It Happens . . . and So It Goes . . .

All sort of really interesting things have landed in my e-mail over the weekend but at the forefront seems to be Ohio State Football Coach Jim Tressel's resignation amid allegations that he violated various NCAA rules. I can't say that he did or didn't. What I can say is that he was a class act for the ten years that he coached the Buckeyes and I wish him well. I also wish Luke well in the coming season and I shall remain forever a loyal Buckeye fan and a pox on the fair weather ones.

I have had experience with the NCAA and its rules and know how that they rival the Justinian Code in complexity. My journey with them began in the spring of 1993 when my son started getting letters from various colleges (usually swimming coaches) asking him to come visit them. That summer we visited a few schools that he thought interesting. When he went back to school in the fall, I called the A.D. and asked him for a copy of the NCAA recruiting rules. He was astounded because no one had ever asked for them in all the years he held the position. I was astounded that no one had ever asked for them. I asked for them because over the years I'd read in the sports section about kids' losing out on scholarships because of recruiting violations and we didn't want the Dynamic Duo to miss out on a scholarship for some silly reason or another. He studied them carefully and kept us informed as interested coaches kept calling. The whole thing is crazy and I can see how kids -- a kid like Terrelle Pryor especially -- can get swept up in all the attention and make huge mistakes. My son wasn't in the big leagues but there were days when he came home and said, "If any coaches call tonight, tell them that I'm not here." Heck! I even got calls from coaches who just wanted to talk about what a great kid my kid was. I noticed one week that no had coaches called and mentioned it and Eric said that under NCAA rules, they weren't allowed to call that week. See what I mean?

I'm not making excuses for anyone. If errors were made, the guilty parties have to face the consequences. One of the rules I live by is this: If you're gonna play the game, you had better know the rules -- ignorance has never been a viable defense. Another is: The only really stupid question is the one you don't ask. That's the one that usually gets you in trouble.

Yeah, it's a mess in Columbus and yeah, Jim Tressel will be missed but we are the Buckeyes; we have been through a lot before this and we will live to fight another day (and win!). Here's the song that popped into my mind when someone asked me (me?) what we'd do without Tressel:



Gooooooooo Buckeyes!!!!!

Happy Blogging!

Kay

It's the Groaner of the Week!!!!!!

I wasn't around yesterday for several reasons which I may or may not talk about later. There's a lot going on here. Sigh.

The Packers beat the heck outta the Steelers in the Super Bowl so a Steelers jokes are in order. Fortunately, as an Ohioan and a Browns fan I have lots of Steelers jokes:

What does a Steeler fan say when he steps up to the microphone? "Would you like fries with that?"

Two Steelers fans walk past a bar. . . . Hey, it could happen!

What do you say to a Steeler fan wearing a suit? "Will the defendant please rise?"

How many Steeler fans does it take to change a light bulb? One, because they think if they simply hold onto the bulb the world will revolve around them.

What are the best things about Pittsburgh? The airport and the interstate highway system. They help you leave there.

Why did Arnold Palmer move to Florida from Latrobe PA? To get away from the Steelers fans.

And last but best . . .

Where will the Pittsburgh Steelers sit during next year's Super Bowl? On their couches at home!

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!

Kay

Wednesday Random Thoughts

I've been reading too much and, as always, need to hold forth on all and sundry .

* I'm smiling!!!! My Buckeyes won the Sugar Bowl 31-28 against an excellent University of Arkansas team. It's the first time they won a bowl game against an SEC team under Coach Jim Tressel. Congrats to both the Buckeyes and the Razorbacks and their coaches for a great game that never had a dull moment. (Although I did/do question the officiating but I always feel that way when we play an SEC team in Bowl games.)

* I found this list, 15 Whoppers Beck Did Not Get Fired For In 2010 over at Media Matters who gave him their "Misinformer of the Year Award". Sarah Palin won it last year. What does that say about Fox News?

* Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich has written a brutally honest piece on his blog called The Big Lie. Read it and weep. You're not paranoid if they really are out to get you.

* Christine "I am not a witch." O'Donnell is under investigation for misusing campaign funds -- it's just another liberal plot, according to her. I hope they send her to jail. Any idiot knows that one doesn't use campaign funds for rent and groceries. Here she is on the Big Ed Show:



* Good news!!!! Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert are back!!!! I missed them!

* I had the film "State of Play" which stars Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck from Netflix over the weekend. I thought it excellent. It's fiction but its plot was so plausible, it was frightening. Did any of y'all see it? What did y'all think?



I'm keeping this short because I'm tired and lost my notes!

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!

Kay

Sugar Bowl 2011

Tonight my beloved Ohio State University Buckeyes take on the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. It's going to be a really great game and I wish my good friends and fellow bloggers in Arkansas: Betty, Willie and Alan all the best but I am hoping for a win for my Bucs!!!!

I've been saddened and disappointed with several players who behaved dishonorably recently and hope that they have learned from the experience and go on to glory.


(Note: If y'all noticed, I'm pretty calm about this -- I only go viral when we play the Wolverines!)

Goooooooooooooooooooooo Buckeyes!!!!!!!!

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!

Kay

It's Game Day! Gooooo Buckeyes!

It's game day!!!!! I'll be glued to the TV most of the day right here at home. There are parties all over town and I'm invited to several but I'd rather be at home with my own stuff.

Tailgating starts early in Columbus and the campus and High Street (where the college bars are located) have been rocking since last night. It's pure unadulterated crazy fun. If you're interested in game data you can find it here.



Our coach, Jim Tressel, is going for his sixth straight win against the Wolverines and his signature scarlet and gray sweater vests have become part of the legend. "Beware of the vest" signs are seen everywhere to remind everyone what great coach he is. He isn't flamboyant like Woody Hayes. He's incredibly low key and quietly coaches some of the best young men ever to play in the 'Shoe to victory.

Yesterday, the Wolverines arrived and did a walkthrough at the 'Shoe with their coach, Rich Rodriguez.




Another factor is our excellent (on the field AND the classroom) quarterback, Terelle Pryor, who is a candidate for the Heisman Trophy. Here's a video of some of his moves:



And, of course the band is always important. Here's their excellent entrance that is a long time Ohio State tradition. I love it.



Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!!!!

Happy Blogging and Goooooooooo Buckeyes!!!!!!!!!

Kay

Thankful Buckeyes

No home for the holiday for the Ohio State Buckeyes. They had practice. However, they did get a turkey dinner with all the trimmings and the afternoon off. Friday means more practice. I can relate to that. The Dynamic Duo were college swimmers and they spent their Christmas breaks with a few days at home for Christmas and the rest training and competing in Florida. Life for a dedicated athlete is not easy and if you're not dedicated, your scholarship has a nasty way of disappearing along with your name on the roster. The level of competition in the Big 10 is fierce and I have a genuine respect for the hard work these young men put in in addition to their studies. And I've heard from reliable sources that Coach Tressel demands excellence in the classroom as well on the field. I think that's become a norm in college sports and I like that. I like this video a lot -- and it's short!!!!!



Sorry this is short but I had a busy Turkey Day with my brother and his wife as well as my niece and the darling grandnieces. My nephew was there sans his fiancee and her daughter (who I count as a grandniece) as she had to go to her parents' house. too. Matt sprung some news on me that took me off guard -- and I'm saving that for Sunday. Don't worry -- it's good news. He has strict orders that he HAS to call me Saturday or I'll track him down like a dog and I think he knows it's easier to call me than have me angry.

It's gonna be an interesting weekend!!!!!!!

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Goooooooooooooooooooooooo Buckeyes!!!!!!!!!!!

Kay

The Rivalry

I know some y'all think the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is pretty nutty and it probably is. However, neither Ohio nor Michigan is known for its glamour or sophistication like California or New York. Both states are "flyover country" and not worthy of notice most of the time. We are down home, flag-waving "just folks". Once a year we go nuts. It's a 100-year-old rivalry and we have fun with it mostly.
Anyone who takes it too seriously is truly insane.

Someone had a good time with photoshop and it refers to the fact that we've won the last five games and are going for six. I can't hate Michigan too much -- I grew up less than an hour south of Ann Arbor in Toledo so there are a bunch of Michigan fans there. My stepmom is a Michigan fan and it's not her fault she was born there. LOL



Here's a "hype" video. There were ones that I liked better but sometimes there was profanity and I prefer not to sully my blog with certain cuss words if y'all get my drift.



For all the jokes and the craziness we do respect each other. A few years ago Michigan's long time coach Bo Schembechler passed away a few days before the game and you can see the respect we Buckeyes had for this great man here.



And I'll close with the band's signature script 'Ohio'. I always get a kick out out of it!



Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Blogging and Goooooooooooooooooo Buckeyes!!!!!!!!

Kay

TBDBITL

One of the best things about Ohio State Football has little to do with football but is an integral part of Buckeye football. It's what we call The Best Damned Band In The Land and plays a huge part in the spirit of Ohio State Football. They not only perform at skull sessions (pep rallies) before each game, they march across campus to the gym and the 'Shoe and the walkways are lined with fans cheering as they pass. Here they are earlier this season:



And I love the drum section's warm-up on the ramp -- I think it's amazing!



One of my favorite traditions is the playing of Ohio's official rock song!!!!
Joared -- my friend, fellow blogger and faithful Buckeye fan loves it, too.



Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Blogging and Goooooooooooo Buckeyes!!!!!!!

Kay

It's the Groaner of the Week!!!!!!!!!

Above is a aerial photo of Ohio Stadium aka "The 'Shoe featuring The Best Damned Band in the Land.

Since it's Ohio State-Michigan Week, I thought I'd share a couple OSU-Michigan groaners/jokes. Please note that each of these jokes is told in reverse depending on whether one is north or south of the Ohio-Michigan border. I know -- I've been to both U. of Michigan and Ohio State websites and both have the same jokes.

Q: How do you get a Michigan grad off of your front porch?
A: Pay him for the pizza.

Q. What did the Michigan graduate say to the Ohio State graduate?
A. "Welcome to McDonald's. May I take your order, please?"

Q: How do you make University of Michigan cookies?
A: Put them in a big Bowl and beat for 3 hours


Ann Arbor News Report: Football practice at University of Michigan was delayed on Monday for nearly two hours. One of the offensive players, while on his way to the locker room, happened to look down and notice a suspicious looking, unknown, white powdery substance on the practice field.

The head coach, Lloyd Carr, immediately suspended practice while the FBI was called in to investigate. After a complete field analysis, the FBI determined that the white substance unknown to the players was the goal line.

Practice was resumed when the FBI decided that the team would not be likely to encounter the substance again.

Grooooaaaaaaaaaannnnn!!!!!!!!

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!

Kay

Okay I Can Write Now . . .

I have good news and I have not so good news on a lot of different levels and now I finally get to write about it. Why couldn't I write? I'll tell you about it as we progress.

* Good news: I think the antibiotics are working because I feel better and actually have some energy and got some work done today.
Not so good: I think it's screwing up my sleep patterns worse than ever. Oh well.

* Good news: My closets are less crowded. I'm trying to be ruthless 'cause it's too easy to say 'Maybe' when one hasn't worn it in three years. And yes, my black dress collection is mostly intact.
Not so good: So far I have four 15-gallon trash bags filled for The Salvation Army and I haven't even started on accessories, the "catch all" cupboard, my desk or my books. The last two look like a job for Batman.

* Good news: I made a good-sized dent in organizing my computer files.
Not so good: I found a lot of files that need to reorganized.

* Good news: An acquaintance asked if I had any Christmas decorations I wanted to sell/get rid of and I said, "Heck yeah!"
Not so good: I have to go down in the dungeon (basement) and go through them.

* Good news: My Buckeyes beat the University of Iowa (of which my daughter-in-law is an alumna) Hawkeyes today. I was good -- I didn't gloat.
Not so good news: It was a nail-biter and we won in the last few minutes. These guys have no respect for my blood pressure. Think I oughta call Coach Tressel?

* Good news: Next Saturday is the final game of the regular season for the Buckeyes.
Not so good news: It's Michigan Week and my blog will be loaded with jokes, photos, and videos about the rivalry that dates back to 1897. It's all in good fun so please bear with me. (and Joared, too.) It's an Ohio thing.

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!! AND Goooooooooooooo Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!

Kay

Rose Bowl Win!!!!! Buckeyes Rule!!!!!!!!

For me, a day with knockies, kraut and dumplings for supper accompanied by Buckeye football is a pretty damn good day but when dessert is a Rose Bowl win, it's seriously euphoric!!!!!

Yeah, all week I read about how much better the PAC-7 was than the Big 10 and how much better the Oregon Ducks were than my beloved Buckeyes and to those so-called experts, I politely say: "Nyah! Nyah! Nyah!" while grinning ear-to-ear as Coach Tressel received the traditional Gatorade bath after the Buckeyes beat the Ducks 27-16 in the Rose Bowl. Sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor, from just across the border in Jeanette, PA, garnered MVP honors!

This video says it all!



It really was an excellent game with both teams giving their best. It kept my attention from start to finish!!!! I honestly hate games where the teams aren't evenly matched and this game definitely was not one of those. I do think the Ducks underestimated our defense and that, my friends was their downfall.

The Best Damn Band in the Land marched in the Rose Bowl parade and showed the Ducks fans their signature style at the game. How I envied my fellow fans who were lucky enough to be there! Here's their half-time show in Pasadena!



The New Year is off to a pretty good start! Congratulations to Coach Tressel and the Buckeyes for a great game and a great win!

Happy Blogging and Goooooooooooooooooo Buckeyes!!!!!!!

Kay

Gearing Up for New Year's Day

I think it's fitting that I'm beginning my last day of 2009 with a stress test. That said I'm glad 2009 is over. I'm skeptical of 2010 but figure that my beloved Ohio State Buckeyes are in the Rose Bowl so it's not a bad start! Both Brice and David were sporting new bright red Ohio State hoodies when they shoveled my walk this this week -- another good sign! Think Santa's a Buckeye fan?

Here's a pump up video for the Buckeyes:



And here's a promo for the Rose Bowl:



I think it's gonna be a hell of a game!!!!!

Sorry this is long on video and short on content but with a stress test at 9:00 AM I simply can't stay up any longer!!!!!

Happy Blogging and Goooooooooooooo Buckeyes!!!!!!

Kay

Happy Blogging!!!!!

Go Bucks -- Six in a Row!!!! And Update

Yesterday The Ohio State University Buckeyes met the the University of Michigan Wolverines on the gridiron 21-10!!!! I can guarantee that they're dancin' in the streets in Columbus. We did a lot of whoopin' and hollerin' here, too!!! It was a really good game -- any time the U of M's freshman quarterback gets intercepted for times there's plenty of cause to celebrate. They also captured the Big 10 crown and a berth in the Rose Bowl!!!!!!

I do want to add that Ohio State's players wore Breast Cancer Awareness stickers with the initials 'S.S.' on their helmets in memory of Stefanie Spielman -- wife of former Buckeye and Pro Bowl linebacker, Chris Spielman -- who lost her 10-year battle with breast cancer this past Friday at age 42. I thought it a lovely tribute to a lovely lady who worked very hard speaking out for and supporting breast cancer causes. We in my county are especially touched by this because both Chris and Stefanie are from here where they were high school sweethearts and lived for a while after they graduated from college.

* The party at my house was sort of a bust because not many came by but we had fun anyway. I asked everyone to bring their own beverage and something to share and I provided coney dogs, sloppy joes and chips. I think that I don't have a big TV might have been a mitigating factor. Oh well! Then again, that I've been such a hermit of late could also be a factor. The grapevine has it that some people are annoyed with me. Oh well.

* I'm trying to decide what I'm going to be doing here and I'll be sharing that with y'all soon. The groaners will return in some form and I will still ask that you send them to me. Posting them in comments is NOT an option as I've said in the past.

* I'm still struggling to get caught up on email from my absence here. Please forgive me. I'm also trying to get my blog roll organized. There are over 100 blogs on it and not all are on blogger's following feature. All of this takes big chunks of time and is tedious at best. Mea culpa.

* I'm still tired a lot. Hopefully, that will be addressed when I go to the endocrinologist in two weeks.

Not much more to say. I'm probably forgetting something but that's okay. it was probably silly anyway.

Hope y'all are enjoying the weekend!!!!!

Happy Blogging and Yayyyyyyyyy Buckeyes!!!!!!!!

Kay

Fiesta Bowl Tears and an Idea

The Ohio State University Buckeyes met the University of Texas Longhorns in the Fiesta Bowl last night in Scottsdale, Arizona. Texas won 24-21. I am sad.

Please temper what I'm going to say because I am disappointed and upset. If y'all watched on Fox like I did, you had to think to listen to the pre-game that Texas had already won -- the abuse handed to Eddie George, a Buckeye alumni and Heisman Trophy winner, was tacky at best as his cohorts all but handed the trophy to Texas. That said, from where I sat, as the game progressed, it appeard that the officials were on Texas' side, too. I have never seen Coach Jim Tressel -- always a gentleman -- angry but I saw it tonight. I don't blame him -- he brought a damned good team who received nothing but putdowns. I frankly don't ever want to see Ohio State in another BCS bowl game again. It doesn't matter who we play, the other team is always better (per the media and the refs) and gets more support and attention from the powers that be. I'll be interested to see what Coach Tressel has to say tomorrow. I was proud of our guys -- they played a hell of a game. Too bad the officials and the talking heads weren't impartial. And oh yeah, I found it interesting that the play of the game was Ohio State's second touchdown.
'Nuff said.

-----------------------------------

Ell of The Pomegranate Tiger made a comment on the Groaner of the Week that set me a-thinking. We just finished a full year of The Friday Groaner. What I would like to assemble a panel of judges to choose the top Friday Groaners of 2008. I will serve on the panel since I've never met a groaner I didn't like. :-) In the interest of fairness, contributors may not serve on the panel. Winners will receive a badge of my design to post on their blog, home page, or whatever. If you like the idea, please let me know. If you are interested in judging this, please let me know.

Not to sound like a broken record, but The Friday Groaner is in danger of dying. If you wish to share a groaner, please email it to me at the address in the sidebar.
I can't continue it without your help. Thank you.

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!!!!