Goodbye 2007

This is one of my favorite posts of the year to do. It's a recap of the entire year based on what has been written in my BLOG.

JANUARY

* I issued a few challenges to people to become more active BLOGGERS.
* Apple first introduced the iPhone.
* Major changes at my Company, including shutting down the Frostburg facility.

FEBRUARY

* My Buddy Phil got drunk on the cheap liquor I sent him and got verschnockered so he could not see his shadow. A lot of good that did, it snowed more AFTER he didn't see his shadow.
* Moke graduated from AIT training in Mississippi.
* Amy was in a car accident with Ralphie. They were both fine but her car was pretty much a total loss.
* Brittany Spears chopped off ehr hair. Oh the Humanity.
* I had my forst Doctors visit in 14 years.

MARCH

* I had my first of Four Diabetes education classes.
* I gave into the trend that everyone else was doing and went and started a MySpace account. Everyone else was doing them, I figured I better get with it or get left behind.
* West Virginia University Basketball team won the NIT tournament.

APRIL

* John Beilein leaves to coach Michigan in Basketball and WVU replacesd him with WVU Alum Bob Huggins.
* Softball practice started for the year.
* Terri celebrated her 40th birthday.
* The Virginia tech shootings had taken place.
* I had a full eye exam and right after the exam I met someone who would touch my life.
* I started dating Amy.

MAY

* Softball season had started and was well underways. I started out in a personal slump for the year, but got red hot once the slump ended and the hot streak remained the rest of the season.
* I made my first ever visit to Sarris Chocolates in Canonsburg PA with Amy and Josie.
* Renee graduated from M-Tech.
* I went to my second Pittsburgh Pirates game in my life. Lifelong fan, only the second game with the first being Willie Stargell's last game.

JUNE

* Amy and I had split up. My local squirrels started to get treated very well as I was paying more attention to them and feeding them to take my mind off of other things.
* I took a trip to Kennywood, this was my first trip there in a number of years.
* I retired my Cavalier and bought an Isuzu Rodeo.
* I attended the Rosiak family 4th of July celebration for I think the 10th or so consecutive year.

JULY

* I attended Morgantown's 4th of July Celebration on Morgantown's Riverfront Park. It was arguably the best fireworks display Morgantown had ever put on.
* I took part of a better fireworks display with Kim and Robert at Ron's house. A number of us pitched in and all I can say is WOW. A memory that will last forever for me.
* Josh Judy was drafted by and signed with the Cleveland Indians.
* The Daily Kneads closed its doors.

AUGUST

* Barry Bonds hit his 756th all time Home Run passing Hank Aaron as baseballs all-time home run leader.
* I purchased the domain name nicknterri.com, although I have done little to nothing in developing it as of yet.

SEPTEMBER

* Kim had a surgery to check on her medical problems.
* I first checked officially on the availability of Klaer Lodge for our Christmas party.
* I had a business trip out of town. I took a trip to the home office in Sterling Virginia for a week.

OCTOBER

* WVU men's Soccer played and beat the #1 ranked team in the country.
* We spent Halloween at Jean's and had quite a few trick or treaters come through.

NOVEMBER

* I officially reserved Klaer Lodge for Christmas festivities on the year.
* I went with Pam and George to see one of my all-time favorite comedians. Gallagher came to Morgantown and I did manage to get a picture of myself and Pam with him.
* WVU Football was ranked #1 in the coaches poll for the first time in school history.

DECEMBER

* My 44th Birthday is a day that I am sick, #1 Ranked WVU losses the 100th backyard Brawl to Pitt (A team we were 28 point favorites to beat) and the start of one of the worst months in WVU history.
* Rich Rodriguez announced he would be the second WVU coach this year to go to Michigan.
* Daniel and kamey made it to Morgantown for a visit.
* It was a time of reconciliation and new dreams to begin as Christmas 2007 happened at Klaer Lodge. Years in dreams, months in planning and my dream came true.
* 404 Posts for 2007. What a year.

See you in 2008.

Next to last post for 2007

Wow has this year went by fast, this will be post #403 for the 2007 year and tomorrows Goodbye to 2007 post will be #404 and the final post of the year. The last two years the funnest post I did each year was the final post of the year where I took a while and reflected upon that year based solely on what had been authored in one of my Blog posts each month.

The first time I did this was a Goodbye 2005 post I did two years ago. It was the first time I had a calender year of BLOG entries to refer to and at the time it was one of the funnest BLOG posts I had done.

Enjoying what I did in 2006, Goodbye to 2006 had to cap off last year. It was nice to reflect on what had happened the previous twelve months again and was a post that I really looked forward to.

Tomorrow's BLOG will be me once again reflecting on this past year. A year when I found and lost love, where reconciliations were made and new hopes futures were born. A Year where I saw the WVU football team rise to #1 in the rankings for the first time, to watch everything crumble apart on my 44th birthday and beyond. It was a year where I challenged Kim to do 100 Blog Posts and she was stepped forward and not only accepted the goal, but Met the goal for the year.

Enjoy tomorrows reflection of 2007 and have a Happy New Year, we'll see you again in 2008.

Christmas 2008

Started an account today with the money raised and donated from December 24 of this year for next year.

$92.00 from tips
$20.00 from Kim and Robert

Account opens with $112.00 in it today, looking for fund raising ideas over the next 12 months. Anyone have any ideas?

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Of course this was/is a short week of work for me being only three days, but the good thing is I have another four day weekend coming up after today so that will be nice. A chance to actually relax and have some fun and enjoy myself.

The coaching search for WVU's next football coach is still ongoing. Butch Jones was interviewed for a second time yesterday for the position. Previous people to interview that are still in the running are Florida's Doc Holliday and Terry Bowden. Something tells me we will not know who our next coach will be until after the team returns from the bowl game next week. It's hard to speculate who will be named as the next coach at this point. Too many twists and turns so far in the search to do any accurate speculating.

Enjoy your weekend on this my last day of work for 2007.

Looked at the new iPhone

I took a good look at the iPhone yesterday now that CellOne has switched over to AT&T and being the exclusive carrier of the iPhone. It would require an initial $399 to purchase the iPhone, then I would lose about 250 minutes a month and my bill would go up an additional $25.00-$30.00 per month if I switched.

I have always been a frugal consumer, so I am starting to do my research to see if this is what I want. I know it would suit me perfectly, because it would be a state of the art computer on my hip to carry around. My question is can I justify the additional costs and do I need this phone. I know the next generation is going to be coming out later this year, and from Kim's advice I may just wait until the next generation is released.

However if you want an iPhone, they are now available in Morgantown.

Back 2 Work

It was a nice long four day weekend (actually it was too short), and now it's time to get back to the grindstone and start working again. The good part is that it is going to be a short week for me (Three days) and then another four day weekend will follow with two Holidays for the end of the year and the first.

Fun, Fun, Fun back to work.

My final Christmas gift for 2007

Christmas ever 2007

Last night months of planning for Christmas eve and a large group effort finally paid off. The Christmas eve clock finally struck zero hour and Christmas eve. Around 6:00 people started arriving one after another to fill up the lodge and enjoy in a festive feast.

What a feast it was, I lost track of everything that was there available to eat. People had one or two things specifically eyed up became full before they even managed to to get to what they had their eye on. It was a feat fit for the finest of kings and enough to feed a very large army. Everyone had a chance to bring breakfast home for this morning, I know I just finished off a Hot Sausage Hoagie that I didn't have room to put last night.

After the feast I think we had 23 people participate in the Chinese Gift exchange. many of which have never been involved with one and playing for the first time. I think the exchange itself was the excitement and provided much of the nights entertainment. There were a few people who had selected and only one gift was stolen. Once we started to get about half way through the entertainment started. Gifts were starting to be stolen and restolen and so on. From tool sets to digital picture frames on a keychain, everything started to become fair game. The final play of the night was made by Mary, who was in the #1 position and started and ended the gift exchange. I think that this went well and created a few memories for everyone. It's not what you got, it's about the ever lasting memories that you created obtaining it.

There were plenty of images taken last night, not only from my camera but Kim, Amy and a few other had their cameras going preserving a special moment in time. I have already uploaded all of my images to my server and the Christmas 2007 Album is uploaded and online. I have also uploaded the images to Kim's Flicker site. I'll let her manage how it's presented, I have uploaded the images for her. Kim and I have agreed to burn of CD of each others images so we can both share similar images on the both of these sites. Hopefully I can get copies of other photos that were taken and create one big collection.

For me, this Christmas was long over do. It was a time of reconciliation and a time to spend quality time with family. There were no TV's, Video games or any other forms of electronic entertainment. There were board games, but we really never had an opportunity to play them except for a little random trivia as we were stringing popcorn the night before in preparing TreeZilla. Everyone left fed and had leftovers in tow. There were magical memories captured in many different formats and there were irreplaceable memories created and preserved. There was interaction, appreciation, love and special memories created in the whole process.

I have to send out a Thank You to everyone who helped make Christmas Eve 2007 happen. I had a goal of creating a piece of time that we will all recall for years to come in our fondest of memories memories. I think we did it we just successfully created that memory. This was not your typical going through the motions what did I get type of Christmas that our society has grown accustomed to. I think the only thing that could have made this any more special was a little bit of snow on the ground, but I guess we will have to keep striving for perfection.

Merry Christmas to all and thank you for helping my dream come reality.

Good start last night

We took over the cabin last night and managed to get both fireplaces up and running and Gary brought a Live tree. 8' ceilings and a 13' tree, needless to say it had to be cut down a little.

Gary, Nick, Terri, Robert, Kim, Brittany, Moke and Ang were all present and a big help in helping getting this started last night. I think it is starting to turn out pretty well.

Today is the day

Today is the day we acquire Klaer Lodge for two days. It has been next to impossible to get three people together at one time to organize anything, however it looks like it is going to be a good time. As disorganized as the organization was, I think this is about to come together quite nice.

We take over th4e lodge at 2:00 today, that is when I will be there to check in and register.

I've told everyone to BYOB, but I've purchased some cases of soda, anything anyone else can bring will help.

If you have any games, chips, cards, radio anything to help entertain it will be much appreciated. I went out this morning and bought a board game called Urban Myth, I know Kim mentioned a small Texas Hold Em Tournament, (Kim bring your chips if you can) and I;m sure there will be other forms of entertainment.

There are no TV's, Computers, Game systems or anything like that, you'll have to depend on spending quality time with your family and interacting with them to entertain yourselves. Wow, what a concept, families actually sitting around the fireplace on Christmas eve telling stories and playing games with each other. Oh the humanity.

Please anyone attending, check your egos and attitude at the entrance of the park and let's make this a stress free, relaxing and enjoyable time with the family.

ROFL

Ouch

As if losing our football coach and a couple large supporters to the University wasn't bad enough, I just read something that makes this all minor.

I read This this morning and lost all faith in my alma mater. Unreal and this is beyond the worst thing that could happen to WVU. Academic Integrity of the University has now been brought into question with the actions of New President Mike Garrison and the current Governor.

If this is true, Joe Manchin needs to be impeached and Mike Garrison needs to be removed just so West Virginia University can save face. When the academic integrity of of the University is questioned... Wow, unbelievable.

Christmas is getting closer

Christmas is getting closer and closer. The Family Christmas site has been very helpful in organizing this years event.

I work tomorrow then I'm off for a four day weekend!!!!

Daniel and Kamey's vist

My nephew Daniel has been visiting from Kentucky for the past few days. A Link to the pictures I have taken.

WVU BOG Statement

BOG Chair Issues Statement

By WVU Release

Posted Dec 18, 2007


Stephen Goodwin, chairman of WVU’s Board of Governors, expressed his support for WVU’s administration in handling the coaching Tuesday. In addition, Goodwin issued the following statement through the University:


“WVU appreciates donors to its academic and athletic programs. The University and the Board listen to their suggestions, as we listen to students, alumni, faculty and staff. People who are successful in other areas of life often have important insights into how we operate, how we are perceived, and how we can improve the University.

"At the end of the day, the University is governed by its Board and its President, and the people they appoint to positions of responsibility. Making donations to a public university does not entitle anyone to dictate policy or personnel. The Board has a lot of confidence in how Ed Pastilong and Mike Garrison are handling this coaching change. They’ve taken a responsible approach to this throughout – and really offered Coach Rodriguez and the team a lot of support in a very difficult time for the team. We’re heard a lot of support from fans, from alumni, and from donors – large and small – about how the University is handling this.

WVU went to the ends of the earth to keep the coach here – and clearly, some of our major donors assisted the school in that effort.

*His salary was increased by 70%

*His assistants salaries were increased

*We built a $2 million academic center for the team

*We have started construction on a $6 million locker room renovation

There were some very minor issues that he raised with the administration – and people were working on them. I think you will agree that the things that are being talked about are pretty minor in comparison to what has been done already.

But he clearly was looking for excuse to leave—he looked last year, and again this year. When he went to visit another team, and then came back to campus with demands based on those minor issues – university officials simply told him they would continue to work the issues. He was asked to focus on the student athletes and the upcoming bowl game. There’s a long off-season coming up to work out those sorts of minor issues. Whoever comes in as coach will know that they can count on support from WVU on big issues and small issues.”

This could be huge.

Everyone knows Rich Fraud has resigned as WVU's coach. Last year John Beilein left and walla, seven time coach of the year Bob Huggins decides to come home.

Well.....it may be Deja Vu again to an extent.

Nick Saban's agent has contacted West Virginia University.

For thos of you who don;t know who he is, he won the National Championship at LSU a couple years ago, recruited all the guys playing for it this year, was the Miami Dolphins Head Coach last year before leaving to take the job at Alabama, the one Rich turned down.

This could be H U G E


Oh, and he's from Monongah

Got to love Kevin Connolly

We started softball practice last year when John Beilein announced he was leaving for Michigan and Kevin said he had something in store for the next morning.


He just topped it.


LISTEN

Woo Hoo

I spent all morning Christmas shopping. I am officially done and all the gifts are wrapped! Now I can start concentrating on other things for next weekend.

One week

We take over Klaer lodge one week from today at 2:00. Christmas is getting closer and closer, maybe this means I should start my Christmas shopping sometime soon.

Rich Rodrigeuz ordeal

He we go again, only this time it's Michigan instead of Alabama. Rich isn't going to leave, I say they will have to drag the man out of man kicking and screaming and against his will.

With that being said and considering the ink isn't even dry on his new contract yet, it's time to start dragging him out of town and showing him the door. I have no problem with his program or how he runs this team, but the fans and this University have bent over backwards to accommodate one of our own, it's time to call his bluff.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

You have to love it, weekend is once again upon us and work is done for the week. Time to relax and enjoy the fruits of our labor.

The good news is it finally did stop raining yesterday. I stopped down at the Bar last night, and everyone was talking about all of the roads that were closed down locally. I think the drought is officially over if we were in one.

This is the last day of finals for WVU for the Semester, so traffic around town will be a little easier to navigate around for the next few weeks.

You find the strangest things sometimes.

I was surfing the net earlier this morning and came across this article. It's an article posted in an Australian News Source of all places. I guess the internet makes this world a smaller and smaller place every day.

HERE is the same article in Forbes.

In case anyone doesn't recognize the name, it's Jane's partner.

Tidbits

* I talked to Jean this morning, her Mickey and Sheila were heading out to Sheila's family Christmas. They ALSO get a cabin, for Christmas time like we are going to do this year. It's down in the southern part of the state, so she'll be out of town a few days. Rich is still at home.

* They said Michael has a new deli in down at the Valley Mart. They are serving Pizza's and Subs, so I'll have to swing by one of these days and try it out.

* Rain Rain go away. Pam called me this morning and was kinda trapped between home and work. I guess Pedlar Run Road was flooded and no one could travel it and the road was flooded near the shack. There are flash flood watches in Morgantown today.

* While I am thinking about it, there is a big back porch at Klaer Lodge, some people may want to bring a lawn chair possibly.

* I am actually on a pace to do 400 BLOG posts for 2007. I just wanted to average one a day for 2007, I'm already well above that total. Maybe 400 is a doable number.

* In 2008 I should reach my 1,000th Blog post since I became a blogger. Now it's nice to look back on to see what I have had to say during the years. I am glad I have kept the integrity of this blogs content in tact.

* Daniel and Kamey are on again. It's been entertaining the past few weeks reading people's MySpace, there are others, but this one in a weird way has been entertaining.

* This world needs more Bloggers.

Mid week

Hey what do you know, it's hump day and my hump day is already over with. I see the Family site has been generating a few new members and a little bit of activity. Don't be shy, type something people.

Klaer Lodge Photo's

I took a trip up to Klaer Lodge today. I uploaded the pictures I have taken of Klaer Lodge. I tried to get quite a few pictures of the lodge, so it could possibly answer any questions anyone had.

I had cell Phone coverage up there, but it did drop a call from no service, so Cell Phone coverage may or may not be available.

The downstairs is heated by a wood burner and a Fireplace, while the upstairs is heated by Propane.

There are two large sleeping rooms upstairs, one has seven single beds and a double bed, the other has nine single beds and a double bed. If anyone plans on sleeping up there, you will need to bring a sleeping bag or what ever you plan on sleeping in and a pillow. There are nothing but bare beds upstairs.

Downstairs there is a fully operational bathroom with an additional closed in toilet for the handicapped if need be and a shower. If you are planning to shower there, this isn't the Hilton, so you will need to bring a towel and any toiletries you will need to use.

The kitchen has a large fridge and the dining room also has a fridge. I figure beverages can be kept in the one in the dining room. There is a stove, a microwave and a double sink in the kitchen.

We will need our own cookware and obviously plates, cups and silverware.

Going to do a walkthrough today

After work today, I am going to go to Klaer Lodge and do a walk through of the facility to try to get a feel for what we will have for Christmas. I am going to take my camera along with me and try to get a few pictures of both inside and outside of the facility.

I'll try posting a few pictures tonight once I get back and try to answer any questions we may be having. I would tell people to call me, but as I am typing this I am in a monthly company teleconference at work, so I won't be available until I actually leave for the lodge later this afternoon.

Rainy day

Is anyone other than me ready for 80 degrees and sunshine? It's a foggy/misty type day that can be summed up with just a simple blah. I guess that could be considered appropriate because it is in fact Monday.

I guess I should just get used to it and send another case of wine and some assorted nuts to Phil up in Puxatawny so I can get his rodent rear end vershchnokered and blinded in preparations for Groundhogs day. Nothing wrong with an early start.

Yesterday I made a memorial ornament for Grandma Hall, Grandpa Hall and Dad for the Christmas tree this year. I went over to Mom's and took her and Gerald a couple loaves of Bread from New day bakery (Old Daily Kneads) and with a little help from mom and her nice printer, we put these ornaments together and now have them ready to go for Christmas.

Starting to get a few people signed up for the Family Site that everyone will have administrative access to. I have changed the settings for right now to private, meaning anyone not a member can't see the content inside. Right now it's going to be used as a communication tool for the family, hopefully this works out nice and I can keep this thing up and running even after Christmas.

Starting to get a little organized,

We are going to be doing Christmas eve this year at Klaer Lodge, but there is still a lot of planning that needs to be done and getting anyone together is almost next to impossible.

I have set up a family specific website that will give us a lot of options to communicate if we need to. Everyone is an administrator, so feel free to play with it. If you have any trouble signing up, let me know. If you have not signed up yet, use your first name as the user name and select your own password. Make sure you use the e-mail address you check the most also, this is also going to be used as reference so we can all contact each other.

Big Ole Snowy Friday

I wish that this weather would just make up its mind. It snowed for a couple of days, then yesterday it was starting to warm up and melt everything. This morning the temps dropped again, snow started to fall, and travel became tricky again.

I'm ready for the weather to increase in temperature, it's the weekend and hopefully I'm not sick this weekend.

Slippery Roads

With a nice little dump of snow yesterday to go along with a sudden drop in temperature, it made travel all but impossible yesterday. Pam called me this morning and said it took her nearly 1 1/2 hours to get home from work yesterday.

I went to Wal-Mart yesterday afternoon and the road leading down into it has two tractor trailers all sideways and hung up. One going down the hill and the other trying to get up the hill.

Conditions were less than favorable to motorists trying to get anywhere around the city of Morgantown yesterday. I heard this morning that there is a truck hung up coming up the hill on Scott Ave, good thing I work at home.

YESSS!!!!!!!!

OK, I got the scoop from the source. The Daily Kneads has not reopened.....BUT, it was rented out by the former bakers and opened up on my birthday (Dec 1) and is now back in business as New Day Bakery.

At least something good happened on my birthday.

Have I ever mentioned

Yes I know, it is snowing out. The one element I hate more than any other, the one that makes travel very dangerous. It may be pretty, but I for one have never liked snow.

Give me the warm days of summer, not this colorless blanket of crap that is dropping all over the place.

Is it softball yet?

Kellie Pickler

Former American Idol Contestant Kellie Pickler just showed kme she may be the dumbest woman alive.

Happy Birthday Kim

I would like to wish my sister Kim a very Happy Birthday today.It seems like every yer she gets one year older than me, I used to be older than her but she passed me up in age in 1985.

Happy Birthday Kim.

It Figures

This weekend was one of great expectation for me. One that you could not have scripted to be any better. Saturday was my birthday, and my Alma Mater was ranked #1 for the first time in school history playing in the 100th backyard brawl and a shot at the National Championship. It was going to be one of the happiest days of my life.

Let's see, I had a very bad case of the flu all weekend, so I spent the whole weekend sick. The WVU Women's Soccer Team was playing in the Elite 8 and ready to advance to the Final 4, but lost to USC. The Men's soccer team lost to Wake Forest eliminating them from the tournament and the WVU football team came to the realization that the Gold on Gold Uniforms is like our Kryptonite. We lost a game to a team we that we were 28 point favorites against.

Last night the WVU Men's Football team received an official bid the the Fiesta Bowl. Only problem is it is against Oklahoma, a team that we just don't match up well against.

To top off a horrible weekend for me, it's Snowing right now.

'Twas the night before Pitt

*Twas the night before Pittsburgh, when all through my mind,**

Were visions of couch burnings - both your's and mine.

Firemen were resting and acting quite lazy,

But they knew that things were about to get crazy.

The players were nestled, Markell did his dreds,

While visions of **Bourbon Street** danced in their heads.**

There were Quinton's gold teeth, Larry's son in his lap,

While the quarterback made noises to sound like a cat.

When down in the end zone there arose such a noise,

They sprang from their homes and called all their boys.

To the field they flew, fast as Devine,

Making sure to pick up the offensive line.

The invaders had arrived at the stadium early,

These Panthers were looking noticeably surly.

There was a point to this late-night trip through the hills,

They were out on the field doing defensive drills.

With a dapper old coach who combed his mustache,

You knew in a moment it must be Wann stedt.

He'd made his name as a defensive master,

And he whistled and shouted for them to run faster!

"Watch Slaton! Watch Schmitt! Watch Reynaud and White!

Watch option! Watch bubble! Could be a rough night!

Let's stand at the goal line and build a big wall,

And keep them from their shot to play for it all!"

As they began to believe his bold rally cry,

There was a flash and a pop up high in the sky.

They reacted the same, with a quick double take,

What they saw made them stop in their cleats and quake.

On the top of the stadium a man made his stand,

As he calmly adjusted his Nike wristbands.

He said "My name's Rich, as you surely know,"

Then ran down the bleachers with Mountaineers in tow.

They were dressed all in gold, from their heads to their feet,

And they looked like they'd win a 12-team track meet.

A bundle of plays he had in his book,

And there was no mistaking that confident look.

Pitt's eyes - how they widened! Their hearts - how they pounded!

All for the biggest game since this Brawl was founded.

One side had momentum, the other desperation,

This battle wouldn't wait for the eyes of the nation!

Caridi was roused from a much-needed sleep,

So were Hickman and Hertzel, the last with a bleep.

They brought their pens, paper and elaborate prose,

To witness this battle of bitter old foes.

It was dark and cold, your breath you could see,

But that didn't stop the kickoff of Pat McAfee.

The tackle, of course, came from an old Hawk named Emery,

And so started this game that would soon be a memory.

They spoke so few words as they went to work,

But score after score drove the visitors berserk.

The Mountaineers rolled, as was expected,

While the Panthers backed off, clearly dejected.

There was a Gatorade shower that gave poor Rich shivers,

While no one seemed happier than Pitt native Vaughn Rivers.

They exclaimed after singing about Almost Heaven,

"We'll see you in **New Orleans** on January 7."**

It's a Big Ole Hairy Friday

Once again we are at the end of a weeks worth of work and at the dawn of yet another weekend of relaxation and football.

Tomorrow the #1 Ranked WVU Mountaineers will try to secure a spot in the MNC BCS game to win and a chance to win the 2007-8 NCAA Football National Championship. We will be playing Pitt in the 100th Backyard Brawl and if we win, we're in.

Gary and Renee are going on a nice little trip to Colonial Williamsburg tomorrow for the weekend. I was there some years ago on vacation, but that was when I was dating Barbie and we went to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. Our Hotel was on the backside of Colonial Williamsburg, but I seem to recall all we did was drive down the main street once.

Have a good weekend.

Gotta Love it

Val's iPod

For her 24th birthday, my sister got Val a iPod shuffle. I've been up there the last couple of days trying to set it up for her. I had to reformat the iPod and she only has a regular USB connection, so it was time consuming to reformat it.

She took it up to Gary's last night and now has some music on it and is able to listen to it.

6'6" 240 song

A lil video

Happy Birthday Val

I would like to take this opportunity to wish my niece Val a very Happy 24th Birthday today. It seems like just yesterday that I was running to the old university hospital after hearing the news that Terri had given birth to a daughter.

I did get a chance to see Val Saturday night briefly as she and Bobby came to visit Terri at the bar.


Happy Birthday Val.

In the Coaches Poll....

We're #1

Nov. 25, 2007
Rank
Team (first-place votes)
Record
LINK



1.West Virginia (37) 10-1 1,467 3
2.Missouri (17) 11-1 1,454 4
3.Ohio State (6)11-1 1,383 5
4.Georgia 10-2 1,232 7
T5.Kansas 11-1 1,161 2
T5.Virginia Tech 10-2 1,161 8
7.LSU 10-2 1,134 1
8.Oklahoma 10-2 1,126 9
9.Southern California 9-2 1,073 12
10.Hawaii 11-0 958 13
11.Florida 9-3 898 14
12.Boston College 10-2 861 16
13.Arizona State 9-2 756 6
14.Illinois 9-3 674 18
15.Tennessee 9-3 654 19
16.Wisconsin 9-3 493 20
17.Clemson 9-3 469 22
18.Texas 9-3 417 11
19.Brigham Young 9-2 327 23
20.Oregon 8-3 316 10
T21.Auburn 8-4 271 25
T21.Virginia 9-3 271 15
23.Boise State 10-2 247 17
24.Cincinnati 9-3 146 NR
25.Arkansas 8-4 145 NR

Dropped out

No. 21 Connecticut (9-3, lost to then-No. 3 West Virginia 66-21), No. 24 Texas Tech (8-4, idle).
Others receiving votes
Texas Tech (8-4) 116; South Florida (9-3) 100; Connecticut (9-3) 54; Air Force (9-3) 41; Penn State (8-4) 19; Central Florida (9-3) 18; Michigan (8-4) 17; Wake Forest (8-4) 9; Oregon State (7-4) 7; Rutgers (7-4) 6; Mississippi State (7-5) 4; Oklahoma State (6-6) 4; Michigan State (7-5) 3; Troy (8-3) 3; Houston (8-4) 2; Tulsa (9-3) 2; Fresno State (7-4) 1.

...and the waiting game begins

This has been a great weekend for being a Mountaineer fan. Friday Night #1 LSU lost to Arkansas in triple overtime 50-48 to give West Virginia a very big early Christmas gift.

Yesterday the Mountaineers been UCONN 66-21 securing the Big East Championship and a spot in a BCS Bowl Game (Rose, Sugar, Orange or Fiesta) representing the Big East this year. This is the very least that will happen this year. Because of Friday Nights LSU loss, WVU will move up into the top 2 of the BCS rankings today (we were #3) and have opened up a spot for us to play in the BCS National Championship Game on January 7th against either Missouri if they win next week or Ohio State. All we have to do is beat Pitt next Saturday and we are in.

We have had two shots at previous National Championships. In 1988 we played against Notre Dame and lost and in 1993, we were #2 in the Coaches Poll and #3 in the AP. Florida State got the nod ahead of us to play against #1 Nebraska and has we beaten Florida in the 1993 Sugar Bowl, it would have probably been a split national Championship.

Today the waiting game begins, the wait isn't whether we will be in the top 2, the wait is to see if we may be #1 for the first time in school history. #1 LSU lost and #2 Kansas lost to #4 Missouri. Because Missouri beat the #2 team and we crushed the #20 team, there is a possibility that they may jump us in the polls. The worst that we will end up today is #2 in the Country. It's just a matter of waiting to see how the human polls come out.

Black Friday

Wow was that T-Totally ridiculous. I picked Up Jean at about 4:00 AM. She was wanting to buy a Big Screen TV and was going to try to take advantage of the Black Friday sales.

We started at Super Wal-Mart, but the sales didn't start till 5:00 and she didn't see anything sh3e really liked. Next we went to Best Buy who opened at 5:00. When we got there the line went out he door, around the side of the building, all the was down the side and u-turned back up into the parking lot. Guys who had camped out since last night didn't even get what they wanted.

Next, it was Target at a 6:00 opening there, there was a nice TV I saw in an ad and told her about so we were going to try to get it. They had 10 in stock. Notice how I said had, because by the time we got back there, they were gone. All 10 in a matter of minutes.

With a one last ditch effort, we made a track to Sam's club. She wanted a 37" HD TV. We lucked out and she walked out with a 42" Flat Screen HD TV. Yesterday afternoon we were setting up and watching her HDTV, we were watching the LSU-Arkansas game (which is another story WOO HOO).

We did get a little bit of an education from Best Buy and Comcast yesterday. One of the selling points when buying a TV is the number you will see. Either 720 or 1080. There is a 720p, a 720i a 1080i and a 1080p. Obviously the best one to get would be a 1080p. There is not much of a difference between 720p and 1080i. Actually Jean's TV does both and are very high quality. Most salesmen will try to push the 1080p because it is a better quality. Here's the kicker, Comcast does not support a 1080p signal. If you have a PS3 or a Blue Ray disk player, then a 1080p TV will give you the full ability to see it at what it is designed to do. However, Comcast does not broadcast in 1080p. (JFYI)

Happy Thanksgiving

Day off, Day on, Day off

What a morning. I woke up this morning and was having some connection problems at work, I then requested the days vacation to make it a long weekend. My Boss said we are in a crunch and asked if I could work once the problem was resolved and I agreed. An hour in, and the virus that attacked the network attacked again starting with the machine I was working on.

Sooooo, it's a five day weekend.

Thoughts for Christmas Eve

Just a few random thoughts and ideas for the Christmas Holidays.

* A Chinese gift exchange has been discussed and most people like the idea of it.

* Mom came up with an idea of everyone bringing a Christmas bulb or ornament for the tree. I like the idea, I would like to have one bulb, preferably personalized for each person that will be at Klaer Lodge. It doesn't have to be a commercial bulb, it could be Styrofoam personalized for that person. That way everyone could possibly be represented by the family tree.

* Photo's. I love my pictures and very rarely do we get the chance to get everyone together at one time and one place. Like Thanksgiving a couple years ago, I would like to take a lot of pictures including at least one of every family unit as well as others. I'll bring my tripod, so if anyone has a camera and wants pictures, bring your camera. I would like to do a Christmas video again this year, maybe even two of them, so I will need pictures to go on.

* Board games and a deck of cards are a few things we may need and if anyone would have a portable radio, that would be nice. Not sure what kind of electronic entertainment will be there, so it would be nice to have a few interactive toys for everyone to spend time together. I'm open to all ideas.

* I will try to go up once before the time we have it rented to just get a few ideas. If anyone else is interested in going (not sure when) let me know. Two heads are better than one, three are better than two and so on and so forth.

Good Luck Hunters

This is the most missed day of work in West Virginia, the week that many men in the state schedule a weeks vacation in pursuit of being able to bag a big buck with a rifle. It marks the first day of deer season in West Virginia.

I would like to wish all the hunters luck and have a safe and happy day of hunting. No accidental shootings.

Mountaineer weekend

Yesterday I went to my second Mountaineer basketball game (women's too) this weekend as the Mountaineers beat Prairie View A&M yesterday 106-41 in a game that was total domination from the start. It was part of the Stub Hub Classic, WVU will advance to the semi-finals this week to play Tennessee. Both the men's and Women's teams plat the Vol's this week. The Vol's women are ranked #1 and their men's team is ranked #7.

The BCS polls came out yesterday and WVU is in better shape than I thought. I thought we would end up being #4 in the BCS rankings, but we ended up #3 in the rankings. This week #2 plays #4, so if we win, we should stay the say no matter who wins. If #4 Missouri wins, they will leapfrog us to #2 while #2 Kansas would drop.

Keep your finger crossed.

WVU Wins again

Once again the West Virginia Mountaineers went on the road and came away with another victory. This was the last road game of the year (other than the bowl) and 6th ranked WVU went into 322 ranked Cincinnati and managed to hold on for a 28-23 victory running their record to 9-1 on the season with two games remaining.

Fortunately for WVU we are ranked 6th in the BCS going into this week, however #2 ranked Oregon lost 24-34 and #4 ranked Oklahoma lost 37-24 to help out the Mountaineers. This should move us to #4 in todays BCS rankings with the Kansas and Missouri having to play each other this coming weekend. These teams should be ranked #2 and #3 ahead of us, so one of them has to lose this coming week and if WVU wins this should bring us to a #3 ranking in the BCS.

Next week WVU plays UCONN at home and this will be for the Big East Championship and the right to represent the Big East in a BCS Bowl (Sugar, Rose, Orange or Fiesta). If we win next week, we should enter the final week of the season ranked 33 in the BCS.

In the final week of the season, LSU will have to compete against probably Georgia in the SEC title game. The last time these two teams played for the SEC Title, Georgia beat LSU and then had their butts handed to them by WVU in the Sugar Bowl. In the Big 12, the winner of the Kansas v Missouri Game will most likely face Oklahoma for the Big 12 Championship. Oklahoma has already beaten Missouri once this year and Kansas is still undefeated, but have yet to beat a decent team this year.

If Oklahoma wins the Big 12 OR Georgia wins and the SEC, WVU will be playing for the National Championship if we win the two remaining games at home against teams we are will be favored to beat.

Buckle up, this could get interesting over the next 13 days.

Huggins Era

The Bob Huggins era of coaching the West Virginia Mountaineers has now officially began with last nights 81-53(Mark's new site)victory last night against Arkansas-Monticello. With many thanks to Chris Ostein for a couple tickets to see the game, I went and picked up Brittany and took her to the game with me last night.

We did get to briefly see the inside of a mobile production studio as Chris was doing instant replay for the game. He and Scott are on their way to Cincinnati today to broadcast tonight's football game.

I think Brittany really enjoyed the game.

Most influentual Professor at WVU

Congratulations are in store for probably one of my most influential professors while at WVU. Dr Kenneth Martis welcomed me into the program my Freshman year, and was basically my mentor during my tenure at WVU. He was my adviser when Dr. Elmes was on sabbatical and always had an open door for me regardless of why I would come and see him.

He was also the one who nominated me for the personal interest story among WVU grads for the 2004 Commencement. It went to an 86 year old man, but I was a finalist and it was Dr. Martis who nominated me. Our disciplines are different, I am a GIS guy and he is a political geographer, but our paths crossed numerous times as my advisor, professor, nominator, man of influence and the man who called my name during graduation.

Yesterday, Dr. Martis was named the 2007 WVU Professor of the year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

Congratulations on the honor Dr Martis. As any one of his former students could tell you, "Water Transportation, is the cheapest form of transportation, ESPECIALLY for large bulk products." This was something very simple that he drilled into our heads. It also was a very helpful piece of information to many other disciplines of geography.

Coming closer

It's getting closer and closer to that Big Old hairy Friday and the start of the weekend. However we are stuck at Thursday and will have to wait another day.

I went over last night and hooked up Danielle and Mom's wireless internet up. Danielle's Router wasn't properly working and she had to have them send her another one, this one works quite nice. Once I configured Danielle's, I went downstairs and configured Mom's.

I think they both now like being wireless and have the freedom of taking their laptops away from their traditional locations and being able to use them at multiple places around the house.

Mid week

It started out as a nice day, I had work to do and my machines at work were both running well. Until about 8:30 and the network virus once again proceeded to try to take down the network.

This can make for a long day, but the weather is nice and my front door is open so I don't mind all that much. At least I can still get the fresh air in and make it smell like summer time.

First Experiance with MC OSX Leopard

Yesterday I had my first chance to look at the Macintosh OS X Leopard operating system. I had advised Danielle in not getting a Windows Vista Machine and instead going the Macintosh route. I felt as though Microsoft had really fumbled the ball on their Window's Vista Operating System, and apparently so does about everyone else.

Danielle bought hers yesterday and I was given the chance to actually have a little first hand experience using it. I have used a series of Windows OS, Unix, Linux and knoppix, and I was really intrigued by what Macintosh was offering. They did not disappoint.

It is a very trouble free, user friendly, quick and efficient system. If I did not have to have a Windows system for the VPN, I would probably buy a MAC. I may still eventually end up getting one if it is a laptop and not something I need to work with everyday.

Kim who was going to get one, had decided yesterday that they were not going to get one, only to call me last night at about 10:30 after learning of Danielle's and informed me she had just ordered one. She has wanted one for some time and I can say it will fit her perfectly.

Strange

Anyone who knows me knows I speak an offbeat language that I picked up 25 years ago from Jane. It's called Gibberish it's an advanced deviation based on the English Language.

Outside of the friends I learned it from nor the people I have taught it to have I ever really heard or used it. It was sort of like an unspoken hidden language that only a few people identified with.

I'm sitting here this afternoon watching Slums of Beverly Hills and there is a scene where two girls are having a conversation in gibberish. I didn't think much of it when they first started putting up subtitles, but then it dawned on me, they are speaking gibberish.

Strange.

The Monday After

It was a nice, long event filled weekend for me and now it is back to work. WVU Football game, Women's basketball game, Gallagher Concert and watching a great Steelers comeback yesterday made for a fun event filled weekend. However all good things must come to an end and we start another week.

My voice is slowly coming back from Thursday night, but it's not at 100% just as of yet. It will get back to normal in a couple of days.

We're still having a problem with the VPN at work, at least as far as connecting to workstations, so that means so far today the day has been in limbo. Sitting around and waiting.

Gallagher Concert

Last night was the night, the night that I finally got a chance to see one of my favorite comedians.

Gallagher had been here twice before, but both occasions I was in High School and had a scheduled football game that night. So, I never had the opportunity to see him.

Last night he did not disappoint. He did a roughly three hour show, but it wasn't one of his typical shows. There was a lot of audience participation including many kids that had the opportunity to step on stage with him.

When we first walked in, everything was basically covered in plastic, that should have been an indication what was to come. The show started off with him using a tennis racket and hitting candy into the audience, then a few hours of stand up, then a very memorable sledge o matic final.

It was a great night and he did not disappoint.

A Sad Day

Reading todays paper I noticed that Henry "Yup Yup" Drosky passed away yesterday at the Sundale Nursing Home.

"Yup Yup" as the Mountaineer nation remembers him was named by WVU Hall of Fame football coach Don Nehlen as West Virginia's Number one fan. He was legenday, he had some kind of disability that caused his condition, the only words you would ever hear him say was "Yup Yup", which is where henry earned his name and reputation from Mountaineer fans. Any time I ever went to a WVU sporting event in my youth Henry was always there. Any time I had ever been to a mountaineer sport practice even much less a game, Henry was always there.

I always said he deserved to be honored as WVU's most loyal fan.

Uncle Junior (George Koon) will be officiating the Funeral Monday Morning at the McCulla Funeral Home.

I shot this portion of video years ago with dad's camera. RIP Henry, you will be missed, but never forgotten.

I officially don't like Go Mart

About a week or so ago McBee's Exxon up here obviously changed ownership and a few policies. They no longer carry Exxon Gasoline (My preference) and the store is half empty of products. (Not to mention the bad sandwich I got this past week).

This morning I pulled in to fill up my gas tank, it was on E and needed filled, so I pull in and put in my card and choose credit. I start filling up and the pump shuts off at $50.00.. My tank isn't full, unfortunately, so I proceed to walk into the store and tell them that the pump shut off at $50.00 for some reason on a credit card purchase. I was informed it was their company policy to limit gasoline purchase credit card transactions to $50.00 and debit card transactions to $35.00.

Maybe it's just me, and I could understand if they limited that dollar amount if you paid after the purchase, but this is the same as a prepay transaction. You're limiting me to $50.00 worth of gas per credit card and $35.00 per debit transaction?

Well my tank is I believe a 22 gallon tank, the light comes on around 18 gallons though, and at the current $3.19 a gallon it's not hard to purchase in excess of $50.00 of gasoline in a single transaction, especially for those of us who drive SUV's.

So Go Mart, this individual who used to have to fill up every other day and now spends roughly $30.00 a week now or $60.00 every two weeks, is now an unhappy customer and is probably not going to be doing any more business with you. That is roughly $1,600 a year I spent at this store JUST FOR GASOLINE PURCHASES. That doesn't include the bottles of diet coke, breakfast sandwiches, or any other item I may purchase when I stop in.

To the new owners who probably paid a premium price for that prime location, you're own idiotic policies and empty store have just officially cost you a long time customer. Don't know how many pennies your policy is going to save you, but it just cost you a couple thousand dollars a year in sales to this consumer.

Very Little Voice left

Wow what a game last night. I was standing and yelling the whole night long, to the point that I really don;t have much of a voice today. WVU won a hard fought 38-31 Victory over defending Orange Bowl Champions Louisville last night on ESPN. Pat White sealed the game last night with a 50 Yard Touchdown run late in the game to break the 31-31 tie that Louisville had fought back to get.

It was a Gold Rush night where all the fans were decked out in Gold, and the team were in Gold shirts and pants. The stands were jumping and the fans were into the entire game and actually were the 12th man last night.

great night.

Bring on the Cards

Tonight, Morgantown will be invaded by a bunch of red birds that think they can play football. Rich Rodriguez will lead the WVU Mountaineers onto the field at roughly 7:30 this evening to try to dispel the red birds theory that they can play football.

It should be a great environment and Nick and I will be there sitting in section 101, we'll be wearing Gold sweatshirts, look for us.

Midweek

the VPN is acting all screwy at work, so I can't log in right now. I guess that makes it as good as a time as any to do a blog post.

I think old man winter and Mother nature have teamed up and are planning to move into the neighborhood for the next few months. I'm trying to hook Phil up with a couple female groundhogs to take his mind off his shadow this February. Of course he didn't see it last year and we got the worst part of winter AFTER that. I guess it's still too early to start asking if it's softball yet.

Still planning on going to the game tomorrow night with Nick. It should be a pretty good game and hopefully we can make things turn out in our favor. WVU is currently a 15 point favorite, but that doesn't really mean anything.

Have a good Hump day.

Did you see the Steelers last night

Wow were they impressive. It was 35-0 at one point in the first half and the steelers managed to pull out a 38-7 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. It was a game when the Steelers brought back the all time teams and all the Steeler greats were there for the game.

I hope this is just the start of a good football week for me.

McBee's Exxon

My Local gas station, McBee's Exxon where I have done a lot of shopping since I moved up on Grafton Road has sold out to someone else. Different brand of gas, the store was half empty with it's normal products and I just bought a Wedgie that I would almost wager has sat there for about six hours. Worst thing I have ever eaten from there.

They changed ownership and went downhill quick. I hope this is just a transitional period, because as is, this place sucks.

EDIT, I just tossed the Wedgie, I'm hungry and it was that bad.

The BCS

The Mountaineers were idle this weekend, and two teams ranked ahead of us lost. That didn't prevent us from getting jumped in the BCS poll though. The Mountaineers were jumped by not only one, but TWO teams that were ranked behind us last week. We went into the week ranked #7, and after sitting idle we come out of the weeks ranked #7.

I would say any chance of the Mountaineers somehow making it to the National Championship game now are slim to none.

We have to concentrate on the tasks at hand, and that is the next four games one at a time. If they do they, everything else will take care of itself.

Weekends over

It was a relaxing weekend, didn't really get into too much. Ate Breakfast with Amy and Ralphie yesterday morning at Hardees. Stopped by the bar once and visited Terri, other than that a pretty uneventful weekend.

Next weekend will be quite busy for me.

Thursday Night I'll be going to the WVU Louisville game with Nick.

Friday Night Morgantown High and University High Start the playoffs here against each other and WVU will be hosting the Big East Soccer Championship this weekend at the soccer stadium.

Saturday I'll be going to see Gallagher with Pam and George.

And if WVU is playing for the Championship Sunday, I may go watch the Big East soccer Finals.

Needless to say that there will be plenty for me to do and get into this coming weekend.

Fall Back

Later tonight 2:00 AM on Sunday we will officially be turning the clocks back and going off Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time. This means you can have an extra hour of sleep this weekend and the days are now getting much shorter.

It's Official

We now officially have Klaer Lodge for both Sunday Night the 23rd and Monday Night the 24th of December. I called and reserved it this morning after speaking with everyone the past few days. I remember I tried to do this last year and could manage to get it for one night after a last minute cancellation. No worries this year, it has been secured and it is now officially ours.

Come one come all, and make sure you have plenty of batteries for your camera, this will be one to remember.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes we are once again at time of the work week when the work ceases and the fun begins, we are on the dawn of yet another weekend.

The Mountaineers are off this weekend and will be playing next Thursday Night against Louisville. Thanks to a good friend, I now have two tickets to this game and Nick and I will be going to the game. I had an extra ticket and couldn't think of anyone else who would want to go more than Nick. I could be wrong, but I think this may be the first game he has attended since Recourse.

I think over the last couple days we have a game plan for Christmas and where we are going to have it. I am going to call today and try to reserve Klaer Lodge for Sunday night the 23rd and Monday night the 24th. It's been too long since everyone has been together. The place is spacious, private and plenty of parking with full facilities and sleeps I think 30 for anyone who may want to stay. We're talking about doing a Chinese Gift Exchange, I was involved with one last year with my softball team. I think it could be enjoyable to everyone. Klaer Lodge also has a couple fireplaces for hanging stockings.

I got a message from Moke this morning, He's in Ohio and has found a new job already and has applied to two colleges he said. We'll see.

Have a good Friday.

Halloweeen Night

It's that time of the year again when ghouls and goblins come down and visit us. They demand sweet sugary treats of enjoyment in exchange for not giving you a trick. Last night at Jean's was no different than any other year. Most of us got together and enjoyed a pre-meal of Sloppy Joe's, Pizza and French Fries.
After the feast that was provided by Jean, the kids got into their costumes and started out to seek their treats for the night. Trick or Treating ran from 6:00 till 8:00 in East Gate and to say this this year was any different than any other year would be an incorrect statement. At 6:00 Calvin and Joey were off, they wanted that sugar rush. Erica and Josh weren't far behind and Kayla, Kyle and Kayla's friend also setting out to garner the nights treats.
Pam was lucky enough to draw the "Candy Giver" role this year. I sat out there to keep her company as jean also made an occasional visit to be wowed by the number of trick or treaters that decided to pay a visit.

We started out with 200 Small Candy Bars and between Me and Val we provided another eight bags of Candy bars. Somehow Rich's stash of Candy bars managed to make it into the bowl to give out.
It would be hard for me to estimate how many Trick or Treaters we saw this year, 90% of the Trick or Treaters that stopped by stopped in the first hour of the event. I think a safe guess would have to be in the 350 range for number of visitors for the night. At 6:30 I really considered going down to Krogers and buying more Candy, wondering if we had enough. Eventually with a little help from Rich's stash, we managed to make it all the way through.

Pam and I turned the lights out and came back inside at about 7:50, it had been a good 20 minutes since we had seen our last treater.

It was a memorable night.

Happy Halloween

Tonight is All Hallows Eve or Halloween to you and me. This is the night when ghouls and goblins come around requesting a treat, and if they don't get a treat, you will get a trick.

I was talking to Jean earlier in the week and we were trying to remember how many trick or treaters we had last year. I was thinking a couple hundred, but looking at last years recap
of Halloween on my Blog, we estimated there were 400 Trick or Treaters that stopped by.

I'll be there with camera in tow.

New feature added to sidebar

I just added an RSS feed from the WV Metro News on the right side of the blog.

300 LB African Lion Loose in WV

There is supposedly a 300 pound male African Lion roaming around West Virginia in Lewisburg.

I wonder if I put a couple dead chickens out he'll come and eat the deer so they don't run into my car.


African lion alleged to be in W.Va.
The Associated Press
Article Last Updated: 10/29/2007 10:11:18 AM MDT

LEWISBURG, W.Va.—Using a video camera and raw chicken, state officials hope to learn whether the king of the jungle is prowling the woods of West Virginia.

Bow hunter Jim Shortridge believes he saw a full-grown, male African lion weighing between 250 and 300 pounds at the foot of Cold Knob Mountain earlier this month. The state Division of Natural Resources confirmed that at least one other person has reported seeing the lion.

Using a camera normally employed to catch people dumping trash illegally, the state Department of Environmental Protection has joined with Greenbrier County Animal Control Officer Robert McClung and exotic animal expert Jim Forga to see if they can substantiate the sightings.

Twenty pounds of raw chicken left on the site last week were devoured, but McClung said that doesn't prove the lion's existence.

"Anything could have eaten that," he said.

If officials do spot the lion on videotape, they may set a bear trap for the animal. If caught, it would be turned over to Forga, who runs Tiger Mountain Refuge in Rainelle, a shelter for exotic animals.

Trunk or Treat

Just passing this along:

WVU student groups invite children to 'Trunk or Treat' Oct. 29

Student organizations at West Virginia University are planning a special “Trunk or Treat” event to give area children a chance to trick or treat in a fun and safe environment.

The event will take place from 5:30-7 p.m. Monday (Oct. 29) at the Coliseum parking area.

WVU students dressed in costumes will hand out candy and other treats to kids from the trunks of cars. There will also be games and a costume contest for children.

The Mountaineer mascot – along with Choosy from the Choosy Kids Club, a WVU program that encourages active lifestyles based on healthy decisions, and the Chick-fil-A cow – will be making special appearances.

The WVU chapter of the Institute of Industrial Engineers is organizing the “Trunk or Treat” event.

Other student groups that will be passing out treats to children include the Alpha Pi Mu Industrial Engineering Honor Society; Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology Association; American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; Habitat for Humanity; Alpha Lambda Delta national honor society; Alpha Xi Delta sorority; WVU Collegiate 4-H; Academy of Student Pharmacists; American Society of Civil Engineers; Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity; Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society; Lutheran Disaster Response Collegiate Corps; Lutheran Student Movement; Society of Women Engineers; Omega Psi Phi fraternity; WVU Softball; Mountaineer Campus Ministries; Association for Computing Machinery; MTNA; Engineers Without Borders; Kappa Phi Pi; Destination Imagination; and Be Choosy Kids.

All ages are welcome. For more information, e-mail WVIIE1@gmail.com or ahoffma4@mix.wvu.edu.

BRRRRRRR

I woke up early this morning, as I do any other morning, and walked outside to go and get my morning paper. I usually walk outside in shorts and a T Shirt and never thing twice about it unless it is raining out.

I walked out this morning and noticed that it was FREAKING COLD OUT. What happened? Windshields actually had a thin layer of frost/ice on them and I could almost see my breath. BRRRR

I also think me feeding my squirrels all summer has created a new species. They are now the sized of deer. I walk outside this morning and there were three squirrels the size of deer and they had horns and much smaller tails. Come to think of it, they may have been deer and not some super genetic transformation of my squirrels because of my super feed corn.

How about this for an up and coming guitar wizard

WVU looked good yesterday

WVU played Big East Conference foe Rutgers University and played arguably one of our best games of the season. The Mountaineers played steady and consistent in a 31-3 winning effort. The defense played hard and held Heisman Trophy candidate out of the end zone and kept him pretty much contained all day. Rice still managed to get quite a few rushing yards, but nothing accounting for any points. Steve Slaton had three touchdowns and Pat White had the other.

The Mountaineers will be off next Saturday and will play Louisville at home on the following Thursday. Louisville beat us last year, but have been struggling this season. We should be able to run the table the rest of the way.

Big Ole RAINY Friday

It's that time of the week again, but dammit it's raining out. I was wanting to go to the MoHawk Bowl tonight at Mountaineer Field, but I'm not going and sitting and watching it in the rain. It will be broadcast locally this evening on local Channel 3 for those of us who don't feel like sitting out in the rain.

I'm listening to Hoppy's talkline and it's my favorite part of the week, it's steam release. However Hoppy is in New Jersey getting ready for tomorrows game against Rutgers.

It's a rainy kind of day

Well it is Wed but it is also a rainy type of day here. It really hasn't been a heavy rain, but kind of a steady streaming mist of rain for the last few hours. The summer weather that we have enjoyed the last few days now fades into our recent memory as the smell of fall, when fresh leaves have fallen from, the trees and that Autumn mist is very prevalent.

For anyone who likes taking pictures, I'm sure we are just at about the right time when this part of West Virginia with it's deciduous hard wood trees have their leaves demonstrate a beautiful time of the year as they leaves change colors. It's the time of the year when it looks like Mother Nature wolfed down a big box of Crayola Crayons and then spewed it all over the area.

It's a beautiful time to be in West Virginia.

Let's Turn back the clock kinda day

Sometimes you are looking for content to add to a blog. Something that will keep a readers interest and keep them coming back. I will have to credit the West Virginia Historical Photographs collection
as the main source of my historical Morgantown Photos.

TODAYS PHOTO(Link to site rather than posting photo)

Today is one of those days that I was reaching for an idea something to do and it dawned on me, I had previously considered finding a historical photo and discussing it on the blog. I love photography, and that doesn't mean it has to be mine, but it could be.


The Photo that you see to the right was taken in 1949 when the original Star City Bridge was being built. Of course it looks nothing like it does today, even though this image was taken on the opposite side of the bridge. The old bridge was destroyed a few years ago in the early AM. I remember waking up early and going to the Texas Roadhouse with Ginger Bernholt so we could see the demolition of the bridge before we headed off to work.

I just thought it would be mice to stop and reflect a little.

Wildabeast v Tiger v Alligator

Watch it all the way through, pretty amazing video.

It's a back 2 work kinda Monday

Yuck, I hate Mondays. It's back to work.

The weekend was alright, the Mountaineers won on Saturday for homecoming. WV jumped out to a 31-0 lead early in the 2nd Quarter, but had it not been for a stupid block in the back penalty that was insignificant as to what was happening on the field, it would have been 35-0 in the 1st Quarter.

Yesterday the Steelers played the late game and lost on a last second Field Goal to Denver 31-28. The Steelers didn't look to sharp at times and dropped this game to the Broncos.

My Fantasy Football team suffered their first loss of the year after the big matchup last weekend of the only two undefeated teams. This week my top two players were in Bye weeks and I lost a close game. I should be pretty much full strength the remainder of the season.

Have a good day.

What an accomplishment

WVU Men's Soccer team achieved a nice little goal tonight, pardon the pun, they just beat the #1 Ranked UCONN Huskies at the Soccer Stadium.

Great job guys!!!

Gallagher Tickets

Anyone else wanting to go to the Gallagher show next month, Pam George and Myself have already bought our tickets for the Saturday November 10 show and we will be sitting in the orchestra section.

Anyone else interested in attending this show (concert style seating (that's first come first serve for each section)) you will need to use TicketWeb and order the orchestra seating. That's the lower section.

Something I did learn today, Gallagher used to live in Fairmont, West Virginia for six months during the 70's. He told Eric and Kevin in a taped interview that was accidentally erased before broadcast that he wrote the Sledge-O-Matic bit while he was an unknown comic living in Fairmont.

His first Sledge-O-Matic bit (Sorry, embedding disabled)

Another Big Old Hairy Friday

Once again we reach that point of the workweek that we look forward to, the day when work ceases for the week and the weekend if upon up. It's once again another Big Old Hairy Friday.

Unlike last weekend, Morgantown High School will be playing at home tonight, WVU will not only be playing tomorrow, but be playing at home and the Steelers will play on Sunday. I have to appreciate this weekend after a no football weekend last week. Yuck.

There is some very good local news, missing teen Jacob Allen, an autistic kid from Morgantown who was lost for four days at Dolley Sods was found yesterday. I guess they found him about a mile from where they had found his hat previously.

If you are looking for something to do tonight, tonight at 6:30 is the West Virginia University Homecoming parade downtown. Pardon the pun - weather report, but I hope it doesn't rain on WVU's parade tonight.

Enjoy your weekend.

This week has been dragging

Maybe it's because I really have nothing to do and sitting and waiting on data, but man has this week been exceptionally slow for me. Yikes, someone send me some data.

Well even though this week is going slow, we are at Thursday at least. Comedian Gallagher is supposed to be on Eric and Kevin's show this morning, so I am paying attention and trying to win a few tickets to one of the shows. They gave away a pair during the 6:00 hour with a 20 questions game, but I didn't have a clue to the answer until it was revealed. I have won this game before though.

Keep your fingers crossed and maybe I can still win some tickets to one of the shows today. Come on Kevin, hook a catcher up.

Josie's Birthday

Even though it has been several months since Amy and I split up, her daughter Josie is still on my mind. Today is Josie's birthday.

Happy Birthday Brittany Dae Cummings

I would like to take this chance to wish my niece Brittany, a very Happy Birthday today. I think she is starting to catch up to me in age, as I am now only four years older than her. Give it another five years and she;ll be older than me.

Anyways, have a very Happy Birthday Brittany.

It's a back to work Monday

I'm telling you the weekends just seem to fly by anymore. It seems like it was just Friday night and the workweek was over with.

Over the weekend I managed to go to Mountaineer Madness, the first WVU Basketball Practice of the season Friday night with Mark, Chewy and Courtney. Mark had the opportunity to see a slam dunk by WVU during a WVU basketball game. You would think a man who has been the teams official statistician for roughly 20 years sitting on press row would have seen a dunk or two through the years, but he doesn't actually get to see too much of the action and told me he has never had his eyes up for a WVU Dunk.

Saturday I went and did a little shopping. Went to a few stores like JC Penney's and Steve and Barry's and of course Wal-Mart to pick up a few things. In was all over the place trying to find dress shirts for someone my size. having a 20" neck makes it VERY hard to find a shirt that fits. Gerald recommended going to Daniel's here in Morgantown, he said other than JC Penny's it's really the only other place you can find big men's clothes. Belk's had a small selection and Elder Beerman's selection was very limited.

Sunday was Fantasy Football day and I was taking my 6-0 record against the only other undefeated team. One of us had to win, and let's just say about everyone on my team had a MONSTER game. The way our league is set up, teams will average between 90-100 points a game if you are half decent. I blew that scale out of the water this weekend setting a league record for points in a single week and still have one big points player going tonight. I won 207-97 and all my opponents players have played. Needless to say there is only one undefeated team left and it is yours truly. Considering the knowledge levels of sports of the guys in this league, that is one HECK of an accomplishment. I owe it all to draft research, I drew the first position for the draft, but that position traditionally doesn't even make the playoffs. I found a sleeper or two.

It's Monday morning and the weekend is now once again a fond fading memory. Back to work.

it's Big, Old and Hairy, must be Friday

Yes once again that one day of the week that we look forward to in anticipation has finally arrived and we are at the dawn of yet another weekend.

This is going to be a non-football weekend for me. Morgantown High is playing away at Parkersburg South, the Mountaineers and the Steelers are both idle this weekend.

However tonight is Mountaineer madness for the start of basketball season. Admission is free and both the WVU Men's and Women's teams will be available for an autograph session at 8:15 and will start practices at 9:00. Practice will include a new video board, a slam dunk competition, a 2 ball game and many other things. Could be a nice night to head to the Coliseum to greet the team and enter in the Bobby Huggins era of Mountaineer Basketball.

In case everyone forgot, when Gale Catlett retired Bob Huggins was the coach that everyone thought was coming home. Huggy bear chose to stay at the #2 Cincinnati Bearcats which lead WVU to hire John Beilein. After Beilein bolted for Michigan, Bob Huggins did not balk at the chance to return home this time.

Other than that Mylan Park will be hosting Oktoberfest tomorrow.

Have a good weekend no matter what you get into.

Congratulations Danielle

I got a cal from Danielle last night, she is wanting to buy a new laptop before she heads off to college. I guess yesterday she received her first approval letter from Wheeling Jesuit. I then proceeded to ask her what was her number one choice of a college to get into and I quickly found out why she was happy to hear from Wheeling Jesuit.

Congratulations on being accepted to the college that you feel is the best fit for you. It adds something to your academic career when you are accepted into your first choice.

Painball

Got eh following e-mail this morning from Sean Arthurs of MVP Paintball:


Little reminder that October 13th is Halloween Havoc 2 at MVP Park. It will be a scenario game dated way back. It was written by my co-owner Danny Williams and looks like a ton of fun. Gates open at 8am and the game starts around 10am. We hope to see you Saturday.

Thanks,
Sean Arthurs
Co-owner
MVP Park

Back 2 Class

After missing last weeks class from being in Sterling Virginia, I will return to class tonight at the Vo Tech center. I have no idea what I may have missed, but I don't think it was too much. I felt bad about missing last week, but after working 10 hours I would have had to have driven 3 1/2 hours back to make the final 30 minutes of class last week.

I had a teleconference yesterday, it was our monthly meeting and things are looking very good financially for the company. It's nice to work for a company where there is a secure future if you would choose that route.

Tuesday's Tidbits

* It's been a while since I have done a tidbits, so maybe it's time for me to do one.

* Congratulations to Nick, he switched jobs and is now working for Dick's Sporting goods.

* Jean is getting ready to go out of town for a few days, her and Mickey and Sheila are going to Huntington for a few days. I guess Shelia rents a cabin down there and their family has a reunion once a year.

* Friday Night is going to be Mountaineer Madness for the Mountaineer basketball team. It will be the official start of the 2007-8 basketball season and the start of the Bob Huggins era.

* Amy bought another car a few weeks ago, but I haven't seen it yet. Her and Ralphie were in Ohio and the transmission went out of their other car, so she bought another one.

* Val has been working at the smokeshop in Sabraton now for a few weeks. I think she likes it so far.

* There is a new shop at the mall that I like, Rocky Top Leather just opened up three days ago and looks like it might be a store that I buy from.

* It's October and that time of the year when Rich's Farms does Fright Farm. I haven't been there in years, but you never know what this season holds.

Back to Work

After a nice deserving and relaxing weekend, it was back to the ole gridiron today as a new week of work and tasks has been set upon us. Actually I'm waiting on the client to give us their final feedback, so I haven't really been that busy today. Made a few corrections that I know they are going to ask for.

At least this is one day that is down and only four more to go before another Big Ole Hairy Friday is upon us. However this coming weekend is going to be a little boring, both the Mountaineers and the Steelers are having Bye weeks and will be off this weekend.