It's been "one of those weeks" here in Birmingham. Nothing exciting has really happened, but nothing terribly bad has happened. It's kind of one of those weeks where you coast through life.
Last Sunday we visited the church at the movie theater again. We heard the last of a three part series about leadership. It was pretty entertaining. I'm slowly getting used to watching the pastor on a movie screen.
Jen passed her first test of the semester today. It was a law test and she studied for days. Apparently there is another test on Monday that she is already studying for. You can tell school is in session by all the books and binders at the apartment.
I'm pretty excited about this weekend. Kendall is coming down along with Jen's friends Lauren and Holly. It's been a long time since we've had company and we haven't seen our parents in about a month. I'm looking forward to hanging out and having a good time with old friends this weekend.
This was a pretty boring post, so I'll try to do better next time...
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Walk of Shame
I feel confident in saying that almost everyone that reads this blog either watched first hand or heard about the massacre in Neyland on Saturday. The score didn't look as bad, compared to last years beating in the swamp. However, what hope do the mighty vols have for the rest of the season.
We play Auburn this week who barely lost to LSU. We play Georgia who is ranked ahead of Florida. We also play Alabama who hog tied the Arizona razorbacks. All in all things aren't looking up for Tennessee.
Unfortunately I don't have a lot of things I can do here in Alabama besides watch college football. When a Tennessee game comes on I'm going to find myself in front of the TV watching and praying. I had the opportunity to travel to Auburn next weekend and watch the game. The ticket prices were not outrageous, but the gas would have been moderately costly. I decided to save the money, and based on yesterday's performance I think I made a good decision.
I don't want to sound like a bandwagon fan. I love the vols and I will always cheer and route for my alma matre. However, when you live in the middle of tide country you kind of hope that your team plays respectable. This makes the second Monday I have had to go to work and do the walk of shame. Everyone knows what happened and I'm the walking punch line because I have TN stuff proudly displayed all over my desk.
If we could find a way to beat Auburn and Alabama I wouldn't care if we lost all the other games of the season.
We play Auburn this week who barely lost to LSU. We play Georgia who is ranked ahead of Florida. We also play Alabama who hog tied the Arizona razorbacks. All in all things aren't looking up for Tennessee.
Unfortunately I don't have a lot of things I can do here in Alabama besides watch college football. When a Tennessee game comes on I'm going to find myself in front of the TV watching and praying. I had the opportunity to travel to Auburn next weekend and watch the game. The ticket prices were not outrageous, but the gas would have been moderately costly. I decided to save the money, and based on yesterday's performance I think I made a good decision.
I don't want to sound like a bandwagon fan. I love the vols and I will always cheer and route for my alma matre. However, when you live in the middle of tide country you kind of hope that your team plays respectable. This makes the second Monday I have had to go to work and do the walk of shame. Everyone knows what happened and I'm the walking punch line because I have TN stuff proudly displayed all over my desk.
If we could find a way to beat Auburn and Alabama I wouldn't care if we lost all the other games of the season.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Down at the DMV
Last Monday Jen and I traveled to one of my least favorite places in the city. The Jefferson County Department of Motor Vehicles. We recently traded in Jen's car for a new VW Jetta and we needed to go pay the Alabama taxes on the vehicle.
This trip started out as most other trips to the DMV. Long lines, smelly people and unfriendly employees. We hoped by going later in the day we may avoid some of the long lines. That didn't work out real well.
We had been standing in line for about 30 minutes when Jen looked at me and said "I feel like I'm going to pass out." Ten seconds later I saw her head fall forward and I caught her before she fell to the floor. I brought her down gently to the green and was calling her name. I had her seated upright and was looking her in the eyes calling her name. A nurse ran up and told me to lay her flat on the ground. I was freaking out at this point calling Jen, Jen, Jen....
Three nurses ran up and someone called the paramedics. Jen came to and the paramedics ran tests on her. Luckily all her vital signs were normal and they said it was probable nothing major. However, for me it was scariest thing I have ever been a part of. To see someone you love fall to the ground and not respond to you calling there name is terrifying.
After the fact I realized that my first aid and CPR training was pretty much worthless in a crisis. What is the first thing you are always taught. Designate someone to call 911 immediately. Sadly, this never crossed my mind. Picking Jen up and driving her to the nearest hospital did, but getting there via ambulance did not.
I tried to convince Jen to leave, but she insisted at this point we stay and get our tags and pay the taxes for the car. Everyone gladly let me regain my place in line which was now three spots from the front. We got Jen home and she is feeling fine and back to normal now.
This trip started out as most other trips to the DMV. Long lines, smelly people and unfriendly employees. We hoped by going later in the day we may avoid some of the long lines. That didn't work out real well.
We had been standing in line for about 30 minutes when Jen looked at me and said "I feel like I'm going to pass out." Ten seconds later I saw her head fall forward and I caught her before she fell to the floor. I brought her down gently to the green and was calling her name. I had her seated upright and was looking her in the eyes calling her name. A nurse ran up and told me to lay her flat on the ground. I was freaking out at this point calling Jen, Jen, Jen....
Three nurses ran up and someone called the paramedics. Jen came to and the paramedics ran tests on her. Luckily all her vital signs were normal and they said it was probable nothing major. However, for me it was scariest thing I have ever been a part of. To see someone you love fall to the ground and not respond to you calling there name is terrifying.
After the fact I realized that my first aid and CPR training was pretty much worthless in a crisis. What is the first thing you are always taught. Designate someone to call 911 immediately. Sadly, this never crossed my mind. Picking Jen up and driving her to the nearest hospital did, but getting there via ambulance did not.
I tried to convince Jen to leave, but she insisted at this point we stay and get our tags and pay the taxes for the car. Everyone gladly let me regain my place in line which was now three spots from the front. We got Jen home and she is feeling fine and back to normal now.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Where were you?
At work today I was emailing my friend Ryan. He brought to my attention that my blogging has decreased. He told me I should blog about 9-11-01 in honor of today.
I've talked with several people about what they were doing on 9-11. No matter who it is everyone remembers were they were when they first heard the news. I was a freshman at UT when I got a call from someone on my cell saying that a plane flew in to the world trade center. I think I was on my way to math class when I first heard about the news. I remember going home and on every channel they just kept showing the video.
It seems weird that was seven years ago. In history books that our kids will read 9-11 will be in it. Today is known as patriot day. For those of you not in the banking industry you should look up the Patriot Act. But we all can say we've lived through a major world event. When my parents were in there 20s Vietnam was taking place and World War 2 was in our grandparents prime.
Just five months before 9-11 took place I visited New York for the first time. I vividly remember the twin towers and how really tall they were. If you've never seen the New York Skyline it is amazing. But those two buildings were taller than anything else in the city. They were an amazing site.
I still feel bad for the people and families that were directly affected by that tragedy. In a way though, it's affected us all.
I've talked with several people about what they were doing on 9-11. No matter who it is everyone remembers were they were when they first heard the news. I was a freshman at UT when I got a call from someone on my cell saying that a plane flew in to the world trade center. I think I was on my way to math class when I first heard about the news. I remember going home and on every channel they just kept showing the video.
It seems weird that was seven years ago. In history books that our kids will read 9-11 will be in it. Today is known as patriot day. For those of you not in the banking industry you should look up the Patriot Act. But we all can say we've lived through a major world event. When my parents were in there 20s Vietnam was taking place and World War 2 was in our grandparents prime.
Just five months before 9-11 took place I visited New York for the first time. I vividly remember the twin towers and how really tall they were. If you've never seen the New York Skyline it is amazing. But those two buildings were taller than anything else in the city. They were an amazing site.
I still feel bad for the people and families that were directly affected by that tragedy. In a way though, it's affected us all.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
At Least I have the Open
As everyone knows, my coveted Volunteers failed to beat the UCLA Bruins on Monday. It's disappointing to see the game slip through the cracks in the fourth quarter. I give a lot of credit to UCLA's quarterback for not sucking up the second half like he did the first.
We can blame Lincoln, Crompton, Fulmer, or even Colquitt for being suspended but at the end of the day you win and lose as a team. Fulmer's career rests in the hands of college students. How many of us would want our salary and job security to rest in the hands of some 18-21 year old kids. In Zac's blog he made a nice reference to how these are just kids and they have so many eyes watching them and pressure from the entire state. We forget that in between practice they have to attend and pass their classes, because football is not a profession that 75% of them will pursue professionally.
Despite the tragedy of Monday night, I have found great joy in watching the US Open tennis tournament. I did grow up and play tennis for 11 years of my life, so I am biased on watching the sport. There have been a lot of great matches this year. I attended the open my senior year in college. I hope to make it back there one day.
I'd like to see Roddick come through and win the entire tournament. I know that is a tall order, but it's possible. If not Roddick then hopefully Federer can come beat Nadal and add another championship to his resume.
We can blame Lincoln, Crompton, Fulmer, or even Colquitt for being suspended but at the end of the day you win and lose as a team. Fulmer's career rests in the hands of college students. How many of us would want our salary and job security to rest in the hands of some 18-21 year old kids. In Zac's blog he made a nice reference to how these are just kids and they have so many eyes watching them and pressure from the entire state. We forget that in between practice they have to attend and pass their classes, because football is not a profession that 75% of them will pursue professionally.
Despite the tragedy of Monday night, I have found great joy in watching the US Open tennis tournament. I did grow up and play tennis for 11 years of my life, so I am biased on watching the sport. There have been a lot of great matches this year. I attended the open my senior year in college. I hope to make it back there one day.
I'd like to see Roddick come through and win the entire tournament. I know that is a tall order, but it's possible. If not Roddick then hopefully Federer can come beat Nadal and add another championship to his resume.
Monday, September 1, 2008
The only thing that rolls is toilet paper
It's the time of year when the trash talk starts and the orange comes out of the closet. That's right - It's fall and that means college football.
Once again, I'm working in an office where I'm the minority as far being a college football fan. We have a couple Alabama fans and a few Auburn among other schools. I can't help that those that wear the crimson on Friday didn't know you have to go north to Knoxville to get a quality education. It's not my fault that they don't know that Tuscaloosa is secondary compared to the great city of Knoxville.
They are currently running a commercial in Alabama about a defensive player who wrote a poem that has now been printed on the back of a t-shirt. It's called the "Alabama Way." The funny thing is that this guy's claim to fame is he was on an Alabama team that hate the number 1 rated defense two years ago. He does not have a national championship, sec championship, or a Heisman. I haven't taken time to read the poem, so I can't comment on its content. I just find it funny that they have sold out of these shirts in Alabama already.
Yes, they did beat Clemson the other night. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. Tennessee plays tonight and that will justify how good the rest of my week at work will go. If we win, I will be left alone and the no one will question the orange blazer that I will undoubtedly wear this fall. However, if we lose on the same weekend Alabama wins, my co-workers, my customers, and my neighbors will make sure I am aware of Tennessee's defeat.
With all that being said all I can do is say a big GO VOLS for tonight against UCLA. Hopefully this will be the start of a good season.
Once again, I'm working in an office where I'm the minority as far being a college football fan. We have a couple Alabama fans and a few Auburn among other schools. I can't help that those that wear the crimson on Friday didn't know you have to go north to Knoxville to get a quality education. It's not my fault that they don't know that Tuscaloosa is secondary compared to the great city of Knoxville.
They are currently running a commercial in Alabama about a defensive player who wrote a poem that has now been printed on the back of a t-shirt. It's called the "Alabama Way." The funny thing is that this guy's claim to fame is he was on an Alabama team that hate the number 1 rated defense two years ago. He does not have a national championship, sec championship, or a Heisman. I haven't taken time to read the poem, so I can't comment on its content. I just find it funny that they have sold out of these shirts in Alabama already.
Yes, they did beat Clemson the other night. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. Tennessee plays tonight and that will justify how good the rest of my week at work will go. If we win, I will be left alone and the no one will question the orange blazer that I will undoubtedly wear this fall. However, if we lose on the same weekend Alabama wins, my co-workers, my customers, and my neighbors will make sure I am aware of Tennessee's defeat.
With all that being said all I can do is say a big GO VOLS for tonight against UCLA. Hopefully this will be the start of a good season.
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