Y'all know how much I love breakfast. Well, I have found a new favorite spot. The Original Pancake House in Five Points (Birmingham, for those of you who are not familiar with the area).
Oh * my * goodness! Goodness being the operative word. And, trust me, I am an expert on breakfast. The wait was very reasonable for a popular spot. The service was good, and we had a great waiter.
The omelettes filled our plates and were mile high. The pancakes were to die for. So good that, according to Beth, syrup was an afterthought. Our drinks were never empty. And our only critique was met with concern and appreciation.
Road trip anyone?
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Priceless
I'm nosy, and since I'm old I can get away with it most of the time. I like to know where my students are from, and, if they're not local or from the State of Alabama, I like to know where they're from and why they chose to attend the University of Alabama.
I could make this a long story---involves the boyfriend-now-fiance of Meredith's best friend's friend-who drove cross country to help her move to Seattle-whom I've had in several classes. Deep breath.
Another student commented on the high suicide rate in Seattle to which I replied that I am solar-powered. Well, I turned and asked this student--nice looking young man-dressed in fatigues-I'm thinking maybe he's ROTC-also in my class--"Where are you from?"
Alaska. WOW. What in the world brought you to Alabama?
Alabama football and Southern belles. Can't get that up there.
No, sir. You can't. We love our SEC football and living south of the Mason-Dixon line.
I could make this a long story---involves the boyfriend-now-fiance of Meredith's best friend's friend-who drove cross country to help her move to Seattle-whom I've had in several classes. Deep breath.
Another student commented on the high suicide rate in Seattle to which I replied that I am solar-powered. Well, I turned and asked this student--nice looking young man-dressed in fatigues-I'm thinking maybe he's ROTC-also in my class--"Where are you from?"
Alaska. WOW. What in the world brought you to Alabama?
Alabama football and Southern belles. Can't get that up there.
No, sir. You can't. We love our SEC football and living south of the Mason-Dixon line.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
No asterisk is required
I've been trying to completely absorb the fact the Alabama just won its 13th National Championship. In addition, I've been trying to balance my excitement over the win with my disappointment over not beating Texas with Colt McCoy in the game.
I don't want to hear excuses or whining from Texas fans ad infinitum. I don't want anyone to feel like there should be an asterisk beside the win. It was a win. As I mentioned in my previous post, our offense scored 37 points against their defense.
Cecil Hurt's column in today's Sports section of The Tuscaloosa News reminded me the fact is that if Texas fans believe there should be an asterisk, then it should be placed by the score of the Texas-Oklahoma game.
According to Hurt: With a healthy Sam Bradford, Oklahoma beats Texas in October. Instead, Bradford got hurt and had to come out of the game. I perused Texas' pre-game packet, including their season results. It said Texas 16, Oklahoma 13. There was no asterisk. End of discussion.
Things happen every day, and they require hard work and perserverance and--it's true--even a little luck sometimes. But when a team goes through the nation's toughest schedule--and with Texas, Florida and Virginia Tech added to the core SEC schedule, that is just what Alabama faced--and goes 14-0, it's preposterous to talk about an "asterisk" associated with a BCS title.
BCS championships are awarded to the teams that deal with adversity, not given on an honorary basis to teams that don't And you'd better be prepared to deal with it, not just on game day but on every day. Because that is college football--no asterisk required.
Thanks, Cecil. I needed that.
I don't want to hear excuses or whining from Texas fans ad infinitum. I don't want anyone to feel like there should be an asterisk beside the win. It was a win. As I mentioned in my previous post, our offense scored 37 points against their defense.
Cecil Hurt's column in today's Sports section of The Tuscaloosa News reminded me the fact is that if Texas fans believe there should be an asterisk, then it should be placed by the score of the Texas-Oklahoma game.
According to Hurt: With a healthy Sam Bradford, Oklahoma beats Texas in October. Instead, Bradford got hurt and had to come out of the game. I perused Texas' pre-game packet, including their season results. It said Texas 16, Oklahoma 13. There was no asterisk. End of discussion.
Things happen every day, and they require hard work and perserverance and--it's true--even a little luck sometimes. But when a team goes through the nation's toughest schedule--and with Texas, Florida and Virginia Tech added to the core SEC schedule, that is just what Alabama faced--and goes 14-0, it's preposterous to talk about an "asterisk" associated with a BCS title.
BCS championships are awarded to the teams that deal with adversity, not given on an honorary basis to teams that don't And you'd better be prepared to deal with it, not just on game day but on every day. Because that is college football--no asterisk required.
Thanks, Cecil. I needed that.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Tide hooked 'em
Of all the headlines, I think that one's my favorite. Undisputed. Crimson Title. Finishing Strong.
It wasn't as pretty as the SEC Championship game. There was probably no way that could be repeated, especially with 32 days off. What I hate is that we had to listen to another version of the Tim Tebow Show--pre-game, during the game, and post-game. Only the second verse was the Colt McCoy Show and a continuation of the love-fest with Texas. I had hoped we could take care of that on the field with Colt McCoy as their quarterback. We will forever wonder if he could have reentered the game or whether the decision to remain on the sidelines was simply to preserve his potential NFL career. I wonder where the truth lies...
We didn't hear about Alabama's football history or see highlights of Alabama's season or of individual players during the pre-game hype. During the game we only heard what Texas needed to do to stay in the game or to get back in the game not what Alabama needed to do to seal the deal.
What we heard were excuses. Even to the point of the commentators saying that Texas' defense was falling apart because their starting quarterback had taken a hit to the shoulder. Why is the defense dependent on the quarterback? When did that happen? The defense that allowed an average of only 62 yards per game during the season gave up 205 yards in the national championship game. Hmmm...
McElroy, I'm sure, felt frustrated being called a game manager. There are worse things. He needs to remember he's in good company. Jay Barker. Steadman Shealy. Both won national championships attempting only a few passes and throwing for less than 100 yards. Big deal. And he was playing injured. Cracked ribs. And no media blitz or excuses concerning his performance. He goes out a winner.
I wish this game had been more black and white than beige. But there were several games during this season that had to be won ugly. Just as other times, Coach Saban said, "I had to stand up on a chair and say this is a 60-minute game."
But, you know what? We won. 37-21. It doesn't have to be pretty. In fact, I don't think we'd know how to react to a pretty win. But it sure does feel good. I'm hoping I can finally let go of some of the tension I've been holding in my neck and shoulders. Being a fan is hard work. I'm going to try to relax and enjoy this and not micro-analyze it. Maybe. Well, I said try.
Alabama-National Champions 2009. RTR!
It wasn't as pretty as the SEC Championship game. There was probably no way that could be repeated, especially with 32 days off. What I hate is that we had to listen to another version of the Tim Tebow Show--pre-game, during the game, and post-game. Only the second verse was the Colt McCoy Show and a continuation of the love-fest with Texas. I had hoped we could take care of that on the field with Colt McCoy as their quarterback. We will forever wonder if he could have reentered the game or whether the decision to remain on the sidelines was simply to preserve his potential NFL career. I wonder where the truth lies...
We didn't hear about Alabama's football history or see highlights of Alabama's season or of individual players during the pre-game hype. During the game we only heard what Texas needed to do to stay in the game or to get back in the game not what Alabama needed to do to seal the deal.
What we heard were excuses. Even to the point of the commentators saying that Texas' defense was falling apart because their starting quarterback had taken a hit to the shoulder. Why is the defense dependent on the quarterback? When did that happen? The defense that allowed an average of only 62 yards per game during the season gave up 205 yards in the national championship game. Hmmm...
McElroy, I'm sure, felt frustrated being called a game manager. There are worse things. He needs to remember he's in good company. Jay Barker. Steadman Shealy. Both won national championships attempting only a few passes and throwing for less than 100 yards. Big deal. And he was playing injured. Cracked ribs. And no media blitz or excuses concerning his performance. He goes out a winner.
I wish this game had been more black and white than beige. But there were several games during this season that had to be won ugly. Just as other times, Coach Saban said, "I had to stand up on a chair and say this is a 60-minute game."
But, you know what? We won. 37-21. It doesn't have to be pretty. In fact, I don't think we'd know how to react to a pretty win. But it sure does feel good. I'm hoping I can finally let go of some of the tension I've been holding in my neck and shoulders. Being a fan is hard work. I'm going to try to relax and enjoy this and not micro-analyze it. Maybe. Well, I said try.
Alabama-National Champions 2009. RTR!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Countdown
It is now down to 24 hours until kick off.
All the pieces of the puzzle are in place. Undefeated season: 13-0. SEC Championship. Alabama's first Heisman Trophy winner: Mark Ingram. Multiple individual player and coaching awards. Most likely a large number of NFL draft picks from both our seniors as well as some of our junior class.
This morning was the last time that the media will have access to the coaches and players until after the game. Good.
The topic of most sports writers is about who's having the most fun in California. Texas players come to practice laughing and joking, listening to rap music. They're loose and relaxed. Alabama players have been described as "stoic." According to one player, they consider this a "business trip." Fine. There's plenty of time for "fun" starting Friday, January 12th.
Texas players have begun to talk a little "smack." Alabama players say "let 'em talk." Does that remind anyone of 1992 when the University of Miami players were turned loose on New Orleans? Hmmm....
I say that it's time to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Again. Make it a 14-0 season, and bring home a National Championship!
Roll Tide Roll!
All the pieces of the puzzle are in place. Undefeated season: 13-0. SEC Championship. Alabama's first Heisman Trophy winner: Mark Ingram. Multiple individual player and coaching awards. Most likely a large number of NFL draft picks from both our seniors as well as some of our junior class.
This morning was the last time that the media will have access to the coaches and players until after the game. Good.
The topic of most sports writers is about who's having the most fun in California. Texas players come to practice laughing and joking, listening to rap music. They're loose and relaxed. Alabama players have been described as "stoic." According to one player, they consider this a "business trip." Fine. There's plenty of time for "fun" starting Friday, January 12th.
Texas players have begun to talk a little "smack." Alabama players say "let 'em talk." Does that remind anyone of 1992 when the University of Miami players were turned loose on New Orleans? Hmmm....
I say that it's time to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Again. Make it a 14-0 season, and bring home a National Championship!
Roll Tide Roll!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Hurry up January 7th!
Okay. May I talk about football again, now?
After watching so many bowl games, I feel compelled to comment on the dismal showing of the SEC. I mean, come on! I brag about our conference all year long only to be let down, nay, embarrassed by most of our bowl representatives. Even the SEC teams that won didn't win convincingly.
Auburn won, yes. Over 1200 yards of combined offense and 8 turnovers between the 2 teams. But they did come out on top. Penalties were rampant. I wanted to reach into the TV and yank a knot in the players who were penalized for excessive celebration. Can you not act like you've been in the end zone before?
Ole Miss won. But, again, it wasn't a stellar performance. Arkansas prevailed over ECU. ECU outplayed them only to be sabotaged by their kicker. I mean, it's your job, man, and you only made 1 out of 5 and missed the last 3! Hang up your cleats. Only your mother loves you right now.
Why do we have to wait until January 7th? Who decided that? Can we not just get on with it?
Pregame: 7:00 p.m. Kick-off: 7:30 p.m. CST. Guest list. Check. Menu. Check.
#13 National Championship. Just do it. RTR.
After watching so many bowl games, I feel compelled to comment on the dismal showing of the SEC. I mean, come on! I brag about our conference all year long only to be let down, nay, embarrassed by most of our bowl representatives. Even the SEC teams that won didn't win convincingly.
Auburn won, yes. Over 1200 yards of combined offense and 8 turnovers between the 2 teams. But they did come out on top. Penalties were rampant. I wanted to reach into the TV and yank a knot in the players who were penalized for excessive celebration. Can you not act like you've been in the end zone before?
Ole Miss won. But, again, it wasn't a stellar performance. Arkansas prevailed over ECU. ECU outplayed them only to be sabotaged by their kicker. I mean, it's your job, man, and you only made 1 out of 5 and missed the last 3! Hang up your cleats. Only your mother loves you right now.
Why do we have to wait until January 7th? Who decided that? Can we not just get on with it?
Pregame: 7:00 p.m. Kick-off: 7:30 p.m. CST. Guest list. Check. Menu. Check.
#13 National Championship. Just do it. RTR.
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