Dr. Medlin and Me 

Finally, for all you wanting to know. The guy in the picture is Dr. Bobby Medlin. He was my advisor in College, and also a good mentor and friend. Since I went to a small school, he was also my professor for my major (Business Management). I learned more about life and my major from him then probably anyone else I can think of. (Get your mind out of the gutter boys, I never dated him - my dad was his boss ;-) ) He was a great influence on me and always held the bar higher to force me to achieve above my level and he never accepted mediocre work from me either. Dr. Medlin was the best college professor I ever had, and when I log in here and see that pic, it reminds me not to accept mediocre for anything I decide to do.

The Third Saturday in October

Or it used to be anyway. For many years growing up the third Saturday in October was all about the "Class Rival" Tenneessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide Then a few years ago they said we couldn't do the "Rammer Jammer" cheer. (Found at the bottom of this page as it isn't anywhere online.) Then they changed the date of the game to the fourth Saturday - it just wasn't the same. Then they moved it back to third, and this year back to the fourth. It just isn't the same.

Well, this year was worse. This year the truth has started coming out about Alabama's probation. Seems Coach Phil FUlmer of the Tennessee Vols, had a little to do with it. This has added to the normal level of this rivalry. This should also be the year for us to beat them at Tenneessee.

Now comes the real purpose of this blog. A few weeks ago, we lost first string quarterback Brody Croyle to an ACL injury. Then lost the second string quarterback to a back injury. So now we are starting the third string guy - Chad Pennington. A junior with only a little experience. Now, had we had Brody, we probably would be 8-0 right now. But we don't. And, for the first time I understand what is meant by "There are no moral victories in football." Almost doesn't count. Pennington made a rookie mistake that cost us a touchdown towards the end of the game. And then, with 46 seconds left, through an interception straight to the guy in orange. Not to mention we fumbled on the opening drive that they picked up and ran in for a touchdown. Those 3 mistakes made all the difference in the game. Tennessee won 17-13. If even one of those mistakes hadn't happened, it would have been a win. Now many people will say, we hung in there, it wasn't a rout, etc. Who cares. We should be 8-0. Now, Pennington get it together and win.

RAMMER JAMMER
Hey Auburn (or whoever) Hey Auburn
We're gonna beat the hell out of you.
Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer
Give 'em hell Alabama!

Thank You Mr. C

Well, it wasn't the Awesome Ash, but I was ROFLMAO the whole time while watching Shaun of the Dead. This movie was awesome and pure dumb fun. For all you lovers of dumb fun movies like Bubba Ho-tep, Army of Darkness, etc. I highly recommend Shaun of the Dead. I never stopped laughing.

For those of you who know me, you know I don't do scary or gore well, not even dumb fun scary or gore. I made it through this with my eyes open. Yes there is gore and yes there is plenty of dumb fun, but I was laughing so hard, I had to keep watching. The reason this is entitled "Thank You Mr. C" is Cocles first got me started watching these kinds of movies. He and some other guys over at SST talked me in to watching Army of Darkness, and once I got the idea, I have loved these movies. Thanks again, Mr. C, I had a blast today.

For All Ben's Friends 

For Ben

Ben we will miss you. We will miss streaky Friday and Superman leaving at 5 everyday.I will miss football "disagreements". Keep in touch.

I wish you well and hope you will drop by SST when you can. I am glad to be your first friend there. I can't wait for your book to come out, and neither can Mackie. Good luck in all your endeavors! But, I can't let you go without saying - GO BEARS!

For everyone - here's how you can find Ben:

ben rosa
StairWay Inc.
Invisible War

Politically Correct

It first started when the high school my dad went to was forced to changed there mascot from the black bears to just bears because the term black was politically incorrect. (Have the changed the name of the actual black bear? Is he offended by being called black?) It was one thing when the the flag girls in a marching band were allowed to be 300 pounds and poured into skin tight velour costumes. I could just not watch. Then they lifted weight requirements for twirlers and dance team members who wore little skimpy outfits. Then they began attacking teams with "Indian" names like the braves, the redskins, etc, which included my own beloved Martin High School Warriors. Fortunately most of those haven't changed.

And now this. I returned to the University of Alabama for our annual homecoming. This is a decades if not centuries old tradition in which we get to see who the student body elected as Homecoming Queen. This year we were in for a surprise. Not only did they elect a queen, they also elected a king, the "Capstone Gentlman." Now why on earth would the guys all of a sudden want to be a part of this? You don't want us to be on your football team, which is fine by my me. I don't think this game was meant for girls. (Sorry that's a whole other blog) What's next a Rose King? I sure hope not. What happened to tradition. These aren't traditions that are hurting people. This isn't the tradition of being a KKK member being handed down, things that hurt or teach hate. It's a college football game for crying out loud. Leave it alone people.

Waffling Ass Kissers

I really can't stand for people to waffle their position on things as often as they change their underwear. Some people to do it just to be in opposition of the majority so they can say they aren't mainstream. Some people do it to be mainstream. However the ones I hate the most is the one who change their position in a matter of minutes because someone the idolize walked in the room and they want to be on their side, no matter what.

Today I witnessed this very thing by someone who does it often. She had started a conversation, then when her "idol" came in and thought it was rather offensive, she totally swapped sides. Now one person did say something that could be as offensive. But the person who was offended by it can totally hold her own and doesn't need this little panting puppy to help her out. I mean if you are going to start something, get a spine and stay with it. Don't back down just because you might be opposed by a friend. I promise you will be respected more, even by the person you are panting after, who probably doesn't respect you as you are now if the truth were known.

Stand up and take a stand. Quit changing positions to kiss peoples ass. But then if you are one of these people you probably just love John Kerry, the king of the Waffling Ass Kissers.

THIS is Alabama football

Friday the weather set the stage for the impending homecoming game at The University of Alabama. The air was crisp, the sky clear, and the perfect temperature. Today, however, was actually hot in the stands. But the romping of #24 ranked University of Southern Mississippi made it not matter. For the first time in a loooong time, the players clicked, they knew the plays, the played as a team, they didn't make rookie mistakes, even though there are a few freshman starters, and the quarterback is the 3rd string quarterback (the first two are out with injuries). The game started slow 13-3 at the half. There were some bad plays and some bad calls. But they stuck together, and scored 14 more points in the fourth.

With 5 wins, our record is now better than the entire 2003 season. This is the calibur of players that I grew up watching, that i knew as the Alabama Crimson Tide.

27-3 ROLLLLLL TIDE!

It's Mine!

This post is started to continue a discussion of one first started here on movie piracy which somehow escalated into a lot more. For starters, I see the argument for creative rights as a bigger thing. As Cocles pointed out, creative ideas are something the creator has invented himself, poured his or her life and breath into. Their work. Graywolf believes there should be a line drawn as to when the creative work becomes public domain. The point was brought up about things being able to be handed down eternally with out ever being given to the public domain. Now I if I create something on my own whether with my hands or in my head shouldn't make a difference. It's mine. I worked hard to create it. Now in my will I should be able to stipulate who it goes to. If I choose to leave it to my family and they continue to pass it down, it should always remain my families until THEY choose to sell it to the public or some another private individual. The analogy on Graywolf's blog was drawn to tangible assets such as cars and money, this is where my blog comes in.

I'll start with a quote that I posted on Graywolf's "If I create something, it should be allowed to stay in my family for as long as my family desires. How is that different then the diamond ring or Limoge that has been handed down through my family? Just because it's been 100 years someone can get it? Sorry, I'm not seeing a difference. If I created it with my own mind or hands, it seems it would be owned even more so by my family." Too make a long story short, (if you want the long version go here) the point of financial inheritance was brought up. Now I believe that if you have worked hard and earned money you should be able to hand it down just like everything else. Graywolf stated "Exactly my point YOU didn't work for it so YOU don't get it." Gray - I'd like to know who you think should get my dad's money when he dies? If it doesn't go to his children, then where is it going? To the government where it will be used to fund programs for the real people who are doing nothing more than sitting on their butts? This is nothing more than pure Socialism. Gray your arguement takes you in a circle. You are saying I shouldn't inherit the money because I didn't work for it, however most kids that come from families like that go on to go to college and have careers although there are exceptions who become bad apples and/or squander the family fortune. And by giving it to the public domain, you are giving it to the very people you don't like - those who sit on their butts and do nothing. So my question is to you Gray and to others on Graywolf's side of the arguement - who should get the money when my dad dies? I mean being realistic, when a parent dies it usually isn't while the children the money goes to are young. I am 37. If he were to die tomorrow, I would have money that could help make sure my kids get to go to college without the debt of student loans.

SO GRAY - answer the question - where should the money go?

Army of Darkness Take 2

After watching Bubba Ho-Tep, per Cocles I went back and re-watched AOD with the mind set of "dumb fun". For those of you who haven't read it, here is my previous review Army of Darkness. And I have to say I do love it. I am considering buying it, because I like the classic lines and the soundtrack as well, which I can listen to at SST. Not sure which I movie I like better, but I have decided that Ash kicks ass and I hope they do make Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash (sorry I don't have the link for that) but will add it if someone does. But anyway, I ramble. Thanks Mr. C and the rest who encouraged me to watch it.

Thuringwethil

I thought I would put this in the blog because I get so tired of explaining who/what it is. First of all Thuringwethil was a woman. For some reason everyone thinks it's a man's name. The name comes from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion.

Thuringwethil was a vampire and messenger of Sauron. She flew through mordor disguised as a bat. Luthien took her form when she went to Angband on the Quest of the Silmaril. But the reason I chose it has to do with the meaning.

I was being haunted, harassed, pursued, whatever you would like to call it by someone in my favorite chat room and website so I needed to change my name. That is when Graywolf chose Thuringwethil. The meaning was highly appropriate. Thuringwethil means "woman of the secret shadows."