Alabama Football Stadium Intro for the undefeated National Champs:
At some places they play football. At Alabama we live it.
I get chills.
Best clip from regular season is the field goal attempt by Tennessee. I know where I was at that exact moment. Standing in the southwest portal tied in knots knowing that, if Tennessee scored, our season was over.
Best clip from post-season play is anything from the SEC Championship, especially if it involves Tim Tebow on his back. Beating Florida the way we did was awesome in every way. It was near perfection. Chomp that, Gators!
Best clip from the National Championship game is on the cutting room floor. Colt McCoy and his dad walking back from the locker room. Oops. There I go again. Letting my thoughts get away from me.
Roll Tide. Let the season begin.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
My quirky literary musings: Part II
Part I was all about my favorite things. Part II is about my dislikes. We all have them.
My least favorite author of all time: Janet Dailey. I would not read one of her books if you wrapped it up and presented it to me on a silver platter. Her characters are wimpy, AND, she was accused, with good reason as I understand it, of plagiarizing Nora Roberts' work.
One of the most disappointing authors in recent times: John Grisham. Yeah, I know he's a best seller and keeps cranking 'em out. But that's how they read...like they've been cranked out of a "book mill." A Time to Kill, his first, was his absolute best. It was followed by a few good works (and movies): The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Client, and even The Rainmaker and The Runaway Jury. But after that, his writing and my interest plummeted.
Hardest classic author to read: James Fenimore Cooper. How did we ever get such a great movie, The Last of the Mohicans, out of the dullest read in the last century? Someone in Hollywood had a lot more determination than I along with a super imagination. Kudos.
Least favorite female character in a romantic suspense novel: Reece Gilmore in Angels Fall by Nora Roberts. Way too many phobias for a typical NR female lead character even with the lead male character trying to convince us (and the other characters in the book) that she's really strong because she's fighting through them. Yeah. Move on.
Least favorite male character in a romantic suspense novel: Griff Burkett in Sandra Brown's Play Dirty. Griff is paid $500,000 by an eccentric millionaire paraplegic to impregnate his wife. Of course there's a lot more to the story line, but it's just creepy. SB just doesn't do enough to redeem Griff.
Least favorite new release: Ice by Linda Howard. Don't bother to read it. I'm a HUGE LH fan. Cannot believe this book is hers. Sad, sad.
Least favorite new genres: Ghosts and Vampires. I would say that I'm 'over it,' but I never got 'into it.' I can take a little of the supernatural. I can even take a little time travel. In fact, I have a couple volumes of Diana Gabaldon's on the shelf waiting for the mood to strike. But I cannot seem to join the Twilight revolution.
Feel free to make your own list and leave comments. I'd love to hear them!
My least favorite author of all time: Janet Dailey. I would not read one of her books if you wrapped it up and presented it to me on a silver platter. Her characters are wimpy, AND, she was accused, with good reason as I understand it, of plagiarizing Nora Roberts' work.
One of the most disappointing authors in recent times: John Grisham. Yeah, I know he's a best seller and keeps cranking 'em out. But that's how they read...like they've been cranked out of a "book mill." A Time to Kill, his first, was his absolute best. It was followed by a few good works (and movies): The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Client, and even The Rainmaker and The Runaway Jury. But after that, his writing and my interest plummeted.
Hardest classic author to read: James Fenimore Cooper. How did we ever get such a great movie, The Last of the Mohicans, out of the dullest read in the last century? Someone in Hollywood had a lot more determination than I along with a super imagination. Kudos.
Least favorite female character in a romantic suspense novel: Reece Gilmore in Angels Fall by Nora Roberts. Way too many phobias for a typical NR female lead character even with the lead male character trying to convince us (and the other characters in the book) that she's really strong because she's fighting through them. Yeah. Move on.
Least favorite male character in a romantic suspense novel: Griff Burkett in Sandra Brown's Play Dirty. Griff is paid $500,000 by an eccentric millionaire paraplegic to impregnate his wife. Of course there's a lot more to the story line, but it's just creepy. SB just doesn't do enough to redeem Griff.
Least favorite new release: Ice by Linda Howard. Don't bother to read it. I'm a HUGE LH fan. Cannot believe this book is hers. Sad, sad.
Least favorite new genres: Ghosts and Vampires. I would say that I'm 'over it,' but I never got 'into it.' I can take a little of the supernatural. I can even take a little time travel. In fact, I have a couple volumes of Diana Gabaldon's on the shelf waiting for the mood to strike. But I cannot seem to join the Twilight revolution.
Feel free to make your own list and leave comments. I'd love to hear them!
Monday, June 21, 2010
My quirky list of literary favorites for summer: Part I
I'm currently residing in that twitchy time period awaiting the arrival of new summer romance novels. Publishers are evil. Nora Roberts even said that she was forced to come up with the pseudonym, J.D. Robb, because she wrote too much and too fast for her publishers. They were stockpiling her manuscripts and miserly doling them out to her readers.
Well, if, in this twilight time of waiting, you have to revisit old favorites, here are a few of mine. Of course, these are subject to change as I read. And I'm unapologetically stuck on a theme: trashy romance. Specifically romantic suspense. What's romance without a little murder/mystery thrown in with hot sweaty sex? (Oops. Did I say that out loud?)
Favorite male character in a trashy romance novel: Ford Sawyer in Tribute by Nora Roberts. He is a talented graphic cartoon artist/novelist. He is totally "geeky" in that he can't handle power tools but completely understands Cilla. Just read it.
Favorite female character in a trashy romance novel: Callie Dunbrook in Birthright by Nora Roberts. A little empathy here, because Callie meets her birth mother.
Favorite novel in a Southern setting: Envy by Sandra Brown. Great plots twists and turns. Great read and also great audiobook if you're travelling. Again, just read it.
Favorite book on audio/Best audiobook narrator: Peter MacNicol narrator of Beach Music by Pat Conroy. Pat Conroy is an icon among Southern authors but is sometimes difficult for me to read. MacNicol does an absolutely masterful job of voice characterization making this audiobook memorable. Peter MacNicol was in Ghostbusters II, Chicago Hope, and, more recently, Numbers, etc.
Feel free to comment...
Well, if, in this twilight time of waiting, you have to revisit old favorites, here are a few of mine. Of course, these are subject to change as I read. And I'm unapologetically stuck on a theme: trashy romance. Specifically romantic suspense. What's romance without a little murder/mystery thrown in with hot sweaty sex? (Oops. Did I say that out loud?)
Favorite male character in a trashy romance novel: Ford Sawyer in Tribute by Nora Roberts. He is a talented graphic cartoon artist/novelist. He is totally "geeky" in that he can't handle power tools but completely understands Cilla. Just read it.
Favorite female character in a trashy romance novel: Callie Dunbrook in Birthright by Nora Roberts. A little empathy here, because Callie meets her birth mother.
Favorite novel in a Southern setting: Envy by Sandra Brown. Great plots twists and turns. Great read and also great audiobook if you're travelling. Again, just read it.
Favorite book on audio/Best audiobook narrator: Peter MacNicol narrator of Beach Music by Pat Conroy. Pat Conroy is an icon among Southern authors but is sometimes difficult for me to read. MacNicol does an absolutely masterful job of voice characterization making this audiobook memorable. Peter MacNicol was in Ghostbusters II, Chicago Hope, and, more recently, Numbers, etc.
Feel free to comment...
Friday, June 11, 2010
It has begun
In response to Greetings from Austin II's blog "I hate change":
1. Nebraska approved by Big Ten
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5276551&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
2. UT, 3 others poised for PAC-10
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5276668
3. Colorado leaves Big 12 for PAC-10
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5271438
4. Boise State moves to Mountain West
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5276064
As always, follow the money. See former SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer's comments about his predictions concerning the future evolution of the big football conferences:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=5272309">
1. Nebraska approved by Big Ten
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5276551&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
2. UT, 3 others poised for PAC-10
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5276668
3. Colorado leaves Big 12 for PAC-10
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5271438
4. Boise State moves to Mountain West
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5276064
As always, follow the money. See former SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer's comments about his predictions concerning the future evolution of the big football conferences:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=5272309">
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Hayes Time
Hayes and I have been hanging out this week. We've played, shopped a little, walked around the neighborhood and the park. 
He loves his bath time. In fact, if he disappears he's likely headed for the bathroom and straight for the bathtub he loves so much.
He's also a "busy" boy. Grandmother Ames sent him some big blocks that are lots more fun to knock down at this point.
He loves his bath time. In fact, if he disappears he's likely headed for the bathroom and straight for the bathtub he loves so much.
He's also a "busy" boy. Grandmother Ames sent him some big blocks that are lots more fun to knock down at this point.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Life Lessons
Inspiration comes from interesting places. This post comes after flipping through this month's Real Simple (June 2010) magazine where the author paid tribute to her father's advice, even if sometimes grudgingly.
#1--Hold hands while you hash it out. It's impossible to scream at someone who's giving your hand a gentle squeeze. Good advice. I guess it's similar to the advice of our parents who would say never go to bed angry.
#2--Pay attention to anyone who wears a tool belt....then later you can care of the repair of whatever appliance yourself. I like being able to fix things. I hate having to pay for someone else to make house calls. I still have flashbacks about the Sears repairman laughing at me...
#3--or a uniform. Properly tip and thank those who serve you. Not only wait-staff (we have Beth to thank for those lessons) but hotel staff, mail carriers, sanitation workers, or others who might not be thanked ordinarily. It doesn't always have to be money. It can be a simple thank you. You might be the first to do so.
#4--You can never have enough baggies. They're miracle workers--easy to stash, and you can spot their contents at a glance. (Don't you wish you had been the one to invent Zip Loc bags?) 'Makes me think of my dad's plastivon napkins...also miracle workers. Could be used for napkins, wipes, in place of paper towels, wrung out and re-used.
#5--You can't go wrong with Clint. If you can't decide which movie to rent or watch, go with Clint Eastwood. Not a bad choice.
#6--Don't belitte the annual sack race. This refers to upholding family traditions as well as introducing new traditions. (#6 can be its own blog post...)
#7--For Pete's sake, stop worrying. Be a doer, not just a talker.
#8--Carry a hankie. Tissues disintegrate but not hankies. Restroom dryer on the fritz? Handkerchief! Want to wrap a cookie to go? Handkerchief! Dads and granddads always have hankies.
#9--No one's smarter than you. Asking questions makes you sound smart, so don't keep silent when you don't understand something.
#10--You will want kids. The author said, "My father always encouraged me to have a baby. I used to tell him that it wasn't for everyone, but he shot back, 'Iknow you, and you would love it.' True enough: Tom and I became parents recently, and that little girl is the joy of my life. I cannot wait to impart my own pearls of wisdom to her, such as the infinite uses for twist ties or the Importance of Being Honest (sound familiar?). And since she's a lot like me, she'll probably roll her eyes and grumble--and listen to every word."
The older we get, the less grumbling and eye-rolling we do.
#1--Hold hands while you hash it out. It's impossible to scream at someone who's giving your hand a gentle squeeze. Good advice. I guess it's similar to the advice of our parents who would say never go to bed angry.
#2--Pay attention to anyone who wears a tool belt....then later you can care of the repair of whatever appliance yourself. I like being able to fix things. I hate having to pay for someone else to make house calls. I still have flashbacks about the Sears repairman laughing at me...
#3--or a uniform. Properly tip and thank those who serve you. Not only wait-staff (we have Beth to thank for those lessons) but hotel staff, mail carriers, sanitation workers, or others who might not be thanked ordinarily. It doesn't always have to be money. It can be a simple thank you. You might be the first to do so.
#4--You can never have enough baggies. They're miracle workers--easy to stash, and you can spot their contents at a glance. (Don't you wish you had been the one to invent Zip Loc bags?) 'Makes me think of my dad's plastivon napkins...also miracle workers. Could be used for napkins, wipes, in place of paper towels, wrung out and re-used.
#5--You can't go wrong with Clint. If you can't decide which movie to rent or watch, go with Clint Eastwood. Not a bad choice.
#6--Don't belitte the annual sack race. This refers to upholding family traditions as well as introducing new traditions. (#6 can be its own blog post...)
#7--For Pete's sake, stop worrying. Be a doer, not just a talker.
#8--Carry a hankie. Tissues disintegrate but not hankies. Restroom dryer on the fritz? Handkerchief! Want to wrap a cookie to go? Handkerchief! Dads and granddads always have hankies.
#9--No one's smarter than you. Asking questions makes you sound smart, so don't keep silent when you don't understand something.
#10--You will want kids. The author said, "My father always encouraged me to have a baby. I used to tell him that it wasn't for everyone, but he shot back, 'Iknow you, and you would love it.' True enough: Tom and I became parents recently, and that little girl is the joy of my life. I cannot wait to impart my own pearls of wisdom to her, such as the infinite uses for twist ties or the Importance of Being Honest (sound familiar?). And since she's a lot like me, she'll probably roll her eyes and grumble--and listen to every word."
The older we get, the less grumbling and eye-rolling we do.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
I, too, have lofty goals
Two more days and Interim will be over. It is my goal to finish all grading as soon as possible so that won't be hanging over me.
I have set June aside to take care of some other "lofty" goals.
Take a few days to play with Hayes. He's got some new tricks I've got to see in person. Plus we've got things to do. He told me. It's a secret.
The neighborhood association will soon come knocking on our door if I don't do something to beautify our yard. Seriously.
De-hoard the garage. Plans are in the works. Really.
Work on the dreaded terminal degree. 'Got to. All that's left is the paperwork, so I've got to get on with it. Can you say job security?
Then. Sigh. Get ready to teach Summer II.
Take a few days to visit with Jackson and Lauren. Yes. She's coming to Sweet Home Alabama.
I will promise, though, that my lofty goals will also include time to read new books, visit with family and friends, sip some sweet tea or an occasional margarita, get a pedicure and maybe a massage or a facial and not let summer slip away without clocking some true down time.
I hope you'll do the same.
I have set June aside to take care of some other "lofty" goals.
Take a few days to play with Hayes. He's got some new tricks I've got to see in person. Plus we've got things to do. He told me. It's a secret.
The neighborhood association will soon come knocking on our door if I don't do something to beautify our yard. Seriously.
De-hoard the garage. Plans are in the works. Really.
Work on the dreaded terminal degree. 'Got to. All that's left is the paperwork, so I've got to get on with it. Can you say job security?
Then. Sigh. Get ready to teach Summer II.
Take a few days to visit with Jackson and Lauren. Yes. She's coming to Sweet Home Alabama.
I will promise, though, that my lofty goals will also include time to read new books, visit with family and friends, sip some sweet tea or an occasional margarita, get a pedicure and maybe a massage or a facial and not let summer slip away without clocking some true down time.
I hope you'll do the same.
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