats want me back in the fold?...
Democratic Values
How to start winning the red states.
By William Saletan
Posted Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004, at 1:15 PM PT
Hey, Democrats!
One silver lining in last night's debacle is that for another 24 hours or so, you might be open to rethinking what your party stands for. So, while I have your attention, here's an idea.
Go back to being the party of responsibility.
I'm not talking about scolding people. I'm talking about rewarding them. Be the party that rewards ordinary people who do what they're supposed to do—and protects them from those who don't.
If you think this kind of moral talk is anathema, you're the sort of person Karl Rove wants to be running the Democratic Party. Get out, or get a new attitude. Nearly 60 million people came out to vote for George W. Bush yesterday because they think that he represents their values and that you don't. Prove them wrong and you'll be the majority party again.
How? Start by changing the way you talk about pocketbook issues. Remember Bill Clinton's commitment to help people who "work hard and play by the rules"? Your positions on taxes and labor would be assets instead of liabilities if you explained them in moral terms. The minimum wage rewards work. Repealing the estate tax helps rich people get richer without risk or effort. Lax corporate oversight allows big businesses to evade taxes, deceive small investors, and raid pension funds.
Yes, Republicans will accuse you of waging a class war. I can see you cringing already. Get off your knees and fight. It is a war, but it isn't a class war. It's a culture war, and if you talk about it that way, you'll win it.
Some of you are dismayed by the emergence of a huge voting bloc of churchgoers. Stop viewing this as a threat, and start viewing it as an opportunity. Socially conservative blue-collar workers don't believe in the free market. They believe in the work ethic. Bush wins their votes by equating the free market with the work ethic. Show them where the free market betrays the work ethic, and they'll vote for the party of the work ethic—you—against the party of the free market.
What's your strongest issue among these voters? Outsourcing. Why? Because it's the issue on which you talk most naturally about right and wrong. It's also the issue on which you're most comfortable appealing to nationalism. That's another lesson you need to learn. People are voting Republican because they think you're weak. And, let's face it, you are weak. You say you'll defend this country, but then you go on about consulting other governments, cultivating goodwill, and playing well with others. You make a world full of terrorists sound like kindergarten.
Democrats in the Roosevelt-Truman years didn't have this problem. They called tyrants by their name, and they didn't sound like they were faking it. A party that believes in right and wrong at home must be assertive about right and wrong abroad. You need a serious antiterrorist agenda. Otherwise, when you object to a war like Iraq, you sound like the peace party.I'm not asking you to act like you care about this stuff. I'm asking you to care about it for real, and not just at election time. When a Republican president runs a TV ad accusing you of failing to protect us from wolves, you should be able to point out that he's the one who emptied our shotgun into a fox, leaving us helpless against the wolves. And you should sound credible saying it.
Once you eliminate the sincerity gap between you and the Republicans on national security, you can exploit the reverse sincerity gap between you and them on responsibility. Think about the values of our armed forces: shared risk, shared sacrifice, and reciprocal duty between officers and soldiers, regardless of race or class. Those are your values.
When leaders betray troops through bad planning and false pretenses for war, that should be your issue. When Republicans cut taxes for the rich while the nation is at war and the Treasury is empty, that should be your issue. When soldiers from poor families die while corporations skim from the war budget, that should be your issue. I've heard John Kerry talk about each of these issues separately, but each time, he sounded opportunistic. To be powerful, they must flow from a common message. That message is responsibility.
All the issues Democrats like to run on—education, the environment, the deficit, energy independence—would be vastly more powerful if united under a single theme. Clean up your mess. Take care of your children. Pay your debts. Stand on your own two feet. It all comes down to responsibility.
The Democrat who talks this way most naturally is John Edwards. (I know, I've got to stop advertising for him.) He's the one who frames every issue in terms of values. He's the one who argued during the presidential primaries that Republicans were favoring unearned wealth over work. He's the one who connected Republican tax policies to make the point. You don't have to teach him the language, because he learned it growing up in one of those red states.
So, there's your candidate, and there's your message. Now go and live it, so you won't have to fake it.
William Saletan is Slate's chief political correspondent and authorWell, I made it...
Wow..its late...
but who knows.... while some are calling Ohio, CBS is refusing to call it, and I guess that is prudent. Dont want to repeat 2000.... and of course, Kerry/Edwards is saying that the networks are conceding Ohio too early, so I can see where this is heading.... sigh....
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
sinking feeling
Monday, November 01, 2004
Almost there
Put a couple of pix up below. Remember you can click on the picture to get a larger, clearer picture. That one picture of Rylee isnt as clear in its small form . It looks like smudges are on her face, when the actual picture shows the glitter she was wearing....
Falcons lookin good... Tigers lookin good... Panthers lookin...well, ...Falcons lookin good.
Sunday, October 31, 2004
wrap up
Thursday, October 28, 2004
other stuff
Hooked back up my wireless access point here in the house. i hadnt had it running since we moved, and I had forgotten how convenient it is to be able to chill out withthe CPu somewhere other than at the computer desk. Now perhaps i can sit downstairs with jessica and still be able to keep up with work email and even keep up with sports tickers, etc...
Tigers faced with a decent challenge on Saturday. I am interested to see how they fair.
uh...ice/sleet forecast for hell?
Man, my son can be a tad bit moody. I think he gets a little bit of it from daycare, where he has become the oldest/biggest within his group, and he gets home and wants to have his way all the time and doesnt understand why when he wants something, it isnt automatic. so its."I can't wanna!!!!" all the time....
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
wow...now this is starting to get a tad interesting...
Halloween!!!
In other news... we are going to buy a leaf blower tomorrow. Awesome... those things kick butt.
Man this election carp is getting a little ridiculous. And despite my leanings toward Bush, I think it is safe to say that Kerry is way too obviously trying to court the dumb and stupid vote by repeating obvious midsleading statements, knowing full well informed people know he's full of crap, but that the idiots will take what he says a face value. of course, the same can be said for Bush....but, i think the absolute hatred and bias that has been demonstrated by the so called news media is a little shameful.....
oh, by the way...Ian is dressing as Spiderman and Rylee is a Princess for Halloween
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Random
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Most people are more comfortable with old problems than with new solutions."
- Anonymous
FACT OF THE DAY
The most productive day of the workweek is Tuesday.
The freaking Bengals were on Monday night football? Wow, i remember when the Bengals were my favorite team back in the 80's.... when they would go 12-4 one year, 4-12 the next... but of course, I know pull for the falcons and the Panthers, who seem to do the same thing now....
Monday, October 25, 2004
and down the stretch they come!
i think we have officially decided to have a Hallowen get-together here on Saturday night. I dont know how many people will come, especially since most of the people i know will be coming into town from elsewhere, etc. So , whoever comes by...cool. but i also understand if a lot of people cant come either. Babies, long drives,... whatever are the most important things right now...
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Weekend, again...
Clemson wins in a squeaker. All these yahoos are calling into the radio and internet complaining about the game and the team. Dude, i'm just glad to win. Period. rather WIN 10-7 than LOSE 43-42 any day. But...while I like the Purple uniforms, the purple top/Orange pants combo does NOT work. gotta do one way or the other...purple tops, white pants (cool)...orange tops, white pants(cool)....White tops, Purple pants (real cool)...White tops, Orange pants (cool).... the rumoured Black jersey, Black helmet, with orange trim and purple piping for Halloween...way cool....
Not sure what is up today. Perhaps going to Mall somewhere.... meeting with FRAT tonight.
also, we're thinking about having a Halloween party on Saturday night for people who might be in town...
Saturday, October 23, 2004
babysitting...
So we went to Sobys downtown in Greenville for dinner. It was actually very nice, and the food/service was excellent. Jessica didnt like her crab cakes and didnt eat them, and they didnt make her pay for them, which was a 20.00 rebate off our check...which is always good....
it was nice not have to feel guilty asking my mother or jessica's parents to sit twith the kids while we went out for a change. Sometimes they should be able to not be babysitter at times....
Yankees go down in flames....ah yes...I agree...what price hubris?.... been there... remember the Raiders of recent past? the lakers recently?...yep.... done that...
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Clemson girl in Playboy
http://www.playboy.com/on-campus/pictorial/biancajames/
warning, there is a little bit of, em, nudity.....
Weekend was ok...
Monday, October 18, 2004
Quote for the day....
well, that was pleasantly surprising...
..i have got to figure out what the deal s with the thingy on the side there. i will work on it during lunch. If i cant get it to clear, i am going to remove it....
This weekend brought better results sportswise, for a change....
I also took some pictures that i will probably wait till tomorrow to post up...
Friday, October 15, 2004
Here's a interesting link.
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/special/president/electoral.college/more.html
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Just how important is this fraternity stuff?
You see, people go to college to learn. There are so many arenas to learn at college. Leadership positions... student teaching... Co-op...the actual classroom.... but those are not the only places....Huddle House, Tiger Town, the Amphitheater, the Dike/levee...on long bus rides, trips to the Mall, late nights talking in the dorm.... parties at 4AM, or on AIM at 9AM...standing on a ladder in front of 80,000, or being one of the soldiers way out on the 35 yard line... being a section leader or just being... those are but some of the arenas for learning....then there is the FRAT.
if you are in the FRAT, you are offered so many avenues to learn things such as leadership... and also how to follow. you learn things like trust, and also how to communicate...and how NOT to communicate. Some people lead one way, some people lead another. Some people learn that they are effective. Some people learn that what they are doing is not being effective, and figure out what IS efective. Some people eventually get IT. Some people never do.... My outlook is that the college experience, and especially Kappa Kappa Psi is engaged learning. That it is an excellent training ground for so, so many things....
but you have to have perspective. And you have to learn at some point to look at the big picture, and not just at where the party is this weekend. Do you act like you are in the 10th grade, or act like an adult? Do you approach someone who is having a problem or you have a problem with ,take them aside and have a meaningful conversation? or do you lay in wait and drop the bomb on them, ruining not only a valuable experience for them, but your own experience?
Oh, i know how difficult it is to look down the road when you havent even seen the road to look down. been there.... but at some point, the best of the best have to. You gotta look at where this puts everybody. And trust me, if you dont you simply end up wasting a lot of time and 5 years down the road you are left wondering what might have been....
Over the past year i have seen so many babies born to people 5 or 6 years ago i was sitting in the circle with arguing over whether or not to let this or that person join our precious little band service organization. Or some other CRISIS of the week. I spent time at my little brothers wedding a couple of weeks ago. Not much, if all, was even spoken of the fraternity, but it WAS THERE. THAT BOND. you dont drive 13 hours for just anybody. She knew that, i know that. You dont even have to speak it. The FRAT is bigger than that. i spent time with another brother in the CITY. He bought tickets for me to see John Coltrane's son play tenor Sax in a little dive on Time Square. this is the same guy who once threw chairs in a meeting because he was having a coniption over some silly constitutional something or another...so insignificant that i doubt we could ever remember... he was the best man at my wedding and the GODFATHER of my son... The FRAT is bigger than that. It is everything, and it isnt. It is truly special because it is part of Music.
To simply blow somebody out of a position because you think they are a jackass is wrong. Especially if people havent sat down and talked with that person. especially if you havent walked up to that person and asked them if you could sit down somewhere quiet for 5 minutes and express your concerns with them. No one is perfect, and sometimes people need to learn from their mistakes. if you dont give people a legitimate chance to take criticism and change, then you havent lived up to the Oath that you took. If they are stil a jackass, then you have a right to tell them that they dont have to go home, but they got to get the hell out of here. But you gotta talk to them. You cant just say "here is a list of stuff you havent been doing, so you got to go, depspite the fact the the rest of us have been slack too."
oh i dont know...maybe the FRAT has passed me by. I am sure some of the current brothers think so. But i dont think so..but i do know that the FRAT was the basis for many changes that I made years ago...changes i feel made me a better person...not better than you, but a better person...not a perfect person, but a better person.
You gotta look at the big picture. And the big picture is that if you want to use this valuable learning tool and leave it for others to use, you have to use it for the betterment of yourselves and the band program. if you blow your trust out of the water, then in a couple of weeks...NO-ONE will trust anyone.
ah hell...what do I know....
recent sports tally
Perhaps a positive swing....USA beats Panama last night 6-0 in soccer.
And, Kristen gives birth to a healthy baby boy on Monday...gotta say thats probably more important than the aggregate losses my teams suffered...
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
???
Oh, and is anybody going to show some gumption and actually talk to the person? or do you have actually do something to warrant suspension for you to be popular? And i certainly hope that the Oath everyone took to work with people in office was taken..i mean, i thought I remembered hearing people recite it...sure as hell havent seen people following it. Have a problem with people, ya gotta go talk to them. if you dont go talk to them, then ya cant be acting as though you are better than them.
Monday, October 11, 2004
does anybody....
Sunday, October 10, 2004
sigh...
but... I think the terrible 2's might have arrived a year late. Constant noise, getting into EVERYTHING, running around screaming at each other, the "I CAN'T WANNA" response to any direction given. Its starting to get annoying, to say the least. But I cant really complain too much. It is indeed a blessing to have 2 children. And they do seem to be advancing normally.
but.... they sure can whine.
Come on now...
Saturday, October 09, 2004
nothing can right a disaster
Friday, October 08, 2004
well,
Thursday, October 07, 2004
a long day
Braves have salvaged a tie a the moment, but gopher ball Aphonseca is now pitching.... the outlook is NEVER good when he is pitching. NEVER.
Tiger kick-off momentarily in Va. night games there are never good...the drunk frat guys were always a problem.
...OK...Braves pull it out. Now, lets ee how Whitehurst perfoms tonight.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Monday, October 04, 2004
a quick run down....
wake up at 10:30am friday morn...catch 11:56 express train into the city. Meet Erik at Grand Central Station...catch subway for lunch in the Village, catch subway back up to 5th Avenue...window shopped and picked up a couple of Xmas gifts. Back to Grand central where we caught the express train back to White Plains.... JUST IN TIME to catch the shuttle to the wedding site. Wedding was pretty slick, and there was an abundance of beverage and food. More than i have EVER seen at a wedding. It was a grand celebration, to say the least. botlted wedding just after the desert course was served and got to sleep by 1:00am...woke up on Sunday morn around 7:30, go tpacked and car loaded, met Jessica and Jason at their morning brunch, then bolted White Plains around 9:20am...arrived back in Easley by 10:10pm
Up for work at 630am Monday morn....
I have a few pix, as i have mentioned and I will post those tomorrow when I get my cable in my office. It was a fun weekend, and a very tiring weekend. Its 9:00pm right now and i think Jessica and I are heading to bed....
sorry no pix yet
...
back in town..finally....
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Never explain -- your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway."
- Elbert Hubbard
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
No flooding
into last minute preps for the weekend trip to NYC for jdean's wedding. Talked to Brown yesterday and made plans to hookup with him late Friday evening. Going to do some Xmas shopping in NYC with Brown possibly on Saturday midday. Rehearsal dinner Friday night and wedding Saturday night. Seeing Avolio on Thursday night/Friday morning. get back to Easley late Sunday night.
oh goodness, started this at work a while ago, then got busy ..working...
more later
Monday, September 27, 2004
well...
While i am not a huge country music fan, some songs just strike me as downright pure artistry.... there is an excerpt from one...
Cause I'm a redneck woman
And I ain't no high class broad
I'm just a product of my raisin'
And I say "hey y'all" and "Yee Haw"
And I keep my Christmas lights on, on my front porch all year long
And I know all the words to every Charlie Daniels song
So here's to all my sisters out there keepin' it country
Let me get a big "Hell Yeah" from the redneck girls like me
Hell Yeah
Hell Yeah
gretchen wilson....A classic blues riff, in country mode with the usual guitars, steel guitars and a violin thrown in... lifted straight from the cotton fields of a 150 years ago, but pure genious.
Saturday, September 25, 2004
well, I guess i had it coming
today, the Tigers have Fla State on the docket. it doesnt look good. then Virginia looms...looks even worse.....
Friday, September 24, 2004
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Kitty Cat
anyway, thats kinda funny considering I'm sitting here in my office with a wool skull cap on (its frigid in my office and I dont feel like turning on my space heater) and have the Black Muslim look going....
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Good judgement comes from experience. Sometimes, experience comes from bad judgement."
- Jim Horning
ah...nothing could be better
...except when BOTH of them throw up all over themselves and their carseats (and your back seat)
for those of you who only have one kid to deal with...you just have to count your blessings. those of you with more than one know the drill.
Of course, I wouldnt give away one of my twins for anything. But when both do something like this, its a little frustrating. Especially when you have to be at work.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
what in hey?
desperation?
Monday, September 20, 2004
Random?
Got the Tile in the Kitchen down. Got a couple more days of work, then we have to tthink about the back deck.
on my way home last night from Clemson, i took the back way. And I was struck at how much that made me remember the ole days... Clear Fall nights with a quarter moon. I rolled down my window and could smell people burning fires.... I always loved when I got to go play on nights like that. I guess we are all getting old.
I was also struck this past weekend at how it kinda sucks when all the people you would do anything with are either 4, 8 or 12 hours away, or married. Not that being married is bad, but it does change how things work, and i have no expectations that people will just drop whatever they are doing to go hang out at the spur of the moment. But it does sorta suck. SOmetimes I just wish there people that I could go grab a beer and watch the game with. And yes, i know Jessica would gladly go with me, but I dont want have her think she has to go simply because, especially when she could care less about any particlar event. I'd ask her to go with me to a Braves playoff game, and I know she would gladly go if asked, but would she get anything out of it, outside of simply being there with me? Sorta like if she would have wanted me to go to a Enya concert. i would gladly go, and I would probably be interested, but I would think she would have a better time with another Enya fan. at any rate...i ramble. by the way, I've been to a couple of Braves games with Jessica, and I know she had fun, so that was probably not the best of examples....
looking forward to driving up to see Jessica Dean and her wedding gig. Will get to see Kristen and Brown as well during the weekend. Kristen should be a bout ready to explode with her kid the way she looked when I was up there in July. And I hope Brown has an itenarary planned (snicker) ...oh let me guess, some local dive(bar) with a pretty bartender... actually , that would be interesting, as things seem to be somewhat different since my last foray into Gotham City.
ahhhh so, Dan Rather and CBS got duped? yeah right? how about more like "we wanted to get Bush so bad we just did whatever we could do" at any rate, CBS is toast for a while...no credibility for them for a while.
Saturday, September 18, 2004
at least the braves are winning
But, there are some problems with the team. Offensive line problems are probably where it is all starting from.... and those guys are freshmen and walk-ons... last year when the team gelled, it coincided with the offensive line getting good. then several of those guys graduated.
oh well...
not sure if the fuddy duddy comment is directed at me, or someone commenting on themselves.... well, if it is, so be it.
what the hey?
didnt spend any money, but did manage to narrow down a xmas gift or two for future consideration. then came home and watched the Braves, cleaned up the bedroom and tried to iron some clothes. then i watched the Yankees implode vs the red Sox on ESPN and had a quiet chuckle on behalf of my esteemed friend in New York. this of course prompted me to get out the Grundig and pick up the AM out of New York and listen to the Yankees fans on suicide watch. Another quiet chuckle.....
Friday, September 17, 2004
ALL time blunder
Creek didnt rise like the last big rain event...kinda rose up like it used to. Got all loud and stuff, but that was about it. The wind was pretty stout at times, though. But Im not sure if I would have noticed it much had I not been so tuned to listening for rising water. So, I am certain that the flood of last week was a freak, once every 50 year, type of thing. stillleft a whole lot of branches and, of course, leaves...everywhere. I may have to break out the ole leaf blower tomorrow.
I have managed to avoid sports talk and espn since the Tigers took the gaspipe last week against GaTech. I will end the moratorium beginning tomorrow at 11 with College Gameday. Hope the team comes through on the road
Thursday, September 16, 2004
little green men
by Kevin Todd |
Saturday's game between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets had more connections to the tragedies of 9-11 other than the fact that the game was in New York, was played by teams representing two states that were hit in the attacks, and featured a ceremony remembering the tragedy three years to the date.
After the first nine innings the visiting Phillies had nine runs on 11 hits. After the same nine innings the host New York Mets also had nine runs on 11 hits.
The two teams played four additional innings, one for each plane used in the attacks.
And when the game was over, the final score was New York nine and Philadelphia 11. The game also featured three errors. Philadelphia committed two errors equal to the number of planes that hit New York. New York committed one error equal to the number of planes that hit Pennsylvania.
a little slow
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
a parable.....
Fact 1: As each goose flaps its wings it creates an "uplift" for the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson 1: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
Fact 2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front of it.
Lesson 2: If we have as much common sense as a goose, we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
Fact 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Lesson 3: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each others' skills, capabilities, and unique arrangements of gifts, talents, or resources.
Fact 4: Geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson 4: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one's heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.
Fact 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
Lesson 5: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
Monday, September 13, 2004
well, well, well...
Sunday, September 12, 2004
sigh..
Friday, September 10, 2004
goodness
But.... The Miami University band is horrrible. there is no way around that. And it probably has a lot to do with the fact that the music school there is geared toward Graduate level musicians. but...on tv, they sound....retched.
Something to ponder....
I actually stumbled across this the other day. I thought it somewhat provoking.
I've learned that men and women treat friendship differently, and I believe this distinction extends even into co-ed friendships. Most of this has come from discussion with my mother, who is always amazed that Alex and I never seem to know what's going on in our friends' lives, yet we remain steadfast in these friendships. Here is the difference as I see it: Men tend to bond on a level that runs deeper than language; the link extends not above, but below conscious appreciation. Men are friends simply because we are. Women, on the other hand, seem to define their friendships much more discreetly. They know what they like about each of their friends and why, and they can tell you if you ask them. (Please correct me if this is not the case) Perhaps it has to do with the more verbal nature of the female gender, or perhaps it hs more to do with a sixth sense men have about each other. I don't think it really matters, it's just the way God saw fit to design us.
directive.blogspot.com
Thursday, September 09, 2004
the aftermath....
Totally cleaned out the flooded garage, and got rid of a lot of stuff, and replaced it. CHECK!
Checked washer, dryer and HVAC. All working. CHECK!
got water out of kitchen CHECK!
pulled up carpet from den. CHECK!
Cloroxed Concrete in Den. CHECK!
so far, so good.... putting in new flooring over the weekend, replacing tiles in Kitchen as well. The deck seems to have floated, and that is why it is slightly catawhompus right now.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
The Great Flood, part deux...
from the THAT COULD NEVER
Seems like a freak thing where the rain is moving straight up the mountains, meaning that all the rain is piling on top of each other...sigh... our next door neigbor had his 2 prize Z-28s have water OVER the top of the car. As in, you couldnt see the car anymore.
I guess it was time for a little rain (sic) to fall into our lives. We've been very fortunate so far. Now, lets see how we deal with adversity.
Adendum: Spent the night at Lynns last night. Carpet is ruined. everyhing in garage is probably toast as well, including washer and dryer. My efforts to put towels around the doors probably saved us somewhat, as water only seeped in around those sots, depite the watermark being at a foot and a half up the side of the doors. Seems like the water pipe/bridge got blocked by something or another, and water just suddenly backed up from there. The neighbors lost everything.
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
and i guess it has rained..
By the way, it was nice to sit outside last night and pick up 880 out of NYC and listen to the Yankees game. Although Im not a huge Yankee fan, they do interest me. Of course, to sit outside tonight would mean instant drenching....
goodness...why dont it rain some.....
I know its been a few days, but Ive been busy at work, and at home too...
I will get back on track tonight when I get some time at home.
Friday, September 03, 2004
surprise
Labor day weekend coming up. And I finally get to sleep in until at least 7:00am tomorrow, Sunday and Monday. WOW!!!
JOKE for today and this weekend.
A Jewish student was doing well in school, except for math class, so his parents decided to send him to a private Catholic school.
While there, the boy came home from school and studied every day. At the end of the semester the boy got straight A's. So his parents asked him, "What motivated you to do so well in school?"
He replied, "When I saw that guy nailed to a plus sign I knew they weren't fooling around!"
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Kobe, email, pixs and BRAVES!!!
seems our charter email accounts got screwed up when we moved our service. i spent 45 minutes on hold tonight only to have them tell me that they WILL get them re-activated, but it will take a while, or something like that.... sigh.... that means Jessica's email is screwed up, for the most part. i will still use my FU email as my mail address, anyway
I have a few pictures that I will post above. a couple of the house, and some recent kids pix...
by the way, this hurricane closing in could be a big one...wow
still a little sick
Braves are clicking along... you just gotta feel good about their chances at making the playoffs again. Sept 1 mark and 8 1/2 games up. I just dont think they are going to fold.
I took a couple of pictures of the house this morning as I was leaving. I will try to get some time here and post them today. probably more like around 5 is when I will be able to do that.
Why do all the girls want to date the Alto players? A: They are so SAXY!
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
ah..sleep is good
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Well-timed silence hath more eloquence than speech."
- Martin Fraquhar Tupper
Monday, August 30, 2004
oh, and I forgot...
by the way, did you see that dude tackle the leader of the Marathon (a mighty fine chocolate bar if their ever was one)? What the hey?
no pictures
Speaking of rain, it again pounded the coast again...some sort of sneak attack Hurricane/Tropical storm hit the coast yesterday and dropped a ton of rain and caused some power outttages down that way. I hope our friends down there are doing OK!! I must admit that the upstate is pretty damn good about weather. Never too rainy, too hot, too cold, too tornadowy, too whatever for any length of time.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Get the facts first. You can distort them later."
- Mark Twain
Friday, August 27, 2004
The King is dead...long live the KING!
This team was awefully flawed. And sheer talent alone isnt going to win now. not with only 3 weeks to prepare for teams that have playing together for 3 or 4 years. TIME TO GET A NATIONAL TEAM THAT PLAYS YEAR ROUND. Something like what USA soccer does...you know, got a National game coming up, you call up Kobe, Kidd, Shaq, Duncan...WHOEVER, and you go take cae of business.
now, that being said...we have to have a group of players that plays together ALL THE TIME. So, maybe the KOBE, Shaq, WHOEVER solution might not hold quie true. You might have to hold tryouts...offer a damn good salary and say that these guys are the NATIONAL team. Get them together a year out and they play exhibitions against the NBA, college...Globetrotters up until the Olympics... Wait...maybe, we should send the Globetrooters..Hell, those guys can play!
Anyway, I cant say I faulted the effort of the team recently. The coaching seemed solid too. But...ony 1 big man? no spot up, white guy, dead-on shooters? I blame the NBA and the selection comittee. Man..I'm bummed.
And I am just a little peeved because i suspect racist motivations as to the outcry publicly against this team. Seems like if we had others there, people would have been with these guys. Instead, we send not our first team..not even half our second team, these guys compete...and they lost. USA aint that much better any more than everyone else. Sorry.
sigh...I bet this causes changes in how we approach basketball on the International level. And I bet you see total domination at this level again for another 10 years until the world catches up...again.
of course, they still lost. They still got outplayed at times...and I dont think the players understood what they were up against...until it was too, too late.
Damn...this is sad.
Taps....
TGIF
I hope to be able to get a lot more settling in this weekend by going through the stuff in the garage. That way we can go from the "livin out of boxes" feel we still kinda have in some rooms.
seems like a little terrorism is going on in Russia...2 planes go down within 4 minutes of each other? hmmmmm.... of course, there is a muslim group that is claiming responsibility. You know, if i was a normal muslim person, id be seriously thinkin about my religion right now. I know that 99.5 percent of muslims are peaceful and want to co-exist with everyone. But those yahoo extremists cranks must sure be making people feel uncomfortable to be muslim these days.
Point to ponder
Are There More Professional Black Athletes Than Black Professionals?
While many African American children may be influenced to believe that a career as a professional athlete is more within their reach than one as a doctor or lawyer, the truth is exactly the opposite. Records indicate that in 1990 the amount of professional black athletes, meaning the combined total from all professional sports, was only 6,862 (9.4% of all pro athletes). It's a relatively low number when compared to the number of black professionals, which includes physicians, lawyers, doctors, and dentists. In 1991 there were 2,300 black dentists alone, 17,250 black physicians (3% of all physicians), and 25,700 black lawyers and judges combined (3.4% of the total). Although less glamorous than athletes, these professions proved to be much more promising for black youth, as well as within their reach and beneficial to their communities.
Nearly ten years later the chances for black youth to become professionals is only increasing. As black athletes have become more prevalent in sports besides baseball, football, and basketball, their numbers have increased as well. In 1999 the number of black pro athletes had risen to 20,900, and they comprised 19% of all pro athletes. However, the number of black professionals had skyrocketed. In 1999 black physicians totaled 41,000, and are now 5.7% of the total. The number of black judges and lawyers had swelled to 50,100, almost double, and they now compose 5.2% of the total.
---africana.com
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Clothes
Team USA taking care of business today. Got to the semi's... still reserving commentary till the team either wins gold, or gets eliminated.
and, of course, Braves win.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
hmmmm
"Read not to contradict and confute, not to believe and take for granted, not to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider."
- Sir Francis Bacon
ah...Braves come back and take the victory last night...
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
just thinking..
man, things used to be sooooo much simpler. I wish I knew how good it was then.....
Sometimes it feels like this world is spinning faster
Than it did in the old days
So naturally we have more natural disasters
From the strain of a fast pace
Sunday was the day of rest
Now its one more day for progress
But we can't slow down
Cause more is best
All in the process
But I miss Mayberry
Sittin on the porch drinking ice cold Cherry --- Coke
Where everything was black & white
Pickin on a Six String
People pass by and you call them by their first name
Watching the clouds roll by
bye bye
Sometimes I can hear this whole world stopping
Through the trees as the wind blows
Thats when I climb up here on this mountain
And look through God's window
No I can't fly
I've got to be
To get me high up here
Far from the noise and city streets
My world receives the peace
But I miss Mayberry
Sittin on the porch drinking ice cold Cherry --- Coke
Where everything was black & white
Pickin on a Six String
People pass by and you call them by their first name
Watching the clouds roll by
bye bye
Sometimes I dream I'm driving down an old dark road
Not even listed on the map
I pass a dad and his son carrying a fishing poll
But I always wake up everytime I try to turn back
Sittin on the porch drinking ice cold Cherry --- Coke
Where everything was black & white
Pickin on a Six String
People pass by and you call them by their first name
Watching the clouds roll by
bye bye
- Rascal Flatts