And some thought she would never walk

Seems like this kid thing makes time go by so much faster... I am always reminded to myself whenever it take Ryles extra time to walk down stairs that she didnt start walking until she was 15 months on a regular basis. An today she joined I-Man on his soccer team for the mid season restart, and seeing her un around just emphasized that he started walking at 7/8 months and she was a full half year later. At any rate... I-Man was goalie for half the game -not the gloves- and ryles doesnt have her Uni yet, so she is wearing an I-Man throwback...

"it is what it is"

I listen to podcast from slate on the way to work, and I listened to one recently that was all about the origin of this catch all phrase, etc. All their podcast are in print online, so check this one out HERE

wow

Mucinex...dude...like..if you get congested and are coughin but just cant seem to hack out that crap sittin in your lungs...go get you some Mucinex. Give yourself 30 minutes, get some alone time and you will start to cough like no tomorrow...like NFL lineman coughs, full of that crap. goes on for about an hour...then you are all good for a while. just make sure you have a bottle or cup....

in addition

..oh man...is there anything better than a nice long warm shower after you have been sweating virtually 3 days straight...man, does that feel good or what?....

mercy

I have always tried to keep what some may call "an even keel" and that has become even more crucial once i was diagnosed as a level 2 diabetic. I have noticed that stress affects me profoundly and have made every attempt to keep it at a minimum. But this past weekend has been a test for me and i still havent recovered fully. Jessica had a procedure for her gall bladder, which was a follow up for the proceding week. just so happens that i came down with the flu the same day she was going to her tests, then she found out she would need to spend the night in the hospital. Now normally, if i get the flu, i take some nyquil, hit the bed and the next morning, I'm all good. But it seems that the combination of events dropped my blood sugar so low that i was getting these headaches and fever that wouldnt let me sleep. And this has been ongoing since Thursday. I beleive that i will be totally fine by the end of the day but it has alarmed me that i became sick and couldnt figure out how to stop the wild swings in my blood sugar. It then dawned on me that the swings were being caused by the medicine i take everyday for my diabetes. I didnt take it yesterday and I feel drastically better today. I think I will wait another day before going back on my meds.

But all this accentuated why i have been ridiculed in the past for sweating details so far in advance. the less I have to feel stressed about, the better. I used to print out itenarays for stuff like our little Nascar trips and stuff, but now I just keep it in my head and when things bog down, I offer the "this is what we need to do and when" suggestion. It all comes back to how I feel. If I start to feel stressed it affects my blood sugar, and it can spiral from there.

at any rate, I hope to be able to be back at 100 percent by the end of the day today. by the way, Jessica has come thru her procedures very well.

oh..ok...so let me explain...

got a text yesterday telling me that I am obviously pulling for Clinton. Well, that is certainly not true, but my statements yesterday are a little out of frustration. I simply want to hear something of substance. I want to know how they are going to change the fact that it cost me $3.59/gallon last night to fill up the Jetta (while i certainly have 2 times to 3 times the range in my care and only put gas in my car about once a month)... i am sure that while it kills me to fill my car with gas, I cant imagine how it must feel for everyone else who goes to the pump more often. I want to know how they are going to change the fact that I get a bonus from work in a couple of days and 25% of it is going to the federal government...for what? so people can freeload healh care and a bunch of other services I never use. I understand that taxes are a necessary evil, but i sense in the Democrat camp a feeling that here is their chance to socialize America. meaning i will be paying the freight for other people, who use their money for their own gain.

Gotta hit some free throws, or else dont cry when you are in the NIT again....

I likened Obama's victories yesterday to basketball, in that he has the a 6 point lead with two minutes to go, and all he has to do is run his offense, make his free throws and dont make any silly, foolish errors. That being said, it will come down to if Clinton can muster a rally in Ohio and Texas. if not then see ya Clinton... i still am waiting on Obama to say some other words other than "Hope" and "Change" in his speeches. I still want to know what he is going to do, as in I would like to hear HIM say it, not what his fanboys regurgitate to me. (no, not you Brown). He has benefited from an obvious bias in the overall press, and the priviledged Hollywooders making videos and waxing poetic about him all over the place. "He's going to Change America!"...really...well, exactly HOW is he going to do that? Funny, when the Democrats swept into power a couple of years ago, THEY were going to change things...nothing has changed...still in the Middle East, Gas prices higher, economy weakening...oh wait...its all Bush's fault. OK...well, Bush aint exactly led us into the land of milk and honey so I'm curious to see what is going to be said if Obama is elected and 4 years from now we are STILL in the Middle East, Gas is @ 4.00 a gallon and my taxes are even higher. And while I understand having your wife making speeches for you, and dont have a problem with it, I do have a problem with Michelle Obama talking about how she is only now proud of America...i would think that having had the intelligence, fortitude and strength to graduate from Princeton and Harvard, make well for herself, and get to the point where she is, she would have plenty of things in America to be proud of. For it wasnt too long ago that a Black person, yet alone a Black Woman would have been working only as the maid of the First Lady, not a chance to be the First Lady. I think part of what i dont like about Obama (and there are a lot of things i DO like about him) and his campaign is a sense that "America sucks, and I am your champion to fix it" and that is part of what disturbs me about things...is America That bad? Goodness...

I-Man has started soccer practice again, so let the games begin.... and Nascar and baseball are back on the daily docket till November. Got tix for darlington and the All Star race already in hand and will be headin up to Bristol with Harwood in a month. If anyone wants to go with us, let us know... we go to the Saturday busch race (cheaper, and we can actually get seats) and we can see the Busch (Nationwide series) race as well as the nextel (Sprint) cup cars practice. Its really a short drive (yes, i know..i have mentioned it before) and we usually get there in a bout 1 1/2 hours...

...kinda wonderin how it is that Roger Clemons obviously lies and alot of people are so forgiving...how Pettite can admit he has used HGH and its all good...yet Marion Jones is demonized and forced to give back her medals and money, Barry Bonds is villified and charged. Why is it that these guys are getting the "poor them" treatment yet the others are getting the "kill them" treatment???...hmmmmm???

wasnt it just a couple of hours ago...

... Backyardigans was THE show thet twins had to watch everyday? Now it is Hanna Montana, That's so Raven and the The Stupid life of Zach and Cody...those 37 episodes of Backyardigans are sitting dormant now...so sad... I think I-Man is particualrly enamoured with Hanna Montana, but it is really weird how similar she looks to Miley Cyrus. They sound the same, act the same and you could almost think that they are the same person....its eerie.

why I have serious reservations about ole Huck

I stated that Huckabee is no friend to me or my children, and this is why...he has a known relationship with Americas's largest white supremacy group which is called the Council of Conservative Citizens, a relationship that he has only recently distanced himself from. i guess you cant get elected president if you are sending taped speeches to an organization that promotes covertly and overtly racists acts. The CoCC states in its "principles"(ha!!!) that "We also oppose all efforts to mix the races of mankind, to promote non-white races over the European-American people through so-called "affirmative action" and similar measures, to destroy or denigrate the European-American heritage, including the heritage of the Southern people, and to force the integration of the races." I dont think I can vote for a ticket that has a person who has had dalliances with a group that feels this way. It amuses me that the CoCC has rebuked Huckabee because he has moved away from them publicly as his bid for president has become more viable. But his message the other week about the Confederate Flag and its blatant appeal to the white evangelicals and racists killed him for me, once and for all. I would definitely not vote for McCain if he is apart of the ticket.

While Obama and Clinton, as well as McCain have their positions I disagree with, I also dont agree with everything Bill Clinton or George Bush spout either. But I wont deal with blatant racism and those types can just go somewhere and die away..please...just go away. the world will be much better when they all die off...

GIMP

...no...not THAT Gimp...but talking about the Tiger Basketball team. I listened to the UNC broadcast of the game on XM and it was startling to listen to the Tar Heel broadcasters chuckling about "same ole Clemson" as they inched back into game watching Clemson miss free throws and seize up in the closing minutes of the ball game...shaking head....

...a quick jaunt into Atlanta last Friday looking for a hotel for the FRAT formal and i took the time to go to IKEA, as I had never gone before. Impressive. But I fear the chapter will have to do some serious fundraising as everywhere in the ATL is expensive for banquets... and I was reminded why I would love to live there yet couldnt stand to live there because while IKEA was cool as hell (well, hmmm...not sure that is correct), the traffic I dealt with on 85 just getting back to the Mall of Georgia was annoying..

...equally as annoying are the events leading to I-man picking his new NASCAR driver... watching practice, I-Man asks where his "Grween car J.J. Yeley" is and I explain to him that the Interstate Batteries #18 is no longer racing, and that it is now a cool M&M's Yellow #18 driven by Kyle Busch. and that he might have to select a new driver. I-MAn ponders for a sec and says " What number is the LOWES car?" ...silence...crickets chirping... (me)"ummm... that is #48 and it is driven by Jimmie Johnson. You sure you wouldnt like the Home Depot car better?" (fingers crossed)... I-Man says "noooo...Jimmie Johnson..yeah, yeah... in the blue Lowes car. THATS my new car!!!!!!"...me..thinking to myself..."DAMMIT!!!!!!!"...silence...crickets chirping... so now as i watch every NASCAR race and have to stomach the Four Eight all the time as my guy toils back in 8th place every week, I will have to suffer with I-Man standing there in his Jimmie Johnson t-shirt jumping up and down in glee...

...and I am STILL glad I live where i do....67 degrees in February suits me just fine, thank you...

Looks like...

...its Clinton by a neck coming around turn 3. No one has gone to the whip...yet. Clinton take the big states and is still leading nationally. Obama is getting the smaller states and the caucuses(which i find suspect for various reason). Had a long talk last night with my politico adviser Brown. I admitted that I am a slight McCain lean at the moment, but am really waiting to see who is going to push me over the edge in regards to the Democrat side. i will definitely NOT be a part of any ticket that has Huckabee, so his rise and possible bartering with McCain alarms me. Huckabee is no friend to me, or my children, based upon his public statements from the past.

...at any rate, I am starting to tire of all this, and I really only started taking notice a month ago. Maybe i will take a break from it until texas and Ohio finish this gig off.

Show me what you got..

..Ok, lets see if Obama is truly going to draw the votes when the curtains are closed on a national scale. If he comes out even or ahead, I think he can ride the wave to the nomination. if he is behind in majority vote and delegates, the cracks and whispers might begin. As far as the republican side goes, i expect McCain to start stretchin his lead today...

..NASCAR THIS SATURDAY!!! then PITCHERS and CATCHERS!!!!!

tsk,tsk....

Brown sent me a text about last nights Super Bowl...mentioned something about VeVickers..tsk, tsk... this reminds me of my sophmore year in highschool...the womenz basketball team was 23-0 and had destroyed every opponent along the way. wasnt even close. I remember driving down with my friend in his old yellow Ford Pinto (actually one of the first times i can remember going anywhere without parent or school supervision, as I think back on it) to the old Carolina Colesium. And, yep....the team got waxed in the Championship game, a pattern I have seen happen several times since then.

..at any rate, I can feel good about the NFL again. And it was interesting to see Tom Brady interviewed after the game. As much as i cheer against him, I was impressed that he stood there and took questions and actually gave considerate, thoughful answers to every question. Same could NOT be said for the best coach/leader/genius (sic) of all time, Bill Belicheat, who simply gave a couple of one word grunts then slinked away. I guess when you dont have film of the defensive teams practices and signals, makes it a little more difficult to predict when the blitzes are coming, doesnt it?

OK...football over, Nascar up...Baseball lurking.. my 2 favorite seasons are about to restart and will last until october/november...

oh...and another thing....

...i think I like Hanna Montana more than I like Miley Cyrus. They are really similar people, almost like alter egos, but i give the edge to Hanna Montana. i know I-Man prefers her... he recently told jessica that one day, when he grows up, he was going to live with a "golden haired" woman. hmmmm????

hmmm

...why is it if i go to bed at 1am, I feel ready for sleep but it just feels...blah... or...if I go to bed at 9pm getting an extra 3 or 4 hours of sleep in, i find it actually hard to go to sleep and end up watching Law and Order and Sportscenter before finally falling asleep at..oh...say...1am??? but yet I can lie down in all my clothes on my bed at 1030am for a quick 30 minute nap and it feels.....SOOOOOOOOOOOO good?

...looks like the choice of President will...after we get past the eventual, inevitable race crap that will spew out from both sides... boil down to if we want a woman in the White House in charge. Now... I dont have a problem being a woman president, just as I dont have a problem with a Black man being president. I just dont know if this woman is one i would vote for. Of course, there are those who wont vote for her simply because... and that is very unfortunate. But equally unfortunate are those who will vote for her simply because she is white. and aint no way i am feeling Nuke Romney...something fishy about him. I am taking a second look at McCain. I listen to talk radio all day at work and I switch back and forth from Orielly to Air America to Hannity to Sharpton to Combs to the lesser knowns on both sides all day long. and it so nagging to never seem to get anyone who isnt screaming about how the other side is SOOOO bad. Either you aint Conservative ENOUGH or you are too much like BUSH (HATE BUSH HAT BUSH HATE BUSH HATE BUSH...enough already., please...that dog dont hunt anymore). Or we need CHANGE and HOPE...well its time to start telling me some substance in your speeches...the flowery stuff makes me sick. its fine when you are announcing you are running. Now...tell me something...I can read the stuff your aides have on your websites...i want to hear it from you. And if you have been telling me, maybe I'm too stupid too understand... well...i guess we'll really start weeding this out on Tuesday, wont we?

...

sunday, Sunday, SUNDAYYYYY!!!!

so ...like...MOnster JAm was in town and we went to see it. I was curious as to how they would do this in a normal hockey arena and it was really entertaining. I-Man's favorite truck GRAVEDIGGER won the show and as you can see, we had virtually front row seats for the event. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun family event for the youngsters, and since everyone seems to have had a girl recently, I'll say that Ryles enjoyed the show too. They also had smaller normal size jeeps and trucks racing the course too. There were motorcycles doing huge jumps and stunts thru the air and some guy jumped from the ceiling while on fire. So, there were a lot of things happening besides the huge trucks.

looking ahead...

...since I am no longer in the eternal summer camp situation that is college, I always try to have something that I am looking forward to..planning...some sort of event to give hope in what is the monotony of the everyday work crap we have to do.... First up for 2008....watchin the local muddawgin event at the Sell-Hi Center. The Monster Trucks are in town and I'm takin the twins to see Batman and the Gravedigger go at it. I am looking forward to seeing how they do all that in this arena.... After that is the Spring Bristol Race, then I get to drive on the track at Darlington. Not sure if I will be taking the Jetta out there, but it will probably be the Jetta since Uncle Wes will be out playin Cowboys and Injuns in the woods somewhere. AFter that will be a visit to John in Florida, Frat Convention, Frat Formal in the ATL after which we will be into May... I like having something to look forward to, and something to be planning...

breakin form...

...Ok...I'll break my moratorium for a moment....

Its amazing what can happen when you just hit a few free throws. Dont have to hit them all (like all the good teams do), but if you make most of them, its makes things a whole lot easier, doesnt it Tiger Basketball?

Overheard last night from I-Man as my son was playing Guitar Hero.... "Mississippi Queen - you know what I mean....Mississippi Queen - she taught me everything" Interesting....

Feeling kicked around by XBOX

...I've been playin Guitar Hero 3 some...a sone here or there when I get a chance and have kinda worked my way to the medium level. Now...I am no great player or anything but i did complete Easy finally and worked thru the first section on Medium, which I have benn haveing some problems with...I seem to have a mental/physical thing in regards to how the guitar is played and since this uses 4 fingers on the left hand, I am having problems getting used to it on Medium. I played an instrument so long that primarily used 3 fingers on the left hand, and I only used the "pinky" finger for another set of notes, not in tandem (well..kinda, but..not really...). So my number 2 finger simply keeps not responding. Its weird, but i really think it has to do with patterns and physical memory that is very ingrained in me... so I have reached this battle against this "Tom" fellow and I keep getting my rear handed to me... I am thinkin I might just leave this game to Jessica and the twins and stick with Forza 2. If I do manage to EVER get past this battle, I know i will never get to the next HARD level. That aint happening....

snow?

so...it snowed and as is typical here, it was gone by 5 pm, but the kids did get out of school and all that... then the second part of the latest storm o the century arrived, and it snowed again, but since the first snow was followed by a day of 60 degree weather, the gound was too warm and all the "5 inches of snow!!!" pandalerium did not come to pass...

...And only one more week of thses candidates pounding the tv and radio with ads. of course, we are now hearing that all the candidates are running out of money for ad space...hmmmm...

...went to the Frat rit the other night. 20 people are in the Pi class... and while i can usually eye these kids and get a good feel for those who wont make it thru the process, this class as a whole impresses me.

...Brown wants me to comment on BILLARY and Osama, but i am waiting to see how this Saturday shakes down.

.... hate the NFL right now..it just saddens me...just so damn sad....

Geetar Heeroe

its kinda interesting within the Guitar Hero game, in that you are trying to mimic a song, when in reality, no 2 songs are ever really alike. Even if you play the notes in band exactly the way the music is written, you wont be as soft as intended, or as loud as intended...or are you really playing at exactly the same speed the composer intended. Thats why i get a little annoyed in the game with the fact that I must play it EXACTLY the way it is. Now..understanding that it is a game, I still get a little annoyed when I get dinged for cutting off to quickly or whatever...anyway...

way too much to say

With these candidates here in South Carolina, and the constant barrage of media crap, I'm a little jaded right now about the political stuff. i think I'm more tired of the media (see NBC, MSNBC,FOXNEWS) trying to tell me who the favorite is, who MUST win or quit, who is baiting who and who is being racial or what.... I am starting to see this as the media trying to influence who THEY want to be running...I mean NBC people have admitted that they are pulling for Obama, and i cant watch any coverage now without seeing a blatant bias on their part against Clinton. What?, Clinton didnt give you guys cookies on the plane the other day? While I dont think that anyone, be it Olberman, Orielly, Russert or whoever doesnt or shouldnt have their favorite (everybody has only one vote) person, i do object to their using their pulpit to try to influence the election. After all, is it fair that the networks seem to obviously favor the candidates who have the most money, who can pay the most money to them for Ad space? While I might think Obama is the best choice, (and i have NOT made that decision yet)I certainly dont think it is in the best interest for NBC to be openly pulling for one candidate and everyday talk about the MUST WIN scenarios for all the other candidates...especially since the actual delegates are so close that they all have. February 5th will be a day that will start to weed out some people for real...THEN you can say that some candidates are in trouble. But watch, whoever loses in South Carolina will be declared dead by the media...

I think I am going to just give up pulling for teams until February, when NASCAR fires back up and my Braves start Spring Training...last sunday was a disaster in hopes of seeing any sort of happy ending to the NFL season, and suddenly the celtics are losing, and the Heat...well...they got old real fast. I'm almost afraid to pull out my Tar Heel Blue UNC tshirt for fear that they will lose 3 of 4 right afterward...

Santa upgraded the PC he got for the twins...it now is about 3 times more powerful than the PC i have. This means that Ryles and I-Man should have no problem playing on Barbie.com or Hotwheels.com now...or making sure Webkinz runs fluidly... meanwhile i have to start thinking about bandwidth...potentially their PC, my laptop, Jessica's laptop and the Xbox could all be connected at the same time, along with the desktop in the bedroom. while this would be rare, i am wonderin how this wil go over when Ryles suddenly can't get her Bratz girl shockwave movie to play right...

this is getting silly

...soo...my only real hope for the NFL season went down in flames today. The Colts imploded and the only team with no fear of the Patriots took the gaspipe. Now, Dallas is currently heading down the same street and my hopes for a fun Superbowl Sunday are wasting away...

...It is somewhat stunning to listen to my twins as they talk to each other. I keep wanting to think of them as 2 year olds, not 6 year olds who can now read and spell and carry on intelligent conversations (occasionally). But they really communicate to each other on an entirely different level than they do with me and Jessica, which is to be expected with someone who you have been beside since your creation...

..Guitar Hero 3 has dominated the Xbox since Christmas, and I-Man has started to get the hang of it and can get through an entire song now, putting him along the same level as me, I guess. But suddenly yesterday Lego Star Wars, THE COMPLETE SAGA came back into favor and I-Man is now Indiana Jones in the game. yeah, I know Indiana Jones wasnt in Star Wars, but..well.. anyway....

...the FRAT has 21 candidates this Spring, which is interesting since there are only like 14 active brothers right now. This happened once before and it created a dynamic that I will have to watch carefully in regards to one subsection of the chapter developing a cliche and issues arising from it. yeah, i know...you cant tell people who to be/not be friends with...but class conflicts, be they real or not, have caused issues in the past...The chapter has swung waaayyyy young and tis shall be interesting...

whoa...what was that?.....

siitin here tryin to get the Rylee/Ian computer up and running when i hear this huge crash and thud and felt a slight rumble...I'm like..."what the hey?"...So, I kinda cautiously go out the front door and look around ..nothing... but I hear an engine running, so i walk around the side of the house and what do i see?... there is a truck sticking out from the side of the deck we have on the side of our house. Well..actually...UNDER the deck...I'm like...again..."what the hey???" and so cautiously take a closer look....door slightly ajar but no one there. i'm thinkin "this fool is tryin to run away?"... at this point i look around tryin to see how this truck is now situated under the sidedeck of the house... i see tracks running from the road through the little fence separating our yard from our neighbors yard.."drunk driver?" i'm thinkin... then my neighbor comes out of his house and is like..."Oh my God!!!" and comes running over. Seems he had left the truck idling and went inside to get something, came back out and didnt see the truck, thought it was stolen and ran back inside to get his phone to call the police and came back out and saw me in the yard and then noticed his truck parked in my side deck. needless to say that we will be either getting the deck repaired or doing away with it completely, since we never use that deck anyway. Insurance-his) will be cutting us a check soon, it appears....

clemson basketball

sigh....(shakin head)...sigh....

shreddin...

So after visiting AJ and Brandy and playing Guitar Hero on their Wii, Jessica decided to get the game for our Xbox360. pretty slick game. And I went onto Xbox live online and downloaded a bunch of extra songs... last night I got another gutar controller and now I can play bass and she can play guitar. Its probably more fun than i thought it would be... I can see now why there is always a crowd around the demo in the store...

look...lets just calm down now...

...i mean...I know theres a big primary coming up here in a couple of weeks and all but....goodness..every other commercial on TV today is a candidate commercial. This is already WAAAAYYYY too old. And the first big test of the season for the Tiger basketball team comes Sunday against UNC. I expect this to be a Clemson win as Clemson always plays well at home against UNC, even when they have had terrible teams. So, a team with talent should (key word here..should) fare well against UNC, especially at home.

And...We're off!!!

Ok...lets start cutting the chaff away from these politicians and get down to the serious contenders.... please...these has been going on on since...well...i think it started the day after the last election. Clarification...again: I am not a gays-must-die... abortion-is-sin-guns-are-cool-shoot-to-kill-at-the-border... tax-all-the-poor Republican anymore than I am a pot smokin, tree huggin, lets give everyone everything for free, gay marriage is cool I hate anything associated with Bush Democrat. I am pretty much middle of the road and my vote is there for the taking. Yes, I admit that i lean to the Right in my thinking. But I am not an automatic vote for either side and I think the majority of the country is obviously the same way as me, which is why we keep seeing 51-49 votes in these elections. Bill Clinton has stepped out of the Arkansas woods and sparked the majority's fancy and until someone from either side does that, we'll get another election basically pitting the major cities against the rest of the country, which is how the last 2 elections have fallen (despite what all the "we got robbed in Florida/Ohio/Wherever people wanna whine about).

Anyway...Clemson crashes and burns in the bowl game and that cloud i have spoken of still exist. There is always.... SOMETHING, and this past season fell to missed field goals. Dont have to make em all, but you cant keep missing them, because they will cause you to lose the close games, which is where Clemson football is now. Hit a field goal in the first quarter, and you aint having to deal with overtime 3 hours later. pretty simple, but... lets see where Clemson basketball takes us...team is supposed to be good, but you know...you KNOW... something whacked will happen this season...

2007 we hardly knew ya!!!....

...Ok...this year, I only am going to offer up one public resolution, and it will cover preety much everything i do for the year....it is the KISS principle, or Keep It Simple Stupid or other variations on the name.... from Wikipedia...

The KISS principle (acronym for "Keep It Simple, Stupid") states that design simplicity should be a key goal and unnecessary complexity avoided. It serves as a useful principle in a wide array of disciplines, such as software development, animation, engineering, and strategic planning. Common variants of the acronym include: "Keep It Simple & Stupid", "Keep It Sweet & Simple", and "Keep It Short & Simple". The form "Keep It Simple, Silly" is sometimes used in situations (for example, explaining the phrase to children) where "stupid" is too harsh.

Complexity should, very simply, be avoided: simplicity becomes a goal in itself. Extra features are not needed; an approach that seems "too easy to be true" is in fact the best way; a very straightforward approach may seem less glamorous and less dramatic but that trivial approach should indeed be taken; surprisingly the very obvious approach is often best


I am going to work at simplifying everything in my life, from my daily routine to the kids to my job to everything. Too much clutter...too much extra stuff...all that matters is my wife, kids, family and friends and that is complex enough to keep me busy. At the end of the day, all the other stuff is just clutter and doesnt matter. now woven into my wife, kids, family and friends are things like the frat, hobbies, etc.... so I aint just going to sit at home all the time. But...ya just gotta keep the important things important and get rid of the clutter...

Christmas comes and goes....

Christmas was a good time. Bolted town on Xmas eve and went to see Grandma and Uncle Jerry...xchanged gifts, ate some meatballs, crackers and etc. , then moved on to see Nanna and Papa... exchanged gifts with Aunt Ashley, Uncle Wes, cousin Madison, Aunt Ellen and got ready for Santa. Santa arrived and brought the twins a couple of remote control vehicles, a barbie Guitar, Howheels stuff, Transformers...of course and...a computer. So they did pretty well, i figure.. we then went did a little mud-dawgin in the new 4 wheeler thingy. i also go to see the new jetski..now that should be interesting...
I got a few things...a new video Nano ipod...A cool camera/laptop combo bag...tickets to darlington race...a slick tripod that allows me to place my camera virtually anywhere I can reach...digital binoculars...some other stuff. I am fortunate and for that I am very thankful...

time marches on...

9 years ago we were getting ready for a wedding...today we are getting twins dressed in pajamas for a slumber party at school, warming up the car, packing lunches, etc. I'm not going to launch into my usual rant about people wondering out loud about "what about the kids?" or the wedding invitations being sent back to us rips in pieces by family members... i guess I should conveniently let all that water flow on down the river...or should i? Funny how all the gloom and doom talk has not even remotely become an issue. The ship set sail and there were people on the boat, and some people had to catch a plan to catch up...but at any rate.... i listened to a song yesterday and i thought I'd share part of those words with you...

I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

[Chorus:]
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
-Rascal Flatts

Some day, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me. Until that day accept this justice as a gift on my daughter's wedding day - Don Vito Corleone

They are reporting now that there are more cell phones now than landlines... And I am wonderin when the masses are going to start figuring out that cell phones dont work everywhere, especially in buildings. I mean I have a cell phone and it works in my home. But jessica's doesnt work as well and not at all in some parts of the house. It just amazes me how people buy cell phones and think they will work everywhere. i guess the advertising the cell companies do has worked very well. But I wonder when people will figure out that cell phones are just glorified walkie talkies...

another year down...

yesterday was the twins 6th birthday. I am always happy but a tad saddened by their birthdays, because while we can see their gain in knowledge and maturity on a daily basis, every year is another notch closer to reality for them. But it happens to everyone so... well... they got Leapsters (one pink, one green) and Backyardigans and Island princess games and they have been playing them non stop. And the first thing they did when they got in the car this morning was start playing....

...kinda amused (and glad it aint happening here) by all this WINTERSTORM OF THE CENTURY madness I'm seeing on TV in regards to the Midwest and Northeast. I'm confused... doesnt it do this EVERY YEAR? I dont get it. Ice, Windstorms, blizzards...this been going on every December thru March for as long as I can remember....

Why music can be so cool....

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield

I am always amazed when music is used in other places other than where it was originally intended, and you hear it so much, but most people dont listen to what is being actually said when there are words with the music, like in the song above. You hear this song all the time on TV in commercials, but I wonder how many people tie in the words that are being said with the music they are hearing.... When I was standing at the initiation of an Honorary the other day in the Frat, I was struck by how much band members who are not members would be like "Ohhhh...now i get it!" if they knew the true meaning of the letters Kappa Kappa Psi and their significance.... always brings a chuckle when I see a new initiate and the look of understanding when that is revealed to them....

what goes around....

children are a blessing, not a curse. And I certainly hope that everyone who reads this remembers this always. I see my kids as a blessing, just as my parents see me and jessica's parents see her. And I will always try to do whatever I can to see them be happy, even if it means that my children dont under stand my motives. Because...one day...when its all said and done, if a jetski or 4 wheeler helps create memories and moments, that will be worth it. Because at the end of the day, it will be those "moments" i will remember. Not how much something costs....

Long ago it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories, theyre all thats left you -- Simon and Garfunkel

How 'Bout Them Cowboys!!!

ah yes...the team of my childhood (notice a theme here?) is rolling. The Cowboys win again, and the Panthers...well...sigh...I am not a big fan of firing coaches, etc. but...sure does look like the Panthers have quit on their coach.

I think I have the reason why I am not fond of Tom Brady...he looks like one of those smug frat boys with hair that hasnt been cut since he left home (and mama) back in August wearing just the right clothes with just the right hat with a kinda condescending arrogance when looking at the camera

took out Xmas photo for our greeting cards out back yesterday. While this isnt the pic we're using, I thought I'd throw it up anyway. It was such a nice weekend...gotta love 75 degrees in December in ole South Carolina...

musings...

Watching The Polar Express tonight... seems as though this is going to the the Charlie Brown Christmas for the twins... this is about the 20th time i"ve seen this movie. What I am seeing more and more is the subtle hints and references that are clearly aimed at "adults" within this movie...

...I was in Mast General store a while ago. Amazing to note that it seems black people dont shop at Mast General store. Except me, perhaps... and it was kinda disturbing to notice the obvious eyes of the sales people watching me as i was scoping out the goods. I guess they figured since I was wearing one of their lambskin lined hats, i must be back to snag something else...

...so Bowden worked Clemson over for more money. I say good for him. You go, boy (heh...)get all the money you can while you can, dude...because unless he wins a National Championship EVERY year, eventually that segment of "fans" are going to run him out of town. I say cash in now and bank that money and keep the movers number on the speeddial. Because the day will come...eventually. And I am all for Tommy Bowden. But some fans are never going to be happy and take Clemson football WAYYYYY too seriously.

...and it is evident to me that Ian has this movie memorized....

random...again

why is it that when you lay down in your bed in the middle of the day, it feels so much different than when you go to bed at night?

little snappies....

i forgot some stuff... I-Man and Ryles got awards at school the other day....









And since the other day was Turkey day we now have the annual Ryles Turkey Leg pix. We then set up the Xmas tree before heading to Columbia then Camden for a couple of days. I-Man has his ever present Transformers

observations....

Turkey day was good. Turkey meat and all the fixins over 2 days, first at home then down in Camden. And on a lark (not Susan) i went with Jessica and Aunt Ashley at (gulp) 4am and stood in line outside Best Buy... it was freezin...but interesting. We also hit up Kohls, McDonalds and Target all before 6:30am...

...got back yesterday evening and went to the local Belks. Got a couple of gifts and then retired to the house to watch the Clemson/USC tilt. I must admit that I watched the entire game in amusement for I have come to sense that USC will always ultimately blow it, just like last night. I was actually more miffed last year when Jad dean missed that kick to tie because it was inevitable that USC would lose in overtime. But anyway, it was funny to go to work and the security guard who says "Clemson?!?!?!...they suck" everytime I wear anything Clemson to work...well today he just looked down at his paper everytime I walked into the lobby. tsk, tsk...guess the old man never learned trash talk 101...that you dont talk trash until the game is in hand, lest your have your dish served to you very..very..cold. At any rate, ClemTech (as dumbasses on the USC message boards call Clemson, as if being the state tech school is somehow derogatory) has a sure TD and 2 field goal opportunities missed, and should have won the game easily. But well, USc does have afew players, so like I said earlier, I was sitting here and when USC scored to go up by a point late, said to myself "scored too quick, you dumbasses... Clemson will probably drive right down the field and we'll see what type of gumption our kicker has now."...and sure enough....

...so...recap...Tigers win ( in basketball too....), Tarheels win, Celtics win...Cowboys win... Panthers...well(sigh) and JESUS CHRIST!!!!!! MUST WE CONTINUE TO SEE THIS PATRIOTS CRAP...go away..please...JUST GO AWAY!!!!!

4am?

ok..so I'm seeing commercials for stores opening at 4:00am on the day after Turkey Day. Dude...is it really that bad on this day? And I am even seeing where the outlet mall down the road is opening at MIDNIGHT!!!!! ummm, hhhhmmmm...ok?

Turkey day looming...

... on the menu.... two slices of buttered toast, some pretzel sticks, a handful of popcorn, and a few jelly beans.

...I'm always caught off guard how quick Thanksgiving gets here. And its like the race is on after that. I am a tad behind in the gift thing, but I will be good to go in a week or so, i figure. And I think i can live with this 76 degree weather.

murky

...tryin to find out when they will pickup trash this week. they tell you in December when they will pickup your trash the next November, as if you can remember that.

...not much to say about the football game except for the atmosphere. I walked down in the parade with the band, and the crowd reminded me of what it was like before some big games back in the Danny Ford era. I refer you to a previous post regarding the karma @ Clemson in regards to the game. tsk, tsk....

..however, this basketball team has serious promise. This may harken back to a couple of those Rick Barnes teams in regards to being able to go toe to toe with Duke and UNC. Lets just see about those free throws...

...up next...Turkey Day and the Xmas holiday stretch. Looks like we will have Grandma and uncle Jerry into town on Thursday, then headin to the lowstate for a couple of days

If you wanna make the world a better place,
take a look at yourself and make that change.
~Man In The Mirror

It was raining last night and I was driving home. And I was appalled. I'm like, how are you supposed to drive in this stuff. I can't see...there's water everywhere, all over the windshield.... guess it hasnt rained here much recently.

You refer to the prophecy of the one who will bring balance to the Force. You believe it's this boy? -Mace Windu

I-Man was overheard saying last night.."This is the Gweatest Day...EVER!!!!" upon powering up the Xbox 360 for....LEGO STAR WARS - THE COMPLETE SAGA!!!!. He then teamed with Ryles to blow thru The Phantom Menance in about 30 minutes. I"m kinda sittin there thinkin "gweatest day Ever?"...hmmm...not sure about that as he has said this before (see Birthday and Xmas) but I understand his happiness.

This Clemson/BC thing is starting to get a little out of control...talking about Harper for Heisman, "The Biggest Game EVER at Clemson University"... If Clemson wins out, Bowden will be up for thr Auburn, LSU, Texas A&M jobs...blah, blah, blah... all sorts of stuff. i say lets just take this one game at a time, please? i do agree with the fact that this is a little like sitting at the poker table and counting up the chips shoving them all into the center of the table and saying "I'm all in. Show me that last card...."

Remember, the Force will be with you. Always. - Obi-wan Kenobi


...so...I-Man sees this random (well, not so random i come to find out) commercial about LEGO STAR WARS - THE COMPLETE SAGA on TV and goes bananas. Like...he has to have it. NOW. (not an uncommon reaction for an almost six year old, i might add) well, I'm like thinkin that Santa might want to research that assuming it will be available for Christmas. ummm...no. Its out now and I-Man and Ryles are on a warpath for it. NOW! Well, since I-Man is prone to fits of random mischeif at school, we occasionally award him with a treat if he doesnt get in trouble at school for a few days or weeks or something like that. So, I went out and got it, which means I-Man and Ryles will be occupied for the next 18 evenings in a row or so...

...getting ready for the BC game come Saturday. it will be a pretty good day for football...catch the Ohio State/Michigan game at noon then head over late for the 7:45 kickoff for Clemson. Find me a good spot along the road, facing out and go from there, I guess. Although I seem to remember Harwood saying something about going to this game. i may need to drop him a line and see whats up.

...Ok...I'm thinkin that I might have to start crossing some people off my list before I wanted to in this presidential race thingy. I was thinkin i would wait till January and let those folks in Iowa and New Hampshire weed out some folks for me, but...wow...Fred Thompson sure has dissapointed me. I thought he would give a little bit more than that. kinda reminds me of a couple of times in the FRAT when people i thought would be a shoe in for President got up before the chapter and were like..."Hi...you guys know me...you know what I'm about...um...well...Y'all vote for me, OK?" and left you sitting there thinking..."I cant believe this fool just did that". And despite Browns' blusterings for Osama, he hasnt said anything of distinction either.

...congrats to Brandy and AJ on the birth of their daughter. It is indeed a good thing.

sigh..

tryin to clean up some clutter in our bedroom... why is it so difficult to get rid of that random circa1998 Gator/Peach/Tangerine/Hall of Fame Bowl sweatshirt that you wore like...say...twice. I mean I am never going to wear this thing again...but...they are like Superbowl rings, i think. Gaudy... pretentious... but a tad bit sentimental. But again...they take up way too much space. Same with the 10 frat tshirts/sweatshirts. I only have need for 1 or 2 max. But I dont want to toss the rest, and the current actives usually want their own stuff...sigh...

Lets see what this Wake game tomorrow brings us. 12 noon games are a bitch to go see...but awesome to watch on TV. its like...get up late, then BAM...there's the game. Lunch while watching, then you got the rest of the afternoon, which is really good when you win cause whenever highlights come on, you dont have to immediately change the channel and you can listen to the National shows and not be all pissed off when they mention Clemson in the same sentence as.."let down...hot seat...underacheiving...blah, blah, blah". then you can wtch USc implode and kinda snucker and revel in going to work on Monday and not having to hear the Gamecock fans blather on and on. Of course, if Clemson loses tomorrow, i will be annoyed...for a few minutes...then i'll get over it and just scowl at people at work on Monday. I just want them to win so when I'm on the sidelines against Boston College, the atmosphere is electric... so...We'll see... we should beat Wake. i say 34-21...pulling away late...

random

...a year from today people will be all in a tizzy over elections for a new president. at the first turn looks like Hillary is out front with Bin Laden already starting to fade.

...is there anything that feels better than a midday shower? well..I can think of a couple but still...a shower in the middle of the day feels soooo good.

headin into the weekend

a pretty uneventful week...outside of Halloween. twins dressed up as the same stuff as last year and got the usual loot of candy...hope we can get rid of this candy before 2009

by the way...

...kinda funny the USC fans were all over Clemson when they lost a couple of games in a row due to an offense that sputtered at times, turned it on to make late noise and then had your field goal kicker miss important field goals. Funny how that type of stuff comes around and really, NO team seems immune to it this year. I still say that when you are now my age, and you are getting all worked up over 18-22 year olds,well...I remember what I was like at that age... and I think Lou Holtz says it right every week when he says that you just dont get the same team each week, even though you have the same players. And he is 100 percent correct. That is why you see a little more reliable outcomes with the pros. and well...they ARE getting paid... well officially paid, that is...

It's a brother and a sister kinda thang
Raise up your hands if you all wanna hang

It was mentioned to me a couple of times this weekend that we always seem to have a busy schedule. I thought it kinda funny because it isnt really true, but it may come across that way. Its pretty repetitive and i do think its important to have "events" to be looking forward to. Else the wakeup/kids/work/kids/bed...repeat cycle would drive you crazy after a while. like now...we have no major events on docket till Turkey Day. Looks like I will venture over to Clemson for the BC game later in November but otherwise, nothing much on the horizon... oh I'm sure stuff will come up as usual.... but I always try to have things to be looking ahead at and planning for....

by the way...I'm sick of the Patriots. period.

week events and friends come to town

...ok...so I-Man got a Transformer as a reward for getting got reports from school. This particular Transformer is a bad guy.

I am paricualrly amused by the slogan "to punish and enslave"...

A couple of old friends from High School were in town this weekend and we got to visit. Just so happened that ole John turned 40 today. John was always sitting right behind me in class in High School and we were in Band together. Oh the stories I could tell...

They were actually going to do a local marathon tomorrow. I-man seemed to take a liking to Pam...and no, that isnt their child....

John and Pam had their niece with them and Ryles and I-Man had a great time playing in Wild Wings. Notice the Transformer firmly clutched in hand and Ryles new glasses.

"The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated."

"The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated."
- Mark Twain

"Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you."

So Homecoming comes and goes... got to see a lot of people. Lisa and TJ dropped by on Friday evening, then Erik, Pam and a couple of their friends from NYC came into town (late...like...3am late, but its all good) and they crashed at our house. I got up and went a got a spot at Brooks and Aunt Ellen, Kenneth and Erik and his gang got into Clemson a little later. We did the game and we got to see a buch of people. Dropped by the Frat alumni gathering. Then...bolted back home and had dinner with Erik, Pam, Ellen, Kenneth, Brandy and AJ. Aunt Ashley and Uncle Wes dropped by too with cousin Madison...a busy weekend it was....

we saw bunches o people...and it was especialy good to see Claire, Brent, Andrea, Stephen, Danny, Sara, Jenny, Greshem, Cheryl, Kelly, Caroline... amongst many others at the game tailgating (its really late and if I left you out...well...sorry...I'll come back and add ya in the morning when Im rememberin better....)

a samplin of pix follows....

"Music Charms the Soul"

Yankee Haters?

I got an email from Brown the other day talking about "Yankee Haters" that insinuated that I am in that group. I started to reply about that directly to him, but decided to post here my explanation....

I am not really a Yankee Hater. I think that I am just simply tired of hearing NOTHING from the ESPN sports media but YANKEES this and YANKEES that...and RED SOX NATION this and that. Or New York Giants stuff.... or even more annoying out of Bristol is the constant Tom Brady/Bill Belichek/Patriots are the greatest of all time drivel. I think that if you live in New York/New Engand that you would expect to hear about that all the time because YOU LIVE THERE. But eveeryone else in the country has other teams they pull for or want to hear about, and we dont get a chance to hear about it because it is ALL Yankees, Red Sox, Patriots and Giants. It grows tiresome and boring after a while. I dont live in New York and i'd like to hear about what is going on with all the other teams as well. After all, when was the last time the Yankees won the series???? 2000. I think that if you lived away from the New York area, you would definitely see what the rest of the country sees... a definite slant toward a certain area and those teams...thats why people are so gleeful to see them lose.

That being said...I'm currently mulling coming full circle and going back to the basketball team of my childhood (NBA, that is) and jump back on the Celtics wagon right now, before the season even starts. Growing up, my father was a Lakers fan, and I was a Celtics fan. I kinda followed Shaq to the Lakers, then to Miami, where I currently reside. If I jump on now, I can say i was there before the mania started. And I wonder how batty ESPN will go if the Celtics become good again....

Homecoming, Alumni Band and Friends....

The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart. -Katherine Mansfield

This weekend is a weekend I always have somewhat mixed feelings about...for it is a weekend I often see people I dearly miss... more people I wish were still around to see more often.... people I could care less about...and... well i am always saddened by the thought of people I dont see.

I never do the Alumni Band thing. I always get a sense that some peole see me as being snobby by not doing alumni band. But...my reasons are somewhat personal, and has nothing to do with the activity or the fact that people doing it might find it fun. I simply am not one to spend my fleeting moments that I have left in my lifetime making smalltalk with anyone I dont really want to make small talk with. By that, I mean the random sax player you never really liked but you tolerated while in school, who you have no interest in knowing what it is they are doing, what their family is doing, or whatever. Now, I realize that these same people may feel the same about me...and well..in case you havent figured it out, I dont care what they think. I never have and never will. Kinda harsh...but I dont have anymore time to waste. I hope that I will be able to see those I truly care about, even if it is to say "hey", get a hug and whatever. I think that what i find ironic is that I give far more thought to these type of events than most people realize, and have given up thinking that they will even come close to my hopes, whatever those might actually be. And yes, while I might have more time to chew the fat with Lisa and TJ and their son in Alumni Band, there are a lot of other people i dont want to spend my now precious time dealing with. Yep, some people would be cool to mini chat with, but there are always the people who want to re-live their college role as the "Hey-look-at-me-act-a-fool-and-say-silly-stuff-blah-blah-blah" and that will just only serve to annoy me. And I aint feeling being annoyed anymore.

Along similar lines friends are coming to town and I know that many factors will play into the time spent with them being way too short...travel time, gametime, etc. I already have resigned myself that as much as I have looked forward to seeing old friends, that this year will be a wash. I-Man has a soccer match at 10am in Easley and it lasts an hour. While I will be at Brooks with people who are staying with me, by the time the kids would arrive, the game will be starting. I dont know if the twins will even make an appearance at Brooks this year for Homecoming. Who knows... but we shall see... I guess if it was THAT important, I'd get off my high horse and be more outgoing, huh?

The World Turned Upside Down

Ok...so...hmmm... SOUTH FRAKKIN FLORIDA is ranked #2????!!!!! South Carolina is #6????!!! Well, Clemson will certainly have a chance to do some damage in November.... now, I'm not saying that they shouldnt be ranked becasue they have won when other teams havent. Heck, Clemson would be up there too if they hadnt forgotten how to tackle...

Homecoming on deck. Should be a hectic weekend...

And theres always retrospect
(when youre looking back)
To light a clearer path
Every five years or so I look back on my life
And I have a good laugh - Emily Saliers

It is always a refreshing moment when you get home and the air has a nip to it and you can smell the wood fires burning in homes. It is also weird to me that you only notice that smell when it first gets cold. How come i dont smell that wood come January or February?

I started to reply to emails flying around on the alumni listserv and thought better of it. The Alumni gripping have a valid point. The Actives need to do better. And it is perhaps time that the dormant Alumni Association issue may need to be revisited. That would help facilitate activities geared toward them and serve as useful tool for the Alumni Sec to use and interact with.

And it is starting to get a little annoying, with all these kids going postal with guns in the schools and crap. I can tell you right now that if somebodies son shots my kids, God help them for they might be eating bullets too...

Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. ~ John Lennon

So... starting to hear the annual chirping from the alumni in regards to the "actives" and the lack of info coming out to them from the chapter. Sigh... i just wish people would remember what THEY did when they were the "actives" and the alumni were chirping. While I agree that more information could be sent out, in a timely manner and more often, I am not going to hold their hands every week and yell at them about something that i think fundamentally they dont have a grasp of. Do I wish they would have planned their proposed events better and farther out? Yes. But it is THEIR chapter and they have to devote their energies were they see fit, even if it is the wrong place sometimes. In relation to Homecoming there is a difficulty in planning events that wont conflict with what CUTBA is planning. Because that will only create another set of political issues. If CUTBA plans their thingy, and we already know alumni are planning on doing that, how are they to schedule events against that? In a nutshell, they cant. The actives are in waiting game now every year to see what the gametime will be THEN figure out what they can do based upon their band responsibility, Alumni Band and their own gigs. at any rate the actives need to try harder to reach out to FRAT Alumni, but there has to be some understanding from Alumni as well.

here's what i think

I think that the Clemson Football team suffers from what is a complex that affects the entire University and has for many years now. there always seems to be a flaw in all the sports teams. In baseball, its either ALL Hit, No pitch or ALL Pitch, no hit every season. Clemson gets to the Playoffs and the very thing they have relied on all year fails, and its 0 and 2 and barbeque. Everytime there has been a good Clemson basketball team, free throws have been the achilles heel. heck, EVERY year its a problem. And they lose games because of it every year, no matter WHO the coach is. Watch..Clemson will have a great basketball team this year, and they will go to the free throw line and miss free throws....BAD. The football team has had special team problems since the time of Danny Ford. I can remember 2 seasons that were ruined during his era because of punt snaps sailing over the punters head, and a blocked punt.. Tommy West had the same issue and Bowden has seen it continue.

I think the special team woes stem from the fact that despite the obvious talent Clemson has, it still doesnt have enough of it, and it NEVER will. At least not as long as their is a emphasis on the academic side of things in Clemson. Clemson's first 11 on both sides of the ball ( well, at least the first 11 that started the season, not the injury riddled group we have now) could probably match up with any body. But as soon as we see linemen go down, then James Davis get hurt at NC State the "issues" started to pop up.

The "Issues" are many fold but boil down to this. Despite the plethora of talent on the offensive side of the ball, it all boils down to James Davis getting the tough yards inside the tackles. His injury and the inability of Spiller of run hard inside the tackles has changed the way the team attacks offensively. It has become quite obvious to me that James Davis is the heart of this team, and his toughness has been eliminated. Spiller does not possess that mentality. Watch how Spiller tip toes to the line hoping not to get hit and immediately tries to turn the other way and use his speed. And the lack of talent on the second and third teams translates to a vunerability on our special teams. Factor in mistakes by the players on those teams, and you have the breakdowns. then the "issues" start to pop up because the fans immediately turn on Clemson. And I mean Clemson fans. Immediately you hear Fire Tommy and people yelling at players. And it all turns downhill. There is a negative cloud over Clemson that has existed since the very day The Academics punted Danny Ford out in 1991 and still exists today. I am not a "Bring Ford back person" or anything like that, but since that day, Clemson sports seems to follow a pattern.... initial success built upon a sandy foundation weakened by a lack of talent depth.

In short, we aint as good as the other people because we dont have the waves of "athletes" LSU, Florida, Southern Cal, Michigan and potentially South Carolina have. because the others teams graduate players or lose players to injury and someone is there to step in just as good. Clemson loses a player to injury in ANY sport, and the entire situation changes. And the current administration seems to think that it can be done by keeping the high academic standards. It cant be done, not on a consistent basis. Stanford, Northwestern, Rice, Duke...make a flash for a season then they go away. ...now, I am not saying Clemson should lax its standards. But if they are going to have those standards, then I am going to look at the Athletic situation at Clemson for what it is...and be happy when they win, dissapointed when they lose...but...know that when they lose it aint the end of the world, and I can turn to my children and realize that there are FAR more important things than whether or not the Clemson football team is practicing how to cover punts and kickoffs (which I am 100 percent positive they have been, are... and will be)

Oh...I'm sure the Fire Tommy people are out in full force. They will look at South Carolina and see their success. But...look closely. They suffer from the same "issues". But people will start talking about getting rid of the coach. But they wont have a realistic answer as to who they can get to come to Clemson who will run a clean program, recruit and win. because the people we need to "take us to the next level' aint coming to Clemson. Period. End of story. because the Academics aint going to allow entrance to the 330 pound, 6 foot 3 inch just-training-for-the-NFL tackle who can barely read into Clemson. And if you want to go 10-1 every year... you need those guys on your football team. In waves....

So...I will continue to pull for Clemson. And I think that the 2 weeks off to heal James Davis as well as regroup will help. I think this team does not lose again until the BC game where they will be lying in wait to make their season. BC will probably be top 5 and it will be a 7:45pm start. And Clemson will upset BC. Then its a tossup at Columbia.... but if they lose another along the way, i will sigh and shake my head, and turn to my son and say, "hey...lets go out and lean to ride your bike without training wheels". For there are far more important things.

Mrs. Tarantino: Are you the police?
Elwood: No, ma'am. We're musicians

I've tried a different approach this year with the FRAT. Kinda a "hands off" way of things...not that i have been truly as hands on as i possibly could be at any time anyway. I have been hoping that the chapter will start to develop a better sense of internal direction this year and that some new leaders will take their opportunity to step forward. I sense that some new brothers are starting to feel things out. This is good. There are still things that they dont do. No treally much outreach to alumni, but...has there ever been? The Active way of thinking really never includes thinking of the alumni. That is probably an area where i need to tinker and press and prod. Other than that, they still produce yeoman work with service to bands....

I-Man keeps getting less than perfect reports in regards to behavior at school. Jessica is very dissapointed and well, I can uderstand why. But I also dont think he is doing that much bad stuff...probably one thing here or there that keeps him from getting a perfect "smiley face" on his daily report. But I dont want him to get into bad habits of not paying attention, so we are trying to get him to dial in and quit doing the little things that are not good. meanwhile Ryles seems to be a class darling. hmmm... why do I have a hard time believing that is totally true?

Tigers have VaTech tomorrow evening. Gut check time for Clemson. As Ole Tommy says..."ARE YOU CONTENDERS OR PRETENDERS?!"

..and memo to the Yankees, Phillies and Cubs fans... Memo: been there, done that....

what the hey?

oh man...it sucks that Law and Order, Criminal Intent is only going to be on USA TV now. man...that really sucks... Detective Robert Goren is DA MAN!!!! Oh well, power up the DVR and it will all be good...

Its like the twins go off to school and they are learning at a breakneck speed. Its a constant check on the mental senses to keep up with where they are. I have to keep myself from thinking that they are 3 years old and can barely talk, as they now can spell (limited) and are starting to read. Cant spell out M C D O N A L D S anymore...kinda like you spell it out and Ryles sits there and spells it in her head and says "I want McNuggets!!!!"

Oh...and i guess the Mets have gotten taste of what its now like to be a Braves fan. Supposed to win, chocked it away...sittin at home watchin inferior teams playin. Sigh'

And just so everyone is clear, I am an Independent (politically) with a definite lean to the conservative side. Am I against the Democrats??? nope. I actually agree with a lot of the socalled Democtrat platform (however vague it might actually be with their leading candidates right now). But I am not lock step hobnailed boot marching with America's DA or America's Mayor either. Somebody's gotta step up and show me something, and Osama, Billary, the NYC DA or America's mayor have not. So...i guessing that our friends in Iowa or New Hamphire are going to have to start weeding out the also rans here in a couple of months....

October is here...finally....

Ok...Homecoming looming in a little bit over 2 weeks... Still tryin to figure out what my plans are for that...pretty sure we're going to setup our tent in at the back edge of the Brooks center, similar to where we were last year. Gametime is going to be interesting and if its a 1 oclock game, i will have to get over to Brooks at like...oh...say...7:00am to secure the location and setup the tent. yeah...i know...thats a little extreme...but failure to prepare will have us parking on the golf course... i also need to start working on updating the fraternity roster with current addresses for the alumni. Should be an interesting day with all types of people coming to town that weekend.

random..again

So...Tigers...well.... hmmm.... here's what i saw. I saw the players drop 7 or 8 easy passes. i saw the players miss 4 field goals. I saw the players get a TD called back by penalty. One touchdown missed was by the previously mentioned dropped passes. I saw the players take their time to kick a punt and get blocked, setting up the lone Gatech TD. I saw players tip toeing thru the line. I say that this loss was NOT at all Bowdens fault. I say this all goes on the players. Yet still, their will be people all over Bowden. Ok...time to regroup and see what happens at home. At least I'm not a Oklahoma, Florida or West virginia fan today. think it sucks for Clemson to have lost. Well, Clemson wasnt going to win any National Championships this year....wow.

Mike...um...MIKE!!!!!????.....MIKE!!!!!!

A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle. —Benjamin Franklin

Ok...I'm not going to do like the prosecuters in Virginia and pile on Mick Vick. but.... frack, man... you can't be doing pot when you are on house arrest awaiting SENTENCING!!!! sigh...dude...c'mon now... (shaking head)

And of course, the USA womenz soccer team goes down in flames...wow.

Sigh..

...i really, really, really, really....REALLY...need to start taking more pictures. i got my photog magazine yesterday and looking at the pictures makes me want to go out and take some photos. I just dont take enough, and I cant take pictures of people because evryone goes bonkers whenever I get my camera out to take a photo. I dont know....

It takes a wise man to learn from his mistakes, but an even wiser man to learn from others.

ok...and now for the real part of the schedule...

...Tigers are 4-0. GaTech might not be as good as we thought, but will be a real test in the ATL. Adversity will show its head this Saturday and we'll start seeing the true team....

...Panthers bounce back against my old team....

...Braves..tsk, tsk... way too little, way too late...

Went and saw lil Harwood on Friday night. The twins went a tad wild playing. I-man had his soccer match and he spent time as goalie and returned to his role as a midfielder. I am still not sure if he is Forward/Stryker material and he seems far more comfortable playing the "Fullback" role and sweeping in and getting the ball from players attacking the goal. We'll see as he advances to the next level and gets away from the "one mob around the ball" game it is now... then went down to Cola to see Aunt Ashley, Uncle Wes and cousin Madison. watched Clemson take care of business and the Gamecocks go down in flames, then returned home late Saturday...

not sure if i even want to comment on a lot of the racial stuff that is in the news. I guess I could, then wait for the anonymous posters to chime in....but...nah.... maybe tomorrow. Got stuff to do...

whoa...whoa...whoa...slow down....

So... i'm fixin dinner for Ryles and I-man tonight and Ryles wants to get onto Noggin online site. So, login to jessica's laptop and tell Ryles to hold tight a second while I fix something in the kitchen. I come back out of the kitchen and Ryles has already fired up Internet Explorer and is on the Noggin website playing a game. I'm like "Um.... where/when/how did you learn to navigate the computer?" Now I've got to ponder child proofing the laptops and desktop. This is all starting to go way too fast....

the BUCK BUCK Champion of the World

Aunt Ellen came to town... and we went with the twins over to the Furman/Clemson football game...tailgated for a moment then watched the marching band do their pep rally thingy. We then into the stadium and watched from the 50 yard line, visitor side, lower deck. pretty good seats. its was a little toasty for the twins though... we left after halftime.

Got to watch a lot of college football...hmmm...perhaps GaTech isnt as good as we thought, as Notre Dame is absolutely pathetic. But Clemson"s true mettle will still be tested in the ATL in a couple of weeks as i am sure they will attempt to use their tight ends in the same fashion Furman did. I am confident the Clemson coaches will be prepared for it but I always get the sense the the players never get a notion that they beleive that big slow white guys can lumber out and catch the ball...so i am sure the Clemson linebackers will still be prone to the short pass.... And I do think that Bowden is resting Davis for the better teams, no need to run him ragged against lesser teams when we will need to ride him when the going gets tough here soon. Better to get harper some confidence throwing now than to score 60 on LaMonroe for a sports center highlight.

Panthers...(sigh)....(shaking head).... but of course, every NFL team does about the same thing. The league is so tough. every week you can lose when you though you wouldnt, and vice versa. thats why everyone goes 8-8 every year. Unless you are the cheaters in New England. I really, really...REALLY am tired of the Patriots.

I-Man has started soccer and his first match is this coming Saturday. We also have Aunt Ashley's birthday party/NCstate watchin gig in Cola on Saturday. We also gotta get over and see lil miss Harwood at some point for her first birthday. Ryles has another doctor gig on Friday in Cola, so I am not sure how this upcoming weekend is going to shake out. But it will shake out as another whirlwind weekend,....

OJ got arrested. Fool...lets see if he can weasel out of this one....

Cooling down outside...windows now opened upstairs...finally.

Ha!

How many batteries does it take to shock a Michigan Wolverine?

(crickets chirping....)

...1-AA

Bill Belicheat

SOOOOOO....... the Patriots got caught...AGAIN. Hmmm...makes you wonder now and think back to all those reports about how teams used to always say after playing the Patriots that it seemed as if the Patriots knew what play they were going to run, or defense they would be in. Hmmmmmmm?????? Now, when you see those plays of Brady having all day to throw the ball and always having the right play called for the blitzes....kinda makes you realize..."hey, maybe they DID know what was coming." Tsk, tsk.... And to whoever keeps sending me the Patriots catalog, how ya feelin now. And if you dont know...I HATE THE PATRIOTS!!!! and if i have to see anymore of Brady and the sports writers fawning over him (even though he seemingly can impregnate supermodels out of wedlock and get a pass), I'll smash my HDTV. wait... I take that back cause I know that will happen..like...Sunday.

what? no outcry from Foxnews, MSNBC, etc.?....

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0911071logansix1.html

hmmmm..... wonder why there is no mention of this virtually ANYWHERE on National news? kinda makes me wonder what it would be like if this was 6 black people and a blond, white woman.... oh wait, I KNOW what would be happening. Seems there is more concern over Britney Spears and her supposed bomb performance than outcry over this stuff these people alledgedly did. By the way, i dont know what the big deal is with Spears and her supposed weight problem. Looked fine to me... but her performance was very uninspired and obviously unrehearsed.

ramblins

Went out for lunch with Brandy today to Cracker Barrel. Its really strange how everytime I go into that place brings back all types of memories. i miss those times...

...Was watchin The Hills today...is that show real or is it acting? I watched for a while tryin not to get hooked.... i think its acting, but they do a good job of making it feel like Real World on steroids or something...

you know how long i've been on ya?
since prince was on apollonia
since OJ had isotoners
don't act like i never told ya -Kanye West

...<shakin head>...<sigh>.... now I gotta hear what kind of "art" 50 pennies is puttin out today.

Ok...the clinkling, chain sound you hear is me running the white flag up the pole on the Braves' season. Its over. But..heh, heh...wait till next year!!!

a decent weekend ... and other thoughts...

So...Tigers win and Panthers win... football of to a decent start....

...Kanye West pitched a fit about not winning awards at the MTV thingy. Hmmmm...pulled the race car, did he? Not sure about this one...kinda a pattern with him and these gigs...He might be heading to the Michael Jackson category of "All Artist, whacked brain" status with me....

... Fred Thompson announced he's runnin. Ok...time to start hearin some substance from America's D.A.

...and yes, Brown...I dont' understand why they do that with their hair.

...and I'm not sure I'm understanding the US soccer team (women) and their GOLD away jersey. Its sorta like Clemson showing up at the top of the hill in Green jerseys. Dont quite get it.

perspective....

Ok...now...I am not really a Michigan fan, although I do like their home uni's. But it is comical to me to see the reaction of the Michigan fans. It's like it is their birthright to win every game. I dont know whether or not its getting older, or what...but i no longer get as upset over the losses anymore, nor do I even get all that jacked up about a win of any team or person I'm rooting for. Although...it is a relief the #29 got into the Chase....but, to see the looks on the Sorority Girls and frat guys faces on TV...priceless. Or even better...the shots of the band in utter dispair...as I sit there thinkin "yep...been there, done that a few times." That free bowl trip is getting less fancy and shorter by the week. Yep...been down that road too many times... by the way, Clemson racks up a ho hum win, although (see above) better to win than to lose these days. I'll take it and advance, thank you very much. I'm sure there is a loss or two down the road somewhere this season.... started throwing the ball down the field a bit this game and the QB got some confidence. they didnt pound Davis that much tryin to save him for when they will need him in a couple of weeks or so... Anyway, take the W and advance. Furman should be slightly stiffer competition, but I expect another W before a road test in Raleigh...

After the PTA luncheon thingy, i went over to this new store in town called Steve and Barry's. It might become my store of choice right now. ..think Gap meets Old Navy meets Spencers meets Dick's Sportin Goods. I'll be curious how this store does in Greenville. If word gets out about it, it will blow up. if not...well, at least there's Chic fil A across the parking lot.

It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important. -MLK

buzz

OK..you can make fun of the bees thing if you want to, but..it's starting to make mainstream news now. I saw a report on it on CNN and its on Yahoo webportal today....

...going to a PTA meeting today at the twins school. Isnt it a little odd that a school would hold its PTA meeting at 11:30am on a weekday? kinda limits participation, dont you think? kinda makes you think that a small number of people want to limit who gets to play in their club? should be interesting...I'm thinking about changing into some ratty jeans and a white wifebeater with a brand new green Atlanta Braves cap with the sticker/tags still on it (bill still flat) cocked to the side and see what kind of reaction i get.

Throwback Wednesday

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's 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's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

- Robert Frost

... dropped I-Man off at school today and it was kinda strange seeing your son get out, and run off into school. Its really different than daycare. It seems like you really are putting far more trust in a lot of strangers to watch over and protect your child. And your child is one of hundreds. But...it is what it is. Unless we are going to homeschool, then it is how it has to be. And i would rather not homeschool, even if we could for they need to social aspects that school provides, even though that have greatly benefitted from having each other all of their lives.

Ryles went back to the doctor today (jessica took her to Cola) and she got most of the cast removed today. Things seem to be progressing nicely with that and she is going to have to "rehab" some movement of her index finger, but the doctors expect full movement to eventually return. In the meanwhile she has become somewhat ambidextrous, which cant be bad.

whhhhhheeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

....ok...I'll take this W. man...looks like Clemson tried to get a tad too cute in the 3rd quarter. Clemson OBVIOUSLY has more talent than FSU. Speed, speed, speed and more speed on the Tigers side. It now looks like it used to look in these games, except reversed. I remember standing in the stands watching Warrick Dunn simply take a toss sweep and run around the Tigers defense. Now it is clemson doing it to FSU. And...it looks like only 2 or 3 starters for FSU would start for Clemson. Now... 3 easily winnable games until a roadtrip to the ATL for Gatech, a game that should be highly entertaining on the 29th.

Now...watch Clemson lose to to a pitiful NC State team...or worse......Furman. Still probably wouldnt be as bad as...heh, heh...Michigan losing to App State.

ok...now...this is better....

walked out this morning, and its like....15 degrees cooler. THANK GOODNESS AUGUST IS GONE!!!!!

I can think of a few games where Clemson Football has taken the gaspipe...a couple of Wake games and that Duke game a couple years ago come to mind. But....at no time has Clemson ever suffered a loss like what Michigan suffered. All the call-in shows are talking about their shows as Michigan suicide watch shows today. Wow....

tonight is the Bowden Bowl (ha!) and it will all hinge on whether or not the new Clemson QB can complete a pass. if not, we'll see more of the same stuff that occured on the tail end of last season...stack the line and dare Clemson to complete a short pass.

had the Fords and Harwoods over on Friday night, then Nanna, Papa and Aunt Ellen came into town on Saturday and they spent the night. So it was a weekend of the twins all fired up and showing out for the visitors. And now we get to try to tone them back down again...