Tuesday, December 03, 2024

Work Trip

Monday I was working to catch up on being out the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Stayed at it until almost 6 pm. For supper Ceil cooked BBQ chicken, rice, and tossed a salad. 

Winnie had gone with Ceil to sit the girls, and Winnie was worn out from all the excitement, being with Okie, and having a huge bay window to look out on the street.

 

Went in to work early this morning to knock out a couple of items. Left at 8 am from Norcross and took the back roads to Conyers: Pleasant Hill to the Ronald Reagan Parkway, then over to 20 to Salem Road. A nice, easy drive. Arrived at 9 am, right on time. Eric said 285 & I-20 were jammed, so I made the right decision. We met with the good people at Evans Tool & Die, who I’ve worked with for like 15 years. They are a family owned Christian company who make quite an impact on their local community. They even have a dog wandering around the office.

I coordinate delivery of coils of steel, slit to specific dimensions that Evans stamps into parts (like those above, placed on broken wooden skids). Working through the inventory was a chore, because I am always so rushed that some things are missed, and its close to impossible to make everything match perfectly. But by the end I think I had convinced my boss that we were in the right ballpark. With over 100 parts all I can do is work to match up one part at a time, as I go. Anyway, they showed us the UGA firepits they're making from our metal - yours for $400.00. Makes for a great stocking stuffer.

Left Evans at 1:30. Grabbed a burrito at Moe's and later a salted caramel Frosty at Wendy’s. Also stopped by a Goodwill that I rarely get to, and bought a fitted wool New Era Atlanta Crackers cap for $1.58. Such a deal that I couldn’t pass up, even though I already have that exact cap already. This one is nice and broken in, that I can keep in my car and wear to golf or do yardwork. Or if one of my big-headed friends wants to trade for either this size 8 or my nicer 7-3/4, perhaps we can make a deal. Technically it is an Atlanta Black Crackers Cap.

Finally back in the office, trying to catch up on everything missed while I was out all day.


The new college football rankings are out. Bama snuck in at 12 but could still get squeezed out of the playoff. Ohio State lost to a 5 loss team at home, and only dropped 4 spots. Guess the committee wants to reward them with another home game, to make their road as easy as possible. Just watch UGA lose to Texas and get eliminated.

I am hearing rumors that the Washington Commanders are looking in to using the old Redskins logo. Seems like America is trying to back down from all the hatred and divisiveness of the past few years. I wonder of Jim Denison will write about this.

 

Theologian Dean Ulrich: “God does not help those who help themselves. Rather, he helps those who cannot help themselves, know it, and rely on him.” 

In the second game of a double-header against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1934, Cleveland Hall of Fame centerfielder Earl Averill had three doubles, a triple, and stole two bases. That feat (4 EXH + 2SB) was never equaled in one game until SHOHEI OHTANI [B-R Bio] on 18-Aug-1934(2), Averill had 4 XBH + 2 SB helping his ream beat Philly’s A’s 10-0, a shutout for Mel Harder. On 19-Sep-2024, Shohei Ohtani had 5 XBH (3 HR, 2 2B) + 2 SB in a monumental display of talent. Frank Robinson won the NL MVP (1961) and the AL MVP (1966). Ohtani won AL MVPs (2021, 2023) and the NL MVP (2024), the only two players to win MVPs in both leagues. Ohtani was born 90 years after Bump Hadley, the pitcher who threw the pitch that ended Mickey Cochrane’s career. Ohtani was born 05-July-1994, and Hadley on 05-Jul-1904.

Monday, December 02, 2024

Heisman Dark Horse?

Everyone loves to hate on UGA QB Carson Beck, but if you factor the Dawgs playing the toughest schedule in the country while Beck remains rated in the top ten for QBR, he deserves Heisman consideration. His receivers have dropped more passes than any other team. UGA lost to two highly ranked teams, while beating highly ranked Texas, Tennessee, and Clemson.    

QBR…SOS

1. 88.0 55 C Ward Miami lost to GT & Syracuse

2. 85.7 65 K Rourke Indiana lost to Ohio State

3. 85.0 60 Dillon Gabriel Oregon undefeated

4. 84.7 31 Jaxson Dart Ole Miss lost 3 games

5. 83.9 58 S Robertson Baylor

6. 83.2 26 W Howard Ohio State lost to Michigan & Oregon

7. 82.9 17 Jalen Milroe Alabama lost 3 games

8. 82.4 14 Haynes King GT beat Miami & #10 FSU

9. 82.1 84 Blake Horvath Navy

10. 81.6 01 Carson Beck UGA  

11. 81.6 36 D Allar Penn State lost to Ohio State

12. 80.0 53 Cade Klubnik Clemson lost 3 games

15. 79.0 57 Riley Leonard Notre Dame

17. 78.1 69 Shedeur Sanders Colorado lost 3 games

32. 71.4 32 Quinn Ewers Texas lost 2 games

35. 70.5 28 Nico Iamaleava Tennessee lost 3 games

Tech should be ranked. They’ve played one of the toughest schedules in the country. Beaten two teams ranked in the top 5 when they played them: Miami and FSU. I saw a list of “teams that other teams don’t want to play” and Tech was on that list. What I like about Tech is how they play fast. More speed than in past years. They don’t run slow developing plays. They hit the line fast. Same on defense. GT QB Haynes King is ranked 8th in the country in Total QB Rating, despite facing the 14th toughest schedule in the nation.

Falcons need to fire their general manager. Spent millions on two high priced QBs when they had other needs – offensive line and defense. Not sure what they’re going to do with Cousins. Can’t trade him unless the Falcons pay for the contract. Four interceptions. Plus dropped passes. Like many teams, the Falcons sometimes run slow-developing short yardage plays from the shotgun, instead of under center.

Texas is playing in the SEC Championship Game but didn’t have to play Alabama, LSU, Tennessee, or Missouri. Still, they will be a formidable opponent for UGA on Saturday.

My high school football team won the last public school state championship in Macon’s history back in 1975. Now Northeast Macon is one win away from the state championship game. They were always the worst of the three Macon high schools, but they just beat the number one seed to advance. They’ve set a school record for wins this year, with an 11-2 record. A teammate suggests we should be like the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins and root for them to lose. Next fall is the 50th anniversary of our state championship, and we’re planning a reunion.

After a busy Wednesday Thursday and Friday, I took it easy on Saturday and Sunday. Friday I went through a large paper grocery bag filled with old Christmas cards and other old mail. Pretty much pajama days except for church. Watched football all day both days. Up early this morning to lift weights at the gym. Then facetimed Millie.

RAFAEL FURCAL [Wiki Bio] won NL ROY in 2000, hit three triples 21-Apr-2002; and turned an unassisted Triple play on 10-Aug-2003. He helped STL win the World Series in his next-to-next-to-last season of 2011. He had one of the strongest throwing arms ever for a shortstop. Examples: Here.

DENISON: Self-sufficiency is spiritual suicide. Christ-sufficiency is spiritual victory. In the last election, 82% of voters said they want to see “substantial change” or “complete and total upheaval” in the US. We are experiencing “the collapse of self-worth” in our digital age.

Sunday, December 01, 2024

Photo Dump

 

Falcons lost another close, low scoring game. Plenty of concern regarding the mobility and arm strength of QB Kirk Cousins, who threw four interceptions, including a pick six that turned out to be the difference in the game. Rumors of an offseason trade of Cousins, though its highly doubtful any team would be willing to take over Cousins' huge contract. Anna & Caleb wisely missed the game.  

Sunday lunch: baked chicken from Whole Foods.
Watched this Hallmark Channel movie set in Kansas City. Featured Donna Kelce as a chatty waitress. Appearances by Andy Reid, Mecole Hardman, Trent Green, and other Cheifs players.
Books to read.