Cheryl Miller and Gresham Barker

Alumni Breakfast!!! Actives and alumni....

Tarik Pierce and Trace Keasler

James Clemons

Annabeth and Andrea

Danny Goldrick

Claire Compton

Matt and Janet Zeilke

Susan Lark Kelly and Brooke

Lisa (Moore) Keasler and Trace...with Jamie Clemons and Andrea Randolph Albertson in background

Brent White

Stephen Crowell and Jenny (New) Bradford

TAX DAY!!! and Formal weekend!!!

..Tenth Anniversary weekend is here....lots of friends coming to town. And some we wish were coming but are not due to conflicts, distance, etc... we will miss you, and make sure to talk lots of gossip about you (that's you, Erik!)

Party at my house tonight.... house is straigtened up ( at least until the kids get home from Daycare) and we are looking forward to hanging out.... gotta go put my shirt in the dry cleaners... print out the programs and awards... and we are set. look for pictures late Sunday afternoon.

a quote for now....

This is a quote from something that is fiction, but i find it profound.... on so many levels.

"Life has a melody, Gaius. A rhythm of notes that become your existence once played in harmony with God's plan. It's time to do your part and realise your destiny."

Now, no..I'm not getting all Bob Jones on anyone...but I do find myself getting more and more contemplative as I get older. And i realised today, that the person i once was...lets say, back in 1985, 88...1994 and 94, or even 1998..I am not that person anymore. Oh, parts of me are still there. A lot of me is still there. But my perspective on things has changed. Dont know if this is good or bad. Maybe it was getting married. maybe it was having children and seeing the future in front of me. I dont thinks its bad...but all i know is that...well..i dont know.

I talked to Kristen today. She said we should move to New Jersey. Of course, she is there with her family, as well as Brown an hour away...Dont think the in-laws and my mother would like that too much, though. Not sure Jessica would like that either. Sigh...but I am reminded of her birthday, and of Lynn's...and once again...mine.

Going to start looking seriously at Charlotte and Atlanta next week. but i would prefer to stay in the Upstate. And i have a couple of promising leads...i just have to be patient.

YES network and MLB

So...cable has had this free MLB baseball thingy all week. i have gotten to see the Yankees, Redsox, Mets, Phillies, Nats, etc...on their actual broadcasts. I am actually considering getting this package, although it would be because i would be pulling for those teams, really...it would be to see them lose...probably not a good idea, then...i guess.... but I kinda have always had this begrudging admiration for the Yankees...i will refuse to pull for them, but... there is something about them that attracts me....

Still undecided if I am going to wear a tux or suit to Formal. Initially, i was going to trot out the tux, but... I am anticipating an evening of actual conversation with friends this time, so it might be a longer evening that it normally is for me at these events, so i might just go suit so I can hang out a little more comfortably at the event....

Kids growing

Wow...the kids are starting to grow again. I can see a noticable difference in how Ian looks now. Nothing bad, just growing and changing a little bit.

The next few weeks are shaping up.... Friends and Frat coming to town next weekend for a celebration. Couple of weekends later, to Darlington for Nascar race.... then a couple of weekends after that, to Charlotte for Allstar Nascar race. Looking forward to seeing Lisa, TJ, Kim, Jeremy, and a whole bunch of others over the next few weeks. It will be good to see everyone....

Finally...part 2

...growing up, The Tar heels were my first team i pulled for, before the Celtics or the braves...or Clemson. they were he only people on TV back then. Tonight, they climbed to the top.... oh, and my man in NASCAR won AGAIN today in Bristol. I've got a mini streak going....

this sun thing

...not too sure I agree with this Daylight savings time deal... its almost 6 oclock and it feels whacked...and I know this is going to be tough for the kids to understand why they have to go to bed, and its still all light outside and stuff. yeah, i know...billions of people have had to deal with this before, and Rylee and Ian with be just fine... but i can already hear the protests when we put them to bed, and the sun hasnt set yet. plus..it was above 80 degrees today. Cant we have some 70 degree days a while before we go to 80?

wonder what this means......

FINALLY!!!!

...my guy wins a race. Harvick wins the NASCAR race in Bristol. Perhaps this bodes well for this new cycle of sports seasons.

Pondering going into photography full bore.... getting a new camera rig, with a light kit...all the neccesities. Need to build my portfolio once I get my equipment.

Frat meeting last night ended up far more interesting than I thought it would be. I just hope that lessons can be learned before its too late. people gotta talk to each other....

Ian and Rylee are having to bear down and eat what we fix them. this isnt going over too well at the moment. But it will go over. They dont have a choice. The days of just eating cheese sandwiches and and peanut butter for dinner are over, i think. And ian just is so funny as he tries to hold out for that cheese sandwich.....

Newbies

...tonight, the FRAT initiated 13 new bruhs.... as always, i always feel a little strange after they cross... its so refreshing to see them so excited... only to know that some of them will be gone within a year, and some of them will do great things. And i can look at them now and have a good idea who will go which way.

Tar Heels to the finals.... Braves open up as favorites on Tuesday.

feel good hit of the summer

Dude, i just heard this song. It's the feel good hit of the summer. i can feel it!


Yeah...I like it when the girls stop by.. In the summer
Do you remember, Do you remember?
...when we met..That summer??
[Chorus]
New Kids On The block,had a bunch of hits
Chinese food makes me sick.
And I think it's fly when girls stop by for the summer,for the summer
I like girls that wear Abercrombie and Fitch,
I'd take her if I had one wish,
But she's been gone since that summer..
Since that summer
[Verse 1]
Hip Hop Marmalade spic And span,
Met you one summer and it all began
Your the best girl that I ever did see,
The great Larry Bird Jersey 33
When you take a sip you buzz like a hornet
Billy Shakespere wrote a whole bunch of sonnets
Call me Willy Whistle cause I can't speak baby
Sumthin in your eyes went and drove me crazy
Now I can't forget you and it makes me mad,
Left one day and never came back
Stayed all summer then went back home,
Macauly Culkin wasn't Home Alone
Fell deep in love,but now we ain't speakin
Michael J Fox was Alex P Keaton
When I met you I said my name was Rich
You look like a girl from Abercrombie and Fitch
[Chorus]
New Kids On The block,had a bunch of hits
Chinese food makes me sick.
And I think it's fly when girls stop by for the summer,for the summer
I like girls that wear Abercrombie and Fitch,
I'd take her if I had one wish,
But she's been gone since that summer..
Since that summer
[Verse 2]
Cheery Pez,cold crush,rock star boogie
Used to hate school so I had to play hookie,
Always been hip to the B-boY Style
Known to act wild and make girls smile,
Love New Edition and the Candy Girl
Remind me of you because you rock my world
You come from Georgia where the peaches grow
They drink lemonade and speak real slow
You love hip hop and rock n roll
Dad took off when you were 4 years old
There was a good man named Paul Revere
I feel much better baby when you're near
You love fun dip and cherry Coke,
I like the way you laugh when I tell a joke
When I met you I said my name was Rich
You look like a girl from Abercrombie and Fitch
[Repeat Chorus]
Bridge In the summertime girls got it goin on,
Shake and wigle to a hip hop song
Summertime girls are the kind I like,
I'll steal your honey like I stole your bike
[Verse 3]
Bugaloo shrimp and pogo sticks
My mind takes me back there oh so quick
Let you off the hook like my man Mr. Lipit
Think about that summer and I bug,cause I miss it
Like the color purple,macaroni and cheese,
Ruby red slippers and a bunch of trees
Call you up but whats the use
I like Kevin Bacon,but I hate Footloose
Came in the door said it before,I think I'm over you
but I'm really not sure
When I met you I said my name was Rich
You look like a girl from Abercrombie and Fitch
repeat Chorus
[Bridge]
In the summer girls come and summer girls go
Some are worth while and some are so so,
Summer girls come and summer girls go
Some are worth while and some are so so,
Summertime girls got it goin on
Shake and wiggle to a hip hop song
Summertime girls are the kind I like
I'll steal your honey like I stole your bike
[Repeat Chorus]

Weird

..it is really weird to get an email from a Candidate and have no idea who it is. I mean that some of the candidates, i know who they are and if you mention their name, i have a mental picture at least. Today, i got an email from a candidate who i know is a candidate ( i recognize the name) but i cant place his name with the face. T here are 4 or 5 newbies who are like that. say their name and I know they are pledges, but if i saw their face, i wouldnt be able to put the name with it... gotta do better with that in the future.

Listening to Rachmaninov Piano concerto #2, 2nd mov.... dude can flat out play the piano....

Had the opportunity to talk to Lynn, Lisa and Kim last night. As much as I enjoy talking to my friends, it somehow makes me a little sad each time... brings back memories of a time not so burdened with jobs and kids.... a time of wandering drives in the country, of sitting at Huddle House until random times.... but of course, i wouldnt trade my kids to go back either

But to think I met Lynn in 1988..and it is now 2005.

Top O' the week, to ya!

Starting to hear from Alumni who are saying they are coming to the Anniversary Formal. A AIM conversation with clemons last night has me knowing of around 15 probables from people he knows are coming and i know are probable. So that probably puts the actual total of Alumni at around25 to 30 people who will show....i think that is a good number. Now, I need to get on the phone today and see about some friends of mine. yes, that means YOU Kim...and Lisa/TJ too.

Last night, the jockeying for positions within the chapter started. Always an interesting part of the year, because i often see people leave friends swinging in the wind when it comes time for elections... Once again, looking for leaders who will LEAD, not simply try to please everyone to remain popular.

Had to stay up till 3AM worrying about the rain. It got a tad high, but didnt even come close to flooding. But still was kinda keeping one eye open

One thing about looking for a job is the thing in my mind that I have to do something that makes other people happy. Its a constant little fight in my mind between that and doing something I want to do, and I am interested in, plus the financial part... still gotta make enough to cover monthly bills...so that IS a factor i cant avoid. But i mentioned to my mother that i might look to Atlanta, and she immediately whined about that being too far for her to drive to see the twins. That annoyed me, even though I fully understand her feelings. but what if the ideal thing is for us to bolt the upstate for Charlotte or Atlanta? Am I to not go just so she can have convenience 6 to 10 times a year? Well, i will continue pursuing the Upstate leads i have as of now...But I think i will pursue all options. As i told Jessica, ALL options are on the table.

Heels to the Final 4...bout damn time my team actually do something in Sports. of course, crash and burn looms... refer to Atlanta Braves, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, Clemson Tigers...any NBA team i jump on the bandwagon with... Laurens raiders...the list goes on.

Music...AGAIN!

Music is the universal language...and truly the greatestof the arts.I just saw the beginning of Battlestar Galactica. Whatever song that was was so perfect.... and all I could think of was how it was the perfect song for what was going on...I must find it.

"All of this has happened before, and all of this will happen again"

Seems like I need to get on the horn and see if some people are coming to Formal or not

Quote of the day

"Change is not made without inconvenience, even from worse to better." Samuel johnson

news from Convention

well...the long week of constant travel, hotel rooms and general upheaval is about over. Kappa Beta won the bid for the 2006 SED convention. So, the first step has been taken....

Finally

...made it home yesterday. Went straight to work, then home to see the kids. It was great to see them and Jessica.

winding down

Quick lunch break here in good ole Middlebury.... went to a diner here on the square, thought I was in the movie Fargo for a second....

Flight leaves at 6:00am, means I have to leave here at 4:00am, means I have to get up at 330am...sigh....

such a quaint town...Ill have to come back sometime soon...of course, i said the same thing about Scottsdale, Arizona too....

ok...its official....

...I am watching TV in French from Canada. I guess if we have the MExican stations in SC, we can have french stations in VT...oh goodness...here's the Polo highlights...guys on horses ridin around with sticks.... just looked outside...its snowing, go figure.... speed skating highlights..alright, enough of French TV....womens Hockey highlights now on another channel....sigh....

by the way

...I am getting Canadian stations here, goodness, I think Im a long way from home....

my cell phone charger is back at the office so I will keep my phone off most of the time. If you want to reach me here in Vermont, you can also call the hotel at 800-842-4666 like after 9:00 is a definite....

WIRELESS.....BABY!!!!!

...YES!!!!...The Middlebury Inn has Wireless Internet!!.... awesome.... made it here by 2:45 today...flights pretty uneventful...I am reminded why I was amazed by the spector of flying a long time ago. a probable 16 hour drive done in a little over 3 hours travel time. Nice....

Vermont has lots of snow. Lots of it... never seen this much, even when Ive gone skiing. Like mounds heaped on mounds...but the roads are perfectly clear, despite getting 4 inches yesterday. But sun out today, and its melting... Middlebury reminds me of Highlands kinda...except very cold and lots of snow. Mounds and mounds of it. White.... Bright...snow....

The Inn is a Bed and Breakfast type of place... my room is a small room with 2 twin beds. typical Band B bathroom with fancy fixtures, old scool stuff...blah, blah, blah... Although I think I may come back here in the future with Jessica if I get a chance. Wireless...full cable... I took some pictures..will post later in the week... more later...watching the Nascar race right now....

..by the way...I am really, really , really, really.....REALLY...tired of Duke Basketball.

spooling up

...busy week... flying out on Sunday morn for Vermont. Representing Furman University for a couple of days....flying out Wednesday morning, back to Greenville by 10am, straight to work.... go home, work on Thursday for a 3/4 day, then leave for SED, arrive late Thursday night. Do SED till Sunday morn, arrive back Sunday afternoon home...back to work on Monday morn. sigh....

I hope both hotels have free high speed access....

sad.....

...listening to early Jackson 5...to hear michael jackson sing then...such joy...such innocence...and to see him become so...well...whatever....I mean, look at this guy now. Sad.... even if he is innocent, he's toast. And I bet he doesnt even realize it...


and then i listen to Man in the Mirror.... about as powerful a song as there ever is. listen to the words.... trust me.

and to see it coming. You know it aint going to end up good for Michael. He's going to end up killing himself.... especially if he gets convicted...and maybe even if he doesnt.

oh boy...

a quick look at Burlington , Vermont shows me snow, snow and more snow until Saturday night. I fly into Burlington on Sunday morn, then have to rent a car to drive to Middlebury College.... Hope the snow plows are working on Sunday morn.... fortunately, the forcast doesnt call for any stuff throught wednesday, after which I will return to Greenville for 2 days before I drive to Oralando for the SED convention....

"The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority."
- Kenneth Blanchard

How dumb was that

??? I drove 250 miles round trip just to purchase tickets to a nascar race last Thursday. drove to charlotte, purchased tickets, and came straight back here...but i think the seats are going to be pretty sweet. The Start/Finish line is directly in front of me, and we are sitting 12 rows up. We will be right where all the big pregame stuff they do before the race (fireworks, singing, etc).... so..perhaps it was worth it. I was able to go in and point to the exact place i wanted tickets...so i guess it was worth it....

a sinking, sickening feeling

...yesterday, I went to the weekly FRAT meeting...sigh... I take 3 minutes to go to the bathroom, come back...and they are discussing not allowing an alumni brother to not come to our formal becuase he owes money. Now....I know this brother, and I know that his body of work for the fraternity is excellent. No way would I EVER consider anything against this brother. As I was brought up to speed, I started to get this sick feeling in my stomach...there wasnt any way this was going to turn out all roses. ANOTHER situation where they should have talked to me first...ANOTHER situation where they should have AT LEAST talked to the brother in question, telling the brother what would happen in the near future if financial obligations were not met.... i dont know..its like I try to to say things..I try to tell them that they cant continue down this road.... its like they are hell bent on self destruction. like, I tell them that the constant infighting and bickering has to stop...then what happens??????? start trying to suspend each other...remove each other from office... dont get me wrong. Everyone has the right to do whatever they want...but...you gotta start treating each other like you are adults. this isnt High School. but yet, they aint listening. just want to keep creating ill will, bad feelings...and drama.

What’s wrong with the world, mama

People livin’ like they ain’t got no mamas

I think the whole world addicted to the drama

Only attracted to things that’ll bring you trauma

But, like I have said recently, one day down the line, the light bulb will go on...and they will realize how much time was wasted on this crap. for every 30 seconds the chapter talks about SERVICE, they spend 5 minutes talking about whether or not he/she was wearing letters upside down, and whether or not he/she should be suspended....

People killin’, people dyin’

Children hurt and you hear them cryin’

Can you practice what you preach

And would you turn the other cheek



Father, Father, Father help us

Send us some guidance from above

‘Cause people got me, got me questionin’

Where is the love (Love)

A random picture....

random musings

occasionally I have to drive the kids to daycare due to Jessica having bus duty. Even though it makes my commute to work almost an hour, it is interesting to change up my normal drive to work routine, listening to music instead of talk radio. Rylee likes to sing along to songs, while Ian obviously listens, and gets annoyed if I turn the music down, telling me that he "cant hear the music, turn it up!"

Music always makes me think.... usually its a reflective sort of thinking. As I have gotten older, I have changed somewhat, even doing a 180 in regards to my thinking on how I approach things and feel about things.... Thats why I find it ironic sometimes when I address the Fraternity about things, or sometimes talk to a brother about situations. I can remember similar situations happening in the past, and I KNOW exactly what they are thinking right now, and why. Its just that the experience and results and the ramifications I now know about, and they dont. For example, a brother has talked to me about not "talking" to another brother who they consider to be a friend. I told her to go to that person and talk to them, at least make an attempt to work things out. because I know too well that a few days turns to weeks, which then turns to months.... then suddenly you dont even remember what it is you are tiffing about. And I now come from the perspective that time wasted trying to not talk to someone is time you will never get back. And you'll be sitting somewhere 10 years from now wondering just what it was that was so important that you would not talk to a friend, a brother, for weeks...and you will realize that that was pretty childish, and dumb. I can remember tlking to Lynn a couple of years ago, and we talked about a spat we has almost 15 years ago ( man, time has gone by) where we didnt talk for a coupleo of months...and I found it interesting that we couldnt really remember exactly what it was that made it so big that we would not talk to each other, especially being as good friends as we were. That was time that we can never have back. Time that could have benn spent talking about other things, doing other things.. ...so iguess the moral of the story is this. If you are on the outs with someone, either you go talk and act like an adult ( agree to bury the hatchet, agree to disagree...whatever) or you simply decide to not be friends. But as I have told the one person, if you make a legitimate attempt, and the other person acts a fool and tries to give half ass excuses as to why they dont want to talk..try again. i fyou try again, and get the same result... well, then you have at least made an attempt to fix teings, and if the other person wants to play highschool drama?..well...let them learn the lesson on their own, when 10 years from now, they will be sitting somewhere, and it will dawn on them...and trust me, it will... that the screwed up a good thing.

I think having my kids and realizing how fleeeting all this stuff is has sombered me a bit. Seeing how much joy and fun the twins have, just because...how close they are to each other. It makes me sad to think that one day, they will have to say goodbye to each other...be it for college, work..whatever. Oh, the marvels of the internet, cell phone, etc will mean they can keep in contact if they wish... but I know that the best laid plans are well...you know the story. I think about Kristen, Josh, Erik...Lisa, Tj... Kim.... hell, Lynn and Brandy are less than 30 minutes away and its hard for me to keep in touch with them. These days i find myself wondering what they are doing...how are there kids?...are they happy? truly happy? I wonder how John Kennedy is doing with Pam, etc.... What is Billy McGee ( my closest high school friend) is doing....he lives in Greenville, is a lawyer...AND I NEVER TALK TO HIM!!!! sigh.... What of Jennifer, Chris, jennifer, Glenn, Allison?...what of Mike Connelly and David Price? what about Wideman and Michelle Dyer? ....sigh..Im not sad or anything..I just know that, as I approach another birthday, my times and ability to everr see people again are getting fewer and fewer.... Thats why I just shake my head when i hear of brothers and friends not talking....

My 20th high school reunion is coming up in May, as well. I think I am actually going to go. and no, that isnt why I am writing this sad sack post... As I mentioned earlier, I emailed Beth Riddle , er Beth Ramey now, to ask her to send me info again. Beth was , as far as my know blurry recall of elementary, and junior high lets me remember, the one person I could call a rival back then. We were close friends (close as in grade school, elementay school kinda close can be) and I remember that we were alsways comparing grades, and we were usually at the top of our class. We got to high school, and, despite being in the same classes, kinda went into separate groups...especially because I was in band, and you band guys know how that is.... she then went on to marry the The President of our Senior Class, the Quarterback on our State Championship football team ( you get the picture?) ..and she told me she is teaching now at our old grade school and has 4 kids, etc. at any rate, I just wonder the same sort of questions as those about my more recent friends.... sigh....

I guess I started this post because I was listening to this song with these lyrics....

Good morning, yesterday
You wake up and time has slipped away
And suddenly it's hard to find
The memories you left behind
Remember, do you remember?

The laughter and the tears
The shadows of misty yesteryears
The good times and the bad you've seen
And all the others in between
Remember, do you remember
The times of your life? (do you remember?)

Reach out for the joy and the sorrow
Put them away in your mind
The mem'ries are time that you borrow
To spend when you get to tomorrow

Here comes the saddest part (comes the saddest part)
The seasons are passing one by one
So gather moments while you may
Collect the dreams you dream today
Remember, will you remember
The times of your life?
- Paul Anka

goodness...

wow...time flies when you're havin fun, I guess.

lets see...kids growin...Frat stewing...work settling down.....

this spring is shaping up to be slightly busy. it has made me start thing about the past. I talked to a old classmate via email the other day. Beth Riddle was what I seem to remember as my main "rival" in grade school and junior high. I "seem" to remember because those years are now so blurry...at any rate, i emailed her concerning the 20 year high school reunion, because I had lost the info that was sent tome, and I am considering going. She emailed me back, and that started a flood of memories....from WAYYYYY back. This reminds me that I need to respond to her recent email.

The twins have probably reached the age where it is difficult to fool them anymore. They are "aware" and the old "dip the fishstick in syrup and tell Ian its french toast sticks" doesnt work anymore...sigh...tis good, i suppose

the formal/alumni gathering for April 16th is on. I need to get on the phoone and start begging people to come...especially my friends...i really hope that they can come....Erik, Josh, Kim, Lisa, TJ....Brandy... hell...everyone who is alumni of the FRAT. YOU better come to the celebration. The chapter really would like to see you. And I would like you to participate, as well.... I think the chapter is having a talent show that Friday, then i think Jessica and I are going to host an "after hours" party at our house in Easley. Again, we really want EVERYONE to come.

it is time for bed, and tryin to type here in bed isnt workin no more....

I will try to carve out soemtime tomorrow yo get back on track

Kids today and their music....

ya know, I am a pretty tolerant guy. I listen to all types of music.... but I am stunned at what is making it to the radio these days....

She put that sugar on my tongue
Shes gonna
Gimme gimme some
She put it right there on my tongue (Skeet Skeet)
Right there on my tongue (She turns me on, like no other) - Trick Daddy and others


now, dont get me wrong, I dont find the song offensive or anything like that. I like it actually...but, damn....what next?...oh wait...I'll tell ya right now.....

[50 Cent]
I take you to the candy shop
I'll let you lick the lollypop
Go 'head girl, don't you stop
Keep going 'til you hit the spot (woah)
[Olivia]
I'll take you to the candy shop
Boy one taste of what I got
I'll have you spending all you got
Keep going 'til you hit the spot (woah) - Candy Shop (ft. Olivia)

sigh... once again, I have all types of Cd's of songs withthe actual lyrics to songs. I am just getting a little larmed that these songs are actually being played on the radio. I mean, they arent even messin with the clean versions anymore...Oh well....

well, gotta make my CD for Jessica....

Alert! alert!

The fraternity is having their Formal on April 16th, and they are also celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Chapter on that weekend. So...All alumni are invited to the Crown Pearl Ball this year. (Actually, all alumni are ALWAYS invited but...i digress...) Kelly is sending out a formal invite to all alumni and it should arrive next week. there are events going on from Friday through Sunday... I certainly hope we can see some alumni return back that weekend...it also happens to be Orange/White game that weekend.

Tentative Itinerary for Kappa Beta 10th Anniversary Celebration
April 15-17

Life, Active, Conditional, and Alumni Members, as well as their guests are welcome at ALL events.

Friday, April 15th
8:00pm – until? Informal gathering for Actives and Alumni (location TBA)
Refreshments provided
Tentative, Step show by actives
Tentative, Talent show by actives

Saturday, April 16th
10:30am Fraternity Breakfast – Brooks Center
Full breakfast provided by chapter to Actives and Alumni

1:00pm Orange and White Spring Football Game

6:30 Prefunction at Hyatt

7:00 10th Anniversary Crown Pearl Ball**
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Greenville S.C.
Tentative agenda
7:00 Dinner
8:00 Awards, Picture show, Fraternity stuff? (open to everyone)
9:00 Dance, talk, whatever....

Sunday, April 17th
1:00pm Clemson Vs Virginia Baseball, Kingmore Stadium

5:00pm Performing Arts Pops Concert, Owens Pav. – Madren Center



** While the Crown Pearl Ball is Formal, the Formal designation is not mandatory. We want EVERYONE to come and join us in the celebration!!!!

** The Banquet will be followed by traditional awards for Kappa Beta, a slideshow then dancing.There will be a surprise for the Alumni from the Actives.

Certainly, after hours events might happen on Friday and Saturday(wink, wink). That will be part of the fun also... now, i just need to work on getting people to come. i am sure the chapter will be working hard. I must do my part, as Sponsor to support them.

Rylee Aine, 3 years , 2 months old... woth Saturday 'fro

Ian Scott, 3 years 2 months old

A class divided?

I watched this documentary today ..it was of a study done by Jane Elliot in the late 60's, i think.... it was profound.

FINALLY!!!!!...got our digital cable box back up and running today. They had to send some sort of signal to the box from the office. I HATE CHARTER, but i do love the internet access.... and the cable.... but CHARTER SUX!!!

ok?

I tried calling a friend today and got a "you are blocked, please press 1 and say your name" thingy.... I did manage to get through, but it was strange all the same....

...wonderin how Brandy is doing up at Long Island....

Convention season (frat) and travel for work are fixin to get all convoluted. I have one week in March where half the week Ill be gone for work, then come home and go immediately to SED convention. I may miss all five days of work. Dont know if I can afford to do that....

ah...Valentines Day....

...Let's see...gotta come up with something to get Jessica. She got me some daily items, sugar free candy and .... The IMAX nascar movie on DVD. It is way cool.... I brought it to work and played it on a "system" here at Furman. Awesome.... Jessica also got Ian a huge Hershey's kiss, and Rylee and tin heart thingy with candy in it....

Tarik and Brandy

a weird weekend...

...the weekend was a weird one...i went to Dayton on friday afternoon (drove) and got there late friday evening, did the memorial on Saturday and drove back astr that gettingback here late Saturday night. All day saturday, it felt like Sunday...all day Sunday has felt like Saturday....

...will post some pictures in awhile....

gotta hit the road

workin till 12, then going to hit the road to Dayton for a memorial for an Alumni brother of Kappa Beta who passed away recently.

It will be good to see some brothers this weekend, even if it is an unfortunate situation....

Aunt Ellen is coming to town this evening. I am going to try to get her to take a picture of the family (me , jessica, Rylee and Ian)...she has a good eye, I think

..then I think Im going to hit the Chapter meeting on Sunday night. I am interested to see how things are going...

random thoughts

Bud shootout is this Saturday night. I'm headin up to a brothers memorial on Saturday. i hope I get back in time to see the Shootout, but I dont think I will be able to unless I invent a Star Trek transporter machine...sigh.... I will have to set a VCR or something

The twins are starting to get annoying with their eating habits...seems all Ian wants to eat is French Fries and cheese. We definitely need to start thinking about force feeding them (yeah, right) vegetables and such, although Rylee does eat salads on a regular basis.

Today, I am setting up a Videofeed and sending it back over the cable system here at Furman. kinda like News Channel 4 except on a way smaller scale....

>..I get to fly to Vermont (Middlebury College) next month for a conference... I am looking forward to that. Never been to Vermont.

Rylee is surprising me with her ability to memorize music...as in songs she hears she sings all the time. She sings along to the Nintendo game songs as I am playing them...and then they learn songs at daycare...her current fav is "I told the witch doctor...", which I find ironic considering the religious overtones of the daycare....

this is what she sings...
I told the witchdoctor, I was in love with you
I told the witchdoctor, I was in love with you
And then the witchdoctor, he told me what to do
He told me

ooh eeh ooh ahah, ting tang wallawallabingbang
ooh eeh ooh ahah, ting tang wallawallabangbang
ooh eeh ooh ahah, ting tang wallawallabingbang
ooh eeh ooh ahah, ting tang wallawallabangbang

Ok...the moratorium on new pix is over for today...back on after these 3 pix..... Rylee likes these shades

Cheese......

yyyyuuuummmmmmmy...honey bun and snotty nose...It dont get any better than this.....

ya know....

...I am getting a little tired of this Tom Brady character...just a wee bit tired....

QUOTE OF THE DAY
"It's foolish to squander the tomorrows that exist in a relationship for a momentary adventure. It's not a smart way to live."
- Hugh Hefner in
Little Black Book

a busy day...

Its 8:50 and I have already done 3 things for work today.... and my calendar for today is slam packed.... at least the Tigers won for a change last night.

We have gotten the house a little bit cleaner right now...still need to hit tha garage. The stupid weather last weekend prevented me from doing what I wanted to do... maybe this weekend.... but it is amazing how quickly the kids can make the house a shambles. when they returned on Sunday night, it only took them a couple of minutes to make a wreck of the den....amazing...

Sad...sad...sad...

...a while ago, a friend of mine called me and told me that another alumni brother of Kappa Beta had passed away. Makes you think.... man, this time is so short...and it can all be gone in an instant..... .... it does remind me of the Lion King... because I heard great news from another friend last night that he and his wife are expecting their first child...then 24 hours later i hear the bad news of a brother passing away.... That "circle of life" thing.... sigh....

Oh man...ya gotta read this....

Man peed way out of avalanche

A Slovak man trapped in his car under an avalanche freed himself by drinking 60 bottles of beer and urinating on the snow to melt it.

Rescue teams found Richard Kral drunk and staggering along a mountain path four days after his Audi car was buried in the Slovak Tatra mountains.

He told them that after the avalanche, he had opened his car window and tried to dig his way out.

But as he dug with his hands, he realised the snow would fill his car before he managed to break through.

He had 60 half-litre bottles of beer in his car as he was going on holiday, and after cracking one open to think about the problem he realised he could urinate on the snow to melt it, local media reported.

He said: "I was scooping the snow from above me and packing it down below the window, and then I peed on it to melt it. It was hard and now my kidneys and liver hurt. But I'm glad the beer I took on holiday turned out to be useful and I managed to get out of there."

Parts of Europe have this week been hit by the heaviest snowfalls since 1941, with some places registering more than ten feet of snow in 24 hours.

messages....

Josh ....IM me...

Lynn .... IM me

Yeah..Duke...now you know....

...now you know what it feels like when your teams shoots and gets it shot blocked...not you know what it feels like when your player dribbles the ball off his foot for no reason....now you see the frustration when your team throws the ball away at key times....now you know what it feels like when the other team hits EVERY freethrow, and your team clanks everyone... NOW YOU KNOW!!!!...HAhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

listening to music... TRANE....
Tell me did the wind sweep you off your feet
Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day
And head back toward the milky way

Tell me did you sail across the sun
Did you make it to the milky way to see the lights all faded
And that heaven is overrated

It wednesday night...

...and I think I'm about to hit the bed. i am kinda annoyed because my DVD burner seems to be playing dead or something...Its an ALERA Quad cruiser and I am connecting it USB, only it dont seem to be USBing....and yes...i got the drivers CD....dont know what the hell is up.

sigh...

ya know, I think I might need to NOT root for teams anymore... both teams I was pulling for went down in flames this past weekend....

...and I cant get to SCIFI.com from Furman. I dont get it....

Lots of turmoil...STILL...at work for my workgroup. Hirings...people getting jobs changed...status changed... some people getting fired... I am just glad that I have managed to not have any major developments happen with me and my job. But I also know that I have to continue to perform or else.... but it seems my job is secure...for now.

painted the kids room ( well...Jessica did) and rearranged their beds, etc. putting in room darkening shades tonight...here's to them not waking up as early on the weekends...yeah...right....

Finally put up some pictures in the upstairs hallway/foyer....Got some plants that need to be put into places....going to try to get the kids room,, and foyer done tonight... Playroom, bathroom cleaned up tomorrow, Downstairs den on Thursday...sounds like a plan?

Its Saturday!!!

...and guess where I am? AT WORK!!!! sigh... I look forward to hiring a new assistant person so THEY can do these weekend things.... And since Ido not wish to stay here too much longer, I will probably have to come back tomorrow.... sigh....

I think that a sufficient amount of time has gone by that I think I am going to take picture this week and a few clips and prepare a DVD of the kids and send it out next month or so...

It is interesting to here all this talk about the big storm thats going to hit the East..I guess news is slow....is this really new? doesnt it always snow a ton up North? Am I missing something?

It is interesting to see the once banished, now partly banished cat of the house, Mocha, kinda start to slow down a step. You can tell that he has reached middle age..he doesnt have that spring to his step anymore....

Big..BIG game tomorrow for the Falcons. I picked right this year, for once. Tomorrow I will wear my Falcon team issued gear... a sideline tobaggan, a training camp t shirt and a cold weather jacket... should be fun to watch them in the snow...

FACT OF THE DAY
The average life expectancy for Americans is 75 years.

...guess where that puts me?

ah..the FRAT cycles back up...

...last night, the FRAT held a Ritual for the NU class.... 16 propsectives.... looks to be a good class. This means that a huge majoity of the chapter is now freshmen and sophmores....the chapter has tilted VERY young right now. I hope the uppeclassmen and seniors realize that this is a great opportunity to point the chapter in the direction they want it to go, and make sure that policies, procedures and ideals are known to everyone.... I hope.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
"It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense."
- Robert Green Ingersoll

Barely been back at work 2 weeks and I am already behind on my todo list..... sigh....

I have a dream.

MLK was no saint or deity. He was a man like everyone else. He cheated on his wife. He was known to down a few beverages... he may have "cut and paste" on his dissertation. But he did have a few things to say. ANd I always read this speech this time of year. I hope my children are growing up in a world heading toward this ideal.... I hope and pray.

"I Have A Dream" by Martin Luther King, Jr,
Delivered on the steps at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity. But one hundred years later, we must face the tragic fact that the Negro is still not free.

One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land.

So we have come here today to dramatize an appalling condition. In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.

This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.

So we have come to cash this check -- a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God's children. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment and to underestimate the determination of the Negro. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights.

The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges. But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. we must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" we can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, 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." I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring." And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania! Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado! Let freedom ring from the curvaceous peaks of California! But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia! Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee! Let freedom ring from every hill and every molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

QUOTE OF THE DAY
"I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live."
- Martin Luther King, Jr

random...again

Listening to music and downloading music... some lyrics strike me....

Good morning yesterday,
You wake up, and time has slipped away
And suddenly it's hard to find
The memories you left behind
Remember, do you remember?

That song is from way back...i remember the High School chorus used to sing that at graduation every year...sigh....

perhaps something a little more chipper....

Don’t hate me, hate the money I see, clothes that I buy
Ice that I wear, clothes that I try
Close your eyes, picture me rollin,
Sixes, money foldin
Bitches honeys that swollen
The riches, nas get in ya
Most critically acclaimed pulitzer prize winner
Best storyteller thug narrator my style’s greater
Model dater, big threat to a lot of you haters
Commentators ring side try watchin my paper
Almost a decade quite impressive
Most of the best is in the essence
For this rap shit that I stand for
Expanding more to the big screen
Bill gates dreams
But it seems youd rather see me in jail
With state dreams
Want me off the scene fast
But good things last
Like your favorite m.c. still makin’ some mean cash
First rapper to bring a platinum plaque
Back to the projects
But you still wanna hate, be my guest
I suggest


Ok...maybe a little too chipper.... how about this?....

Come on baby... Kick them daisies
Look at them girls with the daisy dukes on...
(I want chu to)
Look at them girls with the daisy dukes on...
(Everybody)
Look at them girls with the daisy dukes on...
(I want chu to)
Look at them girls with the daisy dukes on...

oh...same vein you say...Ok....

ah...here we go...i think I'l call it the night with this one....

On a warm summer’s evenin’ on a train bound for nowhere,
I met up with the gambler; we were both too tired to sleep.
So we took turns a starin’ out the window at the darkness
’til boredom overtook us, and he began to speak.

He said, son, I’ve made a life out of readin’ people’s faces,
And knowin’ what their cards were by the way they held their eyes.
So if you don’t mind my sayin’, I can see you’re out of aces.
For a taste of your whiskey I’ll give you some advice.

So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow.
Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light.
And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression.
Said, if you’re gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right.

You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when you’re sittin’ at the table.
There’ll be time enough for countin’ when the dealin’s done.

Now ev’ry gambler knows that the secret to survivin’
Is knowin’ what to throw away and knowing what to keep.
’cause ev’ry hand’s a winner and ev’ry hand’s a loser,
And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep.

So when he’d finished speakin’, he turned back towards the window,
Crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep.
And somewhere in the darkness the gambler, he broke even.
But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep.

You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when you’re sittin’ at the table.
There’ll be time enough for countin’ when the dealin’s done.

You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count you r money when you’re sittin’ at the table.
There’ll be time enough for countin’ when the dealin’s done.

Gentlemen, good night

Ladies, good morning

[laughs]

That's it

random

"God grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference."

only...39 days...

...till the Daytona 500.... and Pitchers and catchers report. Baseball and Nascar are officially my two favorite sports right now, with football trailing a notch behind. i dont fool with basketball too much until March (for college) and June (for NBA).

it was nice to hear the clips of testing in Daytona... it is cool to hear those engines wound up like that..

wow..its been a while...

I thought I had posted something a couple of days ago, but I guess I didnt.

The new year had brought some changes within my workgroup. There have been some shifting of reports, etc. Basically, I have a job, which is the bottom line. Some people in my group did not survive the cut, and some people are being essentially demoted. I didnt have either happen to me, so I feel good about things right now.

We are getting ready to hire a new assistant to my position soon, so we will have to interview people again...that always sucks....

the twins are doing as usual....getting into stuff, being sassy...whatever.

i need the address for Brian and Lisa. I lost it....can you post it, Lisa?

Hmmm....

I can just see Chris Rock on saturday night live doing a skit to this.....

How Did a Child's Doll Help End Segregation?

in the 1940's two African American psychologists, Mamie Phipps Clark and her husband Kenneth B. Clark, conducted a series of experiments with young African American children. When offered a choice between black and white dolls, the children tended to choose the white dolls. The children's explanation was that the black dolls were ugly and the white dolls were pretty. The Clarks' conclusion was that black children become aware of racial identity at the age of three, and by age five they develop negative personal self-images derived from the prejudiced values of the larger society. In the Clarks' own words, "the child himself must be identified with that which he rejects."

The findings of the Clarks' studies would have remained academic, but they shared their conclusions with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The NAACP had been involved for years in legal battles against unequal racial treatment, especially in education. The NAACP's work culminated in the U.S. Supreme Court's unanimous decision in the Brown v. Board of Education case handed down on May 17, 1954. It ended the legality of racially segregated public education. Perhaps for the first time, however, a Supreme Court decision used psychological data as well as legal precedents to support its decision.

Using the Clarks' findings, the Court stated, "To separate [African American children] from others of similar age and qualifications solely because of their race generates a feeling of inferiority as to their status in the community that may affect their hearts and minds in a way unlikely ever to be undone." The Court's decision thus struck not only at inequality, but at segregation itself. "Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal," the Court determined. When Mamie and Kenneth Clark first presented a child with a choice of dolls, they could not have realized that they were documenting psychological information that would help bring the walls of segregation crashing down.

Seriously though.... it makes me wonder a tad bit about these types of things with my kids. They just turned 3...is this type of stuff that I need to be concerned with?

New Year's resolution 2005

Ok... so i have decided to do a couple of New Years resolutions for 2005

1) I am going to go back to my somewhat stricter following of my diet in regards to my Diabetes. I have set a target date of may 17 to re-evaluate how i feel about it once that time arrives. While I still feel far better now than when i did before I was diagnosed a while back, I have started to notice recently less energy and some lethargy within myself, and witht he twins getting more and more wound up, i gotta keep up. this means a virtual total reduction in fried foods, absolutely no sugar, no breadand cutting back on my portions again. of course, the kids and their needs and what we fix as a family for dinner will always have to be considered. i know that the twins are still going to hit Mcdonalds occasionally. But i know that i felt far better when I was following a stricter regimine. Fortunately, my blood sugar has been somewhat stable for a long time now.... but i want to make sure that i take care of everything so i can be around for the twins when they hit college.

2) I will start and complete my quest for my personal holy grail of diecast...the Heilig-Meyers #90 1/24 Dick Trickle diecast, from either 1997 or 98. also in search of a 1985 or 85 ford thunderbird Bill Elliot Coors 1/24 diecast

3) I need to get a new pair of eyeglasses. My eyesight suffers at night especially without them.

so...you see...nothing earth shakin or profound.....

random...but very, very true.....

FACT OF THE DAY
The act of walking requires the use of 200 muscles in the human body.

Can anyone tell me?

Does anyone know the name for the dancing pom pom girls the Irmo band used to have? was it the "High Dancers" or something like that?

also, i do truly believe that the greatest medicine in the world is...NyQuil. i mean, its like I take this stuff and a few minutes later, i am out. Truly OUT...until the next morning...

Battlestar Galactica this weekend...reshowing the Mini Series on NBC before starting the series on SciFi...i am stoked...

Had my performance review today. it went well. I will get my merit increase next year.

When..Oh, when...did Samuel L Jackson turn into Morgan Freeman. is it that time already? I am not sure i am ready for that...

today is difficult

...starting work again. For the first time in a long time, i think I truly enjoyed the holidays. I think it probably had a lot to do with the twins and Jessica. It was nice to spend time with my family without having to worry about getting to bed early because of work, etc.... this morning was difficult, especially since I am not feeling well at the moment. I got some Dayquil, however, and it is doing its job quite nicely.....

sigh...

it really sucks when BOTH the panthers and falcons lose. makes for a sucky Sportscenter... and now the Tigers are playing Duke at Duke. uh, oh...

Holidays almost over..A new year begins....

Yesterday, actually Thursday evening, we went to see Aunt Ellen. We spent the night there before returning to Easley for New Years Eve, which we took in at the house with Aj and Brandy.

We are in the beginning stage of planning for the All Star race trip in May. if you want to go, let me know...tentative plans call for Jessica and I going up to Ellen's on friday evening/night, dinner, whatever, then doing the tailgate/people-watch/race thing on Saturday, before returning on Sunday morn. On board as definites are me, jessica, ellen, brandy and aj... I plan to ask lynn, but i know her new son may pre-empt her from participating this year.

...watching bowl games today, pulling for Panthers, and perhaps...against the Falcons tomorrow (need for panthers to get into playoffs), then back to work on Monday...

Jessica and her sister, Aunt Ellen.

Aunt Kari came for 3 days.

Holiday cheer

...having a fun time during these holidays.. Family came and brought loads o toys, etc for the twins... We are now kinda in a series of visits from friends (Brandy and AJ, Kari, Jessica and Jason, Erik, Jamie) and it is so nice to see old friends. To those who are far away who might be reading this... we miss you all. And now that the twins are reaching a more managable age to travel with, we hope to get out more this year to see you. And yes, that includes the Millers and the Keaslers (smile)

Erik and Jessica having a laugh.... he always brings a lot of laughter and joy to our house when he comes.

Brown and Rylee

Jessica and Jason stopped by. Always great to see them!!!!

What Does "Christmas" Mean?

The word "Christmas" occurs nowhere in the Bible. It is an old English word that means "Christ's Mass" which refers to the celebration of the Lord's Supper, i.e. the Mass. The earliest occurrence of the word on record is 1038 A.D. Christians at this time considered the Mass (Lord's Supper) to be the most important part of the celebration of Christ's birth, hence it came to be called Christmas.

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).

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

An Embarrasment of Riches

it was an embarrasment of riches...but yet it wasnt embarrasing, or extremely rich. But it was thought provoking to me. The twins celebrated their birthday with a party on Saturday with one of their playmates from daycare, and 3 other kids. They got so much stuff, part from what they got from Jessica and me. Got got stuff from the grandparents, from Aunt Ellen, friends, etc....and it made me realize that they really have gotten more stuff in their lifetime than I EVER got. Period. And I was wondering if it is a good thing? And I think it is.... i guess I want my children to be better off than I was, although I was in a good position growing up. And I hope that my grandchildren will be better off than my children.

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.

Happy Birthday to Rylee and Ian

Happy Birthday to Rylee. Happy Birthday to Ian. Hard to believe that at 12:24 and 12:28 today, they were born 3 years ago. I say that because it seems like they have been here longer than that... and I can hardly remember a time without them in my life now. Oh sure, i CAN remember times when I didnt have to factor them into my life, but I think that times are far better now with them, than without. So now we delve into the world of 3T (well, Ian mostly, and some for Rylee), look forward to officially ending potty training and start pondering things like Dance lessons and piano.

not..a good night

last night, on my way home Jessica called me to tell that she was sick and that she thought Rylee and her had caught something Ian had had over the weekend. She said she was throwing up, etc.... I was feeling just fine, so I thought that I had not been affected. Well, once I arrived home, I almost immediately started to feel queasy, but soldiered on anyway, putting the kids in bath, then to bed, albeit early. Well, as soon as I go tthe kids in bed, it hit me. I started to have to throw up every 45 minutes or so.... It was not good. It sucks to throw up, then have to deal with perhaps having problems at the other end, as well. I ended up staying up most the night between spells, until I finally drifted off the sleep around 4am. By that time, both Rylee ans Ian had meandered into our bedroom, and we had all four of us in our king size bed. I had weird dreams once I got to sleep about Dale Ernhardt and perhps a small part of DNA being needed for some reason...I always have whacked dreams when I am sick...and I do not remember ANY dreams when I am well. oh, and by the way, Ellen called around 10pm asking us if we were sick, as she was sick too... well, once morning arrived, Ian and Rylee seemed to be doing better, and I think Jessica was better, but I am still pretty queasy and am sitting here at work tryin to make it through the day. I might try to leave early around noon and go home and try to sleep till Jessica and the twins get home.

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....

Wow..time flies

I didnt realize that I had not posted anything since wednesday... got my stuff for Jessica wrapped this weekend, got birthday stuff for Rylee and Ian wrapped... bought myself a little Compact flash reader to use on the computer at home so I can download pictures from there... but I will probably not post anything until the twins birthday later this week.

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...

What do they say to each other?

While driving the twins to daycare this morning, I was struck as to how much Rylee and Ian talk to each other. And how much of it I do not understand still, despite the fact that they obviously understand each other. Oh, i can understand some sentences...about 60 percent of it. But there are times one will say something to the other, I havent a clue what was said, but the other will acknowledge, understand, and reply. What strikes me is that there will come a time in the future when they will be separated ( it is usual policy to separate twins in school )... and I ponder what will they think then? They have hardly spent a total of a day apart from each other for their entire lives so far. Can you imagine? Even though I am married to my wife, there have been times when we havent seen each other for a couple of days. Ian and Rylee have hardly gone a few minutes...ever in their 3 years, 9 months of existence...without being within shouting distance of 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....

Actualli, we went to the Greenville Zoo with Lynns kids on Saturday. Rylee was not a trooper, but she did liven up on Sunday.

Ian, in his usual pose.

another day, another dollar....

I have been tryin to get my 60 gig external harddrive to be recognized by my laptop. for some reason, it doesnt want to behave. Kinda sucks because that is where most of my downloaded pictures are, and I have one I need to print out and frame. But I still have time....

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

why is it?

Why is it that your kids will ALWAYS wake up at 7:30am on Saturday and Sunday, despite your wishing that they would sleep til at least 9:00am....running into your bedroom, crawling on the bed, and using it as a trampoline...???.... of course these same two kids cannot get up by 7:00am Monday through Friday without major fussing, crying, whining and arguing about "Can't Wanna!"

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.

Its Friday! Going to see SpongeBob this evening with the twins. Not sure how they will react in that type of environment. But I am sure it will be fine for a while, at least. Then going to the Furman/JMU game on Saturday.... will take camera and snap off a few shots...

Ellen, Wes and Jessica...moments before I slipped and crashed into the creek....

Rylee as a Squaw (with runny nose)

We, Rylee and Ian watching Shrek 2