..........how 'bout them Huskies?

Hi everyone. I took the pep band to the basketball game last night. It was a home game aganist Starmount. We saw a couple of great ballgames! Our girls' team won and the boys' team lost in the last minute of the fourth quarter. Starmount has a great team. What makes them great? The mens' basketball coaches at Appalachian State University discovered some outstanding high school age basketball players in Puerto Rico, brought them to Yadkin County, NC and found them some homes to live in until they finished high school. After graduation, these guys will be expected to play for ASU. There are three of these guys and they are outstanding players. One of them is 6'-9". If the ball gets to him in the paint, he will score. Our men did a great job of keeping the ball from him; but we just could not hold-off the fight for all four quarters. So, is it ethical in high school athletics to have players recruited like this? That's a good question. I'm sure this is a great opportunity for the Puerto Rican kids; and it is all legal in the eyes of the NCHSAA. Again, I just wonder if this is really ethical in high school sports; and will other schools try to get in line for some of the "out-of-towners" for themselves. I don't really care one way or the other. The pep band played great last night! We had about 30ish kids there, and we had a good time. I did have to tell one Starmount "parent of a cheerleader" to go back to her seat. I have not had a pep band at the games in a couple of years. I automatically had the band jump to their feet and play during the break at the end of the first quarter, not knowing that the time between quarters is cherished and closely guarded "Ra-Ra" times. You know, cheerleader quality performance time. When we started to play, the Starmount cheerleaders gave me the open-mouthed, hands on the hips look; and the "mom in question" quickly headed toward me. Our cheeleading sponsor came over and apologized to me for not letting me know of this time-honored tradition at the games. The mom butted-in our conversation to express her view. I looked at the mom and said, "Look lady, relax! Go back to your seat before you say something that you will regret! I made a mistake and it's over!" With a stunned look (the one you get when a teacher actually takes up for himself), she went back to her seat, crossed her legs, made several comments and shut her mouth. That was the result I was looking for. The gentleman that I am; I went straight over to the Starmount Cheerleading Squad and apologized. They appreciated the gesture and accepted my apology. They were a very well-mannered and respectful group. It was nice to see young people behave in such a respectful way. At any rate, congratulations to the Starmount men for another win! You guys played a great game, and the pep band enjoyed playing when your coaches called timeouts (ha, ha on not being able to hear yourself think). I got several dirty looks from the coaches during the timeouts. We're all just part of the "Train of Payne" around here!!!

..........a posting about nothing.

I don't really have any specific thoughts today; so I'll just see what comes to mind. School was on a two-hour delay today - that was good. The only thing that I don't like about the delayed schedule is the fact that I always feel that I'm behind??? I think that is just a matter of perspective. I'm really getting tired in my teaching. Notice, I did not say I'm getting tired of teaching - I'm tired in my teaching. I need a charge or something to get me going again. I didn't listen to the older teachers when I started my career. They told me to take it slow and don't try to do everything all at once. I paying for it now. I think a lot of my problems are because of taking band trips during all of my holiday vacations. It feels like I never had the rest between semesters. I'm looking forward to Easter break this year - no band trip - just time away from school to enjoy myself.

I'm actually trying to watch and read less news - especially national news. I really can't do anything about what is going on in the country, and I'm tired of arguing with people whom I don't agree with on political issues. I read part of an editorial in our local paper this morning that was written by a person who is very politically active. He starts it out by saying that some of his friends are liberals; but most are conservative. Who starts a letter out like that? An idiot - that's who! What about the guy that is neither a liberal or a conservative? What if you are like me, and you don't really agree with either side - is there no place for me in his world? Everyone has to label the other guy. His comments led me to believe that I may try a period of time where I won't listen to any kind of news. I want to see if it makes me a happier guy. I'll begin my experiment this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes.

I saw some sad news (news again) over the weekend. Barbaro was put down after eight months of treatment. It has been all over the national and local stations today. There are even websites to morn the loss of this HORSE!!! Come on America - this is an animal!!! I also saw that another Fischer House opened in San Antonio. It is supposed to be the finest rehabilitation site anywhere to help our wounded war veterans get their lives back on track. The Fischer Houses are remarkable facilities. They allow (just like the Ronald McDonald Houses) familes to be near their loved ones while they undergo treatment. Another amazing thing is that the Fischer Houses are all from private monies. What a contribution to America! I wish that more people with money, like Mr. Fischer, would contribute to good causes like this. In all the news spots about this, I never heard the political afilliation of Mr. Fischer - wow, that is refreshing. He is just an American helping Americans. There was no liberal or conservative attached to it!!! I wish I had the money to do so. I guess America will just have to settle for me helping out with a roof here and there, and using my physical labors to contribute.

I can't stand right wing and left wing nut jobs! They all need to keep their mouths shut. Ted Kennedy and John Kerry - shut up! Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton - shut up! Joe Biden and company - shut up! Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, George W. Bush - go on an extended hunting trip with Cheney!!! Was that biased? Rush Limbaugh is the nearest nothing to a human being that I know of. Let's pour salt on him and disolve him like the "slug" he really is - I could see it now - nothing left but a pile of Viagra where he once stood!

Hey, we've got a home basketball game tonight! Normally this would come and go without comment. I'm taking a pep band to the game. Our athletic director is very excited. The game is aganist Starmount. It should be fun; but I must admit, I doing this purely for political reasons. Inner-school system politics are very important in my business.

Our large cat, Sonic still is not completely well. I gave him a round of antibiotics a couple of weeks ago, but he is still not better. That means that I will be shoving an eye-dropper down his throat twice each day for seven more days. Have you ever given a cat oral medication?

Alright, I'm finished. This was pretty random. We're going to Bohemia after school and then back here for some roundball. This also celebrates my 50th post - yeah!!! Oh no, I just realized that I'll miss American Idol tonight! Oh well, it is to support the team. Go Huskies!!!

..........no one prepared me for all this!

I guess that is what many parents say when it comes to raising their kids. Both of my daughters are in high school now and Megan will graduate next year. I just dropped Megan off at the front of the school with her admission ticket to take the SAT. In that brief moment when I watched her go from the car into the building, I saw time rush past. It seemed like only yesterday that I was dropping her off at Kindergarden for the first time. Before you know it, I'll be watching her graduate from high school and helping her unload her stuff at the college dorm. If I make it through that, I'll have to do it again with Lauren two years later. I talk to many parents who look forward to this next phase of life; when the children are out of the house and they can do whatever they want. That is about the last thing that Lisa and I look forward to. I can't even begin to tell you how much we love to spend time with our daughters. They are definitely the center of our lives. In the progression of raising our daughters, I have found one thing to be true. Each phase has something special to enjoy. I'm sure there will be many great times ahead when they do leave the nest; but I sure do miss those times when Daddy could make everything better with a hug and a kiss on the cheak.

..........is Simon going to Hell? Will we be there with him?

....who knows? I guess we are all a bit at a loss on what all the real requirements are for going straight to Hell. Simon Cowell is making a great argument for his personal admission based on his business style and the way he treats others on American Idol. I'm a geek - I watch American Idol. It seems that the three judges are all a little more viscious this season. The treatment of the guy with the big eyes and the overweight kid in the flower shirt on the last show has been fodder for the talk shows all over the nation this week. Simon told the kid with the big eyes that he looked like a Bush Baby (a South American animal - not the child of a Bush). Sometimes the comments of the judges to the contestants makes me uncomfortable. If it were not for the comments, 37 million households would not tune in to the show! People are looking for some controversy in their reality shows. It would be pretty boring to watch people audition without the edgy comments. I admit it, that is one of the things that draws me to the show. I guess I'm no better than Simon, Randy, or a drunk Paula! Glenn Beck commented on that very thing this week; as did the hosts of The View (and Rosie O'Donnel has never made fun of anyone???). I listened to Bob and Sheri this morning talking about the same thing. Yes, these comments are uncomfortable and demeaning; but do the contestants not expect a certain amount of it? I really think that some of the contestants are borderline mentally handicapped, and are unjustly made fun of. Others want the attention that national television gives - look at William Hung. People who think themselves better than others (be it via intellect, appearence, religion, personal achievements, wealth, power) will always feel that they are better than others - this will never change. Is it right? Certainly not. What does our participation say for us as individuals and a society? It says that we all look to be elite in some form or fashion, and thrive on being better than the other guy. It's almost like we are the ancient Romans in the Collesium; watching as they bring in the next victim. "Release the lions", we shout. We take pleasure in the fact that it is someone else who suffers rather than ourselves. It makes us feel better about ourselves as we see someone who has it worse that we do. I am guilty! I enjoy watching the lions attack their prey. I'll watch American Idol again next Tuesday. I won't turn-off my TV in protest aganist Simon and company. In reality, I know that I do have it better than many of the contestants; but I also know that I have it better than Simon! It would be great if hunger, education, housing, childrens' rights, and health care shortcomings outraged us as much as the treatment of an American Idol contestant by three pompas ass judges!

..........all the small things.

All the Small Things, a hit song for the group Blink 182 or is it what makes life good? I enjoy all the small things in life. Having someone be kind to you or you doing the same for someone else is one of those small things that mean a great deal to me. I have been trying to break in a new pair of shoes for the past couple of weeks. Today I realized that they are finally broken in and they feel great on my feet - another small thing. Some things seem small becuase we don't think about them all the time, but they are really big ticket items. I have great comfort in the fact that I have a relationship with Jesus Christ that allows me to never walk alone in this life. I don't give that enough thought. I also have a family that I love and they love me in return. I have a good job with lots of controversy. I get to work with and help people all the time in my job. Okay, so I'm getting a little off track. I guess my point is this - it's the small things in life that make the collective whole of life good. We get so used to just knowing these things are here and that they just happen. I spend so much of my time dealing with the problem areas that I forget about all the blessings.

On to different matters.........................

Here's an open comment to all my Republican friends........No need to worry in 2008 guys, the Democrats have started on their path to self-destruction. Barak Obama announced that he is definitely running for President. I can't wait for the field day that will be had when his middle name comes into play - Hussein. There goes the black vote. Then there is John Edwards, the well-spoken Southern boy with absolutely no military experience. That should be fun discussion with a country at war. I'm not even going to entertain a comment about Joe Biden. How about Hillary Clinton? I like to refer to her as bitch in a bottle!!! Again, no military experience and a chip on her shoulder from all those horrible males who have descriminated aganist her. I think it is safe to say that a Republican will stay in the White House. I don't have a problem with that if it is John McCain. I know some of you don't even think he is on the team, but he is your best shot. He is what the country needs - a moderate Republican with some military experience. Let's keep Mit Romney out of it. He will only bring more right wing aganist left wing to us. Extreme, bad - moderate, good.

..........I'm a smart ass.....and other thoughts.

Yes, I admit it; I'm a smart ass! I realized it this morning at work. We had a teacher workday and I was called to the office to sign some papers. I made a "smart ass" comment when I got there and everyone in the room just starred at me for a moment. I once heard that being sarcastic is the work of a lazy mind. I'm not sure that I completely agree with that - if not for some good sarcasim, I would have very little to say! I do believe my ability to be sarcastic goes hand in hand with being the smart ass that I am. Maybe some big adult will just punch me in the mouth one day when he/she has had enough; until then, I'll probably continue to be a smart ass to some degree. I will give it an honest effort to curb some of my enthusiasm for sarcasim.

I watched two football games yesterday, and they were both great games. I'm looking forward to the NFL playoff games next week. I'm pulling for the Saints. I like da' Bears, but I will always take something from New Orleans over anything from Chicago. Basically, the only great thing that came out of Chicago is Hugh Hefner.

After the games, I also watched 60 Minutes. I never watch 60 Minutes; but, I saw the advertisement for an informal interview with President Bush and another spot with the parents of the Duke Lacross parents. I thought it would be worth some of my valuable time. I was very impressed with the President Bush interview. He was talking candidly about many different subjects, and I finally felt a connection with our Commander in Chief. I bet there were many more just like me; people who want to support and believe in our leaders, but have a hard time because they don't feel that connection. The interview showed him in some more informal spots (i.e. getting into, and flying from the White House on Marine 1). They showed the President making some small talk with others around him, etc. I enjoyed that. The President was not shown as the hardcore leader, but just a regular guy for a few minutes. The rest of the interview took place at Camp David. Some hard questions were asked, and the President responded as a regular guy. I wish this side of the President would have been shown more often. The country would have responded in a positive way. Sure, you can be a stone wall with policy, values, and action; but show your people that you really are in it with them. Good job Mr. President! As for the Duke University Lacross team - you guys had a wild, drunken party and you hired some low-life, chip-on-their-shoulders black female strippers to show up and entertain you. Did you pay for their services with daddy's VISA, or did you flash them a wad of cash? My sympathy runs very low for you; however, you probably were the victims of a poorly run local justice system. The DNA of four men other than that of any of the Duke Lacross team was found in the rectum of one of the black dancers (how would you like to have retrieved that evidence?). I hate that anyone is wrongly accused. Duke acted too quick on the whole thing, and many lives were changed as a result of the accusations made. Don't worry though, mommie and daddy will buy, excuse me, help you reclaim your honor.

I saw some spots on rebuilding in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. The federal government approved somewhere in the neighborhood of 10+ billion dollars to help the residents rebuild. To date, only 2+ billion has been used. The policy for this money to be spent is based on the individual homeowners having the work done and then being reimbursed for the costs. How stupid is that? These are people who don't have enough "where-with-all" to get the work done prior to a reimbursement. I also questioned the reason the federal government is even paying for anything at all. My wife reminded me that the reason these homes were destroyed was because a levee built by the Army Corps of Engineers and inspected annually by the federal government broke. She does have a point there.

Orders are being carried-out right now for sending 21,000 more troops to Iraq. I hope all goes well for them and their mission. I hope Congress does not tie their hands by blocking monies to do the job. Blocking the monies will result only in soldiers in the field not having the equipment to do the job. The "higher-ups" in the military structure are pretty bad to say, "...just make it happen. I don't care how you do it - just make it happen"! These "higher-ups" care more about themselves looking bad in their leaders eyes than they do about the Privates on the ground. The name of the game - "do more with less". I hope our leaders don't let that happen in Iraq.

The Iranian leader, Ahamademajad is doing the smart thing. He is going to leaders around the Middle East and the world to make allies of those that will further his cause. Building alliances for the future that is sure to come - a conflict with the United States! I hope our leaders are doing the same thing. We may have to modify and compromise with those who have been our supporters in the past and do what is necessary to succeed in the end. The alliance of Iran and Venezuala on oil prices is a start for them. One radical and dangerous leader to another can relate. We need alliances. We need more countries on our side. I hope we can put some of our differences aside and get the job done!

I watched some good movies over the weekend. I watched Easy Rider on Friday night. This is one of Dennis Hopper's first directorials. I forgot what a druggie/flower child oriented flick that was. I still enjoyed it. While on my late '60's film fest weekend, I also whatched The Graduate - another "confused youth of the '60's" type film. Sunday was my biggest surprise film - I watched Memoirs of a Geshia. Now, those of you who know me, certainly know that this is not my genre of film; but I thought it was outstanding. It was a romance film, but I did have some football and some grilling-out to balance the outcome of the day. I grilled a pork tenderloin with indirect heat on my charcoal grill using lump charcoal and hunks of hickory. Next time - an entire pork shoulder!

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I certainly do honor the works of Reverand King. He did a great deal of good for all races of people in America. I hear there is a politician type from Conneticut, or some other damn Yankee state, going to South Carolina today to try and get the Confederate Battle Flag taken off the Capitol building in Columbia. I bet if you stood on Strom Thurmond's grave, you could feel it rumble! Just honor Dr. King's works today. Don't talk about the Confederate flag, and please don't show me any Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton!!!

Well, I've gone on enough. Ya'll have a great week....don't work too hard, keep 'er between the ditches, and don't do anything I wouldn't do! Smart ass.....OUT!!!

..........I'm back for 2007!!!!

I hope everyone in the blogesphere had a great Christmas and New Year celebration. Our break was a busy one. The family and I left for Walt Disney World right after school on December 20, stayed in the WDW parks through Christmas Day, drove home on December 26 (got back home at 7:00 PM), washed clothes/re-packed our suitcases, met the band kids at 1:45 AM on December 27 for rehearsal, loaded the buses at 3:30, and departed for Memphis, TN at 4:00 AM. We stayed in Memphis for the Liberty Bowl, performed with LeAnn Rimes at halftime, went to Graceland, and departed Memphis for home on December 30. We arrived home on December 31 at 12:30 AM, went to church at 11:00, and rested through January 1. I had a teacher workday on January 2 and the kids came back to school on January 3.

Well, here we are, back in the saddle again. We have a new congress and a new chairperson of congress. I know everyone is excited about that. Change is going to be the agenda in Washington, D.C. through the election cycle that hits us in 2008.

I enjoy keeping-up with our politics. There is always some good debate to be had with every issue in America. I watched the President's speech last night. He seemed very nervous and uncomfortable. First, he chose to stand behind a lectern; and two, his reading of the prompter was not very fluid. If his intention was to sell us on the new strategy in Iraq, he failed miserably. He did not know his speech well enough to present it to a national audience. With all the breaks in the dialogue, I felt like I had cue cards on my forehead and he was looking right at me. It was so unrehearsed and ineffective. I guess you could say, ineffective or not, he is the President and he has the power to do whatever he wants in this case. This is only a small part of the failures of this administration. Liberal media or not, there is enough media controlled by the Republicans to use it to their advantage if they wanted to do so. Ronald Regan did just that, and he pulled the country together. I can't believe that a President in wartime could not use the media any more effectively for the cause that this President has. Don't blame the liberal media for this lack of communication. President Bush has never tried to connect to the people. Like it or not, this arrogance has cost the Republican party the Congress and Senate. What a "lame duck" administration. It reminds me of the "do nothing" atmosphere of the Carter years. President Bush has surrounded himself with "old school" buddies of his father that have lead him into this failure. I don't have confidence in our President. I have never thought him intelligent enough for the job. His buddies have lead us into a disaster with Iraq. I have fought the comparison of Iraq and Vietnam from the beginning, but the parallels are becoming clearer each day. We went into Iraq for what reason? The real reason didn't work, so we called it "freeing the Iraqi people from an evil dictator", so we could establish a democracy in the Middle East. We went into Iraq/Vietnam to force democracy on people who did not ask for it. We destroy the country and attempt to have them rebuild, only there are forces who drive the conquered into civil war. We defeat the enemy in battle, drive them off occupied ground, then we leave; only to have the enemy re-occupy the ground again after we leave. We say that "if we only had more troops", then we could win the day. Support for the war has reached an all time low as we pour thousands of additional troops into the region. The parallels are there. Americans are slow learners. Our arrogance of military might and world position got us into Vietnam and it has got us into Iraq. The outcome will be the same, and America will have egg on her face once again. The bravery of our troops in Vietnam and Iraq is without compare. I respect these soldiers, airmen, sailors, and Marines more than you can imagine. We owe our veterans the deepest respect and honor. Our leadership has let them down and has let the country down. I hope the new direction will work. I was very suprised to hear the Commander in Chief admit to the mistakes in the beginning of the conflict. He shouldn't have apologized, he didn't come up with the strategies - have Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld apologize! My gosh, we can't even hang Saddam without screwing it up! I am so frustrated with all of this. I still have the image of our President in one of his public appearences leaning over a lectern, pointing towards a reporter saying, "......you've got to remember, this is the guy who tried to kill my dad!"

Sorry for the ranting. Frustration speaks in long sentences. For the next post I'll put up some pictures from the Liberty Bowl and talk about that.

God bless all our troops serving in Iraq/Afganistan, those who have served, and those who will depart soon to serve. You have our greatest respect and America is proud as you perform your duties with honor.