Charlotte.com | 08/31/2005 | Gas shortages possible this weekend

Does this mean we can call in sick for work. This does not sound good at all.

Charlotte.com | 08/31/2005 | Gas shortages possible this weekend

Drivers beware: Gas prices rising

Here we go again. It'll be $3.00 a gallon before the New Year, I bet :-(

Charlotte Observer | 08/30/2005 | Drivers beware: Gas prices rising

Football Weekend #2

I did not have much of a football this weekend. I did attend the Mt. Pleasant vs. Central Cabarrus JV game. I know some of you are asking, WHY this game. I have a nephew in 9th grade on the Mt. Pleasant team. The game was dominated by Mt Pleasant, but no team could score in regulation. The game went into overtime tied 0-0, but Mt. Pleasant won in the second overtime, 8-0. It was a pretty good game.

On Friday, I had a Lock-In at church with my youth. I was not able to attend the Brown vs. South "Ole McDonald" Rowan, but I was able to listen to the first half and Jeremy kept me inform during the second half. It seems that the Farmers hurt themselves with too many turnovers in the second half. The WONDERS won the game 21-14.

The Panthers als played on Friday night. They went to Cleveland and won 26-20. The Panthers take on my second favorite team, the Steelers on Thursday. It's also the debut of Spurrier (1989 ACC Champions Duke) with the Gamecocks. It should be a lot of fun!

Ten reasons why I hate fantasy football

Wow, this guy needs some anger management, I do believe :)

P.S. My live draft is next Thursday, HOORAY!!! Let's Go SledgeHammers!!!

SI.com - Writers - Don Banks: Ten reasons why I hate fantasy football - Wednesday August 24, 2005 3:38PM

Concord's prospects for success depends on your point of view

Hey, can you say "cry me a river"! Does anyone out there really feel sorry for the defending 1/2 champions, concord spiders? Please, be honest in your replys. I do find this quote offensive, and do not see that the visitor announcer would even say this. "

Plus, Bailey Stadium's public address announcer is introducing the team as the "3A defending state champion Concord Spiders."

Those words, as they are used again and again, home or away, are sure to rile any opponents at least through November."

I hope Mr Hazeltine says it at Kannapolis Memorial Stadium, so I can boo louder than I ever have before. I'm sure it will give us an extra 10 points as were reminded of those pathetic spiders.

Bring the Bell Home!!!

Charlotte Observer | 08/25/2005 | Concord's prospects for success depends on your point of view

Inmates say they were put on leash

I guess we are finally getting tough on crime. Do you think that this is proper punishment for a prisoner? What rights do prisoners have? Is this "cruel and unusual punishment" that our constitution is against? Love to here some thoughts on this one.

Charlotte Observer | 08/26/2005 | Inmates say they were put on leash

Singer Clay Aiken selling L.A. home, moving back to Raleigh

I'm sure Darel Canup is really excited about this. He passes through the Raleigh area once a week. I bet he will look up his address and get him to autograph his cd's.

WBT News | Singer Clay Aiken selling L.A. home, moving back to Raleigh | August 23, 2005

FOXSports.com - NFL- Panthers thrust into favorites role in NFC

FOXSports.com - NFL- Panthers thrust into favorites role in NFC

Football Weekend #1

I know that the panthers played a game last week, but I consider the start of high school football as the beginning of Football Season. College is still 2 weeks away, but this weekend was pretty good for my teams.

The Wonders went to Statesville and won 24-6. The offense needs some work, but the defense shut down the Greyhounds. Statesville's only touchdown was on a kickoff return. It looks like the Wonders may have another good season, which is nothing new. I think it's been almost 30 years since the Wonders had a losing record. I know in my 27 years of following the Wonders (Ethan Horton, Lance Smith, and Terry Baxter) years to 2005 that I can't remember a losing season. I know we went something like 6-5 one year, but I think that's the worse we've done.

Our good friends from concord got their season off to a good start, losing 42-0 to Vance. It looks like the spiders may still be living on last years glory, with their half a championship that they won. I could not believe the stats in the paper, especially 1 first down and -60 yards of offense. That's amazing even for EZ and the spiders.

The Panthers looked like George Seifert was coaching again last night. The Panthers turned the ball over 6 times, and lost by 6 points. The turnovers came on fumbles, interceptions, and the strip of Steve Smith. I could not believe what I was seeing when the guy just took the ball from Steve Smith. I'm glad he did not punch the guy or lose his cool. The Panthers also lost their safety, Branch for the season. That's not good news.

Well, this week the Wonders travel to Landis, or China Grove, or Enochville, or somewhere out there in the pastures of Southern Rowan County to take on the Raiders The Raiders have only won about 4 times against the Wonders in my lifetime. I don't think they'll get number 5 this Friday.

The spiders take on Northwest, I believe. I hate to say this, but Go Northwest. I still hope that we get to meet them in the playoffs (northwest) since they no longer want to play us after all these years. I can't believe that they are still upset about that 97-0 game a few years ago. I think it's time to move on.

The Panthers will try to bounce back by taking on the Browns in Cleveland, the
"mistake by the lake" as they like to call it. When I think of Cleveland, I think that CEDAR POINT is only a few miles west of Cleveland.

High School Football

I have articles from the local papers on my website. I'll post these on Saturday and you can read about our favorite teams: WONDERS, Raiders, spiders, etc. The best news of the first weekend was the Vance 42 spiders 0.

Salisbury Post: Ready or not, the picks are back. High School Football

A good article by Mr. London, but the 97 Wonders would beat that Davie County Team he's talking about. Let's Go WONDERS!!!

I hope to attend the Wonders Game tonight, and I will post my thoughts on the game here on your favorite blog, Scott and Friends!

P.S. Go Vance!!!

Salisbury Post | SPORTS | Ready or not, the picks are back

Fantasy Football Draft

I'm doing my first draft tomorrow in a public league. I was wondering if anyone has any good advice on who to pick? Let's Go Wonders! Panthers! Blue Devils! Gamecocks!

Generation X turns 40

I think everyone who is 25 or over will really enjoy this article. While I'm a member of Generation X, I'm glad I'm not the first one to hit 40 though :) I do have to take offense with the Napoleon Dynamite reference, for I've seen that movie a couple of times. It's a great movie.

Generation X turns 40 - 8/14/05

Michael Vick and his 7th Grade Teacher

As a Panther's fan, I do not like Vick or the Falcons. I did find this article a very good read.

A visit from a mentor | ajc.com

Demolition of Pillowtex plant begins

I know when I rode by yesterday, it was hard to believe. I know we've known it was going to happen, but it's going to be really weird to ride down main street and not see the mill. I still hope that the Checkerboard water tower is saved.

WBT News | Demolition of Pillowtex plant begins | August 17, 2005

Do Dogs Go to Heaven?

What do you think? I believe since the Lion and Lamb are to be together in heaven, then why not a believer's pets.

Do Dogs Go to Heaven? - Parenting

FSU Chief Inaccurate But Still Embraced

This is a good read about the FSU Seminoles and their use of the indian mascot. I hope they win against the NCAA rules against Indian Mascots.

FSU Chief Inaccurate But Still Embraced: From The Tampa Tribune

Toll roads advanced in new state budget | August 15, 2005

Oh, isnt this more good news for travelers in N.C. It seems our gas prices are trying to copy those states in the "UNION" and now TOLLS!!! I just got back from above the "Mason-Dixon" line, and their gas was 20 cents higher than us, and I had to pay about $20 dollars in tolls. I guess that's what happen when you lose a war :(

WBT News | Toll roads advanced in new state budget | August 15, 2005

I need donations to raise $1500 dollars. Please Help!!

PointBuzz - News

R U Ready 4 Some Football!!!

It's just over 5 hours to the kickoff of the Panthers season. I know it's preseason, but it's going to be great to see some football finally. Brown vs. Statesville is this Friday. It's a great time of the year for a sports fan. Let's Go Panthers and Wonders!!!

Charlotte Observer | 08/13/2005 | 5 Things To Watch

Big Ben and Marino

I guess my second favorite team, the Steelers, will not win a Super Bowl anytime soon. Big Ben hung out with Marino this off season. He says he wants to be great like him, which means no Super Bowl Rings. I guess I'll have to look for a new second favorite team.



ESPN.com - NFL/TRAININGCAMP05 - Smith: Ready for encore

Salisbury Post | SPORTS | Football practice series: Fortson, Grant emerge as leaders for Wonders

Salisbury Post | SPORTS | Football practice series: Fortson, Grant emerge as leaders for Wonders

Charlotte gas prices hit all-time high

Charlotte.com | 08/09/2005 | Charlotte gas prices hit all-time high

My Accent

I need your opinions on "my accent". I was in Washington D.C. on Sunday afternoon, and Josh Parrisha and I were looking to find a Subway Sandwich Shop. There were 4 D.C. police officers outside of the FBI building, and I approached them to ask where a "Subway" was. A lady officer asked me "Where are you from"? I said, North Carolina, and she said that I had a "Heavy" accent. Parrish was scared to say anything, since I know he has a "Heavier" accent than I do. She was from Georgia, but had lived in D.C. for 16 years. She had lost her accent. I cant believe that in my nation's capital, I would have a accent that stuck out that much. We heard so many other languages, accents, etc, and I was picked out by this officer, Amazing.

What do you think?

If Seminoles is offensive, this Mascot has to go to!!

Another Nickname That Has To Go 8/08/2005

The NCAA's decision about Native American mascots has not gone over well with everyone. Wally Hall of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette finds it pretty ridiculous in light of more pressing issues facing the NCAA.

Florida State, where the teams are called the Seminoles, with the approval of the Seminole nation, is pledging to fight the decision in court if necessary. And Utah uses the nickname Utes with the approval of the Ute nation as well. They've also been put on notice. Presumably the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Savages have as well, if they are a D-2 or D-3 team.

However, the Aztecs of San Diego have not been warned about their mascot or nickname. And while the Fighting Illini have been, the Fighting Irish have not. That nickname certainly conjures up negative stereotypes of the Irish which rotate around drinking and violence.

This despite the NCAA's pronouncement that "...we believe that mascots, nicknames or images deemed hostile or abusive in terms of race, ethnicity or national origin should not be visible at the championship events that we control."

And why, then, is it okay to be the Pioneers?

And a more key local question: where does that leave us in terms of Civil War-based mascots? It's okay for Mississippi to be the Rebels? (By the way, we'd leave UNLV out of this, first of all because they weren't in the confederacy, and secondly because they've just generally applied their rebelliousness to the NCAA).

A cursory scan of college nicknames turned up only two definite civil-war related nicknames, and one (Virginia Wahoos) which might be, although we don't know the origin of the name, and they clearly prefer Cavaliers anyway.

But the other nickname is of course the Tar Heels. If the standard is that it be "hostile or abusive in terms of race, ethnicity or national origin," it's hard to see how Tar Heels wouldn't qualify. The traditional story is that after a Civil War battle, the North Carolina troops were said by a general to have fought as if "they had tar on their heels."

Valiant and brave, of course, but they were valiant and brave in defense of slavery. There's no particular reason why in the 21st century a college team should celebrate their state's "heroic" defense of slavery, is there?

We urge everyone to contact the NCAA to fight the continued use of the ugly term Tar Heels.

Hi From New Jersey

Well, it's 10:25 pm in New Jersey. The pool tables and bar is full, so I'm on the hotel computer :) I came to ride the world's largest and fastest coaster in the world, but it was broke down today. I did not get to ride Kingda Ka. Give me Cedar Point anyday :) They did have two rides here that were worthy of Cedar Point, Nitro and Medusa. Nitro was 230 feet and was a really good coaster. It was the only coaster that I rode twice today. The weather was great (mid 80's) and the park was not crowded for a Saturday. The longest wait was about 30-40 minutes, and that was only once. Six Flags Great America did have better shows than Cedar Point. There was a Dolphin show (nothing to do with those sorry football players in Miami, but there was one loser in the crowd with a marino jersey on). It was amazing to see how the Dolphins that God created are actually smarter and better coached than those losers in Miami. They also had an Extreme Sports type show with speed boats, jet skis, skaters, bicycles, etc. It was really cool.

Hope everything is good in Dixie and I can't wait to enter the Confederacy on Monday :) "I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray, Hooray!"

Prep football teams hit the ground running

The Bell will be home in just a few months :)

Prep football teams hit the ground running - Independent Tribune - Concord and Kannapolis

Fox clocks in new regulars for '24'

Here's some news about the upcoming season of 24. Wow, it's only five months away. I'm actually watching season 1 again and I hope to watch the other seasons before the greatest show kicks off in January.

Variety.com - Fox clocks in new regulars for '24'

Some questions to ponder as high school football practice begins.

Salisbury Post | SPORTS | Ronnie Gallagher column: Some questions to ponder as football practice begins

FUMCherryville UMYF: Charleston or Bust 2005!

Kathy, Corey, and Ben gettinig ready to play kickball or dodgeball.

Jonathan, Hannah, and Regina protecting the water cooles.