I thought I needed a post about something other than football.
We had our thanksgiving last Sunday. Ours = my own immediate family. Just wife and kids, and we had a good time. When asked what everyone was thankful for...Gracie said her little brother, and Collins said "apple sauce".
This week always seems to drag by, but hopefully, there will be a lot of fun in store for everyone once it get here. I'll give a huge thanksgiving update.
At work, we might get off a little early tomorrow....but then again, maybe not. There is some work in the back end of the plant that we need to do. Such is life, I guess. You catch a break in one area, and you pay for it in another.
Help me find momma's clock
Brass face, with a waterfowl standing by some reeds. Respond to the most recent post if you have any leads.
Greg's Minister of Information
Greg did not leave for vacation. He stayed at work all week and did paperwork.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
click this link
This is from the Georgia Beat writer David Hale's blog. Click the link and realize the depths.
http://dawg-extra.blogspot.com/
http://dawg-extra.blogspot.com/
My feelings about Coach Richt
This may be over the top for some of you, and I'm sure some of you will tell me that the coaches care more than I do and all that. That's fine. I just gotta type this out.
I used to like Richt because I thought he was getting the most out of our talent....which is all I ever wanted. It's not like we're pulling for Wyoming or Baylor or Northwestern or Vandy. We've got it all right here....and if you want to go to Texas for a QB or New Jersey for a RB every now and then, go get him.
I'm the biggest Richt fan there is, and he has all of the intangibles that I would want a UGA coach to have. When it's all said and done, he still has to produce. Our problem is production, it's not personal.
2 years ago, we finished #2 and the Top Dawg book came out about Richt. It seemed like everything was clicking. The defense wasn't great but it was good when we could get a pass rush from a Marcus Howard. The offense seemed in good hands.
Our problem is simple. We have pride, and we want to play good games...and we don't want to get humiliated. Case in point...I felt better about the LSU loss than I did the win against Arizona State. I didn't consider it a humiliating loss. We have pride, and we are being humiliated. Losses are too often blowout losses...wins against mediocre teams are relatively close. Now...we are gift wrapping games to Kentucky on national television.
You have to put results FIRST. Do your due diligence and the players will be there. They want to play football and they want to win...and they would want that no matter where they were going to school.......and like it or not, you're not their daddy. Your first responsibility is to your own family...which means producing at your job...which provides you the means to take care of them. Georgia has turned you into a millionaire. People make a big deal about the players being just kids...but the darn coaches are professionals. I know he's an employee of the school, but you might as well consider it a private sector job. Those kids will learn more about life by having a tough coach than they will by being coddled.
We fans have a complete lack of confidence in the defense. Turnovers are killing the offense. Our problem used to be dropped passes, but now it's passes that are never delivered on time. Cox, bless his heart, throws it behind everybody....although he can throw a mean deep ball. When we're running the ball and Cox has time, he can be effective. However, that's everybody, isn't it? Given enough time to throw, even I could complete passes.
ESPN was making a big deal out of the people leaving the game early. They seemed stunned. Well, the crowd left because they had no confidence we could win. They were disgusted with 4 2nd half turnovers and stupid penalties. Richt throws Smith under the bus on his post game show for the fumble on the KO return and benches Chris Davis for a flag that I thought was questionable....but Cox throws stupid interceptions(lobbing one into the line to avoid a sack that gets picked off by a fat lineman) and Bryan Evans hits people 5 yards out of bounds and they stay in the game. Who cares if it was senior day? Stop caring more about the players and coaches than you do the fans, boosters, and your own family. Collectively, we're your AD's boss.
Richt told us to stay supportive, and that they were working hard. Then he asked aloud if we could turn it around and answered his own question by saying "I think so. I don't think there is any doubt about that". There is doubt, sir. There is most certainly doubt.
CLK just got to UT...and he schooled CWM and is pulling in top recruits. Saban came to Bama and they have passed us. Ole Miss is on the rise and LSU is still strong. The only school in the SEC that should have more talent than us is UF and we pose no real threat to them given our current makeup. Now, barbarians are at the gate with Kentucky, So Car, Ole Miss, and Arkansas nipping at our heals. They want to become a 2nd tier school in the SEC, which we have become the last 2 years......and, we're on our way to being a 3rd tier school in the SEC if we can't stop the bleeding.
If we stopped making turnovers and penalties, and had a great defense, we would be a wonderful team once a new QB blossoms.
I hope Richt is merely trying to get out of this season so that he can make some big changes. I'm hoping he makes them, but I have a feeling there won't be big enough changes.
We're at a crossroads. I never wanted to be here with Richt. Time will tell if we can make the right moves. Nobody associated with the team is happy. I almost hope that Richt realizes that he's lost his passion and steps down....I would like a clean break and a chance to start over rather than drag this out. Heck, life is short. I don't want another below standard year and THEN break in a new coach who will then have to start over. Richt could retire and be loved for where he's taken us, and salvage his legacy. Of course, my first desire is to see him turn it around and win big here next year. I'm afraid he can't do it, and I don't want the end of it all to be ugly. It's just sad.
I'm sad for Richt, CWM, Cox....and myself.
There, I had to get this out for posterity.
I used to like Richt because I thought he was getting the most out of our talent....which is all I ever wanted. It's not like we're pulling for Wyoming or Baylor or Northwestern or Vandy. We've got it all right here....and if you want to go to Texas for a QB or New Jersey for a RB every now and then, go get him.
I'm the biggest Richt fan there is, and he has all of the intangibles that I would want a UGA coach to have. When it's all said and done, he still has to produce. Our problem is production, it's not personal.
2 years ago, we finished #2 and the Top Dawg book came out about Richt. It seemed like everything was clicking. The defense wasn't great but it was good when we could get a pass rush from a Marcus Howard. The offense seemed in good hands.
Our problem is simple. We have pride, and we want to play good games...and we don't want to get humiliated. Case in point...I felt better about the LSU loss than I did the win against Arizona State. I didn't consider it a humiliating loss. We have pride, and we are being humiliated. Losses are too often blowout losses...wins against mediocre teams are relatively close. Now...we are gift wrapping games to Kentucky on national television.
You have to put results FIRST. Do your due diligence and the players will be there. They want to play football and they want to win...and they would want that no matter where they were going to school.......and like it or not, you're not their daddy. Your first responsibility is to your own family...which means producing at your job...which provides you the means to take care of them. Georgia has turned you into a millionaire. People make a big deal about the players being just kids...but the darn coaches are professionals. I know he's an employee of the school, but you might as well consider it a private sector job. Those kids will learn more about life by having a tough coach than they will by being coddled.
We fans have a complete lack of confidence in the defense. Turnovers are killing the offense. Our problem used to be dropped passes, but now it's passes that are never delivered on time. Cox, bless his heart, throws it behind everybody....although he can throw a mean deep ball. When we're running the ball and Cox has time, he can be effective. However, that's everybody, isn't it? Given enough time to throw, even I could complete passes.
ESPN was making a big deal out of the people leaving the game early. They seemed stunned. Well, the crowd left because they had no confidence we could win. They were disgusted with 4 2nd half turnovers and stupid penalties. Richt throws Smith under the bus on his post game show for the fumble on the KO return and benches Chris Davis for a flag that I thought was questionable....but Cox throws stupid interceptions(lobbing one into the line to avoid a sack that gets picked off by a fat lineman) and Bryan Evans hits people 5 yards out of bounds and they stay in the game. Who cares if it was senior day? Stop caring more about the players and coaches than you do the fans, boosters, and your own family. Collectively, we're your AD's boss.
Richt told us to stay supportive, and that they were working hard. Then he asked aloud if we could turn it around and answered his own question by saying "I think so. I don't think there is any doubt about that". There is doubt, sir. There is most certainly doubt.
CLK just got to UT...and he schooled CWM and is pulling in top recruits. Saban came to Bama and they have passed us. Ole Miss is on the rise and LSU is still strong. The only school in the SEC that should have more talent than us is UF and we pose no real threat to them given our current makeup. Now, barbarians are at the gate with Kentucky, So Car, Ole Miss, and Arkansas nipping at our heals. They want to become a 2nd tier school in the SEC, which we have become the last 2 years......and, we're on our way to being a 3rd tier school in the SEC if we can't stop the bleeding.
If we stopped making turnovers and penalties, and had a great defense, we would be a wonderful team once a new QB blossoms.
I hope Richt is merely trying to get out of this season so that he can make some big changes. I'm hoping he makes them, but I have a feeling there won't be big enough changes.
We're at a crossroads. I never wanted to be here with Richt. Time will tell if we can make the right moves. Nobody associated with the team is happy. I almost hope that Richt realizes that he's lost his passion and steps down....I would like a clean break and a chance to start over rather than drag this out. Heck, life is short. I don't want another below standard year and THEN break in a new coach who will then have to start over. Richt could retire and be loved for where he's taken us, and salvage his legacy. Of course, my first desire is to see him turn it around and win big here next year. I'm afraid he can't do it, and I don't want the end of it all to be ugly. It's just sad.
I'm sad for Richt, CWM, Cox....and myself.
There, I had to get this out for posterity.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Today's post from Bill King's Junkyard blog about Uga
A game without a bulldog makes history
10:27 am November 20, 2009, by Bill King
Uga VII won't be replaced for the Kentucky game.
Saturday apparently will mark the first home game since the beginning of the line of Uga mascots in 1956 that Georgia won’t have a live bulldog at a Sanford Stadium game.
According to the “Damn Good Dogs!” book written by Uga’s owner, Sonny Seiler, and Kent Hannon, there have been away games with no mascot since the current line of mascots began, most recently the 2000 Oahu Bowl when Uga VI didn’t make the trip because of Hawaii’s quarantine laws. But since Uga I made his debut on Sept. 29, 1956, there has always been one of the Ugas or a substitute at all the games in Athens.
The most famous sub was Otto, who took the place of his injured brother Uga IV for four games during the 1986 season and was co-mascot with Uga for the Tech game that season. Otto, who had a brown and black spot on his back that kept him from being considered for the official mascot (which traditionally is all-white), ended up with a 4-1 record (counting the game with both dogs) and reportedly was cited by Vince Dooley as a favorite because he came off the bench and got the job done.
There have been other subs besides Otto, though, and one of them was a real rarity. All the Ugas have been male and part of the same lineage, but in 1971, when Uga II was ailing, an unrelated brown and white female English bulldog named Bugga Lou that had been given to the Seiler family took Uga’s place for the South Carolina and Florida games, both wins. Bugga Lou wasn’t just an English bulldog, she actually hailed from England originally.
I was a sophomore at UGA at the time and I remember hearing that a “Bugga” had taken Uga’s place, but I don’t recall it being revealed that Bugga was a female. We assumed it was a son or brother. The switch was so low-key that the Jacksonville newspaper ran a photo of Bugga at the Gator Bowl that they mislabeled as “Uga.”
Uga II had sired an all-white pup named Argos that the Seilers had given to Sonny’s sister in Maryland because they didn’t think he’d be needed for mascot duty. But when Uga II died before the 1972 season and the designated Uga III wasn’t deemed quite mature enough yet, Argos (who had been renamed Knute) put on the red sweater for the home opener against Baylor, another victory. Uga III was then coronated at the second game of the season against North Carolina State.
One other time that the Seilers had to go to their bench for a mascot was the 1989 Peach Bowl, when Uga IV was ill. One of his all-white sons, Magillicuddy I, filled in at the loss to Syracuse. However, when Uga IV died after the season, Magillicuddy wasn’t considered for the mascot job because he was considered too old. A pup sired during Uga IV’s last days and born after he died got the job.
The Seilers plan on having a replacement dog at the Tech game and bowl game this season, though it probably won’t be one of the dogs in the running to be Uga VIII.
There’s still no word on when Uga VII will be interred at Sanford Stadium, though the rumor out of Butts-Mehrer is that the ceremony might happen as early as Saturday morning.
It’s good to know the Uga line will continue. But it’s going to seem awfully strange not having one of those damn good dogs roaming the sidelines on Saturday.
10:27 am November 20, 2009, by Bill King
Uga VII won't be replaced for the Kentucky game.
Saturday apparently will mark the first home game since the beginning of the line of Uga mascots in 1956 that Georgia won’t have a live bulldog at a Sanford Stadium game.
According to the “Damn Good Dogs!” book written by Uga’s owner, Sonny Seiler, and Kent Hannon, there have been away games with no mascot since the current line of mascots began, most recently the 2000 Oahu Bowl when Uga VI didn’t make the trip because of Hawaii’s quarantine laws. But since Uga I made his debut on Sept. 29, 1956, there has always been one of the Ugas or a substitute at all the games in Athens.
The most famous sub was Otto, who took the place of his injured brother Uga IV for four games during the 1986 season and was co-mascot with Uga for the Tech game that season. Otto, who had a brown and black spot on his back that kept him from being considered for the official mascot (which traditionally is all-white), ended up with a 4-1 record (counting the game with both dogs) and reportedly was cited by Vince Dooley as a favorite because he came off the bench and got the job done.
There have been other subs besides Otto, though, and one of them was a real rarity. All the Ugas have been male and part of the same lineage, but in 1971, when Uga II was ailing, an unrelated brown and white female English bulldog named Bugga Lou that had been given to the Seiler family took Uga’s place for the South Carolina and Florida games, both wins. Bugga Lou wasn’t just an English bulldog, she actually hailed from England originally.
I was a sophomore at UGA at the time and I remember hearing that a “Bugga” had taken Uga’s place, but I don’t recall it being revealed that Bugga was a female. We assumed it was a son or brother. The switch was so low-key that the Jacksonville newspaper ran a photo of Bugga at the Gator Bowl that they mislabeled as “Uga.”
Uga II had sired an all-white pup named Argos that the Seilers had given to Sonny’s sister in Maryland because they didn’t think he’d be needed for mascot duty. But when Uga II died before the 1972 season and the designated Uga III wasn’t deemed quite mature enough yet, Argos (who had been renamed Knute) put on the red sweater for the home opener against Baylor, another victory. Uga III was then coronated at the second game of the season against North Carolina State.
One other time that the Seilers had to go to their bench for a mascot was the 1989 Peach Bowl, when Uga IV was ill. One of his all-white sons, Magillicuddy I, filled in at the loss to Syracuse. However, when Uga IV died after the season, Magillicuddy wasn’t considered for the mascot job because he was considered too old. A pup sired during Uga IV’s last days and born after he died got the job.
The Seilers plan on having a replacement dog at the Tech game and bowl game this season, though it probably won’t be one of the dogs in the running to be Uga VIII.
There’s still no word on when Uga VII will be interred at Sanford Stadium, though the rumor out of Butts-Mehrer is that the ceremony might happen as early as Saturday morning.
It’s good to know the Uga line will continue. But it’s going to seem awfully strange not having one of those damn good dogs roaming the sidelines on Saturday.
Uga VII - RIP
We lost another Uga. Uga VII only served for less than 2 years. He had a heart attack at age 4.
I really liked this Uga, because he was a sweet dog. He reminded me of Petunia. He didn't seem to be very active, but he was beautiful and smiled a lot. He just wanted to be petted. Sonny said he seemed to know his importance when he put on the jersey......er, had people pull the jersey on over him.
His last assignment was a goal line stand to secure a victory over Auburn.
We won't have a dawg this week for senior day against Kentucky. Years ago, we had an Uga have to miss a game because of surgery....I think, I'm not sure now that I'm typing this....and we had a substitute step up. He was some sort of relation to Uga, and his name was "Otto". He stepped up and presided over a victory against a higher rated Auburn team.
Vince Dooley said Otto was his favorite because he came off the bench and got the job done.
I think we need an Otto for the remainder of the season.
I've read some classless things from Tech people about his death. I've read classy things from Tennessee fans (believe it or not). I did have 1 Tech man....Mr. Tanner...who said something respectful. He is a noted bulldog lover.
Anyway....he was a good dawg. RIP Uga VII.
I really liked this Uga, because he was a sweet dog. He reminded me of Petunia. He didn't seem to be very active, but he was beautiful and smiled a lot. He just wanted to be petted. Sonny said he seemed to know his importance when he put on the jersey......er, had people pull the jersey on over him.
His last assignment was a goal line stand to secure a victory over Auburn.
We won't have a dawg this week for senior day against Kentucky. Years ago, we had an Uga have to miss a game because of surgery....I think, I'm not sure now that I'm typing this....and we had a substitute step up. He was some sort of relation to Uga, and his name was "Otto". He stepped up and presided over a victory against a higher rated Auburn team.
Vince Dooley said Otto was his favorite because he came off the bench and got the job done.
I think we need an Otto for the remainder of the season.
I've read some classless things from Tech people about his death. I've read classy things from Tennessee fans (believe it or not). I did have 1 Tech man....Mr. Tanner...who said something respectful. He is a noted bulldog lover.
Anyway....he was a good dawg. RIP Uga VII.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Insanity
It's hard to diet when everyone around you is giving you food. I've done well, although yesterday's thanksgiving feast at work and today's benevolence fund lunch has put me behind the 8 ball.
Working out has hit a snag....Gracie told me to stop working out after I leave work. I guess she thinks I need to come straight home so that I can start playing with her and Collins. I always think, "I'll go work out after the kids go to bed". I'm usually too tired.
I guess I'll try again today.
Off the subject...
I've often heard the phrase that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. I think that definition fits stupidity better than insanity.
Insanity would be making something up out of thin air on a subject you are ignorant of, and then sincerely arguing with an expert about it.
In a related story, I talked football at work today. Ugh. That is a little harder to do here than at my last job. Many of the people I work with here are insane. See above for my definition of "insanity".
Working out has hit a snag....Gracie told me to stop working out after I leave work. I guess she thinks I need to come straight home so that I can start playing with her and Collins. I always think, "I'll go work out after the kids go to bed". I'm usually too tired.
I guess I'll try again today.
Off the subject...
I've often heard the phrase that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. I think that definition fits stupidity better than insanity.
Insanity would be making something up out of thin air on a subject you are ignorant of, and then sincerely arguing with an expert about it.
In a related story, I talked football at work today. Ugh. That is a little harder to do here than at my last job. Many of the people I work with here are insane. See above for my definition of "insanity".
Monday, November 16, 2009
Athens, Ga
I had a wonderful time in Athens. It's a long story.
I got into town later than normal. I took a route I haven't been on in years. Normally, I tailgate on south campus because it's an easy in, easy out. I had a parking pass for the carlton street deck, so I used it.
I drove on Milledge and Lumpkin, which I haven't been on in years and years. When I turned onto Lumpkin, I saw 3 truckloads of cheerleaders with Hairy Dawg at the light. I turned right by them, and said, "Gracie look....it's hairy dawg". Sadly, I was by myself.
I parked and walked a LONG way to Sara and Joel's tailgate. It was a beautiful day...it was just warm enough so that I was hot but not so hot that I was sweating.
After tailgating for about an hour or so, I went to north campus to join another tailgate. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the campus, North campus is the old old part while South is the newer part. I always tailgate south campus. There are more trees and it's easy to get in and out. If I were spending the night, I would just as soon stay in north campus. It was lovely. It was packed with people, and we were in the front yard of a small old brick building on Jackson street. The throngs of excited people, the energy, the beauty of this old campus, and the weather slightly cooling off with the leaves scattered all over made it look and feel picturesque. It was fun to be in the middle of it all.
I helped my hosts back to their car so his wife could head home with the children. We walked to the stadium, where I split off to go to the Tate center and get with my old friend Greg. He had just left to go to the game, so I missed him. Instead, I planned on going in with my ticket and then meeting Sara once I got inside. I stopped briefly to sell one of my tickets to somebody, and went on to the game. One problem, though. I could get in. My tickets had the stub ripped off, and they wouldn't let me in at any of the 3 gates I tried. I was considering heading to the downtown area to watch some of the game there, when I ran into Joel and Sara, who just happened to have an extra ticket. I went in and enjoyed the game to it's fullest. I did, however, feel awful for the person who bought that other ticket. I didn't screw him over on purpose.
As I am prone to do, I ducked out a few minutes before the end to beat traffic. I was walking along Sanford drive....a walk I had walked 1,000 times before but not in the last 10 years. It was erie how you could hear a roar from a 93K plus sized crowd behind you while in complete desertion in your immediately vicinity. I walked past the Geology building, up past the Meyers quad (I can't remember how they spell it), and past the Snelling dining hall....I had some many great memories that were flooding back to me. Flag football in the quad, talking to Leslie in front of her dorm while getting teased by coworkers from Snelling, meeting Clare in front of the Continuing education center, going to the rodeo with Michael at the Steg. I made it to the car, and left through the ghost town and listened to the post game stuff on the radio. Part of me wanted to drive around and get stuck in traffic, but I decided to make for the interstate.
I went through a drive thru because I hadn't eaten very much all day. By the time I got to 575, I couldn't keep my eyes open.
It was a fun, long day. As I've said before, I would like for Kristin to go with me and do Athens. She's never done it like I wanted. She's been to games, but I don't think she's had the overall flavor. Until Saturday, I had almost forgotten what it's like. Downtown and around...well, it's wonderful. I think it would be more fun to go now than when I attended "university". It's got some newer stuff and the football team is kinda better.
I would like to have had someone to share it with....my wife or kids or sister. I'll make sure we all go frequently as the kids get older. Hopefully, my kids will give me an excuse to return as a Georgia Dad.
I got into town later than normal. I took a route I haven't been on in years. Normally, I tailgate on south campus because it's an easy in, easy out. I had a parking pass for the carlton street deck, so I used it.
I drove on Milledge and Lumpkin, which I haven't been on in years and years. When I turned onto Lumpkin, I saw 3 truckloads of cheerleaders with Hairy Dawg at the light. I turned right by them, and said, "Gracie look....it's hairy dawg". Sadly, I was by myself.
I parked and walked a LONG way to Sara and Joel's tailgate. It was a beautiful day...it was just warm enough so that I was hot but not so hot that I was sweating.
After tailgating for about an hour or so, I went to north campus to join another tailgate. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the campus, North campus is the old old part while South is the newer part. I always tailgate south campus. There are more trees and it's easy to get in and out. If I were spending the night, I would just as soon stay in north campus. It was lovely. It was packed with people, and we were in the front yard of a small old brick building on Jackson street. The throngs of excited people, the energy, the beauty of this old campus, and the weather slightly cooling off with the leaves scattered all over made it look and feel picturesque. It was fun to be in the middle of it all.
I helped my hosts back to their car so his wife could head home with the children. We walked to the stadium, where I split off to go to the Tate center and get with my old friend Greg. He had just left to go to the game, so I missed him. Instead, I planned on going in with my ticket and then meeting Sara once I got inside. I stopped briefly to sell one of my tickets to somebody, and went on to the game. One problem, though. I could get in. My tickets had the stub ripped off, and they wouldn't let me in at any of the 3 gates I tried. I was considering heading to the downtown area to watch some of the game there, when I ran into Joel and Sara, who just happened to have an extra ticket. I went in and enjoyed the game to it's fullest. I did, however, feel awful for the person who bought that other ticket. I didn't screw him over on purpose.
As I am prone to do, I ducked out a few minutes before the end to beat traffic. I was walking along Sanford drive....a walk I had walked 1,000 times before but not in the last 10 years. It was erie how you could hear a roar from a 93K plus sized crowd behind you while in complete desertion in your immediately vicinity. I walked past the Geology building, up past the Meyers quad (I can't remember how they spell it), and past the Snelling dining hall....I had some many great memories that were flooding back to me. Flag football in the quad, talking to Leslie in front of her dorm while getting teased by coworkers from Snelling, meeting Clare in front of the Continuing education center, going to the rodeo with Michael at the Steg. I made it to the car, and left through the ghost town and listened to the post game stuff on the radio. Part of me wanted to drive around and get stuck in traffic, but I decided to make for the interstate.
I went through a drive thru because I hadn't eaten very much all day. By the time I got to 575, I couldn't keep my eyes open.
It was a fun, long day. As I've said before, I would like for Kristin to go with me and do Athens. She's never done it like I wanted. She's been to games, but I don't think she's had the overall flavor. Until Saturday, I had almost forgotten what it's like. Downtown and around...well, it's wonderful. I think it would be more fun to go now than when I attended "university". It's got some newer stuff and the football team is kinda better.
I would like to have had someone to share it with....my wife or kids or sister. I'll make sure we all go frequently as the kids get older. Hopefully, my kids will give me an excuse to return as a Georgia Dad.
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