Just Another Monday

Is the weekend already over with? Is it really time to put our noses back to the grindstone and get back to work for the week? Don't we usually have a holiday about now? Oh, that's next weekend that we have a three day weekend..ah maaaaan.

Got home a little late last night, had an evening with the guys drafting fantasy football teams (we have a record number 12 teams in the league this year) for the 2009 season. Should be a lot of fun and a little more challenging with so many teams in the league, it thins the talent pool out significantly and really making you think about who you are going to play for the week.

I'm almost glad the weekend is over though, both Michelle and I were a little bit under the weather at times all weekend, I know I napped all day yesterday until it was time to draft. Then it was about four hours of sports trivia against a few very knowledgeable players.

Hi Ho Hi Ho....

Fantasy Football Draft Today

It's that time of the year and I have not done a single thing to prepare for it yet this season. We are having our fantasy football draft this afternoon at HiHALEY'S for the 2009 season.

We are abandoning out Yahoo.com format and going to ESPN this year, mainly because there is a different person running the league this season. I was the commissioner last season and we still have not collected 20% of the prize money from the participants from last year, including my 3rd place finish money so I am letting someone else handle the headaches this season.

A Day Off

What to do with a day off around this city, it's Saturday and both Michelle and I are off.

We could always Geocache, one of my favorite hobbies, it's like cocaine for geography geeks. There are quite a few new caches around Morgantown to seek. Now that Morgantown has 3G Technology, my iPhone becomes another very good GPS unit to compliment the hand held Garmin that we use.

Uniontown is having an Italian Heritage Festival this weekend, today's festivities however do not start until this afternoon at 3:00 and run till 11:00 tonight and then recommences tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM.

The Pittsburgh Steelers play tonight at 7:30 PM for all of us Steeler fans. The Buffalo Bills will visit Heinz Field (Home of the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers) this evening for the third exhibition of the season. They will have one more exhibition game next week before starting the season off on September 10th against the Tennessee Titans.

Hopefully the weather holds up today so we can get out and enjoy the little bit of summer that we have left.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we all look foreword to, when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is once again the dawn of yet another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday.

Well kids are back in school and that means just one thing, the dawn of football season. While the Steelers are a few weeks away and the Mountaineers are eight days away, tonight the spotlight turns to the High School aged kids as they kick off their official seasons tonight. My beloved Mohigans are at home against Wheeling Park and the cross town rival University High Hawks travel to Rachael to play the North Marion Huskies. Here's to hoping both teams have a great season, and we can have a couple victories tonight for Mon County.

Michelle was feeling very under the weather yesterday, hopefully when I bring her her coffee this morning she will be feeling much more chipper than she did yesterday morning. She seemed to be OK last night, but we'll have to wait till I take her her coffee to know for sure.

Have a great Friday and a better weekend. Get out and support your local HS football teams.

Wow talk about traffic last night

I never thought I would see complete gridlock the backside of Collins Ferry Road barring an ice storm or some kind of inclimate weather. Last night coming home from work, the same time that the Department of Energy and Mylan Pharmaceuticals were letting out a company doing construction on the road had one side of the road completely blocked. They had a flag man letting people through but up the road about 150-200 yards on the other side of the street a dump truck working that was supposed to be doing some hauling for this company lost a wheel on the other side of the road.

What do you get when you have this, a couple of flagmen that have no idea what is going on and no one paying attention? You get complete and total gridlock, no one was moving in either direction either way. A Tow truck had showed up to tow the truck that lost its wheel, but because of the gridlock people were pulling up behind the tow truck with no where to go in the middle of this gridlock and blocking any chance of anyone one help ease the situation.

It's bad enough the city has the students back, it's bad enough at the time when two large employers were letting out with only on access road in, it's bad enough when they are working on the road at this time and with these conditions and then all of these factors together a complete headache.

Now the real kicker, we thought the car ran out of gas. It actually even stalled on us, but when traffic finally did start to move we did make it out and to the closest gas station.

Hopefully today will be much better.

Out with the old and in with the new

About a week and a half ago Michelle was playing Wii Bowling at our house and accidentally let the wii controller slip out of her hand into the screen of our HDTV cracking the screen and rendering basically 1/4 of it useless.

We started looking around and found a Sony Bravia that we really liked, this is a 1080P as opposed to our 720P that we had on the previous TV. It has a much higher resolution and a few easily accessible ports. I had done some research on the Bravia and realized it would be quite simple hooking her laptop to the new TV.
Needless to say our new TV was delivered yesterday and it had a nice handy little VGA slot on the side of it. I went to office Depot and connected Michelle's Laptop to the TV and walla, Michelle is playing her beloved Facebook Farmtown on the TV after I set her laptop up for dual monitors, one of which being the option of the TV.

I think she likes the set up, Farmtown on the HDTV. We also tried watching a few movies through her laptop on the TV and that worked quite well also.

So, the old is now in the spare bedroom with the Wii hooked up to it, and the new one is safely in the living room away from any flying remotes.

College Day Two

Alright you used to be rookies, now you are well on your way to being seasoned college Students. I did hear from quite a few people yesterday who were attending their first day of college. There was my niece Brittany, Smitty's step daughter Brittany started and an old friend from a long time ago who is also a facebooker John Campbell had his nephew start at WVU yesterday too.

Kayla Brown said she was a little nervous, but I know she will do fine and I am even trying to talk her into playing a little bit of tennis in college since she played for a couple state championships.

I hope all you freshmen had a good time and attended fall fest last night, for today is another day and you have more professors to meet. Get comfortable, get serious and don't get caught up in too many distractions and thee will be some of the best years of your life.

First Day of Classes at WVU

Today is the first day of classes for yet another set of future alumni at West Virginia University, this class however features my Niece Brittany as one of those very nervous freshmen today that will be attending their first day of college.

Yesterday Kim, Michelle and I walked Brittany around campus, I showed her where all of her classes are and how to commute to them. We were able to walk around campus which allowed me to bestow some of my wisdom on how to succeed as a college student to Brittany.

I gave her my three pieces of advice that will help her accomplish her goals.

1. Go to class. Not just a class, go to every class that the class offers. Too many times students will show up on the first day of classes to get their syllabus and you only see them a few more times during the year and those will be examination days. Some can do this and do it well, they are usually upper level classmates taking a lower level class to meet a core curriculum. The ones who do it successfully are either seasoned students or ones just barely getting by.
2. Sit up front. In large classes it is easy to get around people who really don't care about being there, they are there more to socialize than anything else. remember these faces, they will not be around in four years for commencement. Sitting up front allows your professor to see you, allows you to hear them and clearly be able to hear them without the distraction of what bar specials are going on tonight from people who won't be there next year.
   
3. When you have time in between classes, find out your professors office hours and stop by occasionally and visit them. If they know your face and you show them an effort, when grades are released this may work to your advantage. On top of that, I made friends with quite a few of my professors, remember that many of them are graduate students teaching intro classes trying to earn a post graduate degree.
   

That's it, you can do that as well as learn to manage your free time (studying in between classes or dead periods) and learning how to study for exams (multiple times worked best for me) rather than reviewing your notes for the first time as your getting ready to take the exam are they keys to success that worked for me.

I've passed my wisdom on to Brittany, told her what to stop by and see and interesting places to go like the West Virginia Collection at Wise Library. I also informed her that her Great Grandfather's music is housed in this library. Maybe someday she'll decide to go and find out just how talented of a fiddle player Ellis Hall was (pssst, collection 541).

Enjoy your next few years, they will be memories of a lifetime if you do it right.

Happy Birthday George Ellis "Moke" McClain

Today I would like to make a very special Happy Birthday wish to my Nephew George Ellis "Moke" McClain who currently making all of us safe and proud by serving in the military and serving a tour of duty in Iraq.

This is a very special birthday for him, not only is he serving our country on a foreign land, it is also his 21st birthday.

We are all very proud of you Moke, and Happy 21st Birthday.

16th Annual Chicken Wing Cookoff.

Alright Morgantown Chicken wing lovers, there is one nice thing about all of the students coming back to town, it's is the 16th annual Chicken Wing cook off at the Mountaineer Mall today from 11:00 to 5:00.

There will be music provided by George Shingleton and Full Effect. So come on out for some wings and some good music.

We are planning on attending this year as Jean will be bringing Erica with her for her first time in attending the Chicken Wing Cookoff. I think this is the third or fourth year in a row that jean and I have went to this event together.

I know in years past there has been a lot of side events to keep everyone entertained like the antique car show, and the childrens's zoo that was with the event last year.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we all look foreword to, when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is once again the dawn of yet another weekend and a Bog Ole Hairy Friday.

If you are looking for a little bit of free entertainment, tonight is the last in the summer series of Movies on the Mon. So, bring a place to sit your hind end, your favorite beverage and some snacks and enjoy tonight's summer final High School Musical 3.

Has anyone noticed that the cities population has grown significantly in the past few days? Seems like all the WVU students decided to return to school and the cities population has grown (as well as the amount of traffic) in the past few days. Get used to it, they are here until Thanksgiving break at least, maybe even Christmas break. Yikes.

Michelle is having minor surgery this morning, she is having her big toe nail removed. It is cracked and has been causing her same pain, especially when people step on it, and will have it removed this morning.

We won't have our new TV yet, I guess Dell cut one heck of a deal on the one we are buying (0% financing for 12 months) that it has pushed our delivery time from yesterday to this Wed. It's worth the wait though.

Have a good Friday and a great weekend.

Happy Birthday Gloria Jean Hall

I would like to take this opportunity to wish the person that we all call AnMal a very Happy Birthday today. If you didn't know today was Jean's birthday, make sure you remember to wish her a very Happy Birthday today.

A very special person who I am sure has touched each and every one of our lives in some way, I know she has both mine and Michelle's and that is just the absolute tip of the giant Iceberg.

Happy Birthday Jean, both Michelle and I hope you have the happiest of days.

Hump Day Tidbits

* I do have to say that this week is going by pretty quickly for me, it's already hump day and the weekend is on site.

* Anyone hear the latest, Brett Favre ununununununununretired and signed a $10-12 Million contract with the Minnesota Vikings. My first question is why does he keep doing this and my second question is why would anyone want to play for a team that wears purple?

* Some people are considering getting together either the 29th or 30th of this month and going out and playing paintball. I haven't played yet this year and Scott from work is itching to play so I sent Sean an e-mail to see if there are any deals.

* Michelle had a great idea for dinner last night, we had breakfast food for dinner. I LOVE breakfast and there are leftovers for me this morning. Yuuuum.

* The Chicken Wing cook off is this weekend if anyone would like to go.

* Michelle has gotten me addicted to Farmtown. Jane got her addicted, and Kim got Jane addicted. Now I'm addicted to another game on Facebook.

* For the first time this decade, enrollment at West Virginia University is down from the previous year. Enrollment last fall was 28,840.

* I was waiting until my new one arrived before I told this story, however I just received confirmation that it won't be here tomorrow and will be here next Wed. You see, a HDTV, a Sony Wii without a rubber shell and no safety strap is a recipe for disaster. This past weekend, we had a Wii remote accidentally thrown into the TV and cracking crystal behind it. We just bought this TV this March, now we are buying another one and it will be delivered on Wednesday next week. We are going from a Visio 720 P to a Sony Bravio 1080P TV. The old TV is still usable, but the left 1/4 of it is cracked and puts out no image. We'll be ready come football season.

Braindead Tuesday

Every once in a while you have that writers block, when coming up with some content is not exactly what is flowing through the noodle. To this blogger, today is one of those days when I am reaching for some kind of content.

I have a story in mind, but I'm going to wait for it to develop so I can present the whole story at once. I have a couple of birthdays coming up this week and of course my Big Ole hairy blog, but on a Tuesday Morning (or Monday night tee hee) I have nothing of any value to offer anyone.

Since I have writers block, I offer you a little humor.




A few minutes before the church services started, the congregation was sitting in their pews and talking. Suddenly, Satan appeared at the front of the church.

Everyone started screaming and running for the back entrance, trampling each other in a frantic effort to get away from evil incarnate. Soon the church was empty except for one elderly gentleman who sat calmly in his pew without moving, seemingly oblivious to the fact that God's ultimate enemy was in his presence.

So Satan walked up to the man and said, 'Do you know who I am?'

The man replied, 'Yep, sure do.'

Aren't you afraid of me?' Satan asked.

'Nope, sure ain't.' said the man.

Don't you realize I can kill you with one word?' asked Satan.

Don't doubt it for a minute, ' returned the old man, in an even tone.

'Did you know that I can cause you profound, horrifying agony for all eternity?' persisted Satan.

Yep,' was the calm reply.

'And you're still not afraid?' asked Satan.

'Nope,' said the old man.

More than a little perturbed, Satan asked, ' Why aren't you afraid of me?'

The man calmly replied, 'Been married to your sister for 48 years.'

Back at it again

Yeah the ceasing of our labors starts to cease as we get back to our weekly grindstone of work. Gone are the days at the pool like Saturday and replaced with a day in the office.

We had some visitors this weekend, friends of Michelle stayed for a few nights with us. This is her and her kids with Michelle and a picture of the hind end of the other house guest, but things are now back to normal and everyone has returned home for another fun week at work.

Michelle has had a nice extended three day weekend, but all good things come to an end and she'll be back in her office today too.

I know I'm just full of good news this morning, sorry I didn't make it Monday.

They're coming back

We were driving around Morgantown yesterday and noticed something, students are starting to move back into town. AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH. I have enjoyed the peace and quiet that has been the past couple of months, now the invasion is starting.

Anyways, Lynn and the kids will be heading back to New York this morning, Michelle's Mom will stop buy and pick up her dog and the Hall-Collins household will return to normal this evening.

Saturday

I love Saturdays, it's the one day of the week when we get to play if you are lucky. I know that in just a few short weeks Saturdays will be filled with College Football and the smells of Tailgates and BBQ grills will eminate through the air in a very few weeks.

However summer is starting to wind down, kids are buying school clothes and school supplies for the upcoming semester and year, this will be the last peaceful weekend you will see in Morgantown until probably Thanksgiving week.

Next week the towns population will double in size as WVU Students will return and a new Freshman Class will be joining them. So if you are anything like me and like the peace and quiet, you had better enjoy today because this is the last weekend we will have to enjoy it in quite a while.

Enjoy your day and live it to the fullest.

Happy Birthday Bobby

If you see Bobby Nicholson today, make sure you wish him a very Happy Birthday. A usually quiet and reserved man, still needs the appreciation of being wished a Happy Birthday.


Happy Birthday Bobby.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we look forward to, when you cease your labors for the week and take a little earned time out to enjoy the fruits of your labors. It is once again the dawn of yet another great weekend, it is a Big Ole Hairy Friday and a time to celebrate.

If you are looking for a little bit of cheap or free entertainment this evening, the Hazel Ruby McQuain amphitheater is having yet another free movie tonight when they are playing Pink Panther 2. The sequel to the Steve Martin comedy, so bring your favorite butt cushion, your favorite beverage and a few snacks and enjoy yet another free movie out under the stars. This will be the next to last movie of the season and it will all be culminating next Friday night with High School Musical 3. If you have not made it to a movie this year yet, you only have this and next week and that will be it for 2009.

Not sure what else the weekend has in store for us, Michelle is off today spending a little bit of quality time with an old friend who is visiting us this weekend with her kids. It may be a Tanger Outlet weekend for us as we need to take Hayley school clothes shopping.

Anyways, have a great day and a better weekend.

House Guests will be arriving today

Some of Michelle's long time friends from New York will be coming in for the weekend to stay with us starting this evening. It's been a couple of years since she has seen them and is looking forward to seeing them this afternoon.

She'll be starting her weekend a day early to spend with her friends Lynn, Trent, Becca and Corbin. I'll be working Friday to allow her to spend some quality time with them Friday, and because it's hurricane season.

I was feeling a little bit under the weather last night when I got home from work, I ate a quick dinner, took a hot shower and laid down for a few hours before finally heading off to bed. A little bit of wisdom to share with everyone, 1,000 mgs of Vitamin C may look like you can bite into it and chew it, however I highly advise to not use this strategy and slow them whole. I swear if I farted last night it would have came out smelling like Oranges.

Have a good Thursday.