My wife wanted to put up the Christmas tree the other day, why? Why do we put up a tree?
Why do I have to make a list of stuff I want? Why do I have to spend hundreds of dollars on gifts for my family to celebrate Jesus' birthday?
My in-laws save up money all year to have a big Christmas. They spend equal amounts of money on all their kids and grandkids, even me, an in-law. Each Thanksgiving we are supposed to put about five things on a list that we want for Christmas. I struggled to think of anything I would want, and only came up with two things - a stick to scratch my own back with and work pants. My mother-in-law called my wife the other day and asked her what else I might want because they haven't reached the amount of money they were going to spend on me yet.
This is irritating to me. Just give the money to the poor. Give it to the church. Give it to someone who needs it. I do not need anything. I have a home, food to eat every day. Clothes to wear. I have a wonderful wife and a beuatiful baby girl. I've got parents that are still alive and healthy, a couple of brothers, a niece and nephews. I haven't made a bunch of money this year or been able to buy anything that I want, but that doesn't mean I need to get anything for Jesus' birthday.
Santa Claus, and gift-giving, seem to be in competition with the real meaning of Christmas - Jesus Christ.
There's no doubt, we as Americans place more emphasis on giving gifts, and getting gifts, than focusing on Jesus. This is understandable for a casual, or cultural Christian. But for someone who claims to believe, to live their life according to His will....someone like myself, I just can't bring myself to accept what I am doing to Christmas.
What would Jesus do if he were on the Earth today? Would he be buying gifts for his family and friends? Or would he be taking that money and buying gifts for the poor, or donating it to charity or the church? Wouldn't he be more focused on helping others than helping ourselves?
I've got more than enough. I don't need anymore. I've always felt dirty getting gifts on Christmas. I just don't like it. Of course, I married someone whose 'love language' is receiving gifts. But gifts are fine, I just don't like them for Christmas. I don't want to have to make holiday plans around opening them, and put all the emphasis in the month of December around buying them.
When Christmas day is over, what do you have? You spent Christmas Eve celebrating Jesus, but Christmas day celebrating yourself. Did you spend any of December 25th thinking about how God sent his only son to save us? Or did you unwrap a bunch of stuff that you don't need, eat some dinner and fall asleep?
I don't want to be a Scrooge. Just the opposite, I rather celebrate the season by giving to others. I want to turn Christmas around and put the focus on Jesus' goals, not my own.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Why Don't BBQ Makers Put the Sauce on the Pork when they Serve it?
This past Friday my wife wanted BBQ. It sounded good so naturally I was all for it. We went to a new place that just opened up and it was really good. And of course I ordered too much pulled pork so I had plenty of leftovers for lunch on Saturday and Sunday.
Well, sure enough, we go to a wedding on Saturday and they serve BBQ for dinner. BBQ and only BBQ. So since we had eaten the leftovers for lunch that day it was 3 straight meals of BBQ, which wasn't bad - I love BBQ.
But every time I had to put the sauce on myself, and I wondered: why don't BBQ makers put the sauce on for you?
I've never tried to smoke by own pork shoulder so I don't know. But I do really really enjoy a good steak and if I have a good cut of beef or I seasoned and cooked it to perfection and someone douses it in A-1 I want to strangle them. Are BBQ chefs the same way? I would think so right? They spend all this time injecting the pork with this, seasoning it with that, smoking it for ___ hours all for the perfect taste. Then they come up with their signature sauce....but they don't put the sauce on it for you.
Pork is a different animal from a steak. A good steak shouldn't need any sauces. But pork does, if for nothing else to add some moisture to it. So these guys make their own sauce - like the guys I baught from on Friday night, they had a North Carolina style and Memphis style sauce. Still, you don't want someone to go crazy on the sauce and mask the flavor of that pork you worked so hard for, right?
Why don't BBQ chefs blend in what they believe to be just the right amount of sauce to enhance the flavor of their meats when they serve it? Why leave so much up to the consumer who may use too much or not enough?
Well, sure enough, we go to a wedding on Saturday and they serve BBQ for dinner. BBQ and only BBQ. So since we had eaten the leftovers for lunch that day it was 3 straight meals of BBQ, which wasn't bad - I love BBQ.
But every time I had to put the sauce on myself, and I wondered: why don't BBQ makers put the sauce on for you?
I've never tried to smoke by own pork shoulder so I don't know. But I do really really enjoy a good steak and if I have a good cut of beef or I seasoned and cooked it to perfection and someone douses it in A-1 I want to strangle them. Are BBQ chefs the same way? I would think so right? They spend all this time injecting the pork with this, seasoning it with that, smoking it for ___ hours all for the perfect taste. Then they come up with their signature sauce....but they don't put the sauce on it for you.
Pork is a different animal from a steak. A good steak shouldn't need any sauces. But pork does, if for nothing else to add some moisture to it. So these guys make their own sauce - like the guys I baught from on Friday night, they had a North Carolina style and Memphis style sauce. Still, you don't want someone to go crazy on the sauce and mask the flavor of that pork you worked so hard for, right?
Why don't BBQ chefs blend in what they believe to be just the right amount of sauce to enhance the flavor of their meats when they serve it? Why leave so much up to the consumer who may use too much or not enough?
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Fredi Gonzalez: Manager of the Year
The question of whether or not Fredi Gonzalez is an adequate manager for a franchise that spent the previous 20 years under one of the greatest managers of all time has surely been answered in 2013. The Braves have had injury after injury and players under-performing that should have derailed their season, but he has kept this team moving along without skipping a beat.
The list of impact players that have been on the D.L is incredible: Jason Heyward (twice), Jordan Schafer, BJ Upton, Reed Johnson, Freddie Freeman, Paul Janish, Tyler Pastronicky, Brian McCann, Remiro Pena, Dan Uggla, Evan Gattis, Gerald Laird, Brandon Beachy, Tim Hudson, Paul Maholm, Luis Ayala, Jonny Venters, Jordan Walden, Eric O'Flarerty and Cristhian Martinez.
Out of those 20 players, six of them went down with season-ending injuries.
These are key players - three of the best relievers on the team, the staff ace, every catcher, and another handful of starters. Not to mention that BJ Utpon and Dan Uggla have had horrible years.
The September collapse of 2011 was an unsettling end to Fredi Gonzalez' first year at the helm, but he has made up for it with a postseason appearance in 2012 and with what he has accomplished with this year's team. The Braves will not only win the NL East but are currently leading for the best record in baseball. It's a credit to Frank Wren's stockpile of players and Gonzalez' ability to manage this group with whatever card he's dealt.
The list of impact players that have been on the D.L is incredible: Jason Heyward (twice), Jordan Schafer, BJ Upton, Reed Johnson, Freddie Freeman, Paul Janish, Tyler Pastronicky, Brian McCann, Remiro Pena, Dan Uggla, Evan Gattis, Gerald Laird, Brandon Beachy, Tim Hudson, Paul Maholm, Luis Ayala, Jonny Venters, Jordan Walden, Eric O'Flarerty and Cristhian Martinez.
Out of those 20 players, six of them went down with season-ending injuries.
These are key players - three of the best relievers on the team, the staff ace, every catcher, and another handful of starters. Not to mention that BJ Utpon and Dan Uggla have had horrible years.
The September collapse of 2011 was an unsettling end to Fredi Gonzalez' first year at the helm, but he has made up for it with a postseason appearance in 2012 and with what he has accomplished with this year's team. The Braves will not only win the NL East but are currently leading for the best record in baseball. It's a credit to Frank Wren's stockpile of players and Gonzalez' ability to manage this group with whatever card he's dealt.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Weekend Menu - Week 2
Saturday - Had the grill going during the game with some chicken breast and corn on the cob. My wife made some wild mushroom sauce to top the chicken and also some green beans.
Sunday - Crab cake sandwich for dinner. Had a side of buffalo dip, but without the chicken. Cream cheese, blue cheese, Frank's red hot and ranch dressing - throw it in the oven for about 10 minutes and it's really good.
Sunday - Crab cake sandwich for dinner. Had a side of buffalo dip, but without the chicken. Cream cheese, blue cheese, Frank's red hot and ranch dressing - throw it in the oven for about 10 minutes and it's really good.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Weekend Menu - Week 1
I always like to eat good, especially on the weekends. So I thought I'd throw out the dishes I ate eat week during football season.
It's Labor Day Weekend so an extra day to enjoy food.
Saturday - Crab cake sandwich. This is really good if you put it on a croissant role and include avocado. Homemade sauce with mayo and spicy mustard.
Sunday - My wife bought some steaks, she said they were $6 for 3 of them. I wasn't too excited but they turned out to taste great. I had already resigned myself to putting some blue cheese crumbles on the steak to enhance the flavor and it was awesome.
Monday - Hambergers which I put Frank's Red Hot and blue cheese crumbles on - it was awesome. I also had some onion rings and made blue cheese dressing to dip them in.
It's Labor Day Weekend so an extra day to enjoy food.
Saturday - Crab cake sandwich. This is really good if you put it on a croissant role and include avocado. Homemade sauce with mayo and spicy mustard.
Sunday - My wife bought some steaks, she said they were $6 for 3 of them. I wasn't too excited but they turned out to taste great. I had already resigned myself to putting some blue cheese crumbles on the steak to enhance the flavor and it was awesome.
Monday - Hambergers which I put Frank's Red Hot and blue cheese crumbles on - it was awesome. I also had some onion rings and made blue cheese dressing to dip them in.
Monday, August 26, 2013
2013 SEC Predictions
EAST
1. South Carolina, 11-1 (7-1) - I think the Gamecocks get back to Atlanta. Their schedule sets up a little better this year as Arkansas appears to be down and that's a game they always struggle in. This isn't a spectacular team, but they are solid and have been used to winning.
2. Florida, 10-2 (6-2) - The Gators are good once again, although I think they take a slight step down on defense, with a slight uptick on offense. They win the world's largest outdoor cocktail party (because jawja ain't winnin' 3 in a row) giving them the tie-breaker for 2nd place.
3. Georgia, 10-2 (6-2) - UGA has done to them what they did to USC the last two years - win that matchup only to go on to lose two conference games and be overtaken in the standings. The schedule is much more difficult this year.
4. Tennessee, 7-5 (4-4) - The Vols aren't back yet, just back to a bowl game. That game at Oregon is no good but the schedule isn't terribly difficult.
5. Vanderbilt, 7-5 (3-5) - Not really a step down. I think they win the opener vs. OM and go on to another solid season.
6. Missouri, 5-7 (1-7) - There is a good possibility they will upset one of the east teams this year, and maybe even OM who they have a off week to prepare for, but I can't pull the trigger on one. Gary Pinkel gets fired after the season.
7. Kentucky, 3-9 (0-8) - Plenty of excitement, not enough guns in Lexington.
WEST
1. Alabama, 12-0 (8-0) - The 2-time defending national champs have been given a cake walk to an undefeated season.
2. LSU, 10-2 (6-2) - The Tigahs have a brutal stretch from Week 4-8, so I've got them dropping one even though they are probably better than all the teams they play.
3. Texas A&M, 10-2 (6-2) - If Manziel plays I see them getting to 10 wins. The Bama game will be really tough though, and I don't give them much of a shot at Death Valley.
4. Mississippi State, 8-4 (4-4) - I don't see State beating both Oklahoma State and Auburn, or losing both either, so I went with a win over OSU. The Arkansas game was a tough call, but I gave the Dawgs the benefit of the doubt.
5. Ole Miss, 6-6 (3-5) - The first 7 games are so tough, it will be tough to get out better than 2-5.
6. Auburn, 6-6 (2-6) - They will be much better this year, lots of close games.
7. Arkansas, 3-9 (0-8) - I can't believe this is what I'm coming up with for the Hogs, but I am.
SEC Champ: South Carolina - just because I don't want Bama to win yet again.
1. South Carolina, 11-1 (7-1) - I think the Gamecocks get back to Atlanta. Their schedule sets up a little better this year as Arkansas appears to be down and that's a game they always struggle in. This isn't a spectacular team, but they are solid and have been used to winning.
2. Florida, 10-2 (6-2) - The Gators are good once again, although I think they take a slight step down on defense, with a slight uptick on offense. They win the world's largest outdoor cocktail party (because jawja ain't winnin' 3 in a row) giving them the tie-breaker for 2nd place.
3. Georgia, 10-2 (6-2) - UGA has done to them what they did to USC the last two years - win that matchup only to go on to lose two conference games and be overtaken in the standings. The schedule is much more difficult this year.
4. Tennessee, 7-5 (4-4) - The Vols aren't back yet, just back to a bowl game. That game at Oregon is no good but the schedule isn't terribly difficult.
5. Vanderbilt, 7-5 (3-5) - Not really a step down. I think they win the opener vs. OM and go on to another solid season.
6. Missouri, 5-7 (1-7) - There is a good possibility they will upset one of the east teams this year, and maybe even OM who they have a off week to prepare for, but I can't pull the trigger on one. Gary Pinkel gets fired after the season.
7. Kentucky, 3-9 (0-8) - Plenty of excitement, not enough guns in Lexington.
WEST
1. Alabama, 12-0 (8-0) - The 2-time defending national champs have been given a cake walk to an undefeated season.
2. LSU, 10-2 (6-2) - The Tigahs have a brutal stretch from Week 4-8, so I've got them dropping one even though they are probably better than all the teams they play.
3. Texas A&M, 10-2 (6-2) - If Manziel plays I see them getting to 10 wins. The Bama game will be really tough though, and I don't give them much of a shot at Death Valley.
4. Mississippi State, 8-4 (4-4) - I don't see State beating both Oklahoma State and Auburn, or losing both either, so I went with a win over OSU. The Arkansas game was a tough call, but I gave the Dawgs the benefit of the doubt.
5. Ole Miss, 6-6 (3-5) - The first 7 games are so tough, it will be tough to get out better than 2-5.
6. Auburn, 6-6 (2-6) - They will be much better this year, lots of close games.
7. Arkansas, 3-9 (0-8) - I can't believe this is what I'm coming up with for the Hogs, but I am.
SEC Champ: South Carolina - just because I don't want Bama to win yet again.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Changes I Would Like to Make to College Football
There is something I've been advocating for several years, and that's a preseason college football game. I'd like to do away with the FCS game pretty much every team plays, and make it into an optional preseason game. I would've played it today, the Saturday before the traditional first weekend of the year - Labor Day weekend. If you win the game it counts towards your record. But you have to reach seven wins to get to a bowl, so 7-6 if you play the preseason game, 7-5 if you don't. I'm sure everyone would schedule the game because it would most likely sell out, providing more money, and of course some live action for the start of the year.
The next thing I'd do is branch off from the NCAA and create some type of College Football Association that only includes the power 5 conferences, and about 70-75 teams. And I'd play 10 conference games to create exciting games every weekend. For the other two I'd play a homecoming game against the lower division - which would essentially be what is now the Sun Belt/MAC/WAC, etc., and then a rotating game vs. another 'CFA' conference school for the opening weekend. It would be something cool that people would look forward to. Every year each conference would be slotted to play another conference; for example SEC #3 vs. PAC 12 #3, Big 12 #2 vs. Big Ten #2, etc. from the previous year. It would make for interesting one time only matchups.
And finally, an 8 team playoff. I do like the new 4-team, but as a fan the thought of a Saturday in December with 4 playoff games in it is too much to pass up. It would be awesome. And the way I'd do it is just create a formula or selection committee to pick the top 8 teams regardless of conference. The first round would be played on campus, and if you were in the top 8 and also won your conference you get to host - so that is the reward for a conference championship. From the semifinals on I'd just play it out like they are planning to with the 4-team playoff.
JB
The next thing I'd do is branch off from the NCAA and create some type of College Football Association that only includes the power 5 conferences, and about 70-75 teams. And I'd play 10 conference games to create exciting games every weekend. For the other two I'd play a homecoming game against the lower division - which would essentially be what is now the Sun Belt/MAC/WAC, etc., and then a rotating game vs. another 'CFA' conference school for the opening weekend. It would be something cool that people would look forward to. Every year each conference would be slotted to play another conference; for example SEC #3 vs. PAC 12 #3, Big 12 #2 vs. Big Ten #2, etc. from the previous year. It would make for interesting one time only matchups.
And finally, an 8 team playoff. I do like the new 4-team, but as a fan the thought of a Saturday in December with 4 playoff games in it is too much to pass up. It would be awesome. And the way I'd do it is just create a formula or selection committee to pick the top 8 teams regardless of conference. The first round would be played on campus, and if you were in the top 8 and also won your conference you get to host - so that is the reward for a conference championship. From the semifinals on I'd just play it out like they are planning to with the 4-team playoff.
JB
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Jason Heyward vs. Jeff Francoeur
This afternoon I was watching the Braves game when Jason Heyward was hit in the jaw with a pitch. He came out of the game and was spitting up blood, and as I write this I still don't know what happened for sure. But I do know I was nervous about the possibility of losing him. And I began to reflect on his career so far, how it hasn't quite been what was expected since he busted open the MLB gates back in 2010. That's 4 years in the big leagues - the same amount of time as one of my favorite Braves players, Jeff Francoeur played in Atlanta. So I thought, I'd like to see a comparison of the two - because Frenchy's time was often criticized while JHey not so much.
Heyward
In 522 games with 1853 at-bats: 72 HR, 233 RBI with a .260 average,.351 OB%, 43 SB and 286 runs.
Francoeur (who I wasn't aware is now playing with the Giants)
In 631 games with 2453 at-bats: 78 HR, 359 RBI with a .265 average, .308 OB%, 14 SB and 310 runs.
The first thing that jumps out is games played. Frenchy was much more durable than Jason has been. JHey has played in 85% of team games during his first 4 years, whereas Jeff played in 98% of team games (and that 2% was him getting benched for slumping).
So over roughly the same time period, Heyward has played in 109 less games but way less RBI (126). Francoeur's average is actually better as well. Heyward's considerably higher OB% has led to more runs per game played, .54 to Frenchy's .49, but there's not too much difference...at least not as much as you'd think considering 2010-present has been a much better stretch of Braves teams than 2005-2009.
And on top of all that, Francoeur won a Gold Glove in 2007, and was always among the league leaders in outfield assists.
When Francoeur left I was glad. He was so frustrating. And Heyward's patience at the plate seems to give him more leeway, but the numbers don't bear out that he's really that much better. Maybe there are saber-metrics that say Jason is better, I don't know and don't care. I'd probably rather have JHey in there for whatever reason. But it's interesting to see the comparison, after Atlanta had enough of the hometown hero, the guy who was supposed to be the next great Brave hasn't panned out much better so far.
Heyward
In 522 games with 1853 at-bats: 72 HR, 233 RBI with a .260 average,.351 OB%, 43 SB and 286 runs.
Francoeur (who I wasn't aware is now playing with the Giants)
In 631 games with 2453 at-bats: 78 HR, 359 RBI with a .265 average, .308 OB%, 14 SB and 310 runs.
The first thing that jumps out is games played. Frenchy was much more durable than Jason has been. JHey has played in 85% of team games during his first 4 years, whereas Jeff played in 98% of team games (and that 2% was him getting benched for slumping).
So over roughly the same time period, Heyward has played in 109 less games but way less RBI (126). Francoeur's average is actually better as well. Heyward's considerably higher OB% has led to more runs per game played, .54 to Frenchy's .49, but there's not too much difference...at least not as much as you'd think considering 2010-present has been a much better stretch of Braves teams than 2005-2009.
And on top of all that, Francoeur won a Gold Glove in 2007, and was always among the league leaders in outfield assists.
When Francoeur left I was glad. He was so frustrating. And Heyward's patience at the plate seems to give him more leeway, but the numbers don't bear out that he's really that much better. Maybe there are saber-metrics that say Jason is better, I don't know and don't care. I'd probably rather have JHey in there for whatever reason. But it's interesting to see the comparison, after Atlanta had enough of the hometown hero, the guy who was supposed to be the next great Brave hasn't panned out much better so far.
Monday, August 19, 2013
The Kennedys
The Kennedys have always been interesting to me. I recently watched the mini-series, The Kennedys - it was pretty good.
The family of Joseph and Rose Kennedy is obviously the biggest interest as it includes so many famous and influential people, several that the miniseries didn't, or couldn't even touch on. It might have made a better TV show, or at least a one-season show that detailed more in-depth the family.
Joesph Kennedy - the father, he was the 1st chairman of the SEC and also ambassador to the UK under FDR. He got rich off the stock market, liquor trade and revamping Hollywood studios.
Rose Kennedy - lived to be 104 years old.
But the children's lives are what is so interesting - all of them had something unique in their lives, and they were struck with tragedy after tragedy.
Joesph, Jr. - he was being groomed to become the president by his father, but was killed in a plane crash during World War II at age 29, in 1944.
John - obviously the most famous Kennedy as he was President of the United States from 1961-1963 before being assassinated. He had four children, but the first was stillborn and the fourth only lived three days. JFK, Jr. died at age 38 in a plane crash. Caroline Kennedy is still living and is a lawyer.
Rosemary - she had mental health problems where she was unable to progress past the intelligence of a young child, then underwent a lobotomy at age 23 and was permanently incapacitated until she died at age 86.
Kathleen - she married some English royalty but against the wishes of her parents. He died in WWII, and then she later died in a plane crash in 1948, at age 28. She is rarely talked about, I guess because of her family's disapproval - her father is the only one to attend her funeral.
Eunice - she started what ended up becoming the Special Olympics in the 1960s. Her husband was the vice presidential candidate in 1972, and her daughter is Maria Shriver, who was married to actor/Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger. She lived a full life, dying at age 88.
Patricia - she was considered one of the smartest of the bunch but never really did much other than travel and work in Hollywood.
Robert - Attorney General under JFK, then a senator from 1965 until his assassination in 1968 while running for president. He had 11 kids.
Jean - still living today, she was Ambassador to Ireland in the 1990s under President Clinton. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, which is the highest civilian honor.
Edward - known as "Ted", he was a lifelong politician, serving as a senator from Massachusetts from 1962 until his death in 2009 at age 77. He ran for president against incumbent Jimmy Carter in 1980 but lost in the primaries.
The family of Joseph and Rose Kennedy is obviously the biggest interest as it includes so many famous and influential people, several that the miniseries didn't, or couldn't even touch on. It might have made a better TV show, or at least a one-season show that detailed more in-depth the family.
Joesph Kennedy - the father, he was the 1st chairman of the SEC and also ambassador to the UK under FDR. He got rich off the stock market, liquor trade and revamping Hollywood studios.
Rose Kennedy - lived to be 104 years old.
But the children's lives are what is so interesting - all of them had something unique in their lives, and they were struck with tragedy after tragedy.
Joesph, Jr. - he was being groomed to become the president by his father, but was killed in a plane crash during World War II at age 29, in 1944.
John - obviously the most famous Kennedy as he was President of the United States from 1961-1963 before being assassinated. He had four children, but the first was stillborn and the fourth only lived three days. JFK, Jr. died at age 38 in a plane crash. Caroline Kennedy is still living and is a lawyer.
Rosemary - she had mental health problems where she was unable to progress past the intelligence of a young child, then underwent a lobotomy at age 23 and was permanently incapacitated until she died at age 86.
Kathleen - she married some English royalty but against the wishes of her parents. He died in WWII, and then she later died in a plane crash in 1948, at age 28. She is rarely talked about, I guess because of her family's disapproval - her father is the only one to attend her funeral.
Eunice - she started what ended up becoming the Special Olympics in the 1960s. Her husband was the vice presidential candidate in 1972, and her daughter is Maria Shriver, who was married to actor/Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger. She lived a full life, dying at age 88.
Patricia - she was considered one of the smartest of the bunch but never really did much other than travel and work in Hollywood.
Robert - Attorney General under JFK, then a senator from 1965 until his assassination in 1968 while running for president. He had 11 kids.
Jean - still living today, she was Ambassador to Ireland in the 1990s under President Clinton. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, which is the highest civilian honor.
Edward - known as "Ted", he was a lifelong politician, serving as a senator from Massachusetts from 1962 until his death in 2009 at age 77. He ran for president against incumbent Jimmy Carter in 1980 but lost in the primaries.
Monday, August 12, 2013
A Message for State Fans
In case you missed it, the NCAA has some questions about Ole Miss' recruitment of Chris Jones. Add this to the list of things that have and will come out regarding their football program, and violations of NCAA rules.
But I'm not here to talk about Ole Miss. I'm here to talk about State.
I've seen enough of MSU fans wallowing in self-pity over the past. What OM gets, what we don't. What Auburn gets. What we don't. How we shouldn't be slinging mud when we are the ones on probation.
Nonsense.
We are on probation because Ole Miss started it. It's too bad it has to be a war, but the shots have been fired - pick a side.
You are either in or out. You are for us or against us. Don't ride the fence. Put on maroon, or walk out the door. If you feel like they need to be defended, please keep your mouth shut.
Thank you to all the State fans who stand strong and are not swayed by the excuses and lies developed by those in Oxford. Thank you to all those who stand by your school through thick and thin, you are true maroon. For those not afraid to stand up to them, I applaud you.
This is going to get even uglier. Ole Miss danced with the devil and they will pay the price. Don't give in to their fabrications and propaganda.
This message is surely to be read by Rebs and picked apart. They will tell you I'm no good and I just make stuff up to hurt them. They will attack and attack and try to intimidate, wash and repeat every day. They are running scared because they are about to get caught. Stay strong, Dawgs, stay strong.
Hail State. All day, every day.
But I'm not here to talk about Ole Miss. I'm here to talk about State.
I've seen enough of MSU fans wallowing in self-pity over the past. What OM gets, what we don't. What Auburn gets. What we don't. How we shouldn't be slinging mud when we are the ones on probation.
Nonsense.
We are on probation because Ole Miss started it. It's too bad it has to be a war, but the shots have been fired - pick a side.
You are either in or out. You are for us or against us. Don't ride the fence. Put on maroon, or walk out the door. If you feel like they need to be defended, please keep your mouth shut.
Thank you to all the State fans who stand strong and are not swayed by the excuses and lies developed by those in Oxford. Thank you to all those who stand by your school through thick and thin, you are true maroon. For those not afraid to stand up to them, I applaud you.
This is going to get even uglier. Ole Miss danced with the devil and they will pay the price. Don't give in to their fabrications and propaganda.
This message is surely to be read by Rebs and picked apart. They will tell you I'm no good and I just make stuff up to hurt them. They will attack and attack and try to intimidate, wash and repeat every day. They are running scared because they are about to get caught. Stay strong, Dawgs, stay strong.
Hail State. All day, every day.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Chicken Fried Rice
A few months ago I was hungry but didn't have much in the fridge or pantry to eat. But I did have a piece of chicken, rice and soy sauce so I thought I'd try to figure out how to make chicken fried rice. What I discovered was it's like a po-boy in that you can just throw in a bunch of ingredients you have, and it's really good.
The great thing about chicken fried rice is that you don't have to have all these ingredients to still make it and it be good. And most of the main ingredients you probably have in your house all the time so at any point you should be good to go. I've bolded the ingredients you must have.
Ingredients
Vegetable oil
Boneless skinless chicken breast (take it out if you only want fried rice)
White rice
Egg
Onion
Garlic
Carrots
English peas
Green onion
Soy sauce
Butter
First boil the white rice. Cook it completely, and it should take about 15-20 minutes. While you are doing that put about two tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium to high heat. Cut the chicken breast into cubes and place into the skillet, cooking for about 2 minutes on each side.
Chop up about 1/4 of a large onion and 3-4 garlic cloves (you can just use the pre-chopped garlic if you want to). Place onion and garlic into the skillet after chicken is cooked. After a few minutes put the rice in the skillet and reduce to medium heat.
While you are doing all this, whisk an egg and place it in a small skillet. Allow it to cook like you would an omelet, and once it has turn the heat off and cut the egg into small pieces.
If you want to use carrots, English peas or green onion, then put them in along with the egg. Put in a teaspoon of butter continuing to stir.
Put in enough soy sauce so that the rice turns a nice light brown while you are stirring it. Once it has reached that color, pack down the rice on the skillet and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Flip the rice and let it sit on the other side for 2-3 minutes - this will allow the rice to sear a little and just creates a better texture.
Yum Yum Sauce
If you are going to have chicken friend rice, you need some yum yum sauce to go with it. It's really simple.
Melt a teaspoon of butter in a bowl. Add a tablespoon of mayonnaise, 1/4 teaspoon of ketchup and 1/4 teaspoon of sugar and stir until you get a good consistency - you may need to add mayo or ketchup to get the right light pink color. I like to just pour that yum yum sauce all over the rice.
This recipe feeds 3 people, two if you're really hungry.
The great thing about chicken fried rice is that you don't have to have all these ingredients to still make it and it be good. And most of the main ingredients you probably have in your house all the time so at any point you should be good to go. I've bolded the ingredients you must have.
Ingredients
Vegetable oil
Boneless skinless chicken breast (take it out if you only want fried rice)
White rice
Egg
Onion
Garlic
Carrots
English peas
Green onion
Soy sauce
Butter
First boil the white rice. Cook it completely, and it should take about 15-20 minutes. While you are doing that put about two tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium to high heat. Cut the chicken breast into cubes and place into the skillet, cooking for about 2 minutes on each side.
Chop up about 1/4 of a large onion and 3-4 garlic cloves (you can just use the pre-chopped garlic if you want to). Place onion and garlic into the skillet after chicken is cooked. After a few minutes put the rice in the skillet and reduce to medium heat.
While you are doing all this, whisk an egg and place it in a small skillet. Allow it to cook like you would an omelet, and once it has turn the heat off and cut the egg into small pieces.
If you want to use carrots, English peas or green onion, then put them in along with the egg. Put in a teaspoon of butter continuing to stir.
Put in enough soy sauce so that the rice turns a nice light brown while you are stirring it. Once it has reached that color, pack down the rice on the skillet and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Flip the rice and let it sit on the other side for 2-3 minutes - this will allow the rice to sear a little and just creates a better texture.
Yum Yum Sauce
If you are going to have chicken friend rice, you need some yum yum sauce to go with it. It's really simple.
Melt a teaspoon of butter in a bowl. Add a tablespoon of mayonnaise, 1/4 teaspoon of ketchup and 1/4 teaspoon of sugar and stir until you get a good consistency - you may need to add mayo or ketchup to get the right light pink color. I like to just pour that yum yum sauce all over the rice.
This recipe feeds 3 people, two if you're really hungry.
Friday, August 2, 2013
Long Layoff
I definitely haven't posted on here in a while. Having a baby has taken up most of my time, and I've spent my blogging time on M&WN and FWtCT.
Being a dad has been pretty good. I've gotten the hang of it pretty well. There's nothing like a baby smiling back at you. There also nothing like a baby crying non-stoop and you just want silence, ha. But that's life, things change and you move forward, wouldn't have it any other way.
I've got a few things I'd like to write this month, and I'll put my SEC predictions on here before the year starts.
Being a dad has been pretty good. I've gotten the hang of it pretty well. There's nothing like a baby smiling back at you. There also nothing like a baby crying non-stoop and you just want silence, ha. But that's life, things change and you move forward, wouldn't have it any other way.
I've got a few things I'd like to write this month, and I'll put my SEC predictions on here before the year starts.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Falcons/49ers Rivalry
It's great that the Falcons and 49ers are playing for the NFC Championship. This rivalry brings back so many memories.
I guess most Falcons fans would say their biggest rival is the Saints. I get that, and I don't care for them either. But I really can't stand the 49ers. It's always been that way.
When I was growing up during the Joe Montana and Steve Young years, San Francisco had some really great teams, and won several Superbowls...and the Falcons hardly ever beat them.
To add to it, I was also a Cowboys fan in my early youth (because they won, and I used the excuse of being born in Dallas), and the 'Boy and 9ers held the 1st and 2nd seed in the NFL every year from 1992-1995 and met in the NFL Championship Game from 1992-94.
Atlanta is 30-44-1 (.400) against them all time. But in my lifetime (since 1984) they are 13-27-1 (.317) against the 49ers.
All those years in the NFC West - all those beatdowns.
From 1984-1990, the Falcons were 1-12-1 vs. the 49ers. The average margin of victory (or loss, in the Falcons case) was 17 points. They were hard to beat.
The first memory I have, when I realized how much it meant to beat them, was when the Falcons won on a Hail Mary throw on the last play of the game in 1991 (in old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium) to win 17-14. I remember the next day on the school bus everyone was so pumped about winning that game. Of course, that was the second time Atlanta had beaten them that year, and that game gave the Falcons the tiebreaker (both teams were 10-6) and led to their big playoff victory in the Wild Card round vs. New Orleans in the Superdome.
The 49ers got payback in 1992 and won 56-17 and 41-3. If it wasn't enough that they beat us all the time, they had to steal away Deion Sanders after the 1993 season, and proceed to win the Superbowl with him in 1994.
Going into the 1995 season finale, San Fran had won 6 of the last 7, and they were poised for a 1st round bye in the playoffs. The Falcons needed to win to get in. I remember laying on my bed listening to the game on the radio (because practically all home games were blacked out back then). I don't recall exactly what happened, but it was an exciting finish I know. Atlanta won 28-27, my dad and I jumping up in down in my room as we listened to the call.
Back to getting taken behind the woodshed in 1996 and 97. And leave it to the 49ers to hand us one of our two losses in 1998, a 31-20 game in Week 3. But on their return visit to the Dome, I remember begging my dad to take me to the game because I just had to see it - both teams were 7-2 and I wasn't going to let the Georgia Dome not being sold out prevent me from putting my eyes on this game. (But, of course, I went and the game sold out for the first time in a billion years.) The Falcons won 31-19 and went on to an amazing season. And for once, when the 49ers came back to the Dome for the Divisional round of the playoffs that year, I finally felt confident we could beat them (maybe for the first time in my life). And we did, if only by a 20-18 score.
San Francisco wouldn't let us leave the NFC West without a bitter taste in our mouths. They won two overtime games in 2001. The Chris Chandler (but play Michael Vick, please) Falcons ended the year 7-9.
I was happy about the creation of the NFC South in 2002: no more San Francisco twice per season.
The 49ers have lost what they used to have. The 2000s weren't nearly as successful as the previous two decades, and the Falcons have won the last four meetings. But now that the Falcons are facing them in the NFC Championship Game, I'm reminded of the rivalry that once was. Just how thrilling it was to beat them back in the day, and how no one ever expected us to - as many are calling for this weekend. How awesome it would be to win one here, this week, to send Atlanta to the Superbowl.
I guess most Falcons fans would say their biggest rival is the Saints. I get that, and I don't care for them either. But I really can't stand the 49ers. It's always been that way.
When I was growing up during the Joe Montana and Steve Young years, San Francisco had some really great teams, and won several Superbowls...and the Falcons hardly ever beat them.
To add to it, I was also a Cowboys fan in my early youth (because they won, and I used the excuse of being born in Dallas), and the 'Boy and 9ers held the 1st and 2nd seed in the NFL every year from 1992-1995 and met in the NFL Championship Game from 1992-94.
Atlanta is 30-44-1 (.400) against them all time. But in my lifetime (since 1984) they are 13-27-1 (.317) against the 49ers.
All those years in the NFC West - all those beatdowns.
From 1984-1990, the Falcons were 1-12-1 vs. the 49ers. The average margin of victory (or loss, in the Falcons case) was 17 points. They were hard to beat.
The first memory I have, when I realized how much it meant to beat them, was when the Falcons won on a Hail Mary throw on the last play of the game in 1991 (in old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium) to win 17-14. I remember the next day on the school bus everyone was so pumped about winning that game. Of course, that was the second time Atlanta had beaten them that year, and that game gave the Falcons the tiebreaker (both teams were 10-6) and led to their big playoff victory in the Wild Card round vs. New Orleans in the Superdome.
The 49ers got payback in 1992 and won 56-17 and 41-3. If it wasn't enough that they beat us all the time, they had to steal away Deion Sanders after the 1993 season, and proceed to win the Superbowl with him in 1994.
Going into the 1995 season finale, San Fran had won 6 of the last 7, and they were poised for a 1st round bye in the playoffs. The Falcons needed to win to get in. I remember laying on my bed listening to the game on the radio (because practically all home games were blacked out back then). I don't recall exactly what happened, but it was an exciting finish I know. Atlanta won 28-27, my dad and I jumping up in down in my room as we listened to the call.
Back to getting taken behind the woodshed in 1996 and 97. And leave it to the 49ers to hand us one of our two losses in 1998, a 31-20 game in Week 3. But on their return visit to the Dome, I remember begging my dad to take me to the game because I just had to see it - both teams were 7-2 and I wasn't going to let the Georgia Dome not being sold out prevent me from putting my eyes on this game. (But, of course, I went and the game sold out for the first time in a billion years.) The Falcons won 31-19 and went on to an amazing season. And for once, when the 49ers came back to the Dome for the Divisional round of the playoffs that year, I finally felt confident we could beat them (maybe for the first time in my life). And we did, if only by a 20-18 score.
San Francisco wouldn't let us leave the NFC West without a bitter taste in our mouths. They won two overtime games in 2001. The Chris Chandler (but play Michael Vick, please) Falcons ended the year 7-9.
I was happy about the creation of the NFC South in 2002: no more San Francisco twice per season.
The 49ers have lost what they used to have. The 2000s weren't nearly as successful as the previous two decades, and the Falcons have won the last four meetings. But now that the Falcons are facing them in the NFC Championship Game, I'm reminded of the rivalry that once was. Just how thrilling it was to beat them back in the day, and how no one ever expected us to - as many are calling for this weekend. How awesome it would be to win one here, this week, to send Atlanta to the Superbowl.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Hasn't God Always Met Our Needs?
From Bryant Wright
"I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:12-13 NAS
When you take the time to sort through your yearly expenses, it can be a sobering experience. Believe me, I know. First I paid the MasterCard bill and then my quarterly estimated state and federal taxes. This was followed by an exorbitant check for out-of-state college tuition, which had risen 17% that year. (At that point, I had that mental picture of a giant vacuum cleaner in the sky, sucking up all the money we had.) Then I checked on our retirement account, noting it had, for the third year in a row, dropped double digits. I began to have this very sinking feeling of despair coming over me. I must confess to you that I walked around really discouraged for a few days.
And then the Holy Spirit began to minister to me. It was like the Lord said, "Haven't you paid all your bills? Haven't I met all of your needs? Haven't I ALWAYS met all of your needs? What makes you think that after all these years of so-called spiritual maturity that I'm no longer going to meet your needs?"
Let me tell you something: that was very convicting. And then the Lord said to my heart, "Bryant, it never was yours in the first place. And whether you're riding high for one year and down in the dumps the next, that's My decision. It has always been My decision. It has never been yours. I'm just interested in you seeking to manage what I entrust to you, to the best of your ability, and trust Me with the rest."
"I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:12-13 NAS
When you take the time to sort through your yearly expenses, it can be a sobering experience. Believe me, I know. First I paid the MasterCard bill and then my quarterly estimated state and federal taxes. This was followed by an exorbitant check for out-of-state college tuition, which had risen 17% that year. (At that point, I had that mental picture of a giant vacuum cleaner in the sky, sucking up all the money we had.) Then I checked on our retirement account, noting it had, for the third year in a row, dropped double digits. I began to have this very sinking feeling of despair coming over me. I must confess to you that I walked around really discouraged for a few days.
And then the Holy Spirit began to minister to me. It was like the Lord said, "Haven't you paid all your bills? Haven't I met all of your needs? Haven't I ALWAYS met all of your needs? What makes you think that after all these years of so-called spiritual maturity that I'm no longer going to meet your needs?"
Let me tell you something: that was very convicting. And then the Lord said to my heart, "Bryant, it never was yours in the first place. And whether you're riding high for one year and down in the dumps the next, that's My decision. It has always been My decision. It has never been yours. I'm just interested in you seeking to manage what I entrust to you, to the best of your ability, and trust Me with the rest."
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Blueberries
I'm into blueberries right now. Not necessarily eating blueberries themselves, but stuff with blueberries in them, nor flavoring.
Blueberry bagels, pop tarts, muffins. They are all good.
The other day I bought some blueberry cobbler coffee. Since I'm into blueberries and blueberry cobbler is good, I figured this would be too. And yes, it is delicious.
Blueberry bagels, pop tarts, muffins. They are all good.
The other day I bought some blueberry cobbler coffee. Since I'm into blueberries and blueberry cobbler is good, I figured this would be too. And yes, it is delicious.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Sunday, January 6, 2013
The BCS Title Game Should be on a Saturday
The last few years the BCS Title Game has been on a Monday night. I don't really care for it.
All year long we watch Saturday football. It's one of the great things about college football - the games are on a day when most of us don't work, and you can stay up until after midnight watching games because you don't have to work the next day, Sunday.
But the BCS Title Game has gone the way of the MLB or NBA Playoffs and is played on a weeknight, and starting at 8:30 EST. So if you are someone who goes to sleep around 10 PM because you've got to get up early to work the next day, you can only make it to halftime. I could stay up of course, if I can keep my eyes open after waking up early that morning, and then run on a short night the next day. But wouldn't be easier to just have the game on a Saturday.
Probably the main reason it isn't played on the weekend is the NFL Wildcard Playoffs which are played on the entire weekend before the title game. But if college and pro would work together a little bit, it could be done.
How about 3 playoff games on Sunday: 1:00, 4:30, and 8:00 - just like any other Sunday during the year, and then the final game on Monday, just like any other week of football in the NFL.
If this was done, you'd have the entire Saturday before to devote to the BCS Title Game. And the 8:30 start on Saturday night would be fine as the entire country could easily, and happily stay up to watch it.
Of course, the BCS is going away pretty soon. And if the 4-game playoff semifinal is played on New Year's Day then the title game is unlikely to take place where it is now, just 6 or 7 days afterwards. Well, if that's the case, it would just be the Divisional round of the NFL Playoffs where it would fall. And for uniformity, the NFL could just make the Wildcard the same and let college play the final few bowls on the Saturday of that weekend.
All year long we watch Saturday football. It's one of the great things about college football - the games are on a day when most of us don't work, and you can stay up until after midnight watching games because you don't have to work the next day, Sunday.
But the BCS Title Game has gone the way of the MLB or NBA Playoffs and is played on a weeknight, and starting at 8:30 EST. So if you are someone who goes to sleep around 10 PM because you've got to get up early to work the next day, you can only make it to halftime. I could stay up of course, if I can keep my eyes open after waking up early that morning, and then run on a short night the next day. But wouldn't be easier to just have the game on a Saturday.
Probably the main reason it isn't played on the weekend is the NFL Wildcard Playoffs which are played on the entire weekend before the title game. But if college and pro would work together a little bit, it could be done.
How about 3 playoff games on Sunday: 1:00, 4:30, and 8:00 - just like any other Sunday during the year, and then the final game on Monday, just like any other week of football in the NFL.
If this was done, you'd have the entire Saturday before to devote to the BCS Title Game. And the 8:30 start on Saturday night would be fine as the entire country could easily, and happily stay up to watch it.
Of course, the BCS is going away pretty soon. And if the 4-game playoff semifinal is played on New Year's Day then the title game is unlikely to take place where it is now, just 6 or 7 days afterwards. Well, if that's the case, it would just be the Divisional round of the NFL Playoffs where it would fall. And for uniformity, the NFL could just make the Wildcard the same and let college play the final few bowls on the Saturday of that weekend.
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