Thanks For Reading

As I mentioned a few days ago, I am signing off from this blog. Details in the link. 

This is post 7396. Thanks for reading. 

August Bobbleheads & SGAs

Here's my long, but far from complete list of bobblehead SGAs and special ticket deals for the month of August. 

Bobble of the month? Hard to mess with today's Kramer bobble in Brooklyn. On the 9th the White Sox are giving away a Shoeless Joe Jackson bobble. 

The Braves just announced a cool SGA for August 29 - a Realtree camo Braves jersey. Very tempting.  

But the promotion of the month has to be on August 4th. The Rocket City Trash Pandas are hosting a pregame parade for fans dressed up as...raccoons. See you there!

8.01 SAT Brooklyn Seinfeld night Kramer bobblehead all fans

8.01 SAT Columbus stadium statue giveaway 1000

8.01 SAT Ontario mascot maverick bobble

8.01 SAT Erie Max Clark bobble 1000

8.01 SAT Dunedin Hawaiian shirts

8.01 SAT OKC Max Muncy bobble 1000

8.01 SAT Miss teal jerseys

8.01 SAT Modesto Rich Aurilia bobble

8.01 SAT Quad City Noah Cameron bobblehead

8.01 SAT Mighty Mussels trucker caps 500

8.01 SAT Welland straw beach hats 1000 

8.01 SAT Ontario Tower Buzzers mascot Maverick bobble 2000

8.01 SAT Fayetteville Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles jersey

8.01 SAT Nashville denim bucket hats 1000

8.01 SAT Springfield Route 66 shirts 2000

8.01 SAT Lake County Mokoro replica jerseys

8.01 SAT WPBL Mo'Ne David bobble 1000

8.02 SUN WPBL Kelsie Whitmore bobble 1000

8.02 SUN Lake County Parker messick bobble

8.02 SUN ATL drawstring shorts 3000 kids 

8.02 SUN Madison Mallards Colonel Corn Maynard figurine

8.02 SUN Rays Snoopy bobble

8.02 SUN Madison Maynard mascot bobble $19 advance ticket

8.02 SUN Brooklyn Big League Chew Carson Benge bobble 1000

8.02 SUN Frisco Chris David bobble card

8.02 SUN Ontario Tower Buzzers backpacks 1800 18U

8.02 SUN Reading mascot band t-shirts 2000 kids

8.02 SUN Bham youth backpacks 500

8.03 MON Kenosha bottom dollar beer Tshirt $18 special ticket

8.04 TUE Rocket City Trash Pandas raccoon parade

8.04 TUE NYY bucket hats 18000

8.04 TUE Wilmington free tickets for every fan

8.05 WED ATL Drake Baldwin Harry Potter bobble special ticket

8.05 WED CLE Spiderman bobble special ticket

8.05 WED Richmond Nutasha mascot bobblehead

8.05 WED TriCity mascot ketchup bobble

8.06 THU Chesapeake Hawaiian shirts 750 

8.07 THU ATL Alan Jackson bobble 15000

8.07 FRI Everett Randy Johnson bobble

8.07 FRI San Antonio backpack giveaway 1500

8.07 FRI Rome gold medal giveway

8.07 FRI Tri City bobbleheads

8.07 FRI Lake Country varsity jacket $40 special ticket

8.07 FRI Growlin Chickens lunch boxes

8.08 SAT Growlin Chickens Bobby Witt Jr bobbles

8.08 SAT Lake Country varsity jacket $40 special ticket

8.08 SAT CLE Hello Kitty bobble special ticket

8.08 SAT NYY Old Timers Day

8.08 SAT Chattanooga used cars giveaway

8.08 SAT Bradenton backpacks 500 kids 

8.08 SAT Washington Wild Things SSF Law Trio bobble 1000

8.08 SAT Columbus Chuck William bobblehead 1000

8.08 SAT Hickory goat-kart bobblehead 1000

8.08 SAT Akron Mike Vrabel bobble 

8.08 SAT Rome Drake Baldwin bobblehead 

8.08 SAT Gwinnett Chris Sale bobble 2000

8.08 SAT Wilmington Hawaiian shirts

8.08 SAT Fredericksburg Harry Potter jerseys

8.09 SUN Fredericksburg patriotic jerseys

8.09 SUN ATL Michael Harris football jersey 3000 kids

8.09 SUN Lake Country toy drop giveaway

8.09 SUN Chesapeake player bobble 750 

8.09 SUN CWS Shoeless Joe Jackson bobble

23

8.10 MON

8.11 TUE NYY KPop Demon Hunters Rumi bobble 18000

8.11 TUE W Michigan Skubal bobble

8.11 TUE CWS Pope hat giveaway

8.11 Rochester free zoo caps 1000

8.11 TUE ATL Spencer Strider vinyl records & postgame concert 15000

8.12 WED ATL Javy Lopez bobble 15000

8.12 WED JAX simple kind of shrimp t-shirt 500

8.12 WED Nashville mascot building block set 1000

8.12 WED Brooklyn bark in the park cap special ticket

8.13 THU Field of Dreams Game in Iowa

8.13 THU Lehigh Valley Chris P Bacon mascot bobble 3000

8.13 THU Mont pink jerseys 1000

8.13 THU Brooklyn 2001 road jersey giveaway

8.14 FRI Brooklyn BRLYN Irish cap 2000

8.14 FRI Brooklyn Irish jersey hoodie special ticket

8.14 FRI Bham kid's jerseys 1000 12U

8.14 FRI Augusta navy remix jerseys 1000

8.14 FRI ATL Andres Galarraga bobble 15000

8.14 FRI Frederick paint your own bobble 1000

8.14 FRI Stockton yacht hats

8.14 FRI Norfolk Samuel Basallo bobble

8.14 FRI Cubs 1980s replica jersey

8.14 FRI Fayetteville cowboy hat special ticket

8.15 SAT Fayetteville Hurricanes hockey jersey 1500 

8.15 SAT JAX safari hats 2000

8.15 SAT Quad City metal lunchbox giveway

8.15 SAT Reading Harley caps 2500

8.15 SAT Rays Flappy Boi bobble

8.15 SAT Nashville Brewmaster shirts 1000

8.15 SAT Brooklyn Star Wars short sleeve hoodie 2000

8.16 SUN Brooklyn Cowboy Nolan McLean bobble 2000

8.16 SUN Everett retro jersey

8.16 SUN ATL Michael Harris football jersey 3000 kids

8.16 SUN Lake County Jason Kipnis bobblehead

8.16 SUN Knoxville lunchbox giveaway

8.16 SUN Mont lil crumbs kimchi jerseys 500 14U

8.17 MON 

8.18 TUE CLE Hello Kitty bobble arm special ticket

8.19 WED Mystics Sonia Citron bobble 1500

8.20 THU Hagerstown koozies giveaway

8.21 FRI Toledo Stinger Bee bobble 750

8.21 FRI Boston Mel Robbins Let Them bobble

8.21 FRI Bradenton vintage tshirts 500

8.21 FRI Chattanooga football jersey special ticket

8.21 FRI Norfolk reversible bucket hats 2500

8.21 FRI Columbia Grateful Dead tshirts

8.21 FRI NYY Cody Bellinger bobble 18000

8.22 SAT NYY Hello Kitty bobble 18000

8.22 SAT Omaha Noah Cameron bobble 

8.22 SAT Hickory App State Hawaiian shirts 1000

8.22 SAT Albuquerque lowrider bike sugar skull bobble 3000

8.22 SAT Columbus RedStixx jersey giveaway 1000

8.22 SAT Myrtle Beach pirate logo Hawaiian shirts

8.22 SAT Gwinnett Chopper Building Blocks 1000 fans

8.22 SAT Rome summer legends jersey giveway

8.23 SUN Fredericksburg football jerseys

8.23 SUN Huntsville mascot Sprocket sugar skull bobble

8.24 MON

8.25 TUE TOR Andres Gimenez bobble

8.25 TUE NYY rugby shirts 18000

8.25 TUE CWS Chuck and Ozzie bobble

8.25 TUE Lehigh Valley patriotic hambone poster 3000

8.25 TUE Vancouver Trey Yesavage bobble

8.25 TUE Richmond mixed nut widget trucker caps

8.26 WED JAX you're Killin me scampi t-shirt 500

8.26 WED Lake Country mascot Colt bobble card

8.27 THU NYY George Constanza Calzone bobble 18000

8.27 THU W Michigan Franky & Roxy bobble

8.27 THU Mont tshirts 1000

8.28 FRI Everett Cal Raleigh bobble

8.28 FRI ATL HBCU drummer bobble special ticket

8.28 FRI Augusta mascot Auggie block set 1000

8.28 FRI Bham 2025 championship rings 1000

8.28 FRI Hill City Luchadores bobble belly 

8.28 FRI Columbia mascot Mason Harry Potter bobblehead

8.29 SAT ATL camo replica jerseys 

8.29 SAT Everett Cal Raleigh jersey

8.29 SAT Stockton Rick Kurtz bobble

8.29 SAT Quad City Jac Caglianone bobblehead

8.30 SUN Quad City biggest giveaway

8.30 SUN CLE Big Bird bobblehead special ticket

8.30 SUN ATL sliding mitt 3000 kids

8.30 SUN ATL autism awareness t-shirt special ticket

8.30 SUN Cubs Harry Caray bobble

8.31 MON

Deals: June & July

Starting the birthday deals post early this year.

$ saved...date...description...running total 

02.00 6.01 McDonalds BOGO McChicken 2.00

03.00 6.02 Wendys small Frosty 5.00

55.00 6.03 Braves game with Matthew 60.00 

02.00 6.04 designated driver Coke 62.00

20.00 6.05 light grey sweatpants 82.00

40.00 6.06 sell vintage Broncos helmet 122.00

50.00 6.07 sell vintage Bears helmet 172.00

05.00 6.08 Sonnys BBQ deal 177.00

10.00 6.09 free Whataburger 187.00

35.00 6.10 sell Nike Air Max Speed Turfs 222.00

02.00 6.15 McDonalds BOGO McChicken 224.00 

20.00 6.16 Sponge Bob Hawaiian shirt 244.00

24.50 6.18 seven DQ lemonade coolers 268.50

02.00 6.19 McDonalds BOGO McChicken 270.50

03.50 6.20 two Steak & Shake milkshakes 274.00

02.00 6.21 McDonalds biscuit deal 276.00

20.00 6.22 Atlanta Drive cap 296.00

02.00 6.23 free RaceTrac soft drink 298.00

01.00 6.24 Kroger ice cream 299.00

02.00 7.02 designated driver Coke 301.00

80.00 7.03 Braves NAPA caps 381.00

05.00 7.25 Dairy Queen milkshake 386.00

02.00 7.26 McDonalds apple pie 388.00

02.00 7.27 RaceTrac soft drink 390.00

05.00 7.28 Taco Bell Mexican pizza 395.00

06.00 7.29 Taco Bell 401.00

07.00 7.30 Wendys free nuggets 408.00

17.00 8.01 Bad Daddys Burgers 425.00

Jovita Is Back

 
The new Jovita Moore mural has been completed, on the side of Bellwood Coffee's Grant Park location. Painted by the original artist. All those Jovita fans should now be rejoicing, and flocking to Bellwood to support the local business. Earlier Joel had met with Jovita's family, who didn't seem that thrilled about the mural being back in the spotlight. Proud of these guys. 

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Watched Sally Field's new movie yesterday. Wasn't much like the book. Still very good.

Whiplash Hwang

 
Last night Ronald Acuna returned to the Braves lineup, after recovering from injury. Instead of his signature highlighter cleats, he wore cleats that were Mets blue. His lackadaisical play in right field allowed a run to score.

During one at bat Ronald fouled a ball off his ankle, and limped around in the batters box while the trainer came out to check on him. I started to wonder whether Acuna would make it 9 innings without getting hurt again. I was reminded of the character from MASH: Whiplash Hwang, who would throw himself in front of jeeps in an effort to be reimbursed by the Army.

Hall of Famers

 
My high school football coach is being inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame this year - quite the honor. I was able to have a brief chat with Coach Seward at our recent reunion, and he seemed to be doing well in retirement. A man of few words, Coach Seward always took time to check on how I was doing.

This past weekend Braves Hall of Famers Fred McGriff, Andruw Jones, Chipper Jones, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, and Greg Maddux gathered to celebrate Andruw's inclusion into the elite fraternity.

  

Tech's Greatest QB?

Construction on Mt Rushmore was completed in 1941. It portrays one president from the 1700's, two from the 1800's, two presidents from the 1800's, and one inaugurated in 1901.

What Georgia Tech quarterback deserves to be included in the Mt Rushmore of Tech football players? Hard to compare QB's across different eras, but we can compare their win/loss record and winning percentage.

Does a QB who averaged 7.5 wins and a 63.8 winning percentage worthy of inclusion? Are they really legendary? That's Joe Hamilton, whose record bested Haynes King.

If a player worthy of Mt Rushmore status if they never made first team All-America? If they couldn't lead the team to 8 wins every year?

Tech has a storied football history, with several All Americans and Heisman runner ups. But just because a recent player had a good run, that shouldn't place them ahead of a player from the 1950's who posted better results.

Of these seven GT QB's, which is most worthy?

WP%...W-L...bowl record

83.3 27-5-1 3-0 Wade Mitchell

65.6 21-10-1 0-2 Billy Lothridge

64.1 25-14 0-3 Josh Nesbitt

64.1 20-11-1 1-1 Kim King

63.8 30-17 3-0 Joe Hamilton

61.1 22-14 1-2 Haynes King

57.9 22-16 2-0 Justin Thomas

Haynes King finished 10th in the Heisman vote.

2023 7-6 Gasparilla Bowl (beat UCF)

2024 7-4 Birmingham Bowl (lost to Vandy)

2025 8-4 Pop Tarts Bowl (lost to BYU)

Total 22-14 winning percentage 61.1%, avg 7.3 wins & 4.7 losses

Billy Lothridge finished 2nd for the Heisman

1961 7-4 Gator Bowl (lost to Penn State)

1962 7-3-1 Bluebonnet Bowl (lost to Missouri)

1963 7-3 no bowl game

Total 21-10-1 winning percentage = 65.6%

Justin Thomas 

2014 11-3 Orange Bowl (beat Mississippi State)

2015 3-9 no bowl game

2016 8-4 Taxslayer Bowl (beat Kentucky)

Total: 22-16 winning percentage = 57.9%

Joe Hamilton finished second in the Heisman vote.

1996 5-6 no bowl game 

1997 7-5 CarQuest Bowl (beat West Virginia)

1998 10-2 Gator Bowl (beat Notre Dame)

1999 8-4 Gator Bowl (beat Virginia)

Total: 30-17 avg 7.5-4.25 winning percentage = 63.8%

Kim King

1965 7-3-1 Gator Bowl (beat Texas Tech)

1966 9-2 Orange Bowl (lost to Florida)

1967 4-6 no bowl game

Total: 20-11-1 winning percentage = 64.1%

Wade Mitchell was 3-0 vs UGA

1954 8-3 Cotton Bowl beat Arkansas

1955 9-1-1 Sugar Bowl beat Pitt

1956 10-1 Gator Bowl beat Pitt

Total: 27-5-1 winning percentage = 83.3%

Josh Nesbitt

2008 9-4 Peach lost to LSU

2009 10-3 Orange lost to Iowa

2010 6-7 Independence lost to Air Force

Total: 25-14 winning percentage = 64.1%

Friday and Saturday

Friday: got the emissions tested in Ceil's car. Grabbed a free apple pie from McDonalds. Took my car for emissions, but the place closed early due to the downpour. Ate supper over at the Hall's house, to hear about the recent trip to Banff.

Saturday: went for a couple of walks. Hadn't seen the Brasfields in over a month. They stopped by to catch up. Lasagna for lunch. Took my car back for emissions. Grabbed a free Coke at RaceTrac, then a free milkshake at Dairy Queen. Dropped off giveaways at Goodwill. Didn't go in to shop. Then stopped by Dollar Tree on the way home. 

The Chiles just returned from Europe. They're supposed to stop by this evening. 

Why I'm Ending This Blog

Over the past few months I have mentioned in several blog posts how I've been considering ending this blog, and noted some of the reasons. With this post I'm sharing these reasons all in one place.

This blog takes time. It doesn't just happen. Before I retired I sat at a desk all day. I'd email my friend, and most days before I left work I'd have those emails edited into that day's blog post. Now I'm retired, my friend is gone, and I have other things I want to do with my time. Simply put: I don't want to do this any more.

I want to get plenty of sleep. Spend plenty of time at the gym. Projects in the yard and house. De-clutter. My home office still isn't completely set up. 

I want to spend time with Ceil, my kids and grandkids, and friends. More time than I'm spending now. Volunteer. Travel, on short trips and long vacations. Plan. Read. Golf. Hike. Serve. This blog is literally sucking up my time, that I should be using for these other things.

Right now all the writing, editing, and posting to this blog cuts into my afternoons and evenings, when there's other things I'd rather be doing. You can tell how some posts aren't as good as others - mostly due to lack of time. Every day in the back of my mind I know I've got to figure out when and what to post. It can be a chore.

I've been blogging for over 20 years. It's helped me develop as a writer, something that's still not easy. It's been a wonderful creative outlet, a place I can post my research on various topics that interest me. This blog serves as a family record, a timeline, a history. For that I am grateful. For sure I have shared way too much personal information. Now I want to do other things.

So many blogs peter out after a year or two - if they make it that long. Some don't make it past the first few posts. I think I've done okay. I've never much publicized my blog. Never been concerned with the amount of traffic it's received. That's because I've used this blog mostly for me, to help me figure out my own thoughts and viewpoints. 

Thanks for reading.

Jim Jarvis = Chad Powers?

 
Braves rookie shortstop Jim Jarvis has played well. I can't figure out if he is a Chad Powers situation.

I've been watching The Hawk on Netflix. Not the greatest show in TV history, but it's okay.

 Slow day. Went out for a walk. Ceil got her haircut. Lee stopped by to discuss some financial matters.

This afternoon the Halls returned from their Canada trip, and this evening the Chiles returned home from Europe. 

Watched the Braves game, an afternoon affair. 

Tuesday & Wednesday

Tuesday: Lee and Nancy brought Dawn & Myron by on their way to the airport. Later Brian stopped by. Finally got the grass cut. Busy day. Not the greatest.

Wednesday: Anna worked from our house, and brought Miller and Goose with her. Our friend Laura Ferguson stopped by - she and her husband Tommy are longtime friends of the Schaffers. 

Pretty sure that it's finally time to bring this blog to a close. I've always done this as a creative effort for me. Time to spend the time on other pursuits. Might stretch it to the end of the month. We'll see.

Pawley's Island

Swiped a couple of photos of Pawleys Island. 

MLB is running a Sweepstakes sending the winner to visit all 30 MLB ballparks. A sweet prize, but to make all those trips over the six month 2027 season would be a chore - like four or five trips every month. Try to combine the NYC, Chicago, and LA trips to make it like 26 trips, since Atlanta would be easy. Of the current stadiums, I've only been to seven of the 30.

Anahiem

Arizona

Atlanta: been there

Baltimore: been there

Boston: been there - top choice

Chicago Cubs: been there

Chicago White Sox: I haven't been to their "new" ballpark.

Cincinnati

Cleveland 

Colorado - top choice

Detroit

Houston: been there

Kansas City

LA Dodgers - top choice

Miami

Milwaukee - top choice

Minnesota

New York Mets: not yet to the new ballpark

New York Yankees: top choice

Philadelphia:

Pittsburgh - top choice

Sacramento

San Diego - top choice

San Francisco: been there - top choice

Seattle - top choice

St Louis - top choice

Tampa Bay: been to a game before the Trop was wrecked

Texas: not to the new ballpark - top choice

Toronto - top choice

Washington: not to the new ballpark - top choice

First Bite: NFA Burger

Ceil's brother Rusty was in town today for business, so we met him up at Avalon in Alpharetta for supper. I'd never been to the famous NFA Burger. It wasn't busy, so we gave it a try. The single burger was plenty for me, but I bet the double burger would be tastier. The tater tots were nice and crispy, not overdone and much better than had they been undercooked. Free refills on Cokes, Diet Cokes, and Sprites. Very good, and I was filled up.

Earlier Matthew stopped by the house to visit. He's working on a new dessert item for Kimball House. Nancy and Dawn drove over to spend time with Ceil.

I'm not a big fan of white spikes on MLB players, except for the Athletics. Would rather see my Braves players wearing black cleats. Tonight the Padres are rocking brown tops and tan pants. The white cleats on the Padres players don't look too bad. Depends on whether the player is wearing the long tan pants, or high brown socks.

Shivonne and Millie are enjoying riding in the new minivan. 

Sunday morning I woke up with a bad crick in my neck, a rare occurrence. Was in pain most of the day. Hasn't been quite as bad today, but I let Ceil drive so I wouldn't have to crane my neck around.

Whenever we stop somewhere, we can't get back on the road until Ceil has seen the latest videos from the kiddos.