That used to be the old joke in Georgia. Two or more sports fans would be sitting around or standing around or something. They'd talk about sports. Mostly college football. UGA always had a decent football team. Sometimes Tech would field a good team. In the 1980s, Georgia Southern had a good football team.
The local high school football team in my hometown had up and down years. But, for a bit, they were winning region. Or subregion.
The area basketball teams would do pretty good. Boys and girls teams.
Of course, all sports talk that lasts for any period of time included baseball. And someone would eventually say "Go Braves" ... then they, or someone else would finish the joke ... "And take the Falcons with you!"
You see, for a long time, the Braves were a joke. Year in and year out, they'd do poorly.
Now, they didn't move to Atlanta until 1966. They were the Milwaukee Braves before that, having moved there in 1953. Before that, they were in Boston.
So, in 1966, the Braves moved to Atlanta. They finished with a winning record (85-77) and 10 games off the pace. They did win the West division in 1969, the first year they had divisions. Got swept by Cincinnati in 3 games in the playoffs. But, apart from that year, and 1982 (89-73, winning the West before getting swept in the playoffs), the Braves struggled.
One year, they finished 40-1/2 games off the pace (1975, 67-94). It wasn't their worst year. That was 1988 (54-106, 39-1/2 games back).
And that's how it was for the Atlanta Braves. Usually out of it pretty early on. The announcing crew became really, really good. Because they had to talk about other stuff, mostly. There was certainly nothing going on with the game! So, Pete, Ernie & Skip made the most of it. They developed a rapport, a friendship it seemed, that made listening to the games fun. Even when the Braves were being blasted by whoever they were playing.
After Ernie retired, and Joe and Don joined the broadcast booth, the Braves announcers were still fun to listen to. Even though the Braves were constantly losing. But some, like me, still followed ... and rooted for the team.
In 1991, when the Braves began their amazing run of division titles, it was something we didn't know how to handle. We knew it wouldn't last. Then, in 1991, they did something they had never done: they won a playoff game.
In fact, they won enough to make it to the World Series. They lost, but just the fact they were there was enough.
Then, they did it again.
And, every year, except for the strike season when nobody won anything, the Braves won their division. The West (which never, ever made sense) ... then the East.
They didn't always win the League title. They won one World Series. And that was plenty of reward for long-suffering Braves fans.
Over the last few years, attendance had dropped. Still, 2-1/2 million ... 5 times that horrible 1975 season. But not as much as it was in the last half of the 1990s.
Fair weather fans are tired of the Braves making the playoffs then getting beat.
Fear not. It likely won't happen this year. They are offically eliminated from the East division title. They're still in the Wild Card hunt, but 11 Braves losses or Padres wins in any combination, and they're out of it. So, frustrated Braves fans won't have to worry about losing in the first round of the playoffs.
But, they're not Braves fans. Not really.
I'm disappointed when the Braves lose in the playoffs. But I'm thrilled when they make the playoffs.
I remember the old days. 106 losses. Finding a way to lose a game.
Listening to the announcers was fun. Listening to the Braves wasn't.
We may be heading back to those days. And the fair-weather fans will drift away. Which is fine. I have no use for them, anyway.
They'll be the one's saying "Go Braves ... and take the Falcons with you!"
Me? I'll just be saying "Go Braves!"
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Headline News 2006-09-14
From Canadian Press:
Woman Faces Prison After Setting Boyfriend's Penis on Fire
Misdemeanor charge because it was such a small fire
From KIRO:
Mom turns in son for espresso stand robberies
Told police: "He'll learn to get my order right, next time"
From WEWS:
3 children taken to hospital after overdosing
Too much SpongeBob
From KOAT:
Cop, sheriff, disagree on what went on in parked car
Sheriff says officer kissed him first, cop says sheriff made first move
From KMGH:
City to allow anti-war sign to stay
City attorney: "At least it didn't quote Christ. That would be totally unacceptible."
From CNN:
Outed spook Plame adds Armitage to lawsuit
Attorney: "We might as well include someone who actually spoke with Novak"
From CNN:
Woman, 73, Guilty of Hammer Murder
Ex-rapper mourned
From CNN:
Prosecutors take a look at Paris Hilton
Finally watch the tape
From CNN:
Morocco jails Zotob worm hackers
New Star Trek film plot revealed
From CNN:
Lawmaker wants to shoot Madonna into space
Idea dropped when learned of space agency policy to bring her back to Earth
Woman Faces Prison After Setting Boyfriend's Penis on Fire
Misdemeanor charge because it was such a small fire
From KIRO:
Mom turns in son for espresso stand robberies
Told police: "He'll learn to get my order right, next time"
From WEWS:
3 children taken to hospital after overdosing
Too much SpongeBob
From KOAT:
Cop, sheriff, disagree on what went on in parked car
Sheriff says officer kissed him first, cop says sheriff made first move
From KMGH:
City to allow anti-war sign to stay
City attorney: "At least it didn't quote Christ. That would be totally unacceptible."
From CNN:
Outed spook Plame adds Armitage to lawsuit
Attorney: "We might as well include someone who actually spoke with Novak"
From CNN:
Woman, 73, Guilty of Hammer Murder
Ex-rapper mourned
From CNN:
Prosecutors take a look at Paris Hilton
Finally watch the tape
From CNN:
Morocco jails Zotob worm hackers
New Star Trek film plot revealed
From CNN:
Lawmaker wants to shoot Madonna into space
Idea dropped when learned of space agency policy to bring her back to Earth
Blogrolling 2006-09-14
Items of interest from the blogroll.
If you'd like to share an item via TrackBack, please feel free to do so, as long as your submission follows the TrackBack policy.
- John Bambenek (Part-Time Pundit) looks at a candidate in the Missouri 5th District House race.
- Texas Rainmaker catches the left in a double standard.
- Dave (Garfield Ridge) is a Trekker.
- Gateway Pundit is amazed by the left's lack of concern for the people in Iraq.
- Gina Cobb defends Nancy Grace.
- Woody M. (GM's Corner) looks at Air America.
If you'd like to share an item via TrackBack, please feel free to do so, as long as your submission follows the TrackBack policy.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
My Girl
It's the Little Princess' birthday today. She's grown up. I mean, she's 23 years old. That's grown. But she's still my little girl. My Girl.
To a large degree, she doesn't really like being called my baby girl. And I understand that. But she is ... and always will be ... my little girl. My Girl.
I remember her birth, 23 years ago this afternoon. I was there.
The first family member to look at her face was me. Yeah, doctor and nurses were there. But so was I. And I was in a better position to see her than any other family member (her mother, who was there, too).
I was struck by how much she looked, not like me exactly, but she looked like my family. One look at her and you knew she was a member of the family.
Oh, sure, after a bit I could recognize bits that looked like her mother or her mother's family, but the first thing that struck me was that she looked like my family. She was My Girl.
When she was little, the car seat was in my car. She was, for the first bit of her life, Daddy's Girl. My Girl.
But that changed. She began to grew up and became a little princess. She did dance and baton. And was, in fact, Little Miss Majorette of America one year; the girl has got talent.
But as she did more "girl stuff" she was less and less interested in stuff with her old man. And that's how things usually go.
My service in the Army, the divorce, the move ... all these things contributed to her having ... and wanting to have ... less and less to do with me.
Lately, though, it seems as if she does seem to find time for me. In the last couple of years, she's initated telephone calls, come to visit, and such. And things like that feel really good to a father.
Recently, the Wife (her step-mother) and I got new cell phones. And I mentioned the silly ringtones we got. In addition to getting a special ring for the Wife, I got one for the Little Princess: My Girl.
Yes, it's her birthday today. But when I talk with her or spend time with her, it's me who gets the gift: a beautiful, wonderful little girl. My Girl.
To a large degree, she doesn't really like being called my baby girl. And I understand that. But she is ... and always will be ... my little girl. My Girl.
I remember her birth, 23 years ago this afternoon. I was there.
The first family member to look at her face was me. Yeah, doctor and nurses were there. But so was I. And I was in a better position to see her than any other family member (her mother, who was there, too).
I was struck by how much she looked, not like me exactly, but she looked like my family. One look at her and you knew she was a member of the family.
Oh, sure, after a bit I could recognize bits that looked like her mother or her mother's family, but the first thing that struck me was that she looked like my family. She was My Girl.
When she was little, the car seat was in my car. She was, for the first bit of her life, Daddy's Girl. My Girl.
But that changed. She began to grew up and became a little princess. She did dance and baton. And was, in fact, Little Miss Majorette of America one year; the girl has got talent.
But as she did more "girl stuff" she was less and less interested in stuff with her old man. And that's how things usually go.
My service in the Army, the divorce, the move ... all these things contributed to her having ... and wanting to have ... less and less to do with me.
Lately, though, it seems as if she does seem to find time for me. In the last couple of years, she's initated telephone calls, come to visit, and such. And things like that feel really good to a father.
Recently, the Wife (her step-mother) and I got new cell phones. And I mentioned the silly ringtones we got. In addition to getting a special ring for the Wife, I got one for the Little Princess: My Girl.
Yes, it's her birthday today. But when I talk with her or spend time with her, it's me who gets the gift: a beautiful, wonderful little girl. My Girl.
McAfee
My relationship with McAfee products is a tortured one.
I first used the McAfee AntiVirus program years ago when I had an MS-DOS based computer. If you don't know what MS-DOS is, it's what your grandparents used. Okay, your parents. But you get the idea.
Back then, everyone used McAfee AntiVirus because it was considered free for standard users. It might have been. Perhaps it was shareware (which isn't free; don't let anyone tell you otherwise). Still, lots of people used it without cost. But it wasn't the low price (okay, no price) that attracted folks. It was the quality.
There were other anti-virus programs around. Norton made a good one. I also used IBM AntiVirus, Norton AntiVirus (my favorite), and Microsoft AntiVirus. But McAfee was the one everybody talked about.
When things developed where you had to pay for McAfee (or else pirate it, a practice of which I disapprove), my money went to Norton. I just liked it better. However, I always recognized that McAfee was a quality product in the field of virus protection. I just didn't like it.
Recently, when putting a clean install on a computer -- that is, using the installation process that comes with the computer -- it put McAfee products on the computer.
Now, I have a multiuser license for ZoneLabs ZoneAlarm Suite, which includes not only their industry-leading firewall, but their highly-rated anti-virus package. So, I had no need for McAfee (it's a 90-day trial anyway). I want to install the ZoneLabs Suite, since I'm paying for (actually, have already paid for) a license that expires in 201 days.
So, I called McAfee. What was I thinking?
The first lady I chatted with (chat is free, phone calls cost money) seemed to understand the issue and walk me through the steps. However, when I got to a certain point, the system froze and we were disconnected.
So, I went back to the site and tried again. This time, the fellow I got seemed to not understand what I was encountering. He was basically reading from a script. When my results deviated from the script, he was lost. For example, he expected me to have an icon in "Add/Remove Programs" ... and I didn't. Though I said I didn't, he said for me to highlight it. That kind of stuff.
Anyway, the service was poor.
True, I'm trying to remove their stuff, not install it. Still, you'd think they'd help someone get rid of it if they didn't want it. And, bless their hearts, I'm sure they tried.
But if this is their definition of customer service, perhaps I need to re-evaluate my opinion of their product.
You see, to me, the only products that install themselves and don't offer a way of removing themselves are ... viruses, spyware, and other malware.
Remember when Microsoft AntiVirus caused a stir when it recognized Microsoft Windows 95 as a virus? I do. And I wish ZoneLabs Suite would recognize McAfee products as a virus (or malware) and remove the darn thing.
I first used the McAfee AntiVirus program years ago when I had an MS-DOS based computer. If you don't know what MS-DOS is, it's what your grandparents used. Okay, your parents. But you get the idea.
Back then, everyone used McAfee AntiVirus because it was considered free for standard users. It might have been. Perhaps it was shareware (which isn't free; don't let anyone tell you otherwise). Still, lots of people used it without cost. But it wasn't the low price (okay, no price) that attracted folks. It was the quality.
There were other anti-virus programs around. Norton made a good one. I also used IBM AntiVirus, Norton AntiVirus (my favorite), and Microsoft AntiVirus. But McAfee was the one everybody talked about.
When things developed where you had to pay for McAfee (or else pirate it, a practice of which I disapprove), my money went to Norton. I just liked it better. However, I always recognized that McAfee was a quality product in the field of virus protection. I just didn't like it.
Recently, when putting a clean install on a computer -- that is, using the installation process that comes with the computer -- it put McAfee products on the computer.
Now, I have a multiuser license for ZoneLabs ZoneAlarm Suite, which includes not only their industry-leading firewall, but their highly-rated anti-virus package. So, I had no need for McAfee (it's a 90-day trial anyway). I want to install the ZoneLabs Suite, since I'm paying for (actually, have already paid for) a license that expires in 201 days.
So, I called McAfee. What was I thinking?
The first lady I chatted with (chat is free, phone calls cost money) seemed to understand the issue and walk me through the steps. However, when I got to a certain point, the system froze and we were disconnected.
So, I went back to the site and tried again. This time, the fellow I got seemed to not understand what I was encountering. He was basically reading from a script. When my results deviated from the script, he was lost. For example, he expected me to have an icon in "Add/Remove Programs" ... and I didn't. Though I said I didn't, he said for me to highlight it. That kind of stuff.
Anyway, the service was poor.
True, I'm trying to remove their stuff, not install it. Still, you'd think they'd help someone get rid of it if they didn't want it. And, bless their hearts, I'm sure they tried.
But if this is their definition of customer service, perhaps I need to re-evaluate my opinion of their product.
You see, to me, the only products that install themselves and don't offer a way of removing themselves are ... viruses, spyware, and other malware.
Remember when Microsoft AntiVirus caused a stir when it recognized Microsoft Windows 95 as a virus? I do. And I wish ZoneLabs Suite would recognize McAfee products as a virus (or malware) and remove the darn thing.
Headline News 2006-09-13
From ABC News:
Dad Breaks Leg Trying to Cure Phobia
Now has fear of broken legs
From ABC News:
Backup Punter May Have Stabbed Starter
Tonya Harding makes football team
From ABC News:
Man May Have Sent 2 Billion Spam E-Mails
Upside: Has increased penis size 5,945,364,927 inches
From ABC News:
Man Charged With Stealing Underwear
Completed step 1
From CNN:
Jane Fonda says Lindsay Lohan needed scolding
Adds, "But nothing more severe. It's not like she posed with enemy anti-aircraft guns or anything"
From CNN:
Spacewalkers lose more stuff
NASA mum on how many it takes to screw in a lightbulb
From CNN:
Houses raided after Turkey blast
Hamburger cookout not impacted
From CNN:
U.S. school buses stop in Congo
Forced busing runs amuck
From CNN:
Teens often skip condom use
Especially those not having sex
From CNN:
Study: Last cavemen were survivors
Richard Hatch finally explained
Dad Breaks Leg Trying to Cure Phobia
Now has fear of broken legs
From ABC News:
Backup Punter May Have Stabbed Starter
Tonya Harding makes football team
From ABC News:
Man May Have Sent 2 Billion Spam E-Mails
Upside: Has increased penis size 5,945,364,927 inches
From ABC News:
Man Charged With Stealing Underwear
Completed step 1
From CNN:
Jane Fonda says Lindsay Lohan needed scolding
Adds, "But nothing more severe. It's not like she posed with enemy anti-aircraft guns or anything"
From CNN:
Spacewalkers lose more stuff
NASA mum on how many it takes to screw in a lightbulb
From CNN:
Houses raided after Turkey blast
Hamburger cookout not impacted
From CNN:
U.S. school buses stop in Congo
Forced busing runs amuck
From CNN:
Teens often skip condom use
Especially those not having sex
From CNN:
Study: Last cavemen were survivors
Richard Hatch finally explained
Late Nights, Long Hours
No, I'm not talking about work. I did the whole "bring work home" stuff years ago. Never again.
Instead, I'm talking about working on computers.
You see, in the family, I'm the computer geek. Oh, I'm certainly not the only computer-literate family member. I'm just the one that seems to enjoy it the most. Therefore, I'm the geek.
I was told ... years ago ... by the Patriarch that I spent way too much time on the computer. Plus, heck, he didn't see why anyone would even need a computer in the home, much less spend any time on it.
Of course, he spends, on some days, more time on his computer than I spend on mine.
Still, I'm the geek.
Which is fine. Don't get me wrong.
The Little Princess is having computer issues. She's a student at the University of Georgia, and has a Dell laptop. It's her second laptop computer. Her first was a Gateway that her mother sent her off to school with. There were issues with it, and I got her a new Dell. Now, there are issues with the Dell.
So, last week, we scheduled meeting ... in Macon, of all places ... so we could swap computers. She'd take my Gateway laptop and I'd take her Dell laptop. I'd check it out, figure out what I could about it, then get Dell to come fix it. Yes, it has that on-site warranty. But, I feel it's best to have done everything I can do before getting the professionals involved.
It's been long hours working on the Dell laptop. Because it keeps shutting off. She thinks it's overheating. And I don't disagree.
I've done what I can do, and am contacting Dell about fixing it.
But here's the thing.
When we met in Macon, I found out the rest of the Little Princess' dastardly plan. She brought not only the Dell laptop, but the old Gateway laptop. And her Dell desktop.
Looks like her parents have been playing Dueling PCs.
Well, they're all here at my house now, so I guess I win.
Anyway, I'm working on three computers for the Little Princess. And I'm without my primary computer. You see, the Gateway laptop (mine, that she has with her now) was my primary computer. It had all my ... everything ... on it.
Unless and until I get one or more of hers fixed, my current machine is this Linux box I'm working on as I type this.
So, I'm able to blog. But not to the degree I'd like. No silly pictures for White Trash Wednesdays. No time to properly surf the 'Net. Just working on computers.
You might find a guest post or two up along and along. There are several who have posting rights here. And I welcome them all.
I'm still trying to do all the interviews stuff...
OH! That reminds me!
Remember during August, I had a promotion where interview questions submitted were going into a drawing for a DVD? Well, the winner was selected (has an email address, but no blog) ... and emailed ... and hasn't responded! So, the person who asked this question has until midnight Friday to respond ... with the same email address. Or on Saturday, I'll draw another winner.
Anyway. As I was saying. I've been busy with computers. And will be for the foreseeable future.
I love this stuff!
Instead, I'm talking about working on computers.
You see, in the family, I'm the computer geek. Oh, I'm certainly not the only computer-literate family member. I'm just the one that seems to enjoy it the most. Therefore, I'm the geek.
I was told ... years ago ... by the Patriarch that I spent way too much time on the computer. Plus, heck, he didn't see why anyone would even need a computer in the home, much less spend any time on it.
Of course, he spends, on some days, more time on his computer than I spend on mine.
Still, I'm the geek.
Which is fine. Don't get me wrong.
The Little Princess is having computer issues. She's a student at the University of Georgia, and has a Dell laptop. It's her second laptop computer. Her first was a Gateway that her mother sent her off to school with. There were issues with it, and I got her a new Dell. Now, there are issues with the Dell.
So, last week, we scheduled meeting ... in Macon, of all places ... so we could swap computers. She'd take my Gateway laptop and I'd take her Dell laptop. I'd check it out, figure out what I could about it, then get Dell to come fix it. Yes, it has that on-site warranty. But, I feel it's best to have done everything I can do before getting the professionals involved.
It's been long hours working on the Dell laptop. Because it keeps shutting off. She thinks it's overheating. And I don't disagree.
I've done what I can do, and am contacting Dell about fixing it.
But here's the thing.
When we met in Macon, I found out the rest of the Little Princess' dastardly plan. She brought not only the Dell laptop, but the old Gateway laptop. And her Dell desktop.
Looks like her parents have been playing Dueling PCs.
Well, they're all here at my house now, so I guess I win.
Anyway, I'm working on three computers for the Little Princess. And I'm without my primary computer. You see, the Gateway laptop (mine, that she has with her now) was my primary computer. It had all my ... everything ... on it.
Unless and until I get one or more of hers fixed, my current machine is this Linux box I'm working on as I type this.
So, I'm able to blog. But not to the degree I'd like. No silly pictures for White Trash Wednesdays. No time to properly surf the 'Net. Just working on computers.
You might find a guest post or two up along and along. There are several who have posting rights here. And I welcome them all.
I'm still trying to do all the interviews stuff...
OH! That reminds me!
Anyway. As I was saying. I've been busy with computers. And will be for the foreseeable future.
I love this stuff!
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