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Jennifer Kesse Family Photo

As many of you following  are aware, S. Christina Stoy spent several weeks investigating Jennifer Kesse’s disappearance in January of 2006.   In March 2012,  Stoy published an explosive new look into the investigation that remains with the Orlando Police Department to this day.  Previous publications in Jennifer’s case can be found here and here.

This Friday,  April 18th at 7PM,  Greta Van Susteren will be re-visiting Jennifer’s disappearance  in a one hour special dedicated to her case on her show “ON THE RECORD”.

While none of us who were interviewed for the show can predict what the final piece will reflect, we are enthusiastic for Jennifer, Drew, Joyce, Logan and Katie Kesse to have Greta review the case she covered from the beginning.

Jennifer Kesse Missing: New Evidence And New Leads Connect To Old Names In Casey Anthony Saga

Orlando, FL- Jennifer Kesse, the newly promoted mortgage process engineering manager for Central Florida Investments, parent company of Westgate Resorts was an upstart.

Recent BOC article coverage can be found here, here and here.

After interviewing with upper management for other advancement roles within the company- her new position was actually created For Her.

Was this a forward and prophetic corporate strategy based on mortgage industry trending data?

Was her promotion a result of Jennifer’s own market analysis and efficiencies recommendations to the suits on the top floor?

Yes and Yes.

At 24 Jennifer Kesse was the youngest new manager among her peers in their respective management roles at CFI.

While she did not have the subordinates they did reporting to her directly, the initiative she was leading and launching was going to save the firm almost $900,000 annually.  The installation and rollout of a new debit system interface allowing timeshare owners to pay fees, mortgages and incidentals by ACH automatically was a corporate priority for Westgate Resorts.

Which is why on the morning of Tuesday January 24, 2006, the day after she returned from a brief trip with her boyfriend Robert Allen when Jenn did not show up to her office in Ocoee there appeared to be immediate concern.

According to Jennifer’s outlook scheduling calendar she did not have an interoffice meeting until the afternoon.

By 11:15 her parents living two hours away in Bradenton were called to see if she had some sort of family emergency.

The exact escalation of events within CFI leading up to the phone call and who made it are being withheld for investigative reasons.

By noon, a trifecta of calamitous and simultaneous events takes place.

Drew, Joyce and Logan Kesse, speeding from Bradenton to Orlando in a respite from paralytic panic reach the property manager of Jenn’s new condo at Mosaic On Millenia and learn her car is not parked in her spot.  She is not inside.

A self-confessed admirer and now CFI lateral management peer, Johnny Campos arrives 4 hours late to the Ocoee office.

The only suspect ever declared to date in Jennifer Kesse’s disappearance is parking her vehicle while captured on 3 separate closed circuit cameras at the Huntingdon Tavern On The Green Condominiums and apartments.  It is less than a few blocks from two large CFI warehouses and within a mile of  several CFI owned properties.

By late afternoon The Kesse’s, Rob Allen and Jennifer’s closest friends were using her condo as a command center to develop immediate and organized searches for her.

Detectives Julius Glenn Gause II and Joel Wright of the Orlando Police Department respond to the scene.

Detective Gause assures the Kesse’s that Jennifer had a fight with her boyfriend Rob Allen, who is now standing in her living room vehemently disagreeing with his investigative assessment.  Who can blame the guy?

Gause’s opinion was reached without ever interviewing a single person who was  not on-scene, and was sure she would be back by tomorrow.

In a mandatory meeting called at the request of Central Florida Investments CEO David Siegel and conducted by Chief Financial Officer Tom Dugan, it was announced that Jennifer Kesse, a respected and valued member of the management team had been reported missing.

Dugan adamantly assured all that the company would encourage  employees to join any organized search efforts to find her.

Jennifer did not return as Gause predicted.

Her car did however, and on January 26th   her case  was declared a criminal investigation.

The First 48… Months

Upon the classification of Jennifer’s case as a criminal investigation,  J. Glenn Gause told the Kesse’s that his partner  Detective Joel Wright asked what he considered a dumb question during a briefing.

As a result Gause informed- he kicked him off the case and requested new partner Det. Emmett Browning.

While such a move would  obviously be outside of Det. Gause’s authority, it is more likely the pair were reeling from the Internal Affairs investigation that ensued after they knowingly interviewed John Evander Couey after his arrest for the murder of Jessica Lunsford.

Shortly after Couey’s confession to Citrus county detectives was thrown out of court because it violated Couey’s Miranda rights,  Gause and Wright decided to inform their Orlando PD sergeant that they interviewed Couey following his arrest in Citrus County on the chance he might be a suspect in the Regina Armstrong murder because he grew up in Orange County.   They claimed he actually confessed to the Lunsford murder.

The confession was not taped and at no time did either detective inform the Citrus investigators or their OPD supervisor of the visit itself- let alone  Couey’s statements.

That is until they learned his original confession in the Lunsford case was inadmissible.

Interviewing an incarcerated man who is represented by an attorney with charges pending in a potentially related case without permission, notes, or a recording by veteran detectives is outrageous.

John Cuoey was 5’4”, 125 lbs with a flag tattoo.  The suspect composite from direct witnesses in the Armstrong case was a man around 40, 6 ft tall with medium build and a mermaid tattoo on the opposite arm.

They were lucky their actions did not derail the prosecution of both cases.  The second alleged confession was also thrown out and reprimands to both detectives remain private in their respective employee records.  Regina Armstrong’s murder in 1985 remains unsolved.

John Evander Couey died of natural causes on death row awaiting execution for the rape and murder of Jessica Lunsford. (more…)

Jennifer Kesse Missing: Blink and Drew Kesse Discuss New Developments on The Dana Pretzer Show Podcast

Drew Kesse,  Father of Missing Orlando woman Jennifer Kesse and Blink, Editor In Chief, www.blinkoncrime discuss her case with Host Dana Pretzer of Scared Monkey’s Radio “The Dana Pretzer Show”.  Click Picture to listen to podcast of live interview.

The Jennifer Kesse Case: Six Years of Fears, Tears and Degrees Heat Up The Hunt

Last evening, 6 Years ago at 10:40 PM, Jennifer Kesse’s cell phone battery was removed.

Experts from the newly formed SMART panel concur it was likely removed by the person or persons responsible for her disappearance.

As chronicled in an expose  last week by,  current leads are pointing to further investigation of Jennifer’s professional associations and colleagues at Central Florida Investments.

On November 15, 2005, Jennifer’s promotion to Manager of Mortgage Process Engineering  was announced.

Kesse Family Photo

While there is no known indication her responsibilities included corporate real estate acquisition and divestitures,’s investigation into her disappearance has uncovered a very notable corporate transaction worthy of a  Made-off* award.

Is this the meeting Jennifer missed that prompted the call by a colleague to her Mother Joyce?

The very morning Jennifer disappeared,  under the direction of CFI’s CEO-  David Siegel- the company sold an undeveloped parcel of commercial land for 4.7million dollars on GrandNational Drive .  The financing agreement was finalized on January 24th and the sales contracts were signed two days later.

Joyce , Don & Associates agreed to pay interest-only installments of 10% on the 4.2million balance monthly until the third year anniversary; at which time a balloon payment for the entire remaining amount was due and payable.  That is like the zeppelin of balloons in commercial real estate without so much as a plat plan or wetland study.

Who agreed to fund the acquisition for JD&A?  Central Florida Investments.

Why CFI would to carry that amount of debt with no “win” on the balance sheet at the start of the decline in home sales leading to lack of funds for time shares, I have no idea.  Why CFI would agree to such a proposal without appropriate due diligence is the next head scratcher.  As the new process improvement specialist- did this come under Jennifer Kesse’s review?

Joy, Don & Associates was the latest brainchild of Osmond Decoteau, and Donna Rachael Daniels.

The short version:  After the dirty duo bought up 2 remaining parcels on International Drive they did not have funds for, Decoteau & Daniels were indicted in 2008 for wire fraud.   Both were accused of bilking investors, landowners and residents of over $20million dollars for properties in Brooklyn, California and Florida.

What started out as the slum-lord version of ponzi worked so well the Trinidad native decided to migrate South and rip off wealthier folks in a warmer climate.  Makes sense if the villagers are crossing the Brooklyn bridge  with torches and  you have been unsuccessful in selling it thus far.

Decoteau is currently in Federal prison awaiting an order for the govt to forcibly medicate him to be competent to stand trial.

Bernie Madoff walks past his cell and mutters “underachieving slacker” under his breathe on his way to Canasta in the rec lounge.

Daniels is free on a $500K bond and is believed to be cooperating with prosecutors.  An unsuccessful hand-written bankruptcy filing was dismissed.  Deconteau set up his family members to buy the property at a loss under the now defunct  Ambeeka  Holding Corp.

In the end CFI got the property back by default.

Members of Decoteau’s extended family also own a timeshare in Westgate’s Sand Lake Resort; the sale of which was processed during Jennifer’s tenure at CFI.

Just about the same time Jenn’s enrapt co-worker Johnny Campos arrives at the CFI offices in Ocoee, the mystery suspect , the only named suspect in her disappearance to date, is parking her car next to the pool at the Huntington On The Green apartments.

He pulls in, quickly reverses and straightens the wheel, waits about 32 seconds and makes his way past 3 separately angled security cameras making no attempt to hide his appearance.

Theories abound about his attire.  Cook, painter, security patrol, bike runner or messenger.

New leads acquired in Jennifer’s case by have presented a new possibility.

Is the video a break or a bumper?  We are talking cricket-speak.

While it is not known if she was alone or with a friend,  Jennifer visited the Cricketers Arms 2 month prior to her disappearance.

Could the man parking Jennifer’s car at noon on January 24th, 2006 be wearing a cricket uniform?

Left Image Surveillance Footage

Cricket is a major fave among the younger Euro-set in Orlando as well as the pub named in their honor- The Cricketers Arms.  In 2006 “Cricketers” was located on Industrial Drive and recently re-opened on W. Sand Lake Rd, adjacent to the Sand Lake Resorts owned by Westgate.

Additional cricket garb:

Images by Klaasend

Contributing Editors Jacqueline Beaufort,  Jason Mateos

* Made-off.  Get it, like made off with cash?  Nobody laughed when I said he was born into it.  Not remotely funny, but the irony is there.  I am referring to irony as in, the bars that keep him in prison, locked up.

Jennifer Kesse Breaking News: Witness Statement Points To Someone At Work- Kesse Family and OPD Press Conference Scheduled

Update-Podcast of Interview with DANA PRETZER

…”Your daughter seems to have vanished.  We do not know how or why, and we really have nothing to go on.”

If you can possibly imagine hearing those words, which is exactly what Drew and Joyce Kesse were told about their missing daughter Jennifer in 2010.   After an exhaustive and fruitless 4 + years searching for the 24 year old enterprising  analyst for Central Florida Investments, the very agency tasked with reviewing the case gave the Kesse’s their latest emotional contusion.

…”I begged for an FBI review of the case, but at the time, I did not know that only meant that they would review the case and provide recommendations.  I had always been told that the FBI was the best investigators out there.  Those words rendered us despondent yet again.”- Drew Kesse

Island  Girl

Jenn Kesse was in love.   At 24, she owned her condo, made an excellent living just 2 years out of college and was contemplating the “big step” with her boyfriend of one year,  Rob Allen.

Rob, an Englishman, lived in South Florida about two hours away from Jennifer. He had his own career successes and a prior marriage that left him gun shy.

Personal Photo

The couple  was at a crossroads, and the impromptu trip to St. Croix spent with friends and members of Rob’s family was an important one for the relationship.

Jenn phoned her family from the island, and was jubilant.

“…Dad, what kind of rum do you drink- I am in the shop and I don’t and I am in the store here and I want to bring you back something ..”

 “Why are you calling me on your vacation and you do not need to bring us anything go enjoy yourself..”, Drew told his thoughtful first born.

 While she was away, with her permission,  Jennifer’s younger brother Logan Kesse was enjoying a male bonding endeavor at big sisters new condo in Orlando.  Jenn gave Logan a set of keys over Christmas.

Logan’s posse et al traveled from the family home in Bradenton and arrived Friday January 20th.

The weekend was a great time had by all,  the condo was restored to its pre-frat status and the worst kerfuffle was that Travis Bourguignon,  childhood friend of both Jennifer and Logan, absently left his new work- issued cell  behind.

Jenn and Rob returned to his home via Miami due to flight cancellations Sunday evening.

Jenn left Ft. Lauderdale straightaway Monday morning at 6am for the commute to her job in Ocoee.

She arrives by 8 , works a full day and is walking out of the building with her supervisor, John Willman, when she rings her family from her cell.

At 6:15 PM   Jenn  is on her cell with Mom and Dad while leaving the office.  Logan chimes in to ask sis to FedEx Travis’s phone as he needs it for work.  Jenn commits to sending it overnight the following day, she reminds him she had not even back to the condo to locate it yet.

Enroute to her condo at Mosaic at Millenia Jenn was gushing about her trip as each family member passed the phone.

This conversation will be the last time Jennifer’s family heard her voice. (more…)


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Debate Away, Candidates

We’re heading into debate season, as if we are not already there!
AARP and IPTV are holding two candidate forums in IA focused on health and financial security, on September 20th and October 25th. The 9/20 event is being held in Davenport and includes Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Biden and Richardson. The 10/25 will be held in Sioux City and right now McCain and Huckabee have RSVPed yes. Judy Woodruff is hosting and the debate will be carried across the country on 250 plus stations.
Release from AARPhere and IPTV here. Let’s hope they actually say something about the issues that impact us every day.


text:
Sunday 30th August 2015, Official Blog – Airsoft Gun Reviews, New Releases, Tech Tips and more!

AirSplat Anniversary Specials! New GUNS!

AirSplat August 8, 2008 Airsoft - General No Comments

New Deep Fire AEG’s have arrived!

Deep Fire M4 7″ CQB Electric Airsoft Gun Rifle AEG ONLY $369.00

Deep Fire M4 12″ MRF Carbine Airsoft Electric Gun AEG Rifle ONLY $389.00

Deep Fire M4 12″ CX Carbine Airsoft Electric Rifle Gun AEG ONLY $399.00

New Affordable Accessories

AirSplat Airsoft Chrono Chronometer ONLY $49.95

Airsoft Elite 6mm 0.25g BIO 3000 BB Bag ONLY $16.00

Systema TW5 MAAX Coming!

Systema Airsoft AEG MP5 TW5 A4 PTW MAX ONLY $1,100.00

New Airsplat’s Airsoft Gun Scrap Yard. It has come to our attention a lot of people want our defective guns for parts or to repair.  We are going to list our defective items and new brand new samples on eBay.  Please come visit at

About The Author

We are the Nation’s leading airsoft retailer! Visit for more information on our 8 unbeatable guarantees and industry leading service!


text:
Benedict addresses evolution and the environment

Kristen Campbell By Kristen Campbell Press-Register
on July 26, 2007 at 6:54 AM, updated July 26, 2007 at 6:56 AM

Pope Benedict XVI has said there is substantial scientific proof of the theory of evolution, and also noted that the human race must listen to "the voice of the Earth" or risk destroying its very existence, Reuters reports. The pope's comments came as he addressed the current debate between creationism and evolution.

"They are presented as alternatives that exclude each other," the Pope said.

"This clash is an absurdity because on one hand there is much scientific proof in favor of evolution, which appears as a reality that we must see and which enriches our understanding of life and being as such."


text:
A star is born in Marcell Dareus

Kevin Scarbinsky | By Kevin Scarbinsky | The Birmingham News
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on January 07, 2010 at 9:19 PM, updated January 07, 2010 at 9:20 PM

Write it down.

Before he's done, Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus will eclipse Terrence Cody.

Not physically. of course.

But in every other way.

He'll make more plays like the hit that knocked Colt McCoy out of this game and the interception return for a touchdown that put this game away before halftime.

The sophomore from Huffman High School in Birmingham is that good.

And he'll only get better.

Right now, he's the real MVP of the BCS Championship Game.


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Random visitor searches at Mobile Metro Jail to be intensified

Mark R. Kent, Press-Register By Mark R. Kent, Press-Register Press-Register
on July 30, 2012 at 6:25 PM, updated July 30, 2012 at 8:24 PM

MOBILE, Alabama -- Beginning Saturday, random searches of visitors and other people having contact with inmates at Mobile County Metro Jail will be intensified, according to sheriff's office spokeswoman Lori Myles.

The new policy, meant to slow the flow of contraband into the jail, will not include strip searches for visitors, Myles said. The policy of full-body strip searches will remain in effect only for inmates who are expected to remain in the jail on a long-term basis, she said. "That policy has been in effect for a long time," Myles said of the inmate searches.

The random searches will be conducted by teams on jail visitors, lawyers and any one else who will have contact with jail inmates, Myles said.

The new policy is being put into motion because of what Myles said was an increase in contraband that has come into the jail.

According to Myles, any item that is available to an inmate at the jail commissary cannot be brought in from the outside by visitors.

Items commonly regarded as contraband include cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, synthetic drugs such as Spice, food, cell phones and electronic devices such as iPods.

Deodorant also is considered contraband. Myles cited an incident in which a sharp object fashioned as a weapon was hidden in a deodorant bar that got smuggled into Metro Jail.

Visitor policies and rules can be found at the Mobile County Sheriff's Office website, while the online inmate's handbook sets rules and policies in detail for all persons incarcerated in the jail.


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Tuesday's weather: Flood warning in effect for parts of Baldwin, Mobile counties; temps to plunge tonight

image21.gifView full size(NOAA)

MOBILE, Alabama -- The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for areas of Baldwin County as rain totals from a passing cold front mount.

Southern Baldwin County is under a flood warning until 6:45 a.m. Heavy rains during the past 24 hours have caused significant increases in and along the Fish River near Silverhill and the Styx River near Elsanor, prompting a flood warning for those areas in effect until Tuesday evening.

A flood warning continues for Bayou Sara at Saraland and the Mobile River at the Barry Steam Plant until further notice.

Showers will continue until around 7 a.m., then the rain should move out of the area leaving only a slight chance of showers during the day.

It will be cloudy through the morning with gradual clearing. Highs will be 61. Winds will be strong and from the north as the front moves in. Look for winds around 20 mph with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Tonight skies should be clear with temperatures falling fast. Lows will be around 37. North winds will be 10 to 15 mph.

Freezing temperatures are possible along and north of the Highway 84 corridor early Wednesday morning. Patch frost is possible south of the Interstate 10 corridor, according to the NWS.


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Birmingham's Ruben Studdard to perform at Feinstein's in New York, Playbill says (video)

Mary Colurso | By Mary Colurso | The Birmingham News
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on December 02, 2011 at 5:45 PM, updated December 07, 2011 at 9:36 PM

Ruben Studdard May 2011.jpgRuben Studdard. (The Birmingham News/Jeff Roberts)
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Listeners usually don't think of Ruben Studdard as a cabaret singer. But the Birmingham R&B artist -- and former "American Idol" winner -- appears ready to slip into that role in 2012.

Studdard is scheduled for a five-night stint, Feb. 7-11, at Feinstein's at Loews Regency in New York City, according to Playbill.

Michael Feinstein's intimate nightspot, 540 Park Ave., also will present artists such as Linda Eder, Barbara Cook, Petula Clark, Lucie Arnaz and Marni Nixon in the new year.

Studdard's shows haven't been listed yet on Feinstein's website. Ticket information wasn't available.

Closer to home, Studdard will perform on Dec. 23 at the WorkPlay theater with his former bandmates, Just a Few Cats. Tickets for the Birmingham show are $30 general admission, available at 205-380-4082 or the WorkPlay website.

<Follow Mary Colurso on Twitter>

<Follow The Birmingham News Entertainment Feed on Twitter>


text:
Yesterday's News: Friday, August 6, 2010

fountain bienville.jpg

From 1860

¡"Calling Bad NamesMrs. Moore called Mrs. Hinton a strumpet, told her she murdered her husband, and then shook her hand in her face. ... Mrs. Moore denies that she ever did any such thing. Mrs. Hinton insists that she did, and for no other than that she had ceased to be as intimate with her as formerly; she again demanded the proof. ... Mrs. Hinton left the courthouse in high dudgeon."

Saturday, Aug. 6, 1910

¡"A small monkey in the tops of the shade trees in Bienville Square ended the life of many a young sparrow and destroyed many nests. The monkey circled the square, jumping from one treetop to another, destroying nests and birds as fast as he could reach them. A large crowd followed the animal as he made the circuit and watched his movements with interest."

¡"Mr. Martin Lindsey and wife went to Coden Thursday evening in their car and will enjoy a brief stay in the coast section, fishing and bathing, Mr. Lindsey pronounced the county roads in good condition, with the exception of one or two small places."

Tuesday, Aug. 6, 1935

¡"Pres. James J. Duffy and O.H. Delchamps of the Mobile Lions club have returned from Mexico City, where they attended the annual international Lions convention, and probably will report on their trip at the weekly meeting of the club."

¡"Brother Emanuel was recently named to succeed Brother Humbert as director at the Boys’ Industrial school on Lafayette street. The announcement was made following the annual retreat at Bay St. Louis, Miss."

¡"The Mobile police department received two new motorcycles Saturday for use by the department. The new cycles are equipped with a sealed speedometer which, when set, can tell the exact speed made by the motorcycle in its chase to catch a speeding motorist."

Saturday, Aug. 6, 1960

¡"This five-foot rattlesnake met his fate when he got in the way of an auto driven by Grady B. Page, 553-B Washington St., Prichard. Page, who is holding the big reptile, said it happened yesterday on Shelton Beach Road."


text:
Cuisine for Kids is set for Jan. 28 and Press-Register staff By and Press-Register staff Press-Register
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on January 20, 2014 at 2:12 PM, updated January 20, 2014 at 2:28 PM

Child Advocacy Center will present Cuisine for Kids on Jan. 28.

Participating area restaurants have agreed to donate a portion of their proceeds from this day.

This year’s title sponsor is Coastal Bank and Trust.

Other major sponsors include Budweiser-Busch Distributing Company, WKSJ Radio and Press- Register.

Participating restaurants include Ashland Midtown Pub, Atlanta Bread Company, Azalea City Bar and Grill, Baumhower’s Wings Mobile, Baumhower’s Wings Daphne, Buffalo Wild Wings, Benjamin’s, Bumpers Billiards, Butch Cassidy’s Café, 219, Callaghan’s Irish Social Club, Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe, Cold Snap Frozen Yogurt, Fire House Subs, Five Guys on Old Shell, Fuego Coastal Mexican Eatery, Hickory Pit Too, Hooter’s in Daphne, Jimmy Johns, LaPizzeria, Legacy Bar and Grill, LODA Bier Garten, LuLu’s at Homeport Marina, MaGhee’s Grill on the Hill, Mellow Mushroom in Midtown, Mirko Pasta, Moe’s Original Bar B Que in Mobile, Montego’s Caribbean Café and Bar, Original Oyster House, Orleans Café, Orlenas PoBoys, Osaka, Pita Pit, Regina’s Kitchen, Roly Poly, Saucy Q Bar B Q, Serda’s Coffee Company, The Hungry Owl, True Midtown Kitchen Tropical Smoothie Café and Via Emilia.

Check the CAC web site and the CAC Facebook page or call 251-432-1101 for more information.


text:
Gamebits: NCAA Football 12, LA Noire, UFC Personal Trainer

Joe B. Crowe -- The Birmingham News By Joe B. Crowe -- The Birmingham News The Birmingham News
Follow on Twitter
on July 11, 2011 at 8:55 AM, updated July 12, 2011 at 6:48 AM
fsu crimson tide ncaa video game.jpgRoll Tide!

New this week:
NCAA Football 12

This year's official NCAA college football game is out this week.

New this year are team-specific crowd chants and cheerleader cheers. I hope they pick the chants that have no cuss words in them.

But then, if they pick the cussing chants, the game will sell a bunch more copies.

Here is the game's official site.

To be realistic, there is no final championship in the game.

So, SEC fans can be irritated in the game just like in real life.

New stuff for L.A. Noire
A new case will be downloadable for the gritty old-timey cop game L.A. Noire.
Here is the game's official site.

"Reefer Madness" is about a narcotics ring. You play the cops who bust it up while wearing stylish wide-brim hats.

ufc personal trainer game.jpgUFC Personal Trainer allows you to punch a UFC fighter in the face and live to tell about it.
New this week: UFC trainer

UFC Personal Trainer is out this week, and it will ground and pound you into shape. The game includes over 70 exercises from wrestling, kickboxing, and Muay Thai.

Here is the game's official site.

The game includes on-screen MMA trainers and fighters, and routines you can customize. Trainers and fighters in the game's videos are real people, including fighters Urijah Faber, Rashad Evans, and about a dozen more.

The whole thing will help you burn calories, lose weight, kick guys in the face, increase endurance, and hook on a guillotine choke (not necessarily in that order.)

Gamebits appears every Monday on the Techknow page of the Birmingham News. Like us on Facebook right here


text:
Travel on a World Wildlife Fund trip to Yap

© Elissa Poma/WWF-US

© Elissa Poma/WWF-US

Elissa Poma from WWF shares her passion for the dance traditions of Yap.

The art of dancing holds such an esteemed placed in all cultures, throughout all of time. That’s especially true of the Yapese — traditional dance remains a strong part of their identity. Every Yapese person, regardless of his or her place in society, is expected to know how to dance — in fact, as soon as a child is old enough to pay attention and follow instructions, his parents begin teaching him. They’re performed during special occasions, such as big feasts and marriages.

I appreciated that the traditional stick dance these teenage boys were performing is still alive in their culture and not just for tourists. And the precision with which they performed one evening during sunset was masterful and hypnotizing.

Visit our site for information on group travel to Micronesia with WWF or creating a custom private trip to Micronesia for just you and your family or friends.

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Sportiqe Apparel Zip Up review

We had the chance to wear and review a Black Zip Up from Sportiqe Apparel Company and it’s everything they said it was. The product I tested is a black zip up with the emblem of hot band O.A.R on the front and O.A.R. spelled out on the back. The material is high quality and the fit is right on for those who are in decent shape to top shape. I say that as the zip up is form fitting and can compliment those who have a good physique (It will fit tight if you’re sporting a beer gut!).

With branded t-shirts and zip ups featuring food, spirits and all kinds of sporting teams, Sportiqe Apparel starts at $29.99 and is available at Nordstroms, Bloomingdales, Urban Outfitters and online at

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Captain Morgan officially names Marisa Miller first mate

This past saturday, Las Vegas played host an evening of adventure, debauchery, and swashbuckling as Captain Morgan held his “Welcome to the Captain’s World” party. The purpose behind the bash was to unveil a new ad campaign for the world renowned rum, and to give the Captain a chance to introduce his new First Mate: Marisa Miller.

Set to launch nationwide this week, the campaign chronicles Miller’s new responsibilities as “First Mate,” including what it takes to protect the Captain’s world famous spiced rum – attitude and some serious sword-handling skills. Yeah, we said sword-handling skills. We normally try to avoid knife fights, but if Marisa Miller was bearing down on us with a sword, well, we’d be fools not to sit back and take whatever beating she’s willing to dish out.

As the clock moved past midnight and on to 10/10/10, Marisa Miller debuted her new video, aptly named “Welcome to the Captain’s World.” She and the Captain also announced the formation of the First Mate Fund, a non-profit fund established by the Captain Morgan brand to award grants to several charitable organizations that focus on responsible drinking awareness and education.

Starting this week, you’ll be able to catch the “First Mate” campaign in print and online advertising, billboards and bus wraps as well as in various social responsibility communications and event appearances. Additional information about the First Mate Fund and its beneficiaries will be announced in the coming weeks.

Friday Video – Mark Ronson, “The Bike Song”

The UK pop charts might be more forgiving than ours when it comes to inane novelty hits (two words: Crazy Frog), but by and large, the Brits have maintained their affection for melody. Most of the plastic American pop stars are eaten alive on their charts – they love American rock bands though, embracing the Pixies well before we did – while the ones who embrace the Beatles’ affinity for songwriting are handsomely rewarded. Who knows, maybe the real reason is more nationalist than this, that the UK population simply likes UK acts, but you have to admit that the Brits have a much greater love affair with pop in the classic sense of the word than we Yanks do, particularly today.

Which is why our video of the day has reached #17 on the UK pop charts, and doesn’t have a prayer of being a hit here. But that doesn’t make it any less awesome.

If you had told us that “The Bike Song,” from UK It Boy producer Mark Ronson, was a long-lost cover from some Nuggets-era band (think “Green Tambourine” by the Lemon Pipers), we would totally have believed you. (It was actually written by a Zuton and two members of the Dap Kings.) The song has an effortless sunniness to it and one of those instantly memorable choruses, marvelously sung by the View’s front man Kyle Falconer. Who are the View, you ask? They’re a Scottish band who were poised to ride the UK wave of the mid-’00s along with Hard Fi, Franz Ferdinand and the Arctic Monkeys, but Falconer was busted for possession, their US tour was canceled, and that was that. If you’re an Anglophile, though, go hunt down their song “Street Lights.” Good tune. Not as good as this one, but good just the same.

The video for this is a throwback, consisting mostly of Falconer and Ronson (that is Ronson with the blonde hair, right?), you guessed it, riding their bicycles. Spank Rock, who looks a bit like Mos Def’s geeky little brother, joins the fun, and then boom, three gorgeous girls on bicycles. That whole ’60s look…it makes us tingly. Have Friday, everyone. Good luck getting this one out of your head.

Tim McGraw Silver Cologne Review

Are you a fan of Tim McGraw? (How about the lovely Faith Hill??) Well, Regardless of whether you like McGraw’s music or his cowboy hat, his new cologne by Coty is a great cologne. I have been wearing and testing the new fragrance – McGraw Silver – that includes an exclusive accord named “Captivate” which is comprised of unique ingredients. In McGraw Silver, I felt like I wasn’t wearing just another new cologne but something distinctive. It’s a fragrance that was noticed by others in a very positive manner.

The packaging caught my eye with a bold rectangular bottle that signifies Tim McGraw’s country style in an urban setting. McGraw Silver has the right balance to be your everyday cologne at the right price and for all of us Tim McGraw music fans remember, “I may be a real bad boy, but baby I’m a smell good man.”

11th Dodge Viper Owner Invitational 2010

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The Eleventh Viper Owner Invitational (VOI) was held in Salt Lake City, Utah from September 30th to October 3rd, 2010. If you love Vipers this is as close to heaven as you'll get! Our friends were kind enough to let us take a look at the weekend events and many of the out of this world Dodge Vipers. The main theme behind this Utah gathering is to celebrate the passion and unbridled enthusiasm of Viper Nation and it's hosted by Viper Club of America. The turnout was strong with more than 350 Vipers, 750 guests, and a special SRT performance driving experience with the Challenger SRT8 and Charger SRT8 on an autocross course.

Word out here is that the Dodge Viper brand will live on after a short hiatus. Loyalists and competitors worldwide anticipate a resurgence shortly after, bringing the raw power and sleek design of the Viper's namesake back into spotlight! Enjoy the photos!

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text:
it’s official: Burning Man has begun

Gerbil climbed up onto a container, waved his arms, and the gates opened.

A couple dozen or so people rode down to the Gates last evening for the “soft” opening of Burning Man 2011.

As you’ve no doubt heard, the gates to the city don’t open until midnight on Sunday night of the event. Buuuuut, for the last couple of years, there has in fact been an unofficial official opening, when the powers that be have said that it’s time to let folks in and get those lines moving.

There are already a LOT of people here; as of about 2pm on Monday, there were officially 15,431 people in Black Rock City. That number is not an exact one: it’s the average of the population in the past 24 hours, so we can assume that there are at least several thousand more than that here now.

Most of those here have early arrival passes, so they can set up their camps and their art. But as of last night at 6:30, all were welcome.

It's hot, it's dusty, and tempers can be short. It's not an easy shift down at the Gate.

Gerbil was one shift commander at the Gate last evening, and he popped up on top of a container, waved his arms, and the influx commenced. Many people had been waiting in line for hours already, but in general the mood was festive.

Many of the Gate workers were wearing clown makeup. Why was that? “You don’t want to f— with a clown,” MissFit said. Gerbil had another explanation: “It’s a f— circus out here!”

Still, working the gate is a tough task. You have to be friendly, but firm. You have to get a look at the tickets, but more importantly maybe, you have to check to make sure that there isn’t any contraband being smuggled into the city, humans included.

And not everyone about to begin their Burn is in the greatest mood. “I had one guy calling me a ….” Vasha was saying. And she wasn’t alone in her complaints about rough treatment.

One Gate worker’s playa name explains it all: it’s Kiosk. And they earned the name when they were pinned between a car and a kiosk.

Later last night, around midnight, a much larger group of BRC residents went down to the Gates to welcome the new arrivals. There were bullhorns and beers and rolling in the dust as the “official” Opening Night party got underway.

Either way, early or late, it’s really official now: It has begun!

MissFit was one of many people in clown makeup at the gate for the evening shift. "Who's going to f--- with a clown?" she asked.

These folks were first in line when the Gates opened. They had early arrival passes, too.

About the author: John Curley

John Curley (that's me) has been Burning since the relatively late date of 2004, and in 2008 I spent the better part of a month on the playa, documenting the building and burning of Black Rock City in words and pictures. I loved it, and I've been doing it ever since. I was a newspaper person In a previous life, and I spent many years at the San Francisco Chronicle. At the time I left, in 2007, I was the deputy managing editor in charge of Page One and the news sections of the paper. Since then, I've turned a passion for photography into a second career. I shoot for editorial, commercial and private clients, and I'm especially fond of shooting weddings. I'm also the editor at large of the Tasting Panel magazine, which is devoted to the beverage industry. I've also taught a bit, including two years at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism and a year at San Francisco State University. I live on a (house)boat in Alameda, California.

One thought on “it’s official: Burning Man has begun

  • How metaphorically perfect that “the temple of transition” came and went, depending on how hard the wind was blowing! thanks for the documentation/connection…

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text:
A closer look at Levine

Tony Levine has several things on his to-do list as interim head coach. (Melissa Phillip/Chronicle)

Every Sunday for the last four years, Tony Levine has had a weekly goal.

After his time breaking down film of an upcoming opponent, charting tendencies and identifying strengths and weaknesses, Levine, who has served as Houston’s special teams coordinator, doesn’t step foot out of his office until he’s got a plan for six points from his  return team.

“I tell Tyron (Carrier) this all the time: ‘I’m not leaving the office to go home on Sunday night until I have a touchdown drawn up for you,'” Levine said earlier this season. ” And I believe that.

“Now, it’s a little bit of — I don’t know if Catch-22 is the right phrase — but in four years of me leaving the office saying ‘I just drew up a touchdown,’ I’ve only been right eight times. But on the flip side, those eight touchdowns are the second-most in the country in the last four years.”

Of those eight returns for scores, Carrier has seven of them — which has him tied with former Clemson running back C.J. Spiller for the most kickoff returns for touchdowns by an individual in NCAA history.

Those words, which came from Levine earlier this season the week after Carrier busted his seventh return for a touchdown, offered a small glimpse into what makes Levine tick. The 39-year-old, who was tabbed by athletic director Mack Rhoades as the Cougars’ interim head coach after the departure of Kevin Sumlin to Texas A&M, is deliberate when it comes to details.

Wander into his office and he can burn up the clock describing the nuances of his return teams or the keys that his coverage teams must pay attention to in order to ensure that they don’t give up a touchdown. It isn’t just 11 guys running down a field trying to tackle a guy and Levine will help you understand that in a hurry.

Even when it comes to the kickers and punters, Levine is a resource of information.

“Great coach, great guy, great friend,” punter Richie Leone said. “He’s so knowledgeable and he’s been around for awhile. He always adds his little observations when we’re watching film. ‘You’re overstriding here.’ No other coach would say something like that.”

A former receiver at Minnesota from 1991-95, Levine also works on the offensive side of the ball, coaching inside receivers. He has coached in the Southeastern Conference (as a graduate assistant at Auburn) the NFL (as an assistant special teams coach with the Carolina Panthers) and several places in between from the FCS (Texas State) to Louisville to Louisiana Tech.

Levine arrived in Houston to join Sumlin’s first staff at UH in 2008 and has been with the Cougars ever since. He spoke on Saturday about the fondness he and his family have grown for the city since moving here.

“We’ve been here four years, it’s the longest I’ve ever been at any one of my stops,” Levine said. “We love it here, we love the people here, we love this university, we love the community and when you’ve been somewhere four years you grow close not only to friends and neighbors and people in town, but naturally the players you coach.”

What lies ahead for Levine is probably one of the most unique challenges he has faced in his coaching career. He is in charge of guiding a team that has already set a school record for wins in a season (12) to a history-making 13th win in the TicketCity Bowl against Penn State on Jan. 2 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. He must help keep a recruiting class intact after the departure of Sumlin, who put together the best winning percentage of any UH coach in history in his four years there. And he has to do it on short notice, since Sumlin accepted the A&M job on Saturday, meaning it’s a transition time for everyone.

But if there’s one thing that Levine always seems to be, it’s prepared. He wasted no time ensuring that the rest of the coaching staff was on the same page upon his appointment to interim head coach on Saturday. If his work with special teams is any indication, no detail will go overlooked.

“Tony is truly one of the best around and I believe in the best interests of our student-athletes and in preparing for the bowl game, he gives us that best opportunity,” Rhoades said.

If you want to get a glimpse of UH’s interim head coach at work, your chance is this Saturday as the Cougars will open their football practice to the public.

UH will take the field at Tom Tellez/Carl Lewis track complex from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free for the public and there will be a 30-minute autograph session for fans following the practice. Fans are encouraged to bring items to be signed but asked to limit those to one per person.

Saturday’s practice will be the only open practice before the Cougars take the field on Jan. 2 for the TicketCity Bowl.

In case you missed it, athletic director Mack Rhoades penned a letter to UH alumni and fans on the school’s official athletic Web site, UHCougars.com. Rhoades addressed several topics, but mainly the transition at the head football coach position in light of Kevin Sumlin’s departure and Tony Levine being named interim head coach.

You can read the full letter here.

Sam Khan Jr.

55 Responses

  1. UH_Coog says:

    I hope he gets to stay. This guy really cares about the program. He’s a Petersen type coach.

    Great man! Can’t wait to see him Head Coach.

  2. El Machete says:

    Great article Sam. Last year and earlier in the year, I called for Defensive Coordinator Stewart’s firing and for him to be replaced by Levine. I have since changed my mind about Stewart, but feel that Levine would be a fine head coach. I am not sure if he is a “big” enough name for the alumns and donors, but he should be given a look at as our next head coach.

  3. Grad 81 says:

    It’s truly a comfort knowing that Coach Levine is at the helm for the bowl game. I like his attitude to details and commitment to the team. Only the players can tell us if they feel secure with their interim coach. I hope that he keeps all of the assistants committed during this time period. Good luck to him.

  4. HouCoug75 says:

    I hope Mack Rhoads takes a look at Coach DeForester of Okla State. I believe they run an offense similar to the Coogs! Nothing against Coach Levine, just want to make sure we get the best coach available. Go Coogs!! Beat Penn State.

  5. unc41 says:

    Very interesting – an open practice between games. Sumlin would never think of this. Kudos to whoever put this on the table! Way to be fan oriented. Hope this type of thing (not just practices) continues next year and beyond. Go Coogs!

  6. Mike says:

    A win over Penn State would make for a great audition………assuming the job isn’t filled by then. But then there’s the small matter of keeping the recruits intact, not easy if a coach isn’t named for another three or four weeks. Also, as an afterthought on Sonny Dykes, who I like as a head coach, I hope both he and Mr Tubberville are highly successful for the next several years because he’ll(Dikes) eventually end up at Tech, or Baylor if Tech pulls Briles away from Baylor. Thoughts anyone?

    • CPA65 says:

      I have been touting Dykes recently for HC. However you may be right about Tech and Baylor. Had not put that scenario together. I sure do not want to go through this in another four years. Mack’s track record in hiring coaches at UH is pretty good, so for now we have to trust him.

    • Sam Khan says:

      CPA65 and Mike,
      That’s an interesting point you bring up about Dykes…the possibility of him taking an opening at Texas Tech if it transpired during a stint at UH, if he indeed was hired at UH. Considering his history and his father’s, you know it would be something he’d have to take a serious look at since he has such strong ties to Lubbock. It’s something to think about but at the same time, I don’t know that fear should rule the day. Coaches jumping ship is part of the business. I think Rhoades will find the best guy for the job and if that person elects to leave after four years, who knows what position UH might be in then? By that time, they’ll be in the Big East and will be getting the additional TV revenue and the stadium will have been built. So UH may have a chance to keep its next hire for awhile or if the next one jumps, could attract someone who will stay awhile.

    • greyrider says:

      Do you mean maintain the “Stop in for a cup of coffee until you get a real job approach.”? Screw that. UH deserves a guy who wants the job, wants to build a winning program, and wants to stay.

    • madcougar says:

      Dear greyrider,

      Please tell me where this perfect world you live in is. I would like to visit there one day.

    • Grad 81 says:

      Sam, I thought that I read in one of your articles that Rhoades was quoted as saying that he wanted to hire someone who definitely wouldn’t look at UH as a stepping stone. So, if he feels that Dykes would have Tech always in th back of his mind, I can’t imagine him even interviewing.

    • Sam Khan says:

      Grad 81,
      I went back and read through the quotes and Rhoades did not specifically say anything about hiring someone who didn’t view UH as a stepping stone. Either way, whatever candidates he interviews, I wouldn’t imagine they’d relay that message to him, even if they felt that way, because they’d probably want the job. Rhoades understand it’s a business and it’s the nature of college athletics and the long-term coaches don’t come around every day.

    • greyrider says:

      Yo Mad- where everybody is reasonable and we all dance in the daisies? Where 5-7 is gee willikers AOK? Don’t hold your breath..

    • madcougar says:

      LOL! You da man greyrider!

    • Don says:

      Greyrider, you are 100% correct. I don’t want to go through this BS every few years with a coach like Sonny Dykes jumping ship for Tech or Baylor if a slot opens up. That would not happen with Wade Phillips. He might leave UH for an NFL head coaching position, but at age 64, that probably won’t happen. I’m going to be very unhappy if Mack doesn’t at least consider Wade for the job.

  7. UHSuperT says:

    I’m sure Levine is a class act, and a fine assistant however, I think we’ve grown past these types of “massage” articles. Coog fans have been toyed with the last few weeks and I think we just need straight info, not fluff pieces to make us possibly feel better about the new man in charge right now….. How about some info on coaching candidates and otherwise?

    • PcolaCoog says:

      I jusst read Mack Rhodes’ letter and am convinced UH will show everyone the right way to go about hiring a football coach. “time to be a cougar”

    • Sam Khan says:

      I wasn’t trying to put together a “fluff” piece but rather give fans some insight into the person who’s going to be leading UH in the interim. I felt folks should know a little bit about him. Trust me when I tell you I’m working the angles to gather information on the coaching trail and when I have something of substance, I will certainly share it.

    • UHSuperT says:

      Never implied they weren’t doing it right. Just would rather read about what they’re doing in response instead of being quiet about the process (like I wish the Ags did). Wasn’t a comment out of disrespect, was one of hurt since one of our best coaches in history was stolen, ready to read stories about how the university is moving on. I’ve sent my money, GO COOGS.

    • Sam Khan says:

      No problem and no offense taken. Once I can get some solid ground on folks that are interviewing, I will definitely report it. I’m interested to find out just like you all are. It’s an interesting time at UH right now. Thanks for contributing and reading!

    • madcougar says:

      Fluff piece? I’m glad Sam wrote this up. Outside of his name I know very little Levine other than he is Rudy Davolos’ love child.

  8. Roger Crabtree says:

    I like this guy a lot.

    Sometimes it’s good to promote from within. Reminds folks that there’s room for advancement.

    Also, in looking around at potential candidates (Assts from majors, HCs from mid-majors) he or JP may very well be the best available.

  9. madcougar says:

    A couple of things… First, I don’t want to start any rumors, but this guy is obviously Rudy Davalos love child (http://www.jmisports.com/college/advisors/rudy-davalos). Second, I hope that Levine doesn’t “love” Houston the way that Sumlin apparently loved Houston. Third, is there anything preventing Levine from jumping ship if Sumlin calls to offer him a job?

    • UHFan79 says:

      In the midst of all this insanity I had the same thought. I looked at the picture and immediately thought Rudy had gotten his name into the search. Rudy really tried to get UH into the WAC ( before there was a Mountain West) when the SWC imploded. Oh well, back to reality.

      The article by Rhoades is exactly what we all needed at this time. It is said nature abhors a vacuum. Sports fans are even worse. Everyone becomes an “insider” and there is more garbage than truth trying to fill every blank space. Problem is in this day and age players and recruits are reading this stuff too. Good timing Mack. And thanks Sam. We know you are in overdrive right now.

  10. greyrider says:

    This will be an extremely difficult hire. I think Uncle Mack knows what to do.. Levine could help himself by beating PSU.

  11. MendozaCOOG says:

    Good Luck Coach!!

    Go COOGS!!

  12. Nate '08 says:

    Congratulations to Coach Levine. I’m glad that we have someone on staff that the players clearly admire and respect to hold the line through the bowl, and I hope he makes a strong case for full-time promotion on January 2nd. Our leadership will make the right call and I’m looking forward to our next HC whooping Coach Sumlin’s behind on the recruiting trail. Eat ’em up!

  13. c1oog says:

    As a UH grad I’m sick of soft stepping around the issue of disloyalty in our head football coaches. The last two did their jobs and someone was smart enough to figure out that they were able. We owe them nothing. They used UH…period…and made good money doing it. I don’t want to see another of these jerks hired and I have a right to feel this way. Having been involved in basketball for 36 years I know how stupid people can be that hire these paid guns. Get it right.

    • madcougar says:

      I don’t want to overstep any boundaries but c1oog I would like to introduce you to greyrider. Greyrider, I want to introduce you to c1oog. You guys have a lot in common and I think y’all could be friends!

    • greyrider says:

      Mad- you one of them “Let’s lower the standard so EVERYBODY can get there!” guys?

    • madcougar says:

      Greyrider, I certainly didn’t mean to offend! I figured that you sound like someone under the influence of absinthe and c1oog sounds like someone under the influence of absinthe and that you two might hit it off! What else would you say about people who seem to genuinely believe you can cherry pick your next coach to where not only will he be a great college coach, but ALSO be 100 percent loyal to your program?

      My only question is this… if we decided to promote another coordinator to coach, why not stipulate in his contract that he cannot resign his position until after a bowl without some sort of extreme penalty ($2 million?). The next coach is going to KNOW that this is a plum position if he wants to eventually move along. What will they say? “No” Not bloody likely.

    • greyrider says:

      Yo Mad- If you shoot for nothing what do you hit? It has been the stated position from Renu Khator herself that the administration wants UH to be nationally recognized in academics and athletics. To me, that’s a heck of a statement. That statement issues a challenge at UH to everybody- fans included. That statement raises considerable expectations, expectations that the university itself and those that support it will rise to the occasion and take us to the next level. That level will be as high as WE make it, so why not shoot for the moon? (P.S. We are on the same side)

    • greyrider says:

      “My only question is this… if we decided to promote another coordinator to coach, why not stipulate in his contract that he cannot resign his position until after a bowl without some sort of extreme penalty ($2 million?)”

      I am not a Lawyer- but I think these contracts are under Texas’ labor laws..

  14. altruism says:

    Just want to take a second to commend you on your work this year. I have really enjoyed your coverage, your content and writing. Not to mention you’ve faced perhaps just about everything and anything (football related) that can be thrown at you in a year.

    No disrespect, but I stopped following the Chronicles coverage of the Coogs last year. Now, I’m a daily reader. Nice work Sam.

    • Sam Khan says:

      Thanks for sharing that. I appreciate that. It has been quite a season. Conference realignment, an undefeated football team and near-BCS berth, facilities news and now a coaching change. I’m not sure what else we can jam into the season, but I’m sure UH will figure out something. :) But thanks for coming back. We appreciate the support.

  15. 5thGenTex says:

    OMG – it’s Stanley Tucci from “The Pelican Brief” and “The Devil Wears Prada”!

  16. 5thGenTex says:

    Sorry if someone already made that observation . . .

  17. Tim says:

    The words he used are key;”Love the University,Community,City”.We never heard that from Sumlin.If he can rally the troops from this heartbreak,and win the Bowl,I say the job should be his !

  18. pigskin says:

    At least levine doesn’t face the challenge Chris Thurmond did back in 2007 against Dalton and TCU in the Texas Bowl with Patterson. Keenum did throw for 335 yards that game, so I would expect case to feel an awful lot of de ja vu against Penn St. as levine has a similar “One game auditon” for the head coaching job.

  19. Patrick says:

    Thanks, Sam. I really do enjoy reading your articles.
    I hope Mack makes another good pick. It took me a while to get over how Briles left. Less so with Sumlin. He’s gone and if Mack can speak of him with as much class as he’s done, then It’s time to look ahead.
    We’ve been treated to something special this year. My favorite has been watching Patrick perform after that terrible injury two years ago. What a brave and talented man.
    Beat PSU. Talk about a program with problems.
    Go Coogs!

  20. aidan says:

    take a look at Coach steve warren from abilene HS turned a 40 year drought around in 4 season and got a state championship

  21. CougarHH4 says:

    I have enjoyed your articles thru out the football season.

    Why not try to get Wade Phillips to be the next U of H Head Coach? I know people are thinking what the heck. Jack Pardee use to Coach U of H.

    I think it could happen because of the following reasons:

    Wade probably does not want to be an NFL Head Coach anymore.

    He could take his Alma Matter to the next step.

    Since he is an older gentleman this would most likely be his last stop. You would not have to worry about him juming to another college.

    He could compete for the best recurits in the state.

    I know it might be a pipe dream but it would be great to if Mack could try to approch him Imagine the defense the Coog could have.

    • Sam Khan says:

      Thanks for the kind words. I appreciate it. As for Wade Phillips, it sounds like he wants another shot at an NFL head coaching gig. So him coming to UH I think would be pretty unlikely. Plus, if you’re in your 60s and you’ve coached at one level for a long time, I’m guessing it would be a tough challenge to change levels and go from the NFL to college and be successful quickly.

    • HouseofCOOG85 says:

      I’d have to agree with Sam, Wade Phillips is officially a “no-go”. He has made it apparent that his interests lie within head coaching at the NFL level. And why not? He has never officially been a head coach for any college football team, nor has he been involved in college football since the mid-70’s. Hey, I’d love it too if we could swede him away from the prof-scene in the NFL to bring his talents back to his alma-mater.

      I will say this though, there is the money situation. Given his current salary of roughly $700K per year, he could definitely be persuaded in that regard for more cash at the helm of a UH head-coaching position. Hey, I mean if we could try to offer Sumlin a $2 million paycheck, what might you do to land a Wade Phillips??? (Fun fact: Kirby Smart, DC. at Alabama earns $50K more than Phillips. In that regard, Phillips could try and make the transition back to college football)

    • Krigilski says:

      I don’t imagine Wade is going to relegate himself to driving the dusty backroads of Texas, sitting in the living room of some shotgun house trying to figure out how to get a D student enrolled at UH.

  22. K Mills says:

    The statement by Coach Levine should have been what Sumlin said after turning down another job. Loyalty, friends, family, neighbors, players should mean so much to a person that they are more than just a little reluctant to leave. As it turned out, Sumlin was out there looking for a job while lying to everyone about his intentions. Just last week, he said he liked where he was and didn’t want another job….I suspect the ink was still drying on his new contract when he made those statements. That’s deceitful and beneath a quality person. I’m dissappointed with Sumlin. I would have thought he would have felt something for the university and the people he is leaving behind, but apparently not. I Suspect without Case Keenum and dedicated assistants like Levin, he would have a very difficult time of it in College Station. Has college football come to the point where a coach can not believed and reluctant to stay with a program except to use it as a stepping stone? Sumlin makes me appreciate Bill Yeoman who obviously had a lot more character. We need another loyal and dedicated Coach (maybe Coach Levine) that plans to stay with the program. At the end of the day Sumlin will have a lot of money but no soul or integrity…is that what he wants on his tombstone?

    • Don says:

      Well said.

    • HouseofCOOG85 says:

      I refuse to believe that every opportunity is a stepping-stone to another. Wouldn’t you just end up driving yourself crazy? That’s like never finding your true calling or achieving a dream. If your dream is more money, you’ll feel insecure in the fact that you could be earning more elsewhere. If your dream is prestige, think of how miserable you’d be if you were deprived of that one solo opportunity at that one particular university to make you happy. But if you genuinely are searching for happiness, to want to coach your kids to achieve something grand, and build relationships of trust with players, coaches, and communities like I feel Levine is after, I think that is much more sustainable, healthy, and mature for someone in that position. Sumlin could learn a thing or two from Levine. He sounds like a genuinely kid-oriented coach, one I want coaching my kids in future bowl games.

  23. cougar78 says:

    AMEN K Mills

  24. vjs says:

    Wade Phillips is NOT the choice. A fine man, but not a long term solution. Levine appears to be a fine man as well. As for Sumlin, those who are judging him harshly are doing so without knowing all the facts. Anyone with any years under their belt should know that things are not always as they appear.

  25. Krigilski says:

    Sumlin will be in Houston recruiting the same players. Ten days and Houston is not even an afterthought on the national stage.

  26. Don says:

    Sumlin is a dirtbag, but we need to move on. UH needs to make a big splash as the school moves into the Big East in 2013. We don’t need to rebuild; we need to build on what we have. And that’s a lot. We need a coach who will restore all the momentum and positive thinking around UH that disappeared when word got out that Sumlin was interviewing for another job. As much as I like our current coaching staff, UH needs to hire a big name coach to restore the players’s confidence (and that of Cougar fans). Wade Phillips would be a good choice, but there are others as well. What about Terry Bowden, who is currently coaching at North Alabama? What about Houston Nutt, who did a great job at Arkansas but failed at Ole Miss? I’m OK with hiring an older coach who can work with assistants like Kliff Kingsbury to groom them for the job in a few years.


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Tag: Dominic Smith

Intensity, attitude and tempo: Practice notes from Tuesday

Coach Kevin Sumlin talks about the Cougars after four practices have been complete in fall camp. Also, an update on Dominic Smith and on the UH soccer team.

Video: Sumlin talks UCLA

Houston Cougars football media day brought plenty of media, plenty of questions and plenty of interest all around as the Cougars embark on the 2011 season. Coach Kevin Sumlin had plenty to say and

Camp countdown: Conference USA media day and examining the defensive line

As we continue our positional breakdowns, today we’ll take a look at the defensive line. This is an area of focus for fans and observers of the Cougars because they have struggled to stop the run in recent years. UH ranked 114th nationally against the run a year ago (208.75 yards per game allowed) and 115th in 2009 (226.57).

Video: Introducing the UH Coach’s Corner

The first installment of the UH Coach’s Corner is unveiled and there are a few updates on incoming recruits. Plus, an update on C.J. McElroy, news on a new football commitment for the class of 2012 and a nugget on Patrick Edwards.


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America’s Got Talent: Katy’s Daniel Joseph Baker performs for the big prize

San Antonio’s Sandau Trio make some interesting choices.

America’s Got Talent: OH, SNAP.

I’m not sure America’s Got Sense, as some of my presumed favorites are sent home.

America’s Got Talent: Dezmond Goes to Hollywood

The first of (many) Hollywood rounds begin, and I worry for Dezmond “Lil’ Morriz Day” Meeks.


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Class Clowns – Fall Film Series

Posted by on Aug 29 2012 | Motion Pictures

(John Landis, US 1978, 109 min.)

As the late comedian George Carlin once observed, the classroom is home to some of the purest comedy on earth. Why? To anyone who ever giggled at a double entendre during English, or tried to suppress themselves after a peer’s robust belch, the answer is obvious: “No one’s allowed to laugh.” And, as generations of comics have shown us, there’s nothing funnier than breaking the rules.

This September, we’ll celebrate the start of the school year with a batch of films in which some of the last century’s funniest people find themselves in the hallowed halls of academia.  Rodney Dangerfield gets the respect he deserves by going Back to School, while Laurel & Hardy struggle for the same while studying abroad in A Chump at Oxford. Roddy McDowall and Tuesday Weld rock ’n’ roll their high school in George Axelrod’s anarchy-fueled cult classic Lord Love a Duck, and, to top it all off, John Belushi leads the slobs against the snobs in the film that changed the face of modern comedy, Animal House. Class is now in session, so take your seats — and NO TALKING!

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Shop Eddie Bauer: Men Women Kids Outerwear Gear Sale
Seth Waterfall Joins the First Ascent Team for Heli Skiing at Haines, AK
Posted on April 3, 2011

By Seth Waterfall

I awoke this morning at 4:30 a.m. just as my alarm started to go off. Not being what you would call a “morning person,” I usually take a second to come around but today I literally jumped out of bed. I knew that by early afternoon I would be in Haines, AK.

Typically when I head out on a trip I am faced with multiple hours, if not days, of flights and layovers, but going to Alaska has none of the hassles of international travel and yet it has world class mountain ranges. It’s one of the many reasons to love the state.

The two-and-a-half-hour flight from Seattle to Juneau was a breeze, and before I really knew it I was flying over Lynn Canal in a Cessna Caravan with seven other folks on our way to Haines. I was psyched to get my first look at the mountains that tower above the fjords in this part of AK, but instead I was greeted with snow flurries that forced the plane to fly low over the water. I love flying and totally enjoyed the flight, but I think some of the other folks on board would have preferred a smoother trip.

It was only a half hour of flying time though, and after an easy landing I met up with Tom Wayes and Sunny Sundberg. They quickly gave me a tour of town with a stop at the grocery store for the “hot case.” Apparently timing is everything when the store stocks the hot food in Haines as everyone we ran into asked us about what we got from the store and what was left in the case. I went with the bean-and-cheese burrito, Tom took down two cheeseburgers, and Sunny trumped us both and went for the gyro. I saw at least one person bolt straight for the store once they laid eyes on Sunny’s sandwich.

After that, I was prepared for an afternoon at the hotel, but Tom and Sunny thought that the weather might clear enough to go skiing. So they rounded up their clients, and we headed back to the airport. There we met up with Reggie Crist and Will Wissman. Reggie flew out with several folks to go check the weather and explore an ice cave, and the rest of us obsessed about the trends of the cloud cover for a few hours.  After Reg came back, it was decided to bag it for the day and hope for an early clearing tomorrow.

As I look outside now, it is definitely clearing up more and more every minute, so hopefully we’ll be able to fire up the helis and do some skiing.

Author: - Sunday, April 3rd, 2011

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Former chair of Communication Department appointed Dean of CAS

Submitted by Gisela Gil-Egui on March 1, 2008

Spring 2008
Former chair of Communication Department appointed Dean of CAS

Dr. Robbin Crabtree, Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

Dr. Robbin Crabtree

After six years leading the Department of Communication through important transformations, Professor Robbin Crabtree has been appointed as the new Dean for Fairfield University’s College of Arts & Sciences. By the time of her appointment, Dr. Crabtree was in charge of the recently created Office of Service Learning, and while taking the helm of that unit she also ensured a smooth transition into the Communication Department’s chair to newly arrived Associate Professor James Shanahan.

Professor Crabtree came to Fairfield in 2001 from New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, where she was an associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies. She was chair of the Department of Communication at Fairfield from 2001 until August of 2007. During that period, the size of the faculty grew from five to nine full-time members to meet immense student demand for the major, the curriculum and advising procedures were streamlined, department participation in interdisciplinary programs increased substantially, and a new graduate cohort-based program was developed. She also added new courses to the curriculum, redesigned the department internship program to be more academically rigorous, mentored and reviewed the performance of faculty, managed the department’s budget, identified new revenue streams, and participated in the development of tools for student learning assessment.

Such a busy tenure as department chair did not prevent her from also engaging in numerous service-related activities within the university’s community, the professional field of communication, and external NGOs, as well as maintaining an excellent performance in the classroom. The latter was recently recognized, when she was awarded the distinction of “Teacher of the Year” by Fairfield’s Chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit honor society.

While the Communication Department will certainly miss interacting with Professor Crabtree on a daily basis, faculty members in this unit know they will still count on her energy, can-do disposition, sense of humor, and reliable support from her new role as leader of the larger community of the College of Arts & Sciences. Our warmest congratulations and best wishes to Professor Crabtree.

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Monday, February 13, 2012

Delicious Valentine's Day Treats

Happy Valentine's Day! With the big red day here you have two options- run out to buy an expensive box of chocolates or make delicious treats for your Valentine in the comfort of your kitchen. (Can you tell which way we're leaning on this one?) We're firm believers that your homemade Valentine's treats will get the best reception from your loved ones because they show that you're willing to go the extra mile for love.

This year, we like personalized messages atop baked goodies. So, you can start the day with Valentine's pancakes and then move on to a heart-shaped pizza for lunch or dinner. Finish it all off with great treats like chocolate cupcakes with loving white chocolate messages, a Valentine's cheesecake and a luscious chocolate fondue.

To make your Valentine sing, use the FoodPair Recipe Search Engine to find great desserts with your sweetie's favorite dessert ingredients (chocolate, chocolate and maybe white chocolate) or use the keyword "Valentine" to find clever recipes from the top food sites on the web.

To help you get started, we are proud to present our 5 favorite recipes for a great Valentine's Day.

Valentine Pancakes
These pancakes look like Valentine's romance!
Ingredients: Egg, Butter, Sugar, Buttermilk, Salt, Flour, Vanilla Extract, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Cooking Spray, Chocolate Chips

Valentine's Pizza
This lovely pizza has a flavorful rosemary crust.
Ingredients: Tomato, Mozzarella, Olive Oil, Rosemary, Zucchini, Pepperoni, Black Olive, Active Dry Yeast, Flour, Pizza Sauce

Chocolate Fondue
Valentine's is the perfect day to fire up the fondue pot.
Ingredients: Apple, Banana, Cream, Strawberry, Dark Chocolate, Salt, Candied Ginger, Dried Apricot

Handwritten Valentine Cupcakes with Chocolate Glaze
Personalize these cupcakes with romantic messages.
Ingredients: Chocolate Cupcakes, Chocolate Glaze, White Chocolate

Ghirardelli Chocolate Cheesecake Valentine Hearts
It's hard to beat these beautiful mini cheesecakes.
Ingredients: Chocolate, Almond, Egg, Butter, Sugar, Raspberry, Heavy Cream, White Chocolate, Cream Cheese, Graham Crackers

Have a great Valentine's Day and don't forget to sign the card!

Any other favorite themes, ingredients or dishes you'd like us to highlight? Post them in the comments section or on our Facebook page! And while you're at it, Like us on Facebook for recipes, tips and more in your news feed.

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Tags Archives: Sandals

Need Narrow or Wide Shoes? Check out the Trotters Line!

Here at Footwear etc., we receive a lot of calls from customers who are not medium widths. Unfortunately many brands do not address this all-too-common issue, which can make shopping for shoes a very frustrating experience. Trotters recognizes this phenomenon, and therefore makes its styles in narrow, medium AND wide widths. These are great shoes […]

Sandals for Men – Women Don’t Get to Have All the Fun!

Some of our favorite brands have come out with some great new sandals just for men! If you’ve been looking for that particular sandal for this season, take a look at some of our favorites: Orthaheel is known for outstanding support, and this year there’s a model that isn’t just a flip flop! The Boyes […]

Try Berkemann Footwear for Handcrafted European Design!

It’s exciting to see the new styles show up here at Footwear etc., and another new brand that’s piqued my interest is Berkemann. With a variety of styles and materials, these shoes provide outstanding comfort and European craftsmanship in some great choices for the Spring! Here are a few of my favorites: The Berkemann Women’s […]

Romika Sandals for German-Inspired Comfort and Style

There’s a new kid on the block here at Footwear etc.: Romika sandals! Reflecting their German craftsmanship and timeless styles, Romika sandals are phenomenal choices for many occasions. With their signature lateral support wings for motion control and orthotic friendly footbeds, Romika sandals will become favorites right away! There are some really helpful features in […]

Laser Cut Shoes for the Ultimate in Embellished Style!

I love shoes that have a lot of detailing. It makes any shoe a little more special. It can add femininity, airiness, even a little glamour to a shoe. Footwear etc. offers many shoes with laser cut detailing that can be casual or dressy. With so many brands that have these features available, you can […]


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Saturday, April 4, 2015

{On Resurrection and New Beginnings}

We are all broken.

On our own, not one single one of us is whole.

But there is one, whose sole purpose was to come and fix us. His sole purpose was OUR souls.
Even when you feel like there's no fixing you...Like you're so broken and cracked you must surely be leaving a trail of tiny you pieces in your wake as you move through life.

Not even then are you beyond Hope - beyond help.

I've been there more than once in my life. I've thought to myself, "why on earth (or in Heaven), would He die for me? I'm so undeserving and I keep disappointing Him, over and over!"

But you know what disappoints Him more?
Our inability to give our lives completely to Him.
The good, the bad, the big, the small, the tiny mundane things that we aren't even sure are "things."

ALL of it -He wants it ALL.
And then He wants us to take back our empty hands and trust Him to handle it. He wants us to know deep in our hearts that He will handle it; that He loves us and only wants the best for us.
He wants us to never come back to the pile we dumped and try to take those problems back. Because doing that means we didn't trust Him to handle it; that somehow we need to help or that we can do it on our own.

And we can't do it on our own.

I don't say this as someone who knows these things and lives that way everyday.  I say them as someone broken who knows these things and STILL struggles to live as if I know.

Our Maundy Thursday service at church was wonderful, and I've been thinking about it since then.  It gave me a wonderful new perspective on some things as well as some new things to consider.

Today as you think about the immense sacrifice that Christ made for us on Good Friday, prepare your heart to trust Him with all your "stuff."
Lay it at the foot of the cross.
Better yet, nail it to the cross and never go back for it.

Remember what He did, why He did it, and for whom He did it.  He did it for you, for me, for ALL of us so that we wouldn't be held responsible for the true cost of sin, which we so rightly deserve.

On Sunday morning as you rejoice and celebrate His resurrection, trust Him with all the stuff you've struggled with.  Leave it with Him, turn away from it and start fresh.  After all, a resurrection is a new beginning and in Him we are all new creations.
Easter Sunday can be your new beginning, no matter what's in your yesterday, your last week, last year, or last decade.

Begin again with His help and His hope.

Happy Easter!

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

{On weekend getaways and bed size...}

Thirteen plus years ago, we went shopping for bedroom furniture for our new house.
The salesman actually tried to talk us out of our choice, stating that the bedroom suite we wanted was usually selected by much older people {wonder if his boss knew he "sold" product this way?}.
But we knew what we wanted, so long as it came with the option of a KING sized bed.

We'd been in a small apartment and an old double bed, which had been mine in college.

We just wanted something with more room and a queen bed didn't seem enough bigger than what we'd gotten used to.

We love that king sized bed to this day. In fact, my husband, who is actually smaller than me, likes to take up 3/4 of it.  I sleep in a little sliver very close to the edge of my side of the bed.

Often, I try to get in bed at night and find he's in my space.  Not only that, he's cocooned himself in the covers and I have to wrestle them away just to have myself covered.

Now, I'm not trying to speak ill of my husband.  I have to take responsibility for the fact that I stay up much later than him most nights and he has often been asleep for hours before I even come to bed.

Nevertheless, that King bed we were so excited about 13 years ago, has many times felt a little cramped.  When you consider that children have occasionally been in it with us, I think you know where I'm coming from.

Sadly, that whole "never go to bed angry" thing has never held up in our house.  It makes me sad {and a little embarrassed} to say that we have often gone to bed with unresolved issues and hurt feelings.  Times like those, make the bed feel too small.

Which is why last weekend in Atlanta, walking into our hotel room and discovering it was a Double-Double room and not a Double-Queen room, was a bit unsettling.  I personally, would prefer not to be in a room with my kids AT ALL when I'm sleeping.  Call me selfish, but now that my kids are older and usually sleep through the night, I still don't get as much sleep as I'd like and I want to maximize what I can get. Not to mention, I don't get much alone time with my hubby.  When we travel {almost once a month for Sweetpea's dance competitions} I like to have a small suite when possible.  Sometimes we can actually find a suite or a condo for almost the price of a hotel room and it just makes more sense.

When we arrived last weekend, my husband thought it was funny to throw himself on one of the beds and announce, "I don't know where you're gonna sleep, but I got this one covered" as he sprawled spread-eagle on the bed.  He did, in fact, have it covered.  I just rolled my eyes and continued the unpacking.

I resigned myself to a night of uncomfortable sleep as we tried to settle in.  The TV went off and it was lights out for all of us at once; yet another thing I don't like about kids in the room.

But here's what that little bed taught me:

1.) Sometimes comfort or space is a just an excuse for distance, intentional or not.  It's just a fact that when we sleep in a king sized bed, there is often lots of space between us.

2.) Intimacy {closeness, not sex} is increased in smaller spaces.  For most of the night, we had no choice but to "spoon" or sleep with our backs to each other; I'm grateful we chose the former.

3.) There are some things you can get away with when kids are asleep in the next bed - wink, wink ;-)

4.) Couples need time away no matter how busy they are and how much they love their kids.  The foundation of our family exists because I first loved my husband and we had 4 years of "just us" before kids.  We need to remember to regularly schedule a weekend away.  That little bed was like a mini-vacation for us and it led to more closeness for the rest of the trip.  It prompted me to forgive some of his {minor} recent transgressions because I would rather be happy in the moment than lugging around resentment and tension.

5.) I miss my husband.  It sounds crazy to say because I do actually see him everyday.  BUT with a man who works 50-60 hours most weeks, and just wants to eat dinner and go to bed when he comes home, I have to be very intentional about our time together. I can't stop showing and telling him I love him and miss him just because I anticipate no reciprocation or because it gets frustrating. He even went to work on Tuesday and was the only one in his office due to the ice and snow on the ground and roads.  I was glad to know he got there safely, but I also sent him several texts during the day letting him know I missed him and wanted him to come home.

Last weekend's trip *almost* had me wishing we could downsize our bed at home.  ALMOST...

It was a good trip for us.
It was no less stressful than most of these trips are, but somehow it felt different.
I think I owe it all to that little double bed in a Hilton somewhere in Atlanta.

Yes, I know I've been very absent from this space of late.

I'll address that later.

Believe it or not, I started a post about 3 weeks ago,

got one sentence in, and never wrote anything else.
Chalk it up to winter :-) See you soon!

Monday, December 22, 2014

Baby Jesus, Saint Nick, and Mr. Jinx {the elf}

Before I'm even awake good I hear his little feet jump from the ladder on his bed, down to the floor, landing with a thump.
The bedroom door opens and I hear the pat-pat-pat of his feet as he runs through the house.

"Mom? I can't find the Elf!"

This is our angel; one morning Mr Jinx was on this high shelf hugging her.

"Ummmm," I mumble from the far side of the bed.
His little voice is so excited and I know he has been this way every morning since Thanksgiving.

I pat the empty space in the bed beside me and say, "come cuddle with me, Buddy;" he ignores me.

At six years old, he's still a Mama's boy and has lots of anxiety over being left at school, Sunday School, and just about anywhere else.  He'd rather go with me wherever I'm going -- even Walmart--but he doesn't want just anyone to know these things.
He's small for his age and is often mistaken for a preschooler.
Most of the time, there's a ton of sweetness packed into that little body.  I just want to pick him up and squeeze him tight, kiss him, and keep him from getting any bigger.

Sunday morning I did that {well, except for the keeping him from getting bigger part}.
He climbed in my lap to tell me a secret as we sat in the church pew before worship began.  His eyes twinkled with mischief as he came to whisper to me, "Daddy's code to his new phone is XXXX!"
He was just so sweet and his dimples too delicious to not scoop him up for a kiss.  He didn't even protest, though there were tons of people around to see.

And I know these moments are fleeting; even as I live them they are bittersweet because I know they are numbered.  And selfishly, I don't want them to end.
I want my kids to stay this young, this sweet, this innocent.

That's why I choose to do Santa and the Elf on the Shelf with them. They know the real reason we celebrate Christmas is Jesus, but they also enjoy these other celebrations leading up to Christmas day.

There's been a lot of controversy lately, especially in cyber space, about "lying" to your kids when you include Santa in your Christmas celebration.
There's even this meme circulating Facebook:

And while it did provide me a chuckle, I realize that there are lots of different ways people use the Elf on the Shelf and Santa as well as lots of misconceptions about how they are used by those who choose not to use them.

Now, this blog isn't my way of saying "this is the proper way to do it," or me being judgey about what someone else chooses for their family's Christmas traditions. I'm simply stating how we do things here and sharing my recent observations.  I realize that some people will still think that, but there's my disclaimer {wink, wink}.  Just check out this poor lady's blog, the comments especially, where she gets reamed for misleading other Christians!

I agree with her on lots of points, but let me start by saying that we don't do the "guilted" good behavior in our house.  By that I mean, I want my kids to be "good" {as good as kids can be when they're normal} for the sake of being good, not because they feel their Christmas gifts are threatened if they don't.  And we don't make our elf, "Mr. Jinx," out to be some creepy I'm-watching-you-and-reporting-back-to-Santa toy.  {For similar content see this.}

In the aforementioned blog, the author does a great job of addressing some of the most common objections to Santa: balancing secular Christmas with a Spiritual Christmas; is it lying or supporting an unhealthy view of reality?; Santa promotes rewards for good works. I think one of the most important points she makes is that EVERY SINGLE HOLIDAY  and occasion {not just Christmas} in this country are completely over-commercialized and exploited in the name of making a buck.
I am fully aware of the charge we have as Christians to be IN the world but not OF the world. BUT, I also know that it's not my job to tell other people's children the truth about Santa! When you have kids and you choose not to do Santa with them, there is no guarantee that they will keep the "secret" to themselves.

Buddy wrote a letter to Mr. Jinx...

As with everything in life, it's a balance.

A few years ago, much earlier than I had planned, I had "the Santa talk" with my daughter, who was 7 at the time.  She had become quite bold in her Christmas requests and was really portraying an attitude of entitlement.  I didn't want to lie to her with her some "Mommy and Daddy have to pay Santa for all the toys." At the time, Buddy was still quite young (3, if I'm remembering which year this happened) and we were a little concerned she might ruin it for him.  So I slipped her a letter under her pillow one night addressed to "The Keeper of the Magic" {an idea I stumbled across online for older kids with younger siblings who still believe.} The idea that she helped keep the magic of Christmas alive for him, has worked wonderfully for us.

My son, even though now only 6, is quite astute and asks TONS of questions.  I sense the day when he asks me outright, "is Santa real?" is not far off.  And when he does, I will not lie to him.  Already, when he asks me a question that I find hard to answer without an untruth, I turn the question around on him: "well, Buddy; what do you think?" Last week, for example, we saw an older gentleman in Walmart who looked remarkably like Santa and was dressed like him from head to foot.  He greeted every child he encountered on his trip through the store and my daughter even took a picture with him.  Buddy, on the other hand, was quite skeptical; he shrunk back against me and just watched.  After the picture taking, he asked me if that was the real Santa.  Since we were in a public place, the best thing for me to say was "well, what do you think?"

For all the people who say Santa is a lie, I would remind them that life is full of teachable moments.  That there was a REAL man named Saint Nicholas. Here is just one source on the subject, but of course Google will afford you many more hits when you search "The Real Saint Nick." And this is where I would also ask, "so what if he wasn't real?" Isn't there still something from the legend we could use to teach our kids that it is more "blessed to give than to receive?"

I will not post all of the letters my kids have received from our elf, Mr. Jinx, but I will say this: Mr. Jinx takes every opportunity in our house to remind the kids to be kind and loving to each other.  He reminds them of the real reason we celebrate Christmas and why Christmas wouldn't be the same without Christ. Here is one excerpt:

Always remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas:
God sent the BEST gift to us in the form of His son, the baby Jesus.  One way we can show our love for others is by remembering his sacrifice and giving gifts to others this time of year.  Also important to remember, the size or cost of the present is of little importance compared to the value and love behind it.  Sometimes the best gift is just a hug or a simple act that shows you are thinking about the other person.

 He has also "intervened" when the kids have been squabbling over something: reminding Buddy that he is the little one and that Sweetpea is his big sister, who generally looks out for him.  In the same letter, he reminded Sweatpea that part of growing up is learning to do things for oneself and that Buddy would learn more from his mistakes and hardships than he would if she did everything for him or corrected his every move.

I didn't expect it to work at first, but I suppose it's similar to how kids tend to listen to a teacher better than a parent sometimes. Hearing the same things from someone else sometimes makes them "stick."

I wanted to be sure when we incorporated an elf into our holidays here, that it fit into what, and why, we already celebrate and didn't trump anything we already did.  While I'm sure some people DO use an elf on the shelf to enforce good behavior, I don't think MOST use them that way.
After we started our elf adventure, I found this: it might be helpful for someone else considering an elf in their home.

I think the bottom line is this: would it be ideal if our secular society ONLY celebrated the true meaning of Christmas - Christ? Of course!
Do I wish that that were the case? Yes, again!
But this is reality and we live in a society that is, unfortunately, moving further and further away from God and the true meaning of Christmas.  As for me and my family, we will not let that happen! I consider it my job to teach my kids how to live as a citizen of this world, while having an eternal home in Heaven.
I may not do the best job 100% of the time, but having that goal and striving for it is better than not trying at all.

As I said earlier, I didn't write this to critique anyone else's interpretation of Jesus, Santa, and an elf in their Christmas.  I wrote it to say that this is meant to be a joyful time of year; let's stop judging each other for how we celebrate that joy.  After all, how can we be joyful and enjoy our Christmas while pointing fingers at someone else's choices for theirs?

Merry Christmas, y'all!

Yes, I know I've been conspicuously absent from this space for some time.  I've missed writing.
There are a lot of blanks to fill in, and I certainly have enough material to do so, but not this week.  I've learned that writing can be therapeutic for me, but it can also be obligatory. So when my hubby left for an 8 day trip on November 30th, I knew I had to drop anything not completely necessary while he was gone. I waited to be as present as possible for my kids in the midst of an already busy time.  Even since his return, things have been crazy and I wanted to be IN the moments we were living rather than taking pictures {although I still took plenty}, or jotting down notes for a blog post.
More things coming soon, so stay tuned!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

30 Days of Thanks {Humbled & Grateful}

Last night when I realized I couldn't "get myself together" over the injustice that is public school first grade homework, I ran away to my room to fold laundry.

I folded and cried and wiped my eyes for what seemed like an hour but probably wasn't.

Then I realized I had makeup all over my face so I had to fix that.  When I pulled the hot washcloth off my face, I looked into the mirror and flashed back to see my mother's swollen red eyes looking back at me.

I think about all the times she cried for her three children and all the times I probably don't even know about.  As mothers we cry when our babies are hurt and we can't fix it; we cry when our kids are faced with tough choices that we can't make for them; we cry when they disappoint us; most of all, we cry because in all situations we just love them so much and want only the best for them.

There is a lot of humbling that comes with becoming a mother and a lot of realizing that we never valued {and never can value} our mothers enough.

This morning's results of last night's uglier-than-ugly cry are not good.  My eyes are swollen and  they actually hurt.
Once again I had to hear my son tearfully protest from the back-seat, "Mommy, I don't want to go to school."
But I am thankful for all the ways, just this morning, I have been reminded of my blessings.

We listen to HIS Radio in the car most mornings and bless them, they saved me from self this morning.  They are doing a project called The Blessings Project and reading excerpts of these "needs" on the air.  I was instantly humbled and grateful to remember all that I have in comparison to the lack that many have.

And then I got home to lots of wonderful encouragement through Facebook from other moms who are struggling {and seeing their kids struggle} with ridiculous Common Core homework and classwork at school.

One of them even sent this, which was great and brought laughter to me so I hope it will for you too!