tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63977322012-01-25T11:20:27.334-05:00What I think about what just happened...Grandpanoreply@blogger.comBlogger16611100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-53776310584676695232012-01-25T11:20:00.002-05:002012-01-25T11:20:27.342-05:00

So I got a chance to catch up on Phineas and Ferb as well as An Idiot Abroad this morning. The debate is is still on whether Karl Pilkington is really being this way or is acting a part. Either way it is extremely amusing. And I find it amazing that no matter where he goes, be it the middle of no where China or no where Pacific Ocean they find people who seem to speak better English than I do in

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-61447578291217021422012-01-16T01:55:00.000-05:002012-01-16T01:55:00.426-05:00

Now,I say to you today my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: - 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.' - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-52019586222727739652012-01-13T10:46:00.003-05:002012-01-13T10:46:29.101-05:00

wow .. glad to see commerce and good will toward all men is still booming on the Square in my hometown.  I seense a boom coming to Laurens soon....

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-83269045878041426402012-01-12T22:00:00.000-05:002012-01-12T22:00:03.366-05:00

oh.... and another thing... why is their all the hate and vitriol toward Tebow? I know a lot of people are rooting for him but I ponder why there is such a "He'll never be a successful NFL QB" crap on sportstalk all the time. AFTER 14 starts????? Not even a full season starting and it seems that every game is a referendum on if he will be a successful QB five years from now... weird.

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-66280906208163880062012-01-12T12:39:00.000-05:002012-01-12T12:39:15.761-05:00

kinda proud to send a shout out to my wife who was chosen as Mrs. Jessica Jackson is the 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year! for her school and now gets nominated for District Teacher of the year... good stuff....

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-45329624972135479602012-01-12T01:12:00.000-05:002012-01-12T01:12:01.958-05:00

so we are getting pounded by ads on radio and tv now. sigh... and we now are getting more and more of the media telling us who is ahead... and who is surging... and who the"people" are rooting for... basically, again we are getting the media telling us who we should vote for. and the media reporting with their slant the campaigns... what is funny to me is that the politicians raise millions and

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-32985873852817202132012-01-11T23:19:00.000-05:002012-01-11T23:19:47.337-05:00

as i watched the end of the Law and Order i switched over to the ACC game that was on SportsSouth and started remembering when the ACC games where all on RayCom Jefferson on NBC here... and that during January and February every year Tuesdays and Thursdays and Saturday afternoons had ACC basketball on and that the TV shows would be either delayed or they would actually show them on the weekend.I

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-56457431391379799662012-01-11T07:05:00.002-05:002012-01-11T07:05:25.460-05:00

Think of a number. Double it. Add six. Half it. Take away the number you started with. Your answer is three.

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-38031032137523370722012-01-10T13:30:00.000-05:002012-01-10T13:30:00.490-05:00

And this is so screwed up I dont know how to begin commenting on it. It is so wrong at virtually every turn. And then once you read this.. read the comments. That is worse.

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-87818116392578942492012-01-10T11:48:00.003-05:002012-01-10T11:48:53.345-05:00

well.. it wasnt exactly a 65 yard field goal in triple overtime... but I will now up the ante and say that if the Broncos win in Foxboro on Sunday, something strange is going on... there is conjecture with some guys at work that Tebow might be... just hang with me a second and hear me out... the Anti-Christ. Only he doesnt even know it. It is almost B movie like (or Disney Channel-like) how

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-88876094110255137492012-01-05T10:13:00.002-05:002012-01-05T10:13:48.369-05:00

Clemson football... Seriously?

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-9632402049764989332012-01-02T08:22:00.000-05:002012-01-02T08:22:59.016-05:00

I dont like this supposed cool bowl system that exist now. I remember when New Years day would be Rose parade @11am, then Cotton Bowl, then Rose Bowl, then Sugar and Orange... all the same day. Then the Fiesta came along and added in. None of this "I have NO IDEA when these bowl games are being played" crap with games AFTER New Years @ 1 o'clock in the afternoon.... Seriously? Most people are

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-41790459489886123222012-01-01T20:45:00.000-05:002012-01-01T20:45:55.339-05:00

i like Ikea. Really do.. they got some good stuff there. Ryles new loft bed comes from there. There is a computer shelf thingy that attaches to it that you can get. Looks like two long pieces of metal with some strategically placed hangers to place under the loft. Costs 99 dollars. A tad bit over-priced for the amount of product but I can understand the price point. Of course Charlotte and

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-62932508306067597322011-12-31T14:15:00.000-05:002011-12-31T14:15:25.534-05:00

As part of I-Mans' Christmas haul, he has gotten more and more technical with his Lego creations and sets that he gets... included with stuff he got this go around is a Space Shuttle Lego set, that he put together in about 7 and a half minutes.... next up, a Lego Empire State Building!!! ... seriously.... Today I-Man and I went and rode bikes along a trail in Greenville called Swamp Monster

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-73070404828640309872011-12-29T23:25:00.000-05:002011-12-29T23:25:01.037-05:00

Christmas has come and gone. Santa made sure the twins felt that that side of Christmas was a success with the elusive, oft asked for, Ipads finally making their way into the possession on Ryles and I-Man... And we also got to see Nana, Papa, Grandma as well as Uncle Billy, Uncle Jerry, Uncle Wes, Aunt Asley, Aunt Ellen and cousins Madison and Meridith.... We visited at Grandma Catoe and got to

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-81252938572504537432011-12-25T02:18:00.002-05:002011-12-25T02:18:47.012-05:00

Finally.. I-Man and Ryles have given up the ghost and are now asleep with those dreams and visions someone once waxed poetically about.... Santa has sent me a txt sayin' that he was in route... so I am now headin to bed... "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" Merry Christmas, Everyone!!!

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-41777877611470485032011-12-23T21:03:00.003-05:002011-12-23T21:03:35.764-05:00

THIS...is why I simply shake my head at times... and is why i get pissed at our heading toward an Entitlement society... funny thing is that I thought that perhaps I should call my wife and tell her some of her students are on TV. But it also saddens me that people are so jacked up.. about...shoes? that NONE of these people will ever use at PRO, College, Jr. College, Community College, and for

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-15806448707742751682011-12-20T03:30:00.000-05:002011-12-20T03:30:02.412-05:00

So we had freinds over this oast weekend and they brought thier kids and we did the gift exchange thingy... we then went to TinyTown and saw Americana at its errr... best. Then we hung out by the firebowl and chatted until 3 in the morning (well, i went to bed @ 2:30)... last night we actually we to the the "Light People".. these people who stand outside their house with lights on their body...

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-86525835525018650652011-12-19T10:54:00.000-05:002011-12-19T10:54:38.767-05:00

so I remember back to this day in 1998 when about this time i was pondering getting ready to head over to the church... 13 years ago we made official. I always am listening to lyrics and whenever I think of my wife (and twins, for that matter) I almost always come back to this song. A tad bit corny, I know... but whatever... I wont quote the full song here but the gist of it... I'm gonna love

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-36966377750334006642011-12-14T16:44:00.002-05:002011-12-14T16:44:38.130-05:00

for all of us who have kids who.. when our kids are opening presents have an eeeevvvvver so slight bit of nervousness because you never know if your kid is going to react with grace if they think the gift is... whatever... watch this... THIS is absolutely funny. it is from Jimmy Kimmel. I was laughing so hard I had tears at work....

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-3680045812416932712011-12-13T16:30:00.000-05:002011-12-13T16:30:00.383-05:00

um... i'll take 63, Sunny and pleasant over a "White Christmas" anyday... and as I drove into work today with my window down and previously mentioned Chrismas songs wishin for snow, i thought "I'll stick with this and run with it"

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-18865856430170889052011-12-13T09:05:00.000-05:002011-12-13T09:05:34.121-05:00

i listen to a couple of ALL Christmas ALL the time stations on Satellite radio right now... first of all, most of the Christmas songs I grew up with like O Come all Ye Faithful and We Three Kings are played rarely while we get Mariah Carey and All I Want for Christmas 6 times an hour.... Second is that I notice just how many songs talk about snow, or watching snow.. or walking thru snow... or

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-30753715527179250932011-12-12T09:28:00.000-05:002011-12-12T09:28:23.898-05:00

So the past weekend saw Ryles birthday party held (I-Man's is this coming Friday) and it was a sleepover type thingy with four other girls joining Ryles for nails, Monster High dolls, American Girl dolls and staying up until 3am. This Monster High doll thing caught me off guard. I was totally unaware of it until Ryles received 3 of them for her birthday. Interesting backstory to it all as I

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-1134670090804431762011-12-08T09:24:00.000-05:002011-12-08T09:24:01.198-05:00

so.. Mean Girls Easley Style has propped its ugly head up in the 4th grade with Ryles.. seems that one of the girls she invited to Birthday Party #1 this weekend has been getting treated badly by the "in" group at school and her mom was upset and there have been teacher conferences and well... this girl didn't want to hang with the other girls who are coming to Ryles Birthday party (and it seems

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-39794479401268773912011-12-07T12:30:00.000-05:002011-12-07T12:30:01.138-05:00

So I am forced to try to explain this cap that I have acquired recently and is now in heavy rotation since my Clemson caps all went into mad bad mojo/juju and I had to shelve them all in hopes to salvaging the football season... people keep staring at the flag and a couple of people have asked me to explain (including the Tiger Band Director).. I get the sense that people are thinking that I am

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-35052429096644264152011-12-07T08:56:00.001-05:002011-12-07T09:12:01.007-05:00

so Cartoon Network, Disney XD, NickTV join Disney in HD on cable thus assuring I will have a constant fight for the TV from now on.... ..in addition, am I the only one who thinks that The Cartoon Network is full of these jacked up cartoons that are waaayyy "out there"? These aint the cartoons I grew up watchin' so I have to constantly monitor I-Man and what he is watchin' on that channel...

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-21520915554096604222011-12-06T16:00:00.000-05:002011-12-06T16:00:08.102-05:00

we did do some snappys for the holiday cards... It is always difficult to take pictures now of the kids as they seem to balk at any inkling of me getting out my camera. Hell, everyone in the family does but I keep wondering what they will say 20 years from now when they view a photo and it brings back memories, or more importantly, a memory of someone no longer with us. While this photo here

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-47144479549030513312011-12-06T12:47:00.000-05:002011-12-06T12:47:00.113-05:00

"A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice".  -Bill Cosby

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-13906177996828871872011-12-05T12:44:00.000-05:002011-12-05T12:44:00.053-05:00

"A friendship can weather most things and thrive in thin soil; but it needs a little mulch of letters and phone calls and small, silly presents every so often - just to save it from drying out completely".  - Pam Brown ...wow, Erik... you got a good one.... ;)

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-33239726617947784462011-12-05T00:53:00.001-05:002011-12-05T01:31:48.230-05:00

So after making Kim extremely nervous when I led her thru resetting her IPhone she took a snappy photo of us sitting in the stands at the ACC Championship game. As i posted before, i wasnt sure if the time and money spent on the actual game would be worth it, but it was... and even more valuable was time spent just talking and catching up and ... talking. The game was fun in that it was a

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-54568386402499466522011-12-04T10:31:00.000-05:002011-12-04T10:31:00.894-05:00

Well.. it seems I will need to actually have pictures of the kids on our family Christmas card this year. I tried to go a different route last year and but that seemed to not go over well with people who like to put these things on ther fridges for the year. I must admit that we do the same thing so I understand that line of thought... so this is going to be carefullty crafted and a different

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-70605675795784588022011-12-02T19:52:00.000-05:002011-12-02T19:52:00.073-05:00

seriously... hmmm... seeing as though every time we rent a video game for one night we end up keeping it for for 3 nights i am a little leery of this type of service....

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-48376012092698617942011-12-02T16:38:00.000-05:002011-12-02T16:38:00.319-05:00

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.  - Winston Churchill

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-27393782075631605102011-12-02T12:36:00.001-05:002011-12-02T12:36:30.334-05:00

"Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness". - Martin Luther King, Jr

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-79635556111206007362011-12-02T10:17:00.000-05:002011-12-02T10:17:00.454-05:00

I am not quite sure why I am going to this game tomorrow, other than taking the opportunity to visit with a dear friend. Well, I think I have answered my question. I will get to visit with Kim and chat. And maybe the Tigers will pony up some gonads and play with passion, energy and a sense of urgency like they seemed to exhibit earlier this year. That and i hope we can take a couple of

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-42280446902712620522011-12-01T23:09:00.000-05:002011-12-01T23:09:00.588-05:00

Seriously? I saw this on Huffington Post and later Jamie Clemons posted it on Facebook. I still wonder sometimes about just who out there who pretend to be our friends but actually feel this way. I occasionally hear snippets and comments that indicate racist thoughts. And I just dont have room for that line of thinking in my life. but i guess if you are reading this then you knew this already....

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-34890169898489957032011-12-01T17:00:00.000-05:002011-12-01T17:00:05.390-05:00

Well it seems Herman Cain has been hit hard by a lot of allegations that seemed to only show up when he became a front runner. Still wondering where all these "violated" women were when Cain was just an afterthought. But i did find it interesting how his campaign (and obviously others) use the internet, and this article illustrates that point. I will now view searches on Google a little

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-4264872499269274432011-12-01T15:11:00.001-05:002011-12-01T15:13:04.855-05:00

in lieu of the recent hazing down at Florida A&M, i thought I might share an article that the current Band Director at Clemson shared with me...

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-51527648900980986012011-12-01T10:00:00.001-05:002011-12-01T10:08:57.078-05:00

I have often alluded to the fact that the twins do well in school (so far) which has made me proud because of the dire predictions of people way back when... it is to the point where if they didnt report well, I would be alarmed as to something deeper going on. They both got Straight A's on their last report cards (again) with Ryles continuing to trend a notch better overall in absolute average.I

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-76920382577758520322011-11-14T11:03:00.001-05:002011-11-14T11:21:07.343-05:00

As this first season of "Academy" level soccer has wound down, we have seen definite improvement in conditioning and aggressiveness from I-Man in this soccer gig.I am now looking forward to seeing a bit more from him and other team members in regards to on the ball skills. They all were improving at the end of the season and you could see a definite momentum shift away from I-Man and the goalie

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-72233887836229850192011-11-08T08:38:00.000-05:002011-11-08T08:38:20.269-05:00

Smokin' Joe Frazier passed away last night. I bet to most people reading this there is a "Um.. who's that?" sorta vibe... But Joe Frazier was a baaaddd man. And he was unwillingly the evil villain to Muhammed Ali. (Ali was also polarizing because of his stance against the Vietnam War) And it could be said that there would be no Ali without Frazier. Frazier, Ali and Foreman (and to a far lesser

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-14047940225991544772011-11-07T21:19:00.003-05:002011-11-07T21:19:28.615-05:00

i remember a time when it took me three days to program sprites into my Commodore 64 to try to run the most basic of videogames... now I am watching Monday Night Football as I drive down the road, receiving text and Google talking to my daughter... on my phone.

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-6030286935783733522011-11-04T10:34:00.000-04:002011-11-04T10:34:17.403-04:00

So the Jetta has returned FINALLY from the local snakeoil dr. and it is running like it did 10 years ago. It has me now thinking I should push for 400K... Fix the AC (likely a dead compressor) and the nose and we are set... I think for the 18,000 I paid for it that I have gotten my moneys worth... mucho thanks to Nanna and Papa, and Uncle Wes for letting me borrow a car during this time...

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-1552626840367026202011-11-03T06:00:00.000-04:002011-11-03T06:00:03.138-04:00

tsk.. tsk.. somebody at work dared to break what is normal policy at work and brought up Herman Cain to me and asked me what I thought about the harrassment scandal thingy. Well.. tsk, tsk.. I can certainly see where this is a story. But I also see where people will take the opportunity for their 15 minutes of fame. And then you will see the piling on... women coming out of nowhere suddenly

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-36079480185272677962011-11-02T17:36:00.000-04:002011-11-02T17:36:54.676-04:00

dude.. i have a slight back problem. It seems to be going away, and its not as bad as a couple times before. But i assume most people reading here have had a back issue at one time or another. And it always amazes me how much of what you do is controlled by your back muscles. especially the lower back. I also am re-evaluating my diet as I my blood sugar is cycling a little higher over all. And I

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-54741319716328466772011-11-02T08:42:00.001-04:002011-11-02T08:42:15.356-04:00

one of the "benefits" of where I work is that they will pay for a certain amount of education costs. So I am now getting my A+ Certification for free... well, not exactly free in that I have to actually work at my  job and go there everyday. And that it does take time... so every morning I take a little time to watch videos and do labs and take quizzes... This will be huge in that it will

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-13866135745573328062011-11-01T22:30:00.000-04:002011-11-01T22:30:00.307-04:00

while I am definitely undecided (and still Independent) I have been piqued and amused by Herman Cain. I am not sure he is what we need as President. but what I find pisses me off is that the supposed "Progressives" are all out attcking him now that they see he has a little traction? And the nastiness of the supposed enlightened Liberals is funny. What? oh.. I forgot, all Black people are supposed

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-52416285731824132842011-11-01T00:19:00.003-04:002011-11-01T00:19:38.336-04:00

so... I think I am a tad bit tired of Halloween. First of all, we start talking about this so called "holiday"? in late August and when it falls on a Monday (or even Sunday) it is a 3 or 4 day gorge fest on candy. now... i like candy. I dont eat too much of it for many reasons. But it really is all the kids are thinking about. It really is selfish and we all feed into it.. How much did you get?

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-30736087417531469072011-10-27T10:43:00.000-04:002011-10-27T10:43:33.228-04:00

in the ongoing saga that is my car update, I have one last thing to do that requires immediate attention.. it is sitting at a shop in town and they ordered a part but, alas.. it was the WRONG part... now why they sat around and didnt tell me this for two days is beyond me... so I assume  that they will order the correct part, right?. WRONG... so when I call to inquire dude is like "we found one (

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-51622740821631206452011-10-24T16:59:00.001-04:002011-10-24T16:59:08.660-04:00

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com3Chris Cash Guitar Instruction, 109 Pilgrim Rd # A, Greenville, SC, United States34.815021 -82.286481tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-55943246857441076862011-10-21T23:00:00.000-04:002011-10-21T23:00:04.839-04:00

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Flexibility is the key to stability. Be quick, but don't hurry. by the way, I am assuming the Tigers wont take UNC lightly tomorrow... that being said, I wount be caught off guard like i was last week. I went into watching the Maryland game with my "B" Clemson hat, a trucker hat that is somewhat retro... i wanted to see Clemson win without my wearing

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-80671370455609943622011-10-21T07:19:00.000-04:002011-10-21T07:19:00.568-04:00

Going into the Columbia tourney, I-Man's soccer team had won only one match.. way back in August. And it is interesting to start to hear the grumbling on the sidelines from the other parents about the coach, club, etc... its kinda like what I bet will happen if/when the inevitable losses happen with Clemson (although the current talent amassed at Clemson makes me think 2 or maybe 3 good seasons

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-90422688774785575332011-10-20T10:51:00.000-04:002011-10-20T10:51:00.397-04:00

so.. i bit the bullet. I changed up the look. Its been over 5 years since I settled on the old look. What do you think? I think this will allow viewing of the photos better...

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-65469699810549786162011-10-19T15:00:00.000-04:002011-10-19T15:00:05.973-04:00

speaking of Lou Holtz, I am rereading his book I have during breaks at work. And I came across this that I have posted before, but I always feel is good food for thought... Per Lou Holtz, everyone needs 4 things in life: * First, you have to have something to do. Stories of healthy individuals who die within a few years of retiring are too numerous to list. It’s also true that prisoners

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-68549188940258424212011-10-18T22:30:00.000-04:002011-10-18T22:30:00.382-04:00

I met President Obama the other day at work...  I asked him about my 40 acres and a mule. he looked around for his teleprompter and said "No comment" He was more interested in whether or not Clemson would be able to get past UNC and GaTech to get to 9-0. I told him that Lou Holtz once told me "You're never as good as everyone tells you when you win, and you're never as bad as they say when you

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-73457885579397424312011-10-18T08:31:00.000-04:002011-10-18T08:31:12.871-04:00

So... not too long ago, we totally overhauled the HVAC system in the house... must admit that our first two power bills have absolutely stunned me. over 200% lower have the power bills been... now I am pondering just where I want to set the temp for the house for winter. It seems to want to stay @ around 68 downstairs naturally but I think 70 is more where I want to sit and perhaps leave the heat

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-40456916919742667212011-10-17T21:57:00.000-04:002011-10-17T21:57:00.253-04:00

So I got a RFID blocking wallet a couple of weeks ago... it is actually made out of steel... as in the entire thing is made out of metal,but it is not hard like you would imagine it would be.... So when the vending machines start zapping you out of a $1.25 just because you walk by them here in the near future I hope i will be prepared

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-91235063438350823752011-10-16T23:50:00.001-04:002011-10-16T23:51:03.254-04:00

So I watched the Dabo Swinney show a little while ago... it was funny to see the tell tale smirk on his face. It was filmed not too long after the victory Saturday night. It immediately reminded me of the feeling and smirk I have when I play I-Man in Fifa 11 soccer on Xbox. let me explain... for some reason my son has this ability to play outstandingly well for a 9 year old on Xbox, seemingly

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-31443064244881064132011-10-05T23:00:00.000-04:002011-10-05T23:00:01.301-04:00

So..I have several things wrong with my Jetta.. it seems I can accrue some of this to the fact that it has over 260,000 miles on it. But... it is in the process of having the oil changed, fuel injection timing set, rear brakes replaced, coolant changed out, glow plugs and plow plug harness replaced and power steering checked... all that should get me on the road to well over 300,000 miles... but

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-77355276080475102082011-10-05T13:37:00.000-04:002011-10-05T13:37:00.535-04:00

 So I only 3/4 noticed this box that has been sitting in the den for the past couple of months on top of one of my speakers... I vaguely remember Ryles saying something about me giving her money for vacuuming the floor, etc. I DO remember thinking that "I give you money everyday... as a matter of fact the only reason I work is to give you money, if not directly... certainly indirectly...you

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-83001762435025227582011-10-04T22:30:00.000-04:002011-10-04T22:30:00.521-04:00

so I think I am going to change things up and change the template on this blog....

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-87077562293123369252011-10-04T11:08:00.000-04:002011-10-04T09:09:12.776-04:00

I got home last night and when I went into our upstairs bath I noticed it was clean and thought "Jessica must have cleaned up in here" which is nothing unusual... so when Ryles tells me that she cleaned up the bathroom upstairs by herself. I must admit I was impressed. This was more than her usual shove.all.her.clothes.in.the.closet.and.close.her.french.doors type of "cleaning" she does in her

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-11171156719616722011-10-04T09:02:00.002-04:002011-10-04T09:02:32.443-04:00

I wonder if this Herman Cain deal will continue to rise. The media continues to try to ignore or discount him. But the word on the street has his stock quickly rising. Is it that he isnt what THEY want? i hear he hasnt ever held elected office or doesnt have experience. Can you show me what experience Obama had? and dont give me the "he was a Senator" crap because it has been shown that everytime

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-25854515943254199822011-10-03T17:30:00.000-04:002011-10-03T17:30:00.687-04:00

I often sometimes feel that I have to constantly defend I-Man as he is seemingly the only boy amongst all our family and friends children, and at times receives what I feel is an inordinate amount of blame for any incident that ever happens with all the women (girlz) cousins who he is with. Of course, the fact that he is not yet 10 years old, but wears size 12-14 clothes perhaps

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-6249706766854577322011-10-03T10:24:00.002-04:002011-10-03T10:24:14.610-04:00

So the past weekend saw us travel to Columbia for I-Mans's first Academy team soccer tourney. I think that it was a great educational experience for I-Man and his teammates in that even though they have lost all their matches except one this season, the understanding that there are a whole lot of other people playing from places far far away that are as good, or better .. or worst than them.

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-73260846251485091132011-09-30T08:22:00.002-04:002011-09-30T08:22:44.864-04:00

Today... Work... then off to Columbia for I-Mans soccer tourney. First match @ 9:10am followed by the second @ Noon. The we will know if he has one or two matches on Sunday... I am guessing that this will be a true wakeup call for the team, which has only won a single match and suffers from a lack of goal scoring ability (which is highly needed if you want to win). But the leap in level of play

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-67430912334136865852011-09-29T08:46:00.001-04:002011-09-29T08:46:32.463-04:00

On a day that I am a tad bit miffed (but over it) I go back to one of the things that always soothes my heart... on go the bluetooth headphones and I start downloading music. Music... "Thriller".."Seniorita".. "Taking Care of Business".. "Rappers Delight".. "All Blues"... "He Got Game"... makes folding clothes go by so much easier.. Now off to work I go...

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-895368047152596002011-09-29T00:05:00.001-04:002011-09-29T00:35:23.470-04:00

a few minutes ago the War Chant played on my Thunderbolt... it has played 162 times this year telling me of the final score of the Braves game.  it was for the last time this year... as the Braves went down in a huge crash and burn tonight ending their season on the last day of the year. Oh, I already knew the score, as I often did this year as I watched or listened to parts of or all of almost

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-1844375971200511822011-09-11T18:29:00.000-04:002011-09-11T18:29:08.343-04:00

so another fun weekend was to be had... went with the twins to the local college football game (heh, heh) and it wasn't too hot, or crowded or all the usual stuff that would make me hesitate to bother with taking them, since they generally don't give a flip about football, etc...

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-90382985319933582282011-09-11T08:30:00.000-04:002011-09-11T08:30:01.198-04:00

I fear that all I have done is awakened a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible resolve. --Admiral Yamamoto after the Pearl Harbor attack, December 7, 1941 I remember as I was watching the Today Show and commenting to someone just how difficult it would be to crash a plane into the World Trade Center.. then I saw live the second plane hit. I remember thinking "THAT... was on purpose"

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-74331250661065018352011-09-09T09:54:00.000-04:002011-09-09T09:54:00.444-04:00

"Mail your packages early so the post office can lose them in time for Christmas.” - Johnny Carson With the impending demise of the Post Office, I am pondering if I should take out pen and pad and write a couple of letters. I remember a time when a facebook message or a text didn't exist, and it was so cool to get a letter from a friend in the mail. I can remember often that some summers that

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-90056224754466057752011-09-08T09:30:00.000-04:002011-09-08T09:30:01.863-04:00

"Friendship... is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything". -Muhammad Ali

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-71275295439829989022011-09-07T22:38:00.000-04:002011-09-07T22:38:05.482-04:00

""A good friend of mine used to say, "This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains." Think about that for a while." - Ebby Calvin Laloosh The Braves lost tonight... got swept by the Phillies. I used to absolutely live and die by the Braves. But somewhere along the line I stopped over reacting to

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-5275946390239242442011-09-07T11:30:00.000-04:002011-09-07T11:30:03.664-04:00

IN PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS :    We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-53267617902643777802011-09-06T08:14:00.003-04:002011-09-06T08:14:43.702-04:00

First Day of school.... Ryles was asked to be on SafetyPatrol which means she has to be first at school in mornings...she also joins I-Man in Gifted/Talented classes this year... Baritone and Clarinet classes start again tomorrow...soccer practice every other day... matches on Sundays in Greenville. Oh.. and I forgot about homework... Snapped a quick photo before hopping in the car and the twins

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-53765611204209038572011-09-05T22:00:00.000-04:002011-09-05T22:00:03.486-04:00

so we turn the corner and leave leave putrid August behind... and now head into Fall. FINALLY the kids start school tomorrow, Football has started, soccer is in full swing and the weather is slowly... ever so slowly... turning better. The Braves are contending and just need to figure out how to hold on for 3 more weeks (fingers crossed).... ... the weekend saw us hangout at Twin Lakes with Uncle

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-51498778604706123282011-09-03T09:45:00.002-04:002011-09-03T09:49:55.010-04:00

WHAT IT WAS, WAS FOOTBALL Andy Griffith - 1954 It was back last October, I believe it was.We was going to hold a tent service off at this college town,and we got there about dinner time on Saturday.Different ones of us thought that we ought to get us a mouthful to eat before we set up the tent.So we got off the truck and followed this little bunch of peoplethrough this small little bitty patch

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-18607271886462134212011-09-02T22:57:00.002-04:002011-09-02T23:18:54.472-04:00

we all want our kids to be successful and to be happy. And we all know how important friendships are in our lives. So I am always curious to see how these things play out with the kids. Tonight finds Ryles already at a sleep-over party with several classmates despite school not even started yet... I think it was telling when Ryles walked into the building and was met by a steady procession of

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-56089712389395519312011-08-30T23:37:00.004-04:002011-08-31T00:15:29.361-04:00

this time of the year every year I often find myself thinking back to 1995... this was back when checking your "voice mail" didnt mean picking up your cell phone and pressing a button. It meant that I called back to my apartment, and did a press of a button to get the digital answering machine... well, I called back from Poole where I was down in the basement playing a MUD on the mainframe and

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-57840671978141840222011-08-26T23:55:00.002-04:002011-08-26T23:55:00.350-04:00

did i mention that the NFL Networkin HD suddenly showed up on cable?.. oh a MTV too.. I dont care much about MTV,especially since I have yet to see music, video or a music video on it.. but wow, NFL network? are you serious? In HD?... i have seen parts of all the Preseason games so far... i think the Bills new uni's are starting to grow on me.... and this is kinda like have Hard Knocks on 24/7

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-80281840653809050692011-08-25T23:23:00.002-04:002011-08-25T23:23:00.127-04:00

So Santa sent me a telegram last night telling me that he is essentially FINISHED for Christmas... he told me that he had kept a copy of the letters that Ryles and I-Man had sent to him last year, and with a couple of carefully positioned questions relayed by me, he is all set except sending a furniture purchase to me for Ryles. This includes Birthdays too... Gotta hit Ikea at somepoint this Fall

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-81604053209924417732011-08-25T10:18:00.000-04:002011-08-25T10:18:00.723-04:00

so nobody wants to take a bite... guess I will have to do the NASCAR race or Braves game by myself.. again. Perhaps people just dont want to hang out with me anymore...

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-69608751013112461002011-08-24T23:12:00.002-04:002011-08-24T23:23:25.197-04:00

yesterday I actually felt my first earthquake. I was at my desk at work when I felt the floor start to bounce up and down. At first I thought it was a "heavy" person walking down the hall as occasionally we have people who walk laps around the building and one of the routes takes them past my desk. But I quickly realized that this was lasting way too long. And suddenly I looked out and others

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-73055321983783916032011-08-24T06:07:00.002-04:002011-08-24T06:07:00.121-04:00

Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-69161522809928625042011-08-23T17:55:00.002-04:002011-08-23T17:55:00.803-04:00

.. had to run off not one, not two but THREE racoons off the back deck the other night. They were on top of the table eating Mocha's food and had made quite a commotion getting up and knocking off bowls, cups.. whatever they could knock off... I opened the back door and two of them took off in a flash but the third just stood there continuing to eat.. i threw a stick at it and it them bolted off.

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-86228417432099251422011-08-23T09:59:00.001-04:002011-08-23T09:59:00.382-04:00

did I mention that we got our AC (HVAC) overhauled two weeks ago??? so now we have this huge unit the size of my car on its side sitting beside the house that controls the temp both upstairs and downstairs for heating and cooling. a pretty chunk o change that costs but the savings in utility costs, as well as the supposed value of the house (at least once the market upturns again) should benefit

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-56276399587520803302011-08-22T14:50:00.002-04:002011-08-22T14:50:00.637-04:00

I think one thing that I have been a little perturbed about is that I-Mans soccer stuff has forced me to miss friends I dont get a chance to see too often. The other week I missed seeing Kristen and her family due to his 3 days a week practice schedule and it seems a schedule change to his Fall tournament schedule is going to make me miss a planned get together with friends this later in the

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-30840411263249221862011-08-22T05:54:00.003-04:002011-08-22T05:54:00.302-04:00

AH... I used to wonder why the mere mention of a visit to Nanna/Papa/Grandma is met with joyous glee... but as the pic shows me why, as I-Man seems to need a "Vacation" bike for Grandma's house... it all good though.. just humorous...

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-31238626771053158002011-08-21T21:40:00.002-04:002011-08-21T21:50:52.884-04:00

the fact that the twins dont start school until after Labor Day sucks. Due to me working and Jessica starting work again last week in her school district, we have had to utilize Nanna/Papa/Grandma in various forms as we would rather not dish out the money it cost for someone to watch them and we arent fortunate enough to have people who can keep them all day. They are just about to the age where

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-30493637229399020862011-08-02T23:50:00.002-04:002011-08-02T23:56:36.138-04:00

but wait... the twins dont start school until seemingly October again. Actually they start the day after Labor Day and we are having to figure out what we are doing with them for about three weeks while Jessica and I have to work... is it me or did we always start school the middle of August back in the day?... yesterday, what was it that I saw? Leaves floating down from the trees. It certainly

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-26658436506386314902011-07-27T21:33:00.001-04:002011-07-27T21:33:00.456-04:00

"In these downbeat times, we need as much hope and courage as we do vision and analysis; we must accent the best of each other even as we point out the vicious effects of our racial divide and pernicious consequences of our maldistribution of wealth and power. We simply cannot enter the twenty-first century at each other's throats, even as we acknowledge the weighty forces of racism,

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-14378318440760010632011-07-26T22:23:00.005-04:002011-07-26T22:59:11.539-04:00

I often tell my stealthy Romanian friends that despite what you often hear, not all Black Americans are lock step in line with blindly rooting for President Obama despite all the glaring signs that he could care less about Black Americans... and slowly but surely, I am hearing the people calling in ( to the radio talk shows like The Power, and America Left... what? I thought I only listened and

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-57350012185922236302011-07-26T20:54:00.002-04:002011-07-26T20:54:00.581-04:00

Ok... surveying the schedule, I think I am going to try to go to either the Atlanta race or the Charlotte race this fall... Anybody want to go with me? I am thinking about the Atlanta Race as I have Labor Day off which falls the day after that race. I am thinkin' Ikea, The Varsity then on to the race, then back home for an Itenarary. The Charlotte race (a Saturday night event) will see a Nascar

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-21953284249768255902011-07-25T22:16:00.003-04:002011-07-25T22:54:41.252-04:00

While I have previously mentioned a while back that no major trips of the century/summer/year wereplanned for this Summer 2011, i did anticipate that the twins would be able to spend extended time with Nana, Papa and Grandma. I am pleased that so far this has been true. Extended time at both Grandparents House has allowed Ryles and I-Man to hang out with them and spend simple quality time. While

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-64318691659758089032011-07-24T22:25:00.003-04:002011-07-24T22:34:14.956-04:00

.. so I decided to not post for a month and whittle away some people who I know will stop coming here daily/weekly/etc. I will now start updating again.. I know. A little pretentious of me, but I never said i wasnt somewhat arrogant at times...it is what makes me who I am.meanwhile... i will spool up the posts again... starting today... and I will back track on events of the summer over the next

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-35117441995886085972011-06-23T20:48:00.002-04:002011-06-23T21:02:27.834-04:00

cable (and Internet) is out due to the storm last night... I am betting a WEEK before they fix it... we are at 24 hours right now... Charter is so crappy they are beyond crappy...but we are watching The Muppets show right now... In this whacky world of virtually the same show over and over (see The Voice, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, America's Got Talent... I

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-46630615747862484672011-06-21T23:36:00.002-04:002011-06-21T23:43:30.412-04:00

so another weekend came and went... more on this later (with pix)but... enough of this wearing the pants around the ankles stuff kids seem to think is cool these days. Do they not know where this came from or what it symbolizes??? or is it too cool for them to even know? Everytime I see some kid doing this (especially a black kid) I smirk and ponder "Do you KNOW exactly what you are signaling to

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-83688371951370592702011-06-14T23:07:00.002-04:002011-06-14T23:27:35.832-04:00

so thats where that sock went... The twins are off to Nanna and Pappa's this week. So, while they are away, I am trying to actually take stock and clean some stuff out of their rooms. Looks like I will only get to I-Man's room this week as I am astounded by how much CRAP is behind I-Mans newly created bunk bed...those of you reading this with kids... do you ever find yourself wondering what

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-69263311033288903232011-06-07T20:57:00.002-04:002011-06-07T21:47:35.395-04:00

So... Summer has arrived. Vacation is here. Except for me... As of now, no HUGE vacation plans are on the docket... as previously mentioned, the Georgia Guide-stones are penciled in for a day-trip, a couple of lake outings if we can work out borrowing the boat from Papa and the rest of the time will see constant visits from various classmates or the twins off to visit their classmates. Meanwhile,

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397732.post-68728444808617745582011-06-03T01:16:00.002-04:002011-06-03T01:16:00.419-04:00

Did I mention that at the All Star Race, I saw Darius Rucker do the National Anthem and Lee Greenwood sang God Bless the U.S.A.... that was cool, but the most impressive thing was the B2 Bomber that flew over. It was almost sorta scary in that you only saw a slier in the distance and there was virtually NO SOUND when it flew over... then after it passed it seems to swerve off and throttle up and

Grandpanoreply@blogger.com0