Elementary my dear friends. Plain and simple. The method to my NFL prediction madness. So simple that if I showed you the formulae you would be confounded. But by popular demand...here it is...

1) Find the adjacency matrix A of the graph G that will produce the total yards for both teams. 2) Find the matrix giving the number of 3 step walks in G. From this Matrix, find the correlation  between the home team, away team, and the first solution. 3) Find the generating function for walks from point i to j. From here, find the value of z that will produce the final score of the away team. 4) Find the generating function for walks from points 1 to 3. From here, find the value of z that will produce the final score of the home team.

The adjacency matrix L encodes the graph. The entry Lij is equal to k if there are k connections between node i and j. Otherwise, the entry is zero. Problem 2 asks to find the matrix which encodes all possible paths of length 3.

Generating function. To a graph one can assign for pair of nodes i,j a series , where an(ij) is the number of walks from i to j with n steps. Problem 3) asks for a formula for f(z) and in problem 4) an explicit expression in the case i=1,j=3.

that's right. how do you like them apples. simple matematicas son.

Solution to 1). The adjacency matrix L is where 1 = home team and 2 = away team. The product of this matrix with a toeplix matrix will give you total yard gained in the game.
Solution to 2). [L2]ij is by definition of the matrix product the sum Li 1 L1 j + Li 2 L2 j +... + Li n Ln j. Each term Li 1 L1 j is not 0 if and only if there is at least one path of the L matrix going from i to j passing through k. Therefore [L2]ij is the number of points scored by the away team leading from node i to j. Similarly, [Ln]ij is the number of paths of length n going from i to j. The total yards of the home team is the scalar multiplication sum of the L matrix and the matrix on the right. From this we can derive the total yards of the away team by taking the difference of solution 1 and 2.
Solution to 3). The  for the summation of a geometric series holds also for matrices:. Cramer's rule for the inverse of a matrix is A-1 = det(Adj(A)ij)/det(A) leads to det( Adj(1-z L)ij)/det(1-z L) which can also be written as det( Adj(L-z)ij)/det(L-z). By substituting the average weight of the away team's special teams unit for z, we can find the final score of the away team.
Solution to 4). Especially, when i= home team and j= average size of the offensive lineman, we get det( Adj(A)13 = 2 z2 + 2 z3 and det(L-z) = 1-7 z2 - 2 z3+4 z4. The result can be written as (2 z3+2z3)/(1-7 z2- 2 z3+4 z4) which when the values of the cummulative age of the defensive lineman is substituted for z, we get the final score of the home team.

This may sound complex, but simple substitutions and knowledge of linear algebra, you can predict the outcome of any game.

So there's the method to my selection madness and by law I must print this disclaimer that the following information can be used only for research purposes, or purely for you general amusement and to kill time on the weekends/days/work, such as if you get into a handicapping contest with your pug or roomates. By no means can this be used for actual bets, offshore, onshore, with a bookie, or any other means of gambling. 

So onto the good stuff. Take this in stride and remember, this is for fun!

(away team) / (home team) [favorite is in Bold]

CIN/BAL:  -2, 37 over/under

Formulatic Selection: CIN, under

JETS/MIA: -3, 36 over/under

Formulatic Selection: MIA, over

KC/NE: -16, 44 over/under

Formulatic Selection: NE, over

HOU/PIT: -6.5, 43 over/under

Formulatic Selection: HOU, over

JAX/TEN: -3, 36.5 over/under

Formulatic Selection: JAX, under

DET/ATL: -3, 41 over/under

Formulatic Selection: DET, under

SEA/BUF: -1, 39 over/under

Formulatic Selection: BUF, under

TB/NO: -3, 43 over/under

Formulatic Selection: NO, under

STL/PHI: -8, 44 over/under

Formulatic Selection: PHI, over

DAL/CLE: -6, 48 over/under

Formulative Selection: DAL, over

CAR/SD: -9, 41 over/under

Formulative Selection: CAR, under

ARI/SF: -2.5, 42 over/under

Formulative Selection: SF, under

CHI/IND: -9/5, 44 over/under

Formulative Selection: CHI, under

MIN/GB: -2.5, 38 over/under

Formulative Selection: MIN, under

DEN/OAK: -3, 41 over/under

Formulative Selection: DEN, over

So there you go folks. These took me a while to compile for the first week of the season. More details to the mathematical madness in future weeks.

FYI: This formula is about as real as professional wrestling

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) -- Thousands of Armenians lined the streets of the capital Yerevan Saturday, protesting the Turkish president who drove past in the first ever visit by a Turkish leader. Many held placards demanding justice for massacres that took place nearly 100 years ago.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul boards a plane at Ankara before departing on an historic visit to Armenia.

Abdullah Gul arrived in Armenia to watch a Turkey vs. Armenia football World Cup qualifier game with President Serge Sarkisian that many hope will help the two countries overcome decades of antagonism rooted in Ottoman-era massacres of Armenians.

Gul is the first Turkish leader to set foot in Armenia since the ex-Soviet nation declared independence in 1991. The two neighbors have no diplomatic ties and their border has been closed since 1993.

Historians estimate up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks around the time of World War I, an event widely viewed by genocide scholars as the first genocide of the 20th century. Turkey, however, denies the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated and those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.

Ties have also suffered from Turkey's opposition to Armenia's occupation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, a close Turkish ally.

As Gul left the airport, the presidential motorcade drove along streets lined with thousands of people holding up placards, mostly in English and Armenian, that read: "We want justice," "Turk admit your guilt," and "1915 never again."

Others held up names of places in Turkey from which their ancestors were forced to leave as the Ottoman Empire uprooted Armenian communities between 1915 and 1922.

Little progress is expected on the genocide issue or on Nagorno-Karabakh when Gul meets Sarkisian for talks just before the game -- which Turkey is favored to win.

Still, the visit is a sign of a diplomatic thaw.

"I hope that (the visit) will help lift the obstacles that stand in the way of rapprochement between the two peoples and contribute to regional friendship and peace," Gul said before his departure.

Gul's decision to accept Armenia's invitation to the match is linked to Turkey's desire to carve out a regional peacemaker role amid tensions sparked by Russia's invasion of neighboring Georgia.

Turkey, a NATO member, has cause for alarm about how Russia's recognition of the Georgian breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia might inspire its own separatist Kurds, or provoke Armenia to boost support for separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh.

In the wake of the Georgia conflict, Turkey proposed a regional grouping for stability in the Caucasus that would include Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"About a month ago, we all saw how conflicts that have remained unresolved threatened regional stability and peace in the Caucasus," Gul said in reference to the Georgia crisis.

Armenia is the last of Turkey's neighbors with whom Ankara has failed to mend ties since the end of the Cold War. Turkey has gradually improved relations with old foes such as Greece, Bulgaria and Syria.

Improved ties with Armenia are likely to help lift strains on Turkey's relations with other countries that have or plan to formally recognize the massacres as genocide.

In October, a measure that would have declared the Armenian deaths as genocide in the U.S. Congress was stopped after President George W. Bush's administration warned relations with strategic ally Turkey would be damaged.

On the plane, Gul paid tribute to the Armenian president.

"President Sarkisian was brave in taking the opportunity of inviting me to this game," he said.

Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 during a war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, a Muslim ally of Ankara, in order to pressure Yerevan into ending the conflict. he move has hurt the economy of tiny, landlocked Armenia.

Armenia's bitter ties with Azerbaijan and Turkey have resulted in the tiny country being excluded from strategic energy pipelines that connect Azerbaijan to Turkey via Georgia.

Armenians, supported by numerous scholars, claim an organized genocide was carried out in the waning years of the Ottoman Empire and are pushing for the killings to be recognized as among history's worst atrocities.

Turkey contends the 1.5 million death toll is wildly inflated. It also says the Armenians were killed or displaced in civil unrest during the chaos that surrounded the empire's collapse.

Turkey has called for the establishment of a committee of scholars to study the WWI events in a bid to improve ties, but Armenia has declined to consider this until relations are forged.

The Seahawks and United Way of King County have joined forces to raise awareness and funds to combat family homelessness in King County. One would think this didn't have a lot to do with football, but if a bunch of pro football players can shine a light on a problem that is getting progressively worse, I'm all for it. It's hard to boil a multi-pronged problem like homelessness into a few paragraphs on a blog, but I'll do my best.

In the meantime, I saw something the other day that I can't forget.

Last Saturday afternoon, we were on our way to our friends Samantha and Scott's barbecue wedding reception, and I needed to run an errand at the Seahawks' pro shop at Qwest. (A bear must be purchased for the bride.) We discovered that the brilliant idea I'd had earlier in the day -- running in and out of the store on the way to the park -- had collided with the WSU football game being held at Qwest that afternoon. The Dauphin agreed to drop me off close to the entrance of the store, and drove around the block while I ran my errand.

I was a bit surprised at not just the number of homeless people who were sleeping under the viaduct, I was horrified at the behavior of many of the fans making their way to the stadium for the game. It must have been really good for them to yell cruel things at the guy who was doing nothing more than lying in his sleeping bag, a distance from where everyone was walking. He wasn't bothering them. He was just there. Is this how some people deal with a reality they don't want to face -- someone who's not lucky enough to have a warm, comfortable bed behind a locked door, someone who can't fight back, so they're entitled to the nastiest verbal abuse that can be dished out? Even a week later, I'm sick inside. What's wrong with some of these people?

So, what does this mean? Why should any of us care about some guy sleeping on a slab of cement in Seattle because he doesn't have a place to live? I've heard repeatedly that something like seventy percent of the population is two paychecks away from homelessness. Think it could never happen to you, or anyone you love? Here's a few examples. What if you lost your job, and couldn't find another for six months to a year? What if you or your significant other had a catastrophic accident or illness, and were uninsured? What if you bought a house with an ARM mortgage because your mortgage lender assured you that a) you could afford the payment, b) you really didn't need a fixed rate, and you've now been foreclosed on due to that rate resetting to a monthly payment you can't hope to afford? These are only three instances. For every homeless person, it's a cascading series of losses, till they find themselves with no place to go but the street.

The vast majority of homeless people don't get that way because they're lazy or don't care to hold a job. There are some people who prefer living on the street, and that's their choice. There are people on the street with substance abuse or mental issues. The social services net has become so shredded in the past 28 years that there is virtually nothing left for a lot of these folks. According to the stuff I've read, the biggest increase in homeless, though, are working families. They lost their home, a woman is escaping an abusive situation, or they just can't afford a place to live on what they make at a service job. They're living in their car or sleeping in the park.

I've heard all the arguments from those who retire to their safe, cozy beds behind a locked door every night. Get a better job. If you can't, move. Ask a friend or family member for a place to stay. Just buck up and deal. Here's just a few facts about the above.

Better job: Someone in our neighborhood (who will remain nameless,) was laid off two years ago. It took him a year to find a comparable job. There were over 80,000 jobs lost in the United States last month, for example. The only thing that saved their family was the fact they live simply and they had savings.

Moving: if you can't come up with a minimum of $2,000 for first, last and damage deposit, or the high credit score necessary to even rent an apartment these days, how on earth are you going to find the money to move somewhere else?

The kids: Who's taking care of them when you're working? How much does it cost each month for that care?

We live in one of the more affluent areas of the United States, and we are seeing signs of people who are being pushed to the brink by what's happening with the economy right now. These aren't the people who are now upside down on that SUV note, or skipping the family skiing vacation to Aspen. These are people with a family, whose income isn't even coming close to covering the stratospheric increases in gas, energy costs, groceries, medical bills and prescriptions. I had a little chat with Glen Miller, the communications director of Hopelink, a couple of days ago. Hopelink offers a variety of services to low-income or needy people, and is one of the beneficiaries of the United Way/Seahawks campaign. He shared the following with me. You may find it interesting, as well.

Thanks to Hopelink for the following:

1. 18% of children in Bellevue eligible for Free or Reduced Lunch

Right here in Bellevue - one of the most affluent communities in this region - nearly one in five kids qualifies for the schools' free and reduced lunches; and their families need food stamps or programs like Hopelink's to meet basic minimum needs for nourishment -- to make sure children in north and east King County do not wake up and go to bed hungry.

2. Emergency Food Bags Requests are up 40% in the Past Year

Every Hopelink statistic represents a family who is struggling to overcome what sometimes feels like overwhelming odds just to provide the basics-food, shelter, energy. With the staggering increases in the costs of rental housing, fuel/energy, and groceries over the past 12 months, families who were once making ends meet are now finding themselves facing very difficult choices-choices between food and fuel, rent and health care.

During the first 6 months of 2008, Hopelink has seen a 40% increase in the number of requests for emergency food bags. This request for emergency assistance is often the first request for help that a family makes. Unfortunately, the situations these families face are usually pretty grim by the time they have found the courage to ask for help from a stranger. The need for assistance usually goes far beyond what an emergency bag of food can supply; but Hopelink case managers can use that initial request for help to assist families in recovering from the challenges that brought them to our door. Hopelink can help by providing more permanent solutions to their needs through housing and employment services, food bank and emergency assistance, transportation and energy assistance, and adult education opportunities.

3. Fuel Costs have increased nearly 70%

Everyone can relate to the dramatic increase in fuel costs, but only the working poor or those on fixed incomes are fully experiencing its devastating impact. Most people can skip a meal each day and still survive, but they can't afford to ignore their gas tanks because gasoline is the link to their jobs. The choice between food and fuel is real, and particularly so in north & east King County, as public transportation often is not an option for the majority of working poor families in these areas.

4. Donations for Food are Down and Requests for Food are Up

The troublesome state of the current economy is far-reaching. Not only are we concerned for our clients, but our ability to provide for them grows more precarious as the need continues to increase. Rising food and fuel prices are affecting both the demand and supply sides of the food equation. For example, Hopelink currently distributes 15,000 lbs more food each month than we are receiving through in-kind donations. Community members and grocery stores that previously have given in-kind food donations and/or volunteered their time are no longer in a position to provide as much as they used to. As a result, Hopelink is spending more of our resources to purchase food, including healthy fresh foods like milk, produce, and meat. The rise in requests for Emergency Food Bags may be an indicator that we are seeing the beginnings of a tremendous surge in need - food being just the first request that may lead to identification of other pressing needs.

5. Requests for shelter and housing assistance have increased 70% in the past year

In the last month, Hopelink's Housing Assistance line received an average of 52 calls per day requesting shelter and housing assistance. This is an increase from about 30 calls per day one year ago. In July we turned away 69 families (229 individuals) due to lack of space. To stem the tide, eviction prevention support is vital!

Conclusion

In the past, when money was especially tight, we know that working poor families often made adjustments by forgoing healthcare or by cutting their budget allowance for items such as clothing, shoes, paper products, diapers, nonprescription medicines, cleaning products, household items, personal hygiene items, and phone service etc. However, there is simply not enough flexibility in their budgets to allow for adjustments needed to accommodate the tremendous increases in the cost of basic necessities. In addition, it becomes nearly impossible to pay for unexpected financial burdens such as an unexpected car repair or a sudden illness. These hardworking families have gone from teetering on the edge of homelessness to an almost-certainty that they'll not be able to meet their day-to-day living expenses without assistance.

Again, what does this mean? Why should you care? It's not just a problem for the person who doesn't have a place to live. It's a costly problem for our society. If the things I've written above don't move you, what if YOU found yourself in the situation, and wished there was something or someone that would be willing to help?

It will take a little bit from everyone to solve the problem. Most people don't want to admit their situation till it's too late. In the meantime, we can help, one family at a time. This is not a handout, this is a hand up. Did anyone ever help you or someone you love at any time? To quote an oft-used phrase, pay it forward. Be grateful that you're not in their shoes. Do something, even if it's a little thing, to make sure someone else's loved one can come in out of the cold.

There is a ten-year plan to end homelessness, both in King County and in the United States. Please go to http://www.cehkc.org/ and http://www.endhomelessness.org/section/tools/tenyearplan . If you'd like to do something more hands-on, the United Way Day of Caring is being held at Qwest Field on Friday, September 12th. You can find out more at http://www.uwkc.org/volunteer/dayofcaring/default.asp

Let's face it, it makes our favorite pro athletes look like great guys if they champion a cause like this. I have to believe, though, when they looked at the photographs of homeless people they posed with in the PSA, they felt the same as I did when I saw the guy in his sleeping bag. It's wrong. We're the richest nation on earth. Nobody should be outdoors because they can't afford a safe, clean place to live, or go to bed hungry because they can't afford a meal. I can't imagine the crushing disappointment and heartbreak of any parent who finds themselves unable to provide even the most basic needs of their children.

So, here's a few suggestions: Take a bag of non-perishable food to the local food bank. Donate some clothes or school supplies to a drive. If you work downtown and someone asks you for money, ask them if they'd like you to buy them a meal. Offer to tutor someone who's trying to learn English, or help someone who's trying to learn to read. Check on elderly neighbors who may need a ride to the doctor, or they might need that bag of food. Do you know how to write a resume and don't mind giving a couple of hours of your time? The local Employment Security office might have something for you to do. If you're too busy to do any of it and have a little extra money, write a check to Hopelink or to United Way. They'll have more resources to deal with the people who need their help.

Be the bigger person. Dare to care.

-S

Some quick little background info- I am a diehard 'Canes fan, I bleed Orange and Green, I love Ibises, and I hate Tim Tebow (the quarterback for the Gators).

So as I pass by these two semi-chums that I kinda know but I kinda don't and then they turn to me, they decide to smirk up. The one on the left, sporting a sadistic smile tells me:

"Hey will... do you know, Tim Tebow does not get wet, water gets Tim Tebowed..."

and the one on the right says (right before embarking on a chuckle fest):

"Tim Tebow is not allowed to sky dive... one Grand Canyon is enough!"

I am utterly flabbergasted.. trash talking during DINNER TIME? They aren't even from Florida, they don't even know what an I- formation is, the touch of a football, who John Madden is and much less the smell of a vagina. Who are they to talk trash to MOI?

"Excuse me good sirs?", I barely manage to reply, "How would you like to go through life with only one functioning teste? Have you ever tried testicle tar tar mothatruckas?"

Let's get one thing straight, If bitch were an acronym it would stand for Tim Tebow.

Tim Tebow routinely pulls off this "I'm a good Christian boy" act like he's Saint Tebow, that foo' is burning pages of the bible for aerosol treatments, making love to quadripeds before marriage and just overall being a bitch. Bitches aint Christians they just bitches. And oh yeah, did I forget to mention he's dating a pornstar?! What? Don't believe me?!

(yes this is the future Mrs. Tebow)

What? UM lost you say? I'm just talking smack? Please dawg, Tim Tebown ain't shiiiiiii

¡A disfrutarlo!

Saludos.
Footbalia.

RPJ PICKS (0-0 on the Season)

Cowboys -5.5 @ Browns: The Cowboys covered every weekend in September last year. They are stacked again this year on both sides of the ball. However, the Browns are, too. They made huge improvements on their D in the offseason, and although they looked terrible in the pre-season, they should be a legit contender this season. This is a lot of points to give a team like the Browns at home, which is begging you to take them. Herein lies the Vegas trap. This line has gone up all week. Don't fall for it. Take the Boys-5.5.

Texans @ Steelers -7: The Steelers are stacked this year and the Texans are banged-up. They are just not as good as the Steelers right now. We like Matt Schaub and Mario Williams. Just not enough. We love the Steelers at home to open their season. Take the Steelers -7.

Bears @ Colts-9.5: We've watched the Bears pretty closely this pre-season-more so than most other teams. Take our word for it, they are a MESS on the offensive side of the ball. With the exception of Hester, they have absolutely no playmakers on offense. That does not bode well for them going into Indy. They need to score points to beat them, and the Bears just don't have the personnel. Plus, the Bears D is severely overrated-maybe the most overrated unit is the NFL. Indy wins this game by at least 17. We don't care about Manning's knee. Take the Colts -9.5.

Jets @ Fins+3: Finally the Fins have some stability in the front office and at QB. This will be a great game. So many side stories: Favre's debut in a unifrom other than Green Bays; Pennigton gets a revenge chance against the team that gave him a Cleveland Steamer; the Tuna's 2008 debut. All great stuff. We like the Fins in this one because of the points, and we believe they are the better team. They will surprise everyone with how well they will run the ball this year. We think Ted Ginn finally starts showing why he was a first round pick. For the Jets, we think their D is good, but Favre is way overrated. This will be a close game. We like the points. Take the Fins at home +3.

Jags -3 @ Titans: This is our favorite game of the week. Load-up on this one if you can. We think the Jags will make it to the AFC Championship game this year. They are loaded on both sides of the field. The Titans are terrible. Vince Young has mentally checked-out and he has no playmekers to help him. Jags may shut them out. It will be ugly. We don't care that the Titans usually play the Jags tough and cover. Take the Jags -3.

RUNNY PICKS (0-1 on the Season)

Lions -3 @ Falcons: The Falcons made some good moves in the offseason drafting Ryan and signing Michael Turner. They are going in the right direction, but it will take another year to get out of Vick's debacle shadow. The Lions are just much better than they are this year right now. I think this line is low because Vegas is judging the Lions on the end of the year meltdown last year. The Lions have playmakers and will score some points. I don't think Ryan is ready to keep up. Take the Lions -3.

Chiefs @ Pats -15.5: This is a ton of points and the Pats have been extremely cold when it comes to covering. However, the Cheifs are terrible and will not score points. Their D is good, but they will play mostly nickle against the Pats due to the passing attempts. When they do, 3 of their DB's will be rookies. Brady will crush this. They may not run the ball more than 10 times in this game. Pats win in a blowout. Take the Pats-15.5.

Check back with us for Monday Night's games. We have picks for both game.

As always, good luck with your picks.

Runny & Flash

The game was awesome. The student section was loud. The day was beautiful. BYU, ranked #15 in the nation, was a tougher opponent than Oregon (based on ranks) but UW stayed with them throughout the game. The Huskies were making some young, inexperienced mistakes, but they were still playing much better than last week. Coach Ty seemed to have made the right changes.

Quarterback and team leader Jake Locker drove down the field, his team down 28-21, and completed a 17 play, 76 yard drive in just over three minutes. His two yard run into the end zone with two seconds left brought the Huskies within one:

That was the view from my seat in the student section. We were going crazy at that point (had to be careful because of my ankle, haha), but we saw a flag. It was an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty called on Locker. Apparently, tossing up the ball in the air after you've led your team down the field and scored with two seconds left isn't allowed. So the Huskies were pushed back 15 yards for the extra point to tie the game at 28.

We were all excited but at the same time a little worried because it was a longer extra point than usual. It was going to be overtime! In our first home game against a ranked team!

Then the kick was blocked.

We lost 28-27 to BYU. At home.

It wasn't the winning ending we wanted. BYU players were going crazy while the complete opposite was seen on the dejected sideline of the Huskies. The student section was confused, angry, and in complete disbelief.

You just don't decide a game on a minor celebration like that. I mean c'mon. Jake was penalized because he wanted to celebrate with his teammates? And this essentially cost them the game? Let these guys decide the game by playing OT or a two-point conversion.

Coach Ty said: "It's one that they almost have to call...It really should be a no-call, but it's one they have to call when they see it."

I don't think they had to call it. The refs said it wasn't a judgment call. Well it should have been. The refs should have judged it as a normal, excited team that didn't do any harm or taunt anyone by celebrating. Seriously. Jake Locker basically made every big play in that final drive and scored with two seconds left in the game!! What's wrong with celebrating a little!!!????

So it's 0-2 for the Huskies. And with the Oklahoma Sooners, one of the nation's top programs coming in next week, it doesn't look to great for the Huskies and Coach Ty. Today they played so much better than last week but they just couldn't pull it out. It was a great effort, nonetheless.

Game Experience: I've always wanted to be in the student section at college football and basketball games. In one word: AWESOME. Now, I don't know if the noise level was close to what I heard last year at Autzen Stadium when Oregon played USC, but it was still pretty damn loud. We met up with Aaron Kelley, a friend from Lincoln also going to UW, and Jeff, Alexi and a few other friends were also there with us. I also saw a few friends from orientation, so that was cool. My right leg was sore because I was standing on it the whole time but other than that it was an awesome experience and I can't wait for the next home game, and for basketball season. This football team has got a future and they showed it today. Despite the pitiful ending, the Huskies should look at what positive things they can take away from this game, such as the improved offense. Defense still needs work--giving up 475 yards to BYU isn't too great.

Also-- Raja and I ran into Jordan Polk's mom outside the stadium before the game. She's a nice lady and she remembered me from way back in middle school when everyone called me "Ichiro." (some still do.. I don't mind it, I love it.) It was great watching Jordan out there today. Everytime he was on the field all of us Lincoln grads got really excited. He caught a few key 4th quarter passes on the final drive and he had a few good returns. He's getting some great experience and I can see him being a key player on this team in no time. Great job, JoPo.

Nothing too much planned for the rest of the weekend, other than finishing up that powerpoint presentation that we are going to present on Monday. And, of course, first Seahawk game tomorrow! Go Seahawks!

That's all for now...enjoy some pictures I took at the game today. Peace :)

Oh yeah, the Women's Volleyball team lost to #25 Michigan.

P.S. Arkansas St. showed that last weeks win over Texas A&M wasn't a fluke with a 83-10 stomping of Texas Southern.

Noah: He always wanted to go for two after every touchdown.

Daniel (aka Belteshazzar): Anytime FOX goes to a Gamebreak from Detroit he has to remark, "Did I ever tell you about my experience with lions?"

Jonah: He seems to be bothered by the mere mention of the Dolphins. I tried to tell him that they are mammals and they don't even get that large, but he still feels they constitute a big fish.

Moses: He is fascinated by Madden's commentary, which prompts him to say, "Man, I thought I was slow of speech."

Samson: He once got into a fight with Absalom over which one of them appreciated Troy Polamalu's hair more. To stop the fight I introduced them to the splendor of 1980s hair bands.

Solomon: It's always a bit uncomfortable watching a game with him because he's married to a few cheerleaders from each team.

Jeremiah: He's a diehard fan of the Cardinals. Most weeks he predicts a loss. Sometimes I think being sad makes him happy.

Jesus: He became a popular guest after a water-to-lager incident. Never bet against a team He's rooting for though. I lost $25 when Martin Gramatica hit a 55 yard field goal last year (there had to be something supernatural involved for Martin to hit that kick).

Socrates: He loves to ask questions. After the Super Bowl he posed this one: "Which team, the Giants or the Patriots, had the better season?" I was stumped. Then he said: "Who is the better quarterback, Rex Grossman or Nancy Kerrigan?" Once again I was stumped.

Machiavelli: He seemed appalled that players could be called for unnecessary roughness. "Roughness" he said, "is a very necessary part of life."

Descartes: Every week I ask him: "Hey Descartes, do you think Arizona will win today?" I am patiently waiting for the day he replies: "I think not."

Don Henley: I was crushed to find out he is not an Eagles fan.

John Wayne: I tried to explain to him why I hate the Cowboys, but before I finished he beat me up and threatened to shoot me. "All right, I'll drop the topic" I said. "Take it easy Marion." He shot me.

Wyatt Earp: He was troubled by the lack of spectacular mustaches in the NFL. I showed him some pictures from the past, and he was quick to inform me that the game has deteriorated.

Pogo Stick Assembly Line Worker: His name was Marvin, and he affixed decals on pogo sticks in Boonton, New Jersey. He didn't talk much.

I had to walk a damn mile with my whole camera setup. Apparently media parking is only valid for those who aren't students. Kind of unfair. I ended up carrying everything across campus and taking some pictures on my way there/way back:

That's the memorial for the victims of April 16th, in front of Burrus Hall. I had an even better shot but the goof walking on the path in the picture decided to turn and look directly at me. Why does this always happen?

I continued my walk and made it to the game about two hours before kick-off. Little did I know the media room upstairs had free food and drink, so I stocked up before hitting the field. I walked around for a good amount of time with my fisheye, and when game time came around and the cadets were prancing around the field I almost got kicked by one of them since I didn't realize how close I was. Another guy was yelling at me but I wasn't even in his way or anything. This is extreme photography people.

The game started and I got a lot of shots of one of the QB's, Tyrod Taylor, primarily because he ran the ball so much. I believe he even had a 50 yard run in there somewhere.

Oh yeah - notice that their uniforms are white? Apparently this was some special white out game, and the helmets will be auctioned off at the end of the game. It's for promoting reading...and funding a new locker room. The Hokies' other QB, Sean Glennon, did pretty good this game in contrast to what I saw at ECU. [ECU also beat West Virginia today - word!] (Pretending that I keep up with college football here...)

The game progressed and the Hokies won 24-7. According to my friends, the game was boring and we should have demolished them. I thought the game was exciting, but maybe just because I was on the sidelines firing away the whole time. During the second quarter I managed to make my way up into the corner of the East stands. Such a workout.

As you can see it was pretty sunny...and not exactly a hurricane. There were some crazy winds which gets annoying seeing as I have long hair that is usually all over the place. Speaking about my hair I need to get that cut since engineering expo is coming around and I'm pretty sure getting a job would be a lot easier if I wasn't looking so grungy. Gotta keep it business casual these days.

The rest of the photographs from the game can be found here, and check the front page of Planet Blacksburg for some familiar images!

And on that note, I'm beat. Carrying things around all day combined with this sun burn issue really took it out of me. Time to go enjoy an evening.

East Carolina certainly earned my respect (and ruined my parlay card), a couple of picks didn't cover, and Cal just pounded away. But not too much damage, really, considering I was working without the net of past performances this week: 5 wins, 4 losses and a bad parlay card for a net loss of five bucks.

Next week (after I get a look at them tomorrow & Monday night) .... pro predictions will be added to the festivities. And what a way to begin the season - off to the sports bar early in the morning since the Patriots/Chiefs game is not being shown out here in favor of the Jets/Dolphins/FavreMANIA!!!! (Spare me, the Jets will STILL suck this year). Whatever. Maybe I need to get out more.

Somedays I feel okay about football. Somedays I feel blah 'bout it. Somedays I just simply hate it. And oh yeah my husband knows that. He does not mind the fact that I do not like football at all. I hate watching the game on TV. The funny thing is, I don't mind watching it live in a stadium. But of course, I am never too excited about going to a live football game. If someone gives me a free ticket yes I'll go. I never want to pay just to see a team plays. I admit, I do like the festivities. I like that people are in good moods--until their team loses. And I always support the underdog team -- and usually I am one of the few in the big crowd. If they win; good. If they lose; eh better luck next time.

My husband wants to have boys. He said so that he can teach them to play football. Oh dear. God help me.

Unfortunately for me, like it or not, when football season comes, I have to brace myself with the craziness of those fanatics--my husband included. It's fun to watch but no, I do not want to join the crowd. I'll sit back and relax in my cozy bedroom reading magazines or watching some cooking shows on TV while the rest of the country is watching football games--again, my husband to be included.

America loves its football.

Don't worry, I'll keep the chicken wings and chips coming for my dear husband.

the AP recap is HERE!

This is Howler, our new mascot, right after being introduced to the crowd:

We had a good time, and it is always good when you stomp them.