Happy New Year!!!

Out with the old, in with the new....but enough about the election. It's New Year's and a fresh start for everyone. Remember that no person is granted any more time than any other person. We all get the same 24 hours each day. It's what we do with those minutes that counts.

Me .... I'm using my minutes for sleepin'....

Well, here we are into January. What the hell happened to Christmas, you might ask. But you might ask it more graciously than that. Christmas is like a river--ooh, yeah, Sarah song...cool--it comes flowing by and then it's gone. (It can be cold, too, like a river, especially in North Carolina...but I digress.) Jane and I had a lovely Christmas this year, with a gathering of the Lakeland clan Christmas Eve and the traditional exchanging of gifts. Then we flew to Atlanta for another celebration with the Stockton/Loescher/Schwartz clans and the pitter patter of baby feets. Pierce and the twins were the center of attention most of our stay, though everybody got some cool stuff from Santa. What a great old dude! We also had a rousing Foosball tournament, though informal. I would say I won, but it doesn't matter because no one was keeping track (except me).

Christmas is such a family time...I hope we can extend the holiday spirit to February and get along as well when we have a week together. Looking forward to the Big Sky!

Got to go run now to get in shape. Can't have any of the whippersnappers gettin' ahead of me on the slopes--I have my image to uphold.

Oh, yeah, will post some pictures of Christmas when some other family members share them. My camera was DOA, and I am without photos. Whoa...what's a year end without the Bumper Sticker of the Year? The most appropriate one I have is
Vote Democrat - it's easier than working!

Retribution

Alert! Breaking News regarding Heisman result!!

In a rare display of emotion, God decided to punish the West, Midwest, and Southwest Heisman voters (along with everyone else) for their poor judgment and outright manipulation in this year's balloting.

This is believed to be one of the few times in recorded history God has intervened when one of "His boys" has been mistreated, the last being the extended rainstorm sent after homeboy Noah was constantly ridiculed as the Kingdom's Nuttiest Boat-Builder (unless you count that incident at the Red Sea, but there is speculation that was merely an urban legend).

Weather forecasters are predicting a shorter duration for this retaliation, but most agree the exact length won't be determined until the evening of January 8th. the theory is, if Sam Bradford sees his shadow--or anything else except the south Florida starry sky--there'll be 6 more years of winter.


Asked about the unusual weather, Shaun White is reported to have said, "Hey, dude, this is sick. The Big Guy must be a shredder, fer sure." Asked to elaborate, Mr. White was unable. He did, however, refer to the weather in Montana as "Snowbound 'tude, dude."
http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/ski/local/USMT0026?lwsa=Weather36HourSkiCommand&lswe=Big%20Sky,%20MT&from=searchbox_typeahead

In other news, Global Warming fanatics all across the country are turning in their Al Gore in 2016 buttons and cashing their carbon credits, saying "Damn, it's cold out. We musta screwed up somewheres."

Bah, Humbug, Heisman!

Our man Tim got jobbed! I offer as proof, such as it is, the fact that he won the most votes for first place--OK, that might not be conclusive, but that fact that so many IDIOTS (154, to be exact) left him off the ballet entirely tells the story. From an article in the Gainesville Sun:
"Maybe the most alarming information we received in frigid New York Saturday night was that 127 ballots were received before the last weekend of the season. Tebow was well back in third place after those ballots came in. Then he went out and led Florida past No. 1 Alabama. Among the 777 ballots that were received after that game, Tebow was ahead of Colt McCoy and just a few points behind Bradford.
You vote before the season is over, you shouldn’t be allowed to vote.
And if that’s not enough to drive you Tebow fans crazy, how about this — 41 different players received third-place votes and 20 received second-place votes. That means there were a bunch of people wasting their votes to make a statement."

No way Tim is not more valuable and a better overall player than those Big 12 yahoos! Can't be. It was fixed--maybe not by the people who put it on, but certainly by those West, Midwest, and Southwest clowns. We need to fight fire with fire: Next time a deserving player from the south is up, say... Tim Tebow, for example, every voter who puts him number 1 should pick two nobodies for #s 2 and 3. It might not be ethical, but it would get the best result. It was the second place votes for Bradford and McCoy that put them over the top.

Here is Tim's press conference after the announcement--very classy guy.


The Timinator did get the Maxwell Award, for the second consecutive year (unusual), and some other stuff (see prior post), but not enough to make up for the Heisman screw job. OTOH, it might work out pretty well in the long run, since the Heisman winner's team typically (last 4 out of 5 years) gets hosed in the bowl game. (See, e.g., OSU 14, UF 41) Go Gators!

Southern Superbowl!

As Mike Bianchi said in the Orlando Sentinel before the game, “It's gonna be gooder 'n grits.” And he was right. It's no longer NObama, it's now NoBama!

What a game! Who would have expected that Florida would cover the point spread yet again? Against that defense...and without Harvin! I would like to say I did, but I can’t. I truly thought it would be a more of a squeaker (which it almost was until the last UF touchdown). Though it was a tense game, Florida played spectacularly and deserved to win. Tebow can ring up the Heisman after that performance. The national audience will have him second, with Bradford and McCoy alternating between 1st and 3rd, allowing Tim Terrific to pick up all the split votes. Justice prevails. Speaking of which, and not to digress from the best SEC championship game EVER, how about that OJ verdict? It gives the lie to the old legal adage, justice delayed is justice denied. I like to think of it as him working out karma with the remaining family members. Wow…33 years of karma…hey, now he can write that book he wanted to without the distractions of his hectic golf schedule.

Now it’s on to Miami to meet—and beat—the faux contenders to the crown, the Boomer Sooners. After that SEC slugfest, it should be very clear who is the best team in the nation. Now we just have to play the game to finish the paperwork. Right. Just like Ohio State did 2 years ago. No, I am very excited about the big game, and can't wait for those Okie farmboys to see what a real defense looks like. If that team turns out to be as scary as it looks, however, so that the Gators can’t bring it off this year, we are thrilled that they are BACK! And Timmy might stay another year if he still has the National Championship itch left to scratch. Hell, I hope he stays anyway. How awesome would that be for him to win the Heisman 3 years in a row! Blows me away thinking of it, but I can’t remember— or imagine, in this world of instant gratification and entitlement attitude (think D-Mac)—a more deserving guy. He is the only one since Bo Jackson to live up to his legendary hype. That doesn’t bode well for his career in the pros…, but we had him until then.

In other news… oh, who cares…on with the pics and game comments….

Pregame jitters--Percy's out. Rainey's out. Shorthanded on the DLine. Turned out OK, though.

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(Listen in on the pregame handshake)

"Your sorry little ass is gonna be mine, shortstick."

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No Percy. No problem.
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Percy seems to be saying to Bama, "Blow me."

He'll be back for the Big Game.

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The game was all about the Timinator, of course, and how he could stack all the remaining weapons on his back and go win the game (especially in the 4th quarter). The Alabama guy on the ground is one of their better players, an excellent DB. He got the same fate as most DBs this season.

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If this isn't a Heisman pose, it's close.

See ya!

You bet...see ya in New York!spac

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Oh, gosh, another trophy...wonder where the folks will put this one...

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Hey, hey, some guys who don't get much of a chance to contribute came up big.
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Carl Moore got the first touchdown...yeah! Where you been Carl?



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David Nelson: finally earning that scholarship. Two very important catches and all-around good job. (And he's so articulate...maybe he should run for President?)

Way to go Riley! Finally found out what it's like to be a star (and to run the right route)

Two other players (and plays) of note: Jermaine Cunnigham's sack on 3rd and 8 to kill the Bama comeback in the 4th was HUGE, and the two phenomenal plays by Aaron Hernandez (the shovel pass on 3rd down and skying for the first down catch on the final drive) were crucial. [Aaron caught 3 passes for 43 yards, all big ones.] Without those plays, it would have been a much tighter ending. (couldn't find a pic of Aaron, sorry)

Quote:
“That fourth quarter was vintage Tim Tebow"
Florida coach Urban Meyer said. "My quarterback is the best player in college football."

Interesting stats:

Before this game, Alabama had not trailed at the half all season.

The Gators outgained the Crimson Tide 133-1 in the fourth quarter.

Florida surpassed Alabama in all statistical categories in this game.

For anyone who didn't get enough pictures, try this link.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-uf-bama-photos-120608,0,2424791.photogallery

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BTW, did I mention that Harvin and Spikes were recently named to the AFCA All-American team? I don’t know what that is, but it sounds good. Tim Terrific got bumped by Glenn “Light Up the Big 12” Harrell, which just shows how much the voters were fixated on stats. In that case, Colt Brennan should have won everything last year. (Oops, better not open that can of worms!) Not like that‘s such a big deal anyway, but Percy usually gets shafted for those type awards because he is split between positions—running back and wide receiver. They picked him as a “specialty player.” Good job.

And last but not least, ….drum roll, please….one that fits with the recent game…
The Bumper Sticker of the Week.
Excess is never too much in moderation.

Swamp them Seminoles!

Well, it looked like a swamp up in Tallahassee, but it didn't bother Tim Terrific. A quote from the Florida Times Union (Jacksonville):
"Tebow pretty much did everything but walk on water. Actually, considering the field conditions, he did that, too."
Urban was worried about all the water on the field--he just wanted Tebow to run the ball the whole game--single wing. He could have, of course, but then all the other stars would have been upset.

Maybe Rainey and Demps won't be quite so cocky after each got run down from behind for the first time this year. Had to have been the wet field. Rainey said "I had water in my shoes, Coach." Truly the Rain-man that night. This must be one of his earlier runs....
BTW, Chris got 97 yards on 8 carries--a respectable average just over 12 yards per. Not to be outdone at the school that foolishly rejected him (can you imagine?) Demps got 7 carries and churned out 89 yards for an average of 12.71! In fact, all the Gators who carried the ball had a better average than the best Semi-hole rusher (12 for 57). That's gotta hurt...and it did.

Of course the defense was stellar, as usual. Interceptions, crushing tackles, forced fumbles, you name it.



"Here... let me help you with that."
Why, thank you, Jermaine.








Sorry, that one is ours, says Jenoris.












"And so, Mr. Weatherford, as I was just saying to Mr. Moreno the other day...."

Brandon Spikes...the Man.




And props to Chas Henry, the forgotten man for the Gators. He had his longest punt of the year at 67 yards. He's the football equivalent of the Maytag repairman. (Sorry, Chas, no pics this week.)
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Highlights of the game. Sorry if there aren't any FSU highlights...I don't remember any. Oh, wait, they did score a touchdown on our first team defense. Damn.



How about that Tim, eh? A few shots of him should be enlightening...
This one had Jamie Robinson wondering WTF was he thinking




"But, Coach, I thought you said it was OK to knock their cornerback into next week."


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What do you get when you combine this with loud cheering from the Seminole fans?
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You get this! You won't like him when he's angry!















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This was the best looking thing wearing garnet and gold in Doak Campbell stadium all afternoon.
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In case anyone missed it, SuperTim is racking up the awards again.
Tim Tebow Named Academic All-American of the Year by ESPN The Magazine
Tim Tebow Named Disney Spirit Award Winner
Or at least he's in contention for them:
Tebow a finalist for Maxwell Award
Tebow a finalist for Walter Camp Award
And we hope there's one more:
Tebow a shoo-in as a finalist for the Heisman.

We're back to the Heisman again.... I sure would like to see some clips of the other pure passing quarterbacks whose names are mentioned and whose teams create for them the outrageous stats that go with their offenses making blocks downfield and tackling defensive ends like Tim does. Bobby Bowden was gracious in defeat--what else could he be?--and referred to Tim as adding a Bronko Nagurski element to the game. So true. And so fun to watch. The award should go to the year's best football player and that is clearly Tim Tebow.
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Bring on Alabama! A tough game, but I'm hopeful. We have the horses, if we can just bring it all to bear one more time...
Do I hear Boomer Sooner??
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Twins: The girls were on The Unit last night (Sunday) but I missed it. Set the stupid DVR to record that time slot but didn't notice the football game had pushed all the shows up 30 minutes! The recording stopped just as Maitlyn came on screen (in the closet scene). Rats! Will have to count on Mom and Dad to have a copy of it. Don't you scare my babies like that!
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And a post wouldn't be complete without the Bumper Sticker of the Week:

"I used to be schizophrenic, but we're better now."