Goodnight Mountaineers

Well, I hate to say it but in all likelihood the Mountaineers will be in the NIT this year barring another great run in the Big East tournament. Even though the NCAA Committee "allegedly" doesn't take conference representation into consideration when choosing the field, I don't see any way that the Committee is going to take more than six or seven Big East teams. Right now, I see Pittsburgh, Georgetown, Louisville, Notre Dame, Marquettte and Syracuse in the tournament. If Villanova wins their last two games, go ahead and put them in too. And that would be seven. No way they take eight. Of course, if 'Nova and WVU meet in the Big East Tournament, the head-to-head winner of that (neutral court) would have an advantage. Or if 'Nova and WVU win 2 games each in the Big East Tourney, they may be forced to take both.

Overally, I'm happy with West Virginia's run this year. Heck, I was going to be happy with any post-season tournament, including Big East, so to be in the running for an NCAA-bid is really a happy surprise. I just don't think they'll get it. Weak out-of-conference schedule and the lack of a marquee road win really hurts West Virginia's resume. The loss at Cincinatti is still haunting. The UCLA win still looks nice but there isn't a good win to back it up. But, like I said, a good showing at the Big East Tournament and there's still hope...but WVU needs to find their shot and ratchet up the defense to make that run. Otherwise, maybe we'll see some more basketball at the Coliseum this year.

David Geffen and Liberals

There's a lot of outrage from Democrats against David Geffen. Geffen, a big-wig Democrat, recently questioned The Clintons integrity by saying "Everybody in politics lies, but they do it with such ease, it’s troubling." Calling the former president a “reckless guy” deftly put the issue of Bill Clinton’s behavior in the present tense. And at a moment when some of the smart money was poised to line up behind Mrs. Clinton’s candidacy, Mr. Geffen was signaling that backing her may not be so smart after all.

Democrats cried foul. Hilary's camp called for Barack Obama to remove Geffen as a financial advisor. When it was revealed that Geffen didn't work for the Obama camp, Hilary called for Obama to denounce Geffen's statement and return any money Geffen may have contributed to his campaign. Democrats are shocked that Geffen could say such a mean thing about The Clintons.

There's a lot of things I want to say about this but I can't find all the time I need. First, Hilary is crying because Geffen attacked Bill's record. She is making every attempt to distance herself from the impeachment and Bill's less than honest reputation. But while she is distancing herself from Bill's character, she is attempting to embrace the "good" aspects of his presidency. And, let's face it, Hilary Rodham has no political career without the Clinton.

Secondly, Geffen's comments are mild compared to the attacks made on the current administration by Hollywood elitists. Bush and Cheney have been called liars and criminals by Hollywood-types and no one bats an eye. To claim the Clintons have been less than honest though, how could someone say such a thing? Compared to the attacks current and future Republican candidates will take from Hollywood, Geffen's comments are mildly insulting at best.

Lastly, Geffen is entitled to his opinion. Whenever someone criticizes Hollywood for giving their opinion, they are quick to point out that their right to express their opinion is guaranteed by the First Amendment. So, why is Hilary and her allies so quick to condemn Geffen for exercising the right they so often claim? The fact that this was liberal-on-liberal violence is the reason for outrage. The only time insults are covered by the First Admendment are when they are liberal-on-conservative...and not vice versa.

The simple fact is Hilary believes she is destined to be the Democratic nominee and the next President of the United States. She suffered until Bill's reign and now is her turn. Obama is a threat to her. Because she is in the lead, she can afford to act as though she's above the fray. But should Obama start closing in, watch who starts claiming their First Amendment rights then.

Oscars

I can honestly say I did not watch a moment of the Academy Awards. No pre-show, no post-show and definitely no actual show. It has to be one of the most pretentious displays ever created. Hollywood spends hours upon hours congratulating itself for making movies. I would rather avoid the entire event...and I did. I watched "Patton" -- which won an Oscar but was actually a good movie.

As bad as the show is, what becomes worse is all the shows about the show. Red carpet shows, best/worst dress shows, behind the scenes shows, post-show shows...just end it all. It is a zoo and I really, really don't understand how people can watch it. And, judging from the reactions today, people are wishing they hadn't.

Jimmy Carter

I watched "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" this morning for some reason and he had ex-President Jimmy Carter on as a guest. Carter, of course, took the opportunity to attack President Bush and Israel in his own "golly-gee" way. The fact that Jimmy Carter was ever a President of the United States boggles my mind. I would be willing to term him as anti-American at this point. He often sides with America's enemies and attempts to undermine U.S. interests everywhere in the world, thus his popularity. If you don't believe me, let's look at some of this post-presidency forrays:

• Carter attacked Clinton on Haiti and North Korea initiatives.
• During the run-up to the Gulf War, Carter wrote members of the U.N. Security Council urging them to thwart the Bush administration’s effort. The word "treason" was actually used at that time in connection with Carter.
• Carter is self-serving and needing of praise. The ex-president has always considered himself screwed out of the Nobel prize, and he and his Carter Center have campaigned rather embarrassingly openly for it.
• In the 1990s, Carter became quite close to Yasser Arafat. After the Gulf War, Saudi Arabia was mad at Arafat, because the PLO chief had sided with Saddam Hussein. So Arafat asked Carter to fly to Riyadh to smooth things over with the princes and restore Saudi funding to him — which Carter did.
• The ex-president is known as Joe Human Rights, but he’s mighty selective about whose human rights to champion. If you live in Marcos’s Philippines, Pinochet’s Chile, or apartheid South Africa, he’s liable to care about you. If you live in Communist China, Communist Cuba, Communist Ethiopia, Communist Nicaragua, Communist North Korea, Communist . . .: screw you.
• While in office, Carter hailed Yugoslavia’s Tito as “a man who believes in human rights.” He said of Romania’s barbaric Ceausescu and himself, “Our goals are the same: to have a just system of economics and politics . . . We believe in enhancing human rights.” While out of office, Carter has praised Syria’s late Assad (killer of at least 20,000 in Hama) and the Ethiopian tyrant Mengistu (killer of many more than that). In Haiti, he told the dictator Cédras that he was “ashamed of what my country has done to your country.”
• In an interview with the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer last year, he said, “I don’t think that George W. Bush has any particular commitment to preservation of the principles of human rights.”

I could go on but I think that lays out a pretty good picture. The enemy of America or the enemy of Israel or the enemy of democracy is Carter's friend. Castro, Chavez, Ahmadinejad - misunderstood leaders that the United State unfairly attacks. Up until recently, there had been an unwritten understanding that former presidents do not attack the policies of current administrations. Carter has never followed that value. When compared, Clinton appears ideal.

Anyway, Carter favors a withdraw from Iraq (which, as I said, is desireable to everyone in both parties, it's just the means of withdraw -- victory or defeat) and for Iraq's neighboring countries to help maintain control in Iraq. So...who do you think is going to assume the control of Iraq when the U.S. leaves? It's not going to be Saudi Arabia...

Secondly, Carter favors taking a more pro-Palestinian look at the Israel but every politician is afraid to take that look. Carter often cites Israel's aggressiveness to their neighbors (who wage constant attacks on Israeli citizens) but fails to mention the numerous invasions into Israeli territory by neighbors that were meant to wipe Israel from the map. He also fails to recognize Iran's repeated promises to remove Israel from the Middle East.

So, I'm putting it out there: Carter is a treasoness, anti-American, anti-Semitic country bumpkin who packages his messages in a country boy style to avoid criticism. Carter will continue to undermine American values for as long as he can. It's a real crime.

Anyway, that's about it. I may write about the teamwork workshop tomorrow...nothing too exciting. I would recommend everyone head over to WVConfidential and read the WMITC Newswires that he submitted...very funny stuff if you want a laugh. As for me, I'm going to try to get over my Jimmy Carter experience.

Teamwork

I have to go to some daggone teamwork seminar starting this evening and not ending until Friday evening. I'm sure it will give me plenty of fodder to write about over the weekend...I have no idea what to expect at all. And I have tried my hardest to get out of going but it appears to be an inevitability...joy, joy.

Are they ever going to bury Anna Nicole? I haven't paid a whole lot of attention but I saw the judge on Headline News last night...what's the holdup? Just bury the poor lady and let's move on. I really think the tabloid news is manipulating this story and attempting to keep her unburied for as long as possible so they have something to write about...other than Brittney. Or maybe it's a conspiracy by Nancy Grace. Ugh, I hate that lady.

West Virginia is very close to losing their NCAA Tournament bid. The disappointing loss to Providence really puts a lot of pressure on the young team to beat Pittsburgh on the road. West Virginia has only two true road wins this season (Seton Hall (12-14) and Rutgers (10-16)) combined with a horrible strength of schedule. They either need to beat Pitt or they will have to be Cincinnati and win at least one in the Big East Tournament to get in the NCAA Tournament. Otherwise, it's NIT-bound.

Pac Man Jones was somewhere in the vicinty of the of Vegas shootings following the All-Star Game. Is anyone surprised? Where was Chris Henry? Probably on home confinement.

I think that's about it...I have to go burn an Ozzy Osbourne videotape to DVD for the custodian. How does this stuff happen? See ya'll after I learn some teamwork!

Oh No, Barack Smokes

In case you haven't heard, which I don't know how you wouldn't, Barack Obama smokes. Obama is a "hopeful" for the presidency and he smokes! CIGARETTES! Oh no. Oh, NO! This is completely and uttlerly unacceptable to liberals. Cigarettes are obviously the scourge of the earth. How could Obama cave to such a hideous habit? Shameful! And, Obama cannot be elected president if he smokes because smoking has been banned from the White House since the Clinton Administration. There's a joke there but I will refrain.

Free Anna Nicole!

If you missed the Daytona 500 Sunday, you missed a heckuva race. 0.02 seconds between first and second. That's pretty close...

The All-Star game was a dud as usual.

I think that's about it for this morning. I'm going to call Microsoft and fight with them over SQL licenses. How exciting is that? Honestly...aren't you a little envious? Don't lie...I know you are!

Goodbye Michael Irvin

It is now official that Michael Irvin, only a few short weeks after being elected to the NFL Hall of Fame, has been released from ESPN. Irvin was suspended from ESPN in 2005 for failing to notify the company he had been arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and in 2006 he mused the Tony Romo might not be completely white. Irvin also has a history of being an apologist for players who violate laws, NFL rules or the overall principles of living in a society, i.e., Terrell Owens. While I really disliked Irvin, I always enjoyed mocking his horrendous attire. I'm sure he'll end up on television somewhere and will continue to dress very, very, very badly. Goodbye Michael Irvin...and goodbye Michael Irvin's awful outfits.

Oh, and I share in Irvin's tears...not because he has been canned by ESPN but because his replacement is rumored to be....

BILL PARCELLS?!?

Dan Hawkins Doesn't Believe in Vacations

This is just a few random sporting things that have added up and I feel I need to post:

1) Dan Hawkins doesn't believe in vactions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G-EqpT-HG8

2) Joakim Noah doesn't like pom-poms...so get them out of his face

3) Stay off the court

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkb_7clxsqs

4) This is really, really poor quality but Joakim Noah wants the ball.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks6LKwhkZNQ

5) I don't like Joakim Noah...seriously.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5hq_IqHlOU

Albert Didn't See It Coming

Apparently Ohio State fans hold some animosity towards Florida and Albert the Alligator. I'm not sure why...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqrkSskzQOk

Anne Curry Thinks Hardaway Is Funny

Wow...I must thank Anonymous who found the video of Anne Curry laughing following her reading of Tim Hardaway's anti-gay rant. Curry couldn't contain herself following the story and then, after laughing, blames Roker for laughing. So, thanks again Anonymous for finding the clip...I'm glad someone thought it was worthy of posting because I sure did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiA_rG2chQk

No Authority for Iran

First, let me say that I do not want to invade Iran...I think we have to exhaust every possible solution before we do so. With that said, I am completely and utterly disgusted by Nancy Pelosi's recent assertion that the President has no authority to invade Iran. It weakens our negotiating position with the despot Mahmoud Ahmadinejad when you take the possibility of invasion off the table.

So, my question is, when do we put it back on the table? After they have developed fully functional and deliverable nuclear weapons? Are there really people in this country so naive that they believe Ahmadinejad is wanting the technology for purely non-military purposes? Do we wait until he attacks, or completely destroys, Israel? He's promised to do so...are we going to stand back and allow that to happen?

Once again, I don't want to attack Iran...but that possibility forces others in that country to worry. Obviously Ahmadinejad is a moron and doesn't appear to be rattled by the U.S. threats but the populace of Iran understands the invasion potential and the decimation it would wreak on that country and those are the people we need to stand up to Ahmadinejad. Additionally, why would Ahmadinejad give up his ambitions knowing the internal divisions in this country? Pelosi has basically told him that the United States Congress will not allow us to invade...so, why should he be the least bit concerned about military threats?

On a similar note, the non-binding resolution the Senate is likely to pass this weekend is rather disgraceful. The Democrats are going to oppose President Bush's push in Iraq without offering a plan for victory themselves. I am willing to listen to alternative plans but all I hear from the left is "retreat, retreat, retreat." Where is a plan for victory? Once again, we are not fighting Iraqis, we are fighting foreign entities in Iraq. Once again, Al-Quaida is present in Iraq now and those are the people that we are combating. If we do not continue to take the fight to them and defeat them in Iraq, they will surely bring the fight here with a new sense of determination thanks to their victory in Iraq. I want to hear a Democrat's plan for victory...not a continued call for defeat.

Just Cancel School

Thus far, I have managed to contain my criticm of the local schools for canceling school at the drop of a single flake. But after Tuesday's cancellation despite the complete lack of snow (thanks weather forecasters) and today's cancellation due to -- ummm, the sun being out -- I've come to the realization they should just cancel the rest of the school year. I've lost track, but I think students in Marion County have been out 8 or 9 days so far -- mostly due to cold weather (thanks global warming) -- and I just don't see any reason for them to return to school. I know a lot of kids and, personally, I think they're smart enough. Plus, there's always a chance it could rain or snow or there could be a meteor shower...do we really want to risk sending kids to school during a meteor shower? I know I sure don't. So, please, cancel the school year -- do it for the children.

I decided to turn on the Today Show this morning before I left for work, which is unusual. And I was listening to the lovely Ann Curry do her 3-minute newscast. During which, she reported on Tim Hardaway's reaction to John Amaechi's recent announcement that he was gay. You can read the comments here -- let's just say Hardaway doesn't like gay people.

But, anyway, after reading Hardaway's comments, Curry started laughing when attempting to report a story about the dollar coin. When the camera shot back to Curry, she apologized for laughing and then blamed Al Roker for her laughing -- I think she said something along the lines of "he laughed first," to which Matt Lauer thanked Curry for throwing Al under the bus. It was a very odd exchange...and very funny to watch. Curry tried to cover by saying Hardaway's comments were just too far over the line -- personally, I think Curry really did find them funny -- and so didn't Al and Laurer -- which is funny to me. I haven't been able to find the YouTube of the exchange yet...it will probably never exist because no one found it funny but me.

Anyway, that's all for this morning...I gotta get on the phone with Microsoft and try to get some licensing so I'm sure my head will be exploding some time this afternoon. Oh, and again, I call for the rest of the school year to be cancelled...who needs class time?

Obama's a Rock Star

Seriously...there are people out there describing Barack Obama as a rock star. He's mysterious and cool...he's an outsider. Yada, yada, yada. *yawn* Who cares? Obama is a mystery. He's a one named mystery. That's today. What's going to happen over the next year? Do you think he'll still be a mystery in February 2008? No -- eventually he'll have to reveal his position on issues that matter. And, once he reveals those positions, his rock star status will be removed. And Hilary will pounce. America won't elect a mysterious rock star.

Anyway, how about them Mountaineers? They beat the #2 team in the nation (even though it was without UCLA's star Collison) and then get blown out by Georgetown. The Hoyas probably could have won by 40 but elected to go easy on the Mountaineers and only win by 18. I thought Beilein was going to throwdown at one point. The Mountaineers still need 3 wins (including the BE tourney) to make it to the NCAA Tournament.

And, lastly, where is the snow? This 1-2 inch thing is getting old. Either give me feet or give me nothing. I'm not sure why but I really get excited when I think there's going to be a massive snowstorm. But, alas, I have been extremely disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I don't want the ice storm that plagued Columbus...but I would like to see a good 6-12 inch storm before winter is over. But it's probably not meant to be...this was probably our last good shot. Oh well...there's always next year.

We Have a Gusher

On a hiatus from my search for water in Fairmont (since the water problem has mysteriously disappeared), I have been able to solve the water in Clarksburg. It took a lot of searching, but after some serious investigation, this could be their problem:





To keep the water from shooting up in the air, they moved a city truck over the hole. I was really hoping it would build enough pressure to shoot the truck off the hole but it just wasn't meant to be.



The geyser did cause some damage to a nearby vehicle. And my car is trapped in the garage for the time being.


Unfortunately, I do not have video of the geyser shooting up...but there is this video of the water after the truck pulled over the hole.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3x0vucCmnw

Apology for Beating UCLA

On behalf of all of West Virginia, I apologize to CBS and ESPN for the Mountaineers beating UCLA at the Coliseum today. In case you weren't aware, WVU was not supposed to beat the #2 team in the nation. It messed up ESPN's brackets and Jay Bilas was not happy about that. It also hurts ESPN's bubble because they had figured WVU was out of the bubble mix. This really hurts some other bubble teams that ESPN has been pumping up.

But mainly WVU is apologizing because the Mountaineers beat UCLA without Darren Collison playing for the Bruins. Collison is UCLA's third leading scorer. Jay Bilas said UCLA would have beaten WVU if Collison was playing. He didn't say "it would be a different game" or "Collison being out changed UCLA's game" -- no, he said "UCLA would have won if Collison had played." A definite. No question. Who had to step up to defend WVU? The hated Digger Phelps who was the only person on the GameDay panel to give the Mountaineers any credit for beating UCLA in consecutive years.

Of course, CBS was on the same kick. Collison, Collison, Collison. Clark Kellogg repeatedly reminded the national audience that UCLA was playing without their 3rd leading scorer. But little, if anything, was mentioned of WVU playing without Davin Bawinkle and Joe Mazzulla. And little, if anything, was made of Ted Talkington, a walk-on, being forced into action against the #2 team in the nation.

No, none of that matters...UCLA played at the Coliseum without Darren Collison and that's not fair. WVU should forfeit the win because Jay Bilas said we wouldn't beat them if Collison played...and it's not UCLA's fault Collison is injured. UCLA made a great comeback...Collison would have finished it. It's all about UCLA...who cares about West Virginia?

UNC/duke

I really didn't watch much of the WVU/Pittsburgh game...West Virginia made a run late to get back in the game but some missed free throws by Frank Young and some bad shots late doomed the Mountaineers. They need to get some wins to close the season or they will be NIT bound.


Anyway, UNC/Duke was a good game...it's always tough to play in Cameron Indoor considering you're playing against an overly hostile crowd, intimidated officials and the ever-bullying Coach K. Duke took and early lead in the game but couldn't keep it and UNC won, breaking the Cameron Crazies hearts. What could be better than that?


But the real reason I'm writing about the game is because of one player: Josh McRoberts. You can tell McRoberts has been coached by Mike Krzyzewski by the way he whines, curses and acts hostile to the officials. Most players would receive technical fouls for acting the way McRoberts acted throughout the game...but, since it is Duke and it was at Cameron, you overlook those things. McRoberts plays like Krzeyzewski coaches: overboard.


As for the rest of the game, the officials in that game were obviously blind...and I'm not talking in favor of either team. Hansbrough was hacked and hit and just completely beaten every play and never received a call. It went the other way too. I've always been critical of the Big East officiating because I think it is too agressive...but this game was just completely insane. The officials need to control a game and this game was on the verge of being out of control.

Snickers Ad Pulled

A commercial for Snickers that aired during the Super Bowl was yanked yesterday by Mars, Inc. after complaints by the Human Rights Campaign and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Apparently, having two guys kiss over a Snickers and then get freaked out about it and doing something "manly" is homophobic. Ummmm...I'm just not real sure about that. Can no one take a joke any more? I don't think that it incites hatred or intolerance...a couple guys accidentally kiss and then do something stupid...big deal.

When it comes to violence, was there any commercial worse than the Blockbuster "Mouse Click" commercial? Where's the compassion for those little mice? Where's PETA? Not only did they click on that poor little mouse, they dragged him. They could have easily drug that mouse to his deathbed. Does America not care about mice?

It gets a little ridiculous sometimes. The Geico "Caveman" ads really hit closer to home than some people would like to believe. People are out there looking for a reason to be offended. This country needs to learn how to take a joke.

And, speaking of jokes, a state senator from Brooklyn plans to introduce legislation that would ban people from using an MP3 player, cell phone, Blackberry or any other electronic device while crossing the street in either New York City or Buffalo. Once again, the state feels that citizens are too stupid to take care of themselves. Must we attempt to legislate everything? Slowly, the government is attempting to box our lives into small boxes by limiting what we can do. Personal freedom should be cherished and government has no right to take them away. But we continue to let it do just that...smoking bans, seatbelt laws, helmet laws, ATV laws, gun laws, etc. I am not saying those are all bad...but they continue to be built upon and continue to erode our individual rights.

But, anyway, enough of that. It's very cold outside...I'm surprised there aren't laws telling me how to dress today.

HUGE Commit

WVU somehow landed Noel Devine today. Devine, by many accounts, is one of the top players in the country this year. Scout.com rates Devine as the top running back in the 2007 Class. In choosing West Virginia, Devine set aside interest from Florida, Alabama and LSU. Florida State emerged as the other frontrunner as Devine was getting ready to choose a school. Victor Anderson's late switch to Louisville probably played a big role in Devine coming to West Virginia.

In his sophomore season at North Fort Myers High School, Devine had 1,667 yards and 23 TDs on 143 carries for an 11.7 average per carry. As a junior, Devine rushed for 1,933 yards and 24 touchdowns on 173 carries.

Of course, the question is whether Devine will be academically eligible next year. Devine is still awaiting final class grades to determine his core GPA. He claims to have a 1580 SAT and a 13 ACT. Devine has talked to some prep schools in case he is not eligible next year. Could go the way of Gwaltney but, if Devine can figure out a way to pass some classes, he could be electifying on the field. Think Slaton but faster. Some have compared his elusiveness to Reggie Bush.

Regardless, nice recruiting win for the Blue and Gold. Before the Devine commit, WVU ranked #24 in recruiting according to Scout.com. Which is pretty high considering where we usually fall.

So Much For Global Warming

I wouldn't want to even guess how cold it would be outside right now if it weren't for global warming. So, I guess we're lucky that it's only zero out...it could be negative 157 out if we weren't warming in the planet with our gasses.

Anyway, I have a lot of work to do so I'm just going to post my favorite video of all time again -- what are we talking about Allen?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGDBR2L5kzI

Colts Better Win

Lil' Ronnie is gonna cap someone if the Colts lose tonight...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah1IQR7gvC8

In Search of Water

The water mystery in Marion County continues...so I decided to take it upon myself to find all the missing water. My travels took me far...here is my story:

I decided to check with some obvious places first...the water couldn't have traveled too far. My first destination: 12 Street Pool. Sure, the pool hasn't been in use for several years but, supposedly, improvements were being made and a dome is going to be put on the facility for full-time use. Could those improvements been made without anyone noticing? Did 12th Street steal the water?

Ummmm...maybe not. My next lead took me to some local churches. Rumor on the street was that a local church was attempting to make 7.5 million gallons of holy water to sell on Fairmont's black market. I visited the churches in Fairmont but didn't notice anything unusual. It would take a very smart and shrewd holy man to hide that much water and I was coming up dry.

Last time I was at Fairmont State was in an attempt to play football at Rosier Field. When you stepped foot on the field, you basically sunk. Is it possible that the water was leaking under the field? Well, I visited Fairmont State to see...and, while the field is muddy and pretty crappy, there isn't 7.5 million gallons of water there.

Some local ducks were hanging out down by the river. I could tell these ducks were from out of town and were up to no good. I questioned the ducks at length about their involvement in the missing water but they wouldn't crack. I put them in separate interrogation rooms but their stories checked out and they all had alibis. I told them to pack up and get out of Fairmont. This case was going nowhere.

My travels then took me to our neighbor to the north. Did Morgantown know anything about the missing water? There's been some talk that WVU is going to reenact great naval battles at the Coliseum much like the Romans did in the original Colosseum. Could they have borrowed water from Fairmont to fill the arena? I nosed around a bit but didn't find anything.

After driving around Morgantown for the day, I called it quits. I need a couple days to regroup and get a fresh perspective. It's not like the missing water just evaporated, it has to be out there and I'm going to find it. I'll be doing random house checks in the next few days. But I have condluded that the missing water is not in Morgantown.

Must Be Super Bowl Weekend?

First...great win by the Mountaineers today on the road in the Big East. Big, big win...especially considering what lies ahead. Home dates against Pittsburgh and UCLA followed by a trip to Georgetown...does it get any tougher? If we can win two of the next four, that would lock a trip to the NCAA tournament.

Anyway, judging from the number of Super Bowl features I have seen so far today, it must be Super Bowl Sunday. I was treated to a special in CBS earlier today about my favorite team of all time - the '85 Bears. I also watched something on the '72 Dolphins. And ESPN Classic was showing Greatest of All-Times or some such nonsense.

Anyway, I guess it's time to predict a Super Bowl winner. I'll make it pretty simple: Colts. I don't think the Bears defense can overcome the Bears offense. And the Colts defense isn't a pushover. Payton Manning is the best quarterback in the NFL. And, well, Colts by 10.

All I can say is that I wish I were down in Miami. I hear that it's a little warmer down there and they have plenty of water. And after hearing Dorothy and Rose sing about it...well, who wouldn't want to be in Miami?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0in244FNk8E

Bill Belichick Doesn't Care About Brains

Sorry to here about Ted Johnson's mental health issues so I made this little poem to help him feel better:

Get out there
We gotta win
Kill the brain
But leave the limbs

In Belichick
Do we trust
He don't care
If you're concussed

He has the plan
for victories
Ted Johnson now
Can't find his keys

Ted Johnson now
Will tell his tale
Has brain damage
FTL

A Little Work Rant

Honestly, I almost had my office cleaned up. Someone even commented in passing that it looked like I had cleaned...I worked hard trying to get things off the floor and back in their proper location. But then...bad things happened...a little backstory:

I order a majority of the supplies for the department. Switches, cables, printers, computers, laptops, even speciality ink cartridges...I try to keep it in stock. Obviously, I become quite frustrated when people, for example, someone takes the last HP 48 ink cartridge without telling me and without placing an order (hey, anyone in the department can order this crap). Everyone uses ink...but there are certain things I order just because I use them...KVM switches, external hard drives, USB extensions. No one else really orders them...and no one else has ever asked me to get any for them. Generally I keep these type of supplies on shelves in my office:

So, Tuesday rolls along. A request is made to move a large printer/multi-function device from its currently location to an office a couple floors down. No problem...except there's only one network jack down there. So, I decided I would hookup the lady who needed it via USB...easy, right? Well, the location of the printer was a distance away from her PC...so I needed an extension. I knew that that the last time I looked I had three. Well, lo and behold, no USB extensions to be found...hmmmm.

Alright...don't get frustrated...we'll just put a little Linksys 5-port switch down there and hook her up to the network. I ordered five of them and stuck them behind my desk so no one would take them...surely at least one remains. Come on...there has to be one left, right? NOPE. Not a one...so, I started questioning people...where's my switches? Where's my switches? Responses ranged from "I don't know" to "I didn't take your switches" to "Huh?" Well, by this point, I was quite annoyed...the lady wanted to print...no switches, no extension...nothing.

So, after clearing my shelves looking for either a switch or extension, I finally disconnected my switch and took it down to her. I was not very pleased with that result...so I ordered 5 more switches and I'm hiding them and next time someone needs one they will get an "I don't know." I just find it ridiculous that people can't replace items they borrow...it shouldn't be that way.

Anyway, I haven't cleaned my office yet...I may try to straighten it up today...I did pick up the laptop hard drives from the floor this morning...but, this is what my office has looked like since Tuesday...she's a beauty, isn't she:

Where Has All The Water Gone?

Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink. Fairmont seems to losing its water and no one, as of yet, has identified where it's going. I thought something was awry when it took me twice as long to shower Thursday morning...but I just figured it was a fluke. And then the word came down...there's a hole somewhere in Fairmont. And it just happens to be in a waterline.

The ever resourceful Fairmont Utility Manager told residents to look for unusually large amounts of water. Hmmmm...yeah. I'm guessing the amount of water that would have to be leaking in order to shut down a county would probably have been noticed by now. I can't imagine someone is going to wake up tomorrow and be like "Holy crap...I need to call the Fairmont Utility Manager...I just thought all that water belonged there."

Things are so bad that poor little Grant Town is completely dry. Water that is...the bars will remain open. Are there any bars in Grant Town? Hmmmm... Anyway, the situation caused Marion County schools and Fairmont State University to close on Friday. Unfortunately, my work remains unaffected despite my best attempts.

I have a theory behind the missing water...I believe it is a publicity stunt perpetuated by Sean Stevens and Peter Berdovsky in an attempt to promote Cartoon Network's "Aqua Teen Hunger Force." Scaring the crap out of Bostonian's isn't enough for Turner Broadcasting...they have to steal Fairmont's water too. Well, I'm sick of it. When are these high pressure advertising techniques going to end?

Anyway, hopefully the water situation can be resolved soon...I've seen some people in Marion County...if they miss a shower cycle, well, we'll all suffer. And I'm not even going to touch the toilet situation...let's just say it ain't gonna be pretty.

WVU Finally Wins on Road

The Mountaineers finally figured out a way to win a road game in the Big East. After a pretty dismal start, the Mountianeers downed Rutgers 89-83. Very quietly, the Mountaineers have improved their record to 17-4, 6-3 in Big East. WVU is now tied for 5th in the conference...not too bad for a team predicted to finish 12th in the Big East.

But, now the tough part really begins. With 8 games remaining, the question is whether West Virginia can find a way to get 20 wins. They have 2 games against #7 Pittsburgh, a home date against #5 UCLA and they visit a very good Georgetown team...all games WVU could easily lose. So, they need to find a way to win on the road against Seton Hall on Saturday and beat them against at home on February 17th. That leaves Providence away and Cincinatti at home to try to get that 20th win. Of course, WVU could surprise UCLA or Pitt or GTown...but, I'm just going by who they should beat and who they should lose to.

I think WVU has to have 20+ wins to make the NCAA tournament if they don't advance in the Big East tournament. Their weak out-of-conference schedule is going to make them a pick with 19 wins, especially considering 19 wins gives them a 2-6 record down the stretch...so, they have to get at least 3 more wins in my opinion. That OT loss to Cincinatti really hurts. But, hey, not bad for a team that lost most of their scoring and was predicted to finish 12th in the Big East. Personally, I think they'll make the NCAA tournament at this point and could be a position to visit the Sweet Sixteen for the 3rd consecutive year.

Second today, football recruits. WVU quietly lost verbal commit, and 4-star running back, Victor Anderson to Louisville last week. The class still looks pretty strong (21st in the nation according to Scouts.com) but the Anderson loss made me worry a little...you hate to see a highly touted recruit bolt for an in-conference team. But, Anderson is from Louisville...apparently he didn't like Petrino. And, Anderson could be a bust...remember Jason Gwaltney?

Hopefully all the other recruits who have made commitments to West Virginia see it through. Signing Day is February 7th and there's still a couple big fish out there...like running back Noel Devine who is the 3rd highest rated running back in the nation and has narrowed his schools to WVU and Florida State. Devine would be a huge grab for West Virginia (if eligible). And there's some other last minute commits out there who have interest in WVU. Regardless, this looks to be WVU's must highly rated draft class ever. The future looks bright.