cautiously optimistic, expectations aren't too awfully high.....

As I mentioned in a post a week or so ago, I never expected UT to be in the SEC Championship game after losing to both Florida and Alabama by such large margins. But here we are, about 32 hours from kickoff.


On paper, LSU should win by at least two touchdowns. On paper, LSU has all the athletes. On paper, LSU is ranked higher. The thing is, I'm not so sure the Tennessee players understand all that. These guys now believe that they can win regardless of the circumstances. Blow a lead in the second half? No problem, we'll win in overtime. Vandy has a chance to blow you away going into the fourth quarter? No problem, we'll just score 16 points in the last 15 minutes and hope they miss the field goal.


I really want to see Tennessee win this game tomorrow. That's obvious. I don't look for them to win it, but I hope they do. The way things have gone in college football this year, one never knows. Go Vols.....

i like mine with blueberries.....

KPRC-TV (Houston) - 10/1/07

Ticketed for DWEC (Driving While Eating Cereal): Four people were injured in Houston in October when a driver failed to stop for a red light while eating a bowl of oatmeal and collided with a transit bus. (Three passengers were hurt, in addition to the motorist, and witnesses said oatmeal was found all over the inside of the car, and also inside the bus and on the ground, according to a KPRC-TV report.)

ain't rivalries great.....

I love college football rivalries. One of the most heated rivalries is that between Auburn and Alabama.

Last week, Bromberg's Jewelry placed ads in Auburn and Tuscaloosa to poke fun at the other university. I thought they were hilarious, but the ad apparently offended many Auburn fans. Bromberg's Executive Vice President has since issued an apology.

Read them for yourself. Here's the one for Alabama, and here's the one for Auburn. My guess is that the Brombergs are Alabama fans.....

not smart enough to play the lottery.....

Manchester Evening News - 11/3/07

In November, Britain's new weather-themed Cool Cash lottery game was canceled after one day because too many players failed to understand the rules. Each card had a visible temperature and a temperature to be scratched off, and the purchaser would win if the scratched-off temperature was "lower" than the visible one. Officials said they had received "dozens" of complaints from players who could not understand why, for example, minus-5 is not a lower temperature than minus-6.

thankful.....

Great Thanksgiving weekend! The tribe and I headed to Johnson City on Wednesday and came back home Saturday. Mom's food was wonderful as always. We all had a great time together as a family.

We got back with about 3 minutes to go in the first half of the Tennessee/Kentucky game. At the end of the half, I felt really good. Then the 4th quarter happened and I almost lost my mind. I came up with several new nicknames for John Chavis. Our receivers couldn't catch a cold. Then the 4th overtime happened, and we pulled out the win. Unbelievable. Now it's on to the SEC Championship game against LSU. I don't know if we have a chance, but I sure do hope they can shock everyone and come out on top.

I'm sure not looking forward to getting back to work this morning.....

tell me this ain't fo' shiggity.....

SYDNEY (AFP) - Santas in Australia's largest city have been told not to use Father Christmas's traditional "ho ho ho" greeting because it may be offensive to women, it was reported Thursday.
Sydney's Santa Clauses have instead been instructed to say "ha ha ha" instead, the Daily Telegraph reported.

One disgruntled Santa told the newspaper a recruitment firm warned him not to use "ho ho ho" because it could frighten children and was too close to "ho", a US slang term for prostitute.
"Gimme a break," said Julie Gale, who runs the campaign against sexualising children called Kids Free 2B Kids.

"We are talking about little kids who do not understand that "ho, ho, ho" has any other connotation and nor should they," she told the Telegraph.

"Leave Santa alone."

A local spokesman for the US-based Westaff recruitment firm said it was "misleading" to say the company had banned Santa's traditional greeting and it was being left up to the discretion of the individual Santa himself.

a crying shame.....

Last Thursday we had a birthday in the office. I usually bring in a cake or pie or something. That day, though, the employees wanted something different, so they opted for Krispy Kreme doughnuts. No way I was going to fight them on their fine choice.

I'm one of these people who always buys more stuff than I think I'm going to need. Same thing with Krispy Kremes. I bought 2 dozen for 8 people. But they lasted for 2 days, so it was a good deal.

On Friday, I decided to go back to see if there were any apple cinnamon left after lunch. I've been lucky and I've kept off the weight I lost, so I figured I could handle a doughnut since I'm still running every other day.

I got back there and there's still one left. As I'm eating it, I look into the trash can and someone has thrown one of the apple cinnamon doughnuts away. And there's only one bite taken out of it! Not that I would have eaten a once-bitten doughnut, but what a waste! (No, it wasn't even above the rim.) I felt like the Indian (sorry, Native American) in the pollution ads from the 70's. A tear may have even journeyed down my cheek.

Here's some helpful advice. If you ever happen to work with someone who loves Krispy Kreme doughnuts, don't try to eat one if you're not sure you'll like it. If you don't know what's in it, ask someone. But don't take a bite, say "Eww, yucky!" and then dispose of it. You just wasted it.

Consideration for others, that's all I'm asking for.....

all i want to do is dance.....

I'm not much of a dancer. Dancing requires a certain flow of ones body. I've always been pretty coordiated when it comes to sports, but never with dancing. It just doesn't work the same way for me.

I didn't go to my first dance until I was a senior in high school. Just never was all that interested. But I went to the homecoming dance that year. I told my parents that morning, "Oh, by the way, I'm going to the homecoming dance tonight after the football game." I think it shocked them. But I had a good time.

My freshman year in college, I didn't miss a dance or mixer on campus. I wasn't there for the dancing. I was there because it was the best place to meet girls. And lots of them. Ray was my "wing man", and he was the best kind to have. He had a girlfriend at home, so he wasn't there to do anything but to help me meet girls. No interference, just assistance. It worked out great.

I haven't done much dancing over the past 20-plus years, but there are a few times every year that I do break out and dance. I'm getting ready to dance later this afternoon. Any time I've got a week off, I come through the front door of the house on Friday afternoon and do my "vacation" dance. The neighbors stop by to watch. It's a party. We're thinking about having it catered.

I just hope I don't pull a muscle in all the excitement.....

warning to all men who might work in the building i work in.....

I went to a different bathroom than I usually frequent yesterday morning. Don't know exactly why, just did it on a whim. Change of scenery kind of thing, I guess.

So I start into the men's room and the door is propped open. I figure it's being cleaned, so I proceed with caution as I enter. I look around, no one's there, so I take care of business.

Upon exiting, I notice a big piece of pink paper on the door with the following words written in magic marker:

WOMEN'S BATHROOM

There's a women's conference going on in the building I work in, and they sometimes give the ladies extra facilities so the wait won't be quite so long. I knew about the conference, I just forgot that the men's room might not be a men's room this week.

I keep thinking about how I would have reacted if a woman had come in while I was, uh, standing there.....

random things and frustration.....

Ever have someone tell you something very disturbing and you didn't know how to react to it? I had someone tell me yesterday that if she ever got remarried, she wanted her husband to be Joel McHale from Talk Soup. Yeah, he's hilarious. But to be someone's husband? I'm considering having a long talk with this person. I'm very concerned for her well-being.

I had something really funny happen to me (actually around me) at the Y yesterday afternoon, but I can't tell about it because I would sound like an insensitive jerk. Like I've never been accused of that before.

2 more days until a full week of vacation.....

when you don't really care enough to send the very best.....

Los Angeles Times - 10/13/07

Terrye Cheathem, a criminal defense lawyer and adviser to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, has developed a line of greeting cards for a Hallmark-ignored demographic: the recently incarcerated. Among her selections are cards reading "Sorry to hear about your arrest," and "Honestly, I never knew anyone who was arrested before," and, simply, "Not You!" A remorseful correspondent could choose: "I know that I have not visited you. But I still care about you ... When are you getting out, anyway?"

Card sales are slow, according to an October Los Angeles Times story, and Cheathem acknowledges that people might prefer to ignore their connections to criminals.

one down, two to go.....

After Tennessee's lopsided loss to Florida back in September, I read that UT still had a shot at winning the SEC East title and a subsequent chance to play in the SEC Championship game. I assumed that the writer was either mentally unstable or intoxicated.

Saturday's win against Arkansas was huge. No one (including the OFIT) expected UT's defense to corral Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. Together they put up around 500 yards against South Carolina the week before. Tennessee's Swiss cheese defense didn't seem to stand a chance. But somehow, Chavis cooked up the right scheme and pretty much shut down the Hogs' offense. UT's offense didn't always look pretty, but they did what they had to do to win and keep it out of reach.

Next up for Tennessee is Vanderbilt. The last time these two met at Neyland, Vandy pulled the upset. Assuming UT isn't looking past Vandy to Kentucky, the Vols should be able to take care of business on Saturday. Then, and only then, will it be time to think about the Wildcats.

Sunday afternoon I watched as the anemic Titan offense tried to generate points. I can't figure out if it's Chow's system or VY's inability to follow up a very good rookie season. Vince is an amazing athlete, but his QB skills have left a lot to be desired this year.

Time for me to focus. Next week is a vacation week. 5 days and counting....

it ain't exactly panama city.....

I love Kellie Pickler. Not because she's the best singer. Not because she's good looking. Kellie Pickler is awesome because she never tries to be someone other than Kellie Pickler. This is one of her quotes from the CMA's Wednesday night:

"It will be my first time going to the Gulf Coast."

Kellie Pickler, on her upcoming USO tour to the Persian Gulf

yeah, it kind of was his fault.....

KGW-TV, Portland, Oregon - 9/18/07

In September, Matt Wilkinson admitted to KGW-TV of Portland, Ore., that he had been in a coma for three days recently and nearly died after he decided to stick his pet Eastern diamondback rattlesnake into his mouth while drinking with some buddies: "Me, being me, I put his head in my mouth." A doctor told the station that Wilkinson barely made it to the hospital in time because his airway had nearly swollen shut from the venomous bites. Wilkinson said that the incident was "kind of" his "own stupid fault."

another sign i'm getting old.....

I used to watch people older than me complain about things not being the way they used to be and think, "Come on, old man, just deal with it." Now my girls are watching me and probably thinking the same thing.

We bought an iMac back in the spring. It's cool. It's hip. It's friendly looking. And there are times I'd like to strangle its skinny little neck and watch as it dies a slow, painful death. Then I'd laugh. The kind of maniacal laughter heard only in movies like "The Shining".

I know, I know, Apple is so cool it's hot. Apple is innovative. Apple is so much "better" than Windows. But I can perform the same task on a Windows PC in 1/4th the time it takes me to figure it out on a Mac. And to me, a computer is all about speed. Our 6-month-old Mac seems slower than my almost-3-year-old Dell notebook when it comes to loading simple programs like Excel and Word. Most of all, I'm just much more comfortable with Windows.

I will admit that I like iPhoto. It's the best storage system for digital photos out there. And I like the fact that we don't have a myriad of cords going everywhere behind the computer. Beyond that, give me a Dell notebook any day of the week.

But the girls like it, and the bride is happy with it. And that's what matters at home.

I can feel myself saying "back in my day" any time now.....

not exactly a mastermind criminal.....

St. Paul Pioneer Press - 10/10/07

Vincent Scheffner, 63, a municipal parking-meter worker in St. Paul, Minn., was under investigation at press time on suspicion of theft after a local credit union reported that he had been regularly depositing, for the last year, enormous amounts of coins into his account.

don't worry, it's only a safety problem.....

Reuters

As passengers boarded a Vueling Airlines flight from Madrid, Spain, in June, they noticed that 29 of the 32 rows of seats on one side were out of service, but they could hardly have been comforted by the captain's announcement that "(W)e have a safety problem with the door at the front. Don't worry, it's only a safety problem."

No incidents were reported on the flight.

note to the 3 ladies i almost hit this morning.....

Dear Ladies,

I know you're into fitness and I commend you for your efforts. Walking is great exercise. However, please remember that it's still dark outside at 6:05 AM these days. And walking side by side by side in the road may not be your safest option. Our neighborhood has sidewalks. When you see a car coming, please use them. Also, black may not be the best color to wear before sunrise.

A strong, healthy heart does you no good if you're not going to use good common sense. After all, what good is fitness if you're just going to end up as a greasy spot in the road?

Sincerely,

The OFIT

interesting demographics and other information.....

I was able to attend the last day of an economics forum yesterday. One of the presenters was Bryan Sims, CEO of brass|MEDIA, Inc. He's 24. Yeah, I know. Follow this link and read about him. Pretty amazing.

Here's some information he shared with us yesterday that I thought was most interesting:

By 2016:

• 46% of total US population growth will come from 3 states - California, Texas and Florida


• Florida will overtake New York as the 3rd largest state


• Minorities will make up 1/3 of the US population (will they still be considered minorities with these kinds of numbers?)


• America will have 12-20 million illegal immigrants


• Hispanics, now 1 in 7, will be 1 in 4

Other stuff:

• Women make up 58% of undergrad population and this number is rising


• According to some studies, a woman born after 1980 is likely to take care of her mother longer than her own children (attention Meg and Sara)


• Baby Boomer parents will start to move in with single parents due to the aging population, increased housing costs, and need for child care, creating 3rd and 4th generation family dynamics


• In a recent survey, 74% of parents were more concerned about money than drugs and alcohol


• Last year, over 700,000 people considered Ebay their primary or secondary form of income; over 1.5 million supplemented their income with Ebay


• In 2004, kids 8-18 donated over $928 million to charities; this same group is very likely to switch to a brand associated with a good cause; of this group, 50% are willing to pay 5-10% more


• Yahoo.com recently said, "Members of the My Media Generation can fit up to 44 hours of activities in just one day..." by multitasking. (Ever watch a 12 or 17-year-old watch TV, text message, read Facebook and talk on the phone at the same time? That's actually creating time.)

Not exactly the kind of stuff one would expect to hear at an economics forum. Just imagine what all I could have taken away from it had I been awake the whole time.....