New co-worker

So I've got a new co-worker at the office who started working there last Monday.

Normally, that wouldn't be a big deal, and certainly not blog-worthy. The Town Talk is a big place. People come and go. It's only natural. When I worked at The Ruston Daily Leader, a paper much smaller and with a more intimate work force, it was a big deal when someone left or started. Here in Alexandria, not so much.

But last Monday was rather historic, as my wife began a new job at The Town Talk. No, Elizabeth is not a journalist. She has no journalism background. But she's working at the newspaper. While exact roles are up in the air (as they are for all us as we are redesigning a new setup at the paper), Elizabeth's main tasks are to archive our paper and assist with the Web site.

So far, she tells me, she's enjoying things. Sometimes, her cubicle is pretty hectic. Other times, she can work in relative anonymity -- the way she likes it.

Elizabeth's favorite thing about her new job is we've gotten a chance to carpool. Seriously, she loves it. Brings a big smile to her face. Working with a spouse is not a foreign concept to me. My mother and stepfather, until recently, have worked at the same job for 4-5 years. So it's nothing big to me. But it's amusing to see how much Elizabeth enjoys it.

Last week and this week, Elizabeth has been working 9-6 from Monday through Friday. Beginning next week, I believe, she'll switch to a 1-10 p.m. shift, before eventually moving to her "normal" shift of 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. from Tuesday through Saturday.

Now, there are pros and cons to this. For the first time since we moved to Alexandria, we'll have a two-day "weekend" where we are off together. It's tough when your days off are different. While working at the bank, Elizabeth was off Saturday and Sunday. I'm off Sunday and Monday. With Sunday being church day where we teach a group of middle schoolers, that leaves absolutely no time to do things together or do any traveling. So it'll be nice to be off together.

As for the con, at least until something changes, Elizabeth and I will be working criss-cross shifts. I work from 9-6 Tuesday through Thursday and from 3-whenever on Friday and Saturday. So that'll give us two days a week where we're not seeing each other as I'm leaving the building and she's entering. Now, I'm under the impression that my situation at work will eventually change. And I'll give everyone more details as they become more clear. But for right now, I don't know when my job's going to change. But it most likely will mean me moving to nights, so Elizabeth and I are at least on similar shifts.

We're excited in the McCormick household for Elizabeth's new job. She didn't particularly enjoy banking, and this new position is more down her alley. She can use some of her technology skills. Plus it's a foot in the door for a huge company that gives us plenty of options in the future.

Reading material

http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061222/NEWS01/612220338/1002/NEWS17

http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061224/NEWS01/612240301/1002/NEWS17

Submitted for your reading pleasure are two stories worthy of winning awards -- not because of anything I wrote, but simply because of the stories that needed to be told.

The first story is one of perseverance, work ethic and never giving up. The second one is a story of an amazing young woman whose selflessness apparently knows no bounds.

Due to vacations, writers on leave and other craziness, I pulled double duty this past week -- playing both editor and writer. So I had both of these stories essentially fall in my lap. And I was glad to tell them.

Playing reporter for a week made me realize how much I missed writing. It was a lot of fun, even with all of my other responsibilities and generally feeling overwhelmed. But we got the job done and got the paper out.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading the two stories as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Who Dat!

Now the nation knows. The New Orleans Saints are no longer simply the feel-good story of the year. No. Now the Saints are a force to be reckoned with and a legitimate contender for the Super Bowl.

That's the feeling today, after the Saints absolutely obliterated the Dallas Cowboys last night on national TV. The final score of 42-17 was bad enough, but it doesn't even begin to describe how much of a blowout this game was. After giving up a 77-yard touchdown run on Dallas's second play from scrimmage, the Saints' defense rebounded and put on a masterful performance.

All year long, the story has been about this team's offense. Drew Brees is in a dogfight with his former teammate (San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson) for league MVP honors. Reggie Bush's explosiveness has changed the way teams must gameplan against the Saints. Marques Colston, a seventh-round draft choice, has played like the Rookie of the Year for the better part of the season. And it goes beyond those three players. Deuce McAllister finding his role. Joe Horn's leadership, even through injuries. The depth at both wide receiver and tight end, with no-names making plays and names for themselves. And a patchwork offensive line playing like one of the league's best.

But last night was just as much about defense. A defense that wasn't supposed to be good at all. No depth and not much talent at linebacker. During the offseason, the Saints traded for a backup linebacker from Philadelphia, and Mark Simoneau has become one of the team's stars on defense. It's seemed as if every move has simply worked.

I'm not afraid to say that this team appears to be a "team of destiny". From Hurricane Katrina last year destoying the Saints' season, causing coach Jim Haslett to be let go and quarterback Aaron Brooks to (finally, thankfully) be terminated, to the hiring of Sean Payton, an unheralded QB coach who nobody else seemed to want, to Houston's idiocy of passing over Bush and allowing him to fall to the Saints at No. 2 in the draft, everything has fallen into place. This team had some talent and some character. It also had some losers. A lot of losers. But Payton has changed all that. He revamped the roster and brought in players who have bought into his system. Everything he has touched basically has turned to gold.

He hinged his future on Drew Brees, a quarterback cast away from San Diego in favor of third-year player Philip Rivers, after Brees hurt his shoulder and required offseason surgery. Brees worked out for Miami, who felt it had a better shot with Dante Culpepper's rebuilt knee. Didn't turn out too well for the Dolphins, but that left Brees as the new QB of the future in New Orleans. All Brees has done so far is throw for more than 4,000 yards for the first time in his career and separate himself as one of two legitimate MVP candidates (Tomlinson has 29 TDs, an NFL record, for the 11-2 Chargers). After last night's 383-yard game, Brees has thrown for 4,033 yards -- 1,051 yards shy of Dan Marino's all-time single-season record with three games to play. Brees would need to average about 350 yards per game, which isn't out of the question. He's currently averaging a little more than 310 and has thrown for more than 300 yards in six of the team's past seven games.

Then there's Bush, the Heisman Trophy winner last year who inexplicably fell to New Orleans at No. 2 in the draft. That's the day when New Orleans fans began to believe again -- began to truly believe the team's luck was turning around. We had a franchise QB and a legitimate budding superstar in Reggie Bush. Bush hasn't quite lived up to his hype (which was impossible), but he's played a major role in getting this team to 9-4. Bush is second in the league with 79 receptions and although his averages for both rushing and receiving aren't phenomenal, he's a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. There was his first touchdown -- a 65-yard punt return in the fourth quarter against Tampa Bay that gave the Saints the lead and the win. Then, last week, he scored four touchdowns against the 49ers. And against the Cowboys, he took a dump pass 61 yards for a touchdown -- showing his maturation by patiently waiting for his blockers and then exploding for the end zone. Bush has surpassed 125 yards receiving each of the past two weeks and scored a receiving touchdown in each. The scary part is he's just getting started.

And Bush and McAllister, who entered this season as a major question mark coming off knee surgery, have formed a tremendous team. Bush's explosiveness has helped create space for McAllister's power. McAllister, who is nearing in on 1,000 yards for the season, has helped salt away games last and contributed heavily to the Saints' ability to keep the clock running and controll the football. His stats have taken a hit due to sharing carries with Bush, but he's broken the 100-yard mark each of the past two weeks, and seems to be getting stronger. There's no doubt this team is at its best when there's a great balance between the number of touches for both Bush and McAllister. McAllister needs 20-25 carries a game, while Bush needs 20 touches -- which can come in a variety of ways. But perhaps the most vital asset McAllister has brought is his leadership. He's bought into Payton's system and hasn't pouted a bit about a rookie taking some of his spotlight. He just continues to work and produce. In many ways, he embodies exactly what this team is about this year.

I could go on and on and on. Each and every player has a story that could be told, and I could literally type for hours talking about every one of them. But I won't bore you with all that. All I won't to do is say that I believe. I, along with many others, believe this team has what it takes to go to the Super Bowl -- and win! Right now, the Saints are 1.5 games behind the Bears in the race for the top seed in the NFC playoffs. Should Chicago lose tonight to the St. Louis Rams, New Orleas will be one game back with three to play. New Orleans has a very favorable schedule starting next week with Washington (4-9) in the Superdome, following by a trip to New York to face the Giants (7-6) and a home date against division rival Carolina (6-7) to end the year. The final two games will be tough, as both the Giants and Panthers are fighting for their playoff lives. But it isn't out of the question for the Saints to win out and finish 12-4. With Chicago closing with the Rams (5-7) on the road, Tampa Bay (3-10) at home, Detroit (2-11) on the road and Green Bay (5-8) at home, it's clear to see the Bears have the favorable schedule to lock up the No. 1 seed. But with Rex Grossman at QB, stranger things have happened.

Should the Saints somehow get homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, there's no way they lose at home. Not with what New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region has gone through since Hurricane Katrina. This team -- this coach, these players -- will not allow that to happen. Last night, the Saints went into the house of "America's Team" and showed them just who the new "America's Team" really is. And I have a feeling this new America's Team will be playing in America's Game for the first time ever. Miami -- here we come!!!

A new hope

Believe it or not, my wife was upset at me yesterday because I didn't write a blog. Guess I'm lazy.

Today I'm hopeful. It's wasn't much fun being a Tech football fan this year. In fact, it was downright miserable. We struggled to a 3-10 season -- the worst in our school's history. Heck, downright miserable is an understatement. I can't think of a word to describe it, actually.

Well, that dreadful season ended on Saturday, with a 50-23 debacle at New Mexico State. But that score isn't as bad as the game really was. The Bulldogs scored two late touchdowns to make up for the 50-9 deficit they faced.

And on Monday, Tech football coach Jack Bicknell lost his job. Personally, it's sad. Jack was well-liked around campus and around Ruston. He genuinely was a good guy. We had a few spats while I was working in Ruston, but I always felt we had a good working relationship. So I always rooted for him. I wanted him to be the best coach he could be. I wanted him to succeed. I would have loved for him to take my football program to new heights of success and use that to springboard to a bigger job, perhaps at his alma mater, Boston College.

But it wasn't meant to be. Perhaps Jack was in over his head from the start. He'd never served as a coordinator, making the leap straight to head coach when Gary Crowton left for the NFL in 1999. Jack had success early, going 8-3 that first year and getting Tech its first ever top 25 ranking. The next year was a miserable 3-9, but the team rebounded in 2001 to win the WAC title in its first year in the new conference.

Unfortunately, that was about as good as it got. Tech's only other winning season during Bicknell's 8-year tenure came last year, when the team finished 7-4 but missed out on a chance to go to a bowl game by finishing 3rd in conference play. Then came this year's disaster.

In a sense, this team was set up for disaster. 13-game schedule for the first time ever. Three of first four games on the road against BCS schools, followed by a road game at Boise State, who's undefeated, ranked in the top 25 and going to play in the Fiesta Bowl. A new QB. 9 new starters on defense. The defensive coordinator left two days before fall practice began for a new job at Northwestern in Illinois. The new coordinator had never held that position in 40+ years of coaching.

But it wasn't the embarrassing showings against the BCS teams or even Boise that caused fans to lose faith in Bicknell and call for his job. No, it was the 24-14 loss to Idaho at homecoming, following a 55-14 blowout against Boise. It was the 44-10 loss to San Jose State. The 61-17 loss to Hawaii, 42-0 loss to Nevada and 50-23 loss to New Mexico State. It was the fact Jack's teams continually were unprepared to play. It was the fact we were embarrassed by conference teams -- some of the same teams we embarrassed just last year.

I wish Jack Bicknell the best of luck. He wasn't all bad in Ruston. He and his staff did a good job of recruiting and he leaves behind some very talented young players. Hopefully, that foundation will begin to develop under a new coaching staff, one that's better-suited to take Tech to the level it needs to be at.

Tech fans have a new hope today. There have been some big names thrown about as Bicknell's potential replacement. A couple that I'm most keen about seeing are Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who coached under Nick Saban at LSU and has many Louisiana recruiting ties, and Arkansas offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, who did wonder for the Razorbacks' offense in his first year after being a high school coach. There's no doubt in my mind that Malzahn has a big future, and I'd love to swipe him up early.

But as hopeful as Tech fans are today, we know the battle has just begun. Jack Bicknell was not the root of the problem facing Louisiana Tech athletics. There is a growing movement trying to oust Jim Oakes as Tech's athletic director. Jim has been on the job 12 years, and we've been regressing for the past half of that tenure. Jim never fully supported Bicknell and his scheduling tactics, lack of vision and unwillingness to work with others have resulted in our athletic department facing an important crossroads.

I'm very glad Tech president Dan Reneau appears ready to make a commitment to bringing in the right football coach. But Reneau also needs to make a commitment to the entire athletic department. Right now, Jim Oakes is running our department likes it's a Division 2 program, instead of a premier Division 1-A outfit. Both of our basketball programs, including our storied Lady Techsters, are off to horrible starts. There is a complete malaise over the department at this moment.

While I'm excited about the potential coaching change, I'm also tempering that excitement and trying to steady the course. Even a new football coach can't solve all of the problems facing our athletic department. Only when Dr. Reneau makes the necessary decision to cut Jim Oakes loose and brings in a business-oriented athletic director with vision will Tech being to fulfill it's potential.

A new arrival

Everyone, say hello to Raymond Seth Granger, whom we will call Seth.

Seth arrived on Nov. 17 at 7 lbs, 7 oz. and 20.5 inches long and is the son of Jason (Elizabeth's brother) and Brandy Granger of Ruston.

All of us are very relieved with the arrival of a healthy baby boy, although Seth remains in the hospital with a slight case of jaundice. For those of you who don't know, shortly after Elizabeth and I began dating nearly four years ago, Brandy and Jason lost their first baby boy, Nathan, at full term. Caleb, Seth's older brother, also had complications during his birth and was born six weeks premature. Needless to say, all of us were a little concerned there might be problems with Seth. But, despite being taken about a month early, everything seems OK with him.

It's always a joyous occassion when there's a new arrival in the family -- especially when said new arrival is another baby boy who I'll be able to play sports with as he grows up! This makes nephew No. 4 for me!!! It also means, with four nephews, including one on my side of the family tree, that my parents and in-laws aren't looking towards Elizabeth and me to add branches to the family tree anytime soon. We can enjoy being aunt and uncle and not feel rushed to have little ones of our own!

Meanwhile, while Seth occupied Jason and Brandy, Caleb made a visit to Cenla to stay with Granny and Pawpaw Granger. So, of course, Uncle Bret and Aunt Bee (as she's known to Caleb) have gone over every night to visit. Caleb's at an interesting time right now at 2 1/2 where he's learning so much and really picking up on things. He's repeating things, except Elizabeth's name, which for some reason he just won't say. She's Bee. I'm Uncle Bret. She's Bee. And the kid can count. I'm not lying. He can count to 10 by himself, and then he repeated 11 through 20 back after Elizabeth said them.

But the funnest part was yesterday's trip to the zoo. Elizabeth wasn't feeling well after church, so she stayed at home while I met the Grangers and Caleb at the Alexandria Zoo. If you've never been to the zoo with a 2-year-old, I'd suggest you add that to your priority list of things to do. It's tons of fun.

Let me see if I can run down a highlight list from the zoo. Perhaps the funniest thing happened when two white tigers were napping on a rock. It didn't compute with Caleb. How were they taking a nap when they didn't have a blanket? No joke. He said they couldn't be taking a nap; they didn't have a blanket. In the mind of a 2-year-old, that makes complete and total sense. Later, after visiting a few monkeys, we came back to the tigers -- who he yelled at to "Wake up!" Great stuff.

When one of the monkeys wanted to play and Granny told it to sit still so she could take a picture, Caleb scolds the monkey to "Sit still!" Whenever he saw a tiger or lion, "Rarrr!" He saw a cougar and said "Meow." When PawPaw said he thought the cougar did a little more than meow, Caleb said "Rarrr!"

There were many more highlights, including Caleb's complete fascination with the train. From the moment we walked into the zoo, he talked about going on the train. After we got off the train, he wanted to ride it again. He just loves the choo choo!

Overall, it was a great day. It's so much fun to be around the simple joy of a child at the zoo. Hopefully, I'll have the chance to visit a zoo with my other three nephews sometime soon!

Too little, too late

Sorry to steal a line from a 15-year-old (but hey, JoJo's song is #2 on the latest Rick Dees Weekly Top 40, for whatever that's worth), but that's how I feel about tonight's uninspiring 34-31 Louisiana Tech win over former Sun Belt superpower North Texas (who's now 2-7 on the year and ahead of only those mighty Warhawks from ULM and Fla. International in the conference standings) in the aptly-dubbed "Pillowfight of the Week" (ESPN.com).

I personally like Jack Bicknell, who's a really nice guy. But sometimes being a nice guy just doesn't cut it as a Division 1-A football coach. And it's become pretty apparent that Bicknell no longer can cut it at Tech (although that's been apparent for awhile to just about everyone but Tech AD Jim Oakes -- more on that later). While Tech remains alive for bowl eligibility, struggling to beat this North Texas team hardly gives Bulldog fans a good feeling for the rest of the year. Had Tech lost, there's no way they would have won another game. Even with the win, I don't really see another win on the schedule that includes at Hawaii (at 7-2, coming off a 63-10 won tonight, this is the hottest team in the conference, even hotter than undefeated Boise State), Nevada (6-3, coming off a big 45-7 road win over Idaho tonight, and probably the third best team in the WAC) and Fresno State (who, like Tech, has struggled this year, but maybe owes Tech after two straight losses) at home, and then a season-ending trip to New Mexico State (who hasn't won yet in the WAC), which is winnable, unless the Bulldogs limp home and are riding a three-game losing streak. Then Tech fans could see another 2003 debacle, when Tech was demolished at home against a horrible Rice team that ran for a school-record 672 yards.

The saddest part is tonight's game shouldn't have been close. Tech jumped out to a 21-0 lead at the end of the 1st quarter and could have ran away with it. Zac Champion, a buddy of mine from Ruston and one of the best guys I've met, threw 3 TDs in the first quarter. But Tech's defense, as it has all year long, fell apart. North Texas, who came into the game ranked last in the country offensively (of course, Tech was last defensively) scored 24 straight to take a 3-point lead into the half. Then, the Mean Green added another touchdown to go up 10 on the first drive of the second half. But Champion answered the call, and his many critics as well, leading Tech to a field goal, then throwing his 4th touchdown, a 46-yarder to senior tight end Anthony James, before leading the Bulldogs to a 4th quarter field goal, which turned out to be the game winner. In the game, Champion was 23-of-32 for a career-high 306 yards, 4 TDs and most importantly no INTs.

But, Tech's defense struggled, giving up more than 400 yards. And so did the running game. Playing without sophomore starter Patrick Jackson and with two true freshmen, the Bulldogs rushed for just 142 yards (70 by Daniel Porter, 49 by Will Griffin, and 23 by Champion). There are still many question marks on this team. Nine games in, there still is no identity. Nobody has stepped up and been a consistent leader. That should be Champion, but he has yet to show any type of consistency. He's been up (like tonight), but then he's been down. If Tech is to finish strong, he has to be consistently good the rest of the year. That means not only making plays, but also limiting mistakes.

Like I said, I like Jack Bicknell. I have fond memories of my time in Ruston and working with him, although we didn't always see eye to eye. But getting rid of the head football coach won't solve the problem. Check out this site. I think this site is right on, and it's not just because unlike Jack, I've never gotten along with Jim Oakes. I just simply think he's dropped the ball time and time again, and it's way past time to get a qualified athletic director at Tech who's willing to do the work to take the athletic department to the next level.

Tech fans have see way too little from Jim Oakes for the past 12 years, and it's way too late for him to do anything to save his job. Like the growing slogan says, the JOakes on us (Tech fans). Time to move on and forge ahead!

life is currently boring

You ever get in a rut? I'm in a rut. Don't want to be in it, but I'm stuck.

There are a ton of things going on around me right not -- well maybe not right at this very moment -- but yet I'm not exactly "enjoying" them.

I mean the former president, George H.W. "Not Gonna Do It" Bush, was in town today. Did it affect me? Nope. I didn't see him -- well, I read about him and saw his picture in my paper, but it didn't exactly affect me on a personal level.

The Saints are 5-1! My Bulldogs actually won a game! Heck, the freakin' World Series is going on right now -- the stupid media darling Detroit Tigers threw away Game 4 tonight and now trail 3 games to 1. We're in the middle of football season -- NFL and college are heating up, prep playoffs are right around the corner. The NBA will tip off soon, as will my personal favorite, college hoops. And, oh yeah, the freakin' World Series is going on. Doesn't really faze me.

So I stare at myself in the bathroom mirror, after brushing my teeth and applying my new facial cream that my wife bought for me, and slap myself silly. Snap out of it!

We've got high attendance Sunday this weekend at church, and my class of 7th and 8th graders is competing for a chance to win $300 to use any way they want. Brilliant move, by the way -- give a bunch of junior highers free reign over 300 bucks! Saturday night, we have a lock-in for high school guys at the church. I'm stoked -- on the inside. Outside, I'm stoic.

I'm making some progress -- though not enough to please my wife -- with finishing up the paint touchups and cleaning up the den (aka Tech Blue Room). Yet, I don't want to do it, and it's not pleasing me. I'm tired of all the boxes and the clutter, but I don't want to fix it. I'm just a bleary-eyed fool most of the time.

Maybe it's the new work schedule -- thanks to a vacation, I'm working nights this week -- that has me all out of whack. I just can't shake it. Help!

I did talk to an old buddy tonight that I hadn't spoken to in so long. Fun times. We vowed to stay in touch. Sometimes, I good at that. Sometimes, as in the case of my boys Ryan Moats and Brent Hammett, who have stopped returning my calls (yes, I'm calling you out!), I'm too good at staying in touch. Other times, I'm horrible. As in the time I talked to my old friend Keren Corley two days before her birthday, and vowed to call her on her birthday. Haven't talked to her since, and that was more than two weeks ago.

Maybe I'm disconnected from my old crew, and that's got me down. I feel out of touch -- from family, from friends, from everyone but my co-workers and the kids at church. I have my blog, but sometimes I crave personal interaction, and since talking in person isn't going to happen that often, it's a simple phone call. But usually I'm too lazy or too busy -- or too both -- to pick up the phone. And when I do, it's usually not returned (Ryan and Brent!).

As the good book says, this too shall pass. I just hope it passes sooner, rather than later.

quick update

Hey, everyone. I know, I know -- it's been too long. I apologize. Everything is going well here in Cenla. Had some car problems -- had to replace the upper manifold in my engine. Wasn't expecting that to happen right after my trip to NYC! Then, for about a week and a half, I had the crud. Actually missed two days of work, which isn't like me. But I'm better now, so it's all good. Working nights this week due to a vacation, so I might actually get some work done around the house. Mowed the yard today, done the dishes, folded some clothes, fiddled with the lock on the backdoor that I still can't figure out. Now I'm going to try and do some touchups on the pain in the den (aka Tech Blue Room). I'll try to post more often to give everyone a better idea of what's going on around here.

The Big Apple

Now that I've had some time to slow down, relax and reflect, here's a synopsis of last weekend's trip to New York City.

I caught up with Jason around 4:30 on Friday to head to Monroe and catch our 6:30 flight to Newark, N.J., with a layover in Atlanta. The flights were pretty much uneventful, and thankfully when we arrived in Newark around midnight (EST), our luggage had made the trip as well. That's always my main concern -- please don't lose my luggage.

After turning on the TV and catching up with a little SportsCenter, we both decided to call it a night. I slept well, which meant that 8 a.m. came pretty quickly. Due to some problems with our room when we checked in (it hadn't received maid service, so we were switched to another room), we had free vouchers to grab some breakfast. Then we hit the trolley system back to the airport to hook up with the Jersey transit system.

Believe it or not, we didn't have much problem with the public transportation system in Jersey or NYC. Sure, it took some getting accustomed to, but it really wasn't that difficult riding the train, bus or subway. To get from the airport across the river and into Penn Station cost $14 one way. Then for $7 a day (cheaper if you purchase by week or month), you could go anywhere on the subway system. Not that bad a deal. It's easy to see how someone could survive without driving in the city. In fact, I would suggest that's the best route to take. The only problem with the transit system is you spend a lot of time waiting. It's not necessarily quick. To get from the hotel (waiting on the shuttle) to the airport (waiting on the train) to the Bronx (waiting through all the many stops on the subway) took us close to 2 hours.

Jason and I thought the Yankees-Blue Jays game was a 1 p.m. start, which would give us plenty of time to head back downtown after the game to catch some of the sights before dark. However, the 1 p.m. start was changed to 4 p.m., so we found ourselves doing a lot of waiting (grabbing a quick lunch, searching for souvenirs and then waiting to enter the park). Getting into the park was a story all to itself; in fact, it might have been the most interesting story of the day.

The gates didn't open until 2 hours before the first pitch. But around 1 p.m., when we made our way to the gates, there were plenty of people already there waiting. And the crowd kept growing. About 15 minutes to 2, the security workers come out and tell everyone to back up beyond the security gates (which for us was about 40-50 yards). You would have thought someone asked them to shoot their own mothers or something. The uproar was amazing. Granted, if they didn't want people going past a certain point, it's not that hard to put up a barrier. But still, the reaction was a little over the top. But, again, it's New York. After being threatened to not be allowed in the ball park, everyone finally complied and backed up to get ready for the security check.

Then it gets even more funny. Jason came prepared -- or so he thought. He brought a backpack to carry things in, just to make it easier. Except no backpacks are allowed in Yankee Stadium (ever since 9/11 security everyone, especially New York, has just gone crazy). So we have to go over to a table, where they provide a clear plastic bag to put all the contents of the backpack in. Jason rolls up the backpack -- which is empty, I might add -- and puts it in the bag. No sir. You can't do that. But it's empty. Check it. Nothing in there. It's rolled up. Sorry, can't help you. You have to go store it in a locker. Well, where are they? Around the corner. That's it. That's all the directions Jason gets. So he goes around the corner and doesn't see any lockers. After asking directions, he finally deposits his backpack and we actually enter Yankee Stadium.

Yankee Stadium was cool. Very old. Lots of history. In fact, the stadium was basically the purpose of our whole trip. Across the street from where we were waiting to enter the stadium, ground has been broken on a new Yankee Stadium, which should be ready for the 2009 season. Jason wanted to see a game in the old one before it's torn down, and being the baseball historian that I am, I was more than willing to oblige him. I'm not a Yankees fan. Nor a Toronto fan. It was the next-to-last game of the regular season. The Yanks had clinched homefield advantage in the playoffs, while the Blue Jays were eliminated from playoff contention. Therefore, the game meant nothing. But it was still a good game.

Jeff Karstens, a 24-year-old rookie for the Yankees, threw 4 innings of no-hit ball before Lyle Overbay hit a home run to break it up. Alex Rodriguez and Gary Sheffield had hit back-to-back homers for New York the inning before to take a 3-0 lead. NY made the game 4-1 when Derek Jeter scored on a Miguel Cairo double in the bottom of the 4th. Then Toronto rallied, scoring 4 runs in the 7th inning. The bullpen couldn't hold the lead for the rookie. The big blow was a 2-run triple by Alex Rios, which gave the Jays a 5-4 lead. Toronto added another run in the top of the 8th before the Yankees chipped the lead to 6-5 when Jeter scored on a single by Bobby Abreu. But Toronto closer B.J. Ryan -- Heath, remember that name? You played against him in legion ball. He played for Airline -- came in and retired the side in the 9th for his 38th save of the season.

After the game, Jason and I decided we'd just head back to the hotel, grab some food at the grill there, watch some college football and hit the sack early. The plan was to get up at 5 a.m. Sunday morning to head downtown, since we missed out on that stuff after the game Saturday. Bright and early, we went to downtown Manhattan to check out Ground Zero. We took some pictures, looked at the monuments. I'm not trying to downplay the gravity of this situation, but after 5 years, I think we all know about 9/11. The loss there, and how our world has changed since, simply is dramatic. However, if you didn't know the story, if the scene of the plans crashing into the towers and the towers crumbling wasn't engrained in your mind, it would simply look as if a massive construction project were going on in downtown Manhattan. New York is rebuilding. It's resilient. The people there are moving on. It has changed, I believe. I never went there before 9/11, but I believe the people are slightly more congenial, a little more friendly, than they were before that tragic day. But they're healing. One day, in the not-so-distant future, there will be a new tower standing in that place.

Unfortunately, it was raining Sunday morning. Not hard. Not a drizzle. Just enough to make you not want to be outside. So we didn't really get to make a whole lot of rounds in town. We did jump on the subway and run up to Times Square. We saw the ESPN Zone in Times Square, where they film the Sports Reporters and Cold Pizza. But it was early on a Sunday morning, so nothing was open. We also checked out the MTV studios. Again, closed. Earlier, we'd seen Madison Square Garden. Times Square was like the New York I've seen on TV and in movies -- big, congested, lots of lights, billboards, etc. Until then, I hadn't gotten a taste of the New York that's portrayed on TV.

After Times Square, we headed to Penn Station to buy a bus ticket to the Jets-Colts football game. Simply put -- the highlight of the trip. And not just because the game was amazing. The Jets, supposedly one of the weakest teams in the NFL heading into the season, outplayed Indy all game. They frustrated Peyton Manning and were leading late into the 4th quarter. But Manning brought his team back on a 12-play drive that culminated with a 2-yard TD pass to give the Colts a 24-21 lead. No matter for the Jets. Justin Miller returned the kickoff 103 yards for a score to put the Jets back up by 4. Manning wasn't deterred. He still had 2 minutes, 20 seconds. He only needed 1:30 to reel off 61 yards on 9 plays, culminating in a 1-yard sneak by Manning. With 50 seconds left and after a misplayed kickoff had the Jets inside their own 5-yard line, things looked bleak. But they got the ball out to the 32-yard line with 8 seconds left before this crazy play ended the game -- 10-C.Pennington pass short middle to 29-L.Washington to NYJ 40 for 8 yards [93-D.Freeney]. Lateral to 16-B.Smith to NYJ 37 for -3 yards. Lateral to 87-L.Coles to IND 44 for 19 yards. Lateral to 10-C.Pennington to IND 37 for 7 yards. Lateral to 81-J.McCareins to IND 35 for 2 yards. FUMBLES, recovered by NYJ-16-B.Smith at IND 33. 16-B.Smith to IND 37 for -4 yards. FUMBLES, recovered by NYJ-87-L.Coles at IND 40. 87-L.Coles to IND 27 for 13 yards. Lateral to 74-N.Mangold to IND 27 for no gain. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by IND-42-J.David at IND 34. 42-J.David to IND 39 for 5 yards (29-L.Washington). Confused yet? You just HAVE to see it!

I vaguely remember going to a Saints-Giants game when I was kid, but this was the first NFL game I've been to as an adult. As a college football fan, I now have a newfound respect for the NFL. The crowd there was amazing. It wasn't long before I was cheering, "J! E! T! S! Jets! Jets! Jets!" Like I said, Jason and I went there for Yankee Stadium. The Jets game was simply lagniappe. But it became the highlight of the trip. I suggest any football field go see a game at the Meadowlands. The passion and energy was unlike anything I've ever seen before.

After the game, we waited and waited and waited some more in line to get back on a bus to take us into Penn Station. Then we went back into the hotel, grabbed some food at the grill again and watched football. After the experience we just had, we just wanted to relax and get ready for the trip home on Monday. It should be smooth sailing the rest of the way in, right?

Well, of course not! We got in and out of the Newark airport no problem. In Atlanta, however, there were problems. Our plane, which was originally scheduled to leave at 2:40, had been bumped back about 40 minutes. That's cool. Not that much of a wait. 40 minutes turned into much, much more as the plane had mechanical problems. We even were seated on the plane, taxied out and had to come back into the terminal, where we were asked to get back off the plane while the crew tried to fix ours. Unfixable! So we had to wait on another plane to arrive. Our 2:40 plane didn't end up leaving until after 6! After getting back into Ruston and then heading home to Alexandria, I pulled into the driveway exhausted after 10 p.m. Whew, what a trip! I'm not looking to go back next weekend, but I sure would like to return to NYC someday!

Ready to do it all over gain

Editor's note: This entry will be rather comprehensive, reviewing our enjoyable, exciting and long trip to Texas over the weekend. Grab a cup of coffee, pop a squat, relax and enjoy.

As I pulled into my driveway at 4 o'clock this morning, I let a sigh of relief to finally be off the road after 4 1/2 hours of driving and a long, long weekend. I'll start at the top and work my way down the list of things we did this weekend.

Elizabeth and I left Alexandria about 5:30 p.m. Friday after she got off work and we grabbed a bite to eat. We decided to take the backroads through Texas, as we'd heard it was quicker. It's actually about the same time -- 4.5 hours. As we got into Houston at around 10 p.m., that's when the adventure started.

I use Yahoo! maps, even though I try to keep an Atlas in my car. Yahoo! warns that they can't account for things such as construction or closed roads, etc. They also can't account for stupidity. So Elizabeth is driving down U.S. 59 towards Houston, and we're looking for I-610 to loop around to where our friends, Alan and Misti, live on the northwest part of town. So we come up on 610 West and take the exit. My map says we'll only be on the interstate for 0.8 miles and we're looking for Exit 7. So the first exit is ... Exit 16? Alright, no biggie. Since the exits are going down, we'll eventually run into 7 -- just a few miles further down the road than I was expecting.

So we go on ahead a couple of miles until we're near Exit 13, and traffic starts coming to a crawl. Apparently, they're closing the two outside lanes for some reason. Is it a wreck? No. Should have figured it was construction. Big cities in Texas have constant construction. The two outside lanes converge into one, and then before we know that one lane has become the shoulder. We're on a five-lane highway -- driving on the shoulder!

That's cool, though. We'll make it through to Exit 7. Except before we know it, we are diverted off I-610 onto I-10. That's about when we hit the panic button. So I call Alan, who gets on the computer and tries to walk me through some directions. After some yelling (from my wife to me because I'm not relaying Alan's directions quickly enough to the person who's actually doing the driving), we find ourselves back onto a feeder road to I-610. Alright, this is no problem! We'll just follow 610 until our exit, and then we'll be good.

Sounds too easy, doesn't it? Well, it was. About a mile from our exit, the feeder road stops, and our choices are to get back on I-610, get back onto U.S. 59 (wait, where did that come from? More on that in a minute), or turn right. So, thinking we'll still be following the feeder road, I tell Elizabeth to turn right (see, there's that stupidity). Oh, look honey, there's the Galleria. Insert a few yells here. Oh, right. We're lost. So we drive on ahead, trying to make heads or tells of our situation. Back on the phone with Alan, who again walks me through how to get to his apartment. We've finally got it! Except somehow those directions get misinterpreted from my ears to my brain to my mouth. We're lost again!

Elizabeth stops at a gas station. At this point -- all joking aside -- she's threatening to put me out on the straight and she'll go check into a hotel. So, again, I call up the ever-patient Alan (who, bless his heart, has had to be very patient lately, as you've read about the drama he and Misti have been going through lately -- more on that later). This time, Alan stays on the phone with me the whole as he holds my head and guides me to his apartment. Finally, we made it! After 45 minutes of being lost in one of the largest cities in the country, we arrived at Alan and Misti's apartment.

So we get into the apartment, settle into the spare bedroom and then stay up for an hour or two talking with Alan, Misti and Sophie (their chihuahua). Well, actually, we talked with Alan for the most part, as Misti and Sophie slept in a chair. Anyway, we caught up for a little bit and then crashed, exhausted after a long day.

The following morning, we got up and it hit me! I knew what happened. You remember back when we had the choice of getting on 610 or 59, and I (stupidly) chose neither. That's the original exit I was supposed to take off of U.S. 59. The two roads intersect twice, and we chose the first exit instead of the second one. All right, I'll remember that!

So we had breakfast with Alan and Misti (blueberry muffins, yum, even if they had flaxseed in them) and then hit the road headed to College Station for the Louisiana Tech football game against Texas A&M.

Onto College Station

We got into town around 2 p.m., just enough time for us to grab a bite to eat for lunch and then make our way around campus a little bit before the 6 p.m. kickoff. This was my second visit to College Station. The last time, four years ago, we went to a burrito place called Freeb!rds World Burrito. So, naturally, that's where I wanted to go again. After eating lunch (which, again, I thought was delicious and Elizabeth felt was so-so), we headed out to find the campus.


Alan had told us we needed to visit the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum (named after the father, not the son), and we had seen a sign on our way into town. So we headed back out to try and find it. Wow, talk about gorgeous! From the sign at the entrance to the drive up to the museum, the manicured lawns to the ornate statues, this place was first-rate. We never saw the library (the grounds is also home to a conference center and the Bush School of Government and Public Service), but we did take a tour of the museum. From his childhood, to his service during the war, days as a student at Yale and young husband and father, to his decision to leave his Connecticut roots and head to Texas, all the way to his climb up the political ladder to the presidency, the Bush Museum offers a very comprehensive look into the life of George Herbert Walker Bush, our 41st president.

After spending an hour or two touring the museum, we finally decided to make our way to the stadium. Instead of fighting -- and paying -- for parking, we just walked the 2 miles or so from the library to Kyle Field, "The Home of the 12th Man." We made our way through hundreds of Aggie tailgaters, hooked up the man who bought my spare tickets (since Alan and Misti stayed back in Houston in case any more complications arose and they were forced back to the ER; fortunately, she was OK when we left last night), and then went into the stadium about 50 minutes prior to kickoff.


Elizabeth and I bought some hot dogs and drinks and made our way to our seats. Initially, I didn't think we would have very good seats. I mean, we were stuck in the corner of the stadium. We weren't even in the end zone, much less on a yard line. But, we did have something. Right there to our left stood the "Gigatron" -- a 74-foot by 54-foot high-def LCD video screen which showed 12th Man TV and replayed every single play of the game. Man, did that thing make watching a football game much more fun!

So, we're settled in next to the Gigatron. Got some grub and some drinks. We're ready to go. And so is mother nature. A huge storm is making its way to College Station, forcing the delay of kickoff. Now, this is a first for me. I've heard of rain delays in baseball, but in college football? Never! But due to the severity of the storm and the lightning coming with it, kickoff was being pushed back. The game was delayed for two hours, as everyone fled to seek shelter from the storm. And what a storm it was! Lots of lightning and buckets of rain. Elizabeth and I sought cover near our seats under one of the awnings of an upper deck. And it kept us dry, right? Of course not! Thanks to engenious Aggie engineering, we might as well have been out in the storm. I mean, I got absolutely soaked. But a little rain never hurt nobody!

During the delay, I was able to catch up with some old buddies. I ran into Ms. Susan Elkins (formerly Hilton), who works in the registrar's office at Tech and is the mother of my former roommate, Brian Hilton, and also a former landlady of mine. Saw Kyle and Ginger Guice, two former Ruston High and Tech classmates who are now living in Austin, as Kyle is going to graduate school at the University of Texas. Saw Binni Keleta and Grant Terry, but I see them all the time. Just didn't want to leave them out of the story. Also ran into some old buddies from college -- Josh Jordan, Dave Asfar and Jason Shinaberry.

The rain delay gave me and Elizabeth a chance to visit with JJ for about 30 minutes. JJ is from Deville, which is right outside of Pineville. We met at Tech and ran with some mutual friends, played a lot of basketball together. Great guy. Nowadays, he is working in the aviation industry based out of Austin. Until March, however, he'll be in New Jersey -- 15 minutes from the Newark airport, where coincidentally, I'm flying into this coming weekend. Small world!

After the storm subsided, Elizabeth and I made our way back to our seats and got ready for the action. Not much to tell here. Tech played well early. Led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter and trailed 14-7 at halftime. But much like when the Bulldogs played some of the big boys, they faded late in the game and lost 45-14. The game was disappointing. The outcome was negative. Due to the rain delay, the Aggie fans just didn't seem to be into it. The atmosphere wasn't nearly as good as when I came four years ago. But it was worth it. It was a good trip.

Thanks to the rain delay, the game didn't end until about midnight. After sticking around to talk to a couple of my boys -- quarterback Zac Champion and linebacker Quin Harris -- Elizabeth and I finally got back on the road to Houston. At about 2:30 a.m., we arrived back at Alan and Misti's apartment -- without incident this time!

Hanging out with friends

While we didn't see Alan and Misti too much on Friday night or Saturday, we spent all day with them on Sunday. We all slept in, which was very nice. I got up around 10, watched a little TV. We all went to Fuddruckers to eat some lunch. They advertise "The World's Greatest Hamburger" -- and it was pretty good. Had never eaten there before, but I probably will go back again some day if I get the chance.

After lunch, we went back to the apartment and watched some football. Man, that was nice. I enjoy football, but I enjoy it even more when I can watch it with a buddy who really enjoys it too. Life has taken us in different directions, but it's always nice to spend time with Alan. He's just an easy person to be around.


We watched football until about 6 p.m., when we made our way to Minute Maid Park for the Astros' home finale. Originally when we made plans, this game was set for 1 p.m. But ESPN picked it up for Sunday Night Baseball, and we found ourselves staring at a decision of whether or not to go to the game. We made the right decision.

In a surprise decision, the Astros decided to bump up Rogers Clemens -- the best pitcher of his generation and a sure-fire first ballot Hall of Famer. Clemens started on Wednesday, which was supposed to be his last start of the season in Houston -- and potentially the last start of his career in Houston, should he choose to retire. But The Rocket came out on three days rest to show his appreciation for the people of Houston -- his hometown.

So here Elizabeth and I (and Alan and Misti) sit, watching the greatest pitcher of his generation in perhaps his final home start of his career. Can't say I could have lucked into a better situation. I saw Michael Jordan in his final year with the Washington Wizards, and I might have seen Roger Clemens in his final year of pro baseball. Amazing!

The Rocket didn't have his best stuff -- a 44-year-old pitching on 3 days rest usually doesn't -- but he had enough to stay competitive. He got in trouble in the first inning, but pitched out of it, allowing just one run. Over the next four innings, Clemens didn't give up another run. He came out to warm up in the top of the 6th before manager Phil Garner took him out of the game. I was one of 43,000+ that gave Roger a standing ovation as he tipped his hat to the crowd, thanking the Astros fans for their support of him and the team. After he went in the dugout, all of us continued to stand and cheer for a good 2 minutes until Clemens came back out for a curtain call. It was a fitting way to end his career in Houston.

The bullpen couldn't hold the lead, so Clemens didn't pick up the win. But the Astros did win, closing a 4-game sweep over the first-place St. Louis Cardinals and pulling within 3.5 games of the Cards in the NL Central race with just seven games remaining in the season. The Astros have a makeup game against the Phillies tonight before closing with three games at Pittsburgh and three more at Atlanta. Clemens should make his final start of the season -- and possibly his career -- on ESPN Friday night against the Braves.

After going back to Alan and Misti's apartment, we gathered our stuff, said our goodbyes and hit the road about 11:30 p.m. Five long hours later, we arrived home and crashed into the bed. All I can say is I had a blast, and I can't wait to do it again this weekend!

Abrupt change of plans

So tomorrow is the big day. Elizabeth and I are all set to head down to Houston and College Station on our weekend getaway. Then one call brought those plans to a temporary halt.

Sweet T (that would be Misti H. Walker, who is the wife of one of my best friends, Alan) is sick. Alan called me tonight and dejectedly gave me the news -- he and Misti were not gonna be able to come with us to College Station Saturday to go the Tech-Texas A&M football game. The Walkers spent most of Thursday in the ER, trying to figure out what was causing the pain in Misti's side. Well, it's 9 p.m. Thursday night, and after a myriad of tests, they still don't know what's wrong.

Alan assures me Misti is feeling better. She just doesn't want to chance traveling and the pain returning. So now my trip is in need of an audible.

Elizabeth and I will still leave at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow after she gets off work. I'm picking her up, we're hitting the road and headed to Houston to stay with Alan and Misti. What happens Saturday morning is anybody's guess. One thing is certain -- I'm going to College Station. Who's joining me is another question. I have a verbal commitment to sell 2 of the 4 tickets to the game, so that leaves one open spot in the vehicle with me.

The initial plan was Elizabeth and I would go to College Station, return to Houston after the game and then hang out with Misti and Alan on Sunday, culminating with an Astros game at Minute Maid Park. That's cool. I wish Alan and Misti could join us, but I understand. But then, Elizabeth comes up with another potential solution. Alan and I could go to the football game, while she stays with Misti -- if Misti's up for it. That possibility still lingers. As of now, we're playing it by ear. If Misti is feeling well, the boys will head on a mini-road trip. If she's not, her loyal husband will tend to her every need.

Initially, I was very dejected. I have looked forward to this trip for quite sometime. Elizabeth and I just simply haven't had a chance to spend much time with Alan and Misti in a long time. But the chance is still available. We will spend two nights at their apartment, where we will surely have time to catch up with one another, and then all day Sunday. Alan and I can chill and watch some NFL games. Misti and Elizabeth can catch up on recipes, shopping tips and all those things that wives do and guys just don't understand.

I am torn about who's coming to the game with me. On one hand, Elizabeth is my life partner. There's so much I want to experience with her. I've been to A&M before. Kyle Field is amazing, and it's something I'd like her to see. She's not a huge football fan, but she likes road-trippin'. On the other hand, Alan is my boy, and this is something we haven't done in quite sometime. As sophomores in college, the two of us journeyed -- and boy was it a journey! -- 12 hours one-way to Manhattan, Kansas, where we watched our beloved Bulldogs get absolutely massacred. Then we hopped in the car and headed back another 12 hours home. The only sleep we had was about an hour in K-State's library and then alternating catnaps in the car. Boy those were the days! Oh, to be young and stupid -- err, brave -- again!

Nevertheless, I've committed to have a blast on my vacation. I'll have a four-day weekend and get away for a change. There's nothing like me on the open road. I have this adventuresome travel bug that came from somewhere (thanks Dad!), and I'm going to have a blast this weekend. Just keep Misti in your prayers that hopefully the worst is over.

The results are in ...

So, I have some shocking news for you guys. I'm a private person. Wow. Yeah, I know most you hadn't figured that out just yet, so I decided I'd share. Yes, I enjoy my blog. I enjoy using it to keep people involved in my life. But it's pretty much a surface blog. I don't go into too much depth. I'm just private. I've always had just a few friends that I shared things with. I guess I get it from my dad, who I've always viewed as a pretty private person.

Well, I went to the doc's office on Monday for a check-up on my diabetes. First off, I hate my scale at home. It lies. Dirty, nasty lies. You'll remember the post about me getting fat, but not gaining much weight. Well, thank my scale for the misinformation. Have I gained weight? Oh yeah. Stepped on the scale, and the nurse kept pushing the weight higher and higher. Finally, thankfully, she stopped at 195. 195!! I'm close to 200! I vowed never to top 2 bills. So, yeah, that was a shocker. That makes me more determined to get in better shape -- and lose the excess weight!

Anyway, the reason for my visit was to have a little blood work done. For the most part, my tests checked out fine. My cholesterol level was 133, which is really good. I've always had good cholesterol levels. The nurse said some other test dropped down down to 90-something (I was listening, I really was; but that wasn't the test I called for). Then she said, "Everything checked out really well -- except for your A1C." Well, the A1C was the main test.

Basically, a hemoglobin A1C test checks the amount of sugar that has been in your bloodstream over the past 120 days (essentially, 4 months). Well, my test came out around 10. Which is bad, but not as bad as it had been. When my doctor in Ruston sent me off to see my current doctor in Monroe, my previous test showed a 12.6. How bad is that? The American Diabetes Association says a "normal" or "good" test is about 7 percent, which means the average blood sugar is about 150. Right now, my average blood sugar is about 240.

Honestly, I feel excited because I've been fighting this battle for a while, just trying to get down to 10 and then going from there. Ten is not the goal; it is just a stepping stone. I go back in 2 months and will get tested again. I would like to be down to 8 percent then. Like I said, I am a private person, particularly so when it comes to my diabetes. I've never enjoyed talking about it and always tried to downplay it. However, it is a huge part of who I am and is a battle I fight and struggle with daily. It's not going away. Elizabeth, bless her heart, is constantly reminding me about trying to eat better and watch my portions and my carb counts. She really is a good soldier. Unfortunately, I'm not always the best soldier myself. But like my weight, I have committed to trying to get my A1C down. Hopefully, over the next 2 months, I can work on lowering it to a respectable point.

5th wheel

With as much traveling as I've done in my relatively short life, and with all the plans I have to see our great country in the future, I've a big believer in carrying a spare tire with you in case of emergency. However, I'm not a fan of the spare tire I've developed around my midsection.

Stepped on the scale this morning, and it read 183. That's really not that bad, as I've fluctuated between 170 and 180 pounds as my optimum weight. So why don't my clothes fit anymore? Why have I developed a noticeable fifth wheel on my belly?

It was very noticeable this past weekend when Elizabeth and I went to Dallas to visit my mother. On Sunday night, we decided to take a dip in the pool. Now I've always, at least since I was in 3rd grade and beyond, had a little bit of a gut. You would never escape me for John Basedow or any of these other fitness experts who show off the rock-hard abs. Yet I've also always been able to flex my abs and show some definition. Flexed on Sunday night -- and all you could see was flab. Very discouraging. The scale has been lying to me. While I haven't gained much weight, it's definitely shifted from muscle on my arms and legs to the spare tire roaming around my gut.

Because, quite frankly, we just can't afford the luxury, I haven't been able to join a gym. And I don't have Tech's intramural center at my disposal whenever I want it either. So I haven't been able to lift any weights. My bicep definition is gone. I've even developed a little bit of the dreaded *gasp* "man-boobs". Trust me, it's not a pretty sight. Just ask Elizabeth. I have been playing basketball with some of the youth guys up at church once or twice a week, but that's obviously not enough to keep me in tip-top shape.

So I decided to start a workout regime -- pushups, crunches and running. Then I proceeded into Day 1 of said workout regime. Wow, am I out of shape or what!

I remember when I could do two sets of 25 pushups and stand up feeling good about myself. Today, I got to #7 and could feel the burn in my triceps. I stopped at 10 and decided 2 sets would be a good start.

Crunches and situps -- now I'm a master at those. In high school, I could do 3 sets of 50 in my sleep. But a month or so ago, I started doing some crunches (trying to get a little definition back in my midsection), and I couldn't do more than 25 per set. So, after the pushup fiasco, I decided to start slow and build up. 2 sets of 10. Yes, I could have done more. I was just starting to feel something at 10 and could have done 20. But we're doing baby steps, right?

So onto the running (or jogging, actually). Oh, for the days of high school, when I once ran a mile in 5:50. Now that's not an elite time, which is somewhere in the low- to mid-4:00's, but with no training at all, I could have competed on the track at a small school in the state somewhere. I could also run 2 miles in about 14 minutes. Today -- again, baby steps -- I just decided to do a jog around the block. Took me about 6 minutes. Afterwards, I got in my car and drove to get the distance. About 3/4 of a mile. Not bad. That's about an 8-minute mile pace, which for not running at all in a long time, isn't that bad of a start. Except, I couldn't have gone any farther. My legs were shot. My calves were on fire. 3/4 of a mile is as good as it gets?!? Well, like I said, baby steps. The more I get into this routine, the better my body will feel (or so I tell myself) and the more I'll be able to push myself and do more.

So what's my goal in all this? I'd like to lose about 15 pounds, which would put me around 170. But more important than the weight loss is the reshaping of my body. I'd like to be able to fit in my clothes again. I'd like to be able to feel good about my fitness level and the way I look. I'm getting older, yes. I'm not in high school anymore. Or college. But you know what? Many professional athletes aren't even in their prime yet at 24. I've got plenty of years left on my body. And I want to get it back in shape (or as good as my body will allow) and start functioning in an efficent way.

Football picks

Editor's note: This will most likely become a Friday morning tradition during football season. However, I'm working Thursday night this week, so I'll go ahead and pop my predictions up today.

NFL

Miami at Pittsburgh -- I really like both of these teams, although I'm starting to think Roethlisberger is cursed this year. Nick Saban has the Dolphins poised for a deep playoff run, and Daunte Culpepper looks healthy and fit. I like the Dolphins in this one. Final: 26-14

Atlanta at Carolina -- I like the Panthers, but not as much as everyone else does. And it's an up year for the Falcons, who alternate winning and losing seasons like Paris Hilton alternates favorite pets. The absence of Steve Smith is a major blow for Jake Delhomme and the Panthers' offense. Is Mike Vick finally poised for a breakout year? We'll see, but he'll get off to a good start. Final: 23-16

Baltimore at Tampa Bay -- Are there any teams I don't like? Yes, but these two don't fit that bill. The addition of Steve McNair gives the Ravens a stable, poised leader at QB to take pressure off Jamal Lewis and the defense. Tampa can only get better, as Chris Simms and Cadillac Williams get more experience and become more comfortable. I also like Michael Clayton to have a huge year, going back to the Pro Bowl. Both teams have great defenses, but on this day, Baltimore's will be slightly better. Final: 17-13

Cincinnati at Kansas City -- Man, did the NFL do a good job with the Week 1 matchups or what? The league's two young stars -- Bengals QB Carson Palmer and Chiefs RB Larry Johnson -- squaring off in Week 1. The Chiefs have some major question marks -- the retirement of Willie Roaf, as well as the departure of Johnson's lead blocker at fullback. Plus, the addition of Herm Edwards as head coach, who I like as a person, but question as a head coach in this league. Palmer to Chad Johnson is the premier pass-and-catch duo in the league. Rudi Johnson is a workhorse back. And the Bengals' defense is much improved. I like Cincy to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Final: 38-20

Denver at St. Louis -- Finally, a home team is victorious! Scott Linehan starts off his career with a win. Can the Rams once again become The Greatest Show on Turf? There are plenty of weapons at QB Marc Bulger's disposal, particularly with the coming of age of RB Stephen Jackson, coupled with Linehan's penchant for the run (unlike previous head coach Mike Martz' disdain for it). There are a lot of uncertainties in Denver. Once again, an unsettled backfield. Can the Broncos again piecemeal a 1,000-yard rusher. Will Jake Plummer have a career year again -- or implode like normal? Who are his weapons at WR? Mike Shanahan is a great coach, but I'm not sold on the Broncos as a playoff team yet. Final: 27-18

New Orleans at Cleveland -- Call it a homer pick. I like this New Orleans offense. Drew Brees is not a star, but he's a solid upgrade over Aaron Brooks. Deuce and Reggie Bush provide a nice 1-2 punch in the backfield, and Bush is going to make some major plays. Joe Horn is back and healthy as the No. 1 receiver, while Devery Henderson is set for a Donte' Stallworth-like year this year. But the defense scares me. A lot. There's no way the Saints are a playoff team with this defense. But Cleveland is horrible. Horrible. Rueben Droughns might be the worst starting RB in the league. Charlie Frye would be a third-stringer at some places. I do think Winslow, if he's healthy, upgrades the offense -- as will the improvement of Braylon Edwards at WR. I like Romeo Crennel, and the move to bring in the veteran leadership of Willie McGinest on defense. The Browns are making strides. But they're still a ways off. Final: 28-24

NY Jets at Tennessee -- Bad news for both of these teams. They're bad. The Jets, outside of the Texans, are the worst team in the league. And the Titans might not be much better. I have a feeling Jeff Fisher is done in Nashville, while it's not the way Eric Mangini wanted to start his career. There's not much to like about either of these teams -- no star power whatsoever. Major questions at QB -- can Pennington be healthy? Who starts for the Titans? More questions at RB -- like who gets the carries for both of these teams? This game could get real ugly. Final: 15-9

Philadelphia at Houston -- I like the makeup of this Eagles team. The chemistry issues are gone, and the talent is still there that went to the NFC title game year after year. I really think they will end up back in the championship game, and maybe even the Super Bowl. As for the Texans, well it just gets worse and worse for David Carr. The front office passed up a chance to get a supserstar in Reggie Bush, and instead will start fellow rookie Wali Lundy at running back. That's all I need to know about the direction of this team. Final: 38-10

Seattle at Detroit -- My upset special of the week. Seattle is the defending Super Bowl runner-up, and no runner-up has won more than 7 games the next year in the 21st century. Throw in the Madden curse for Shaun Alexander, and it could be a long year for the Seahawks. And I like the Lions. They aren't a playoff team yet, but I like the addition of Jon Kitna at QB. He's not flashy, but he's solid. He's not going to make the mistakes Joey Harrington did. I think this Lions team can win 7 or 8 games this year, which is a major step towards getting back to the playoffs. Final: 20-14

Chicago at Green Bay -- It's time for Brett Favre to just shut up and play -- or go away. His comment about this team having the most talent he's played with was just ridiculous. This is going to be a bad Packers team. And while the Bears' offense will still not be flashy, due to not having a major playmaker outside, if Grossman or Griese or Orton or whoever else can be consistent and not make mistakes, this defense will win at least 10 games. Thomas Jones will be a 1,500-yard rusher, and the Bears might give up less than 10 points a game. Final: 20-6

Dallas at Jacksonville -- I actually like this Dallas team early on, but we all know a TO blow up is inevitable at some point. The Cowboys, even without him, do have a ton of talent. It's just a matter of how much he screws up the locker room. With that said, Jacksonville is one of my favorite teams this year. I love Leftwich if he can stay healthy. And he's got plenty of talent around him. They have a legitimate chance to compete with the AFC powers this year. Final: 27-24

San Francisco at Arizona -- I think we'll see a little bit of improvement in San Fran this year -- maybe 5 wins. But they still are one of the worst teams in the NFL. Arizona, on the other hand, has one of the best teams on paper -- 2 1,000-yard receivers, a major weapon at running back, and 2 QBs that can run an offense. I like this Cardinals team as a sleeper pick for the NFC championship game. Final: 39-17

Indianapolis at NY Giants -- Little brother gets the best of older brother. Peyton outshines Eli stat-wise, but this game will be won on the ground. Tiki has a big game with more than 100 yards and a couple of TDs, while the combo of Dominic Rhodes and Joe Addai will struggle against the Giants' defensive front. This is going to be a great game for NBC's primetime coverage. Final: 27-23

Minnesota at Washington -- I don't like either of these teams. Washington will be a major disappointment this year. I don't see more than 6 wins, while some are expecting them to win that tough East division. I see the 'Skins as the worst team in that division. Minnesota, meanwhile, is changing the culture under new head coach Brad Childress. Some have picked them as the division favorite in the North, but I don't see them beating the Bears. They could get to 8 or maybe 9 wins and make a push for the playoffs. Final: 19-12

San Diego at Oakland -- Is Phil Rivers ready? I really don't know. I do know Antonio Gates and LT will take a lot of pressure off him early. When you have a versatile RB who can catch balls out of the backfield and a huge target at TE, it makes it easy for a QB to get in a rhythm early. Oakland is going to be very interesting. Aaron Brooks might be the worst QB in the league. He's got a big arm, and he'll hook up with Randy Moss for some points. But he'll also make some huge mistakes that end up burying the Raiders. Final: 28-17

College Football

1. Ohio State at Texas -- Does it get any better than this? 1 vs 2. Doesn't happen very often in the regular season. Last year, UT's comeback win over OSU propelled the Horns to the national title. Will the tables turn this year? It's likely. While I'm hesitant to label Troy Smith this year's Vince Young, he could use his performance in last year's bowl game to propel him to a huge year -- just like VY did the Rose Bowl 2 years ago. I think Teddy Ginn Jr. is the best player in the game, and I'm not sold on Colt McCoy being able to play in this big of a game this early in his career. Final: 28-21

2. Texas vs. Ohio State -- See above.

3. USC (Open) -- Next week vs. Nebraska.

4. Notre Dame vs. Penn State -- It's funny how one game can change everything. Notre Dame's near-loss to Georgia Tech dropped the Irish in the eyes of some of the national media. And it refocused the Irish that they really aren't as good as the media made them out to be. I liked Penn State in this game until the scare last week. Now the Irish will come up with a close, close win. Final: 24-23

5. Auburn at Mississippi State -- Poor Sly Croom. Wasn't this year supposed to get better in Starkville. Open the year with a 15-0 loss to South Carolina. And it only gets worse against Auburn. Kenny Irons is poised for a big, big game. Final: 27-0

6. West Virginia vs. Eastern Washington -- Rich Rodriguez: Can you please upgrade your non-conference schedule? The Big East already is weak. You need to bulk up the schedule. That's all I ask. Final: 56-10

7. Florida vs. UCF -- The Gators started off slow last week before turning it on. Is that a sign they are starting to click, or a sign the offense still isn't that good? I believe Chris Leak will get more and more comfortable in this offense, and as the season goes along, the Gators will emerge as a legit national title contender. Final: 42-17

8. LSU vs. Arizona -- I like this game a lot. Could be the game of the week -- even with Texas/OSU and ND/PSU. The Tigers have as much talent as anyone in the country, and the Wildcats are one of the up-and-coming teams under Mike Stoops. I really believe this is the year they put everything together. LSU gets a major scare but comes out with the win. Final: 28-27

9. Florida State vs. Troy -- The Seminoles are coming off a close, tough victory over rival Miami in the season opener on Monday. It's a short week, the guys relax a little bit due to a Sun Belt school coming in town. It's your classic trap game. While I don't think the Noles can win the national title, they're not as bad as they'll look this weekend. Final: 24-20

10. Michigan vs. Central Michigan -- Not fair. I understand why UM does it, but it shouldn't play the directional state schools. Just not fair at all. Final: 55-12

11. Tennessee vs. Air Force -- Everybody jumped on the bandwagon last week as Rocky Top destroyed Cal. They are legit if Erik Ainge stays healthy. That's a big question. But for now, the Vols continue to roll. Final: 38-10

12. Georgia at South Carolina -- The Ole Ballcoach showed a little defense last week -- and only a little offense. This is a big matchup in the SEC early on. The Gamecocks are ready for the challenge. Final: 24-19

13. Louisville at Temple -- Temple is coming off a win. Louisville lost RB Mike Bush for the year. Doesn't matter. Brian Brohm is a superstar, while the Cardinals have more-than-capable backs to fill in for Bush against Temple. UL in a big win. Final: 49-14

14. Iowa at Syracuse -- I like Iowa a lot this year. But this is a potential trap game. On the road against a team that has been weak for a while but is starting to come back. I like the Orange to put up a fight. Final: 26-21

15. Oklahoma vs. Washington -- Another game that will expose OU. Last week it was UAB. This week it's a Washington team that is among the bottom in the Pac 10. Adrian Peterson will again carry the Sooners to a tough victory. Final: 21-17

16. Virginia Tech at UNC -- The Hokies get an early test in the ACC. Every year, the Tar Heels come up and scare, or defeat, one of the big boys in the conference. This is one of those trap games. The Hokies barely hang on. Final: 24-21

17. Miami vs. Florida A&M -- Just what Kyle Wright, Larry Coker and the Canes need after last week's loss to FSU -- a visit from FAMU. Miami's offense will put up some points and get some much-needed confidence. Final: 55-7

18. Clemson at Boston College -- A tough ACC game early. I like Clemson a lot, but they've been a perennial underachiever under Tommy Bowden. This is a game that will test these Tigers very early. BC, though never a factor in the national title race, always competes for a bowl game. I think Clemson shows it's for real this year. Final: 31-17

19. Penn State at Notre Dame -- See above.

20. Oregon at Fresno State -- These are the games Pat Hill lives for. One of the big boys comes to his home field. The Bulldogs always play better in September than they do in November, and this game will be no different. FSU thrusts itself into the national spotlight. Final: 27-20

21. Nebraska vs. Nicholls State -- The Cornhuskers are tough. Nicholls State brings in a spread option attack that could give the Huskers defense some problems on the edge. Nebraska just has too much offense though. Final: 48-13

22. Cal vs. Minnesota -- The Bears still don't have a QB. They were exposed last week by Tennessee, and will be so again this week against the Gophers. Final: 28-20

23. TCU vs. UC-Davis -- UC-Davis has a great offense, on their level. They aren't on TCU's level. Final: 40-18

24. Texas Tech at UTEP -- The Miners get a nationally-ranked team to step onto their turf. Senior QB Jordan Palmer (Carson's little brother) gets his chance for a coming-out party. He's destroyed all of UTEP's records and aims for 4,000 yards this year. This is the biggest game on UTEP's schedule, and I see Palmer pushing 400 yards threw the air, leading the Miners to a win. Final: 44-37

25. Arizona State vs. Nevada -- Both teams are trying to come off disappointing starts. Luckily for ASU, it won. Nevada, however, lost to Fresno and doesn't want to go 0-2. ASU will be too much, though. Final: 31-21

It's fantasy time!!!

Had our fantasy football draft tonight for the league I'm participating in at work. Like after every draft or college signing day, I think I have a great team. Good enough to win the league? That I'm not so sure about. But I didn't think so after my baseball draft, and I've led most of the year and am currently second with one left to play in the regular season.

Here's a look at my roster with my analysis (* denotes will be a starter):

*QB Tom Brady (New England) -- With all due respect to the Manning brothers and Carson Palmer, there's no better quarterback in the NFL than Tom Brady. Will that translate into fantasy success? Now that's the question. If the Pats can get Deion Branch into camp, and I believe they will, Brady is going to have a huge year. He's my QB.

QB Jon Kitna (Detroit) -- A solid backup QB. A starter in the league in Cincy before Carson Palmer, he'll thrive in Detroit. The Lions are perennial losers, but they've had a loser at QB. Kitna, combined with those offensive weapons, is poised to have a big year. Great pickup late in my draft.

*RB Willis McGahee (Buffalo) -- Believe it or not, with all the great backs out there, this is the guy I wanted to build my team around. I had him rated 3rd overall on my board, behind LaDanian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson, and I was able to get him 10th overall (last pick in the 1st round). Kyle Roberts will back me up on this claim -- I touted McGahee before the draft and really did want him. Despite the inconsistency of J.P. Losman as Buffalo's QB, I really think McGahee is going to run for 1,800 and score 20 TDs this year. He proved he could handle the load the last 2 years (back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons), and I think he's only going to get better.

*RB Jamal Lewis (Baltimore) -- He's struggled the past 2 years after rushing for 2,000 yards, and the 906 and 3 TDs he put up last year just won't cut it this year. But the addition of Steve McNair, giving Lewis his first legitimate QB during his entire career, is going to make Lewis much, much better. I don't know if he's an elite back anymore, but I think he can easily rush for 1,250 yards and score 10 TDs. That production would be great for me.

RB Laurence Maroney (New England) -- The rookie out of Minnesota has made his presence felt immediately for the Pats. He starts the season as Corey Dillon's backup, but as the year progresses he will become more and more a viable option for head coach Bill Belichek. I'm not saying he will unseat Dillon as the starter (though it's possible), but he will be a productive back.

RB Jerious Norwood (Atlanta) -- How good has Norwood been in camp? Good enough for the Falcons to get rid of T.J. Duckett and name Norwood, a rookie out of Mississippi State, the primary backup to Warrick Dunn. Dunn has never been the primary back during his career. In Tampa, he split time with Mike Alstott, while he's shared carries with Duckett in Atlanta. Norwood will get carries, and he will be a productive option.

*WR Chris Chambers (Miami) -- Chambers have improved every during his five-year career, and he's coming off a career-high 82 catches for 1,118 yards (his first 1,000-yard season) and 11 TDs. Now he has a legit QB in Daunte Culpepper. Chambers is on the verge of catching 100 passes, which is why I picked him 11th overall.

*WR Matt Jones (Jacksonville) -- This was one of my favorite picks. I chose Jones in the 3rd round, which many may think is a reach. However, Jones has emerged as the No. 1 target in Jacksonville, just a year after catching 36 balls as a rookie. It's natural that he'd improve this year, but something to remember is that Jones was the 3rd option last year while he made the transition from college QB to pro receiver. Now that he's got some seasoning, with his combination of size (6-6, 230) and speed (4.48), Jones has the potential to be an unstoppable receiver.

*WR Michael Clayton (Tampa Bay) -- Clayton had a sophomore slump last year, a year after making the Pro Bowl as a rookie. He didn't have a single TD and caught just 32 balls, as he and Chris Simms went through some growing pains. Now that the 2 are on the same page, I predict Clayton will return to his Pro Bowl form, when he caught 80 balls and scored 7 TDs. I'd be happy with that production from my 3rd receiver this year.

*WR Derrick Mason (Baltimore) -- I have Mason slated to start as my SLASH player, and what a steal! This stud receiver has caught an average of 86 balls over the past 5 years, and now he's reunited with his former Tennessee QB Steve McNair -- where he caught 95 and 96 balls from during his last 2 seasons in Nashville. Can you say going to have a HUGE year? I can!

WR Reggie Brown (Philadelphia) -- The second-year Eagle caught more than 40 balls as a rookie and is poised for an even bigger year in 2006. Was slated as the No. 1 receiver until the recent acquisition of Donte' Stallworth from the Saints. May still be Donovan McNabb's top choice -- and should catch 65-70 balls this year. Not bad for my 5th receiver.

*TE Jeremy Shockey (NY Giants) -- When healthy, he's the second-best tight end in the NFL. So I made him the 2nd TE taken off the board. Gives Eli Manning a major target and big-time playmaker. Is good for 8-10 TDs and 60-70 catches.

TE Kellen Winslow (Cleveland) -- Admittedly, this is a wild card, which is why I picked him as my backup TE. Has yet to get on the field after getting hurt just 2 games into his career 2 seasons ago. But he has the talent to be a top-5 tight end. I really think he'll have a major season, even if he's wasting away on my bench. If anything, he might make good trade bait later in the season.

*DL Osi Umenyiora (NY Giants) -- The sackmaster is a threat to lead the NFL in sacks every year. Combined with Michael Strahan, the Giants have two of the premier defensive ends in the league. Can he get me 10 sacks? I'll be happy if he can.

DL Kyle Vanden Bosch (Tennessee) -- Most likely won't get off my bench, but he's another solid player. Had a breakout year in his first year with the Titans with 12.5 sacks. Don't know if he can repeat that, but he's good for at least 6 sacks.

*LB Shawne Merriman (San Diego) -- The defensive rookie of the year had 10 sacks and 57 tackles last year. His tackles should go up even more this year, as he becomes one of the elite playmakers in the entire league.

LB A.J. Hawk (Green Bay) -- He's a project, and one that will probably stay on the bench for most of the year. He could come out and immediately produce, or it might take him some time to become a playmaker. By the end of the year, however, I believe he'll be the leader on Green Bay's defense.

*DB Troy Polamalu (Pittsburgh) -- The leader of the World Champs' defense had 91 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 picks last year. I honestly think all of those numbers will go up this year. I'm looking for 110 tackles, 5 sacks and 5 picks from the leader of my defense.

*DB Sean Taylor (Washington) -- Taylor will start the season as my SLASH defender. He's been one of my favorite players for several years. If he can stay out of trouble off the field, I look for his production to rival that of Polamalu's. He really is one of the elite safeties in the NFL.

*K Josh Scobee (Jacksonville) -- The last pick in my draft is a Louisiana Tech guy. Made 23 FGs and 38 XPs last year. Admittedly, he's not one of the elite kickers in the league. However, Scobee is a solid guy, and in my opinion, was the best kicker still available in the 20th round. Plus, Scobee and I go way back, so I had to pick him.

***Addendum: I feel really great about my team, except for one thing -- I didn't get my boy Ryan Moats. In the 19th round, Raymond A. Partsch III (rpartsch@thetowntalk.com -- e-mal him to complain), the commish of our league, stole him off the board just a few picks before I was ready to select him! Ray has Westbrook and wants Moats as insurance. Yet, he also knows Moats is my boy, and he laughed in my face (not really) after the selection. While I'm disappointed not to have my boy, I have a feeling I might can find a way to make a trade to land him on my roster.