Happy belated birthday Allison...(age withheld)
Happy 29th Birthday Andy!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Go Maryland
The same Maryland Terps that barely beat my Niners just beat #1 UNC... somehow that makes me feel good. I love college basketball.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Reflections of GAPtitude
Today was both Amanda and I's last day at the Gap. For a while at least, we will be able to spend Sunday's together, on the couch, out and about. We have gone seasonal (I was always seasonal) so we won't go back until the late spring or fall. That is fine with me considering they aren't carrying XXL's in the store for this upcoming season. That really defeats the purpose of my employment, if we were to add it up, I likely spent more than I made. Oh well... it was good fun.
Some events on the horizon for us...
January 26th- Amanda's Illinois Teaching License Test
January 27th- Work Ski Trip
February 3rd- Superbowl Sunday
Fabruary 14th- Some Crappy Hallmark Holiday
February 15th- Flogging Molly Concert
March 2nd- The greatest holiday on earth!
March 16th- Gaelic Storm Concert
March 17th- Saint Jonathan Patrick's Day
With Amanda in bed, I have taken the rest of the evening to watch Kate and Leo.... I will never let go Jack, I will never let go!
Some events on the horizon for us...
January 26th- Amanda's Illinois Teaching License Test
January 27th- Work Ski Trip
February 3rd- Superbowl Sunday
Fabruary 14th- Some Crappy Hallmark Holiday
February 15th- Flogging Molly Concert
March 2nd- The greatest holiday on earth!
March 16th- Gaelic Storm Concert
March 17th- Saint Jonathan Patrick's Day
With Amanda in bed, I have taken the rest of the evening to watch Kate and Leo.... I will never let go Jack, I will never let go!
Friday, January 18, 2008
Goals
During my visit home last week my mom asked me a wonderful question... "What are your goals?" I thought long and hard because I have them at work. At work, I have daily, weekly, monthly, and career long goals. All of them are written down and well organized. In my personal life, I have never bothered to make goals. I just tend to let happen what will happen. The best answer I could give her was "I just want nothing to change right now." It is an admirable goal in my opinion. Last year I moved, lived alone, then readjusted to Amanda, then got married. I spent 6 weeks out of town over the year which just made it really hard to settle in. The only problem with that goal is that I strongly believe in the following phrase:
If you want to make God laugh, just tell her your plans.
If you want to make God laugh, just tell her your plans.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Two Year Old Vacation Photos
The Smith's and The Bradshaw's
Get well soon Fidel... not!
If I ever recorded an album of Jimmy Buffett cover tunes, this would be the cover.
Get well soon Fidel... not!
If I ever recorded an album of Jimmy Buffett cover tunes, this would be the cover.
Reluctant Travels
I am heading back home to attend Sarge's funeral. Bittersweet, I miss my family and am psyched to see them, but I also have to go say goodbye to a great man. I am flying in Saturday and leaving Tuesday morning. I will try to spend as much time with my peeps and family as I possibly can. I love you all!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Sarge
Last night I flew home from Detroit Auto Auction. It was so fantastic, it was very warm for the winter, but in kind it rained all day. We then had to take care of a lot of things and missed our flight. Well, that is not entirely true since we flew United. Our 3:40 flight was not even at the gate when we arrived at 4:40. That is my typical United experience. So MJ and I sat at the Bar (with 5 bar stools, we were in the old part of Detroit's airport, not the kickass NWA section). When I got home, Amanda was headed out with a friend from work so I had the house to myself. I settled in to watch some TV, take care of some e-bay crap, and go to bed. I looked at my e-mail, checked all of my blogs, the weather, the niners, my facebook, and then my myspace. In there was a message from my ex-girlfriend, more importantly, dear friend Meredith. The message read "can you please call me tonight." I walked to my phone with emmense trepidation.
I looked and I had 4 missed calls in the last hour from Meredith. I had no clue but I know she wouldn't do that unless something was seriously wrong. I called, said hello, as she started to sob I heard "Sergeant Libro is dead." I swallowed my heart to get it back in my chest.
Senior Master Sergeant Charles Libro USAF Ret. was my JROTC instructor at Independence High School from 1995-1999... he was my mentor for many years after that time, especially during my college years. He was a father-figure, teacher, advisor, enforcer, and advocate. He taught me leadership, confidence, tollerance, patience, and friendship. He taught this man much about how to be a man. Sarge took me to Hampton AFB, on that field trip we went to Busch Gardens, on a wicked roller coaster I lost my glasses, he almost caught them as they came off my face. He offered to call my mom and tell her it was his fault, he felt bad and didn't want me to be in trouble. (Lucky for me, my mom knew what she signed up for when she gave birth to boys, this would happen). Sarge took me to Charleston, thats when Meredith and I got together, He allowed me to sneak over to her room after lights out... just for a few seconds though. He really made me step up during the day, he demanded that I be a leader, I found my voice there. Most teachers you know for a year, you have them for one class. To convey Sarge's influence in my life, you must realize that I was taught by him as a freshman, again as a sophomore, I had two classes with him as a junior, and four, half of my senior year was spent with Sarge. 4 years, from 14 to 18 years old, he was my hero.
After high school he was still there fore me. I owe him my life, he is after all the one who talked me out of joining the Air Force. He made me realize that the AF had nothing that interested me and knew I would be unhappy there. I had a few very long conversations with him over winter break, I then dropped the class and changed my major. I am very thankful for that. Sarge was very supportive of my Carmax career and would call me at work about every two or three months, just to check on my and see how I am doing. He and I talked a couple days before I asked Amanda to marry me. The best piece of advice he ever shared with me (if you are under 18 or my mom, skip to the next paragraph please) : You should date a smoker sometime, if she'll put that thing in her mouth....
Sarge was good to my girls, he treated Dhara like a cadet when she would hang out with me and the Drill Team. Sarge adored Emily, he watched over her and took so much pride in all of her amazing success. Sarge was a grandpa to Meredith. He shared a special dance with her at her wedding. He is the reason she is a Lieutenant in the Air Force today. He was Nick's first salute from an enlisted man when he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in 2004. Sarge was the most influential person in many of my closest friends life, he was the greatest non-relative mentor I have ever had, and I am absolutely devistated at his passing. No plans are finalized, but I will be going to his funeral in North Carolina. I will let you know when I know.
I looked and I had 4 missed calls in the last hour from Meredith. I had no clue but I know she wouldn't do that unless something was seriously wrong. I called, said hello, as she started to sob I heard "Sergeant Libro is dead." I swallowed my heart to get it back in my chest.
Senior Master Sergeant Charles Libro USAF Ret. was my JROTC instructor at Independence High School from 1995-1999... he was my mentor for many years after that time, especially during my college years. He was a father-figure, teacher, advisor, enforcer, and advocate. He taught me leadership, confidence, tollerance, patience, and friendship. He taught this man much about how to be a man. Sarge took me to Hampton AFB, on that field trip we went to Busch Gardens, on a wicked roller coaster I lost my glasses, he almost caught them as they came off my face. He offered to call my mom and tell her it was his fault, he felt bad and didn't want me to be in trouble. (Lucky for me, my mom knew what she signed up for when she gave birth to boys, this would happen). Sarge took me to Charleston, thats when Meredith and I got together, He allowed me to sneak over to her room after lights out... just for a few seconds though. He really made me step up during the day, he demanded that I be a leader, I found my voice there. Most teachers you know for a year, you have them for one class. To convey Sarge's influence in my life, you must realize that I was taught by him as a freshman, again as a sophomore, I had two classes with him as a junior, and four, half of my senior year was spent with Sarge. 4 years, from 14 to 18 years old, he was my hero.
After high school he was still there fore me. I owe him my life, he is after all the one who talked me out of joining the Air Force. He made me realize that the AF had nothing that interested me and knew I would be unhappy there. I had a few very long conversations with him over winter break, I then dropped the class and changed my major. I am very thankful for that. Sarge was very supportive of my Carmax career and would call me at work about every two or three months, just to check on my and see how I am doing. He and I talked a couple days before I asked Amanda to marry me. The best piece of advice he ever shared with me (if you are under 18 or my mom, skip to the next paragraph please) : You should date a smoker sometime, if she'll put that thing in her mouth....
Sarge was good to my girls, he treated Dhara like a cadet when she would hang out with me and the Drill Team. Sarge adored Emily, he watched over her and took so much pride in all of her amazing success. Sarge was a grandpa to Meredith. He shared a special dance with her at her wedding. He is the reason she is a Lieutenant in the Air Force today. He was Nick's first salute from an enlisted man when he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in 2004. Sarge was the most influential person in many of my closest friends life, he was the greatest non-relative mentor I have ever had, and I am absolutely devistated at his passing. No plans are finalized, but I will be going to his funeral in North Carolina. I will let you know when I know.
Charlotte Beats #18 Clemson
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) - Trevor Booker knew No. 18 Clemson had let last week's loss to top-ranked North Carolina cost the Tigers again, this time in an 82-72 loss to Charlotte on Wednesday night.
Right after the Tar Heels' 90-88 overtime victory at Littlejohn Coliseum on Sunday night, the Clemson coaches told the players that their next opponent was ready to beat them "because we were mentally soft after the North Carolina game," Booker said. "That's what they did."
Leemire Goldwire had his first career double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead the 49ers to their first victory over a ranked opponent in nearly three years.
"I don't think we could've faced them at a better time," Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz said. "But give us credit. We had to do the work."
That's what the 49ers did, closing both halves with a 13-3 run. The first one turned Charlotte's one-point lead into a 41-30 halftime advantage. The second came after Charlotte (9-5) had lost all of its 12-point lead as Clemson (12-3) tied the game at 69.
After Charles Dewhurst hit the go-ahead foul shot, Goldwire hit his third 3-pointer off a stepback move with freshman Demontez Stitt defending with 3:43 left. That seemed to deflate the Tigers.
"It's one of my moves I use," said Goldwire, a senior. "I knew as long as I held the follow through, it was going in."
The 49ers hadn't beaten a Top 25 team since defeating No. 18 Cincinnati 91-90 on Feb. 5, 2005.
Maybe it was coming so close against the Tar Heels. Or maybe it was the nonconference opponent in Charlotte, but the Tigers did not have the same flash they showed a few days earlier.
"Apparently so," Clemson coach Oliver Purnell admitted glumly.
Clemson star James Mays played with a heavily taped left wrist, which he fractured in pregame drills Sunday night. He was 3-of-8 from the field and had six points, half his average.
Also off was leading scorer K.C. Rivers, who finished 3-of-10 for six points, well below his 16-point a game average.
The exception was Booker, the sophomore forward who led Clemson with a career-high 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
The 49ers appeared to have the game in hand when Dewhurst's driving basket putting them ahead 49-37 with 16:22 to go.
Clemson scratched back and tied things at 69 on Rivers' soft jumper with 4:23 left.
The rally seemed to tire out the Tigers, though, who took quick outside shots instead of going inside where Booker was dominant.
"We took ourselves out of it," Purnell said.
The 49ers took advantage.
The Charlotte fans who made the trip to Littlejohn Coliseum broke into an "overrated" chant as the final seconds ticked off.
Charlotte heads into Atlantic 10 play with a 2-2 mark against the Atlantic Coast Conference. The 49ers beat Wake Forest and lost to Georgia Tech and Maryland.
The Tigers had hoped to build off the defeat to North Carolina but they could not get going in the first half, routinely getting beat to the basket by Charlotte.
Booker had 20 of the Tigers' 30 first-half points. Booker was 6-of-7 from the field while the rest of the team was 5-of-20.
"They outhustled us, outscrapped us, outplayed us and beat us," Purnell said.
Charlotte led 28-19 after An'Juan Wilderness was left all alone near the basket, causing Purnell to call a timeout.
The break seemed to inspire the Tigers, who scored the next eight points to make it 28-27 with 3:41 left. The 49ers then went on the first of the 13-3 runs.
Right after the Tar Heels' 90-88 overtime victory at Littlejohn Coliseum on Sunday night, the Clemson coaches told the players that their next opponent was ready to beat them "because we were mentally soft after the North Carolina game," Booker said. "That's what they did."
Leemire Goldwire had his first career double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead the 49ers to their first victory over a ranked opponent in nearly three years.
"I don't think we could've faced them at a better time," Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz said. "But give us credit. We had to do the work."
That's what the 49ers did, closing both halves with a 13-3 run. The first one turned Charlotte's one-point lead into a 41-30 halftime advantage. The second came after Charlotte (9-5) had lost all of its 12-point lead as Clemson (12-3) tied the game at 69.
After Charles Dewhurst hit the go-ahead foul shot, Goldwire hit his third 3-pointer off a stepback move with freshman Demontez Stitt defending with 3:43 left. That seemed to deflate the Tigers.
"It's one of my moves I use," said Goldwire, a senior. "I knew as long as I held the follow through, it was going in."
The 49ers hadn't beaten a Top 25 team since defeating No. 18 Cincinnati 91-90 on Feb. 5, 2005.
Maybe it was coming so close against the Tar Heels. Or maybe it was the nonconference opponent in Charlotte, but the Tigers did not have the same flash they showed a few days earlier.
"Apparently so," Clemson coach Oliver Purnell admitted glumly.
Clemson star James Mays played with a heavily taped left wrist, which he fractured in pregame drills Sunday night. He was 3-of-8 from the field and had six points, half his average.
Also off was leading scorer K.C. Rivers, who finished 3-of-10 for six points, well below his 16-point a game average.
The exception was Booker, the sophomore forward who led Clemson with a career-high 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
The 49ers appeared to have the game in hand when Dewhurst's driving basket putting them ahead 49-37 with 16:22 to go.
Clemson scratched back and tied things at 69 on Rivers' soft jumper with 4:23 left.
The rally seemed to tire out the Tigers, though, who took quick outside shots instead of going inside where Booker was dominant.
"We took ourselves out of it," Purnell said.
The 49ers took advantage.
The Charlotte fans who made the trip to Littlejohn Coliseum broke into an "overrated" chant as the final seconds ticked off.
Charlotte heads into Atlantic 10 play with a 2-2 mark against the Atlantic Coast Conference. The 49ers beat Wake Forest and lost to Georgia Tech and Maryland.
The Tigers had hoped to build off the defeat to North Carolina but they could not get going in the first half, routinely getting beat to the basket by Charlotte.
Booker had 20 of the Tigers' 30 first-half points. Booker was 6-of-7 from the field while the rest of the team was 5-of-20.
"They outhustled us, outscrapped us, outplayed us and beat us," Purnell said.
Charlotte led 28-19 after An'Juan Wilderness was left all alone near the basket, causing Purnell to call a timeout.
The break seemed to inspire the Tigers, who scored the next eight points to make it 28-27 with 3:41 left. The 49ers then went on the first of the 13-3 runs.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
A few people are looking for a new job.
Edwards, Clinton, Obama, Huckabee, Romney, McCain, all looking for the same job. I was happy to see Obama pick up a victory in a majority white state, just made me feel like his race wont be too big an issue. That is as it should be. I was also happy to see Edwards come in second, with less funding, his message resonates with me and right now, i am really feeling him and his amazing hair.
There is another person in search of a job today, she was elected too. My wife got a job today, full time work. No, she isn't teaching, but that was not really in the plans or her ambitions up here. She wanted to try something different, no teaching, no retail. She will be working full time for an OBGYN office, doing what? I dunno, but she his jacked up that her work address is N. Lake Shore Drive, she is 3 blocks from the mag mile and will be commuting via train. I am very proud of her for stepping out of her comfort zone and trying something new. Keep your prayers with her please.
There is another person in search of a job today, she was elected too. My wife got a job today, full time work. No, she isn't teaching, but that was not really in the plans or her ambitions up here. She wanted to try something different, no teaching, no retail. She will be working full time for an OBGYN office, doing what? I dunno, but she his jacked up that her work address is N. Lake Shore Drive, she is 3 blocks from the mag mile and will be commuting via train. I am very proud of her for stepping out of her comfort zone and trying something new. Keep your prayers with her please.
1 is the lonliest number
Bullcrap! 0 is much more lonely, especially when you have to go out and walk inventory this morning and that is the temp reading as you head out the door. Brrrr, I love this place!
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