Friday, September 16, 2005
3 in a row!
I am headed to my third Clemson football game in as many weeks!!! This season is the most difficult schedule Clemson has faced in many years but so far 2-0! Tough test as Miami comes to Death Valley tomorrow. I most likelywill have no voice come Sunday.
Go Tigers!
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Mexico's Most Wanted
I love my neighborhood. It is diverse and still rough around the edges. I have never been a polished man. Well many of the houses on the surrounding streets are home to Hispanic families. They always seem friendly and smile at me but due to the language barrier who knows what they think of me.
The house at the end of the street houses a particularly large amount of people. They all seem to be fun loving. Every weekend they are playing soccer and partying in the street, which can be a bit annoying when you need to drive by. My only complaint is that they have chickens and dogs that often like to dart out in front of my truck.
Thus my story begins.....
Once cold morning I was running late for work, surprise (wanted to beat Taylor, Mike and Vic to that punch). I drove to the end of the street and stopped at the stop sign. I turned left and speed up to maybe 10 mph. That is when their dog darts out of no where and in a split second I nip him with my tire. He yelped and ran off and I stopped in the middle of the street and jumped out of my truck. As I watched the dog run back into the yard I noticed that there was a woman standing in the driveway. I called out to her asking if the dog was ok. There was no response. I then started to walk towards her and with that she runs into her house grabs the phone and starts speaking in Spanish at 100 words per second. I know some Spanish but I have trouble with it because it is spoken so fast. The woman refused to come out and I felt me standing there trying to communicate was doing no good and I finally left.
For weeks I would drive by to see if he was ok (which he was). The family would just glare at me but that dog stayed in the yard from then on.
The house at the end of the street houses a particularly large amount of people. They all seem to be fun loving. Every weekend they are playing soccer and partying in the street, which can be a bit annoying when you need to drive by. My only complaint is that they have chickens and dogs that often like to dart out in front of my truck.
Thus my story begins.....
Once cold morning I was running late for work, surprise (wanted to beat Taylor, Mike and Vic to that punch). I drove to the end of the street and stopped at the stop sign. I turned left and speed up to maybe 10 mph. That is when their dog darts out of no where and in a split second I nip him with my tire. He yelped and ran off and I stopped in the middle of the street and jumped out of my truck. As I watched the dog run back into the yard I noticed that there was a woman standing in the driveway. I called out to her asking if the dog was ok. There was no response. I then started to walk towards her and with that she runs into her house grabs the phone and starts speaking in Spanish at 100 words per second. I know some Spanish but I have trouble with it because it is spoken so fast. The woman refused to come out and I felt me standing there trying to communicate was doing no good and I finally left.
For weeks I would drive by to see if he was ok (which he was). The family would just glare at me but that dog stayed in the yard from then on.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Meanwhile in Atlanta
Well I went to visit Taylor this weekend in DC and I have to say it was terrific. The only thing that could have made it better was more time. It was so good to see Taylor again. DC has never been atop of any of my good list but I have to say I had a great time. I spent Friday walking the city alone and just really enjoyed it so much. I am the weirdo who just puts on my headphones and will just go and walk for hours with no real purpose (like that time in Baltimore where people thought I was going to get shot) I like taking it all in and at the same time clearing my head which is such a jumbled mess.
Friday night Taylor showed me is hood and I met some of his friends. The people were really nice and interesting. Saturday we went out to see the Clemson/ Maryland game which was awesome. What a game! Go Tigers!
Before I left I had many questions and little clarity. I have been applying to jobs in other cities, looking for some change. I had given up on ever finding someone special. I have spent the past 6 months trying to be hard and denying that I am a romantic at heart and I truly want that someone who makes my heart flutter. My other half.
I came home with more questions than answers but things seem clearer. I know more of what I want and who I am.
Wow I was just going to see Taylor and to the football game. Who knew a weekend in DC would be so monumental?
Friday night Taylor showed me is hood and I met some of his friends. The people were really nice and interesting. Saturday we went out to see the Clemson/ Maryland game which was awesome. What a game! Go Tigers!
Before I left I had many questions and little clarity. I have been applying to jobs in other cities, looking for some change. I had given up on ever finding someone special. I have spent the past 6 months trying to be hard and denying that I am a romantic at heart and I truly want that someone who makes my heart flutter. My other half.
I came home with more questions than answers but things seem clearer. I know more of what I want and who I am.
Wow I was just going to see Taylor and to the football game. Who knew a weekend in DC would be so monumental?
Where I am....
I could tell from the moment I stepped onto the plane to return home I was going to be like this. Confused, bewildered, shock and awe if you will. You see I went for the soul purpose of seeing my best friend, knowing how much I did not like it.
Upon arrival I had my guard up. Making sure to notice the dirt, the stench and the soulless city that I had never really cared for but having someone I care for there demanded my return. It was great to see him and to know first hand he is ok and always will be. I knew it but I needed confirmation.
The next day I woke with no agenda and plenty of time. I opened up just enough to let some of you in. I put on your soundtrack, took you in. I was warming up. You had me and it was only a matter of time before you tightened your grip.
Blinded by spirits I dove into your darkness drinking, laughing, and taking you in. Reality smacked me on the lips and I pulled back enough to see where this was headed. That is when you sent in the ace. Something desirable, something I am unable to have and find here. Doting me I felt like a king.
In an instance it was over, the love affair with something I didn't like; only it left me wanting more.
Upon arrival I had my guard up. Making sure to notice the dirt, the stench and the soulless city that I had never really cared for but having someone I care for there demanded my return. It was great to see him and to know first hand he is ok and always will be. I knew it but I needed confirmation.
The next day I woke with no agenda and plenty of time. I opened up just enough to let some of you in. I put on your soundtrack, took you in. I was warming up. You had me and it was only a matter of time before you tightened your grip.
Blinded by spirits I dove into your darkness drinking, laughing, and taking you in. Reality smacked me on the lips and I pulled back enough to see where this was headed. That is when you sent in the ace. Something desirable, something I am unable to have and find here. Doting me I felt like a king.
In an instance it was over, the love affair with something I didn't like; only it left me wanting more.
The District Sleeps Alone Tonight
smeared black ink: your palms are sweaty and I'm barely listening to last demands
i'm staring at the asphalt wondering what's buried underneath where i am
i'll wear my badge: a vinyl sticker with big block letters adherent to my chest
that tells your new friends i am a visitor here: i am not permanent
and the only thing keeping me dry is where i am
you seem so out of context in this gaudy apartment complexa stranger with a door key explaining that i am just visitingand i am finally seeing why i was the one worth leaving
d.c. sleeps alone tonight
you seem so out of context in this gaudy apartment complex
a stranger with a door key explaining that i am just visiting
and i am finally seeing why i was the one worth leaving
the district sleeps alone tonight after the bars turn out their lights
and send the autos swerving into the loneliest evening
and i am finally seeing why i was the one worth leaving
I don't think there is a better CD that better suits my emotions both for its lyrics and music than The Postal Service. Every song is my heartbeat.
i'm staring at the asphalt wondering what's buried underneath where i am
i'll wear my badge: a vinyl sticker with big block letters adherent to my chest
that tells your new friends i am a visitor here: i am not permanent
and the only thing keeping me dry is where i am
you seem so out of context in this gaudy apartment complexa stranger with a door key explaining that i am just visitingand i am finally seeing why i was the one worth leaving
d.c. sleeps alone tonight
you seem so out of context in this gaudy apartment complex
a stranger with a door key explaining that i am just visiting
and i am finally seeing why i was the one worth leaving
the district sleeps alone tonight after the bars turn out their lights
and send the autos swerving into the loneliest evening
and i am finally seeing why i was the one worth leaving
I don't think there is a better CD that better suits my emotions both for its lyrics and music than The Postal Service. Every song is my heartbeat.
Friday, September 02, 2005
World stunned by US Government's response to Katrina?
The world is watching the only superpower collapse. Corrupt, selfish, inhuman government is coming into view for the world to see. I wonder what those out there who mean us harm are thinking? I thought this was a nation that was about helping others? IS America and empire and we just have not been told? I do know that nothing but bad things have happened since emperor George has taken over. I am tired of something bad happening again and again and people saying this is not a time to point blame. Well when is? Why do they continue to screw up?
Bush = Failure
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050902/ts_nm/weather_katrina_reaction_dc
Bush = Failure
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050902/ts_nm/weather_katrina_reaction_dc
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Next Week?
From CNN Online:
Widespread looting and random gunfire have been reported across New Orleans. Police told CNN that groups of armed men roamed the streets overnight.
Officers told CNN they lacked manpower and steady communications to properly do their jobs -- and that they needed help to prevent the widespread looting and violence now prevalent in the city.
Officers told CNN they lacked manpower and steady communications to properly do their jobs -- and that they needed help to prevent the widespread looting and violence now prevalent in the city.
A police officer working in downtown New Orleans said police were siphoning gas from abandoned vehicles in an effort to keep their squad cars running, CNN's Chris Lawrence reported.
The officer said police are "on their own" for food and water, scrounging up what they can from anybody who is generous enough to give them some -- and that they have no communication whatsoever. Police also told CNN they were removing ammunition from looted gunshops in an effort to get it off the streets.
The Pentagon said that by next week 24,000 troops would be on the ground to assist in recovery efforts, including 8,600 National Guard members by Friday who could be put to work in law enforcement.
Is it just me or shouldn't this been a step to take last Friday when we all knew the hurricane was going to hit??? Why isn't the government responding? Why is Condi in NYC buying thousand dollar shoes? Where are the democrats? They should be calling to arms right now! I am beginning to think that no one in Washington really cares. There are people trapped and dying, starving like a third world country. We will remember this in 06.
Rome is burning
The story of Nero and Rome is very interesting and has surfaced a few times over the past week. I have a brief run down of it here below:
On the night of July 19, 64 AD, a fire broke out among the shops lining the Circus Maximus, Rome's mammoth chariot stadium. In a city of two million, there was nothing unusual about such a fire -- the sweltering summer heat kindled conflagrations around Rome on a regular basis, particularly in the slums that covered much of the city. Knowing this, Nero himself was miles away in the cooler coastal resort of Antium. Yet this was no ordinary fire. The flames raged for six days before coming under control; then the fire reignited and burned for another three. When the smoke cleared, ten of Rome's fourteen districts were in ruin. The 800-year-old Temple of Jupiter Stator and the Atrium Vestae, the hearth of the Vestal Virgins, were gone. Two thirds of Rome had been destroyed.
The story goes that Nero played his fiddle while Rome burned to the ground. Now there is no way of ever knowing how true that is but what we DO know is that Bush played the guitar while New Orleans flooded and people were drowning.
I never asked for him to be there pulling people to safety himself but at least pretend to have compassion for these people!
(thanks Americablog.org for the photo)
On the night of July 19, 64 AD, a fire broke out among the shops lining the Circus Maximus, Rome's mammoth chariot stadium. In a city of two million, there was nothing unusual about such a fire -- the sweltering summer heat kindled conflagrations around Rome on a regular basis, particularly in the slums that covered much of the city. Knowing this, Nero himself was miles away in the cooler coastal resort of Antium. Yet this was no ordinary fire. The flames raged for six days before coming under control; then the fire reignited and burned for another three. When the smoke cleared, ten of Rome's fourteen districts were in ruin. The 800-year-old Temple of Jupiter Stator and the Atrium Vestae, the hearth of the Vestal Virgins, were gone. Two thirds of Rome had been destroyed.
The story goes that Nero played his fiddle while Rome burned to the ground. Now there is no way of ever knowing how true that is but what we DO know is that Bush played the guitar while New Orleans flooded and people were drowning.
I never asked for him to be there pulling people to safety himself but at least pretend to have compassion for these people!
(thanks Americablog.org for the photo)
50 things ESPN needs to know about S.C.
I found this article in the State Newspaper as Columbia prepars for USC's (Carolina) first game of the season.
I decided not all 50 were that funny but I thought some were so I posted those.
50 things ESPN needs to know about S.C.
Since mid-July, crews from ESPN’s “SportsCenter” have been racing across the nation, trying to hit all 50 states in 50 days. It works like this: Go to a state. Pick a sporting event. Broadcast live. Pack up and run to the next state on your list. Hurry! Today, ESPN’s “guest state” is South Carolina, and “SportsCenter” will feature USC’s home game against Central Florida. (The next day, it’s a prison rodeo in Oklahoma. Then a football game in Alabama. Then Highland Games in Wisconsin. Then they finally get to rest.) As part of all this, ESPN has been asking viewers to vote (via the Internet) on the best of South Carolina’s “sporting culture and heritage.” Here are some of our suggestions.
1. South Carolina and North Carolina are different states. South Carolina is to the south. North Carolina is to the north.
2. There is no state called “Carolina,” even though the Carolina Panthers disagree.
4. The capital of South Carolina is Columbia, not Charleston. Charleston is pretty and historic and artistic, but it’s not the capital city.
5. South Carolina’s governor is Mark Sanford, a frugal fellow. He owns one pair of pants (khakis) and wears them every working day.
6. South Carolina’s first lady is Jenny Sanford, a frugal lady. When she must wash her husband’s only pair of pants, she takes them to the river and pounds them with stones rather than pay for dry cleaning.
7. The University of South Carolina mascot is the fighting gamecock. Watching gamecocks fight is illegal. Watching Gamecocks play is a popular pastime.
9. South Carolina started the Civil War in 1861. In retrospect, it probably was not a good idea.
10. In 1865, Union Army Gen. W.T. Sherman’s troops were camped in Columbia, and somebody started playing with matches, and a bad thing happened.
11. There is a huge rivalry between the University of South Carolina and Clemson University, and it has something to do with sports.
13. The hurricane that devastated South Carolina in 1989 was called Hugo. Since then, no male child in South Carolina has been named Hugo.
14. South Carolinians do not fear 200-mph killer hurricanes. But if a quarter-inch of slushy snow falls in the office parking lot, we are out of there, man!
15. Two words: boiled peanuts.
16. Two more words: sweet tea.
17. If you only have been watching PBS, the most famous South Carolina native is probably Strom Thurmond. If you only have been watching HBO, the most famous South Carolina native is probably Kristin Davis.
18. A palmetto tree is the symbol of South Carolina. A melting palmetto tree is the symbol of South Carolina in mid-July.
19. “Y’all” is a contraction of “you all,” so the apostrophe denoting the dropped letters comes after the Y, not after the A. Y’all always get that wrong.
23. In 2002, an estimated 30 million people visited South Carolina. That is why you got stuck in traffic on the way to the beach.
24. In 2002, those visitors spent an estimated $7.3 billion, mostly on South of the Border “Pedro” water globes.
25. Charleston was the first place in the United States where golf was played. That was still not enough to get Charleston named the state capital.
28. Former U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings didn’t mean half of the outrageous things he used to say when he was in Washington.
31. Columbia’s Huger Street is pronounced “You-gee.” No, “Hew-gee.” No, “You-ger.”
34. Charleston just got a majestic $632 million bridge.
40. On South Carolina roads, a green light means “go,” a yellow light means “go faster” and a red light means “floor it, baby!”
41. Car-insurance rates are pretty high here, for no good reason that we know of.
46. Depending on where you are, “shag” can refer to South Carolina’s official state dance, a type of carpeting or sex. Context makes a big difference.
47. One of the best movies filmed in South Carolina was “The Patriot,” in which Mel Gibson played a Revolutionary War fighter loosely based on Francis Marion.
— Bobby Bryant From the State Newspaper in Columbia, SC
