Weekend Recap

What a weekend - 4th Annual Clemson Lake Weekend and Clemson football.  Let's get the recap started.

Before we get started...A brief important message

My friend, Greg, over at "I'm Just Sayin" is raising money for an important cause - ending Alzheimer's.  Alzheimer's is a terrible disease that I know first hand about.  My maternal grandmother died of Alzheimer's.  If you never have to go through that disease it would be a blessing.  It robbed her of her memory and left her with a blank stare and she ended up spending her last days living existing in a nursing home.  Help Greg with this great cause and click here to donate or go here and click on the link on his blog.  Let's help him reach his goal and be the number 1 fund raiser (he currently is number 5).


Lake Weekend

This year we (Danny, Jenn, Michael, Adrian) moved up our normal "fall" trip to the lake to September for two reasons - to use the lake for the first time and because we figured the defending national champions would be coming to Death Valley undefeated and we had a score to settle from last year on the plains (and lets be honest, who gets excited about Boston College or Wake Forest? Ok, I know two people that get excited for Wake because they graduated from there and if I spent that kind of money there I would spend the rest of my life excited about Wake).  I am not going to bore you with the weather forecast because I am sure you saw it (and lived it.)  I will suffice it to say that for the 4th year in a row my toes (or any other part of my body or Danny's or Michael's) have touched the water.  Between the temperature and the wind, doing anything on the lake was out - except maybe surfing since the entire lake was white capping.  Since the lake was not an option, we decided to day trip to Highland, NC.  My man Danny, toughed out the curvy mountain road without getting sick but there were a few quite moments that I wasn't sure.  If we go back, I think we will helicopter Danny to our destination or we are going to have to knock him out BA Baracus, A Team style.  It was chilly, we we got there.  We each did what we do best while in Highlands - girls shop and guys eat and drink. We had a first for everyone after inquiring everyone in town.  We ate lunch in a grocery store - Mountain Fresh Grocery.  Yes, place your order and sit down - not a to-go Piggly Wiggly, Publix meal.  We had very tasty burgers and chicken fingers that honestly were some of the best we had ever had.  After lunch the girls continued to shop while the guys sought out shelter.  We found shelter at The Ugly Dog Pub.  If you're in the area, I would suggest checking them out and get 6 t-shirts (they were out except for XXL, not quite that size put give me a few more years).  We talked to the owner (was in the cabinetry business but closed shop with the down turn in the economy, decided to open a bar and drink her tears away along with everyone else), listened to Auburn fans chant "War Eagle" (evidently Highlands is a good stopping point/day trip for fans traveling to the game and looking for something to do).  Michael and I let them have their fun and remained quit while Danny silently was chanting with them (he wanted SC to have a shot at the belt in two weeks but we now know that title shot will have to wait until possibly the end of the year...more on that later.)  Danny made it down the mountain fine and we tried to tempt fate but got scared.  We stopped at the Issaqueena Falls and Stumphouse Tunnel Park but the sign at the gate entrance which was open said it would be locked at 5pm but it was still open at 6pm.  We decided that two of the possible three options were not very exciting - car getting towed or the gate getting locked while we were still inside, so we decided to leave - pretty sure if we were in college we would have stayed and tempted fate (plus, if we were in college, we just would have called mom or dad and told them to send money because the car got towed).  I guess if we are going to actually get in the lake, we are going to have to come in July.

PS - I would suggest waiting a few weeks until renting the house on Walker Pointe drive.  It's going to need some time to air out.

Clemson vs Auburn

Shout Out
I want to give a shout out to my two favorite Auburn fans - Clark and Jenn.  I hope ya'll had a great experience in Death Valley and enjoyed the greatest 25 seconds in college football.  Now that you can scratch a trip to Death Valley off your bucket list.  I would suggest a night game to get the full effect (12 noon kickoffs are tough for everyone).  I would like to thank Clark for the text after the game, they are just classy people.  Since ya'll are evidently our good luck charm, I will pick you up at 8am on Saturday for the Florida State game...are you busy the rest of the season?  Oh and by the way, I heard a lot of "War Eagle" or "War Damn Eagle" so I came up with one for Clemson - "Clemson Damn Tiger" (ha!ha!).

Almost forgot, of all the teams(non rival) that have traveled to Clemson I am going to say the Auburn traveled the best of anyone of them with the exception of SC.  The Auburn fans were everywhere (even in Highlands, NC).  The entire top half of the upper deck (north side)and the scattered everywhere else was filled with orange and blue and pom poms.

TITLE BELT

Clemson is the holder of the title belt!!!!  That's right to be the best you have to beat the best and we beat the best and ended the nations longest winning streak (17 games) and defeated the defending national champion.  In the words of the immortal Ric Flair:

To Be The Man, Woooo, You've Got To Beat The Man, Woooo


To be the best you've now got to come through Clemson.  Our first title defense is this coming weekend against Florida State.  I would have preferred a game against Sisters of the Poor but you can't be picky...bring on all challengers.

Did you see how excited Dabo was about the belt?

Probably a little much for me from your head coach, unless you just won the TITLE BELT!!!

Our Life College Football Poll
1. Clemson (Belt Holder)
2. Who Cares
3. Doesn't Matter
4. Irrelevant
5. Unimportant
6. Your Team

Confused

While their fans traveled very well, I am not sure if they have been to or watched any of Auburn's previous 17 games and especially the first two this year.  I am not sure why down 14 in the 4th quarter they started heading to the exits.  The evidently weren't aware of Clemson penchant for folding late in games like a deck of cards...see Georgia Tech game and Auburn's flair for the dramatic win.  I pretty sure I would have stayed until the final gun.  And plus I don't understand, paying for the ticket, traveling to the game and leaving early.  I paid for the seat for the whole 60 minutes.  I leave when the final horn sounds.

Did You Know
*Gene Chizik is a Clemson Tiger for life.

1. Gene Chizik was graduate assistant at Clemson in 1988 and 1989 under Danny Ford (no wonder he won the national championship last year).  He worked with the linebackers and taught one of Clemson's all time great linebackers - Levon Kirkland.
2. He is a '91 graduate of Clemson - Master's Degree 

*Clemson is now 3-0 in games against the defending National Champions (Georgia Tech, Georgia and Auburn) at Death Valley (1-5 on the road)

*Clemson ended Auburn's 17 game winning streak; previous longest winning streak ended was Georgia's at 15

*It had been 659 days since Auburn last tasted defeat.  Welcome to dinner, it's a little cold and doesn't taste good - trust me we've been eating it for awhile now.

*This was Auburn’s first game at Clemson since 1970.  That year Auburn beat Clemson 44-0 on Clemson’s Homecoming.  After the game first-year head coach Hootie Ingram started his postgame press conference by asking, “Who is on the Homecoming Committee?”

*Clemson ended a 14 game losing streak to Auburn (dated back to 1951)

The Good

*Clemson answered the bell after getting knocked square in the jaw and spotting Auburn a 14 point lead

*Held Auburn to 3 points in the 2nd Half (I give Clemson coaches for being able to make half time adjustments on the defensive side of the ball)

*624 yards of offense

*Starting year 3-0 for the first time since 2007

*32 First Downs

*92 plays

*14-18 on 3rd downs

*Game Balls - Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins

The Bad

*Tackling

*Rush Defense (gave up 237 yards)

*Secondary

*Florida State coming to town
*Virginia Tech on the road

Game Highlights (In Case You Somehow Missed It)


Summary

It was a great win on Saturday and hopefully will be the confidence that we need to win the next two games (ok, I will be honest and take 1 of 2.)  I am not delusional and think that we are going to win the national championship because we beat Auburn on Saturday but it was an important win for the program and just maybe we got our mojo back that they took from us last year.

Aubrey's 3rd Birthday

Aubrey's 3rd Birthday Party
*For the past month, Aubrey wouldn't tell how old she was.  She would be silent or say "I don't know" if you asked her how old she was.  BUT if you asked her how old she would be on her birthday she would get a big smile and say "Three". 
*This year she wanted a pink princess party and she got a pink princess party with a Barbie princess cake where the cake was Barbie's dress AND a jump castle with a water slide and pool.
*The jump castle was AWESOME.  I think I am going to like birthday parties from now on.  We had kids playing on it for four hours straight with only a break for singing "Happy Birthday" and the blessing.
*I am pretty sure LA, Greg and I had as much fun as the kids (at least when Greg actually made it to the pool.  I was having a hard time staying in the pool and Greg was barely hitting the pool.
*I am pretty sure I accidentally took out just about every kid in attendance and pretty sure Waylon and Amy aren't going to let me hold Walker Texas Ranger anymore after our trip down the slide.  I was trying to go slow and ended up on a speed ride down on my back and baptized Walker Texas Ranger in the pool.
*Not sure if we can top that party but at least we know what kids what to do.  Anybody want to buy a slide with us or go in the jump castle business?
*No one got injured, we didn't loose any children and most importantly it was an afternoon filled with laughter, family and friends.
*LA, Aubrey, Wyatt and I appreciated your love and support of our family.  It means more than you ever know to have family and friends gather and celebrate special occasions and our kids are blessed to have each of you as Godly examples.

Pictures

*More Pictures On Facebook

High School Football, College Football, and Anniversary

It was a busy weekend and doesn't slow down with work, Little Gym on Tuesday, Aubrey's birthday and church on Wednesday, packing...etc.  But at least it is another 4 day work week for me - leaving Thursday after work to head out to Tigertown to see if THE TIGERS can exact some revenge from last year's loss down on The Plains).  In that game we (THE TIGERS) evidently gave Auburn our mojo that has made them invincible and we are looking to get our mojo back baby - if any team needs it back it is us (more on all this later)

High School Football

*The Greenwave took one on chin last Friday night against Goose Creek Gators (yep, that Goose Creek...well most you don't go back that far but back in my day it wasn't if you were going to lose to GCHS it was how much we beat them buy.  I remember one Friday night seeing the most points I have ever seen in a game by one team - 77 put up by Summerville...times have changed and now their coach has turned the program around...good for them, it's lonely at the top after all these years...blah, blah, blah - just for you Greg) and I wasn't surprised except I expected it to be 77-0 in favor of Goose Creek this year.

College Football

*Clemson beat DII (Everybody else calls them FCS whatever that means - DII is what I call them still) Wofford.  You ever have (or have a friend) one of those ankle bitter dogs nipping at you that annoy the crap out of you - that's Wofford, you can kick them away but they just won't go away, they keep coming back, always there annoying you.  As my friend Michael told me "pesky terriers".  It wasn't pretty but we are 2-0.  We are still a work in progress (might always be a work in progress).

The Good
*It is becoming clear after two games that we are big play for touchdown or get the punter ready.
*Sammy Watkins is the real deal
*Andre Ellington is scary good.  Just imagine what he good be with a line that could block consistently.

The Bad
*Offensive Line are a bunch of cream puffs.  We are 0-2 on 4th and 1 against inferior opponents Troy and Wofford.  We might never see a 4th and 1 the next 3 weeks to have to worry about going for it - 4th and 7+ sounds about right.
*Offensive Line gave up 4 sacks against Wofford (don't think Wofford is coming back this weekend)
*Can't stop the run consistently...couldn't stop the triple option (wonder if GT will be looking at the game tape and start drooling)
*Coaching - up eight points in the 4th with a chance to kick a field goal (since we were unable to score a touchdown) and put us up two scores (basically put the game away) we decide to call a fake field goal.  Really?!?!  We can't execute a 4th and 1 but we are somehow going to execute a fake field goal...get in the real world Yabo Dabo Do.

Misc Thoughts From The College Football Weekend
*I gave up on Michigan after the first half but all is right in world after a few scary moments - Notre Dame is 0-2 (not sure even touchdown Jesus can help them right now and that's alright by me)
*I would like to exchange the Clemson offense for the Carolina defense
*Garcia was more erratic than a blind person shooting skeet
*No word yet if Richt is packing his bags for the midnight train to out of Georgia
*Note to coaches...skip the ESPN Friday night game - two weeks, two ranked teams defeated
*Auburn was about the width of a piece of paper from screwing up Clemson's shot at "Our Life's" number 1 ranking and an "Our Life" National Championship.  For those of you that don't understand my system.  Here goes....In my book you are Number 1 until someone beats you and then that team takes over the Number 1 ranking. (I don't have all the rules of the "Our Life" Number 1 / National Champion figured out yet but it my poll and I reserve the right to make it work in any way that will benefit a team that I think is deserving.)  I found a site on line that has the same theory as I have on this subject of "To Be The Champ, You've Got To Beat The Champ....Wooooo!!!!"  The even have a title belt, I like the idea.  Clemson is a two time title winner.  These people have a lot more time than I do and have stats...check them out
*They need a stricter rule in football to protect the player receiving a punt that has called for a fair catch and is creamed, blasted, destroyed by a player who ignored him waving his had in the air signalling a fair catch.  After watching a player get his head taken off(the first weekend and I am sure it happened in week 2) and all the referee could call was "interfering with the ability to catch" and walk off 15 yards.  I thought it was a little weak. There has to be a something else done because I am not real sure how the player got up after getting leveled.  I would suggest a thirty yard penalty or ejection and/or one game suspension (or getting to pick a player from your team to knock the block off of the player that hit you...something).  Take your pick.
*Did you see the punter who actually had a negative yard punt and it had nothing to do with a hurricane or tornado.  It was a straight up -4 yard punt (off the side of his foot).


Yard Work
*I am in the process of contracting with the Army Rangers, Navy Seals and other special forces groups for mine training.  I am pretty sure my backyard is the ultimate training ground for mine removal and simulating crossing a mine field.  Our front and backyard are a pine cone graveyard.  Give me 3-4 weeks and I can have it ready for training.  If they can get from the front yard to the back ditch line without stepping on a pine cone or dropping one they have picked up they pass training.  I hope they don't expect too many to pass.

Anniversary
*September 10
*Happy Anniversary to my lovely wife!  We made six years and they said it wouldn't last.
*Read about our first five here - it all still applies and nothing much to add for year 6 (except for a anniversary trip to Savannah last year which was very nice and relaxing)
*We didn't have a baby this year...that feels like a record or something.
*Conversation on Friday (September 9) about our anniversary:
LA: Are we doing anything for our anniversary?
KC: I don't know...What do you want to do?
LA: I don't have anything for you.
KC: I don't have anything for you.
KC and LA: Happy Anniversary...I love you!! (hugs...kisses)
*Friends of ours that don't read this blog told me a funny story - It was their anniversary and she went to get him a card and walked into the store and she runs into her husband buying her a card.  They show each other which card they were going to buy, save the $10 and left the store.  Happy Anniversary!
*We are doing something for our Anniversary - Clemson Lake Weekend 4th Edition with Adrian, Michael, Danny and Jenn
*We did get each other something new Costa sunglasses a few weeks back.  Happy Anniversary. We wanted to fit in with all the other cool people that have them (plus LA's were actually wore out and I lost mine in the ocean this year playing with the kids)


9/11 Anniversary
*We Will Never Forget

Breaking News - Labor Day Weekend - Football Recap

Breaking News

Congratulations to long time reader and friends Jenn, Clark and Jacob.  They have a baby on the way - expected due date is late March 2012.  I hate to tell you but you heard it hear first but on 1.11.11, I made a prediction that the Williams household would be increasing by one.  (Pretty sure I had exclusive rights to this story...not sure how it got leaked before being announced here first.  My lawyers will be in touch.)  We are super happy for them.

PS - Babypoloza 2011 - 1 (You didn't have to attend. Just reading or listening to Hootie on this blog can have the same results. I warned you.)

1st Day of School Photos

I told you I had some 1st day of school photos and I finally downloaded them off the camera.

Labor Day Weekend

This weekend needs another name (maybe just for me) but labor is the last thing I look to do during any holiday weekend (and let's be honest any weekend).

Best Labor Day Weekend Song - Jimmy Buffett's "Come Monday"

(Not sure who the guy singing in the video is...ha!ha!  Even I was a little to young to remember Jimmy Buffett in '73)

We were in a haze for most of the weekend.  Our family has been passing the sinus infection/sore throat around for the last week and a half.  Wyatt is our carrier and gives it to all of us.  Not feeling 100% on a holiday weekend is for the birds.

We were unsure what we were doing on Saturday but wanted to do something with the kids (even though I was fine sitting on the sofa teaching them about College Game Day and the importance and significance of the opening Saturday of college football).  However, since we got our 5:30am wake-up call from Wyatt (how do kids know to sleep in Monday-Friday and wake up at the crack of dawn on Saturday, Sunday and all Holidays - I am putting that on my list of questions that I am to be buried with so I can ask God).  We decided that since we would be awake early, we would get ready and go to the Children's Museum in Columbia.  In the back of my mind, I was thinking that it wouldn't be too crowded with it being a holiday weekend (people would be doing something other than going to the museum and the kickoff of the college football season) and for the most of day it wasn't too crowded.  As we approached Columbia, I had a bright idea that we do something spontaneous and skip the museum and head up  the Clemson game.  LA and I were in but convincing Aubrey that the Clemson game would be more exciting and that she would get to see a "Tiger" and it would be the third most important day (following her birth, and baptism) in her 2.9 years of living was a bit more difficult than I thought.  She was convinced and wanted to go to the museum and play.  I am pretty sure I asked her in as many different ways (Tiger paws on her face and hands - and trust me when she said "I don't want tiger paws" I new this battle was over) as I could think but she was committed to going to the museum and I gave in and decided that a 2 hours car ride would be a long time to deal with an upset child that didn't get to go to the museum (even though I am sure she would have had a blast once she got there).  We had a good time at the museum even if it got off to a rough start for Aubrey when the 1st thing we did was go inside a 3 story boys stomach.  Wyatt and I went through some part of his body and ended up in his heart and then climbed into his head. (I am not exactly about to dry up and blow away but I am also not Fat Albert...they need height and weight recommendations before trying to navigate the tunnels in this boys body and if you claustrophobic I would recommend watching from the stairs).  Aubrey would have nothing to do with the boy, so LA had to take her out.  I am sure you are wondering what else there was to do.  They got to milk a cow, pick peaches, climb on a John Deere tractor, gather up eggs from chickens, drive a bulldozer, drive a punch buggy, play with blocks, fish, play drums, ride a camel, paint, dress up like firemen, drive the fire truck, play on the big out door slide, and in the outdoor river (if it involves getting wet, our kids are first in line).  Oh, almost forgot the $3 per person up charge to be able to go into the butterfly exhibit - in mine and LA's opinion - a waste of $9.  I would expect it to be like butterflies attack with them flying everywhere and them landing on you...not hardly.  My advise is to save the $9 and put it towards buying your own butterfly garden for home.  Your kids will learn more and it will be much better.  To save you from asking me or LA (I will be glad to tell you the same thing in person.),  it is better than the Charleston Children's Museum for the cost but it is in Columbia.  If you looking for a day trip, go to Columbia.  If  your looking to kill a few hours go to Charleston.  AND as Aubrey and Wyatt get older the museum in Columbia will have more that they can do and experience.

More photos of our trip to the museum can be found on Facebook.

Our Monday activities were waking up, playing with the kids, watching videos, lunch, naps for the kids and some tv for mom and dad.  I am going to be honest and tell  you that we couldn't have worked in the yard all day and been as tired as we felt at 7:30pm after we put the kids down.  I didn't realize singing songs and doing nothing was so tiring. I am going to need another day off.

I'm Going To Take You Down

My niece, Meghan plays goalie for Armstrong Atlantic and their season officially started last Friday and it wasn't a great start for her or the team as they lost 0- 2 BUT she did get a yellow card for cloths-lining a girl on the first goal that was scored.  I am working my sources for video...stay tuned.  I told her that was the way to set the tone and for everyone who scouts them using that game tape will be scared they will get the same treatment.  It was a non conference game so it didn't matter in the big picture but it was more important she laid the hammer down on opening day.  The girl she took out after the game said "...the keeper absolutely hammered me.." (PS - they rebounded with a victory on Sunday).  I have to add a brief story about listening to the game online.  I was at work, the game was at 11am on Friday and I pulled up the audio feed and had it playing in the background (it's my story).  First, the audio was late starting, probably missed the first 10 minutes of the match.  The announcer apologizes and begins with the call of the game.  After about 10 minutes, he mentions that wasps are flying around.  A couple of minutes pass and you hear some commotion and he is trying to call the game, while what sound like swatting at wasps.  You then hear him calling the game and saying "the wasps are biting me".  I was thinking get the heck out of there and go to the Home Depot/Lowes and get some wasp spray and catch us up when the 2nd half starts.  I have to give it to him for being a trooper (I hope he didn't get bit too bad and I am glad he wasn't allergic but I am going to be honest and tell you that I was laughing the whole time.). 

Football Weekend Recap

*Clemson is still a work in progress (maybe they will always be a work in progress...hoping I am wrong)

     The Good

1. Freshman looked pretty good - Watkins (at one point, he was 1 reception and 1 TD..not a bad start) and Bellamy (Spilleresque Speed - you heard it here first)
2. Ellington was back to his old form (when given the ball and when the o line decided to block and most of the time when they didn't...wanted him to get 100 but was short)
3. Big plays for touchdowns (exciting but a long drive would be nice, also...unless we are moving to the "we are going to outscore you theory" then big play/quick score away)
4. Field goal kicker (except he missed an extra point which is unacceptable in my book if you play for a D1 school...I am sure I have discussed this somewhere on this blog.) 

     The Bad

1. 0-9 on third downs conversions at one point improved in the 2nd Half; Third and long is not a strong suit for the Tigers
2. Not scoring from the 1/2 yard line on 4th down...really (and you called the same play as on third down)
3. Run Defense/Tackling 
4. Big play for touchdown or 3 and out
5. Field goals instead of touchdowns 

*Friday nights shoot out - Baylor - TCU (might be the best game all year...ok, the best game of week one - I will keep you updated throughout the year, if I see a better game)

*The college football is off to a wonderful start - Notre Dame lost (it took forever for it to be official but it finally happened

*What was my number 1 team Auburn thinking almost losing to Utah State.  It almost cost them their unbeaten streak (currently the longest) and "Our Life" number one ranking...need you to hold on one more week - you can do it

*Steve Spurier is a coaching genius - started Conner let him drive them into a 14 point hole to have Garcia come back and save the day; Garcia is now superman with a cape...watch out UGA.

*I was unsure about the 35 uniforms that Maryland unveiled a couple of weeks ago but actually liked the secret 36th uniform that wasn't unveiled to the players until they returned to the locker room after warm ups, just before kickoff.

*Best thing about college football on Monday night - only 3 days until more college football

*I am agreeing with the majority...UGA's pro combat uniforms were a bit much (especially for a tradition rich southern, SEC school)...hoped they boxed all of them up along with the bad mojo

*Glad LSU won so later in the year Les's great crunch time coaching skills can be on display

*Did you see the Arkansas punt return, fumble for a touchdown that last about 30 seconds?

Peeking Ahead

*Clemson (1-0) vs Wofford (1-0) - Can the Tigers improve their run defense against the run heavy attack of Wofford?  Improve on 3 down conversions?  I am expecting more big plays and a no contest victory from the Tigers.

*SC (1-0) @ UGA (0-1) - Can SC pick up a victory between the hedges?  I think so and the UGA family starts grumbling and some start packing the coaches train for a departure at the end of the season...it won't be the first coach to lose to SC and lose their job and won't be the last (Danny and Cory made me put that in the blog).

Racing Recap

*After two days of rain in Atlanta - Congrats to Jeff Gordon on the victory and becoming number in all time victories in the NASCAR series behind Petty and Pearson

*Did you see this crash in the INDY car race?  What happens when you don't have any breaks going 170 and actually use the car in front of you to slow you down...probably wouldn't have survived a crash with the wall at 170 but used Helio's car to slow him down. I think I am going to get my breaks checked.

One more Indy car video...parking lot in turn 3

Are You Ready For Some Football? I sure am!!!

The Off Season:

A lot has happened since the end of last football season:

*Clemson has a new Offensive Coordinator who believes in fast break football...if it works great, if not I hope the defense is in shape.

*Ohio State scandal...Mr. Rogers Jim Tressel was fired (the vest was a nice cover), T Pryor left school and then most recently was disassociated from the school so he could be drafted by the Oakland Raiders...pretty good fit (bad guy(in the sense that he received improper benefits) in college, drafted by the bad guys of the NFL)

*UNC fired their coach and AD in one week.  Which means Butch Davis was two for two at ACC (not in the ACC when he coached) schools leaving them in a wake of NCAA sanctions

*The bomb was dropped on the Miami program...the damage was minor for this season but the NCAA is not finished.  (In terms we can understand on the SC coast.  You can ride out a tropical storm but a Cat 4 or 5 Hurricane is nothing to mess with - evacuate, destruction is coming.)

*Look at all the schools recently or currently under investigation by the NCAA and you have to realize that there is a problem (and don't be a fan that says "my school doesn't do it"...Ok, sure they don't, wake up.  I am convinced that you could go to any school, investigate and they would find something wrong.)  I don't have a solution but at least I know there is a problem.  I do know that where money is involved (in this case billions), everyone doesn't have each other best interests in mind...Everyone is looking to protect what "is their share of the pie".

*If your looking for dinner or a suit and you are in Tuscaloosa call the guy the all the Alabama players use - T Town Menswear

*Craig James, Dan Patrick and Jesse Palmer are still calling college football games...arghhhh

*Texas A&M is leaving the Big 12 (which really is the Big 10 but will be the Big 9 after they leave...confused yet)

This Season

*Who's your Number 1?  I am going with Sweet Home "Alabama".  (Not who I want to win but who I think is going to win but we have 13 weeks + Championship week to settle it out and I won't be surprised or upset if I am wrong.)

*Looking forward to Saturday mornings with GAMEDAY.

*Hoping Clemson is better than I think and we shock a few people.

*Looking forward to Clemson/Lake Weekend - September 16th - 18th AND Clemson beating the defending National Champion Auburn Tigers (remember in my book your number 1 until someone beats you...welcome to Death Valley)

*A friend of mine recently had a baby girl (8 to 12 weeks old) and HE going to the Clemson game this weekend and is bringing his daughter with him WITHOUT the wife.  Those reading this blog, you can rest easy because you don't know them.  BUT I feel I need to point out a few items so other wives don't get this crazy idea.

1. Does this really sound like a good idea, sending your husband to a college football game with a baby.
2. There are pretty good odds that one of them don't make it home
3. A guy at a football game barely remembers to feed himself and uses the bathroom beside a tree or behind a car door or worse yet in a port a john.  Do you think he is going to remember to feed and change a baby.  If he does remember, he will look at the changing options and decided it can wait.
4. Odds are pretty good the baby will get sat down somewhere while he is talking to an old lost friend and next thing you know they start walking off without the baby to a new tailgate spot to see some more friends.  Not to worry, he will remember at about halftime and then decided it's no big deal (if it's a close game or blowout) and stay until the game is over.

If he somehow convinces you this will be fine and he will take good care of the baby, YOU need to have a back up plan (you can tell him or not).

1. He needs secret supervision.  Contact those that will be tailgating with him and enlist the help of the females in attendance to take care of the baby.  He will be none the wiser and appreciate the outpouring of support.  When he returns home, he will boast, "I told you I could do it." (and mention nothing of who actually took care of the baby while at the game) which is fine because they both made it home - a win/win.

If you follow that step then it's a win/win for you, your husband and your baby.

*Good Luck to your team...If your a CLEMSON TIGER fan, here's a couple more videos to get your blood pumping...




Other News:

Did you see the college football game last week that wasn't cancelled for the storm - summary of the coaches quote "You don't cancel a football game because it's going to rain".  Game Summary two punts went for negative yards and a snap was blown off course to the punter and was recovered for a touchdown.  How about canceling it for the wind?

I found this online the other day - 100 Hardest Hits In Sports. I haven't watched them all but the numbers 100 - 87 are worth a watch.

I am working on an investigative piece that might be bigger than the Yahoo Sports - Miami Bomb...it is in the early stages and I am verifying sources and getting the story straight.  Keep checking back for updates.

Bethany Talent Show - 2011

So I told you last year to watch out for this years performance at the Bethany Talent Show and I was right. They had it going on. The went to their generation (The 80's - big hair and bad clothes - probably more my generation but that's another story)and picked a couple of killer songs to open and close with - Journey's - Don't Stop Believing (Have you seen this sung at baseball games...it's classic 80s rock and Michael Jackson's - Thriller - on a personal note well before it was released as a single on went platinum 50 times - I was the first to call it being a huge hit...what, you don't believe me?  Half of the readers of this blog weren't even born yet, so you're going to have to trust me.)  You can't loose a competition with those two heavyweights in the mix but it doesn't hurt to have "Richard Simmons" show up.


Representing Providence this year were Travis, Minde, Rebecca, Jeremy, Melissa, Amanda, Ian, Jordan and Ashley*


The line up was the following:
Journey's - Don't Stop Belevin (1981) - It was a crowd favorite - Travis (Steve Perry), Jeremy and Ian
Toni Basil - Mickey (1982) - It was high energy and kept the crowd involved - Minde (Toni Basil), Rebecca, Melissa, Amanda and Ashley*
Milli Vanilli - Girl You Know It's True (1989) - Lip Syncing at it's best with a funny track mess up - Jeremy (Fab Morvan) and Ian (Rob Pilatus)
Cyndi Lauper w/ special appearance from Richard Simmons - Girls Just Want To Have Fun (1984) - Rebecca (Cyndi), Minde, Amanda and Jordan
AND THE GRAND FINALE
Michael Jackson - Thriller - choreographed dance moves and a moon walk = winner, winner chicken dinner - Melissa (Michael Jackson), Travis, Minde, Rebecca, Jeremy, Amanda, and Ian


Here's the video of the winners:



*Ashley was on the injured reserve/unable to perform list for the performance.  At the final practice on Monday.  Ashley attempted to take the Mickey performance to the next level by adding a cheerleading move called a Russian (you will have to look it up yourself) but was unable to stick two landings in a row.  On her second Russian (after thinking the first was pretty easy) she rolled her ankle after landing and ended up breaking her ankle - ouch...talk about taking the performance to the next level.   I am going to recommend letting her take the trophy home.  Get Better, Ashley and no more Russian's (pretty sure Corey is on board with this decision).

It's Friday...

Last night was the first night of the Sertoma Classic football exhibition and there have been articles recently about the declining fan attendance and the Sertoma club trying social media and other new ways to reinvent the two day event that kicks off the high school football season.  The proceeds from the event are used for local charities.  I hope all their efforts help because it's part of my memories growing up.  I remember looking forward to attending because it was the official beginning of the high school football season and for the next 11 weeks plus the playoffs meant I would be somewhere in South Carolina watching Summerville High School football (from my earliest memory to 9th grade, I don't remember missing a game - cold or wet, we were there)  Johnson Hagood Stadium would be filled with fans looking forward to their first look at their team.  I was there to watch the green and gold Greenwave football team take the field and kick some ___.  Summerville was a small town back then and pretty much everybody in town was at the game.  The last car leaving town for a road game locked the gate and turned out the lights.  I grew up running on the field after the games with my friends.  But guess what, times have changed and Friday night doesn't mean going to the football game like it did when I was growing up.  It used to be the only option (it was almost like church on Sunday, mandatory) but now I only go to a couple of games each year.  There are those in town that haven't missed a game since John McKissick started coaching.  But now unless you know someone in the band, cheerleading squad or football team you're probably doing something else.  I wonder what kind of memories LA and will create on Friday nights for Aubrey and Wyatt...those were good times spent with family and friends...I hope we can attend a some Sertoma Classics and games on Friday nights.


Aubrey and Wyatt are loving daycare.  Wyatt finally stopped crying on Wednesday of this week when I drop him off.  He would cry for 2 or 3 minutes and then be fine.  Aubrey and Wyatt are playing on the same playground and Aubrey is loving playing with her brother on the playground.  Did I mention that Wyatt LOVES his monkey lunch box!  He has to carry it to the car, to daycare, to the car and to the house.  


If there is anyone that I associate with parenting it is Carlos Whittaker...check out these posts - When Your 5 Year Old Say's , Hamster's, Death, and Losing Your Lessons, and Butterflies, My Parenting Manual and The Death Of Freedom.  We don't get it right each day but we unconditionally love our children and I might think I got it all figured out but I don't.  I am just along for the ride and I am loving every day, minute and second I get to spend with Aubrey and Wyatt and I hope (with some help) I don't screw them up along the way...


Danny and Greg are finishing up the pre-party for Hootie and The Blowfish at our house on Saturday.  Come join the fun with them - we won't be home.


Feeling sorry for my Gamecock fans this week - Post and Courier article headlines last Sunday - 12-0 (gee, thanks) and this week the cover of Sports Illustrated (does anybody buy that anymore?) "Best Gamecocks Team Ever".  All they need now is the cover to NCAA Football 2011 and that should just about do it for a 6-6 season.  But who believes it all that jinks stuff anyway...anybody got a rabbits foot for Danny and Cory?


Did you see the crash last week at Watkins Glen and Boris Said's interview after the race...classic old school NASCAR
(Crash - 4:18)


Boris Said Interview (1:21)



Yes, that's right in one interview Boris said "scardy cat...text me his address...he needs a whoppin...he's a chump...baby punches...I will find him...he will show up at a race with a black eye.."...Greg might not want to answer the door if he orders a pizza.  He might get a special delivery.  Send me that video to post.

I thought of this video today and wanted to share it and yes, I took typewriting in high school with a typewriter very similar to the one in the video (I am old...don't hate me because you missed the 70's and 80's). (make sure you turn up the volume)





By now you have heard about he the two bombs that went off this week in college football:
1.  The Shapiro Bomb that could level The U football program.

• If you haven't taken time to read this article, you should
• Some of the best tweets on The U 
• Note To Self:  Never sleep in a bed at the Mercury Hotel South Beach - @DanaSargent
• Miami Hurricanes Motto 2001-2008: Boats and Hoes - @peterburnsradio
• If I were a player and didn't go to Miami and I read about missing out of free hookers, I would be LIVID #alligotfromFSUwasfreeshoes - @drewmagary
• I would be LIVID if I was a player at Miami and no one filled me in on what was going on...wondered why everyone was going to the "library"
• Not sure what the fall out will be but I bet The USC is watching closely...wonder if their AD is on the enforcement/infractions committee (if so, The U this is going to hurt.)
• Be careful when you burn a bridge...they might be able to rebuild it.

2.  The Bomb...opps I mean Bong that Oregon quarterback and cornerback/kick returner hit before being pulled over for 118MPH.  When asked who's got the marijuana the quarterback replied "We smoked it all." [Eugene Register Guard, The Oregonian, KATU News]...nice response - nothing to see here officer "We smoked it all.", Oh and by the way he didn't have an id, his license is suspended and he just walked away with a ticket for excessive speed over 100MPH.  It happens every day to you and me...right.  Oh x 2, the coach when asked about it defended the quarterback basically saying nothing to see here, he didn't get a ticket for controlled substance, passed his road side test and was let go - football coaches would make great politicians. 


and Finally, I was going to post this a couple of weeks ago but didn't so today's your lucky day


That was close...we(United States of America) almost defaulted on our loans which (according to my banking consultant, Michael Wood is not something I should to with my personal loans, so it can't be good for the government to say "not going to be able to pay you back this month, can you let it slide for 30 days...I promise I will have the money by next Monday or the second Tuesday of next week) would have meant we wouldn't have any money to give this guy in the video for his rent that he wasn't using for rent. Glad to know the system isn't broke...gives you a warm fuzzy feeling about those in charge of the money YOU and I give them. I hope Judge Judy follows through and sends this to Congress.



I couldn't end a post on that note so here is something that you are going to laugh at...