Monday Tidbits

* First off, I had a great weekend. It's been a while since I have had a weekend this good, despite the weather.

* Yesterday Diane and I ended up making it to the movie we missed Saturday Night, when we went and seen I am Legend with Will Smith. It's a good movie, but it was a little hard to follow at first, but like I said it was a good movie.

* Super Bowl XXXXII is set. It will be the undefeated New England Patriots trying to do what has never been done in the NFL before and finish the season with a 19-0 record. The Miami Dolphins in 1972 were 17-0, but that was before the NFL went to 16 game seasons as opposed to the old 14 game seasons. The Patriots will attempt to make history against the New York Giants, a team that they have already beaten 20-10 earlier this season.

* Heard an interesting tidbit this morning on the Eric and Kevin Show. Thye play a game called "Are you smarter than Eric" which is a series of head to head trivia questions delivered by a show guest named Ernie. Today there was a question about the Iran Hostage Situation years ago. Ernie asked a question like where were the hostages housed or something along those lines. Contest was over and Eric won, and one of those 52 Hostages from the State Department called and said Ernie was incorrect with his question and answer.
Funny thing is, the guy claimed to be Ernie's brother, so Kevin and Eric didn't know how respond not knowing if it was a prank. Well, turns out Ernie calls back in and it was his brother, he still works for the State Department and he was one of the 52 American Hostages. They talked a little about what it was like for Ernie and his family to go through what they did knowing his brother was a Hostage. Pretty interesting little tidbit and conversation.

* Today is Martin Luther King day and is a holiday for many, but not me.

* I did have a nice three day weekend even though my computer crashed last week.

Last Night

Last night I had a date with an old and dear friend. We had a chance to rekindle a friendship from years ago. I got to see a picture of myself from some years ago that I never saw before. The picture was actually of Me, Diane, Marian and Greg my old room mate at a dinner we had way back when I was a few pounds thinner and actually had hair.

The evening started out at Texas Roadhouse, but a 1 1/2 to 2 hour wait turned into a trip to Puglioni's for dinner. We had intentionally planned to go see I am Legend, but there were a few mixed signals and we misunderstood the show time. This was at Hollywood Theaters, so we tried to run the the mall and see we could catch a showing there and once again to no avail. What we did end up seeing was the Bucket List. It was an awesome movie, I loved it.

We had to alternate our plans on where we ate, what movie we were going to see and what theater we were going to be sitting in. Overall, it was a great evening with an old and dear friend.

Back up and running

Wow what a day, the computer for the most part is back up and running. Still have things to do to it, but it is operational.

Computer Fried

I went to the WVU basketball game tonight and came home and poured myself a glass of iced tea and sat down at the computer. The iced tea spilled hitting the front bottom of my computer. On my computer, that is where the hard drive is located. I think I fired my computer, I can't read Raid 0 on boot up. I'm screwed to say the least.

I have put knoppix in and it will not even recognize that hard drive. I don't know if I have fried my bios, or fried the hard drive. Either problem is major. If just the hard drive is fried, I'm going to be busy finding a Serial ATA hard drive and reinstalling EVERYTHING on my computer. If it is the bios, well I have to buy a new computer.

Not a good night.

Bored

I've been sitting around for the last week waiting for the client to decide how certain features are to be compiled and how to QAQC the databases. It's been a nice relaxing break, but I'm ready to stop being bored. Sheesh.

On the WVU front, Rich Fraud has finally broken his silence and made a statement. I guess having his friends and Mommy make statements for him were getting old. Of course he owes WVU $1,333,333.33 tomorrow, so you knew he was going to say something soon. Funny how Rich thinks WVU is a person and not an entity and he also refers to himself in third person in the article. Talk about someone who needs a touch of reality.

On a side note, the Hillbilly Gypsies will be playing at Nick and Terri's this weekend. It's Nick's birthday and my suggestion is if you plan on going, get there early.

The lost notes from Rich Rod's Computer

They have been recovered. Here they are:






I saw this and just HAD to repost it.

American Idol

I usually don't watch American Idol once the competition starts, but I love to watch when the auditions are taking place. This is where the fun is, when you see the William Hung's and people with, well even less singing talent than I do and that is making a statement.

There were a few good human interest stories last night, and we even got to see a soft side of Simon on a few of them. He needs to knock that crap off, people expect him to be a butthead.

It is on again tonight and I can't miss it. This and the finals are usually the only shows I watch, the finals to see who wins and the auditions because they are basically the most entertaining.

I'll be watching again tonight.

You never know what you are going to see on talent shows. You could see another Paul Potts or Bianca Ryan, people in a matter of seconds you know they were going to walk away with the competition. Of course these were different shows, but shows Simon created just as well.

Tuesdays Tidbits

* I am long overdue to do a tidbits, and after talking with Kim yesterday I thought that maybe it's time for a tidbits.

* As I mentioned this weekend, Trish will be going in to have her baby on the 25th of this month. It is going to be a girl, but I forgot to ask her if she had a name picked out.

* I went out this morning to get a morning paper and it is cold and snowing. Is it groundhogs day yet? Phil, can we work out some kind of a deal this year so softball season can get here a little sooner?

* Last week BOPARC put out it's summer schedule for the year, I have a copy of it and will post the under the stars schedule in the future as a reminder. Movies that will be shown this year include: Shrek the Third, Surf's Up, TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Nancy Drew, Unaccompanied Minors, Evan Almighty, Bee Movie, Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (which is currently playing in local theaters)and Mr. bean's Holiday. Should be a good season to take a blanket or a lawn chair to Hazel Ruby McQuain Park.

* Data has been slow the last few days, I have been waiting on a set of QAQC guidelines at work before I can do any quality control checks at work. I don't mind the break, but it makes the day drag on forever.

* I have been fortunate to come into contact with an old friend that to be honest I have thought about through the years. She was someone I considered a pretty good friend years ago and we just lost touch when our lives took different paths. I'm actually pretty excited about having a chance to talk with her.

* I see Mom is now an iPoding podcast listener. Kim loaned her one of hers and set it up for her to download and listen to a few podcasts that they have similar interests on and can talk about with each other.

* Speaking of Podcasting, my old neighbor who is teaching GIS at Southeastern Community College may be getting involved with the College and iPodU to do a Remote Sensing class on iTunes. I just may have to give that podcast a listen.



What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies.-- Aristotle

It's a small world

It's nice to find long lost friends, even if it was some strange circumstance that made it happen.

I'm just in a good mood and decided to post that.

It's a back to work kind of Monday

Another week of work us upon us and the dull drums are apon us once again. Remembering the weekend and dreading the next four to five days and what we may have to deal with and come upon.

On the WVU coaching search front, Charlie Taaffe has announced he will stay as the Head Coach at Hamilton in the Candian Football League rather than accepting a job as the Offensive Coordinator at West Virginia University.

Steve Slaton has announced that he is deciding to forgo his Senior Year and enter the NFL draft this April. He will always be remembered as one of my favorites to ever wear the Blue and Gold. WVU will replace him with Noel Devine next season.

The Men's Basketball team defeated Syracuse 81-61 yesterday, ironically it was the first win against the Orange since Feb 17, 2001 when Gale Catlett was our head coach. Syracuse was a team John Beilein never beat.

Speaking of basketball, the Women's team ran their record to 12-3 with a 56-50 win against Big East rival Notre Dame.

Is it Softball yet?

Went out to dinner last night.

I was getting ready to go out and get something to eat last night and I started thinking that I hadn't spoken to Trish in a few months, so I decided to give her a call and invite her out for dinner. Like I said it has been a few months since I had talked to her and she is about due, so I thought I would call.

I took her out to Garfield's and we had a nice dinner and BS session. She is going to have a girl and she is going in on the 25th of this month and they are going to induce labor. She had some really neat 3d ultrasound images that look like the DR went into the womb and took a photograph. Amazing what the new technology is like today.

I tried calamari (squid) for the first time last night, it's not bad. Tasted like popcorn shrimp to tell you the truth.

It was a good catch up type of evening.

Doc Holiday Officially announced

Bill Stewart officially named Doc Holiday as the Associate Head Coach today at a teleconference at 11:00 this morning. He has reportedly signed a 5 year, $2 Million contract ($400,000 a Year). Surprisingly, this contract is about equal to Rich Rodriguez's first contract at WVU, as a head coach.

Bill Stewart is making about $1 Million less a year than Rich Rod was, but unlike his predecessor, he is about WE (meaning his assistants and taking care of them) than he is I (like Rich was, big pay raised for himself rather than his assistants). This staff is really starting to shape up as a first class staff. There will be two more hires for the staff plus and Strength and Conditioning Coach. Stewart is interviewing people in all levels, from the pro's to High Schools to find the best candidates for Offensive Line Coach and Offensive Coordinator. A couple names that have surfaced are Dave Johnson for Offensive Line Coach and Charlie Taaffe for Offensive Coordinator. There are other names being thrown around such as Bill Legg, Herb Hand and Chip Kelly. These are just the names that are being thrown around, nothing offered officially yet.

Official Hiring News

Ok, earlier today there were three official hires named for the WVU coaching staff.

Steve Dunlap was the first new coach named. It is believed he will be coaching the linebackers. He was the Defensive Coordinator in 1996 when WVU had the #1 ranked defense in the country.

Dave Lockwood was also named as an assistant coach. He played for Don Nehlen in the late 80's and was on Rich Fraudriguez's first staff in 2001.

Chris Beatty is the third coach officially named today. He is a young Running Back's coach from Northern Illinois who was a very successful High School coach in Virginia. This hire intrigues me considering that Bill Stewart gave Mike Tomlin his start. Something tell me this is a gem of a hire, one that will be a household name in a few years.

There is one other announcement that will take place at 11:00 tomorrow when Doc Holiday will officially be announced as the associate head coach. Doc has been the recruiting coordinator and associate head coach at the University of Florida. Up until last week, U of F were the defending National Champions and have the current Heisman trophy winner.

There will be a few more hires to come, no rumors at this time. We still need to name an Offensive Coordinator, an Offensive Line Coach and a Strength and Conditioning coach.

All three positions that need filled have solid candidates, but nothing confirmed yet. This staff may be stronger than the one that just left.

Happy Birthday Sandra Irene Bell

Today is January 11, and today is my Mother's birthday and I would like to extend to her a very Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday Mom.

WVU coaching search update.

Bill Stewart said he would shock the nation with his hires, and it looks like he may just have done that so far. None of these are official until they clear background checks, so WVU will not make any official announcements until then.

Starting off will be the hiring of an Associate Head Coach. Doc Holiday has been hired as the associate Head Coach, a position he held with the former reining NCAA Champion Florida Gators. Florida also has the current Heisman Trophy winner. Doc will be coordinating recruiting and coaching the Wide Receivers. Doc is, was and always has been a very aggressive recruiter in the nations hotbed for recruits. Now, he's coming home.

Coming home to help Jeff Casteel with the defense and coaching the linebackers will be Steve Dunlap. When he was previously at WVU and coaching the defense, WVU had the #1 ranked defense in the country in 1996.

Coaching the Defensive backs and also returning home will be Dave Lockwood. Dave played at WVU in the late 80's and was an assistant coach here for one year in 2001 before leaving to go to Notre Dame.

A couple previous coaches will remain, Jeff Casteel and Bill Kirelawich were already on the staff and did not follow traitor Fraudriguez to Michigan.

There will be other announcements in the next few days, but these are the first confirmed but not officially announced hires. Stay tuned.

Mom's wireless internet

I went over yesterday and hooked up Mom's wireless internet and moved her computer station into the living room. Of course Window's Vista was not cooperating initially and caused me a few headaches. We eventually got it configured and left it as an open signal. There are only two others who can steal her signal, one being upstairs and the other being next door. I could have secured it, but it would have more problems down the road for me. Mom wanted it opened up also, that way there are two signals in the house and can be used in two locations.

I stopped down at the bar after that to drop off a few more print outs for Contracts Nick has to do for his work.

This morning I have data, but I have to transfer 1.2 Gigabytes of data to my local computer for the Mosiac to work on so I can do a proper QAQC check on a Major World City. This should be interesting once I get everything transfered. I will arguably have the worlds most complete and up to date datasets of a Major World City on my computer if I would add a previous set of data with it. If you know me you probably know the city, it's just best I don't name it on a BLOG.

It is Thursday and since I worked this past weekend, I'm looking forward to having a couple of days away from the computer.

Some new WVU coaching rumors.

I have been scanning the globe trying to find out any potential replacements for the WVU Football staff, and this is what I have come up with.

The Strength and Conditioning coach may be Marcus Kinney. Rumor has it he wants the job and has ties to the program.

There is a string rumor that we may have an associate head coach with that position being offered to Doc Holiday. He was one of the early favorites to be named the head coach, and there was a rumor he was one of the early favorites in the search and it was believed he may have even been offered the job initially. This could be big.

I have heard two names for the Offensive Coordinator's position, Herb Hand and Bill Legg are two names that keep popping up.

this coaching staff might shape up quite nicely, Stewart has already been given the "Go Get Them" from the administration.

A Great Fiesta Bowl Video

The kid who did this video is still in High School.

Monday again

Where did my weekend go? Oh, I forgot there wasn't one this week. It's thrown my schedule off a little, usually I do my laundry first thing on Monday morning while I'm setting up things to do at work, I was an hour into the day before I realized, "Oh, it's Monday".

Other than that today shouldn't be that eventful, I know the weather is going to be really nice today so maybe if I get a chance I'll head down to rails to trails. Softball is just a few months away and it's time to get ready.

Speaking of Softball, we will have an interim coach this season, our coach has indicated that Michigan is offering him a lot more money than we are to coach their team. I guess he is following the lead of John Beilein and Rich Fraudriguez. Kevin is going to have to do another parody song if he comes back this season. He's talking about retiring, but he has been going to the HIT center, so maybe we'll retain our Third Baseman (if his wife lets him play)

Oh well, back to work on another Monday, enjoy your workweek.

Weekend so far

I had to work yesterday and today to complete a project and provide data to our President by tomorrow. after working a good deal yesterday and wrapping it up with a few hours this morning, I delivered what they needed for his meeting with a client tomorrow. It's done and delivered.

I have managed to start filling up my iPod, even though I have a long way to go to actually fill it up. I have 671 songs, enough for 2 straight days of playback continuously without a repeat and I am still a long ways from halfway on capacity. I have used 3.1 GB and still have 4.2 GB to go. That is a lot of Music and a lot of computer time filling out metadata so that it can effectively use all of its features.

As many of you know, I am a poster at Blue and Gold News, and am actually one of the Top 10 all time posters for this site. Yesterday we were blessed (and it was confirmed) that Mr Ken Kendrick, the WVU alum who owns the Arizona Diamondbacks and has been bashing WVU the past month, decided to stop by and defend himself. Needless to say, he has enraged quite a few of the Mountaineer faithful and they have let him know it. We actually had a poster in the Athletic Department confirm it was Mr. Kendrick by calling him, and it was confirmed it it/was Ken Kendrick. The board has been entertaining to say the least.

The weather is starting to warm up a little bit, maybe I should start getting active again. Grocery shopping today I didn't buy any fall fatty type foods, I bought my spring fruits and vegetables. I've added quite a few pound and softball is right around the corner, so it is time to start getting ready.

Hope everyone has enjoyed their weekend.

So much for a short weekend.

I thought this was going to be a typical two day weekend, but it looks like this is going to be a no day weekend for me. Our President needs some totals on datasets that I have been putting together on Monday. However this is a time consuming process, so I have the pleasure of volunteering to work this weekend.

Oh well, I have had a couple back to back four day weekends and I am at home, so it's not that bad. I'll still be able to watch the Steelers play today and I'm not really doing anything that I wouldn't be doing anyways.

We'll deliver what they need, make a few extra dollars in the process and not really do anything different than I would have normally done. I should eb working both days this weekend, although how much I work is up to me.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

It is once again that time of the week that we all look forward to, where the work ceases and the entertainment begins. It is once again the weekend!!! Of course this will seem like a short weekend for me being that is only going to be two days.

I don't have too much planned for this weekend. The Pittsburgh Steelers will start their post season this weekend with a playoff game against Jacksonville. This worries me as the Steelers have not traditionally matched up well against the Jaguars. It will be the first playoff game for first year Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.

Ironically something I learned yesterday was that new WVU football coach Bill Stewart hired Mike Tomlin in his first coaching job while at VMI back in the mid 90's. Nice little tidbit of information.

I have been busy the past couple of days setting up music on my new iPod. I have had to clean up my collection and fill out quite a bit of metadata for the iPod to be able to use all of its capabilities. This has been done to take advantage of the coverflow feature of the new iPods. You look at the album covers and scroll through them until you find the album you are looking for. It's a nice little user friendly feature that makes it easy for even the worst of computer users. However like I said there is some prep work on my part to get it to work properly.

The good news for the weekend is that it is supposed to warm up a little.

Have a great weekend.

The Challenge for 2008

Last year I challenged quite a few BLOGGERS to a post challenge. Each one had a certain number of posts that they had to meet for the year. My Sister Kim openly accepted her challenge of 100 posts for the calender year 2007. She met and beat that challenge and asked me to raise the bar for 2008.

So, I was thinking in 2008 of where I could raise the bar to where she could still meet the challenge, but still have time to come up with quality content. It is hard sometimes coming up with new material all of the time. Last year I did in excess of 400 BLOG posts.

I see Kim is off to a solid start in 2008. I WAS going to double the challenge to 200 posts for 2008, but since her recent activity decided to raise the bar a little higher.

Kim, your challenge for 2008 is 225 Blog posts during the 2008 calender year. It is a number you can easily obtain, and if you meet it it will give you something to reflect on for 2008. This is an easy number to get, just be steady and don't get sidetracked.

You have your challenge.

Bill Stewart Named WVU Football Coach

West Virginia University ended its coaching search earlier today when interim coach Bill Stewart was officially offered the Job as West Virginia's next football coach.

Coach Stewart has earned the job and had the complete support of all the players. Bill's contract is for $4 Million over five years. Ironically Rich Fraudriguez's buyout that he has to pay the University ALSO equals $4 Million. So, thank you Rich Fraud for leaving and paying for our coach for the next five years.

Coach Stewart is from New Martinsville and a native West Virginia, only this one has a little integrity unlike the classless idiot who just left.

I fully support this decision to hire Bill Stewart. Good Luck Coach and Thank You.

Fiesta Bowl Champions

WOW, What a game. West Virginia who came into the game as an 8 point underdog against arguably one of the hottest teams in the country BEAT Oklahoma 48-28 to Capture the BCS Fiesta Bowl Championship.

Interim Coach Bill Stewart had this team ready to play and play they did. This is arguably the biggest Bowl Win in School History. Patrick White was named the games Most Valuable Player.

With all the speculation the past few weeks about who should be the next WVU Football Head Coach, I think we already have him in Bill Stewart.

Congrats on an 11-2 Season and a Fiesta Bowl Championship.

Do you believe this crap

Have I ever mentioned that I hate snow. I wake up this morning and go out to get a newspaper and what do I see? SNOW!!! ARRRGGGHHH!!!!!!

I'm ready for the spring, bring on Phil and let's get this season over with. Give me warm weather, shorts and sandals. Keep your snow on the ground, heavy winter clothes and boots, keep your treacherous roads and driving conditions. Give me a softball friendly type of environment.

What a way to start 2008.

Welcome to 2008.

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!!!!

We made it through 2007 and we have started a New Year, a year of new dreams and aspirations. A year to set forth new goals to accomplish and prove ourselves.

I don't make New Years resolutions, I am holding onto the one I made years ago to stop making them. I never seemed to carry them on for very long and they generally failed for me. What I did was started setting goals that I wanted to accomplish for the next 12 months. I seem to be able to do it when it's a goal to do something rather than a spur of the moment to stop doing something. This is just me, and my own personal experiences.

I have yet to set any goals for 2008 for myself, but I am starting to think of a few that I would like to accomplish.

I spent last night at home, I had a few invitations to go out, but just wanted to stay home this year. Too many intoxicated people on the roads and maybe I was just trying to be safe from their stupidity last night.

I did spend yesterday trying to make a decision and I almost bought an iPhone. However after I thought about it logically, I decided I wanted my Cell Phones Primary use to be a Cell Phone. If I wanted a new iPod, go buy one. I have an iPod Shuffle that is screwed up so that the computer no longer will recognize it. It was an older type that was also a jump drive, and not really compatible with most iPod products.

So, I bought myself a new 8 Gigabyte Green iPod Nano. I actually cleared out my old iTunes and started a new one for the new iPod. I'll keep the integrity of this music intact rather than rushing to add music like I did with the old one.

That is how I spent my New Years Eve. Actually when the clock struck 12:00, I was actually catching some Z's.

On a side note, I have seen at least two family members that have resolutions to stop smoking. From someone who has quit more than once and done it successfully, I'll help anyone who is trying to quit with education and my personal experiences as to what you and your body is going to go through. Good luck to those attempting to quit, it is the best choice you could ever make in your life. Cigarettes are a drain on your wallet, your health and your expectations for quality of life.

Have a very Happy, Prosperous, Healthy and memory filled 2008.

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.