Waste???

WHAT BLOGS COST AMERICAN BUSINESS
LOS ANGELES (AdAge.com) -- Blog this:
U.S. workers in 2005 will waste the equivalent of 551,000 years reading blogs.

Rest in Peace, Ms. Rosa

This beautiful soul had no idea what she was destined to do, but thank you Lord she was courageous enough to do it.

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Civil Rights Pioneer Rosa Parks Dies
Tuesday Oct 25, 2005 8:00am EST
By Todd Peterson

CREDIT: WILLIAM PHILPOTT / REUTERS / LANDOV

Rosa Parks, the woman who refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Ala., city bus to a white man and thereby launched the modern civil rights movement, died at her home in Detroit Monday night. She was 92.

On Dec. 1, 1955, Parks, a seamstress who lived in Montgomery, forever changed American history while riding a bus home from work. At that time, many places in the South such as buses, restaurants and other public facilities were segregated according to Jim Crow laws that had been in place since the Civil War.

Parks was seated at the front of the black section of the crowded bus when the driver demanded that she move farther back to make room for a white man. The 42-year-old woman refused to move, and was arrested by police and jailed.

Her arrest led to 381-day boycott by blacks (who comprised two-thirds of the system's riders) of Montgomery's buses. That boycott was organized by Rev. Martin Luther King and sparked the civil rights movement.

Popular history often portrays Parks as someone whose feet hurt and who was too tired to move. But in 1992 she corrected that sentiment: "The real reason of my not standing up was that I felt that I had a right to be treated as any other passenger," she said, according to the Associated Press. "We had endured that kind of treatment for too long."

At the time, Parks said, she had no idea her actions would inflame such a movement. "The only thing that made it significant was that the masses of the people joined in," she said.

The bus boycott took place a year after the Supreme Court's ruling for Brown v. Board of Education that ended racial segregation in public schools, but it wasn't until 1964 that the Civil Rights Act, banning racial discrimination in public accommodations, was passed.

After the boycott, Parks became the target of threats and relocated to Detroit in 1957. She went to work for U.S. Rep. John Conyers, and was an active member of the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Her husband Raymond Parks, whom she married in 1932, died in 1977.

"It wasn't pretty. But sometimes games aren't pretty."

That quote right there as the title of this blog post, that's from the best Defensive Coordinator in the NCAA. Ok so I'm biased, but I bet I could get at least a few people from ESPN to agree with me that Joe Kines is a football defensive genius. Let me back up....

If you care at all about me living a little bit longer on this earth, you should be thankful I didn't have a heart attack on Saturday afternoon/evening. All week long, my stomach had been turning over in knots just waiting for the opening kick-off and really wishing the whole time that the final seconds had already ticked off the clock. I feel so much better once that happens. Like Coach Kines said, "it wasn't pretty, but sometimes games aren't pretty." I've waited a long time to see Alabama beat UT in Bryant-Denny Stadium. I've heard a lot of cracks about how bad Alabama. In fact, in my 5 short years of college (undergrad and grad) I was witness to the two worst seasons Alabama ever played in its entire history. I watched a season when we didn't win even one game in Bryant-Denny Stadium...which was a record by the way...that was the year we broke all the wrong records like having the highest number of penalties in the entire NCAA...in one game alone.

You see, as fans go, I'm kind of a yungin' to this Alabama football thing. I chose to go to school there because they have one of the best accounting schools in the southeast not because of the 11 Saturdays in the fall when time seems to stand still. Mark my words though, one trip to Bryant-Denny Stadium will make you a fan. I thought I knew what being a football fan was...I was sorely mistaken. And about 9.5 seasons ago, I was schooled on the truth of it all. As of Saturday night, I have seen Alabama beat Tennessee a total of 2 times and neither of those times was when I was in school.

There's a lot of history between these two teams. In fact, the rivalry between them is longer than the one between Alabama and Auburn. We had a slight gap in play for about 30 some years with Auburn. But we've never taken a break from UT. As such, the hatred (yes it's hatred...no other way to describe it) has just grown over the years. A couple years ago, it came to a head in the form of NCAA immunity. Now, I'm the first person to tell you that Alabama and its boosters committed some bad NCAA infractions and deserved every penalty we got, but so did 4 other schools. There's some stupid NCAA rules out there, but Alabama doesn't tend to commit those. We like to stick to the ones with harsher consequences. And because UT's coach opened his mouth and testified against those other schools, he received immunity for his program doing the SAME EXACT THINGS. In fact, there's now an NCAA investigation guideline called the Fulmer Rule that basically prevents what he did from ever happening again. Great...where was that 5 years ago? In any case, it fueled the fire that already burned deep within our players, coaches, and fans. Saturday marked the first time Fulmer returned to Tuscaloosa after being exposed as the "secret witness." And he had to be escorted onto the field and off by 10 police officers. The most gratifying scene the entire night was seeing Fulmer on the sidelines completely flabbergasted and fuming because he couldn't control his team. That was better than any time I've ever seen Steve Spurrier throw his visor.

Though it didn't look like it until the very last drive of the game, but our players and coaches were prepared to expose a heck of a lot more about Tennessee. I can certainly attest to the fact, that both defenses played awesome games holding both teams scoreless until the second half. Alabama has now outscored its opponents this year 50-0 in the 3rd quarter. I certainly would have loved beating UT by as much as we beat Florida, but I'll take the "W" either way. I wouldn't really call this win luck though. It didn't have anything to do with it. That game was up for grabs the entire time. Even with 13 seconds left, I was still ringing my hands knowing what UT has had up their sleeve in the past. I think it came down to who got tired faster and who really wanted that win. The answer to the second one at least is Roman Harper. He's our senior free safety and just blows me away at his talent. He doesn't give up. He could be on one side of the field and see a way to make a play on the other side of the field and he'll go for it. Saturday night, he rammer jammered (only Bama fans will get that) right into the UT player carrying the ball. The UT player was about to score when Roman hit him causing the ball to fly out and through the back of the endzone. Football rules say when that happens, the defense gets the ball as a touchback (80 yards to go). Roll Tide, Bama Ball...and Roman Harper sails into the pontiac game changing performance voting for this week...but not until Brodie hooks up with DJ Hall for a 44 yard run. Then Kenneth Darby keeps it on the ground to get closer to field goal range since technically we only needed 1 point to win with the score tied at 3. Well the offense set up great field goal position for our new star Jamie "Money" Christensen who got a standing ovation in class last week following his game winning field goal against Ole Miss. 34 yards and Money is Money!!! Bama 6 UT 3. I'm not really sure when I started shaking. Was it after the fumble? Was it after the 44 yard pass? Was it after the field goal? I don't know...but I was shaking like a leaf.

There were 13 seconds left on the clock before we kicked off to them, and I just knew it wasn't over. Fulmer has something up his sleeve, I just know it. Apparently, it was a personal foul...they did that a lot on Saturday...get penalized that is. We kicked off and during the kick, they got two penalties, we accepted the 17 yard personal foul with 8 seconds on the clock. Phones started ringing along with me shaking and my hands also ringing. Clausen throws up a hail mary on the last play and it's beautifully intercepted by DeMeco Ryans (finalist for the Lombardi Award) as time expired. They did it, and even if they didn't intend to, they won that game for every single one of us. Fans, Students, Alumni, Players, Former Players, Coaches, Former Coaches (except Franchione), you name it...it was the ugliest, most perfect win I've ever seen. So here's to you Mr. Roman Harper, Mr. Brodie Croyle, Mr. DJ Hall, Mr. Kenneth Darby, Mr. Jamie Christensen, and Mr. DeMeco Ryans (and the rest of the #5 team in the nation). Thanks for letting us see that Bryant-Denny win at least once in my lifetime because I honestly didn't think we ever would.



P.S. The Colts won again. 7-0 now leading into their bye week. The Patriots had a bye. Shaun Alexander is now the Seahawks' leading franchise rusher. Great Weekend...SUPERB!

LISTEN CAREFULLY...

...I have never written or spoken these words before tonight. You will never hear me say them, again (unless something similar happens in the future). So listen up. I'm only typing this once.

I LOVE THE DENVER BRONCOS!!!!!!!!

Yes, despite their attempt to implode during the 4th quarter, they beat the Patriots, and made this human being a happy camper. Not only that, but following the 6th week of the regular season, the Patriots are only sporting a .500 season.

Granted all this excitement at the expense of one team's misfortune will inevitably come back to bite me...most likely in the form of Peyton losing Monday Night Football tomorrow night against the Rams. But that would only put his beautiful Colts team at 5-1...way better than .500.

So until the other shoe drops, please return to the rather large point sized font message above. Have a good day.

P.S. Even after that horrible showing on Saturday against Ole Miss, Alabama moved up to #5 in both polls this week. We've won 6 games, so no matter what happens from this point forward...we are BOWL BOUND!! But, if we play like we did on Saturday next week, Tennessee's gonna eat us alive. (No comments from the peanut gallery about how Tennessee would eat us alive regardless. I've heard it all! Sheesh...I'm a Peyton Manning fan...isn't that enough for y'all...do I have to like the stay-puff marshmallow man, too?!?!...that will NEVER happen.)

Rest In Peace Ms. Vivian

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Vivian Malone Jones. Vivian was one of the first African American students (and first African American graduate of the University) to enroll at the University of Alabama, and was the target of then Governor Wallace's stand in the schoolhouse door. I have always held my alma mater in high esteem, but it's storied past definitely has it's blemishes. Vivian was a fighter. A person to stand up against adversity, prejudice, and racism because she knew she deserved everything any other HUMAN BEING was offered on this earth. I walked past the portrait of her in a red suit on the first floor of Bidgood Hall almost every day of my college career, and it always gave me that extra little push I needed. Because if she could go through everything she endured to graduate from Alabama, then my stupid little things I was going through were a piece of cake. Thanks for the inspiration, Ms. Vivian. Thank you for sharing your beautiful, courageous soul with this world.

Hours of Entertainment

This is awesome. It's the original Oregon Trail...terrible graphics and all...but it's the best. Ahhh...the days of elementary school. Check it out:

Oregon Trail

Quick...What's Your Theme Song?

You'll probably never hear me profess to being a Johnny Cash fan. In fact, I never really understood the guy, but as I completely understand my obsessions, I submit to understanding other people's obsessions (within legal limits). This weekend I went to the movies and saw Just Like Heaven (great movie...total chick flick...LOVE MARK RUFFALO). During the previews, they showed the trailer for Walk The Line, the new movie about Johnny and June Carter Cash. In the trailer (which was really great actually), it showed a time when Johnny was trying to get started and his soon to be record producer (Sam Phillips) asked him not to just sing any song for him. He asked him to sing the one song he would sing if it were his last few minutes on earth and he were trying to explain to God what his life was all about. I think he chose "Ring of Fire," but I'm not sure.

Now I know I've seen these little survey's before..."define your life by song." People have answered them with a song for each time in their life, but I'm only asking (and only wanting) ONE. I know...it's a challenge. I've gone through several in my head for the last couple of days, but I finally decided on one and it's actually been my very favorite song for a very long time.

"The River" By Garth Brooks

You know a dream is a like a river
Ever changing as it flows
And the dreamer's just a vessel
That must follow where it goes
Trying to learn from what's behind you
And never knowing what's in store
Makes each day a constant battle
Just to stay between the shores... and

Chorus:
I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry

Too many times we stand aside
Let the waters slip away
'Til what we put off 'til tomorrow
It has now become today
So don't you sit upon the shoreline
And say you're satisfied
Choose to chance the rapids
And dare to dance the tide... yes

Repeat Chorus

There's bound to be rough waters
And I know I'll take some falls
But with the good Lord as my captain
I can make it through them all...yes

Repeat Chorus

Yes I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
'Til the river runs dry

So what's your theme song? Remember...just one!

Nervous But Not Lonely At the Top

Week 5 of the 2005 NFL Season is complete. Four teams entered the weekend with an undefeated record. Only one of these teams survived with that record in tact. The Indianapolis Colts. Sure, say what you will...

• They haven't been tested (the players didn't pick the teams they've played so far)
• Peyton Manning's numbers are horrible compared to last year (maybe so...or maybe his defense is finally giving him a break so his offense doesn't have to carry both sides of the ball)
• Wait until the Patriots come calling (yeah...I'm still nervous about this one because I really believe that game is 90% mental)

Regardless of what you want to dish out, I could care less. Last year I had about 7 people to be proud of on the Colts team (Peyton, Marvin, Edgerrin, Brandon, Reggie, Marcus, Dallas). This year, I get to be proud of the entire team. I'm slowly learning the names of the defensive players, but part of me really wonders if I need to learn any other name besides TEAM. They're truly playing like one now...a balanced team. I'm still nervous and wonder when the other shoe will drop, but until then, I'll keep dreaming that I'm still talking this way on February 5th when the final seconds tick off the clock at SuperBowl XL.

P.S. Alabama moved up to 6th and 7th in the two polls and they didn't even have to snap the ball once!

Fun While It Lasted

WHY OH WHY SPORTS ILLUSTRATED DID YOU HAVE TO DO THIS TO US?!?!? Everything was going so great. 5-0 for the first time since I was a freshman in college. Beating a top 5 team for the first time in Tuscaloosa. WHY OH WHY!

Alabama Featured on Sports Illustrated Cover
Tuesday, October 04, 2005

The Alabama Football team is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Sports Illustrated and features a story about the Crimson Tide by writer Mark Beech.

The issue should hit the newsstands tomorrow.

Alabama, after beating Florida last Saturday 31-3, is off to a 5-0, 3-0 Southeastern Conference start and is ranked No. 7 by the Associated Press. The Crimson Tide is off this weekend and returns to action Saturday, October 15 at Ole Miss.

The Weekend Continued

I almost forgot................

The Patriots lost to the Chargers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
41-17

And Peyton Manning threw 4 TD passes yesterday. He's BAAAAACK!!!
(Not that he ever really left.)

On Top with a 7/10 Split

Six years in the making and well worth the wait. I'm the first person to tell you that I hate trash talking when you're not the one who can control the outcome. So, trash talking about Alabama football is something I tend to do in my head but not outloud for the simple fact that I'm not the one strapping on the pads and running up and down the field. However, I am not above being excited about a win that is so gratifying I just have to beam!

I went into the weekend fully believing Alabama would show its true colors one way or the other on Saturday afternoon. Either we're going to show everyone that our 4-0 record so far was just a fluke or we're going to show that it was well deserved. I'm happy to say the latter was the answer. Really all I wanted from this weekend was for Alabama's defense to intercept Florida's Chris Leak before his 7th or 8th completed pass. He was trying to break Danny Wuerffel's record of completed passes without an interception. Going into Saturday's game, he was 8 completed passes away. I honestly don't care who you are...I just hate watching teams break records against us. (It's like being the pitcher who goes down in history as the one who pitched Hank Aaron his record breaking home run.) Thankfully, Alabama took care of this and incidentally picked him off right after the commentators started talking about the record...hmmm.

Saturday was a banner day complete with a 31-3 victory for the Crimson Tide that placed them at the top of both divisions in the SEC. We're the only team in the conference who has won 3 SEC games. It's pretty much because Georgia didn't play this weekend and Vanderbilt (I still can't believe I'm saying that) sadly lost but didn't play an SEC game. But, then, we got vindication from the sports writers and coaches around the country. With 1,150 votes in the AP Poll, Alabama is #7 and with 982 votes in the USA Today Poll, Alabama is #10. We haven't seen the top ten since 1999. (Well technically, we were pre-season ranked #3 for the 2000 season, but that didn't last long.) They haven't always played to their potential and talent, but I've always known it was there and Saturday they showed it. I always knew they could play that well. I just never expected Florida to basically lie down and take it without dishing it back out. Earlier in the week, Jerome Mincey (a defensive end for Florida) told the press that he didn't think Alabama was as talented as Tennessee (a team they beat by a mere 9 points) on either side of the ball. Part of me wanted the press to walk up to him after the game and say, so how do you feel about the talent of Alabama and Tennessee now...since Alabama obviously had Florida's number the entire game? I'm sure the media would have phrased it a little differently, but we all would have known what they meant. Granted, there's a little part of me that is waiting for the other shoe to drop. It may very well drop in 2 weeks when we play Ole Miss or 3 weeks when we play Tennessee, but I can bask in the glow of this win for at least 2 weeks (we have a bye this weekend).

Sadly, we'll be playing the rest of the season without the amazing receiver Tyrone Prothro after he broke his leg in two places in the 4th quarter on Saturday. Oh and let me address that right now (here's where Florida gets some kudos from me). There is some criticism out there that Shula should have pulled the 1st string in the 4th quarter thus possibly preventing the injury to Prothro. Definitely inaccurate. We were playing the #5 team in the nation who up until Saturday LOOKED like the #5 team in the nation in every game they'd played. With 8 minutes left in the game, you don't pull your 1st string and put in your 2nd string to play against the #5 team's 1st string. Are you nuts???? They would have walked all over us and we would have had a replay of the LSU/UT game from Monday night. Yes, it cost us Prothro, but he'll be there on the sidelines cheering his team on as an added inspiration factor. You'd be surprised how much that actually fuels the fire for Alabama. They'll want to win it not just for themselves, not just for the fans, but for their injured teammate who helped get them ROLLING in their first 5 games. They have a whole 2 weeks to figure out how to play without him, so get crackin' boys.

Incidentally, I read an article that said Florida fans were cheering when Prothro got injured. Now, I'm not like all Alabama fans. A lot of Alabama fans subscribe to the idea of booing when the opposing team comes on the field, trash talking, and cheering when someone gets injured. Bear Bryant (God Bless him) taught Alabama a few things when he was coaching there. He never believed in booing the opposing team when they came into Bryant-Denny Stadium. It was our home and we were to welcome them there. He taught us to be respectful of the other team in every way you could, to act like you'd been there before when you got to the end zone, and to let your actions speak louder than your words. How very disrespectful and rude can you be to cheer because someone got injured? Completely uncalled for...you can check that stuff at the door thank you.

P.S. In case no other team has said so, Welcome to the SEC Urban Meyer! See you next year in Gainesville.