Love, Bailout, and Canes... Oh My!

Hello folks,

Here on the day of gankings... I spread love. Funny how these little traditions get started. However, for the sake of children... it's good that they give each other Valentine's and not weaponry.

My wife's birthday was on the 4th. Good times. She's never been to the Japanese restaurant around here, and she thoroughly loved it. Got to see Mike and Matt there, too... another bonus.

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

School is studious, but captivating. The instruction is fantastic, and the books are even good to read. One class requires 3 books...

...but as any good Dr. Porter student knows, busting your ass is part of the deal. The syllabus is the contract which states "you show up, you work hard, and you bust your ass. In return, you get a good grade." I really like it.

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

Speaking of reading, I'm rigorously taking to audiobooks again. How much of a boner kill was the ending of "The Historian?" All that Conan Doyle detective work, and that otr suspense...

...at the end, it was as if the author decided to go on a creative vacation. "The Appeal" is good so far. I haven't took up a Grisham book in months, and have yet to read "The Associate."

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

My car is a total mess. For those not in the know, Kristen and I were in a wreck. No injuries, thankfully. I got rear-ended by someone following too close. In the midst of this, I was finishing a Defensive Driving course required for all state employees. I actually learned a few things, and was applying them when my little car got spanked.

I drive with different eyes, as some may expect. I think requiring drivers to take such a course is an excellent measure, and would vote for such an idea instantly.

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

I voted for Obama (after my first and second choices dropped), and I think he's doing a pretty good job thus far in repairing our international reputation, and making descent headway in technology. But can someone explain how this bailout package is going to affect those who really need it... the poor?

I know, I know. Poor first, but who can blame me? At least this President appears to be sympathic, as demonstrated in the town hall meeting. Despite John Edwards being an absolute prick to his spouse (and what good elected official isn't), he did at least provide a plan to attack poverty.

Comments, please.

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

Miami did another good job with the 2009 class. I really like Armstrong and Dye. Bryce Brown coming or not, Randy Shannon did another exceptional job.

So, this is where is pays off, right? Maybe.

After two new coordinators, a transferred quarterback, a suspension, one bloviated drama involving an assumed phenom freshman, and a partridge and a pear tree... we're in the 2009 preseason.

Miami improved from 5-7 to 7-6. Not bad, and a bowl game appearance to warrant that. Yet already Cane Nation is ready to throw Shannon on the hot seat after a few losses late in the year. Keep in mind, that many of the big names were freshmen and sophomores. Miracles can't happen overnight.

So, what's it going to take for Shannon to keep his job? More wins. I don't expect Miami to win 11-12 games. I don't delude myself into believing that like other fanbase bases (WVU, FSU, and Notre Dame). Miami's early schedule is brutal. Check this out.

• Sept. 7 at Florida State (W)
  
• Sept. 17 Georgia Tech (L)
  
• Sept. 26 at Virginia Tech (?)
• Oct. 3 Oklahoma (L)
  
• Oct. 10 Florida A&M (W)
  
• Oct. 17 at Central Florida (W)
  
• Oct. 24 Clemson (W)
  
• Oct. 31 at Wake Forest (W)
• Nov. 7 Virginia (W)
  
• Nov. 14 at North Carolina (?)
• Nov. 21 Duke (W)
• Nov. 28 at South Florida (W)
  

8 wins would be a good year, and probably the magic number Shannon needs to save his job... then kicking all sorts of ass (10+ wins) in 2010. I see 8 wins, 2 losses, and 2 toss-ups. The team is still young, so I see 8-4 and a nicer bowl game. It wouldn't take much to winning the ACC, but I'm being real. Miami still a year away from torching the national stage.

Should Miami end up with another 7 wins, fans will be calling for Shannon's head. I don't buy that. 6 wins? I'll buy that. Should Miami somehow beat Oklahoma... LOOK OUT.

The crystal ball:

A brutal and tough start. A kickass finish due to the experience gained from the rough start.

Lowest record: 7-5
Highest record: 9-3

Prediction: 8-4

Random Musings

Well, it seems I'm anti-prophetic. My guy dropped out of the race. I'm at a loss.

Barack or Hillary? I have no earthly clue. The two of them have both parts effective and both parts stupid. It suspect it will continue to stay ugly until after "Super Tuesday" (I hate saying that).

Well, the idiot field has cleared considerably. Two Democrats; Four Republicans (if you count Ron Paul). McCain looks like a shoo-in for the Republicans, barring Mitt Romney magically transforming into a Democrat and back into a Republican (which could very well happen overnight).

They love to throw out the "L" word, don't they? It reminds me of West Virginia churches. It's not even funny anymore, just sad.

As much of the Democratic persuasion as I am, I really wouldn't mind McCain (though folks can and do change in office). McCain seems to openly welcome the opportunity to work with Democrats. I also feel that he will do his utmost to keep us safe. Unlike our current President, I feel he is highly respectful of those in the military... a subject dear to my heart. His age works against him, but he is rather fit.

He would definitely be an improvement to the current status, methinks. No thanks to Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee. I'll vehemently oppose them in office.

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

Heath Ledger is still on my mind. As I've said before, his passing has effected me more than celebrity before him... James Brown, Christopher Reeve, Steve Irwin, etc.

No, I didn't know Ledger. No, I wasn't his biggest fan, though I was a huge fan of his films... even before he was chosen to play the Joker. "The Patriot" and "The Order" were my two favorites from his filmography. When he was chosen to play the Joker, I rented "Brokeback Mountain" just to see his range. While the movie itself was good (save the horrible music and that one scene), Ledger was phenomenal.

This is going to last a long while. After July, Ledger will become etched into legend. Mark my words.

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

John Grisham has a new novel out. When I get some dinero, I'll pick up "The Appeal." If you haven't read his works, try "The Last Juror."

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

Is there some sort of black cloud over marriage? I know, divorce rates are high... what else is new? The reason for asking is that I receive a "how's married life going..." or "are you still glad to be hitched..." at every single turn.

Married life is blissful; I freaking love it. I love being married. I can't stress that enough. Perhaps people are rather stupid when it comes into getting hitched. I see marriage as a freedom, not a prison.

I've had so much bad luck with so many women. I remember all the names, and the legendary failures. I honestly thought God was punishing me because I couldn't find the one. However, when I found the one, life got a whole lot better.

Marriage is work, but it's good work. It's like getting paid for kissing. Best job I've ever had.

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

The economy is in the shitter... who knew? You know, my guy mentioned the economy long before the idiot parade started. As in years before. Just remember that. As such, Bush is actually working with Democrats... and Congress is actually awake. Who knew? It's going to take a lot more work to fix this mess, though. Trickle-down economics isn't the solution. There are poor people who are in a lot worse shape than those of upper class.

Oh yeah, and the tax cuts Bush wants to make permanent? Guess what? That helps those who have the money, not those without the money. This was done by the C.B.O. (Congressional Budget Office), an independent agency. So this isn't a left-wing conspiracy theory. This is real, and it bites.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/01/08/pf/taxes/bush_tax_cuts/index.htm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61178-2004Aug12.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/08/washington/08tax.html

-----------------------------------------
Personally, I've got a good feeling about some positive change coming my way. A really good feeling. When this change happens, I'll be a happier person.