Noles Quit, Dawgs Don't

As Kirby said, the Orange Bowl was about culture. The Dawgs were there to win a football game, to make a statement about what kind of team they were. To win the senior class' record 50th game. Several payers played in the game before opting out of their remaining college eligibility to turn pro. Kicker Jared Zirkel played in the game before entering the transfer portal. Seventeen other Bulldogs opted out. All America tight end Brock Bowers missed the game, but traveled to Miami to cheer on his teammates. UGA was disappointed that they were missing out on a playoff birth after spending all year as the number one team, winning 28 straight games before losing their only game of the season by only three points to playoff bound Alabama.

What kind of team was undefeated FSU? What kind of culture did they have? How would they respond to being left out of the playoff after winning the ACC championship? How would they respond to having to play without their star QB? Unlike the Dawgs, the Noles decided to quit. So many FSU players opted out and entered the transfer portal. It wasn't about team. It was about the individual.

Actions and decisions have consequences. The FSU president chose to delay the expanded 12 team playoff until next year. That hurt FSU this year. The FSU head coach had said they'd be shopping for QB's in the transfer portal. Not wanting to compete, the second string QB chose to transfer himself, missing out on a chance to start the Orange Bowl. So the Noles were forced to start their third stringer instead.

Too bad that all this crap overshadowed the actual football game. The Dawgs played hard, coasting to a 42-3 lead at halftime. Then they started their third string QB in the second half, and the Bulldog backups outscored FSU 21-0 in the second half. Instead of going for 70, on the final possession Kirby alternated the 4th string QB with a walkon freshman. The long drive ran out the clock, with the starters on the sidelines cheering them on.

Fifty weeks earlier the Dawgs set the bowl record for largest margin of victory as they trounced TCU in the national championship game. In the Orange Bowl, UGA beat their own record. They've won 46 of their last 48 games, playing in the SEC.

If you missed the Orange Bowl, you didn't miss much (except history being made). I was happy to get a good long look at 3rd string QB Gunnar Stockton. Also the 4th string QB Muschamp, as well as #28, a walk on true freshman QB. That big true freshman RB #0 is hard to tackle. Also several true freshman defenders.

After the game Kirby used his platform to address the opt outs. So many issues: coaches being fired, recruiting deadlines during bowl practices, players chasing more lucrative NIL deals. Why would a team want a player who turns his back on his teammates? Buckeye Marvin Harrison didn't play in the Cotton Bowl for fear of injury. Ohio State lost. USC QB Caleb Williams didn't play in the Trojans bowl game. 

Lots of issues. If players can be paid and transfer, perhaps their NIL deals and / or scholarships should stipulate they play in all games. I know coaches opt out of contracts, blah blah. All I know is that the game is going down hill. Makes what UGA has accomplished all the more amazing.

Always nice to hear a game called by Joe Tessatore. Did you hear commentator Jesse Palmer mix in a reference to Hall of Fame center Mel Hein, whose #7 was retired by the New York football Giants?

Bama beat UGA by 3 points. Two years ago in the Orange Bowl the Dawgs beat Michigan 34-11. How bad will Bama beat Michigan?

Texas backup QB Malik Murphy opted out of the Sugar Bowl, so 3rd string true freshman QB Arch Manning is one play away from being thrust into the college football playoff against undefeated Washington.

Tigers Win the Gator & Cotton

On the drive home C watched the Gator Bowl. It was if neither team wanted to win. Clemson didn't run the ball enough. Passed too much, as they had all year. The Tiger defense kept giving up big plays.

Kentucky turned the ball over four times in the fourth quarter, which was their downfall. Clemson RB Mufah scored four TD's, but was only given 11 rushes plus two receptions. Gutsy call for the game-winner, running the ball on 1st & goal with only 21 seconds remaining and only one timeout. Caught Kentucky off guard.

What did I tell you about Missouri? Beat Ohio State 14-3. Could've tacked on another TD at the end but chose to run out the clock.

Undefeated FSU had 20 players opt out of the Orange Bowl, including the second string QB, who was scheduled to start in the place of the injured 1st stringer. The 2nd stringer is transferring because the head coach announced he would be bringing in additional QBs from the transfer portal to compete for the starting job.

UGA has 19 players transferring or opting out to go to the NFL, or out with injuries, but few players of consequence. All-America TE Brock Bowers is questionable. Would like to see 3rd-string QB Gunnar Stockton get in the game.

Wednesday:  I was sick. In the middle of Tuesday night I could tell that I had a bit of a headache. Woke up with queasiness in my stomach. As the day progressed all my joints started hurting. C had gone for coffee so I just plopped on the couch. When it was time to go visit with Lennie and Corinne. I dragged myself to the car. But they're in their 80's, so I decided to stay home. Didn't feel like messing with the TV so I just slept all afternoon. Another big dinner tonight at Rusty's, but I stayed home. Aches plus my chest didn't feel that great. Ugh.

Thursday: took it easy again. Laid around and took a couple of naps. All I had eaten on Wednesday was the late Mexican supper that C had brought back from Rusty's. This morning she brought me back a couple of ham biscuits, but I didn't have an appetite. Finally ate a snack in the afternoon. Was feeling better, so I went back over to Rusty's for supper. He was outside frying flounder and hush puppies. Kelly made fries and Cole slaw. While we were there, Winnie found her Christmas present: several bones and chew toys. Luckily she only hid several of them.

Friday: after not eating much for the better part of three days, all the fried fish, fries, and hush puppies didn't sit right with me. Ceil was ready to head home, and I was moving slow. She was also sad because of how things were being taken from her parents house. Loaded the SUV with an end table, 2 rugs, 2 lamps, a chair, & lots of framed items. Winnie had to sit in front with C. Left out at 11 am. Stopped by Rusty's, then Lennie's, then for gas, then 15+ minutes in the drive thru line at Chick-fil-A. Winnie was freaked out by the cow. 

Traffic wasn't horrible. Got home before 6 pm. After unloading the car, I took it out for gas. Tried to get air in the tires, but the hose wasn't working at two different QT's. Cheesy grits for supper.

Today: still not 100%. Didn't fight the 34 degree morning to play golf. Slept in. Dragged in to work at 10 am for a few hours. Need to get the oil changed in Ceil's SUV before the Orange Bowl. C had made me an eggy boy for breakfast.

Article: the 27 year long relationship between Nike and Tiger Woods may be coming to an end. Already Tiger no longer wears Nike golf shoes. The company no longer manufactures golf balls or equipment.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/12/17/tiger-woods-nike-golf-rumors-partnership-ending/__;!!AE29DT8V!Sum8lAGQhEAh58GsevRlvv6_DpPNFj5-Uc8lUEskrOJ8vFx-Vs7Sq-MqotuyP9tOOH1_vRIqYCAhZw2pOGQ$

A mechanical adjustment helped improve GT QB Haynes King's performance. His QB guru says "his upside is unbelievable".

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://247sports.com/article/haynes-kings-resurgence-as-georgia-techs-qb-stems-from-a-mechanical-evolution-his-upside-is-unbelievable-219852065/__;!!AE29DT8V!SVQXsF4R6zl-iqGvmq1qA4LoRJG_3nvsynjX73s4leLjQmlmzAaJgYVD0JYYxZWOIDfuQ69hdyaR0TTFO84$

Former Steeler WR / UGA / Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward called out former UGA / current Steeler WR George Pickens for lack of effort: "Make it less about yourself and more about the team". Pickens had said he failed to make a key block because he didn't want to get hurt – causing  an outcry from media and fans – and rightly so.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://talkoffametwo.com/hof-interviews/hines-ward-on-pickens-steelers__;!!AE29DT8V!R8PWbkAcxcJ9Wal00fZshDboqOxlm-G7154560oyBgVkKKlkxCgqHWZWEVYs6k2IsvIn0-jTYrwcUttnGMM$

Article: ways to build confidence.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.mrporter.com/en-us/journal/lifestyle/33-ways-how-to-build-confidence-self-belief-24576818__;!!AE29DT8V!QBPH4qd7nQ98nXBSN3QCz2cIwdALSN_V0s5Ku_LV1tT_sLHOdVjYt3UfrfxZdI2hq87koGiAFTo6YtzGAmU$

JOHNNY PODRES  [SABR Bio] is the only Brooklyn Dodger pitcher to win the deciding game of a postseason series. In the the1955 World Series, Podres won G #7 with a complete game shutout. He was also the winning pitcher in G #3 that year. By the next time the team won a deciding postseason game, they had become the Los Angeles Dodgers. Podres was the starter of that game as well. His record was 18-5 in 1961, the best of his career. He led all qualifying pitchers in the National League with a win-loss percentage of .783. He was poolside at his hotel in Los Angeles when he met his wife-to-be. Podres and professional ice skater Joan Taylor were married in 1966. She continued to skate & performed for ten years for the Shipstad and Johnson Ice Follies.

Shoes For Sale

In 2023 I went off the deep end, buying at least ten pairs of shoes.

1. Brown wingtips: new
2. Nike Space Hippies: Poshmark
3. Hoka black: new
4. Cole Haan Zerogrand black: new
5. Cole Haan Zerogrand blue suede wingtips: thrift store
6. Adidas Stan Smiths: thrift store
7. Reebok Instapump Fury: Poshmark
8. Puma RXS Emoji black: Poshmark
9. Oofos slides: thrift store 
10. Hoka Ora recovery slides: Christmas gift

Plus I "need" to buy a pair of brown Cole Haan sneakers, to wear with my increasingly non-black wardrobe. Proceeds from my recent bobblehead sales have helped fund these purchases.

In an effort to cut back, I've posted several for sale on Poshmark. When Matthew moved out he left several pairs of shoes behind, which I also posted. I have a hard time just donating shoes to Goodwill. Here are several of the shoes for sale.

For those keeping count, these include five pairs of my black shoes with white soles. No worries, I own at least six more similar pair. I need to post several more for sale - and know of six more pairs for starters.

Bobbles No More

Some may not have noticed, but I am pretty much over and past my whole bobblehead phase. I only went to one Braves bobblehead giveaway this season, and that was as a favor for a friend. I recently came into four very valuable Braves Riley/Olson bobbles - so I promptly sold them. Rare is the bobble that holds its value of the day it was released. Earlier this year I was able to sell off eleven other Braves bobbles. Still I have dozens of bobbles stashed all over the house. 

The Braves in recent years have done a good job of glutting the local bobblehead market, so prices have pretty much bottomed out. Would be good to continue to thin my herd, but these days I have to hit my spots. I still look to see if someone is looking for a particular bobble, usually usually some youngster beats me to the punch. Perhaps when I retire I will be able to move out more. Got plenty that I still cherish, including several rare bobbles.

I still look with interest when teams release their promotional schedules. I've seen the bobbles the Braves are giving away next season, but besides the Hank Aaron, none interest me. 

Bobbleheads addicts have a saying: "no bobble left behind". But more often than not, for the past few years when I happen upon a bobblehead at a thrift store, I admire it - then let it be.

DAVE CONCEPCION [SABR Bio] was the first native of Venezuela to win the All-Star MVP award. He was the MVP of 1982 ASG, his ninth and last. He homered off Dennis Eckersley in the second inning and reached on an error in the seventh. Until last season, Concepcion was the only Venezuelan to win the now-named Ted Williams All-Star Game MVP award. He was finally joined in 2023 by countryman Elias Diaz, who also bashed a 2-run HR to lead his NL team to victory in his very first All-Star appearance. Rick Wise no-hit the Reds on 23-Jun-1971, but only a walk to Concepcion kept it from being a perfect game. His uniform number 13 jersey was retired by the Venezuelan League's Tigres de Aragua of Maracay, in 2014 - the team for which he played 20 years of winter ball. Why did he choose number 13 — which is often considered unlucky? He explained that the #58 jersey (which was to be issued to him during spring training) was way too big and that his favorite numbers (8, 11, 17 and 19) were all gone. He then thought about his mom and how she was born in 1913. He claims that her number 13 has brought him lots of good luck and fortune.

Trip From Hell

Tuesday: long day for me. Satan was messing with my mind. Slept till almost 9 am. Packed and loaded the car. But it was almost 11 am before we pulled out of the driveway.

Headed 285 west to Bellwood Coffee, but Matthew had already finished his shift, so we met him near the highway. His final present had come in: a little pot that C had re-coppered.

Then south on 285 then through town. Stopped for gas in Lithonia. There was a 45 minute delay west of Madison, so we took backroads from Union Point, Robinson, to Warrenton. Traffic back on 20 east was still heavy, and got worse in Augusta.

The rain wasn’t helping. Quite the stressful drive. Slow through Columbia, then another wreck rerouted us off the interstate again. Then finally north through Camden toward Jefferson - but one more road closure detoured us for a third time.

What is normally a 4-1/2 hour drive turned into almost 8 hours. Wore me out.

Drove straight to Rusty’s house for lasagna with him and Kelly, Katherine, Jordan & Ted, and Donna.

MC had board books printed up for the girls, with photos of them, and others they know.

Ceil hand-painted ornaments for the girls, with images from favorite books. Took her hours.

Shivonne's tool belt, with real tools. She liked the mop and broom better.