Better Call SC Department of Natural Resources They Are Going To Want To Come and See This
So Saturday morning started out most Saturday mornings in our house. Wyatt wakes up around 7am, I get him changed and I take him to our bed to see if he will go back to sleep or if he really is awake which means our day has officially started and it is play time with mommy and daddy. Aubrey woke up a few minutes later calling for "Daddy". I went into her room and our conversation went something like this:
Me: Good Morning, Baby Girl
A: There is a bear
Me: Where?
A: pointing out the window - In the tree. Do you see it?
Me: I sure do...figured I would go along, it might get better - it did...What's the bear doing in the tree?
A: Talking to the Lion
Me: There is a bear and a lion in the tree?
A: Yes
A: Mommy, there is a bear in the tree.
LA: Really, What's he doing?
A: Bear is talking to the Lion. I want to get some chocolate milk for the bear.
LA: How is the bear going to get down?
A: I am going to get a pink ladder for Christmas.
Me: thinking to myself - pink ladder? where is this coming from we haven't really even talked to her about a ladder?
A: I want to get the bear down and feed him
Me: When we go outside, you can show me the bear and lion
A: Okay
We went outside later and she showed me the tree (a tree that she couldn't see from her room) and showed them to LA and I. This could get even more interesting, if she gets a pink ladder from Santa.
Wyatt Update
Wyatt pulled himself up yesterday. He is very active and is very curious and likes to follow mommy, daddy or Aubrey around. I lowered his crib yesterday to keep him inside...they need to put a motor on those beds to raise them up and down because he is so far down now, it is difficult to pick him up if he is laying down.
We had our first injury with blood involving Aubrey or Wyatt on Thanksgiving Day after dinner. Wyatt had left the dining room and crawled into the living room at my mom and dad's house. He was close to a wicker basket and Aubrey decided to pull him by his neck from behind. When she let go of him, his head went forward and his mouth hit the wicker basket. From the table, we told him he was ok and not to cry (because you don't want to baby him...be tough don't cry..suck it up). After about a minute, Aubrey told us that Wyatt spit up so I got up from the table and walked over to Wyatt. When I got there I realized that he hadn't spit up but was bleeding and had blood on the floor and on his bib and around his mouth. I picked him up and took him to his mommy for some TLC and to find out where he was bleeding from. Aubrey was very concerned about her Wyatt. It was nice to see her be nurturing towards her brother...she might have been sucking up and worried about going to time out or getting a spanking since she was the one who was playing with Wyatt when he got hurt. He cried for a couple minutes and was back going at full speed.
CLEMSON vs SC
*Aubrey Pregame
Take 2
Just a few thoughts for my loyal SC fans who read this blog for some reason
*1st a Thank You
...for kicking our arse...it would have been much worse to lose by a touchdown or less and actually have to live with the fact that we had a chance to beat SC and let them off the hook just like we did with Auburn, Miami, UNC, Boston College and Florida State.
...reminding me the we really are not a good football team and as much as it painful to admit - a much better team top to bottom - players and coaches than Clemson
*Mentioned pregame we had to control the big play, Lattimore and Jeffrey
...We held Lattimore in check...defensive line was one again impressive
...Jeffery and our secondary made Garcia look like a Heisman candidate
*Dabo's two biggest losses in his short 2.5 year career are against SC
*If FSU had missed the 76 yard field goal to win the game, we would have had the opportunity of getting our arse kicked by Va Tech in the ACC Championship game on national tv.
*Dabo's has to make some changes...he needs to hire a staff that he believes in and let them do their job and manage everyone instead of being involved - show me one other head coach that signals in plays in the FBS. As many scholarships as we hand out to non players/walk-ons, I am sure one of them is smart enough to signal in the plays. My personal opinion keep the defensive staff and let go all the offensive staff (you can keep, OC Billy Napier if you stop meddling in the offense)
*Pretty sure Dabo said "great bunch of guys, were doing the right things, we are building a program...blah, blah, blah" - I think he only has one more year - year 3 is going to have to show some serious progress which shouldn't be difficult since we were terrible this year but a new quarterback and no Da'Quan could be difficult
*I am getting my Sister In Law to talk Da'Quan into staying (let her know, Karissa)
*Are we really going to a bowl game? That's the problem with our society - We continually reward mediocre performance so what do we continually get mediocre results. It all started when parents got upset about Johnny or Sally finishing in last place and not getting a trophy and wanting to be fair got them a trophy. Life isn't fair. Someone wins, someone loses and someone gets a trophy and someone needs to go home empty handed (even my child).
*K Parker the next plane to Denver, CO is tonight at 7:30pm. Do you really want to play in a bowl game? I will trade you playing in the bowl game for continually replaying the pass to Jacoby Ford to beat Miami last year on this blog. Think about it you have 1.4 million reasons to "officially" hang up the football cleats. See you in single A with the Asheville Tourists when you come to Charleston to play the Riverdogs...good luck, it's a long climb to the big leagues.
*Congrats to the Gamecocks...Hail To The Victors
*Sorry your victory over us didn't help you in the BCS poll - actually lost one spot in the BCS (19), Harris (17 - same), USA Today (16 - up one spot)
*Northern Illinois (NIU) Huskies (who? that's right, who?) are ranked and Clemson is not (It's official, we are terrible.)
*My blood still runs Orange
*To my friends traveling to Atlanta for the SEC championship game - drive safe, avoid rush hour in ATL, go eat at Bones (what a steak) or Fogo De Chao (a man's dream, where veggies are an after thought - Danny this is your spot. Trust me on this one!)
Black Friday Shopping
A BIG thank you to my wife for getting 90% of the shopping done on Black Friday. There evidently was a picture taken of her and her mother leaving the Target in West Ashley on the Post and Courier's website on Saturday but I can not find it (if you can find it or saw it let me know). They were worried they were going to be on the front page. Somebody should have done a story on them...left at 4:30am and got back home at 10:45pm...I don't know why she enjoys it but she does.
California Dreaming
Burrrrrr...it was colder on the inside than it was outside. They blamed all the windows. I said they were too cheap to run the heat overnight and it hadn't caught up yet.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Random Thoughts Monday
Clemson vs South Carolina
The 108th meeting of The TIGERS from Clemson, SC and the Gamecocks from Columbia, SC is taking place at 7:00pm in DEATH VALLEY. You need to be either in Clemson or glued to your TV. Don't even think of planning something else on Saturday night. Not going to talk much about the game, except for:
*It's a night game in DEATH VALLEY (that's always electric)
*Clemson is 7-0 in night games vs South Carolina since 1996
*Thank You to the Gamecocks for making this years game relevant and for the ESPN TV contract with the SEC which allows this game to be at night and not at 12pm.
*The Gamecocks (8-3) are the current SEC East champions and ranked 18th in the country
*Clemson (6-5) is currently tied for 4th (out of 6 teams) in the ACC Coastal Division and unranked (who votes in those polls)...lets just call this season - missed potential. We are 26 points from being undefeated and are bowl eligible like 98 other colleges.
*Enough talk about the Gamecocks are looking ahead to the SEC Title game (could be but let's not use that as an excuse when the Tigers win. I didn't use it last year when we got are arse handed to us in Columbia...it's not valid - don't tell me you it doesn't matter because it isn't a conference game...if you are playing for Clemson or Carolina and don't get up to play this game and bring your best...turn in your scholarship and find another school to attend)
*Clemson's defense is very good...however, we are prone to give up big plays in the air and on the ground which I hear USC has some players...
*George Rogers is back for another year of eligibility...I mean Marcus Lattimore and Sterling Sharpe is back....I mean Alshon Jeffery...two threats that will have to be contained or at least slowed way down...in addition to others - I give USC recruiting credit because their talent at skill positions has improved over the past couple of years
*Pressure on wild thing Garcia will be important
*Clemson will need a good game from Kyle Parker a flashback to Miami last year or Auburn would be nice
*Turnovers will (as always) be a factor and Clemson has been giving the ball away way too much this season.
*Carolina is favored by 3 points (for our betting readers)
*I think it's going to be an up hill battle for the Tigers (not impossible...it's not the first mountain we have climbed)
*It's the Gamecocks; we are at home; the crowd will be going crazy...anything can happen and probably will (just don't let it come down to a field goal at the end of the game - Wyatt's barely bigger than the football.
*GO TIGERS BEAT The Gamecocks
Auburn
It has been brought to my attention by an avid reader that certain posts recently have taken an anti-Auburn stand. To help in the future, anytime Tigers are mentioned just assume I mean Auburn and that should take care of any anti-Auburn problems with this blog.
Go Tigers!
What's Your Favorite Color?
How did I miss this story after all these years - Ingenious! Iowa's then new head coach (1978) Hayden Fry painted the visitor's locker room pink and when they moved stadiums in 2005 they continued the tradition and improved it my making everything in the visitors locker room pink...Nice...The best part of the article follows...a female coo koo bird (visiting law professor) thought this was promoting "sexism and homophobia by attempting to emasculate opponents.
It came to a head when the coach ended up on a radio station with the irate head of a lesbian organization.
"This lady started in on me saying a lot of bad things about the pink locker room," said Fry, never short on knee-slapping stories in his Texas drawl. "And I finally had to interrupt her and I said, 'Lady, I don’t care how bad you have to go to the bathroom, I wouldn’t let you use my pink locker room.' And I hung up. And the radio station called me back and said, ‘Coach, you can’t do that.’ And I said, ‘I just did.’ And I hung up on him."
Now folks that is just funny!I'm Just Sayin' Update on Baby 3
Greg and Jenn will be having a boy. Congrats to them...on a sad note - they will not be attending anymore Hootie and The Blowfish concerts. The staff at Our Life are excited for them.
Giving Him The Business
It all started here with Ron Cherry calling a personal foul in the Maryland vs Miami game in 2007..."Personal Foul #69 of the offense - He was giving him the business"
Then this happened over the weekend in the Texas A&M vs Nebraska game. The Texas A & M player is “giving the business” to the Nebraska player – the Nebraska guy got two personal fouls called on the play. He needed the replay official to step in.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Update of College Athletics Spending
I started the college football year with a look at the revenue from D1 schools.
The latest data is out on spending for the 2009-2010 school year.
No surprises at the top in spending:
1. Ohio State (only because their is nothing else to spend money on in Ohio because everyone has left Ohio and moved to the south)
2. Alabama (Bear Bryant told them it was expensive to win(because he told/taught everybody in Alabama everything) and they finally realized he was right...they tried the cheap route and it didn't work, finally paid the $$$ and Saban has produced...there is a lesson to be learned here for all colleges)
3. Notre Dame (Hopefully, they will keep spending and keep losing but my research shows it will eventually pay off...just don't bounce a check)
4. Auburn (add spending on Cam Newton and other players and they are number 1 and formally make college football - a pay for play sport)
5. Texas (everything is bigger and costs more in Texas)
6. Florida (No taxes in Florida...more money to donate, more money to spend and pilfering it from little old ladies helps)
7. South Carolina (13 last year - exception to the spend to win rule and just trying to keep up with the Jones' - it's a joke Carolina fans - actually finally seeing results that spending = winning)
8. LSU (proves that money can trump coaching (in Les Miles case) and can buy you anything you want regardless)
9. Iowa (it's the midwest, those farmers have to give/donate money somewhere so they can talk about how bad it is farming)
10. Arkansas (spending is not helping here, exception to the spend to win rule, because well, it is Arkansas - is there anyone still living there)
34. Clemson (19 last year - 5th in spending by ACC schools behind BC, Miami, UVA, and FSU - you know what I am thinking - BC and UVA in the top part of the conference for spending...interesting)
Correlation on spending to winning championships - 2000 - 2009 (A coincidence, I don't think so)
7* NCAA football championships to Top 10 spenders
LSU - 2 (*split 2003 with USC (AP winner))
Ohio State - 1
Texas - 1
Florida - 2
Alabama - 1
USC (Expense Ranking 11) - 2* (*split 2003 with LSU (BCS winner))
Oklahoma (Expense Ranking 13) - 1
Miami(Expense Ranking 26 (were 11th in 2008-09) - 1
I realize that I have not compared the expenses to the year they won their national championship but I am going to go out on a limb and hypothesize that they were ranked pretty close the same within a few places with the exception of Arkansas and SC who have been helped greatly in the available money to spend by the SEC football contract (and guess what I have a full time job, wife, and two kids and don't get paid to write on this blog and I don't think I have heard of anything just randomly dropping an extra 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50 million on athletics...and since it is my blog, I can make statements that you might or might not agree). If you want to do the comparison and send it to me, I will post it. BUT, I think it is safe to say spending is directly related to winning national championships.
Anybody know how to forward this to James Barker (Clemson's President) who's 10 year goal for the athletic department for the university (when he started in 2000) was:
1. Win another National Championship in football
2. Two (2) Final 4 appearances in basketball (ok, so he was hyped up about getting the job...this was very unrealistic and showed he had never followed Clemson basketball...I would have been happy with a goal of an NCAA appearance and first round win and a stretch goal of a Round of 16/8)
3. Win two championships in an Olympic sport (honorable, but since golf isn't an Olympic sport probably not going to happen but it showed he appeared to care about all of the athletic programs at Clemson).
So far and we have accomplished none of his athletic goals and actually regressed in most sports and remain just average.
However, while under Barker's leadership, Clemson has excelled in academics - improving from 38 (2001) to 23 (2011) on the US News and World Report annual ranking. His 10 year goal was to be a top 20 institution. Clemson almost achieved his goal. However, the emphasis on the US News and World Report ranking has caused some to question the strategies that have been used to climb up the rankings.
Only three (3) institutions are in the top 10 in athletic spending (2011) and top 20 academically (US News and World Report Ranking 2011) that won a national championship in football since 1990 (University/US News Ranking) :
Texas (13)
Florida x 3 (17)
Ohio State (18)
Since 1978 only the following schools who won a National Championship have not won another National Championship (32 years - 10 Teams - 1 Championship):
Georgia 80
Clemson 81
BYU 84
Colorado 90 (*split with Georgia Tech)
Georgia Tech 90
Washington 91 (*split with Miami)
Michigan 97
Tennessee 98
Ohio State 2002
Texas 2005
So being a top academic school in the country and excelling in athletics (football) can be achieved but there is a cost. Presidents and Boards of Trustees have to decide what is important verse the funding available and unless the cup runneth over with funding (cough, cough, SEC schools, cough, cough) then it is my opinion that one area is going to suffer - academics or athletics. In Clemson's case it appears that academics is winning the battle for funding (which don't get me wrong, I appreciate the need for a quality education). However, the administration can not preach excelling in athletics without providing the funding to excel - it is expensive to win (look at numbers). All I ask is that you be honest with the fans and admit that you don't have the funding to excel in any sport and that your goals were unrealistic based on the funding available and that as the leaders of the university you are going to be satisfied being a middle of the pack team that occasionally competes for a division/conference title so that Clemson can excel academically. Need more proof:
The following are the only BCS schools to not have accomplished at least one of the following since 1992 (in football).
1) 10 Win Season
2) Win A Conference Championship
3) Play in a BCS Bowl Game
Baylor
Clemson
Connecticut
Duke
Kentucky
Indiana
Iowa State
Oklahoma State
South Carolina (could be their year to remove themselves from the list)
USF
Vanderbuilt
(source...clemsondesrvesbetter.com)
Those are some fine schools to be associated with and at least Kentucky and Duke have basketball season to look forward to each year (and Indiana has basketball because even in down time - basketball and the Indy 500 are king in that state).
A group of people are circling the wagons and starting a campaign (including billboards) to get rid of Barker and TDP (athletic director)...believing that Clemson athletics will not improve until changes at the top are made...maybe they are right...maybe not...not sure that's the best way to get your point across...just like I don't believe street preachers probably are the best way to get someone to believe in Jesus and probably does more harm that good.
Do with it what you want...form your own opinions but the bottom line as with everything in life their is a cost and the real bottom line is that it's just college athletics (a recreation for us "fans") and at the end of the day there are a lot more important things in life to worry about...I need to go change a diaper, feed Wyatt and read a book to Aubrey.
The latest data is out on spending for the 2009-2010 school year.
No surprises at the top in spending:
1. Ohio State (only because their is nothing else to spend money on in Ohio because everyone has left Ohio and moved to the south)
2. Alabama (Bear Bryant told them it was expensive to win(because he told/taught everybody in Alabama everything) and they finally realized he was right...they tried the cheap route and it didn't work, finally paid the $$$ and Saban has produced...there is a lesson to be learned here for all colleges)
3. Notre Dame (Hopefully, they will keep spending and keep losing but my research shows it will eventually pay off...just don't bounce a check)
4. Auburn (add spending on Cam Newton and other players and they are number 1 and formally make college football - a pay for play sport)
5. Texas (everything is bigger and costs more in Texas)
6. Florida (No taxes in Florida...more money to donate, more money to spend and pilfering it from little old ladies helps)
7. South Carolina (13 last year - exception to the spend to win rule and just trying to keep up with the Jones' - it's a joke Carolina fans - actually finally seeing results that spending = winning)
8. LSU (proves that money can trump coaching (in Les Miles case) and can buy you anything you want regardless)
9. Iowa (it's the midwest, those farmers have to give/donate money somewhere so they can talk about how bad it is farming)
10. Arkansas (spending is not helping here, exception to the spend to win rule, because well, it is Arkansas - is there anyone still living there)
34. Clemson (19 last year - 5th in spending by ACC schools behind BC, Miami, UVA, and FSU - you know what I am thinking - BC and UVA in the top part of the conference for spending...interesting)
Correlation on spending to winning championships - 2000 - 2009 (A coincidence, I don't think so)
7* NCAA football championships to Top 10 spenders
LSU - 2 (*split 2003 with USC (AP winner))
Ohio State - 1
Texas - 1
Florida - 2
Alabama - 1
USC (Expense Ranking 11) - 2* (*split 2003 with LSU (BCS winner))
Oklahoma (Expense Ranking 13) - 1
Miami(Expense Ranking 26 (were 11th in 2008-09) - 1
I realize that I have not compared the expenses to the year they won their national championship but I am going to go out on a limb and hypothesize that they were ranked pretty close the same within a few places with the exception of Arkansas and SC who have been helped greatly in the available money to spend by the SEC football contract (and guess what I have a full time job, wife, and two kids and don't get paid to write on this blog and I don't think I have heard of anything just randomly dropping an extra 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50 million on athletics...and since it is my blog, I can make statements that you might or might not agree). If you want to do the comparison and send it to me, I will post it. BUT, I think it is safe to say spending is directly related to winning national championships.
Anybody know how to forward this to James Barker (Clemson's President) who's 10 year goal for the athletic department for the university (when he started in 2000) was:
1. Win another National Championship in football
2. Two (2) Final 4 appearances in basketball (ok, so he was hyped up about getting the job...this was very unrealistic and showed he had never followed Clemson basketball...I would have been happy with a goal of an NCAA appearance and first round win and a stretch goal of a Round of 16/8)
3. Win two championships in an Olympic sport (honorable, but since golf isn't an Olympic sport probably not going to happen but it showed he appeared to care about all of the athletic programs at Clemson).
So far and we have accomplished none of his athletic goals and actually regressed in most sports and remain just average.
However, while under Barker's leadership, Clemson has excelled in academics - improving from 38 (2001) to 23 (2011) on the US News and World Report annual ranking. His 10 year goal was to be a top 20 institution. Clemson almost achieved his goal. However, the emphasis on the US News and World Report ranking has caused some to question the strategies that have been used to climb up the rankings.
Only three (3) institutions are in the top 10 in athletic spending (2011) and top 20 academically (US News and World Report Ranking 2011) that won a national championship in football since 1990 (University/US News Ranking) :
Texas (13)
Florida x 3 (17)
Ohio State (18)
Since 1978 only the following schools who won a National Championship have not won another National Championship (32 years - 10 Teams - 1 Championship):
Georgia 80
Clemson 81
BYU 84
Colorado 90 (*split with Georgia Tech)
Georgia Tech 90
Washington 91 (*split with Miami)
Michigan 97
Tennessee 98
Ohio State 2002
Texas 2005
So being a top academic school in the country and excelling in athletics (football) can be achieved but there is a cost. Presidents and Boards of Trustees have to decide what is important verse the funding available and unless the cup runneth over with funding (cough, cough, SEC schools, cough, cough) then it is my opinion that one area is going to suffer - academics or athletics. In Clemson's case it appears that academics is winning the battle for funding (which don't get me wrong, I appreciate the need for a quality education). However, the administration can not preach excelling in athletics without providing the funding to excel - it is expensive to win (look at numbers). All I ask is that you be honest with the fans and admit that you don't have the funding to excel in any sport and that your goals were unrealistic based on the funding available and that as the leaders of the university you are going to be satisfied being a middle of the pack team that occasionally competes for a division/conference title so that Clemson can excel academically. Need more proof:
The following are the only BCS schools to not have accomplished at least one of the following since 1992 (in football).
1) 10 Win Season
2) Win A Conference Championship
3) Play in a BCS Bowl Game
Baylor
Clemson
Connecticut
Duke
Kentucky
Indiana
Iowa State
Oklahoma State
South Carolina (could be their year to remove themselves from the list)
USF
Vanderbuilt
(source...clemsondesrvesbetter.com)
Those are some fine schools to be associated with and at least Kentucky and Duke have basketball season to look forward to each year (and Indiana has basketball because even in down time - basketball and the Indy 500 are king in that state).
A group of people are circling the wagons and starting a campaign (including billboards) to get rid of Barker and TDP (athletic director)...believing that Clemson athletics will not improve until changes at the top are made...maybe they are right...maybe not...not sure that's the best way to get your point across...just like I don't believe street preachers probably are the best way to get someone to believe in Jesus and probably does more harm that good.
Do with it what you want...form your own opinions but the bottom line as with everything in life their is a cost and the real bottom line is that it's just college athletics (a recreation for us "fans") and at the end of the day there are a lot more important things in life to worry about...I need to go change a diaper, feed Wyatt and read a book to Aubrey.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The Decision II
I have decided to officially retire in my same gym that started my career - Bethany UMC. There was a small chance after taking a year off last year that I might have the desire to play again but there will be no Brett Farve announcements here, no friends coming over to convince me to keep playing (that has happened before and I ended up getting hurt). My jersey and shoes are retired and just like that something that I have done for the better part of 34 years playing in various organized leagues (90 percent at Bethany) throughout the lowcountry plus a couple of years just playing in the yard or at friends houses before I was old enough to play, it is over. It was so much a decision but a realization...
Can I still play? Yes
Can I still shoot? Yes
Can I still dribble and pass? Yes
Can I still rebound? Yes, but I don't jump as high so I miss a few
Can I still play defense? Yes, but about two steps slower
So why not still play?
The realization that I am 43 not 23 or even 33, out of shape and those two steps slower are really frustrating when you used to be one of the quickest on the court...hustle, quickness, basketball smarts/knowledge were the only assets I had. I could shoot decent but wasn't going to light you up for 30 a game every game (occasionally, I could catch lightning in the bottle and shoot lights out). I was more likely to make a bunch of steals, frustrate the opponent, make a bunch of easy lay ups...(notice, I didn't say dunks...they didn't allow dunking in most of the leagues I played in...but it didn't matter because I couldn't hold the ball, for a brief couple of years after high school when I could dunk anything I could hold but a basketball was never one of them), and make my opponents suffer through 4 and quite a few times 5 hacks/fouls. I will be honest and say the majority of the time, I got my moneys worth in that department. There were plenty of fouls that were called that weren't fouls but more often that not it was a foul and I got away with a lot more than got called...I can be honest. My theory was you got 5 might as well use them.
The realization that I couldn't just show up lace up and start. I invoked the elder rule (AI, actually got it from me) for a number of years(basically, because I was the elder of the team, I started)....practice (not that any team I played on after high school had an official practice but we did have times when we would get together and play) was something that I exempted myself from. It was nice to show up at game time lace them up and start the game. I often had to explain this rule to new teammates...life's tough and you got to pay your dues.
The realization that sitting on the bench sucks...no explanation needed.
The realization that the last five times I played, I got injured in 3 (Here's your sign) of them including the last one (a knee to knee hit - that I lost) that still hasn't fully healed and probably won't until I go see a doctor to see what's up but it doesn't bother me every day so I haven't been to the doctor. In my career, I only ended up seven stitches, one dislocated finger, countless jammed fingers and two ankles that have been turned more times than a wrench at the Ford assembly line (and I didn't end anyone else's career or cause them to have to go to the hospital). I was able to walk out the gym the last time on my own two feet, the same way I walked into the gym the first time.
I have enjoyed it but I don't miss it as much as I thought I would. I met a bunch of good people along the way and I have met a bunch a jerks. I learned that Mt. P has a gym that doesn't have a/c and is desert hot in the summer. I have played in medical scrub pants inside out because the refs decided to enforce the no pockets rule and I had to give my shorts to a teammate so they could play. I have played against a bunch of Citadel, Chas Southern and C of C players (some were better than others and some taught me a few lessons). I haven't lost a game since 7th grade (just like Greg McElroy until he played SC this year...might not be 100% accurate but I won way more games than I lost). I still want to shoot around some and have a goal at the house. I want to teach Aubrey and Wyatt if they have any interest.
There's talk about retiring the Bethany Red number 24 (I am the only one talking about it). I think it is fitting since I am pretty sure I hold the record for most consecutive years playing / most games played / most minutes played / most fouls in that gym. I have played basketball in Bethany's gym for 34 years - 1975 - 2008.
Can I still play? Yes
Can I still shoot? Yes
Can I still dribble and pass? Yes
Can I still rebound? Yes, but I don't jump as high so I miss a few
Can I still play defense? Yes, but about two steps slower
So why not still play?
The realization that I am 43 not 23 or even 33, out of shape and those two steps slower are really frustrating when you used to be one of the quickest on the court...hustle, quickness, basketball smarts/knowledge were the only assets I had. I could shoot decent but wasn't going to light you up for 30 a game every game (occasionally, I could catch lightning in the bottle and shoot lights out). I was more likely to make a bunch of steals, frustrate the opponent, make a bunch of easy lay ups...(notice, I didn't say dunks...they didn't allow dunking in most of the leagues I played in...but it didn't matter because I couldn't hold the ball, for a brief couple of years after high school when I could dunk anything I could hold but a basketball was never one of them), and make my opponents suffer through 4 and quite a few times 5 hacks/fouls. I will be honest and say the majority of the time, I got my moneys worth in that department. There were plenty of fouls that were called that weren't fouls but more often that not it was a foul and I got away with a lot more than got called...I can be honest. My theory was you got 5 might as well use them.
The realization that I couldn't just show up lace up and start. I invoked the elder rule (AI, actually got it from me) for a number of years(basically, because I was the elder of the team, I started)....practice (not that any team I played on after high school had an official practice but we did have times when we would get together and play) was something that I exempted myself from. It was nice to show up at game time lace them up and start the game. I often had to explain this rule to new teammates...life's tough and you got to pay your dues.
The realization that sitting on the bench sucks...no explanation needed.
The realization that the last five times I played, I got injured in 3 (Here's your sign) of them including the last one (a knee to knee hit - that I lost) that still hasn't fully healed and probably won't until I go see a doctor to see what's up but it doesn't bother me every day so I haven't been to the doctor. In my career, I only ended up seven stitches, one dislocated finger, countless jammed fingers and two ankles that have been turned more times than a wrench at the Ford assembly line (and I didn't end anyone else's career or cause them to have to go to the hospital). I was able to walk out the gym the last time on my own two feet, the same way I walked into the gym the first time.
I have enjoyed it but I don't miss it as much as I thought I would. I met a bunch of good people along the way and I have met a bunch a jerks. I learned that Mt. P has a gym that doesn't have a/c and is desert hot in the summer. I have played in medical scrub pants inside out because the refs decided to enforce the no pockets rule and I had to give my shorts to a teammate so they could play. I have played against a bunch of Citadel, Chas Southern and C of C players (some were better than others and some taught me a few lessons). I haven't lost a game since 7th grade (just like Greg McElroy until he played SC this year...might not be 100% accurate but I won way more games than I lost). I still want to shoot around some and have a goal at the house. I want to teach Aubrey and Wyatt if they have any interest.
There's talk about retiring the Bethany Red number 24 (I am the only one talking about it). I think it is fitting since I am pretty sure I hold the record for most consecutive years playing / most games played / most minutes played / most fouls in that gym. I have played basketball in Bethany's gym for 34 years - 1975 - 2008.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Mom, How Old Is This Kid?
I meant to post this last week but forgot until I was just watching the "Come On Man" segment on the ESPN Monday Night Football pregame show.
This could be the funniest thing I have seen in a very long time. It is the current Eagles coach, Andy Reid, participating in the punt, pass and kick competition. He is absolutely huge...pause the video and look at how big he is compared to the kid behind him...WOW! LA and I honestly thought it was a joke the first time we saw it...some sort of video editing joke on Andy Reid but it isn't it is legit.
I am sure all the other kids parents were like "honestly, how old is this kid", "show me his birth certificate", "did he drive you here"
Go ahead and watch it one more time...LA and I are still laughing about it.
This could be the funniest thing I have seen in a very long time. It is the current Eagles coach, Andy Reid, participating in the punt, pass and kick competition. He is absolutely huge...pause the video and look at how big he is compared to the kid behind him...WOW! LA and I honestly thought it was a joke the first time we saw it...some sort of video editing joke on Andy Reid but it isn't it is legit.
I am sure all the other kids parents were like "honestly, how old is this kid", "show me his birth certificate", "did he drive you here"
Go ahead and watch it one more time...LA and I are still laughing about it.
Radom Thoughts Monday
Cost of Raising A Child To 17 Years Old (Birth Control For Some / Opportunity For Others)
*$222,360 - Holy Cow! I am $444,720 dollars in debt... the loud thump you just heard was me hitting the floor
*Figure is for a child born in 2009...doesn't take into consideration any tax advantages you receive (that's why you had the kids in the first place, right? for the tax deduction)
*I thought they said having kids was priceless...that looks like a pretty big price
*No Higher Education cost are included in that number (add $80,000 easy to that number - KC and LA - 2 kids $604,720)
*Good News - As I had long expected, there is an economy of scale with children, we haven't reached it yet but fellow blogger, readers and expecting Baby 3, Greg and Jenn H will be receiving a 22% discount for baby 3 and beyond...might as well have a litter, why stop at 3. If my math is right, any child past 6 and they are free until 17...now that's a bargain. (actually, child 7 costs 12% but the first two kids broke you so it won't matter)
*As any shopper knows, you have spend more to save. It's not about what you spent, it's how much you saved (and I have solved the riddle of why people have more than 2 kids - the wife is a shopper and realizes a bargain when she see it.).
*Really, no reason to have just 1 or 2 might as well not have any.
*Let's not think of this as an expense but an opportunity
Clemson vs Florida State
*Dabo still waiting on you to accept Wyatt's - Letter of Commitment To Clemson (You've got to be interested by now.)
*Not commenting on the game...well, maybe just a few
*Sure were running the ball pretty good until you stopped running the ball in the red zone
*Evidently, this blog is being read by more and more people including Jamie Harper, who I have criticized openly on this blog this year for his running style...He was a new Jamie Harper on Sat - running hard and finishing the play and even stumbling forward for 6 yards a carry...thank you for the effort.
*The game winning FG was good from about 75 miles up I-10. I knew it was good before he kicked it - clutch situation, missed game winner last week, playing Clemson...it's good.
*Coaches don't cry!!! (Especially winning coaches after beating Clemson)
*I am beginning to wonder if the defense could possibly score when in the red zone...just swap all 11 players.
*Not going to fuss about the pass interference on the last FSU drive...the FSU receiver running around free in the middle of the field on the next play was the real problem.
*Football is a funny game - you've got to score to win. Clemson is still working on this concept.
South Carolina Gamecocks (for the couple of people that are fans that are loyal readers of this blog)
*Congrats on winning the SEC East, beating Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama (and thus far beating 2 of 3 in the Orange Crush part of your schedule...a win against Clemson and I will get you some Orange Crush to celebrate with)
*Not sure you have enough money to beat Cam Newton and Auburn...how did you miss out on being the highest bidder on him? (Where is Tank Black when you need him?)
*Get your tickets early for Atlanta...don't want to hear about the cost of the tickets...you've waited this long for the chance. It's time to break the piggy bank and make plans for Hotlanta in December.
HAIL MARY
When was the last time the Hail Mary worked...Doug Floutie - Boston College vs Miami?
It worked yesterday in the NFL - Jaguars vs Texans
Watch the Texans players after the catch..."What just happened?" The defender should have caught the ball...hindsight is always 20-20
What to get stared at while shopping?
Go shopping after working on school buses. I was in desperate need of a pair of pants for Sunday and I decided to stop at the outlet mall on my way home from working on the big yellow buses. My pants were dirty and my hands weren't exactly clean and boy the looks people give you - staring at you. It should have been obvious that I needed a pair of pants and it wasn't like I was shopping at Berlin's downtown just Banana Republic. A couple of times I was going to ask for their phone so I could take a picture with them and they could post it on FB - dirty pants guy shopping. If they wanted to help me out they could have bought the pants for me.
Don't Drink The Water
What was happening in our Sunday School class 10 - 14 months ago? I guess LA and missed the memo...good thing we did...Greg and Jenn H evidently got our memo by mistake and theirs. We have five new additions in the coming months - two boys - Cardon's, Dunlap's, two girls - Roger's, Carter's (not us - Mike and Amy) and the gender of number five is still a mystery for a few weeks - Greg and Jenn...that's exciting.
Service , Shout Out
Big shout out to Danny and Michael for setting up and cleaning up last night after the Sunday School party.
Aubrey
*For some reason has decided to boycott taking a nap on the weekends
*Her imagination in the past few weeks is in full swing
*Her favorit
e book "The Bear Feels Scared" - she can read it to you (ok, she has it memorized and it is quite amazing to watch) Not sure if I blogged about this but just in case I didn't...for the longest time Aubrey has been saying "The bear feels scared and we thought she was talking about a book we have at home that we have been reading to her "Going on a Bear Hunt" and it has a line that is repeated - "I am not scared". We thought she was talking about that book and mixing up the words. Nope, her teacher Mrs. Cathy asked us if Aubrey had told us about her favorite book - "The Bear Feels Scared" and we told her we thought it was the other book. Mrs. Cathy got the book and Aubrey stared reading it...she sometimes needed the first word on the page but she would then read the rest of it. At least we know about "The Bear Feels Scared" now and what she is talking about.
Wyatt
*Crawling and pulling himself up, very playful and starting to babble more
*Ignore the black and blue spots on his forehead and head (he isn't quite strong enough to hold himself for very long and falls - so far he has hit his head on the crib and tub)
*Still no teeth
*He is ticklish and it is funny to hear him laugh
*Want to make him mad...take something from him (things could get interesting in a couple of months)
Diaper Countdown
I am starting a diaper countdown. We are approximately 15 months from being diaper free (and after changing Wyatt's stinky diapers the past month, I need something to look forward to...I am actually hoping everyday that he will poop after I take him to daycare...hasn't worked yet - you can set your watch with him each morning.)
*$222,360 - Holy Cow! I am $444,720 dollars in debt... the loud thump you just heard was me hitting the floor
*Figure is for a child born in 2009...doesn't take into consideration any tax advantages you receive (that's why you had the kids in the first place, right? for the tax deduction)
*I thought they said having kids was priceless...that looks like a pretty big price
*No Higher Education cost are included in that number (add $80,000 easy to that number - KC and LA - 2 kids $604,720)
*Good News - As I had long expected, there is an economy of scale with children, we haven't reached it yet but fellow blogger, readers and expecting Baby 3, Greg and Jenn H will be receiving a 22% discount for baby 3 and beyond...might as well have a litter, why stop at 3. If my math is right, any child past 6 and they are free until 17...now that's a bargain. (actually, child 7 costs 12% but the first two kids broke you so it won't matter)
*As any shopper knows, you have spend more to save. It's not about what you spent, it's how much you saved (and I have solved the riddle of why people have more than 2 kids - the wife is a shopper and realizes a bargain when she see it.).
*Really, no reason to have just 1 or 2 might as well not have any.
*Let's not think of this as an expense but an opportunity
Clemson vs Florida State
*Dabo still waiting on you to accept Wyatt's - Letter of Commitment To Clemson (You've got to be interested by now.)
*Not commenting on the game...well, maybe just a few
*Sure were running the ball pretty good until you stopped running the ball in the red zone
*Evidently, this blog is being read by more and more people including Jamie Harper, who I have criticized openly on this blog this year for his running style...He was a new Jamie Harper on Sat - running hard and finishing the play and even stumbling forward for 6 yards a carry...thank you for the effort.
*The game winning FG was good from about 75 miles up I-10. I knew it was good before he kicked it - clutch situation, missed game winner last week, playing Clemson...it's good.
*Coaches don't cry!!! (Especially winning coaches after beating Clemson)
*I am beginning to wonder if the defense could possibly score when in the red zone...just swap all 11 players.
*Not going to fuss about the pass interference on the last FSU drive...the FSU receiver running around free in the middle of the field on the next play was the real problem.
*Football is a funny game - you've got to score to win. Clemson is still working on this concept.
South Carolina Gamecocks (for the couple of people that are fans that are loyal readers of this blog)
*Congrats on winning the SEC East, beating Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama (and thus far beating 2 of 3 in the Orange Crush part of your schedule...a win against Clemson and I will get you some Orange Crush to celebrate with)*Not sure you have enough money to beat Cam Newton and Auburn...how did you miss out on being the highest bidder on him? (Where is Tank Black when you need him?)
*Get your tickets early for Atlanta...don't want to hear about the cost of the tickets...you've waited this long for the chance. It's time to break the piggy bank and make plans for Hotlanta in December.
HAIL MARY
When was the last time the Hail Mary worked...Doug Floutie - Boston College vs Miami?
It worked yesterday in the NFL - Jaguars vs Texans
Watch the Texans players after the catch..."What just happened?" The defender should have caught the ball...hindsight is always 20-20
What to get stared at while shopping?
Go shopping after working on school buses. I was in desperate need of a pair of pants for Sunday and I decided to stop at the outlet mall on my way home from working on the big yellow buses. My pants were dirty and my hands weren't exactly clean and boy the looks people give you - staring at you. It should have been obvious that I needed a pair of pants and it wasn't like I was shopping at Berlin's downtown just Banana Republic. A couple of times I was going to ask for their phone so I could take a picture with them and they could post it on FB - dirty pants guy shopping. If they wanted to help me out they could have bought the pants for me.
Don't Drink The Water
What was happening in our Sunday School class 10 - 14 months ago? I guess LA and missed the memo...good thing we did...Greg and Jenn H evidently got our memo by mistake and theirs. We have five new additions in the coming months - two boys - Cardon's, Dunlap's, two girls - Roger's, Carter's (not us - Mike and Amy) and the gender of number five is still a mystery for a few weeks - Greg and Jenn...that's exciting.
Service , Shout Out
Big shout out to Danny and Michael for setting up and cleaning up last night after the Sunday School party.
Aubrey
*For some reason has decided to boycott taking a nap on the weekends
*Her imagination in the past few weeks is in full swing
*Her favorit
e book "The Bear Feels Scared" - she can read it to you (ok, she has it memorized and it is quite amazing to watch) Not sure if I blogged about this but just in case I didn't...for the longest time Aubrey has been saying "The bear feels scared and we thought she was talking about a book we have at home that we have been reading to her "Going on a Bear Hunt" and it has a line that is repeated - "I am not scared". We thought she was talking about that book and mixing up the words. Nope, her teacher Mrs. Cathy asked us if Aubrey had told us about her favorite book - "The Bear Feels Scared" and we told her we thought it was the other book. Mrs. Cathy got the book and Aubrey stared reading it...she sometimes needed the first word on the page but she would then read the rest of it. At least we know about "The Bear Feels Scared" now and what she is talking about.Wyatt
*Crawling and pulling himself up, very playful and starting to babble more
*Ignore the black and blue spots on his forehead and head (he isn't quite strong enough to hold himself for very long and falls - so far he has hit his head on the crib and tub)
*Still no teeth
*He is ticklish and it is funny to hear him laugh
*Want to make him mad...take something from him (things could get interesting in a couple of months)
Diaper Countdown
I am starting a diaper countdown. We are approximately 15 months from being diaper free (and after changing Wyatt's stinky diapers the past month, I need something to look forward to...I am actually hoping everyday that he will poop after I take him to daycare...hasn't worked yet - you can set your watch with him each morning.)
Monday, November 8, 2010
29 Things About My Wife
November 7th, 1981
LA celebrated her 29th birthday and to celebrate I have decided to help you know my wife a little bit better.
Happy Birthday LA! I love you!
29 Things About My Wife
1. She is the 5th and final child of Corey and Evyonne
2. She has 4 older brothers - Evidently they were determined to have a girl. Good thing it happened at number 5 or who knows how many more Ulmer boys would be running around.
3. She started playing varsity sports in the 8th grade - volleyball
4. Her high school sports career included playing volleyball, basketball, and track and field (high jump)
5. She was the 2000 Optimist Club's Athlete Of The Year
6. She was the Post and Courier 2000 Volleyball Athlete of the Year
7. She played in the North South Volleyball game
8. 2000 All Lowcountry Basketball Team
9. She was on numerous Volleyball Tournament All Star Teams and 6-AAAA All Region Teams for volleyball and basketball during her career
10. She played in 5 State Finals (2 Volleyball, 3 Basketball)...Unfortunately, she never won a ring. But I haven't played for any state titles and neither have most people.
10a. She has never beat me in basketball, volleyball or a track and field event. Ok, so we haven't played volleyball but I am still undefeated. (I am sure we will be playing tomorrow. I will let you know the results)
11. She graduated from Summerville High School, Clemson University (undergraduate - Biology), and The Citadel (Masters Degree - Education)
12. She was the 4th in her immediate family to graduate from Clemson University and the first to graduate from The Citadel.
13. She married the guy of her dreams on September 10, 2005 (5 Year Anniversary Post)
14. She is a remarkable woman who gave birth to two beautiful children - Aubrey and Wyatt (I might be 50% responsible for the children but she is 100% responsible for the beautiful part)
15. She teaches Biology and Physical Science at Ashley Ridge High School.
16. She wants(ed) 5 kids - I think she might have saddled up to the wrong pony for 5. This mare is a little old for 5 but Strom Thurman did it so why not me. I think if she would have attended Winthrop and Hootie and The Blowfish concerts she probably would have meet a guy named Greg and who knows how many kids would be running around by now - He is already at 3.
17. There is only 14 years between us...not sure what the big deal is (I will help you with the math - I was at Summerville Intermediate School - 9th grade when she was born).
18. She can change her own flat tire.
19. She can drive a column shift - which I have never attempted to drive (actually, as old as I am I have only seen a couple of vehicle with column shift)
20. Surprisingly, she has never killed a deer. She can shoot a gun which keeps me real honest.
21. She has had more surgeries than I have - two - one surgery on both ankles and one surgery on her knee. I have had more broken bones and probably have more stitches. I think I am on 13 stitches.
22. Her motto is "Don't Tread On Me". (Actually, I made this up. I wanted it to be my motto. I always liked that motto and flag growing up in school.)
23. Her favorite store is Pottery Barn for the house and Banana Republic for clothes.
24. She is one of the people that shop on Black Friday and seems to actually enjoy it.
25. She has a much better memory than me (some of the times)
26. She wouldn't make it at a nudist camp. She is cold natured and needs a blanket in the middle of summer. She loves a blanket and lots of covers. I am not the other extreme but man, it gets hot under all those covers.
27. She doesn't like to run (nor do I and yet another reason we are a perfect match - we both love the sofa)
28. She got an extra hour of sleep on her birthday because of daylight savings time. That's way better than being born on February 29th.
29. She loves shows like America's Funniest Videos. She makes me laugh just watching her laugh.
Mark your calendars for November 5th, 2011 - 301 S Laurel Street for the birthday party to end all birthday parties as we celebrate LA's last days in her twenties and the last Ulmer in their twenties
November 7th Birthdays:
Joni Mitchell, singer (Me and Bobby McGee)
Joe Niekro, pitcher (knuckleballer)
Dana Plato, actress (Different Strokes)
Kris Benson, pitcher (Clemson graduate)
Mark Philippoussis, tennis player
What was happening in 1981:
Sports
*Georgia won the NCAA National Championship
*Oakland Raiders won the Super Bowl - That's how you know you are old when the Raiders were actually revelant
*49 Day Professional Baseball Strike
*LA Dodgers won The World Series
*Indiana won the NCAA Basketball Tournament
*Boston won the NBA Title
*Muhammad Ali loses to Trevor Berbick and was Ali's last fight (ending boxing being revelant)
*Sugar Ray Leonard KO's Thomas "The Hit Man" Hearns in round 14 to unify the Welterweight's title
*Tom Watson won The Master's
*New York Islanders won The Stanley Cup
*Darrell Waltrip won the NASCAR Title (before later going on to the broadcast booth and coming up with boogity, boogity, boogity and getting on the last nerve of every "real" NASCAR fan)
*French Open - Bjorn Born
*Wimbledon championships and US Open - John McEnroe
*A Minor League Baseball game between the Rochester Red Wings and the Pawtucket Red Sox at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, becomes the longest professional baseball game in history: 8 hours and 25 minutes/33 innings (the 33rd inning is not played until June 23)
Music (Top 10 for the Year - according to Billboard Magazine)
1. Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes
2. Endless Love - Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
3. Lady - Kenny Rogers
4. (Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon
5. Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield
6. Celebration - Kool and the Gang
7. Kiss On My List - Daryl Hall and John Oates
8. I Love a Rainy Night - Eddie Robinson
9. 9 To 5 - Dolly Parton
10. Keep On Loving You - REO Speedwagon
12. Morning Train - Sheena Easton
15. Rapture - Blondie
19. Slow Hand - Pointer Sisters
28. The One That You Love - Air Supply
30. Best Of Times - Styx
31. Elvira - Oak Ridge Boys
46. Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar
57. De Do Do Do, de Da Da Da - Police
62. America - Neil Diamond
64. Arthur's Theme - Christopher Cross
67. I Can't Stand It - Eric Clapton
77. Feels So Right - Alabama
94. Whip It - Devo
Yes, I had 8 Tracks, 45 and LP's of many of these songs
History
*Space Shuttle Columbia 1st Flight - April 12 (1st winged reusable craft used by NASA)
*MTV was launched - August 1 (1st Video - Buggies "Video Killed the Radio Star")
*Ronald Regan - 40th President
*President Reagan assassination attempt - March 30 (by John Hinckley, Jr)
*Microsoft - $16 Million In Revenue and 128 Employees
*Iran Hostage Crisis - 52 Hostages in Iran released after 14 months (444 Days) of captivity
*1st Delorean DMC-12, stainless steel sport car (which later would only be good for use in Back To The Future)
*Walter Cronkite signs off - 19 years as host of CBS Evening News "That's The Way It Is"
*1st London Marathon
*Pope John Paul II is shot and nearly killed as he enters St. Peter's Square
*Sandra Day O'Connor is nominated to Supreme Court
*Adam Walsh, 6, is kidnapped (later only his head was found) from a Sears store in Hollywood Florida (Father later becomes host of America's Most Wanted TV show)
*President Reagan fired 11,359 striking air traffic controllers who refused to return to work (and shows them who is the BOSS)
*Model 5150 IBM PC - $1565
*Ric Flair defeated Dusty Rhodes to win 1st World Heavyweight Wrestling Title (Whooooo, Nature Boy!)
*Simon and Garfunkel perform The Concert In Central Park - approximately 500,000 attend
*Rolling Stones - Tattoo You tour (they are still on that same tour today)
*Boeing 767 makes 1st flight
*Egyptian president Anwar Sadat is assassinated by Egyptian Islamic Jihad
*Metallica if formed in LA
*Luke and Laura on General Hospital marry in highest rated hour in daytime television history
*Iran-Contra Scandal
*1st test tube baby is born in Norfolk, Va
LA celebrated her 29th birthday and to celebrate I have decided to help you know my wife a little bit better.
Happy Birthday LA! I love you!
29 Things About My Wife
1. She is the 5th and final child of Corey and Evyonne
2. She has 4 older brothers - Evidently they were determined to have a girl. Good thing it happened at number 5 or who knows how many more Ulmer boys would be running around.
3. She started playing varsity sports in the 8th grade - volleyball
4. Her high school sports career included playing volleyball, basketball, and track and field (high jump)
5. She was the 2000 Optimist Club's Athlete Of The Year
6. She was the Post and Courier 2000 Volleyball Athlete of the Year
7. She played in the North South Volleyball game
8. 2000 All Lowcountry Basketball Team
9. She was on numerous Volleyball Tournament All Star Teams and 6-AAAA All Region Teams for volleyball and basketball during her career
10. She played in 5 State Finals (2 Volleyball, 3 Basketball)...Unfortunately, she never won a ring. But I haven't played for any state titles and neither have most people.
10a. She has never beat me in basketball, volleyball or a track and field event. Ok, so we haven't played volleyball but I am still undefeated. (I am sure we will be playing tomorrow. I will let you know the results)
11. She graduated from Summerville High School, Clemson University (undergraduate - Biology), and The Citadel (Masters Degree - Education)
12. She was the 4th in her immediate family to graduate from Clemson University and the first to graduate from The Citadel.
13. She married the guy of her dreams on September 10, 2005 (5 Year Anniversary Post)
14. She is a remarkable woman who gave birth to two beautiful children - Aubrey and Wyatt (I might be 50% responsible for the children but she is 100% responsible for the beautiful part)
15. She teaches Biology and Physical Science at Ashley Ridge High School.
16. She wants(ed) 5 kids - I think she might have saddled up to the wrong pony for 5. This mare is a little old for 5 but Strom Thurman did it so why not me. I think if she would have attended Winthrop and Hootie and The Blowfish concerts she probably would have meet a guy named Greg and who knows how many kids would be running around by now - He is already at 3.
17. There is only 14 years between us...not sure what the big deal is (I will help you with the math - I was at Summerville Intermediate School - 9th grade when she was born).
18. She can change her own flat tire.
19. She can drive a column shift - which I have never attempted to drive (actually, as old as I am I have only seen a couple of vehicle with column shift)
20. Surprisingly, she has never killed a deer. She can shoot a gun which keeps me real honest.
21. She has had more surgeries than I have - two - one surgery on both ankles and one surgery on her knee. I have had more broken bones and probably have more stitches. I think I am on 13 stitches.
22. Her motto is "Don't Tread On Me". (Actually, I made this up. I wanted it to be my motto. I always liked that motto and flag growing up in school.)
23. Her favorite store is Pottery Barn for the house and Banana Republic for clothes.
24. She is one of the people that shop on Black Friday and seems to actually enjoy it.
25. She has a much better memory than me (some of the times)
26. She wouldn't make it at a nudist camp. She is cold natured and needs a blanket in the middle of summer. She loves a blanket and lots of covers. I am not the other extreme but man, it gets hot under all those covers.
27. She doesn't like to run (nor do I and yet another reason we are a perfect match - we both love the sofa)
28. She got an extra hour of sleep on her birthday because of daylight savings time. That's way better than being born on February 29th.
29. She loves shows like America's Funniest Videos. She makes me laugh just watching her laugh.
Mark your calendars for November 5th, 2011 - 301 S Laurel Street for the birthday party to end all birthday parties as we celebrate LA's last days in her twenties and the last Ulmer in their twenties
November 7th Birthdays:
Joni Mitchell, singer (Me and Bobby McGee)
Joe Niekro, pitcher (knuckleballer)
Dana Plato, actress (Different Strokes)
Kris Benson, pitcher (Clemson graduate)
Mark Philippoussis, tennis player
What was happening in 1981:
Sports
*Georgia won the NCAA National Championship
*Oakland Raiders won the Super Bowl - That's how you know you are old when the Raiders were actually revelant
*49 Day Professional Baseball Strike
*LA Dodgers won The World Series
*Indiana won the NCAA Basketball Tournament
*Boston won the NBA Title
*Muhammad Ali loses to Trevor Berbick and was Ali's last fight (ending boxing being revelant)
*Sugar Ray Leonard KO's Thomas "The Hit Man" Hearns in round 14 to unify the Welterweight's title
*Tom Watson won The Master's
*New York Islanders won The Stanley Cup
*Darrell Waltrip won the NASCAR Title (before later going on to the broadcast booth and coming up with boogity, boogity, boogity and getting on the last nerve of every "real" NASCAR fan)
*French Open - Bjorn Born
*Wimbledon championships and US Open - John McEnroe
*A Minor League Baseball game between the Rochester Red Wings and the Pawtucket Red Sox at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, becomes the longest professional baseball game in history: 8 hours and 25 minutes/33 innings (the 33rd inning is not played until June 23)
Music (Top 10 for the Year - according to Billboard Magazine)
1. Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes
2. Endless Love - Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
3. Lady - Kenny Rogers
4. (Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon
5. Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield
6. Celebration - Kool and the Gang
7. Kiss On My List - Daryl Hall and John Oates
8. I Love a Rainy Night - Eddie Robinson
9. 9 To 5 - Dolly Parton
10. Keep On Loving You - REO Speedwagon
12. Morning Train - Sheena Easton
15. Rapture - Blondie
19. Slow Hand - Pointer Sisters
28. The One That You Love - Air Supply
30. Best Of Times - Styx
31. Elvira - Oak Ridge Boys
46. Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar
57. De Do Do Do, de Da Da Da - Police
62. America - Neil Diamond
64. Arthur's Theme - Christopher Cross
67. I Can't Stand It - Eric Clapton
77. Feels So Right - Alabama
94. Whip It - Devo
Yes, I had 8 Tracks, 45 and LP's of many of these songs
History
*Space Shuttle Columbia 1st Flight - April 12 (1st winged reusable craft used by NASA)
*MTV was launched - August 1 (1st Video - Buggies "Video Killed the Radio Star")
*Ronald Regan - 40th President
*President Reagan assassination attempt - March 30 (by John Hinckley, Jr)
*Microsoft - $16 Million In Revenue and 128 Employees
*Iran Hostage Crisis - 52 Hostages in Iran released after 14 months (444 Days) of captivity
*1st Delorean DMC-12, stainless steel sport car (which later would only be good for use in Back To The Future)
*Walter Cronkite signs off - 19 years as host of CBS Evening News "That's The Way It Is"
*1st London Marathon
*Pope John Paul II is shot and nearly killed as he enters St. Peter's Square
*Sandra Day O'Connor is nominated to Supreme Court
*Adam Walsh, 6, is kidnapped (later only his head was found) from a Sears store in Hollywood Florida (Father later becomes host of America's Most Wanted TV show)
*President Reagan fired 11,359 striking air traffic controllers who refused to return to work (and shows them who is the BOSS)
*Model 5150 IBM PC - $1565
*Ric Flair defeated Dusty Rhodes to win 1st World Heavyweight Wrestling Title (Whooooo, Nature Boy!)
*Simon and Garfunkel perform The Concert In Central Park - approximately 500,000 attend
*Rolling Stones - Tattoo You tour (they are still on that same tour today)
*Boeing 767 makes 1st flight
*Egyptian president Anwar Sadat is assassinated by Egyptian Islamic Jihad
*Metallica if formed in LA
*Luke and Laura on General Hospital marry in highest rated hour in daytime television history
*Iran-Contra Scandal
*1st test tube baby is born in Norfolk, Va
Monday, November 1, 2010
Thoughts While Sitting At Home With Wyatt
I don't know the exact day when Wyatt started being sick but I know it is more than 20 days ago because he has been on two different antibiotics for 10 days and is going for his recheck today which will turn into a sick visit because Friday night he started the same symptoms all over again...runny nose, congestion and now eye drainage. Each time he has had an ear and eye infection in different ears/eyes (right the first time then the left). I am not a doctor but I am getting pretty good at this and my prediction is an ear infection in his right ear. He is a trooper for the most part and hasn't fussed too much but we can tell he doesn't feel great.
UPDATE
Wyatt's visit with the doctor was good. He does not have an ear infection, he does not have RSV, he does not have a fever (but would like some more cow bell) but he is congested and does home some wheezing. He got a breathing treatment (that LA administered (holding a mask on his face) which is basically a torture treatment that lasts for about 10-15 minutes - try keeping a mask on an eight month old for that long...it was easier than when LA did it with Aubrey but still not a fun task. I am sure there are worse things but this is one that is not fun. He goes back to the doctor tomorrow in the am for a checkup to make sure we are going in the right direction with the breathing treatments.
To summarize...I was wrong about him still having the ear infection...which the dr at first thought was a possibility based on his symptoms. The antibiotic did work. He is just super congested. We caught it early. This could be a long winter.
PS - everyone and their brother and sister is at the fair tonight...holly cow the traffic in and around the Ladson area. What a great scheduling idea to bring in a few extra bucks...have a school holiday during the two weeks of the fair.
Work - Installing Radios
*I am not installing shape (actually, I am not in any kind of shape) too much office work, too much sitting on my backside - two days of installing radios in school buses and I am sore...anybody want some fun side work and a chance to relive your days riding the bus to school - the fights, the assigned seats, pencil wars
*Oldest bus seen thus far 1988/22 years old with who knows how many miles
Halloween 2010
*Aubrey and Wyatt were Scarecrows
*My streak of never having a trick or treater was continued last night. Never had one growing up and never had one since. We ended my mom and dad's 35 year streak of never having a trick or treater last year when we took Aubrey to their house. We might have cheated this year because we didn't turn on the front porch light when we got back home from trick or treating with Aubrey. Good thing we didn't have a trick or treater because we would have had to give them some of Aubrey's candy and I am not sure she would have liked that very much.
*Downtown Summerville trick or treating is different than a neighborhood trick or treating
*The first street we went down had a few houses with porch lights on but no one else was trick or treating and we couldn't tell if they were taking trick or treaters - told you downtown trick or treating is different
*We needed a golf cart...we did way to much walking for someone as lazy as I am - I am out of trick or treating shape (but looking forward to "helping" Aubrey eat all her candy)
*Or I am going to drive Aubrey to Legend Oaks and let her hit the mother load of candy. It's what I did growing up - go to a friends house in a neighborhood.
*It only took one house for Aubrey to figure the process out - then it was "I want go to this house"
*She was only scared one time when the families two dogs ran to the glass door.
*One house put out treats on their brick fence - trusting in the honor system (pretty sure if they would have put candy or chocolate, it wouldn't have worked but it worked for pretzels which I thought was a good idea instead of candy or chocolate)
*LA and I ended up carrying Aubrey home so we could power walk to get her home, feed her dinner and get her to bed...why is it that I am I right handed but can not carry Aubrey for any length of time in my right hand but can hold her three times as long in my left...weird, I would have thought my dominate arm would be the stronger (remember, I am not exactly getting ready to enter an arm wrestling contest or strongest man contest tomorrow or any day). Anybody got an explanation for that?
*So some teenage jackarse kids hit my car with a pumpkin last night. Just in case you were wondering a pumpkin is a little heaver than an egg and did more damage. Evidently, they were not strong enough to throw it high enough to hit a window but were able to hit the passenger door. No further comment, in case I some how stumble upon who did it and pummel them with eggs and pumpkins.
Wyatt
*Is a crawling machine. He is also just starting to pull up on things. Last night he wanted my cup and watched it and watched it and tried to crawl over my thighs but couldn't do it so he went down to my ankles (he could have just went around my legs but he's not quite that smart yet) and eventually made it across and then to my cup (which I promptly moved to other side...not real sure he was real happy about that but he found something else to play with and forgot about the cup
*He is also sitting up.
*We have got to get some video or he is going to have a complex when he grows up or we are constantly going to be saying the video recorder was broke
Clemson Football
*I'm still "All In" but today I am a realist
*We are not a good football team (Since the Miami game, I have known that but refused to fully believe it - I am a believer now)
*8-4 (not a chance)
*6-6 might be the best record we can achieve without a major miracle on offense (like scoring points)
*5-7 is probably (not going to predict which game we will win because I would be wrong)
*I said it another post...not much different today result wise than when TB was in charge
*I like Dabo and want him and Clemson to be successful
*I am not calling for his head just hoping he finds his head (ha!ha!). It is only his second year. It is not uncommon to regress before you turn a corner - as an example, look at our friends in Columbia and now, Spurrier has them turned around - keep the winning going except for the last game of the year against my Tigers.
*Boston College was not a good football team (defense yes, offense no - overall no) if they were so good they would not have lost five in a row and we wouldn't have been their first ACC victory.
*This was not a trap game like people are trying to say
*Why would KP choose after a defeat against BC to tell the world what everyone already knew - He wasn't coming back next year, odd timing. My personal opinion would have been to wait until after the football season was over or at least the regular season.
*I am not a KP hater. I wish he was playing better but I also don't think playing Tajh Boyd a few series each game would hurt. We are struggling on offense and maybe he could spark something. We need something - blocking, throwing, catching would help.
*15,555 high school in America in 2005 - add 2 to it since I know Ashley Ridge and Cane Bay are new since then (15, 567); over 300,000 soccer players between ages 4 and nineteen (which I think is super low); And Clemson a NCAA Division 1 overall top 30 football program can't find a reliable field goal kicker. I find this so hard to understand - over 15,550 high schools and Clemson can't find 1 that can kick and want to go to Clemson. Dabo go ahead and sign him up today - Corey Wyatt Carter is your man at 8 months old. I am prepared to make him the earliest commitment for D1 football in the country.
PS - I know it isn't D1 anymore but the new names are so confusing which is typical of a large organization - take something that everyone understands and make it difficult.
World Series
*It is November and they are still playing baseball - 8 months not including preseason - goodness gracious that's a long time
*The reason I am not a betting man; I would have bet the house on the Texas Rangers.
NASCAR
*Not sure if the ratings are improving, I didn't watch yesterday but they finally have a "Chase" for the Cup. My guy is a long shot at this point (the 24) so lets keep it in the family - pulling for the 48 (and so all the conspiracy theorists can have something to talk about - they think NASCAR has fixed the previous 4 seasons so the 48 could win...really and they also believe, we also didn't land on the moon.)
UPDATE
Wyatt's visit with the doctor was good. He does not have an ear infection, he does not have RSV, he does not have a fever (but would like some more cow bell) but he is congested and does home some wheezing. He got a breathing treatment (that LA administered (holding a mask on his face) which is basically a torture treatment that lasts for about 10-15 minutes - try keeping a mask on an eight month old for that long...it was easier than when LA did it with Aubrey but still not a fun task. I am sure there are worse things but this is one that is not fun. He goes back to the doctor tomorrow in the am for a checkup to make sure we are going in the right direction with the breathing treatments.
To summarize...I was wrong about him still having the ear infection...which the dr at first thought was a possibility based on his symptoms. The antibiotic did work. He is just super congested. We caught it early. This could be a long winter.
PS - everyone and their brother and sister is at the fair tonight...holly cow the traffic in and around the Ladson area. What a great scheduling idea to bring in a few extra bucks...have a school holiday during the two weeks of the fair.
Work - Installing Radios
*I am not installing shape (actually, I am not in any kind of shape) too much office work, too much sitting on my backside - two days of installing radios in school buses and I am sore...anybody want some fun side work and a chance to relive your days riding the bus to school - the fights, the assigned seats, pencil wars
*Oldest bus seen thus far 1988/22 years old with who knows how many miles
Halloween 2010
*Aubrey and Wyatt were Scarecrows
*My streak of never having a trick or treater was continued last night. Never had one growing up and never had one since. We ended my mom and dad's 35 year streak of never having a trick or treater last year when we took Aubrey to their house. We might have cheated this year because we didn't turn on the front porch light when we got back home from trick or treating with Aubrey. Good thing we didn't have a trick or treater because we would have had to give them some of Aubrey's candy and I am not sure she would have liked that very much.
*Downtown Summerville trick or treating is different than a neighborhood trick or treating
*The first street we went down had a few houses with porch lights on but no one else was trick or treating and we couldn't tell if they were taking trick or treaters - told you downtown trick or treating is different
*We needed a golf cart...we did way to much walking for someone as lazy as I am - I am out of trick or treating shape (but looking forward to "helping" Aubrey eat all her candy)
*Or I am going to drive Aubrey to Legend Oaks and let her hit the mother load of candy. It's what I did growing up - go to a friends house in a neighborhood.
*It only took one house for Aubrey to figure the process out - then it was "I want go to this house"
*She was only scared one time when the families two dogs ran to the glass door.
*One house put out treats on their brick fence - trusting in the honor system (pretty sure if they would have put candy or chocolate, it wouldn't have worked but it worked for pretzels which I thought was a good idea instead of candy or chocolate)
*LA and I ended up carrying Aubrey home so we could power walk to get her home, feed her dinner and get her to bed...why is it that I am I right handed but can not carry Aubrey for any length of time in my right hand but can hold her three times as long in my left...weird, I would have thought my dominate arm would be the stronger (remember, I am not exactly getting ready to enter an arm wrestling contest or strongest man contest tomorrow or any day). Anybody got an explanation for that?
*So some teenage jackarse kids hit my car with a pumpkin last night. Just in case you were wondering a pumpkin is a little heaver than an egg and did more damage. Evidently, they were not strong enough to throw it high enough to hit a window but were able to hit the passenger door. No further comment, in case I some how stumble upon who did it and pummel them with eggs and pumpkins.
Wyatt
*Is a crawling machine. He is also just starting to pull up on things. Last night he wanted my cup and watched it and watched it and tried to crawl over my thighs but couldn't do it so he went down to my ankles (he could have just went around my legs but he's not quite that smart yet) and eventually made it across and then to my cup (which I promptly moved to other side...not real sure he was real happy about that but he found something else to play with and forgot about the cup
*He is also sitting up.
*We have got to get some video or he is going to have a complex when he grows up or we are constantly going to be saying the video recorder was broke
Clemson Football
*I'm still "All In" but today I am a realist
*We are not a good football team (Since the Miami game, I have known that but refused to fully believe it - I am a believer now)
*8-4 (not a chance)
*6-6 might be the best record we can achieve without a major miracle on offense (like scoring points)
*5-7 is probably (not going to predict which game we will win because I would be wrong)
*I said it another post...not much different today result wise than when TB was in charge
*I like Dabo and want him and Clemson to be successful
*I am not calling for his head just hoping he finds his head (ha!ha!). It is only his second year. It is not uncommon to regress before you turn a corner - as an example, look at our friends in Columbia and now, Spurrier has them turned around - keep the winning going except for the last game of the year against my Tigers.
*Boston College was not a good football team (defense yes, offense no - overall no) if they were so good they would not have lost five in a row and we wouldn't have been their first ACC victory.
*This was not a trap game like people are trying to say
*Why would KP choose after a defeat against BC to tell the world what everyone already knew - He wasn't coming back next year, odd timing. My personal opinion would have been to wait until after the football season was over or at least the regular season.
*I am not a KP hater. I wish he was playing better but I also don't think playing Tajh Boyd a few series each game would hurt. We are struggling on offense and maybe he could spark something. We need something - blocking, throwing, catching would help.
*15,555 high school in America in 2005 - add 2 to it since I know Ashley Ridge and Cane Bay are new since then (15, 567); over 300,000 soccer players between ages 4 and nineteen (which I think is super low); And Clemson a NCAA Division 1 overall top 30 football program can't find a reliable field goal kicker. I find this so hard to understand - over 15,550 high schools and Clemson can't find 1 that can kick and want to go to Clemson. Dabo go ahead and sign him up today - Corey Wyatt Carter is your man at 8 months old. I am prepared to make him the earliest commitment for D1 football in the country.
PS - I know it isn't D1 anymore but the new names are so confusing which is typical of a large organization - take something that everyone understands and make it difficult.
World Series
*It is November and they are still playing baseball - 8 months not including preseason - goodness gracious that's a long time
*The reason I am not a betting man; I would have bet the house on the Texas Rangers.
NASCAR
*Not sure if the ratings are improving, I didn't watch yesterday but they finally have a "Chase" for the Cup. My guy is a long shot at this point (the 24) so lets keep it in the family - pulling for the 48 (and so all the conspiracy theorists can have something to talk about - they think NASCAR has fixed the previous 4 seasons so the 48 could win...really and they also believe, we also didn't land on the moon.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)