Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, maybe I will be a better blogger next year. With Grad School, increased workload, and overall life, I kind of cut this out of my life.

I hope everyone has a blessed new year!!!

JB

A-10 Conference deserves more credit for early-seas

A-10 Conference deserves more credit for early-seas

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Mama always said there'd be days like these.

I think it is funny that today, Daniel Powter's "Bad Day" was named Billboard's One-hit-Wonder of the decade today. Sometimes days just suck, especially when you do it to yourself. One thing I hope I can figure out in life is how to juggle everything, so you can neglect nothing. I should have known that it was going to suck, I forgot to put on a belt this morning.

Northeastern calls an end to football - The Boston Globe

Northeastern calls an end to football - The Boston Globe

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RPI

Not that it means everything, but I wanted to point out this week that the Atlantic 10 conference has a higher RPI rating than some other local conferences.

Housaversary

One year ago today we closed on our house in Huntersville, NC.

Amanda's favorite thing about the House: The kitchen

Amanda's least favorite thing about the House: The mortgage payment

Amanda's favorite thing about the neighborhood: The pool

Jon's favorite thing about the house: The large garage

Jon's least favorite thing about the house: laundry room downstairs

Jon's favorite thing about the neighborhood: The people, except man-in-truck.

Ignorance is Louisiana

Why did we spend so much money rebuilding this state?

Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana

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Old Skool pics

Posted some old school pictures on my facebook, thought I would throw a few on here just in case some of you could not get on FB.

In health-care plan, give secession a chance.

This is a very interesting and slightly depressing take on what the problem with healthcare is. I have always been a little skeptical about southern society, I have always felt the south's hospitality is double speak. The numbers about tax distribution make me a bit sick. I think it is too drastic, but I wonder if proposed how southerners would feel.

A scary quote I hope is not true.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, maybe the thing about Barack Obama that offends the red states most is neither that he is black, nor that he is somehow socialist pink, but that he is very, very "blue" -- a liberal college professor with a foreign-sounding name and lots of overseas fans. According to one poll, nearly half of southerners question whether he can really be the legitimate president.

In health-care plan, give secession a chance - MarketWatch

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dear Charlotte drivers

Dear Charlotte Drivers,

I respectfully suggest a few small things that may make highway travel safer and more enjoyable.

1. If there is a HOV lane to the left hand side, that is not the fast lane and you are in fact IN the fast lane yourself, drive accordingly please.

2. If you look to the right and no one is there, that is where your car belongs. One should use the left hand lane for overtaking only, then merge right.

3. If someone is behind you and flashes their high beams, they are not asking you to hit the brakes, they are asking that you move over, please oblige.

Love, Jon

NPR Bits

"40 economists say that the recession is officially over, but, saying that is like saying 33 degrees is not technically freezing but it is very cold."

In 2006 I posted a list of my cars... since then I have had only two more. Hard to believe but I have slowed down a bit. I am going to add Amanda's to the list.

1989 Chevy S-10 Tahoe 2wd (68k-112k)

(still owned by my mom)

1989 Honda Accord DX 5speed (119k-174k)

1992 Suzuki Sidekick (92k)

(sold it in 3 days)

1991 Toyota Pickup Reg Cab (143k-157k)

1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4x4 (144k-154k)

1993 Mazda Miata (93k-94k)

(sold it in 5 weeks)

1993 Honda Accord EX 5speed (154k-182k)

(28k in only 7 months!)

1991 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4x4 (132k-134k)

2003 Honda Civic Si (0k-26k)

1998 Jeep Cherokee Classic 2wd (84k-99k)

2000 BMW 323i Sport&Premium (91k-97k)

2001 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 4x4 Off Road (74k- 77k)

(profit bought Amanda a ring)

2000 Toyota 4Runner SR-5 4WD (68k-89k)

2005 Mazda6 Grand Touring Wagon (11k-56k)

2002 MINI Cooper S (28k-??k)

(now has 56k)

2006 Jeep Commander Limited (24k-??k)

(now has 29k)

Observer Article mentions our neighborhood!

Hot spots in a cool market - CharlotteObserver.com

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Family Photos

My aunt just sent a few photos my way from my mom's trip up north. Here are some pics of Aunts and Uncles, one with cousins. The occasion was for my Uncle John's induction into his High School Hall of Fame.

New NFL Logos

Ripped this from ESPN... it is a commentary about the first few weeks of the NFL season. I love the Vikings and Panther ones.

What am I, 19? I have a lot of male friends, most of them in a +/- 3 year range of my own age. I am the ONLY one who does not have any sort of body clock. I sleep until something wakes me up, I stay awake until I have to sleep. Usually, it works as 18 hours on then 12 hours off (sleep). I wish we had a 30 hour day. Sunday night I slept for 4 hours, that usually doesn't bother me but I was tired all day yesterday, I tried to take a nap, but as usual, I couldn't. I went to bed at 9:30pm and woke up this morning at 11:00am... 13.5 hours of sleep and I was still groggy. I set the alarm but didn't turn it on. My biggest beef is that my friends "naturally" get up at 7 or 8 and being that I went to bed that early, shouldn't I just wake up after 10 hours of sleep? I can't wait to grow up.

While I was driving.

Whilst I was driving to Fayetteville today I got to take 74 through the lower-middle part of North Carolina. I remember driving this route often when my grandmother lived in Lake Waccamaw. I struck me how further dilapidated the section between Wingate and Laurinburg had gotten. This area was a very agricultural based economy with manufacturing towns in between the fields. The common theme is the towns have been decentralized and the big box retailers have sucked the business out of the downtown areas. There are really cool, full brick, two story buildings completely unused. I hate to see it, but so is the modern economy.

The cost of Grad School

I have a little break in my first semester of B-school while the pre-req course covers economics. I was at least able to get those done as an undergrad. I thought this would be a great time to reflect on my firs three weeks and figure out what I need to do or change going forward.

I have learned the true cost of this venture. Not only financial, that burden isn't too tough to bear thanks to my fortunate position of being gainfully employed. I also have some reimbursement coming later from the company, so I am hooked up there. I am more referencing the other costs, the kind you cannot add on my TI-83.

I was participating in three different sports leagues, that has whittled down to one, just softball. Even in that one, there is a reluctance to go because of the homework load I bear. I have not been able to hang out with family and friends. Though only two evenings, it presses everything I would have done into the the other 3 weeknights, this really limits time with others. The worst parts have been not being able to go to my family immediately after hearing of my grandmother's death... I went to class first. Add to that I am not really active in my MINI club, front porch sitting in the neighborhood is a rare occurrence, and worst of all I have gone days without seeing Amanda.

But.... ON THE BRIGHT SIDE... I am learning a lot. I am willing to pay all the cost if it means I will be equipped to lead and develop business in the future. The hope is I can make a small investment in misery now so that I can withdraw an enormous amount of quality of life later. I hope it all pays off.

Moving on to what I need to do going forward, simple, don't loose focus. I have set up a good rhythm to being a student and I need not skimp on effort. Unlike previous academic endeavors, this one is less about the piece of paper and more about learning. I need to make sure that I leave able to do a fantastic job, so I can land a fantastic job, and help my family lead a fantastic life. That is the great hope of it all for me.

Grandma Grace

A year ago today the United States government took over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and I was so worried about what was to happen in the coming years. I didn't realize how unimportant those thoughts were until I got a phone call from my brother to tell me my Grandma Grace had passed away. In between work and class I called my cousin to let him know, I called my mom and my aunt to talk to them too. I went over to her house after class and then stayed at my mom's until midnight. I don't know what if any good I could do, but just being around feels purposeful.

Grandma Grace is technically my ex-grandmother-in-law-once-removed or something... in my family, that means she was my grandmother, and I her grandson. She never treated me any differently either. I remember in the mid-90's when there was a chance for all the kids of her 5 children to be in one photo, she refused to pose unless my brother and I were in it too, we would not be excluded. Grace was diminutive, but forceful, she was soft spoken, but opinionated. Later in life she was dependent, but fiercely independent.

I smile and cry tonight thinking of just a few weeks ago, I was trying to help her get into an Expedition and she slipped off the running board and bumped her leg. She was upset but not at me, she was mad at the "adults" who decided she should ride in that "stupid thing." She sent me a card saying as much, just to make sure I didn't feel bad. When she moved to Charlotte a while back I felt lucky to have a grandparent, after all mine are dead, save for one with Alzheimer's. I loved talking to her about her past, raising 5 kids as a widow, the history she saw. She left me, us, with a smile, literally. Proper, I will remember my pretty little lady just like that.

of all the losses this summer, this one hurts most.

Edward Kennedy: February 22, 1932 – August 25, 2009

Annual Dead Automobile List

This is my annual obituary to cars that will be dead for the next model year.... say goodbye to the casket-class of 2010. Thank you Car & Driver.

Audi:

A3 3.2

A4 3.2

A5 3.2

A8 W12

TT 2.0T FWD

TT 3.2

S8

Bently:

Arnage

Chevrolet:

Cobalt SS Sedan

HHR SS Panel

Impala SS

(noticing a trend)

Trailblazer

Dodge:

Durango

Ford:

Taurus X

(really, who cares, do you even know what that looks like?)

GMC:

Envoy

Honda:

S2000

(okay, so this one is actually tragic)

Kia:

Amanti

(the Korean Lincoln is finally dead)

Sorento

Spectra

Mazda:

B-series pickup

Mercedes-Benz:

CLK-class

Mitsubishi:

Raider

Pontiac:

EVERYTHING THEY MAKE

G3

G5

G6

G8

Solstice

Torrent

Suzuki:

XL7

Volvo:

S60

had to share this...

see more Fail Blog

this makes me smile

August Club Blast

WINI above playing with her friends.

reverse angle

The MINI Club met today in Burlington. There were very MINI vehicles in attendance.

My new favorite Charlottean

"A football team and an on-campus stadium is absolutely the right thing to be done right now," Harris implored. "I live in Charlotte. It's my university. I went to Chapel Hill, but Charlotte is my university. We can not fail. Our community is looking at us and what we can accomplish." +++Johnny Harris+++

being an adult means making tough choices

**** I did not write this for help or because I feel bad, I just didn't want to answer the "why" question a multiple times. I am already excited for the fall and feel great about my decision.****

I hate it, but that is the fact folks. I have deferred starting my MBA work until the fall. WINI Cooper has decided that she wanted a new power steering pump and some parts of the rack repaired. You guys know me, any other car and I would have sold the damn thing and found something else to drive, but not my WINI. The repair is only a few bucks shy of tuition but with Amanda out of work this summer, both just aren't in the cards. As an adult, these decisions suck but I am glad I don't have to drive to intense and brief summer session in a truck with no air conditioning. I am ready to go come August 24th.

I hate critics, because I am one.

I hated the new Transformers movie, there, I said it. I know that is akin to saying I don't like Lady GaGa or I don't care much for hot dogs, but only the first one is true. I am now going to have to count out why I didn't like it.

1. Length: My pet peeve in a movie is when a director takes a 90 minute plot and makes it a 150 minute movie. Gratuitous is an understatement.

2. Needless Love Story: I think the "I love you game" played between the two characters was wicked retarded.

3. Cussing: When you are making a movie that you KNOW will be seen by plenty of kids, do not throw in all the cuss words you know for the sake of it. It was not needed in the first one, why now. If you want all the cussing, please don't put toys in Happy Meals.

4. Male Thongs: Need I say more?

5. Black men with dumb one liners: Black men need not be cast in an all white movie if you intend to only make him say "this looks bad" or "this day just got worse." Really?

6. Genre confusion: This was a perfectly acceptable action flick, awesome effects, fight scenes, metallic gore. That being said, they tried to make this movie funny... F... A... I... L... fail fail fail.

Okay, I am done, for now.

City of Champions, Hahkytahn!

HoooooRah!!!!

"Congratulations.  You have been admitted to the Wingate University MBA Program."

Money is due yesterday!

Acknowledged: I'm a weirdo

but what a better time to try new facial hair styles than when you are going from full beard to clean shaven.  One day at 90 degrees and I jumped off the bearded bandwagon.  I am not cut out for this heat... did it fry my brain?

Check out our Bags!

A neighbor who happens to be a school teacher lost his summer job because of the economy.  Another neighbor is salesman, he pitched having the teacher build us all cornhole boards (know as bags to those in Chi-town).  I love mine, if you want some, he will make them with any design he can copy or you can think of.  So far he has made them with Cubs, Yankees, and Yellowbook logos.  They will be hand painted, laquored, made from formidable wood, and customized.  These are not the crappy set you buy at Dick's that bounce every time the bag hits the board.  Let me know if you want a set!  

More importantly, if you have never played cornhole, come over to my crib and we will play.

Fail Blog

One of the new loves of my life is Fail Blog.  My friend Krista introduced the two of us, it has been an enjoyable month with Failblog.  The link is to your right. This makes me thank God our family has Maggie and she is no longer in China.

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Expensive Bad Day

There are many songs on this subject.  My favorites are "Bad Day" by Fuel and "Just One of Those Days" by Limp Bizkit.  

It all started fine, a little auction, a little lunch, a little nap.  Then we, yes, the couple, spiral downhill.  It all started after our Cinco De Mayo dinner, we decided to walk up to Harris Teeter to get the skinny snack eater some cookies.  We had to get some money out of the atm so I could go play basketball tonight. Amanda thought it wise to deposit the money I gave her to deposit and the poor girl saw it was missing.  We frantically searched her wallet in every crevase for the two bills.  No avail.

Amanda was very clearly upset, obvious to her that one of her students had rooted through her purse and stolen the money.  Somewhere along the cookie aisle she was broken down and we needed to hug it out.  The betrayal that she felt was worse than loosing the money.  I mean, don't get me wrong, we need all the money we can get but it really hurt her.  

We headed on to get gas in her car.  I was still rattled by the whole situation but managed to fill the car up.  During the following left turn, we hard a slight noise.  I saw some people dodging an item in the road.  We had no clue what it was.  Until....

Amanda came out of Cookout to notice the gas door was open.  She quickly closed the door... the light bulb in my head went off, luckily not the dashboard.  Yes, for the first time in my life I left a gas cap on the roof of my car.  First time, ever.  Luckily the Cookout is right next to Autozone.  So $11 and a little pride later, we drove home.  

The best part, is when you are upset, funny things make you laugh very hard.  

Political Landscape Is Shifting

I love that right now beneath our feet the landscape is changing.  The main reason I wanted Obama in office is coming to fruition.  I wanted him to appoint liberal justices to the Supreme Court.  If you don't know my politics, I am stunned.  I believe marriage is misery all people, including same-sex couples have the right to enjoy.  I also believe in a woman's right to choose.

This is a fantastic opportunity to appoint a female justice who shares the same values that I do.  Beyond that, with my boy Arlen Spector's transition away from the dark side of the force to use his Jedi abilities for good, coupled with Al Franken's likely certification as the next Senator from the great state of Minnesota we have the chance to push through a pragmatic and progressive agenda with a filibuster-proof majority. 

What a fun time to be an American.  Any guesses on the next Justice?  Any guesses on policy coming down the pipe?  Any comments on Spector's re-election chances as a democrat?

I fear retirement more than death.... congrats ReRe!!!

I cannot be creative at home.

I used to think of all these things I could do, creative things.  I would design a complete room in my head, using existing furniture, something new and different.  As soon as I walk through the door and get to the task of putting my plan in action, something horrible happens.  Each and every time I get a creative thought in my head, it is gone.  

The culprit is the door jamb.  Some mystical magnesium or ironic iron exists only in the door jambs of my house, not allowing those ideas to come to fruition.  There have been really thoughtfully laid out blog posts about my looming mid-life crisis or some eloquently crafted anti-right-wing argument that have all been zapped by the rectangular mind eraser.  It is like Q raised his wand thingy in front of my face and erased my thoughts on what it means to live in suburbia in Charlotte.  

The issue is not if this happens, I have researched the issue greatly and my boring blog is proof enough that it does happen.  The issue is why this happens.  Either I am too afraid to share with you what I want to write, or my prevailing and biggest lead on the case, that my mind is too lazy to hold the thoughts in long enough to get them all down into a word processor.  A mind is a terrible thing to waste, logically, my wasteful mind is just plain terrible. 

I am lazy, so I bore myself with play by play accounts of what has or what is going to happen.  Like a thirteen year old girl scribbling in her diary about how Johnny Footballhero winked at her in the hall and commented on how good her hair smelled.  Written words are so hard to pull a tone out of the Times New Roman, but I am breathing heavily as a I write this because I am so pissed at myself for being this way.  Alas I am.  

Please comment with the movie and song referenced in this post... please do not look at the comments until you bother to at least guess.

Living Room Mods

Since I am a car guy, instead of rennovations or additions to a house, I make modifications to the house.  I think it makes me feel like more of a car guy because I am spending the money I had saved to mod up WINI.  I will post a before picture of the living room... then there will be gigantic Ikea bookshelves eating up our living room wall.  Yeah!  Tomorrow is assembly day.

Wait, Loss

I have managed to maintain my weight at 254lbs as of this morning... I am really struggling with the transition off of Nutrisystem.  When summer rolls around, I want to enjoy eating out with friends and family.  The chocolate provided by Easter festivities is not very helpful in this whole weight loss endeavor.  I really need to switch from a diet to a healthy lifestyle.  

I am reading a book called Skinny Bitch, though aimed at females, it was sent to me by my beloved friend Dhara and I am going to try to use some tips from the book to change my relationship with food.  I use it to comfort me in times of high stress, like, say, now, these times right here.  I want some food right now.

I will share with you what I can stomach as I still hope to find my place where I don't feel like I am on a diet and I don't feel like a big fatty.  I want to remain publicly accountable for my weight loss or gain.  

I officially came in second in our office's Biggest Loser Competition.  I lost 30lbs, but Will lost 27.5 but started at 214 and therefore lost a bigger percentage.  One guy gained 10lbs.  I am thrilled with Will and I's results.

This Week with the Bradshaws

Many fun and exciting events this weekend.

1. Aunt Annie is in town from Pittsburgh this week.  I look forward to hanging out with my beloved Aunt for a little while, party at mom's Sunday for the hell of it.

2. Anna's Wedding is on Saturday.  She ties the knot in the mid afternoon and Amanda and I will be there will bells, okay, just nice clothing on.

3. We are keeping an eye out for our neighbors kitty cat while they attend a wedding in the D.C. area.  Thank God Mike called me to remind me tonight, I would have forgotten.

in news not related to this weekend:

1. I am going to apply to Wingate University's MBA program.  In downtown Matthews, it combines the most flexibility, value, and career benefit for me.

2. I take the GMAT on May 20th at 8am.. keep me in your prayers.

Twink Bradshaw 1995-2009

Twink Bradshaw

a.k.a.

Dr. Twink M. Toezums, M.D.

a.k.a.

Chub Tubs

Twink Bradshaw passed away today due to kidney failure.  Though her exact birthday is not known, it was celebrated on June the ninth, 1995, the day she arrived at the home of her mother.  Twink was around 14 years old.  She is survived by her parents, Amanda and Jon Bradshaw, her grandmother, Reatha Andrew, and her sister, Cheeto Bradshaw.  

She was well known for her hunting prowess in the wild, she easily transitioned into indoor life by becoming her mother's "shadow."  Seldom was a shower taken or hair blown dry without the watchful eye of Twink.  She spent her time helping her mom get dressed by finding clean clothes, laying on them, letting her mother know that was the outfit to wear and lint roll that day.  Her mother credits Twink for a perfect attendance record in high school, Twink never let anyone sleep past 5:30 am.  

Twink suffered from epilepsy early in life, this ailment bonded her and her mother as Amanda was the only person who could give Twink her medicine.  Twink took a while to trust humans, it took her father years to be in her good graces.  Twink had chronic ear issues, once having to wear a collar where she made the best of the situation and learned how to walk backwards.  Twink also battled weight problems most of her life, often the song "lowrider" would come on when she walked.  Belly rubbing the ground aside, she also battled addictions to catnip and used Q-tips.  

Twink enjoyed travel late in life.  Her travels took her to places like Chicago, Evanston, and Huntersville.  She set a personal record for good behavior on a 13 hour car ride to move to North Carolina.  Twink enjoyed teaching, like her mother and grandmother, the subject of ingestion.  She taught her sister how to eat a lot.  Cheeto was a meager 9 lbs when she moved in and has now ballooned to well over 14lbs in Twink's training program.  She served as a positive role model for her younger sibling and will be a sorely missed play pal.  

Twink received her B.A. in Eating from the University of North Catolina Charlotte in 1998, following with her Masters in Sleeping in 2000 from Dukitty University.  Her Ph. D. from Meyale in Catnetticut in 2004.  Dr. Toezums taught in schools in the Charlotte area to many disadvantaged and troubled youth.  Teaching them about the dangers of catnip.  

Memorial Services will be held tomorrow at Iams & Friskies Funeral Home off Kittypendence Blvd. in Charlotte.  In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted in her name to the Fraternal Order of Kittens.

"...ain't no sunshine when she's gone, and this house just ain't no home, now that she's gone away..."

Does anyone think about this but me?

1. I think that ESPN does not have a wardrobe department because there are a few days a year when every guy on stage is wearing the same colored suit.  That happened tonight on Baseball Tonight... everyone rocked the tan.

2. I think it is a cultural thing that the top selling singles on iTunes are always hip-hop and pop songs yet the top albums are always country or rock.  

Restaurant Review

I have never done a restaurant review on my blog before, but you know, there is a first time for everything.  

Tonight we ate at Bert & Gerts Bar B Q and More in Huntersville.  It is on the Harris Blvd. exit next to Northern Tools.  The atmosphere was very modern, a nice escape from the typical wood paneled walls and nascar decor that is synonymous with local BBQ joints.  On a big screen, they had a replay of a live INXS concert playing.  On the same wall there were records framed, the owner is clearly a music lover.  Over the speakers in a subtle volume were hits from the 80's.

The owner greeted us at the counter and struck up a conversation while we made up our minds.  He is a music expert as we went toe to toe with trivia.  He won.  Amanda got a BBQ sandwich and I got the pulled pork plate.  

BBQ- B: not the best I have ever had but very good

Sauce- B: Sweet & Tangy is good, the hot needs more fire.

Sides- A: we got mac & cheese, it is not creamy, it is really mac & cheese

Amanda got the fried okra, that was her favorite, she loved the corn casserole as well

I got the baked beans, they were serviceable but the least favorite of the ordered sides

Overall, the place gets a boost from the atmosphere and rates out as an A-.  It is the best BBQ I have found in the immediate area.  Bridges in Shelby is the best I have ever tasted and is the benchmark by which all joints are rated.

Week 12 Results

Starting Weight: 284lbs

Today's Weight: 253lbs

This Week's Loss: -1lbs

Total Weight Loss: 31lbs

Remainder to Lose: 33lbs

I cannot seem to get over this hump.  Exercise is my only choice but damn, I hate it.

WINI Cooper Gets Married, okay, Winnie

Very sad day for me :-(

Charlotte Beats #5 UNC-CH!!!

Charlotte Baseball Holds No. 5 North Carolina to Three Hits in 2-1 Road Win

Rivers Belts Two Homers to Lead Niners to First Win in Chapel Hill in 21 Years

March 25, 2009

Box Score

Chapel Hill, N.C. - Following a four-hit shutout at Winthrop Tuesday night, the Charlotte 49ers pitching staff held No. 5 North Carolina to just three hits and sophomore first baseman Ryan Rivers (Baltimore, Md. / Eastern Technical HS) belted two towering home runs for all of the offense needed for the 2-1 win at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill Wednesday evening in college baseball action.

Charlotte is 14-6, winning the last three road games, dropping North Carolina to 18-5.

The two teams started the game nearly 90 minutes earlier than originally scheduled due to rains coming into the area. The game was played in a constant drizzle.

It was the first win for Charlotte in Chapel Hill since April 20, 1988, but the second road victory in two seasons for Charlotte at a top-five opponent after winning 11-2 on March 5 at No. 3 South Carolina last season.

Junior transfer Patrick Lawson (Hilton Head, S.C.) held the Tar Heels to three hits in 5.1 innings pitched, giving up just a solo home run to pinch hitter Tarron Robinson to lead off the sixth inning. Lawson struck out seven and gave up one walk in 90 pitches for his second win of the season (2-1).

Rivers' two homers came in his first two at bats, in the second and fourth innings. It was the first time a Niner hit two home runs in a game since Chris Taylor blasted two out at Massachusetts last April 18.

Rivers leads Charlotte with seven home runs, 21 RBI and a .721 slugging percentage.

Reliever Jason Cunningham (Decatur, Ga.) relieved Lawson in the sixth, giving up a walk and hitting a batter to load the bases, but induced a groundout to first by cleanup hitter Kyle Seager to end the inning.




Closer Sam Pierce (Davidson, N.C. / North Mecklenburg HS) came in to pitch the final three innings for his third save of the season. He held the Tar Heels hitless in those three innings, striking out two and walking one.

Charlotte had six hits in the contest, with Rivers and outfielder Alan Parks (Cornelius, N.C. / North Mecklenburg HS) the only players in the game to collect two hits.

The Niners continue the road trip this weekend with an Atlantic 10 Conference series at Dayton. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 3 p.m. against the Flyers.

Funny Blurb

This made me laugh today.  While driving home with Amanda we heard "Dead & Gone" by T.I. and Justin Timberlake.  Amanda said today that she was humming that song today in class and a couple kids caught on and began to sing along with her.  One then let her know that they all thought she listened to country music only, because she is white.  Amanda was greatly offended letting them know, with a smile, that she indeed listened to some of the same music that they do.

Week 11 (lack of) Results

Starting Weight: 284lbs

Today's Weight: 254lbs

This Week's Loss: +1lbs

Total Weight Loss: 30lbs

Remainder to Lose: 34lbs

God I love the NCAA tourney!!!  I love it when the ACC fails, I love that the A-10 has two teams in the next round.  I am really hoping that Xavier and Dayton can do some damage.  I am really hoping that UNC-CH will fall flat so I have something to talk about locally without having to mention how horrible my Charlotte 49ers are.  I love the upsets baby!!!  Sienna, Dayton, Cleveland State, Wisconsin, Western Ky, and all the Giant Killers.  

I am off this weekend.  I am going to hang out with the MINI club tomorrow morning then helping a co-worker who is moving into my neighborhood unload some stuff.  I don't know what Amanda and I have planned for Saturday night but give us a call!!!

Week 10 Results

Starting Weight: 284lbs

Today's Weight: 253lbs

This Week's Loss: -2lbs

Total Weight Loss: 31lbs

Remainder to Lose: 33lbs

Its the most... wonderful time.... of the year

I think Andy Williams wrote that song about Championship Week in College Basketball.

Even thought my Niners suck, the misery is over and I can enjoy all the other conference tournaments.  So much fun!

Palin can't stay out of the news.

Even while being the governor of a state no one really cares about, Sarah Palin will do anything to stay in the news.  

As her popularity is swiftly fading into the shadow of the economy, the mortgage crisis, and the multitude of problems she was completely unqualified to handle, Sarah Palin uses her daughter Bristol's personal life to stay in the news.  Apparently they released a statement today that her daughter's engagement is now off and that the couple has split up.  I do not know anyone who believed that they were getting married for any reason other than to help Gov. Palin become the VP.  

The guy has released a statement to A.P. that the engagement has been off for "a while."  

Why muddle in your daughter's life just to keep your name in the headlines... pathetic.

News & Notes

1.  I am so happy that President Obama has lifted the ban on embryonic stem cell research!  I think this may have been the dumbest thing President Bush did during his terms.  I know that says a lot, he killed a lot people in Iraq and elsewhere, but if a cure for many diseases is found from this research, he has 8 years of deaths on his watch as well.  GoBama!

2. Thank God the weather is about to turn colder, I am sick of this warm crap, it is March!

3.  CMS has announced that they are going to lay off a bunch of teacher, most are underperforming teachers and they are not really looking at the non-tenured, yet.  I know Amanda has no intentions to return to her school but she is looking to teach elsewhere next year.  I was just freaking out for a while about her getting laid off.  We are both still worried about the future, but who knows what that will bring.

4. Dhara got promoted this week, I am so happy and proud of her.  I think if you get promoted in this economy, that says a ton about what your company thinks of you.

5. Speaking of companies, our stock is up over 10 bucks for the first time in about 6 months.  Maybe we are slightly out of the woods.

Week 9 Results

Starting Weight: 284lbs

Today's Weight: 255lbs

This Week's Loss: -3lbs

Total Weight Loss: 29lbs

Remainder to Lose: 35lbs

Birthday Blog Post

So I am not going to talk about a diet tonight, not only a reccomendation made by my beloved Dhara, but because we are all sick of it.  I certainly did not abide by anything today!  

I am more well connected to the world through the world wide web.  I use facebook, blogger, twitter, linked in, and even though I have dropped my myspace account, I am very networked.  This was very evident to me today.  I got over 80 electronic Happy Birthday messages.  A few from overseas, representing eleven states in the United States, and from friends, family, and people who have never met me in person.  It was pretty cool.  I was on the phone almost all day, I got 22 text messages and 19 phone calls.  I am so sorry I didn't return every call or text, but I did work.  

I am not posting this because I want to show how popular I am, I just feel lucky to be loved like that.  I worry sometimes that I am too exposed on the web, there is too much information about me and my life available for the whole world to see.  I do like the no secrets part though, I rarely have to remember a lie I have told, it is a daunting task to lie to hundreds of people at the same time.  You read about people be stalked because of their profile and it makes me worry a bit, but I would also be quite honored to have a stalker.  I would never press charges, I would feel so bad for you that your life has reached a level of boredom where even I seem interesting.  I am linked with my boss, my boss's boss, and my boss's boss's boss.  I have to watch what I say on what venue to protect my professional image.  That is where I think I, and you, run the biggest risk.  I also know people who have been hired of linked in and facebook, so the cost-benefit analysis has to be made before deciding what to do.

I just want to thank everyone who sent me birthday wishes in whatever form!  This was a good time to feel an out pouring of love.  Be well, drive safely tomorrow!

Ha!  Even Jesus couldn't get snow on his birthday in Charlotte.  I guess the Queen is trying to endear herself to my heart to keep me from missing Chicago. 

Week 8 Results

Starting Weight: 284lbs

Today's Weight: 258lbs

This Week's Loss: +1lbs

Total Weight Loss: 26lbs

Remainder to Lose: 38lbs

Even the best tires loose traction at time... oh well, I will get that scale next week.

Week 7 Results

Starting Weight: 284lbs

Today's Weight: 257lbs

This Week's Loss: 3lbs

Total Weight Loss: 27lbs

Remainder to Lose: 37lbs

So far, I have returned the shopping damage I did at IKEA yesterday, I have stuck to the diet, even did a little exercise.  Today is a much better day.  Thanks for the encouragement Dhara.

Your cheatin' heart....

today I was mad unfaithful to the diet today, for really the first time.  I am in the middle of week seven so I suppose it is not bad.  I have slipped of the diet but with moderation and good decision making I continued to loose weight.  

Today, I got a buzz from IKEA and ate an entire lunch, meatballs, mash potatoes, I had regular mountain dew also.  Amanda and I had our taxes done today and went to Chick Fil A afterwards because I had to be at a basketball game and we were under the time gun.  I did get the grilled chicken sandwich, the healthy option.  I did not chose the healthier side options, I got fries.  I did however have Diet Dr. Pepper and I did not use dipping sauce, I so suppose there was some restraint.  While Amanda and I discussed money, the economy, etc, I ate three of her chicken strips taking what had been good portion control and throwing it out the window.  

I think I was feeling bad today, about myself, life, all that.  That is why I eat, I was completely incapable of making a solid decision today. I only say this in retrospect, but I just had a bad day.  I bought a lot of stuff at IKEA that we didn't need.  When I am upset, I binge shop.  I will be returning that stuff tomorrow.  Then I ate and ate, like an idiot.  I feel a little better now, mostly on the high of my Niners beating #16 Xavier tonight at a crowded Halton Arena.  I posted this tonight party out of accountability.  If I am going to reach my goals, I need support, I need to be accountable to bad decisions that I make.  I owed you, my supporting public an explanation.  My bad y'all.  Tomorrow, I will be productive, smart, and responsible.  Tomorrow will be a lot of fun.

Week 6 Results

Starting Weight: 284lbs

Today's Weight: 260lbs

This Week's Loss: 2lbs

Total Weight Loss: 24lbs

Remainder to Lose: 40lbs

Week 5 Results

Starting Weight: 284lbs

Today's Weight: 262lbs

This Week's Loss: 3lbs

Total Weight Loss: 22lbs

Remainder to Lose: 42lbs

Read The Towel

'nuff said

Week 4 Results

Yes, I weighed in a day early... I know what I plan to do to my body tonight... so I thought a day early weigh in was appropriate and I need an extra day next week to work off today's festivities!

Starting Weight: 284lbs

Today's Weight: 265lbs

This Week's Loss: 3lbs

Total Weight Loss: 19lbs

Remainder to Lose: 45lbs

GO STEELERS!!!

Go Stillers! Steelers for those that don't know!

FSL News

Well Charlotte 49ers are starting to collect the money for the seat licenses.  Amanda and I have discussed this ad nausium and have decided we won't purchase them yet.  Our deciding factors were these: 

1.  The economy sucks, and the first payment of $1,000 is due in April.  Amanda and I would like to take one vacation this year and that would clean our vacation money out.

2. There is no incentive to buy them right away, other than the slim likely hood that they sell out, your assignment will be based on your 49er club ranking in 2013, so I can continue to buy basketball tickets and help my seating assignment.  

3. If we move in the next five years, a possibility if the economy recovers and my company starts growing again, then we would still have to buy tickets and then unload them.  Since they would be a 1aa team, it would probably be pretty hard to break even.  

4. Did I mention the economy sucks.

So, I will continue to buy basketball season tickets, even though no one goes with me to the games except Dawn, and Franklin tomorrow v. Winthrop.  That is my favorite sport anyway.

GO STEELERS!!!

Week 3 Results

Starting Weight: 284lbs

Today's Weight: 268lbs

This Week's Loss: 2lbs

Total Weight Loss: 16lbs

Remainder to Lose: 48lbs

GO STEELERS!!!

Currently, I am trying my best to NOT watch Gilmore Girls with Amanda.  She got the first season on NetflixI am so sore today... I went and played flag football today for the first time since November.  I had to play QB to catch my breath and now of course my arm is in a lot of pain... I guess having no athletic talent takes its toll on your body and your psyche.  Not to mention your self-esteem. Anywho, I threw two interceptions and I really hope that does not mean that Ben will do the same thing.  

I cannot wait for the Super Bowl, I also cannot wait for it to be over.  I get to shave my beard off then and that will make Amanda smile.  I am doing the whole hockey guy thing showing solidarity with my Steelers.  

I will update tomorrow with my weight loss... should be a slow week for that, but we did eat out twice and exercised great restraint.  

Hope, the Age of Obama begins today!

I am pretty sure the Blogger has had a million or more posts about the inauguration of Barack Obama today.  I must admit that a little tear appeared on my cheek as a result of watching a black man take the oath of office.  Moreover, I was just plain proud of America for putting him there, proud of him for being someone who can unite and bring common vision, and mostly thrilled to have the "Shame of a Nation" fly back to Texas for good. 

My favorite moment would have to be when he screwed up the oath... he had to have it repeated to him.  Due to his great charisma and unwavering confidence, we sometimes forget that the man is human.  I like that he stumbled on the oath, just a little reminder, he breathes air just like you and I do.  With any luck, in four years, he will get it right.  

I am full of hope, optimism, whatever you call it.  My head is high, I am ready to help in whatever way my life can add value to this country.  If President Obama wants me to do something within my abilities, yes I will.  I will answer his call for the next generation of men to be better fathers, not absent or neglectful, to teach their children right from wrong and all moral virtues.  I will answer his call for more community service, to help the downtrodden among us not through socialist like policies but by doing my part, helping my neighbor, being a better citizen.  

I am full of hope because my friends in the military, the many I have lived with, drank with, loved, are in the hands of someone who I believe have their best interests and the military's best interest at heart, not settling a family score or pining for higher oil prices to get rich.  I am hopeful that President Obama will bring home all of my people, all of your people, all of our people safely and securely.  

I love this country!

Week 2 Results

Starting Weight: 284lbs

Today's Weight: 270lbs

This Week's Loss: 6lbs

Total Weight Loss: 14lbs

Remainder to Lose: 50lbs

GO STEELERS!!!

Here We Go!

There has been an odd side effect to dieting with your spouse I didn't realize was happening.  We talk more!

It seems that when you have common goals you communicate more.  Duh, that is management rule number something or other.  Amanda and I have been supporting each other on this diet and it is so much easier.  It gives us a natural conversation starter.  For the first time since we lived here, this week, we ate one meal at our pub table in the kitchen in lieu of in front of our monster television.  

Furthermore, our conversations about our day, our cravings, what we miss and the like have lead into more fruitful and thoughtful conversations.  Sometimes couples can really loose track of how much they like each other when the rigors of day-to-day life set in.  During the course of this week, we had a two hour long conversation about serious and not so much type things with the television off.  We should diet more often, just to really remember how to appreciate the love and support that we have in this house.  

Working Out

...sucks!!!  a truckload... no really... it sucks.

I used the DVD workout that came with Nutrisystem.  It was really difficult, but I finished up.  I look forward to it because it will help me be more flexible.  I want to be more flexible so I can play more sports and not have to spend time doing lonely, boring workouts.  I really prefer team sports but in order to not get hurt and perform better, I have to do this stuff first.  

Let me shower, heading to the Niners game tonight against LaSalle.  I hope we can end this three game skid.

FORTY>>>>>

Day late, a few pounds short

Sorry I posted a day too late, kind of slipped my mind as am a bit under the weather the last few days.  

Starting Weight: 284lbs

Today's Weight: 276lbs

This Week's Loss: 8lbs

Total Weight Loss: 8lbs

Remainder to Lose: 56lbs

shocking

1. Neil Patrick Harris is hosting SNL... he is my gay man crush, if only I wasn't straight.

2. I honestly feel a bit of relief that the Panthers lost, I really did not want to have to face them in the Superbowl of my Steelers happen to have made it in.  I am not making assumptions, San Diego gave us all we could handle during the season.

3.  The diet is going pretty well.  I was struggiling at first simply because I was starving.  I was used to ingesting 3000+ calories a day.  So 1800 calories a day is a shock to the system.  I will post the weight lost results for week one on Monday morning... if I remember of course.

Diet Day One

I really do not plan to post everyday about my unfatting, however, I must say I am starving.  I am going to bed early, right after I post just so I won't feel hungry anymore.  I ate enough today, about 1800 calories but the problem is I have been pounding 3000+ per day.  My body is lost without the cokes, vaults, and all the caffeinated crap I have been drinking.  I spent the day at work with a withdrawal headache and empty stomach.  Since this is my second diet attempt, I know that this will pass in a few days, it just hurts right now.  The hardest part is when people bring in a smelly burger and fries... I COVET!!!

Diet

Starts tomorrow... I will weigh in tomorrow morning as well.  In the interest of full disclosure, I will post my weight, my goal, and my progress.

***update***

I weight 284lbs.... holy shit!

Goal: 64lbs

Goal Weight: 220lbs

Time: 12 months

Summer Vacation Planning

Our original idea was going to be take a trip to San Francisco and see what all they have to offer.  I presented Amanda with an alternate idea.  

We were already going to do the Blue Ridge Parkway Tour with one of the MINI clubs.  The BRPT is starting at the south end of the parkway and goes to the very north end in June, the 18th to the 21st.  

It just so happens that the New England MINIS are doing their Great Ice Cream Run from Skyline Drive (where BRP ends) all the way to Maine.  Over three days, the 22nd to the 25th, there will be about 300+ miles a day on our way up there.  The first stop is in Pottsville and going to a Yuengling brewery tour.  The next day is outside of Boston, so I know we will spend some time there.  The third stop is in Freeport, Maine, the home base of L.L. Bean.  The very last day will be spent in Bar Harbor.

While we are in Bar Harbor, there happens to be an event called the Bar Harbor Invasion, lasting from the 25th to the 27th.  This was a favorite stop on our New England Cruise a couple summers ago.  We will do some shopping, some hiking in Acadia National Forrest, east some wicked good lobsta!

The last event on this leg of the trip is called MINIs On Top.  This is where we wake up at the butt crack of dawn and motor up Cadillac Mountain to watch the sunrise over Bar Harbor.  We then motor up to New Hampshire's Mount Washington to watch the sunset.  Then there are events all day in between and you watch the sunset and motor down the mountain.  

That should be about ten days total, then maybe a stop with some family in Harrisburg or Pittsburgh.  We will see.  The only thing that will keep us off this trip is a huge spike in gas prices or sudden unemployment.