Christmas 2015

Christmas Eve

Finally got to Orlando at 10:30 Christmas Eve.

Total amount of sightseeing was a drive through downtown Winter Park on the way to Georgiana and Chuck's Condo. WP looks really nice. Kind of like Chapel Hill, Pinehurst, Southern Pines. Wish I had arrived the 23rd as planned - would really have liked to see the sights around WP and walked around some.

Christmas Day

Condo Christmas Tree

Lazed around during the morning.

Then drove to Ocala to have Christmas lunch / dinner with Chuck's cousins - Patrick and Rose. On the way we got a phone call from the brother and sister-in-law. Nice to catch up with them. Really need to get to Atlanta to visit.

Pat and Rose

Darn it! Ceiling fan cord

Didn't notice it when I was setting up the shot

Had a really nice, traditional home cooked Christmas Dinner. Turkey, beans, potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, the works. They call it comfort food for a reason. Rose went all out.

Pat and Rose are tremendously nice. From Toronto - they winter in Florida like M&C are planning to do. It's good that M&C will already have friends / folks they know nearby.

And - they like Chuck. It's a Festivus Miracle!

Also, their dog Buddy is a really friendly laid back guy.

Fruit stand on the way back - red grapefruit and oranges

Grapefruit with a little salt = yummy

Got home, watched a little TV and conversation. Ate some grapefruit, then to bed.

Saturday

First flight from MCO to RDU.

Up at 5:15 - arrive Orlando airport 6:10 - and unbelievably LONG lines to check in (if you had luggage). I only had a small carry on bag - checked in via a kiosk and then through TSA fairly expeditiously. As expeditiously as one can go through TSA.

I'm tired of complaining about TSA - bored, non-accountable, self-important, rude government employees are just the way it is. TSA and DMV - no customer oriented service. Not all of them. Not even half or a third. But enough of them with 'attitude' to really piss you off.

Talk about two functions that should be privatized (or in TSA's case - re-privatized). The day I get elected Dictator - you can damn well believe this will be near the top of my 'to do' list.

Streaks are scratches on the outer window

Nice smooth on-time flight back to Raleigh.

Home. Having kielbasa and sauerkraut with brown mustard for lunch. Nuke left some Yuengling beer in the refrigerator. Watching college bowl games.

All in all - a very nice Christmas.

Christmas Eve 2015

The weather yesterday affected flights across the east coast. The storms in the Southeast caused a lot of damage and, at last report, 7 10 11 14 15 18 deaths. So, I really can't complain about altered travel plans.

On the good side - Delta keeps you informed as quickly as possible via email.

Got a total of 8 emails (so far - it's 10:30 AM Christmas Eve). Seven time changes and 1 cancellation.

I got to the airport after the 4th email schedule change. Went to the desk instead of the kiosk - and just as I was checking in - the flight was changed again. The desk agent said she didn't think there would actually be a 2 AM flight and re-booked me for today (Christmas Eve). (She was right - the original flight was cancelled about 2 hours later.)

No problem - went back to the parking lot and drove home. Was actually in the terminal for only about 30 minutes. So no big deal. Was in the long term parking lot a total of 53 minutes (per the time stamped receipt) - got charged the entire $6 daily rate!

Woke up this morning - checked email - new flight has been rescheduled 3 times overnight.

The latest schedule is leave Raleigh at 7:45 tonight and arrive Orlando at 9:37. Don't know what I'll do if it's delayed again. Sort of getting to the point where going to Winter Park for a meal is kind of pointless.

But - on the plus side - I'm not stuck at the airport. Will leave the house around 5-ish and see what happens when I get to RDU.

Again - could be a LOT worse.

20 DEC 2015

Watching the State at Missouri game was exactly what life as a Wolfpacker is like. Despair, Hope, Joy, Despair (in random order) - LOL

The first half of the first half - we got walked all over. Didn't get our first basket until 4 minutes into the game. I figured - here it comes - a real team is going to kill us.

Then, we started inching back. With a last second 3-pointer by Cat - we were up by 1 at the half.

Then the second half. A totally different team. We played the game we can play - when the guys play as a team! Burst out to a 20 point lead and never looked back. Got a little complacent with about 4 minutes left - but Coach G made some adjustments - and we finished strong.

First half we sucked. Second half we were awesome.

As Nuke said - "The Jekyll and Hyde work we are notorious for".

Home game Tuesday night. I don't know how these kids cope with so many games, going to class, studying, doing homework and trying to squeeze some time in to visit home for the Holidays.

I've scheduled vacation for Monday and Tuesday (closed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for Christmas Holidays). Scheduled the days off thinking I might be driving someplace for Christmas - NoVa or Georgia. Instead, flying for a quick trip to Winter Park, FL.

So - I think I'll go to work Monday and Tuesday. Got a lot I can get done while it's quiet.

Happy Festivus.

18 DEC 2015

Basketball team is still struggling.

As usual, in the game vs. High Point, man for man, we were taller, stronger, more athletic and talented. As a team, High Point out played us. It took a last second shot from Cat Barber to win the game. With our talented players vs. theirs - we should have won by 10 or more.

High Point shows the difference between a talented young team and a smaller but experienced veteran team. I think High Point has 5 seniors. When you play together that long - you really learn how to play as a team.

BTW - High Point is a 'for real' team. They are the best bet to win the Big South Conference and go to the NCAAT.

Nowadays, kids are one-and-done or maybe they'll stay for a couple of years. Transfers are now a normal part of the college game. Too many kids leave early to go 'pro' only to end up playing in Europe (if they're lucky) or even Asian or other leagues below the European leagues.

State takes advantage of the transfers. Each year we seem to have a transfer who fills a big gap in the team. This year it's Terry Henderson - recovering from an injury. Unfortunately he won't get the benefit of playing the early season games and will likely come back just as the ACC season is starting. That's going to be tough trying to come back from injury and learning how to play with the team while facing Dook, UNCheats, Notre Dame, Miami, Virginia and so on.

I wish there were some better way to encourage kids to stay in the schools they initially start with, and then stay in school all four years and earn a degree. Skip the transferring. And have some way to protect legitimate potential NBA players in case of injury.

We play at Missouri Saturday. We could really use the road "W".

Cody Martin was injured in the last minute of the High Point Game. Not super-serious. But he's limping. We have a thin bench to put it mildly. With Henderson and Martin out - we now have SIX athletic scholarship players. That's five starters and one on the bench. Any more injuries and, well, maybe Mr. Wuff could suit up. He's looks kind of tall.

I'm becoming more and more resigned to the probability we're an NIT team this year.

Panthers

Not a pro sports fan. But the Panthers are undefeated so far and I'm starting to watch the games.

Our football group used to go to the Panthers games. I took care of the NC State tickets. DB bought the Panthers tickets. It was an all day ordeal to go to Charlotte, see the game, and come back. We'd have to leave at 8 in the morning and sometimes didn't get back till Midnight Sunday night. And then go to work the next day. It was even worse for DB, he lives in Wilmington.

We got tired of it and pretty much quit going.

DB gave up the Panthers tickets years ago - rightly so. Even if he still had them, I doubt I'd go - even with the undefeated season.

Now that the Panthers have home field advantage and first round bye locked up - I bet they'll start using preseason playing strategy. Play the starters the first half - then the two and three deep the second half. No reason to get the starters injured before the playoffs.

With that - the Panthers will probably lose a game or two or more.

That will make my friend Chip happy. He's been on his soap box about the Panthers being over-rated all year.

Chip also pulls for Notre Dame football. They're always over-rated. Every year.

Home and Work

Not a thing new. Routine. Which is good.

Oh wait - I did get new glasses.

Zenni Optical

I have severe astigmatism. Really, seriously severe. If lenses are just the slightest bit off - it affects my distance focus tremendously.

The last two or three pairs of glasses purchased through my eye doctor's office were in the $600 range. Then I bought the next couple of pairs through LensCrafters. Less expensive but sill in the three - four hundred dollar range. And I had to wait for them - you just can't fabricate astigmatic lenses in the mall.

About four years ago my friend Chip (see above) turned me on to Zenni Optical. I was skeptical but gave it a try. The glasses were great - and the cost was $110. Hard to beat. My eye doctor was somewhat dismayed.

In the last four years my prescription has changed just slightly. My last exam was in November and I got my latest prescription.

Zenni sent me an email - buy 2 get 1 free. Okay - why not. Two frames are the same - one with black stainless steel - the other with dark grey stainless steel. The third frame is a traditional resin black frame.

Less than a week after ordering - they arrived.

There's a little bit of luck involved in getting glasses with my progressive prescription. Just a tiny deviation between lenses and I notice it. I've always gotten good glasses. Just some lenses are better than others.

The black frame steel glasses are the best pair I've ever had in my life. The 'sweet spot' distance view is perfect. The grey pair - same except the distance view is just a teeny tiny bit smaller. If it weren't for the black pair - the grey ones would be the best glasses I've ever had in my life.

Haven't tried the resin frame glasses yet. Probably this weekend.

The cost? $197 for all three - that includes tax and shipping. Three pairs from my eye doctor? At $600 each - $1,800! Sorry doc - I'm never buying glasses from you again. You're still a fantastic, caring, tremendously smart Doctor and I recommend you to anyone.

(To be fair - Ira's practice is in the high $ Cary foo foo market. The frames he offers tend to be the latest and most fashionable. So - a higher price is expected.)

Check 'em out - zinnioptical.com

Holidays

Going to Winter Park for Christmas with the sister and brother-in-law. It will be an 'adults only' holiday. Which I'm looking forward too.

Don't get me wrong, I like being around kids at Christmas. It's just that I like peaceful and quiet visits a whole lot as well.



For not much going on - this turned out to be a rather lengthy entry.

Weekend Update 6 DEC 2015 +Addendum

Basketball

State played it's best game so far against Michigan. We lost, but we basically outplayed Michigan and played as a team. Only, none of our shots would go in. Of course, the Michigan defense had a lot to do with that. But still - there were lots of shots that just seemed to rim out. We also played well against Bucknell and Winthrop.

Cat Barber got 3 quick fouls in the Bucknell game and had to sit out much of the first half. Which ironically was a good thing. The team held it's own without him. Showing them they don't have to rely on Cat to win games for us. Not against an ACC team - but still - a good game outing and learning experience.

Gradually, the team is getting better. We have a real thin bench - so hopefully no more injuries other than Henderson. When he returns - hopefully in a month - we may be a pretty good bubble team.

Football

I wish the referees hadn't botched the offsides call against UNC. Carolina recovered the ball but they wouldn't have scored the touchdown and the 2-point conversion to send the Championship game into overtime.

Instead, we'll all have to listen to the whining and moaning about how "the refs cost UNC the game".

No - they didn't.

Clemson was clearly the best team. No ifs, ands or buts.

If Clemson hadn't committed so many dumb penalties and stupid blunders in the first half (what the f%k was the punter trying to do anyway?), Clemson would have been up by at least 1 more touchdown and Carolina wouh have had 1 less (again, the Clemson punter) going into halftime.

Bowl Games

NC State is going to the Charlotte Belk Bowl v. Mississippi State. This is a higher tier bowl than we expected. They chose NCSU above Pitt and Louisville - with better records. Of course, State will bring 5 times as many fans as either Pitt or Louisville would have.

Mississippi State will be favored. NCSU will have to bring the 'A' game in order to win.

UNC is paired up against Baylor. That game should have a ton 'o offense. It's a good match up. Both teams are very good - both are also somewhat overrated. It should be an exciting game.

Sick

I'm sick. It's either strep throat or a bad sinus infection. Leaning towards a sinus infection because all the congestion, pain and stuff in on the right side of my head. It's affecting my throat, which is on fire. And I keep running a low grade fever. Aching eyes and all the rest.

I hope I feel better for work tomorrow.

Monday Addendum

Went to work. Came home.

Sicker than yesterday even.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2015

Thanksgiving

Nuke drove up from Southport and brought his folks' dogs, Archie and Bella, with him. His folks are in San Francisco visiting the grandchildren and Nuke is doggie sitting.

I cooked a roast in the crock pot along with baby carrots and onions. Roasted asparagus as a side dish. Very easy and very tasty.

Friday

I mowed the yard for what should be the last time this year. The grass has quit growing and I've waited till all the leaves have fallen from the trees. Essentially I was chopping up the leaves so they would deteriorate quicker; and it makes the yard look neater.

Went to the basketball game. State seems to be playing to the level of their competition. We played well against ranked LSU, then came home and reverted to our 'let's not play like a team' game plan.

It's going to be a long season.

UNCheats at NC State Football

Usually I have a good time at football games, even when we lose. The Clemson game, for example, was a ton of fun even though Clemson won. State played great in a close, exciting game.

Not yesterday. It was the least fun I've had at a Sate game in a very long time.

State's defense employed the 'play dead like a possum in the road' strategy in the first quarter. And got run over. Maybe we were thinking that if we let UNC run down the field to the end zone a lot, then Carolina would get tired - and then we could win the game. Who knows.

The score was so lopsided by the end of the first quarter, it was dismal. Even when State turned around and played great the rest of the game - it was simply too much to overcome. Watching it was just frustrating.

We've been giving up a couple of big plays in every game this year. Yesterday, we gave up 6 or 8 in the first quarter. 35 to 7 at the end of the first quarter accurately sums up the game.

We stayed to the bitter end - and applauded the team for the good season. I was surprised at the large number of fans that also stayed and did likewise.

Coach DD and the players never gave up and played the last three quarters tight and close. We have a great coaching staff and the players respect and believe in the process. Recruiting is getting better every year. We are trending in the right direction.

Coach Fedora has shown that you can have a top tier program with quality student-athletes without resorting to cheating or recruiting thugs. Coach Fedora is a man of integrity. He is the exact opposite of that under performing cheating piece of shit Bitch Davis.

Sunday

Not a thing going on today.

Nuke just left for Southport. The dogs were excited to be going for a drive.

I might vacuum later and do a little house cleaning.

Weekend Update 27 NOV 2015

Not much to talk about other than NCSU football and basketball.

Work is pretty much the same - busy but unremarkable. Home life is pretty much the same - unremarkable house chores. Which is good actually - no problems or issues. Nice and steady. Unremarkable.

NC State Football

State has played well in the losses to Clemson and Florida State. Clemson is for real. I hope the go unbeaten and win the National Championship.

Yesterday at the State - Syracuse game was great. State had the game under control from the start. The score was closer than the game was due to a couple of late 'Cuse scores.

State has got to figure out these penalties that we are committing. 10 yesterday for 98 yards. That's going down the entire football field - backwards. We can't do that next week against UNC-CHeats or we won't win.

Speaking of penalties - there were 3 player ejections yesterday due to 'extra curricular activities' and one unsportsmanlike penalty against the Syracuse bench.

The weather was perfect. Sunny chilly morning that warmed up nicely by the noon-thirty kickoff. It got just a little nippy after the sun went behind Vaughan Towers late in the game - but not too much.

Visited the LaRocca & Raynor Tailgate before kick off. Those folks know how to do a tailgate. It's a blast hanging out with the LaR kids during the game. More accurately, it's a lot of fun watching Chip playing with the LaR kids during the game.

This season has gone by fast. Next week is the last game vs. UNC-CHeats. Carolina has a really good football team. Far better than their no-show 'fans' deserve.

With all the talent they recruit - the UNC coaching staff has finally put it all together. State will have to play an outstanding game to beat them. If we can put together the same type of game that we've played against Clemson, FSU and Syracuse - we can win. IF we stop committing bonehead penalties.

NC State Basketball

If Trever Lacy had not turned pro early and if Kyle Washington had not transferred (for more playing time) and with Terry Henderson transferring in - NC State would have been a legitimate top 25 team. Possibly a top 15 team. Instead, we lost Lacy and Washington - and Henderson got injured the first game. Torn ligaments - out for 8 weeks - yikes!

And boy does it show.

Individually, our guys are great. Talented, tough, experienced. Abdul-Malik Abu al-Bostoni is a beast. Caleb Martin is a power forward. Cat Barber is a future NBA star. Freshman recruit Maverick Rowan plays like an experienced junior. Lennard Freeman - solid go to guy.

Put them all together - and we can't play for s#*t.

Every year Coach Gott's teams start out a little shaky with a learning curve to go through. We steadily get better as the season goes on. By NCAA Tournament time - we're a team nobody wants to play.

This year - we have the most talent since Gott arrived - even with the loss of Lacy and Washington. This is also the worst looking team yet.

It is going to be a steep learning curve. Or, maybe it will suddenly 'click' and they'll play like the team they should be. Who knows? But from watching the first two games - it's no fluke that a much smaller, far less talented William and Mary team beat us.

State is in New York City to play a 4-team mini-tournament against NCAAT calibre teams. If our guys don't 'get it together' in a hurry - we'll leave NY City 0 - 2.

Clemson 56 - State 41

Yesterday's game was about as much fun you could have while still losing. It was a great game to see and bet at. Our guys played hard and stayed in the game till the very end.

Prior to yesterday, no team had scored more than 24 points on Clemson.

You could tell Clemson is the number 3 team in the nation. They are a little faster, a little deeper, a little bigger than State. But we were not totally out matched. We are making progress. The program is headed in the right direction.

Two years ago, State played an inspired home game but lost to Florida State by the exact same 56 - 41 score. Unfortunately, the next game was at Clemson where they beat us in a shutout. And we lost every game after that.

We are a much better team than two years ago.

This year, we have Boston College next (very winnable) and then, at Florida State. If we take care of business in Boston, then we'll be OK going into FSU. Even with a loss at FSU, State would look pretty good for the rest of the season and the final game against UNC-CHeats.

BTW - UNC has become a really good team. Their one loss against South Carolina was a fluke. If they played SC today - it would be a totally different game and UNC would be undefeated.

Oh, and Dook got screwed.

Sigh . . .

Herb Sendek Frank Beemer Wins a Game

State loses to the nut less, flightless Birds of Blacksburg. Frank gets to keep his job and doom VT to yet another year of slightly better than average football.

Last week, State basically gave the game to Louisville.

This week, State continued to lose by making inexplicable errors, but to their credit, Virginia Tech actually put forth a good effort and won the game.

The thing is - before the season started, State looked like it would have a really good 8 and 4 season. I figured our losses would be to Louisville, VT, Clemson and Florida State. With a close game to UNC.

So far, it's working out that way. Except that Louisville and VT are not nearly as good as I had expected. The losses are the same as expected - but it just seems like State is losing badly played games to bad teams. Not close, well played games to great teams. But crappy games to somewhat crappy teams. It just doesn't feel good.

Actually - VT started out looking pretty crappy against Pittsburgh and especially to EZU. Last night - VT looked pretty good.

Also, I bought into the hype that maybe, just maybe, State was getting ready to take that next step up - and a 10 and 2 season was a realistic possibility.

Nope.

We are still a very young team - mostly sophomores and red-shirt freshmen. An 8 and 4 season is a great accomplishment for where we are. And we'll get better. The bad feeling is mostly our own making. Counting chickens before they hatch. It's a process and we have to be realistic.

But I still can't believe the way we are losing. We're playing and looking worse than we are. Even if we lose - we need to step it up. We can definitely play better than we have against L'ville and Tech.

Next up - a bye week and then Wake Forest. We should win easily. And probably will.

Focus

Did not get the car towed to the shop. Instead, I recalled the last time the battery died (due to old age) - the symptoms were the same. Lots of sparks and smoke when I tried to boost it. And, speaking with Bill H (Cameron Village Auto) - he said it is more common nowadays for old batteries to short out. Seems they used to just give out - without all the drama. What makes them short out? It's a mystery.

Anyway, picked up a new battery ($103 plus tax) - put it in - car started right up. Saved a towing expense.

The car has 210,000 miles - the truck 160,000. Getting my money's worth out of them. I expect both to last till 250,000 miles. Looks like they'll exceed expectations.

As long as they are reasonably repairable (alternators, power steering pumps, things like that) - I'll keep them. I doubt I'll replace either of them unless the engines ass-plode.

Sunday

I still need to cut the grass.

It's still raining.

Woulda Coulda Shoulda

Louisville 20 - NC State 13

Don't get me wrong - Louisville is a very good team and won the game. But NC State helped Louisville win by making so many unforced mistakes - especially on offense. We just kept getting in our own way.

The game was so close throughout that it just seemed that any moment NC State was going to get it's act together and start dominating. We'd make great defensive plays time and time again on first and second down - big huge stops, sacking the quarterback, putting Louisville into 3rd and really long - and then boom - just like that - Louisville makes the play to get a first down. Over and over.

Likewise on offense. State made some great highlight reel long plays - and then had to punt.

It wasn't even a fun close game - the kind where both teams play great and it's sad one team has to lose. Nope - not this game. It was more like watching two teams not execute. And in addition to not executing, State added blunder after blunder.

Not fun at all.

Really, a disappointing game. We really should have won. Solidly. We just didn't.

WallyWorld

Went to two different WalMarts in Raleigh last week to stock up on cheap disposable rain ponchos. I've always kept them in the truck for football games. Was down to my last three. Both WalMarts were sold out.

So, I went to WalMart in Sanford on Thursday. They had them in stock. Bought ten. However - all this is beside the point.

They were putting out CHRISTMAS merchandise. The first day of October.

Sunday

Breakfast Special - $4.99 - including coffee.

Had breakfast at Fairview Dairy Bar. The place that had the fire. The original had lots of stuff on the walls - all lost in the fire. The rebuilt Dairy Bar walls now has large photos of the old Dairy Bar.

Here's a shot of the interior.

And a close up showing a photo of the same shot of the original Dairy Bar.

The original Dairy Bar had a larger than life photo of Marilyn Monroe - in all her bosomy splendor.

Well, obviously blurry.
As we all know - bosomy splendor is always better in real life.

Focus

After breakfast, drove to Raleigh to Chip and Erica's casa. Chip had borrowed my car while his was in the shop. Got his car back but then mine wouldn't start. Sounds like a drained battery. Might have left a light on or a door not quite closed and the interior light on.

Anyway, drove up there - hooked up the cables to jump start the car. Rather - attempted to hook up the jumper cables. Much sparks, smoke and fireworks!

Hmmm - on second thought, let's not jump start the car. Looks like we'll be getting it towed to my long time mechanic - Bill H. at Cameron Village Auto.

Nothing much else going on. I need to mow the grass but it's too wet.

I received a summons for jury duty for next week. But - per the Friday evening confirmation call - service not required and I'm excused. This has been the case for every time I've received a summons. Which is fine by me. I do not want to have to sit in judgement of other people.

Weekend Update 27 SEP 2015 +Addendum

Fairview Dairy Bar

The Fairview Dairy Bar has been in business, at the same location, since 1953. Last year there was a fire which ruined the entire interior of the restaurant and damaged both adjacent businesses.

Fortunately, rather than close, they decided to rebuild and reopen.

Had breakfast there today (they open at 0630 seven days a week). First time back since the fire.

They did a really nice job. It looks the same - only better. A little nicer, a little brighter, a little newer. All the old signs, photos, nick knacks on the walls were lost. To replace them - there are photos of the old interior enlarged to oversize posters and hung on the wall. It works. Really well.

Next time I'll get a photo of the inside.

NC State Football



The last two games were 'trap' games. Where State could have gone in and got beat by a really good underdog team that was ready for them.

Didn't happen. State has dominated all four warm up games. Yesterday was a blow out.

Next week against Louisville is when we'll find out. The 'ville has lost three games they just as easily could have won - vs. Auburn, Clemson and Houston. All three games were really close. If Louisville had won them - they'd be ranked in the top 15. Louisville is a top level team that just happens to have a 1 - 3 record. They could win out and finish 9 - 3. Unlikely - but not impossible.

So, even though L'ville is 1 - 3, it will be a tough game for State. The odds aren't out yet - but I would not be surprised if State were only a 3 point favorite.

Louisville followed by @ Virginia Tech. I think this season could be the start of something special. But - all the talk about a possible 8 - 4 or 9 - 3 season is still just talk. I'm taking a cautiously optimistic 'let's see what happens' attitude. I'm a State fan. I've had my hopes and dreams crushed many, many, many times.

UNCheats

If Carolina had started the season with a rout of Delaware for it's first game and then played SCAR Saturday - they'd be 4 - 0 and a top 20 team.

UNC's football team is far, far better than their fair weather fans deserve.

Despite heavy rains, Carolina announced a dramatic increase in attendance over last weekend - 23,479,655. They didn't estimate. They counted. In Swahili.

Yes - that is real photo taken at the UNC - Delaware game. I lifted it from the News & Observer web site.

Addendum

State is a steady 4 point favorite across the board with one 5.5 listing. Pretty much where I expected.

The total points has State 29 and Louisville 25.

It's going to be an exciting game and Carter-Finley should be rockin'.

UNCheats -They Just Can't Stop Lying

In my last weekend entry I noted the sparse crowd while watching the Illinois at UNC game.

Today I read where UNCheats announced attendance at the Illinois game . . . wait for it . . . 41,000!

Are you kidding me? How in the world did they come up with that number? Other than plain flat out lying?

Here's a photo -

Do the stands look 2/3 full (40,000) like Carolina claims? Hell no.

Do the stands look even 1/2 full (30,000)? Hell no.

Do the stands look 1/4 full (15,000)? Maybe. Just maybe. Actually, no.

The photo looks less than 1/4 full. That's a realistic attendance estimate of between 10,000 and 15,000.

Here's the article -

http://wncn.com/2015/09/21/attendance-woes-plague-fedora-heels/

Really UNC - can't you people learn to quit cheating and lying?

Bye the way - Fedora seems to have fixed the UNC-SCAR game problems. The drubbing of Illinois was not a fluke. Carolina could win 8 or 9 games this year. They are a lot better than their fair weather fans deserve.

VW

Speaking of cheats and liars - I am very surprised by the VW emissions scandal.

Over 11 million cars. A half million in the USA. The rest are in Europe (mostly).

I've always thought of VW as sort of like the Apple of auto manufacturers. Their cars being extremely well engineered and somewhat cutting edge. They appeal to the market that is willing to pay a premium for the technology - as well as paying a premium to be a bit 'different' from the rest of the herd.

I never would have guessed that VW would try and cheat on emissions. Heck, I would have picked VW to be the company that would research and design diesel engines that were practically zero emissions.

And from a practical point of view - how in the hell did they think they'd get away with it?

I mean - it's not like one or two people cooked up the software scheme. It took a LOT of people to cook up the engines, software, sales, falsify tests and documentation and so forth. It took hundreds, if not thousands to do this.

Folks - someone is bound to talk. The only sure way to keep a secret is if it's between two people. And then - only if one of 'em is dead.

This might explain why VW never bothered to come out with an electric or hybrid car. I guess if you're going to try and pull off a global emissions scam - you just don't give a 'bleep'.

Weekend Update 20 SEP 2015

This entry is written over a couple of days and uploaded (or will be) on Sunday. So, if the writing is in present tense - it was written at that time - but served up later. Mostly Saturday comments while watching games.

Thursday

Watched the Clem's Son - Louisville game last night. Louisville is a top 25 team with an 0 - 3 record. They just can't seem to catch a break. They could easily win the rest of their games (including at NC State) and end up 9 and 3.

State's next home games are Louisville and then Clemson. Those games are going to be a lot different than playing Eastern Kentucky or Troy. In fact, Louisville will be State's first 'real' game. It should be exciting.

Friday

Friday night's game was FSU at Boston College. I still don't know why BC is in the ACC. I'd like to see Notre Dame come in as a full member - ditch BC and even out the league with Army and Navy. Yeah, Army's football sucks. And neither of them have what you'd call a real basketball team. But the ACC is a southern conference at heart and in the south, the military is held in high esteem (as it should be). It would have been a great fit. Actually - keep BC and lose Syracuse. Syracuse seems even less of an ACC school than BC.

Where was I?

Oh yeah - the FSU - BC game. For a bottom tier team - BC kept FSU on the ropes till the very end. I don't know what to think of any of the 4 teams I've watched Thursday and Friday. The underdogs seem a whole lot better than I thought they'd be (but still losing) - and the top tier ranked teams seem to be struggling (and still winning).

I don't know what it's going to be like when State plays any of them.

Saturday

Thought about going to the State - Old Dominion game. Actually had planned on it. Had hotel reservations in Norfolk and my sister / brother-in-law would have joined me. But - I never got tickets through the Wolfpack Club (the game is a sell out) and just decided I wanted to chill at home this weekend.

ODU is yet another 'warm up' game - but it's a road game. At a loud, full, stadium. ODU sells out their stadium. They're much like Appalachian State - they really support their football team. It's a good road test. We'll get to see how we handle a raucous, unfriendly setting. And Shadrach 'puff daddy' Thornton will be back in the game.

We're finally getting into the real college football season. There's several good games on today. And by next week, just about every game played will be 'big'.

Watching the Illinois at UNCheats game. The stands are practically empty. As in - less than 1/4 occupied. If even that much. Wow. I guess the fair weather whine and cheese fans are staying home.

Holy Moly! Is that really Bitch Davis in the ESPN2 halftime studio? For the UNC game? LOL Someone at ESPN2 has a wicked sense of humor!

Parking

I really like my parallel parking space at Carter-Finley. Easy in and easy out. Lots of room. Have plenty of room for a shade tent for tailgating. Will have to get one for next year. And, for the first time in 30 plus years, I'll ask the ticket office to 'please keep me in the same parking spot'. Hope that happens.

Sunday

Nice win. But - our seccondary can be exploited. I'm thinking that Clemson will throw the ball all over the place when we play them. We must get better on our pass defense.



Our offensive line is starting to have problems. It's injuries. The coaches have been moving folks all around to fix the holes. It is what it is. Nothing permanent - several guys have gotten banged up more than usual and it shows with protecting the QB and controlling the offensive line.

We have all new kickers. Punting looks good. Kickoffs look excellent. Field goals - not so much. We are 1 - 2 on field goals. Finally made a 36 yarder. After clanking an earlier 48 yarder off the upright. And we've missed an extra point attempt (by my count). These misses are all about accuracy. Hopefully practice and technique will fix this.

Lots of other fun games to watch yesterday.

The Ole Miss at Alabama game was exciting. It's almost impossible to win at Alabama.

Nebraska at Miami was fun - until the fourth quarter. I just can't figure out Al Golden and his coaching staff. They do the least with the most talent of just about anybody I've ever seen.

Today I will entertain myself by mowing the grass. Oh Joy! I did bring some work home so I'll probably spend a couple hours doing that too.

Bye the way - I'm not a college football (and basketball) nut. It's just there isn't anything else going on that is worth blogging about. So during the college season - it's football and basketball. Actually, I probably am a college basketball nut.

Then boredom until the next season rolls around.

Outside of going to the games - work is the same, humming birds are still here and entertaining me at the feeder, the raccoon still comes to eat at the food bowl on the deck every night (will try and get a photo), the grass still grows and needs periodic mowing. Life is good - and continues. Just not worth blogging about. If anything happens, I'll let you know.

Labor Day Weekend 2015

Had a good time at the game. It is always fun when you win. You can't always tell how a season is going to go from the first game - Especially against an opponent with much less talent, size, etc. - but - the Pack looked good. Defense needs some tuning - but the offense was essentially 100% perfect.

Saw a funny tweet - which I didn't copy but can recite -

"What's worse than giving up 21 points to Troy? Having your 5th year senior Quarterback dark horse Heisman Trophy Candidate throw 3 INTs in the redzone."

If ifs and buts were candy and nuts - Carolina would have won that game Thursday.

;-)

I was really surprised by the crowd at Carter-Finley Stadium. Labor Day Weekend. Against Troy. Equals Sell Out. The place was full. I would not have ever come close to predicting that. I expected the stands to be 2/3 full. Instead - full house.

Next Saturday's FCS opponent Eastern Kentucky will actually be a tougher game.

EK was in the FCS playoffs last year. And, they have at least 4 starting standout transfers from FBS schools. EK is kind of like an SEC school - they recruit players who are, shall we say, not going to win outstanding citizenship awards. They go after kids who need to transfer or who have 'not fitted in' (i.e. about to get kicked out) with their first schools. EK may actually have more 3 star recruits than NC State. Watch out for the hidden shivs.

For the rest of the weekend. Did pretty much nothing. Ran errands and the grocery store today.

I'll be watching the VT - Ohio State game tonight. Go Castrated Gobblers! I hope they can pull off the upset again.

Football +Addendum

Finally, college football season is here.

UNC-CHeats - South Carolina

South Carolina plays UNC-CHeats on ESPN. Is there anyway possible they can both lose?

I guess I really dislike SC worse than UNC-CHeats. So I'll pull for the Tarholes to squeak out a win.

Actually, I think Carolina might be really good this year. They have really good talent - have had for the past couple of years. Their offense is pretty much the same from last year - which was actually darn good. Their defense was horrible. But with new DC Gene Chizik - they have got to be better.

Parking

We play a cupcake Saturday. Game time is 1800 (6 PM) so we might do a little tailgating.

My seats are always the same. But they do move us around the parking lot. Or threaten to move us. Don't want to get moved? Easily fixed. Just up the annual donation to the Wolfpack Club (WPF). Problem solved!

Till next year. LOL

I'm in the same spot as the last few years. But - spaces used to be 'pull in' - which were very narrow on my row. The front of the vehicles were usually in the 'road' - because the spaces weren't long enough and people also would set up tents behind or in front of their Suburban trucks - and if you needed to drive down the road - well tough cookies.

This year the WPC finally figured it out and made the spaces on the 'short' side parallel parking. And that's where they put me. It's a great space.

Looking north towards the indoor practice facility (brand new btw).

Looking south towards the gate to Trinity Road. A straight shot in and out.

And as in the last few years, not too far from the stadium.

I don't (can't) give anywhere near what the Big Time Donors give. But I have been a WPC member for 34 years now. So I guess that does count for something. I've got a really good spot. I hope I get to keep it.

Some people 'improve' their spots. This guy is at the end of the adjacent row - at the Trinity Road end. I think he's into his college football tailgating a little bit more than I am.

Nuke is driving up tomorrow for the game. Chip and Erika can't make it so Nuke's got a friend who will probably go with us.

You know, I can't even remember who we're playing. Troy? Like in Troy, Michigan? Troy from Greece?

Addendum

UNC should have won. Two end zone interceptions = 14 lost points. At least 10 for sure. Plus, there was an easy UNC interception in the first quarter that would have been a 6-pick that didn't happen.

SC did not win the game - UNC lost it. When you have 440 yards and only 13 points - that tells you something doesn't add up.

I hope UNC brings that same game when they play us at Thanksgiving.

And another thing -

Go to any WalMart parking lot in North Carolina and you'll see a few, a very few, NC State decals and bumper stickers. But you'll see a whole lot of UNC stickers.

With all the WalMart Carolina fans - how come Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium was so empty?

Raise the Red Lantern

Football Tickets

Football tickets have arrived. Or, as they say at UNCheats - arroved.

Ticket books are a great idea. Tickets and parking passes are handy and organized. State switched over to the book format about 3 years ago. Should have done it 20 years ago (like some other schools).

Chip and I went over yesterday to check out our parking spot. We get moved slightly every year.

This year we are on the same row as last year - which is on the Gate A road (very easy ingress and egress). Location was great except that the spaces were so small / short - that when driving in - you might have a foot clearance on each side of your vehicle as there just wasn't enough room to park and set up a tailgate behind your vehicle without having your car (or truck) sticking way out into the road.

Someone at the WolfPack Club must be paying attention. This year - on the west side of the road - the spaces are now parallel parking. And sized for a full size truck like a Suburban or Expedition (this is NC State). With my little Escape, we'll have tons of room behind us - Chip is checking on getting a tent for shade and tailgating. Trinity Road Gate A - 94026. Stop by and visit. BYOB.

The Wolfpack Club and ticket office are also working on their websites - which, to put it mildly, have been simply awful. As in, someone should have been fired awful. Before you know it - the WPC and Ticket Office will be entering the 21st Century.

Driveway Light

Raise the Red Lantern was a pretty good movie. Not as great as it was hyped up to be - but still a pretty good movie. The story is conveyed not so much by the dialogue - but often the lack of dialogue. It's about the multiple wives and household 'office politics' of a wealthy Chinese nobleman. Regular movie run time of about 2 hours that seems to go on for days - LOL. Not for everyone.

The paint on my driveway light fixture faded out and sort of evaporated. It only lasted 15 years. The black outside faded to a pale green and the inside white faded to a dull black. Go figure. Likely due to the alloy of the metal - which I can't really tell what the thing is made of.

Was going to paint the fixture black (and underside white) as original. But when buying the paint - I decided to go with color on the spur of the moment. NC State Red. Fixture only. Leaving the post black.

I also considered yellow or grey which I thought would look OK with the black post. Went with red because the front door is already painted red. And NC State.

One of the neighborhood kids was riding his bike up and down the street when I was painting it. He said it looked cool.

So, there you go.

A Neighbor’s Death

Across the Street – One House Down

http://www.bridgescameronfuneralhome.com/notices/Lydna-Totten

About 13 years ago, my builder (Lloyd) stopped by to chat and talk about a couple he was considering selling a spec house to.

He was telling me that the couple was retired, the husband had worked at US Air and the wife was a Registered Nurse. And Lloyd mentioned that the husband was black and the wife was white. Anyway, we kept chatting for a while, and then Lloyd started laughing, and said (as best as I can remember) “Bill, I knew you wouldn’t care or even notice they were mixed race.” And, I honestly replied, “Who would care?” Well, as Lloyd said – there were some neighbors who would, and I could probably guess who they were. Yeah – I had my suspects – but I didn’t let Lloyd tell me who. Lloyd was doing a casual canvas of the neighborhood to see how folks would react.

Lynda and Freeman moved into the neighborhood.

Anyway – while we say hello in passing, I am not what you would call friends with Lynda and Freeman. But I have a pretty good passing acquaintance with Freeman.

He was huge when they moved in. Like, close to 400 lbs.

He started riding a bicycle for exercise. You’d see him riding everywhere and we’d always wave and shout hello or stop and chat. He even rode that bike on US 1 Freeway! It’s a wonder he didn’t get hit. Eventually Freeman got down to about 200 lbs – which is about right for him. He’s a good 6 ft. 6 in. If not even taller. Looks like a former NFL defensive lineman.

Lynda was an RN for over 45 years and then did volunteer work.

A couple years back, during one of our passing chats, Freeman told me Lynda had developed thyroid cancer. But, eventually she responded to treatment and she seemed to be OK. Whenever we spoke, Freeman was upbeat and positive.

Unfortunately, the cancer came back and spread pretty quickly.

Apparently Lynda decided that she didn’t want to go through a lingering cancer death, and she didn’t want her family to have to go through that either. So, this week, Lynda decided to take matters into her own hand.

Being an RN, Lynda had the medical and pharmacological knowledge to do what she had decided to do.

Life can put folks into impossible situations. Until we’ve been there - we just don’t know what we would or would not do.

I'm having a hard time writing this - so I'm gonna stop now.

Mazda Miata

I forgot to include this in last weekend's update.

Sunday morning, as I pulled out of my Subdivision onto Deep River Road, there were dozens and dozens of Mazda Miatas driving down the road. I didn't count, but my guesstimate would be somewhere between 30 and 50.

Weekend Update 2 AUG 2015

Saturday

Busy day.

Got up early and replaced the center console armrest on my Focus. It broke recently - instead of being level it droops forward. According to the internetubewebs, there are plastic tabs that frequently break. Also, the armrest lid latch broke a few years ago.

Bought a replacement unit off ebay ($60) and it was at the front door when I got home from work Friday.

Didn't take long to replace and the new (used) part is the exact color and works perfectly.

Then went for a late breakfast at Virle's in Pittsboro. Virle's is always crowded on the weekends. Used to be a 'hole in the wall' that no one knew about. Then, Pittsboro started getting trendy and now all the retired Yankees, yuppies, and young Republican families have 'discovered' it. Today though, it wasn't too crowded as I got there late - around 10:00 or 10:30.

Once home, mowed the grass in the front, along the road and the upper field. I'll finish the side and back yards tomorrow.

Sunday

Finished mowing the grass.

Went to Ruby Tuesday for lunch (they email me coupons).

Now home, doing laundry and waiting for the race to start on TV.

Routine weekend.

NC State Football 2015 +ESPN Addendum

It's getting close to football practice season. Just 6 more weeks till September and the actual start of college football.

So, it's also time for my usual over optimistic look at NC State's potential season.

I don't sit around and read all the sports websites. But I do check them out when it's of interest to me - that is - NC State.

I've found that Athlon Sports seems to have the most reasonable and well reasoned reporting and assessment of teams.

So - using Athlon's 2015 pre-season rankings - here's how the season should unfold for NC State.

#118 Troy at #39 NCSU - Win

FCS Eastern Kentucky at #39 NCSU - Win

Eastern Kentucky is a strong FCS team but not strong enough.

#39 NCSU at #113 Old Dominion - Win

Thinking about driving up to Norfolk for this game. ODU takes their football very seriously. They sell out their games. I've been watching StubHub and NCSU @ ODU tickets all seem to be above the $100 mark. If I go, I guess I'll be setting with the Wolfpack Club in the corner end zone for $39. Come to think of it, at home games I sit in the corner end zone - so there.

#39 NCSU at #108 South Alabama - Win

#38 Louisville at #39 NCSU - Loss (very possible Win)

Figuring out Louisville is next to impossible. They lost a bunch of kids (10+) to the NFL. They recruit well. Some predict they will have a down, rebuilding year. Others think they'll reload. Coach Petrino wins 10+ games every year. I think they will be much better than #38 and will win this game. But - this is also one of two games that NCSU could realistically have an 'upset' win.

#39 NCSU at #35 Virginia Tech - Loss (very possible Win)

This is the other game that NCSU has a real chance to 'upset' win. Will the big time VT defense show up? Or will it be another disappointing middle of the road VT team? Hard to win at Lane Stadium. Frank Beamer should have retired when he was at the top of his game. Kind of like a second tier Bobby Bowden, VT will have to usher him out the door. Time to play some golf Frank.

#39 NCSU at #82 Wake Forest - Win

Tom O'Brien is gone. The days of WTF losses to Wake Forest are gone too. The last two times I drove over to Winston Salem, the much higher favored NC State lost. Won't happen this year.

#14 Clemson at #39 NCSU - Loss

Clemson is better than #14. In fact, they will be better than FSU. QB Deshaun Watson is a legit Heisman candidate. In fact, he may be really . . really . . good. Clemson has a chance to go undefeated and to squeak into the National Championship playoff.

#39 NCSU at #56 Boston College - Win

Again, Tom O'Brien is gone. Coach Doeren doesn't put up with WTF losses. Why is Boston College in the ACC anyway?

#39 NCSU at #9 FSU - Loss

FSU is overrated at #9. But they're still going to win this game.

#85 Syracuse at #39 NCSU - Win

And why is Syracuse in the ACC? Only for their basketball program. And that's not going to last too much longer.

#42 UNCHeats at #39 NCSU - Win (possible Loss)

Carolina is always on the verge of fielding a big time football team. It just hasn't happened - since Mack Brown. New Defensive Coordinator Chizik will turn things around for Carolina's awful defense.

The rivalry between NCSU and UNCHeats has turned into downright hatred over the massive cheating and academic fraud over there. Mainly because UNCHeats has always had a 'holier than thou' sense of entitlement. Coach Doeren and our State guys 'get it'. State wins. Hopefully we beat the snot out of them like last year.

There have been a couple of articles wherein UNCheats Coach Fedora and players say they had attitude and team chemistry problems last year. I wonder if Carolina will have that  Everybody Look at Me I'm So Cool Idiotvisor Supervisor of Morale again?

I agree with Athlon's numbers. State should go 8 - 4. With the opportunity to pick up a couple of 'upset' wins (over Louisville and VT) to have a spectacular 10 - 2 season.

Or, the season could unfold as expected with an 'upset' loss to UNC and go 7 - 5.

Another typical NCSU preseason. Who knows what kind of team we'll have?

But, Tom O'Brien is gone along with his annual inexplicable loss - or two. Coach Doeren will have us steadily improving year to year.

However - once you get to 8 and 4 - those last four wins are very hard to get. Annual 9+ / 10+ win seasons are an incredible achievement.

8 and 4 would be fantastic. Better than that and Coach Doeren gets a parade down Fayetteville Street and a lifetime contract.

Of course, while NC State is getting better year by year - we're a LONG way from this -

2012 Alabama

All 11 Offensive Starters are in the NFL

ESPN Addendum

ESPN has published their preseason college football rankings. Assuming, as above, the higher ranked team wins - Preseason ranked #42 NC State still goes 8 and 4. But there are some significant differences.

The 4 cupcake teams are the same - so far down in the rankings - not worth bothering with.

Here's the ACC teams NC State plays and their ESPN Preseason ranking.

Loss to Clemson #19

Under-ranked. I think Clemson is a top 10 team.

Loss to #21 Florida State

I agree that FSU is behind Clemson.

Loss to #26 Virginia Tech

Playing at VT - difficult to win. ESPN drinks the kool aid that VT is returning to it's power self of years past. I think ESPN has VT over ranked. This is a possible (long shot) opportunity for an NCSU upset win.

Loss to #35 UNCheats

Any improvement in UNC's defense will lead to a much better season. But I think by the end of the season - both State and UNCheats will both be good teams. State's team is younger - but I think coaching and home filed advantage will give State the win.

Win over #44 Louisville.

At #42 State - this should be a toss up. Slight home field advantage. Louisville is hard to predict this year due to heavy starter graduation and early loss of kids to the NFL.

Wins over #75  Wake Forest, #77 Syracuse and #84 Boston College.

Basically, the difference between Athlon and ESPN is flipping Louisville for UNCheats.

With good coaching and preparation, sound game day play calling and solid smart play by our kids - we're an 8 and 4 team.

IF, and it's a big IF, State wins over both Louisville and UNCheats - it's a fantastic 9 and 3 season for the Wolfpack.

We'll see.

Life is Short

Life is Short. Don't squander it on hate and bigotry.

Perspective

I'm kind of sick and tired of hearing about Greece's debt problems.

Supposedly, if you're a dead beat and don't pay your bills - you don't get future loans. If you do get loans, it's usually at a high interest rate due to your history.

The idea is that banks or lending institutions are taking a RISK to loan money and that RISK is reflected in the interest rate. If you repay the loan - the lender makes money. If you don't replay the loan - the lender loses money.

Of course, with world economies and national debts, there's more at stake than someone defaulting on their mortgage or a car loan. So, for basically defaulting - Greece gets to pay a very low (almost nothing) interest rate AND gets to borrow more money.

That's fine. It's a Euro thing and they can do what they want.

I'm just tired of hearing about it.

Greece is a small, almost tiny, country. If it really defaulted (with no bailout) - some European banks (and national banks) would lose money. But it really wouldn't make a dent or blip in the economies of the other EU countries nor their industrial markets or stock markets.

Actually, it's good that the EU wants to assist a member country. If Greece defaulted and dropped out of the EU - it was be a huge depression for Greece. But basically, only for Greece.

I'm just tired of hearing about it. Enough already.

For a little perspective - wander on over to http://www.nationaldebtclocks.org/.

There's a lot of ways to look at debt. Most economist look at debt vs national domestic product. But I think that NDP (or GDP) can be inflated and misleading.

I prefer to look at dept per citizen. In other words, if a country wanted to pay off their national debt, right now, how big a check would each person have to write? That means EACH person - man, woman and child.

Greece - $34,500 each

Germany - $27,303 each

For Puerto Rico (not a nation but very close to default) - $20,000 each

Here's the eye openers -

USA - $57,300 each.

Japan (a very successful, economic powerhouse) - $79,800 each!

Yikes - the USA and Japan owe a ton 'o money!

So enough with the Greek bailout. It's news - but not all consuming, all important news.

Visit (Google Storyboard link fixed)

My nephew, ADHI works for Red Hat.

Actually, this is his second go round for RH. He used to work for RH starting about 15 years ago and he and his wife and daughter lived in Cary. About 10 years ago he moved back to Japan and worked for Google. This past year, he went back to RH - Tokyo.

Anyway, ADHI was in Boston for a Red Hat Developer Convention / Meeting. Afterwards he came to Raleigh to spend the week at RH Headquarters.

Instead of staying at a hotel, he came out to stay with me.

Our friend, Nuke, came up to from Southport to spend the week as well to catch up with ADHI.

The first weekend my sister and brother-in-law came down (on their way to Florida) and spent the weekend in Raleigh. ADHI stayed at their hotel with them. We got together on the weekend, went out to eat, to the Art Museum, and pretty much just hung around visiting.

During the week, ADHI and I commuted together to work in downtown Raleigh - my office building is on the same street about 6 blocks from the RH building. Evenings, we spent at home watching movies on Netflix (both DVD and streaming) and the women's soccer matches.

I cooked during the week.

Nuke, took care of all the cleaning up. He also took on a bunch of chores I had been neglecting. He cut the lawn and upper field; vacuumed the house, took the recycling to the recycling center and he washed all the pollen / dirt from the screened porch.

The porch was a big job I'd been neglecting for several months. It was so dirty and pollen covered - you couldn't sit out there. Now you can. I still need to go over the screen porch and deck with the power washer - but it will be a much easier job now.

I hope to see ADHI every year or so now that he's back with RH. Maybe even more often - which would be great. What would be even better yet - if he could occasionally bring his wife and daughter with him.

ADHI put together a Google Storyboard about the trip with excellent photos. (Click on Google Storyboard for the link)

To go with the photos of meals at my house -

The BBQ came from Smithfield's. Slaw, baked beans and fries from Harris-Teeter. There was no real cooking done on our part.

The tomatoes were roasted in the oven, then filled with home made tuna salad (made with celery, sweet relish, water chestnuts, spring onion, olive oil based mayo).

Nuke cooked taco night. Seasoned ground beef, hard or soft shells, chopped onion, tomato, spinach (for the lettuce), cilantro, shredded cheddar cheese, and sour cream. I made salsa using the scooped out insides from the stuffed tomatoes (had saved in a container in the fridge). Threw it into the Cuisinart along with onion and cilantro = instant salsa.

For the pasta meal I sauteed spring onion, garlic, mushrooms and wilted some spinach at the end - topped with fresh grated Asiago cheese.. Italian sausage and french bread (from the H-T bakery) on the side. Couple of tips - 1) don't over saute - three or four minutes is enough - turn off the heat - add the spinach and cover to wilt - about another minute and 2) Sausage or Kielbasa is already cooked - heat it up by tossing the cut pieces into the pot with the boiling pasta.

We had a coupon for a free appetizer at Outback. Honestly, the avocado and crab with chips wasn't that good. I'd skip it and go for the wood grilled shrimp or plain old wings instead. All our steaks were cooked exactly right. Outback has their procedures down pat.

I had briefly toyed with the idea of going to The Angus Barn. Outback was the better choice for a weeknight dinner after long day at work.

ADHI and I were both tired, we drove from Raleigh to Moncure to pick up Nuke and then back to Cary to the restaurant. Service was just the right speed and the cost was about $75 including beer, drink and wine plus tip. The Angus Barn, while always superlative and outstanding - the drive would have been longer, the meal itself longer (but spectacular) and the bill would likely have been in the $250 range. Tip would have pushed it to $300.

It was a great visit and a busy, full week. Now back to my regularly scheduled nothing-going-on boring programming.

Is This Boring or What?

I feel a bit guilty when not posting for a while. It's like I'm being lazy. But the truth is, work is so routine and at home it's just routine housework - there really is nothing worth posting about.

Here's about the only two things that have happened outside of my go to work and then come home routine.

I bought a new hummingbird feeder.

The squirrels broke my old one. They try to get at the sugar water and rip off the metal 'flowers' and from jumping on and off it - they half tore off the wire perches.

On previous feeders, they've knocked them completely off the hooks where they've broken from hitting the deck.

A typical feeder lasts 2 years. Three if I'm lucky.

I hope this one lasts for a while. The wide jar opening will make it a lot easier to clean. Plus, the plastic bottom part looks a lot heavier duty than all the other feeders I looked at. Got it from Lowe's Home Improvement for about $15.00.

I was vacuuming and when I went to move a lamp - it disintegrated!

Well, not the whole lamp - the ballast for the base.

It's a halogen lamp I've have for almost 18 years. When I picked it up to move, all this concrete and plastic fell off the bottom.

There was a plastic base mounted under the chrome plate. The plastic was filled with concrete. The plastic has become so brittle it just breaks apart in your hand. And the concrete was the same - it practically falls apart into sand when you touch it. About a third is still in the lamp base, sort of. And two-thirds just fell apart on the floor.

It's too bad it came apart. I really liked that lamp.

So that's it.

The only two things that have happened in the past month or so that are even remotely worth posting about.

Is this boring or what?

LOL

Sunday 17 MAY 2015

Another broken record entry - Nothing to talk / blog / post about.

Just simply the usual boring daily stuff. Nothing of interest at all.

My friend, JTN, who spends the winter in the garage bonus room has left to go to his coastal condo for the summer. When he's here, I can't do a dammed thing on weekend mornings. He sleeps till noon or later and dealing with his displeasure on being woken up is NOT worth it.

Since he's gone - I get to actually accomplish morning stuff!

It's late on Sunday morning. Already this mooring I've gone out for breakfast. Did some grocery shopping. Vacuumed the living room. Went through the week's mail.

I've spent the last hour or so vegging on the couch, reading Internet news and stuff. Listening to RadioParadise (computer linked to the stereo).

I'll probably do some more cleaning chores in a bit. I might head to Raleigh to walk around Artsplosure. Then again - possibly not. The traffic and parking will be awful. And I've been to so many - it's kind of the same thing over and over.

I like having company during the winter. I also like getting stuff done when I've got the house to myself.

School Has Gone to the Dogs

UNC School of the Arts

I spent this week working at UNCSA. I was last there in 2007. Doesn't seem like it's been 8 years. Time flies.

The school is very small. Enrollment is about 1,200. Starts with high school - 9th grade and goes up to a Master Degree. I'm told it has earned a great reputation over time and that it is extremely difficult to get into. They say, almost on par with The Julliard.

For my work, it's pretty much a typical college campus with typical buildings. Smaller buildings than on large Universities, and a lot less of them.

The facilities are excellent. There have been some major upgrades over the past 10 to 15 years. Beautiful concert halls and studios. The Film School complex is as nice a group of buildings, sound stages, and workshops as I've ever seen. The new library (to open in June) is a real architectural statement.

If you get around to different Universities and compare - You can tell that UNCSA is a really big time step up from a typical college Drama, Music or Art Department. Kind of like - you can get a top notch Math or Physics degree from NC State. Or - you can go to MIT.

I have a little bit of field work left to do there. Will be heading back late next week or the following week for a couple of days.

Puppy Play Time

I took these photos at the Student Commons building. I had just finished lunch and was having coffee on the balcony when the Animal Shelter van drove up and two women brought out two puppies.

Turns out, a few times a year the shelter brings over dogs for "Puppy Play Time". Probably a lot of kids have pets at home and they get lonely for them. You could tell the kids really enjoyed playing with the dogs.

Someone Shot My Bluebird of Happiness

What a difference a week makes.

After the NCAAT, State fans were giddy over the prospects for next year. Except for one graduating senior - The whole solid team was coming back with at least a year's experience. Possible ACC titles and Final Four's being whispered about. Definite Top 25 ranking after so many long years.

And then this week happens.

Tuesday, Trevor Lacy decided to skip his senior year and enter the NBA draft. There are 30 NBA teams and two rounds - a total of 60 kids will be drafted. Trevor will not be one of them. He's ranked somewhere in the high 90's as a draft pick. If there were a third round - maybe. But there isn't. So he isn't.

What it will do is allow him to try out for NBA teams. Who knows - maybe he'll get picked up at minimum salary (half million) and play his way in. Or - possibly play in Europe for a couple hundred thousand a year.

Playing his final year at State probably would not have improved his draft prospects - so - why not go ahead and turn pro? From his perspective, he's likely to have the same chances this year as next - so go ahead and go for it. I wish him all the luck in the world. I do wish he would have stayed and played, and gotten his degree - but - he's got to make the right choice for him.

Then yesterday, Kyle Washington announced he was transferring.

This is the one I don't 'get'.

Kyle was a starter and then Lennard* Freeman took his starting job. Kyle was first off the bench and still got a lot of playing time. A very important part of the NC State team.

Kyle is not starting material for any ACC or major conference team. Well, maybe at a bottom end team. And obviously, Kyle is not a future NBA player.

Kyle is the kind of kid who is very talented - but as an amateur. His mindset should be playing ball as a way to get a good college education and a way to open doors for his adult career.

Instead, he seems caught up in the one-and-done all-about-me mindset. The kids who are very talented; starting to play ball at a very early age; and convinced by age 10 that they are the greatest thing since sliced bread and think they're destined to be the next Michael Jordan.

Kyle seems to think college ball should be all about playing time. It isn't - not for him anyway. It should be about his getting a good education and a degree. Instead, he wants to bounce around to increase his playing minutes.

So many of these kids have parents, relatives, friends and whoever whispering in their ears that they should be 'the star player'. And if not, it is the school's or coach's fault and they should transfer to someplace where they'd be more appreciated and where more playing time will get them noticed by the NBA.

These relatives, friends and 'advisers' are idiots. Most of them didn't have the brains or personal fortitude to make it through college themselves. Their idea of planning for the future is to be magically scooped up by the NBA. Or by buying $20 worth of lottery tickets each week.

I wish Kyle were staying. I really hope that wherever he goes - he gets a good education and graduates. He's going to need that degree.

So - in one week State loses one starting guard and the first player off the bench (forward).

We probably just went from a top 3 ACC team to back to the middle of the ACC pack again. Sigh . . .


* Yes - that is how it's spelled. And it's pronounced Le Nard. That's why (on StateFansNation) his nickname is "The Nard" or "Frenchie". LOL