Well.....The weather is warmer this week. That's definitely a plus in Middle Tennessee. There are a lot of things to write about this week, and I couldn't choose just one. From Haiti to Carl Smith, there's a couple of things that matter....and a couple that don't, but here goes...
HAITI-----We read and see about destruction all over the world sometimes that I think we tend to get immune to it. The earthquake in Haiti is something that threw me for a jolt. I was watching CNN with my wife over dinner Saturday night, and I've got to tell you that my respect for Anderson Cooper went up about twenty notches. In one of his reports, he was asked to follow behind a family as they carried one of their loved ones to an unmarked grave. Watching this on TV, I can understand the respect that many had for Cronkite and Rather during Vietnam. Sometimes, no matter how wide or vast your experience is, there are no words. Then, CNN ran footage of crews trying to pull a little girl from the rubbish. She had survived a few days, but after they got her out...she passed away. I'm sure the tragedy has had many faces, but that's one that got to me. Folks, there are many ways, and many organizations that you can help that are over there right now doing their best to make this situation a little easier. If you can, please do so.
CARL SMITH-----Sunday afternoon, Nashville was hit with the news that Carl Smith had died at the age of 82. In writing a tribute to Carl for LimeWire.com, I realized that along with Little Jimmy Dickens, Smith was the last male star standing from the early 1950s. I remember my mother once telling me that even though she wasn't the biggest Country fan growing up...(that changed!), there were two that she liked---Marty Robbins and Carl Smith. Two very talented, and also very handsome men.....I have read many other stories along those lines the past couple of days. Over the years, on my trips to Franklin, I would pass by Smith's ranch. If there's any consolation about all of this, at least he is with his beloved Goldie. If you like Classic Country, pick up a Carl Smith CD....You'll be glad you did!
THE NFL PLAYOFFS: I have taken some flak the past few days from some that have blamed me for the Cowboys' loss to the Vikings. Let me say this....As I team fan, there is none other that I root for like I do "America's Team." I do think that Tony Romo and company made a lot of progress, and I also think that they are right about where the team was in 1992...so stay tuned....At the same time, for a lot of reasons....I am a huge fan of Brett Favre, and if the Vikings can win one this year, I would love to see him do it. Through his career, he has been one of the more exciting athletes I have ever seen. He has taken a hit or two from some for being wishy-washy about retirement. But...when it's all said and done, I think that history will judge the Packers for showing him the door. There's two sides to every story, but I think that seventeen years with a team gives you some leeway...or at least it should! With that said....I'm not trading in any of my Dallas stuff....I'll need it for next year when we win it all!
and finally.....As many know, I am a fan of classic TV. The past few years, there have been many who have lamented that the medium isn't what it once was. While that may be true, I ask that they tune into Fox on Monday nights for HOUSE. Hugh Laurie has brought such an understanding to the role of Dr. Gregory House over the past six seasons. With another actor, the character might very well be looked up as an annoying know-it-all, but not this doctor. Then, on Thursday nights, CBS has this show called THE MENTALIST. I have watched a couple of episodes, and I am hooked. It has some of the best dialogue, and the lead character, played by Simon Baker, delivers some of the best smart-aleck lines since Larry Hagman's JR Ewing some three decades ago. While most of the stuff on TV today won't make me put my DALLAS and THE WALTONS DVD's away...(and there's two more of those coming out this month), it seems that some fifty years after FCC Chairman Newton Minnow once claimed that TV was a "Vast Wasteland," there's still some "Must See TV," after all!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
LIFE GETS TEE'JUS, DON'T IT?
Charlie Daniels used to kick off his Volunteer Jam each year by saying "Aren't You Glad To Be Alive and Living In Tennessee?" Well.....Yes, I am glad to be alive and living in the Volunteer State. That being said, I will tell you that last week was...well....(TRYING TO THINK OF WORDS)....a week.
Middle Tennessee got hit with one of the coldest spells that we have been under in some time over the past week, which also included snow. It was pretty to see, but it was the kind that got on the roads, and made driving around kind of interesting. I had quite the time making it up our road. We woke up one morning to no water....anywhere, as our pipes froze up. This just didn't happen once, but a few times during the week. "Why didn't you leave the faucet dripping," you ask? We did.....It was that cold.
There were some other factors at play last week as well. I went out to my car to get some things I was working on, and picked up my box out of the car, only to slip, drop the box and all its' items, and hurt my side pretty good in the process. It still hurts, but has gotten a little more manageable.....It was the kind of week where you were glad that it was over with.
Still, it wasn't all bad. The family has been eating well, because Shannon has attacked cookbooks with a vengeance as of late. She's been trying out a lot of new recipes since Christmas, and they have all been delicious. The Cowboys won their first playoff game since 1996 Saturday night, and I had a great time last week interviewing Jimmy Fortune for my radio show, and for LimeWire.com last week. So, as Forrest Gump once said....."It Happens."
I know we all have weeks that you feel they will never end, so I'm not looking for sympathy......but I was reminded tonight about an old Country song (not that it takes me that much to be reminded of old Country songs) that you just might identify with......Truth be told, I've never heard the record, but you might have.
Life Gets Teejus, Don't It? / Carson Robison)
The sun comes up and the sun goes down
And the hands on the clock go round and round
I just wake up and it's time to lay down,
Life gets teejus, don't it.
My shoe's untied, but, shucks, I don't care
Cuz I recon I ain't a-goin' nowhere
I'd brush my teeth and comb my hair
Just too much wasted effort.
The water in the well get lower and lower
Ain't had a bath in a month or more
I've heard it said and I'm sure it's true
That too much bathing will weaken you.
Danged ol' mule, he must be sick.
I jabbed him in the rump with a pin on a stick
He hunched his back, but he wouldn't kick
Something cock-eyed somewhere.
Hound dog's howling so forlorn
Laziest dawg that ever was born
He's howlin' 'cause he's settin' on a thorn
Just too tired to move over.
Well, the cow's gone dry and the hens won't lay
And my well dried up last Saturday
My troubles keep pilin' up day by day
And now I'm gettin' dandruff.
Roof's a-leakin' and the chimney leans
An' there's a hole in the seat of my old blue jeans
Now I've et the last of the pork an' beans
Just can't depend on nothin'
Mouse is gnawin' at the pantry door
He's been at it now for a month or more
When he gets through he'll sure be sore
Cause there ain't a dang thing in there.
Well, it's debts and taxes and pains and woes
Aches and miseries and that's how it goes
And now I'm getting a cold in my nose
Life gets tasteless, don't it.
Copyright Carson Robison.
Talk to you next week....unless I get laryngitis....LOL!
Middle Tennessee got hit with one of the coldest spells that we have been under in some time over the past week, which also included snow. It was pretty to see, but it was the kind that got on the roads, and made driving around kind of interesting. I had quite the time making it up our road. We woke up one morning to no water....anywhere, as our pipes froze up. This just didn't happen once, but a few times during the week. "Why didn't you leave the faucet dripping," you ask? We did.....It was that cold.
There were some other factors at play last week as well. I went out to my car to get some things I was working on, and picked up my box out of the car, only to slip, drop the box and all its' items, and hurt my side pretty good in the process. It still hurts, but has gotten a little more manageable.....It was the kind of week where you were glad that it was over with.
Still, it wasn't all bad. The family has been eating well, because Shannon has attacked cookbooks with a vengeance as of late. She's been trying out a lot of new recipes since Christmas, and they have all been delicious. The Cowboys won their first playoff game since 1996 Saturday night, and I had a great time last week interviewing Jimmy Fortune for my radio show, and for LimeWire.com last week. So, as Forrest Gump once said....."It Happens."
I know we all have weeks that you feel they will never end, so I'm not looking for sympathy......but I was reminded tonight about an old Country song (not that it takes me that much to be reminded of old Country songs) that you just might identify with......Truth be told, I've never heard the record, but you might have.
Life Gets Teejus, Don't It? / Carson Robison)
The sun comes up and the sun goes down
And the hands on the clock go round and round
I just wake up and it's time to lay down,
Life gets teejus, don't it.
My shoe's untied, but, shucks, I don't care
Cuz I recon I ain't a-goin' nowhere
I'd brush my teeth and comb my hair
Just too much wasted effort.
The water in the well get lower and lower
Ain't had a bath in a month or more
I've heard it said and I'm sure it's true
That too much bathing will weaken you.
Danged ol' mule, he must be sick.
I jabbed him in the rump with a pin on a stick
He hunched his back, but he wouldn't kick
Something cock-eyed somewhere.
Hound dog's howling so forlorn
Laziest dawg that ever was born
He's howlin' 'cause he's settin' on a thorn
Just too tired to move over.
Well, the cow's gone dry and the hens won't lay
And my well dried up last Saturday
My troubles keep pilin' up day by day
And now I'm gettin' dandruff.
Roof's a-leakin' and the chimney leans
An' there's a hole in the seat of my old blue jeans
Now I've et the last of the pork an' beans
Just can't depend on nothin'
Mouse is gnawin' at the pantry door
He's been at it now for a month or more
When he gets through he'll sure be sore
Cause there ain't a dang thing in there.
Well, it's debts and taxes and pains and woes
Aches and miseries and that's how it goes
And now I'm getting a cold in my nose
Life gets tasteless, don't it.
Copyright Carson Robison.
Talk to you next week....unless I get laryngitis....LOL!
Monday, January 4, 2010
"AND NOW......THE PLAYOFFS"
First of all, Happy New Year to everyone reading this. If you are a sports fan like I am, this is a big week. The 2009 NFL regular season has ended, and all eyes are focused on the twelve teams that are still standing---those fortunate few to be involved in the NFL Playoffs. I write a little bit about sports from time to time on the high school level, but I thought I would play NFL prognosticator, and do my best to dissect the teams left. I will let it be known that back in August, when making my predictions on WFGZ Radio, I predicted Minnesota and San Diego....Will I stick to that? Let's take a look!
AFC:
Indianapolis: First of all, I want to say that Wesley Welker's injury for the Patriots proved Jim Caldwell's theory right about resting your starters. It has been a great year for Peyton and Company, but have they been as dominant as their record? I really don't think so. They are going to be tough to beat, but it is doable.
San Diego: Quite possibly, they are one of the most dangerous
teams out there. Defensively, they are very strong and quick, and on offense...they are loaded. I think they probably closed the season playing just as strong as anybody in the NFL.
New England: They might not be as dominant as they were a few years ago, but Brady and Company in the playoffs in January seems like a sure bet. I do think that Welker's injury is going to be a tough one to overcome, but if anyone can overcome it....it's Tom Brady.
Cincinnati: The Bengals stumbled in their final game, though it was quite a meaningless affair. That aside, I think that the fact that there were no Bengals selected to the Pro Bowl, coupled with the fact that the team has rallied around the death of Chris Henry, make this team kind of a sleeping giant of sorts.
New York Jets----I think that Rex Ryan did a great job in getting this team back to the post-season. With that said, I don't really know if their season-ending win against the Bengals was as big as you might think. Regardless of what happens over the next few days, I think that Mark Sanchez is the real deal.
Baltimore: This team has been the surprise of 2009. The first few weeks of the season---they looked unstoppable. Then, the Ravens came crashing back down to earth. They rebounded enough to clinch a spot here, and they should prove to be a tough team to play.
AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE:
Patriots over Ravens
Bengals over Jets
AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
Patriots over Colts
Chargers over Bengals
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Chargers over Patriots
NFC
New Orleans: A month ago, I thought they were unbeatable. The last three weeks of the season, we have seen enough of their weaknesses. Still, if they get their mojo back, they could be dangerous.
Minnesota: They did fade a little down the stretch, but their final victory against the Giants proved how good a team they can be. Brett Favre is the key. In spite of what they might have said about him just running the offense when he arrived, they haven't been able to get the ground game going as much as they would have liked. In the end, I think # 4 is going to dictate how the Vikings story ends.
Dallas: I am a Cowboys fan, as many of you know. That being said, I am as surprised as anyone with their late-season surge. You just don't see it in Big D. Can they parlay it to their first victory in the post-season since 1996? Stay tuned?
Arizona: If any team can perform well against the odds, it would have to be the Arizona Cardinals. Their run last season is proof of this. I think they are well-suited for another run, and their defense is playing even better than last year.
Green Bay: Aaron Rodgers proved his worth in 2009, and played extremely well. The offensive line rebounded from sloppy play early, and sometimes forced Rodgers to try too hard. Now that they are in the post-season, I think that they've got a good chance this year......and a better one next year.
Philadelphia: What a final week it was for Philly. All they had to do was win and they would have been the number two seed...yet, they fell all the way to # 6 via their loss to Dallas, where they go this weekend! Can they beat the Cowboys, a team they haven't won against this season? I think they can, but I think Dallas is going be ready.......
NFC Playoff Picture:
Dallas over Philadelphia
Arizona over Green Bay
NFC Divisional Playoffs:
New Orleans over Arizona
Minnesota over Dallas
NFC Championship:
Minnesota over New Orleans
and that Super Bowl prediction? I am sticking with it.....Minnesota over San Diego with Brett Favre riding out into the sunset with another ring.....Enjoy the playoffs, and I hope your team wins.....unless they are playing mine!
AFC:
Indianapolis: First of all, I want to say that Wesley Welker's injury for the Patriots proved Jim Caldwell's theory right about resting your starters. It has been a great year for Peyton and Company, but have they been as dominant as their record? I really don't think so. They are going to be tough to beat, but it is doable.
San Diego: Quite possibly, they are one of the most dangerous
teams out there. Defensively, they are very strong and quick, and on offense...they are loaded. I think they probably closed the season playing just as strong as anybody in the NFL.
New England: They might not be as dominant as they were a few years ago, but Brady and Company in the playoffs in January seems like a sure bet. I do think that Welker's injury is going to be a tough one to overcome, but if anyone can overcome it....it's Tom Brady.
Cincinnati: The Bengals stumbled in their final game, though it was quite a meaningless affair. That aside, I think that the fact that there were no Bengals selected to the Pro Bowl, coupled with the fact that the team has rallied around the death of Chris Henry, make this team kind of a sleeping giant of sorts.
New York Jets----I think that Rex Ryan did a great job in getting this team back to the post-season. With that said, I don't really know if their season-ending win against the Bengals was as big as you might think. Regardless of what happens over the next few days, I think that Mark Sanchez is the real deal.
Baltimore: This team has been the surprise of 2009. The first few weeks of the season---they looked unstoppable. Then, the Ravens came crashing back down to earth. They rebounded enough to clinch a spot here, and they should prove to be a tough team to play.
AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE:
Patriots over Ravens
Bengals over Jets
AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
Patriots over Colts
Chargers over Bengals
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Chargers over Patriots
NFC
New Orleans: A month ago, I thought they were unbeatable. The last three weeks of the season, we have seen enough of their weaknesses. Still, if they get their mojo back, they could be dangerous.
Minnesota: They did fade a little down the stretch, but their final victory against the Giants proved how good a team they can be. Brett Favre is the key. In spite of what they might have said about him just running the offense when he arrived, they haven't been able to get the ground game going as much as they would have liked. In the end, I think # 4 is going to dictate how the Vikings story ends.
Dallas: I am a Cowboys fan, as many of you know. That being said, I am as surprised as anyone with their late-season surge. You just don't see it in Big D. Can they parlay it to their first victory in the post-season since 1996? Stay tuned?
Arizona: If any team can perform well against the odds, it would have to be the Arizona Cardinals. Their run last season is proof of this. I think they are well-suited for another run, and their defense is playing even better than last year.
Green Bay: Aaron Rodgers proved his worth in 2009, and played extremely well. The offensive line rebounded from sloppy play early, and sometimes forced Rodgers to try too hard. Now that they are in the post-season, I think that they've got a good chance this year......and a better one next year.
Philadelphia: What a final week it was for Philly. All they had to do was win and they would have been the number two seed...yet, they fell all the way to # 6 via their loss to Dallas, where they go this weekend! Can they beat the Cowboys, a team they haven't won against this season? I think they can, but I think Dallas is going be ready.......
NFC Playoff Picture:
Dallas over Philadelphia
Arizona over Green Bay
NFC Divisional Playoffs:
New Orleans over Arizona
Minnesota over Dallas
NFC Championship:
Minnesota over New Orleans
and that Super Bowl prediction? I am sticking with it.....Minnesota over San Diego with Brett Favre riding out into the sunset with another ring.....Enjoy the playoffs, and I hope your team wins.....unless they are playing mine!
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