Family problems

OK, so this post is to inform everyone about my whereabouts....especially since I've been away for so long.

Over the course of the past 25 years, my father has had 8 brain surgeries to have various tumors removed. All the tumors have been the non-cancerous kind, and we've been fortunate in that respect. But the every-three-years rotation of having his brain surgically repaired has taken a slow toll on him. His ability to write, his basic motor skills, his walking abilities....these have all been affected by years of health issues. He did a lot of work from his home computer, but he longer can even do that, and has had to retire.

Financially, he and my mom are fine, but the extra income is no longer available and disability checks will keep coming for another 4 years, then it's social security.

Anyway, the strain on dad's health has led him to astronomical amounts of prescription medication (and bills to go with it). So to summarize...things are rough.

Over the past few weeks, I made a decision to pack up my apartment and take over living quarters in their home. This will allow me to better take care of my dad. With me around, mom can worry less and continue to work, and being here makes it easier on me too (I'm trying to save enough money to move to Utah and marry my girlfriend).

So the past few weeks has been chock full of me working, then getting home and trying to pack up my stuff and gradually take up residence elsewhere. Normally, this would have a smaller effect on my time spent at the computer....but I made the mistake of having my utilities shut off earlier than expected, and when the cable/internet went away prematurely, I saw no need to call them back and have it restored.

So now I'm back on a more full-time basis. Yes, I'm alive and well, and yes I'll be back in full swing again. Prayers for my dad are appreciated, and thanks for caring.

Jeff, The BBC

Still alive....

No, I didn't commit suicide or anything.

I'm in the process of moving, and I have no internet connection. Using my Blackberry for this one....

I'll be posting regularly again in a day or two. Promise.

OK I'm back

...but NO time to post, so sorry.

I'll tell lots of Vegas-related stories tomorrow. Until then;

GO BUCKEYES!!!!

Urban Meyer is a douchebag

Wow, just wow at what Florida head coach Urban Meyer had to say following his team's loss to Michigan yesterday;

"Well, for those guys who just put in their time and didn't make any real contributions, it's time for you to go. It won't be hard to say goodbye to some of those guys who just went through the motions.

Now for those kids who actually bought into the program, and who made some sacrifices and contributions -- you know, like Bubba Caldwell....he's a graduate of UF and had a great career -- you'll really miss those guys. But just because you're a senior doesn't mean you have any value."

Throwing your own kids under the bus? That's despicable. But we expected nothing less from the man who cried his way into last year's title game.

I work with a guy who is a HUGE Michigan fan. Just before the game, he said he would love to see Lloyd Carr punch Meyer in the face during pre-game warmups, but that he has way too much class to actually do it. As it turns out, by the end of the day, Carr proved he has that class and Meyer proved he has none.

Michigan vs. Ohio State/Michigan vs. Florida

Michigan vs. Ohio State - 15 possessions, 91 yards
Michigan vs. Florida - first possession, 93 yards

I'm just sayin'

Bowl preview, part 13

I'm packing my suitcase right now while watching the Sugar Bowl. I leave for Vegas tomorrow, and probably won't blog much while I'm gone (hey, would YOU blog much if you were in Vegas on vaca?)

So here's the remainder of the bowl games, starting with tomorrow's game.

- Oklahoma will crush West Virginia. They didn't deserve their chance at the National Championship, and Pitt merely exposed that factoid.

- Virginia Tech will provide a beatdown of Kansas. Kansas skated by all year long, and the Jayhawks loss will provide Missouri fans with a great big "told ya so" for years to come.

- Rutgers over Ball State. Don't be stupid.

- Tulsa over Bowling Green. Did I really have to have THAT game as the penultimate bowl game of this season?

- Ohio State over LSU. You know why.

Vegas, baby....Vegas!

I'm so proud of you, Michigan!

Michigan just beat Florida 41-35....they gave Lloyd a win in his final game.

Mike Hart tried to give it away, fumbling twice inside the 5-yard line, but Florida couldn't stop that slow Big 10 team.

Tim Tebow threw four awful passes in his final possession, none of them landing anywhere near a Florida WR. This was a great win for the conference.

Congrats, TTUN. You deserve it.

Bowl preview, part 12

Dear God, I sucked yesterday. And I leave for Vegas in 36 hours....pray that I have better luck today or I may come home shirtless next week!

These are going to be short because I have to leave in about 30 minutes.

Missouri vs. Arkansas
Cotton Bowl
Tuesday, January 1st - 1130am

Missouri has a lot of talent and something to prove. Arkansas has one very talented man who has been ravaged and vindicated and ravaged again in the press. It'll be a very good game, but I think the talent of Chase Daniel will overcome the talent of Darren McFadden.

Missouri also needs to show the BCS committee why the "onlt two teams per conference rule" needs to be eliminated. They got screwed, and they'll prove it.

Missouri 34
Arkansas 28
------------------------------
Florida vs. Michigan
Capital One Bowl
Tuesday, January 1st - 1pm

Florida is the defending National Champions. They have the Heisman Trophy winner in Tim Tebow. Michigan lost four games this year, three in the Big House, one to a Division 1-AA school.

You know what? Screw all that noise. Florida's been told for 6 weeks that they are a lock, and Michigan is pissed. Plus, when you have a fully healthy Chad Henne, a fully healthy Mike Hart, and a MESS of players looking to win one final game for Lloyd Carr, you've got motivation.

Michigan 28
Florida 27

And if it doesn't happen, we get to laugh at Mike Hart for going 0-8 in bowl games and against Ohio State.
-----------------------------
Virginia vs. Texas Tech
Gator Bowl
Tuesday, January 1st - 1pm

Virginia's had it's share of big wins this year, and I like them a lot. But I am concerned about their ability to stop a high-powered Texas Tech offense. There will be a LOT of passes thrown in this game, and I think TT will win out. Nuff said.

Texas Tech 45
Virginia 35
--------------------------
USC vs. Illinois
Rose Bowl
Tuesday, January 1st - 430pm

Our first BCS game!

Juice Williams, Rashard Mendenhall and Stepan Pamon just killed us when we played in Columbus. That won't happen here. USC is a beast in bowl games, and Pete Carroll doesn't let players overlook opponents in bowl games. Except Oklahoma.

USC 45
Illinois 21
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Hawaii vs. Georgia
Sugar Bowl
Tuesday, January 1st - 8pm

Remember the Fiesta Bowl? Boise State vs. Oklahoma?

Also remember that this is the year of upsets. I'm going to risk my luck on this one and hope that I end this day better than yesterday.

Hawaii 28
Georgia 27