Football and Trekkin'

First a quick football update.  SHS is 2-2 on the year and have a by-week this Friday.  MSU is 1-2 and I'm afraid it promises to be a long year. We play Division II Troy this weekend, and that's not a "gimmee game", but hopefully we'll be 2-2 there also once its done.

September 13th - my 8th grandchild was born.  Will be going to visit and see her soon.  Not going to say more than that.  Its her parent's right and privilege to share that information.  If they want to comment and maybe leave a link, then you can see more about her.

Yesterday I watched "Star Trek- The Motion Picture".  The 1979 movie which re-booted the franchise.  Took me back, I tell ya.   When "Star Trek" ended its three year run in 1969, I was 14 and devastated.  I  loved the show.  When the movie came out (in December 1979)I was 24,married, with two kids (one nearly two years and one 6 months) , and stationed in Norfolk, VA.  But as I waited in line I was that 14 year old kid again. I was so excited.  I actually went out when it ended, purchased another ticket, and watched it again.  As I watched yesterday, I was thinking how all the actors looked so young, but at the same time remembering that in 1979 they looked so old (After all - ten years had passed since the show ended.)  As a 1979 move, the special effects now seem a little lacking, but the plot is still solid and I happy to be lost again in the world of the original "Star Trek".  I did a little research and most of the info I knew, but there were a surprise or two.  Several of the cast are deceased: DeForest Kelley - Dr. McCoy (1998); James Doohan - Scotty (2005), and Majel Barrett - Nurse Chapel (2008).  Since most of the remaining original cast are in their 80's now, its only a matter of time - as it is for us all.  But thanks to recordings- we can continue to enjoy their work.  One surprise (at least to me) was finding out that Persis Khambatta (who played Lt. Ilia in the movie) died of a heart attach in 1998 at the age of 49.  Tragic.  I checked and the other 6 original series movies are being shown in the next couple of weeks - so I've set up my Tivo (My current time machine and its back to the future according to 1982's  "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan".  With Ricardo Montalban reprising his role as Khan.  Riding in his ship with seats of soft Corinthian leather. (If you don't get - you're too young - look it up!)
Everyone Have a Great Day!

NFL Tonight and other stuff

The 2013 NFL season starts tonight with the Brovens game.  Actually the Broncos and Ravens.  Two teams that I equally loathe (right behind the Callas Dowboys), but I give the Broncos top billing because as a Raiders fan I have loathed them longer.  I'll probably check in, but not actually watch. Lots of Tivo stuff to catch up on.
SHS lost to Oxford last Friday and I'm sorely afraid that after this Friday (against 5A #1 team - West Point) that we will drop to 1-2 on the year.  I'm not too despondent though since we started last year with a 1-3 record and then went on to win the Mississippi 5A state championship.  Gonna be a good weekend football wise though.  Lots of college Saturday and a full NFL slate on Sunday. I am ready for some football.
This time next week I should have a new grandbaby.  My youngest and his better half will be presenting Miss Savannah Sue to the world!  Does that not sound like a true Southern Belle?
I've finally started getting off my lazy duff, and gone back to trying to write a bit each day.  I had to go back several pages and re-acquaint myself with what I had done and found myself laughing and enjoying my (that sounds so nice - my) book.  Once I started back the words just seemed to flow.  My problem seems to be where am I going to end this one?  For I have no doubt that will fill 2 or more books.  Just hope I can eventually find an agent and publisher that enjoy it as much as I do. Fingers crossed.
Everyone have a great day!

WooooHooooo!!! Football season is well and truly upon us.  Last night I watched two complete college games and parts (flipping back and forth) of 4 or 5 others.  Aren't all you guys jealous that you don't have a wife that indulges you the way mine does! 
Tonight DKW and I are being treated to a meal by a couple of friends of ours and afterwards we are going to the Starkville High home opener.  Since we are playing Oxford High, most of the area papers are dubbing the game "The Little Egg Bowl".  Which, in case you live under a rock and don't know, the annual game between Mississippi State (in Starkville) and Ole Miss (in Oxford) is called THE EGG BOWL.  There are even special shirts being made.  They are Maroon (MSU's primary color) with the SHS Yellowjacket on it.  Kinda cool!  At least I think so.  Last week SHS opened the season on the road at Noxubee County, who had a 16 game winning streak that started in the 2011 season, and won 17-0.  Now, SHS did catch a couple of breaks on offense, but our defense was AWESOME!  Four times NCHS was inside the twenty yard line and came away with "zilch".
MSU starts their season tomorrow.  They are playing #13 Oklahoma State in Houston, Texas.  Definitely a much tougher opponent to start this year.  OSU is favored by two touchdowns.  Those guys usually know what they are talking about.  So, while I'll  hope for the best and an MSU victory, I won't be devastated if we lose.
This is the last NFL pre-season weekend.  Next week the big boys start in earnest.  Thank goodness!
Everyone have a great day!

Football and more Doctor

My Tardis

The new Doctor is ............. Peter Capabaldi!  Not who I chose, but it makes perfect sense.  Matt Smith is the youngest actor to play the Doctor, so they kind of had to go older.  I think (hope) he will be a smashing success as the Doctor.  Rousing fun to start the second fifty years as the Doctor and some one old enough to have watched the "classic" shows in first run.  I hate to see Matt go, but I'm looking forward to the regeneration and more new episodes of Doctor Who!
The NFL pre-season kicked off Sunday and the "Callous Dowboys" edged the Fins 24-20 in what was obviously pre-season form.  Lots of fresh faces, but the plus for me was seeing new rookie Chad Bumphis (last year of MSU) catch a 45 yard pass.  Thursday night I will get to see his former teammate and also a new rookie, Johnthan (yes - that is how he spells it) Banks playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Everyone have a great day!

The Smell of Pigskin is filtering in!

Hard to believe it (but I am SOOOOOOO glad) that full sized, full contact Amur'can football is right around the corner.  I mean, Canadian Football (game tonight) and Arena football are only a stopgap measure and serve to sharpen the appetite even more.
July 29th (in 4 days) season tickets for Starkville High go on sale.  I will be getting mine.  I've had the same seats since the current facility opened in 2000, and before that had season tickets in the old stadium from the time I retired from the U.S. Coast Guard (Semper Paratus!) in 1992.  SHS won last seasons Mississippi 5A State Championship, but won't be able to defend because this year they move back to 6A.  Mississippi evaluates and assigns schools (every 2 years) to 1A thru 6A based on student population at the school.  This helps keep competition close and the playing field fairly level.
Also on the 29th, the movie "Mississippi Gridiron Gold" will be making its 2 night world premiere across the state.  I'm sure that in the not-too-distant future, a DVD will be available.
Then, on August 4th (only 10 days from now) the NFL will kick off its pre-season with the Hall of Fame Game from Canton, Ohio.  The first HoF game was in 1963, so this year marks the 50th anniversary of the event.  It would be cool if Dr. Who was there too!  (If you don't get it - just move on - cause you Don't know me!)
The rest of the NFL pre-season will start in earnest on August 8th and the 2013 college season  won't be far behind.  (I'm bouncing on my seat and clapping like an id'jit - I'm so excited!)
'Til next time............

Memories - Important!

A little bit on the serious side this entry. 

Three years ago (June 11, 2010) I was in a very bad accident when an elderly gentleman turned his Caddy in front of my motorcycle.  (I know this because I saw the pictures and lots of family has told me about it.)  I have absolutely no memories of the day of the wreck or the 2 months afterwards.  From what family and friends have told me (and the pics I saw), its probably just as well - I was in a lot of pain.  Anyway, three years down the road I figured I was pretty well past it, except for lingering issues with my memory.
When it is work related, I apologize to my boss and then make notes on my desk calendar to remind me to do things so that I don't get embarrassed (yet again) for forgetting what should be routine/regularly done things.  At home, I apologize, but it bothers me even more then.  This is family and loved ones - I should be more attentive.  Everyone, myself included, gets frustrated.
So I've taken the step of making an appointment next week at Columbus (MS) Air Force Base Clinic to get a referral for a specialist.  Someone familiar with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and the resultant memory problems. (Cause I've come to realize that it is a problems and in 20 years  I don't want to be the old guy that forgets how to put his pants on - Its not a pretty sight!  Just ask the family that was around in the hospital after the wreck.)  Hopefully I can get a handle on it.  I don't want to end up like my grandmother (my father's mom) Arie, who didn't know any of her family during the last couple of years of her life.   Its sad, when those that love you most are almost relieved at your passing.  Not that they are bad people, they were just tired of seeing the sadness and frustration my grandmother experienced with the memory loss.
Memories are a big part of who we are and I, for one, want to hang on to that as long as possible.
Everyone Have A Great Day.

Happy 4th of July and more!

Thought I'd make a quick entry to wish everyone a happy Holiday!  Be safe if using fireworks!  Being a retired veteran myself, I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to all who are serving, or have served in the past, this great nation of ours.
DKW and I will be having our moms and a couple of friends over for lunch on the Fourth.  Nothing fancy, just grilling some burgers, dogs, and corn-on-the-cob. While I'm cooking outside, I'm pretty sure we will partake of the meal inside.  (Gotta love A.C.)
Just a quick salute to my MSU Diamond Dogs!  Unfortunately we didn't win the College World Series,  (Congrats to UCLA) but we were one of the final two teams to be playing college baseball this year.  I'll just cross my fingers and hope that we can get back.
Now, everyone that knows me, knows that I am a huge "Doctor Who" fan.  I was first hooked when I caught the show on PBS stations in the 70's, but now know quite a bit about the show and its history.  (I get questions from folks all the time when they want to know something about it.  Well, Matt Smith is leaving the iconic role at the end of this year and there is a lot of speculation out there as to who will fill his shoes.  Among others, I've heard Hugh Laurie (of "House") and Jamie Baber (of "Battle Star Galactica").  The pro is they are both British, but the con is that they are very well known outside the UK.  One name that was thrown out in passing, is my "Spot-on, Number One" choice to play the twelfth Doctor and kick off the next (hopefully) 50 years of the show.  He is young enough (to fit in with the last 2 or 3 Docs) and quirky enough to bring a fresh take to the role.  AND, dare I say it, I think he would be a great one to rival the fantastic Tom Baker's longevity in the role.  So, without further ado (drum roll please) - my choice to play the next doctor is . . . . . . . Andrew Lee Potts.  Now, for those of us who were fans of the BBC show "Primeval", we know Andrew.  But he's not "extremely" well known and I think he would be a great Doctor.  Anyway, just throwing it out there and I'll put a pic of him at the end of this entry so that you can see who I'm talking about. 
Everyone have a great day - and a Great Holiday.

Andrew Lee Potts - My choice for DW12.