Happy Halloween!

Georgia/Florida Game

First the Braves; now this. There is not much to say about it. The Gators were held to ZERO points after the first quarter. The Dawgs stayed in the fight, but what was going on with the play calls in the fourth quarter? On their last two possessions, the Dawgs ran a quarterback draw and a quarterback sweep with 3rd and long! What's up with that?!

Hands Up...Who Wants To Rock?

The Clutch show was superb. My buddy, Jody, was celebrating his 30th birthday, and we brought in a good crowd. Adam came down from Myrtle Beach to suprise Jody. Our friend, Cory came into town from Ashville, NC on his way to Vegas. Once we arrived, we met some other acquaintances: Bobby from Ray's on the River, Bernardo from Osteria, and local rock star, Mike.

The show was two sets totalling over two hours. They played almost their entire new album, and refrained from playing their older, heavier songs. These guys are pros. They always show up with their best stuff, and the greatest thing about Clutch is that when the show ends, you know it won't be too long before they come back to town. They are on the road constantly. Paige and I saw them three times last year. So, with that in mind, I'll keep my ears open for new releases and B-sides and wait for them to return.

SWOLLEN

I had the night off tonight, and the Reverend Horton Heat was in town. I was having a great time, enjoying the show, and then, WHAM!!! I got smacked. A person's forehead slammed into my right orbital. I'm lucky it did not split me open. I've been in countless pits, but this was unexpected. The following photo was taken about an hour after, and being the sports medicine major that I was, I had ice on it the entire time. It's still pretty swollen. Typed representations of laughter and general demeaning comments are welcomed.

Three Days Later

1-UP

Funny Stuff

These photos absolutely kill me every time I look at them. I've had them saved for a couple years, and I've looked at them dozens of times. But they always make me laugh out loud. Is that wrong?

The Use of Books

What's there to praise.
In that vast library of long gone days
Bound in the failed and fading leather
Of ancient weather?

To free what's trapped or bound
Is my whole law and ground:
Since it's myself I find
Out on the rough roads travelling blind.

Yet, for another's use,
I bind what I set loose
So others may make free
Of those lost finds no longer use to me.

from Selected Poems 1938-1988

by Thomas McGrath

New World Samurais

Live in concert at the Masquerade in Atlanta, GA on 10/26! It's a Wednesday, so put the kids to bed early. You don't want to miss this 2 set performance. You know I'll be there. Let me know if you need directions.

Things I Miss About Living In Jacksonville

I spent my early twenties in this city, and sometimes, there are things that I miss. I continue to wax creativity with Jeremy, and I still cover current events with Brian. I even exchange emails with Jason every now and then. But there are some aspects of Jacksonville that are unique to that city. So, here are some things I miss about living in Jacksonville:

(Photo compliments of Jeremy T.)

1. Chamblin's Book Mine

2. Michelango sandwiches from European Street

3. The beach

4. Jack Rabbits

5. Seven Bridges Grille and Brewery

6. Philosophical sessions with Jesse

7. Habana Ball

8. Walks around downtown

9. Frontier Antiques and other thrift stores

10. Jacksonville Suns baseball games

11. July 4th fireworks displays

12. The river

13. Twelve Hour Turn

I may add more, and feel free to let me know of any personal contributions to the list.

Sorry, Charlie

It's Over...For Now

The Braves post season hopes were dashed once again as they dropped game 4 to the Astros in a marathon 18-inning game. An uncharacteristic outing by Kyle Farnsworth allowed the game to be tied in the ninth. It was his first blown save since joining the team in early August. As for he Braves hitters, they just didn't get the hits when they needed them in the extra innings.

Despite the outcome, the game was truly momentous. It set records in number of innings played (18), game length (5 hrs. 50 min.), players used (42), pitches thrown (553), and grand slams (2). Even more amazing, the same lucky Astros fan caught both the Berkman grand slam ball in the 8th, and the game winner in the 18th. How about that?

I've finished grieving, and I'm looking forward to next season. At least the Yankees were eliminated as well. I'll be pulling for the Cardinals the rest of the playoffs.

Paige's Artwork

Here's another of Paige's paintings. There are a couple others in the archives, so if you like this one check them out. She is beginning to warm up to the idea of selling them, so contact me if you are interested. Feel free to comment as well.

Anthropological Field Trip

Part 1: Georgia Guidestones

Hopefully, you've read the previous post describing the monument I set out to find this past June 21st. It was the Summer Solstice, and personally, I think it should be a national holiday. I mean, come on, it's the longest day of the year. It should be celebrated. Anyway, I set out to visit the Guidestones in Elberton, Ga. I thought, since it was the solstice, some new agers or fringe occultists would be conducting some sort of nature based religious ceremony. I arrived just after noon, and of course, there was no one there. No chanters, no meditators, just me, my digital camera, and anthropological aspirations. I had brought a digital recorder as well. I had planned to interview some of the participants. I was a little let down. After all, this was the Solstice, man. Any pagan worth a damn should have been doing something that day. I was suprised no one was there. The entire visit was anti-climactic, actually. I mean, the Guidestones are a fascinating monument, but the astronomical alignment I had read about just seems to be well placed holes. I think the "alignment" of the Guidestones could be replicated almost anywhere, in any structure.

Also, the message on the stones is a bit self evident. I seems that the authors think that if the world ends soon, future generations will be absent of common sense. I mean, the governmental principles of the Guidestones have been practiced for thousands of years. And I am a bit troubled by the population guidelines. What kind of social rules would be established to limit the human population to 500,000? They would infringe on your personal freedoms, at best. At worst, well, let your imagination run wild.

On a more positive note, it's incredible to think that these stones will remain in their postions for thousands of years to come. No matter what the future holds, this monument will remain to greet all visitors. Though I disagree with some of the guidelines, the perspective presented is no less valid than any of my ideas about the future. It is a positive statement for no other reason than it has been spoken, and it will be around long after the authors have perished. If you are in north Georgia, near Athens and the South Carolina line, take a detour over to Elberton, and check out America's Stonehenge. It is pretty interesting to see, and who knows, you may be hit with an epiphany while marveling at the granite monument.

Part 2: The Cherokee Center of the World

While touring Elberton, I discovered that the ceremonial center for the Cherokee Nation was near by. I was not expecting to visit two sites in one day, but since I was in the neighborhood, I decided to find it. It took quite a while, even though it was only about 25 miles from the Guidestones. My anticipation built as I persevered through several wrong turns and miles of backtracking. And when I finally found the site, I was completely disheartened. I had wanted to find an open field with rolling hills; a place I could walk through, meditating upon the culture of the Cherokee and pondering the lives of my ancestors. Maybe I would even stumble upon an artifact to analyze back in the archeology lab at GSU. I should have expected what I found:

An awfully named textile company and massive site destruction

Despite the disappiontments of my excursion. I was encouraged by the fact that I had finally gone out to see the Guidestones, and I had persistented until I found the Cherokee Center of the World. These are lasting monuments to our future and our past. There remains much to be learned from previous cultures and the prospects of our future. We would do well to take them all into consideration as we go forward. While thinking of these positive aspects, I passed a sign that poignantly reminded me that I still have most of my life ahead of me, and I should get off my ass to make sure that I leave some kind of lasting mark on this world.

The Georgia Guidestones

These stones, described below, caught my interest when searching the web on my last days in Jacksonville, FL. I stumbled across the website in a general search of things dealing the Druids. I was fascinated to find something so culturally significant in the middle of north Georgia. I set my mind to going to check them out, and I finally did on June 21st of this year, the summer solstice. Details of this trip will follow in my next post, but first, here's an introduction compliments of http://www.thegeorgiaguidestones.com/stones.htm

"Elberton Granite's reputation as one of the world's best monumental stones, Elbert County's geographic location, and fate seem to be key elements in why one of the nation's most unusual monuments was unveiled near Elberton, March 22, 1980. Already called "America's Stonehenge," after the mysterious monuments in England which have puzzled men for ages, THE GEORGIA GUIDESTONES has attracted nationwide publicity and promises to become a major tourist attraction.Overwhelming in size and steeped in enigma, the GUIDESTONES was revealed to the nation in the Winter, 1979, ELBERTON GRANITEER -- and is as much a mystery now as it was then -- and probably still will be when man ceases to record his history. The gargantuan, six-piece monument stands 19-ft. high in the beautiful hill country eight miles north of Elberton and proclaims a message for the conservation of mankind. Its origins and sponsors are unknown; hence, the mystery.

Challenging Project

The components were manufactured from ELBERTON GRANITE FINISHING COMPANY, INC.'s "Pyramid Blue Granite", and the firm's President, Joe H. Fendley, Sr., said the project was one of the most challenging ever for his quarrying and monument manufacturing concern - partly because of the magnitude of the materials and partly because of the exacting specifications from the mysterious group of sponsors, "and those specifications were so precise that they had to be compiled by experts on stone as well as construction," said Fendley.He said it all began late on a Friday afternoon in June when a well-dressed and articulate man walked into his offices on the Tate Street Extension in Elberton and wanted to know the cost of building a large monument to conservation. He identified himself as "Mr. Christian." He told Fendley that he represented a small group of loyal Americans living outside Georgia who wished to remain anonymous forever, and that he chose the name "Christian" because he was a Christian. He inquired where Fendley banked and Joe put him in touch with both local banks. Wyatt C. Martin, President of the Granite City Bank, was selected by "Mr. Christian" to be the intermediary for the mysterious project. According to Martin, the man showed up at his office 30 minutes later, explained the project, and said after completion he hoped other conservation-minded groups would erect even more stones in an outer ring and carry the monuments message in more languages. He told Martin that he wanted the monument erected in a remote area away from the main tourist centers. The gentleman also said that Georgia was selected because of the availability of excellent granite, generally mild climate, and the fact that his great-grandmother was a native Georgian.

Elbert County Chosen

Martin persuaded the mystery man that Elbert County was the ideal location for the memorial; and he agreed, provided a suitable location could be found. He returned later and he and Martin inspected sites. "Mr. Christian", who now called himself "R. C. Christian", chose a five-acre plot on the farm of contractor Wayne Mullenix. It is the highest point in Elbert County. A few weeks later , Martin contacted Joe Findley and told him that funds for the project were in an escrow account and to start work immediately. Martin promised that when the project was completed, he would deliver his file on the affair to the anonymous sponsors and that the secret would never be known.He said "Christian" told him that the sponsors had planned the monument for years and that the ten "guides" for the conservation of mankind and the earth were carefully worded as a moralistic appeal to all peoples of nationality, religion, or politics.The guides are brief maxims espousing population control and other conservation messages in eight languages. The guides are inscribed in eight different languages on four huge stones set in a paddlewheel arrangement with the center stone carved and drilled so that the sun will mark the time of day and the seasons. The guides, which were accompanied by ten explanatory precepts in the specifications, are: "Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature; Guide reproduction wisely - improving fitness and diversity; Unite humanity with a living new language; Rule passion - faith - tradition - and all things with tempered reason; Protect people and nations with fair laws and just courts; Let all nations rule internally, resolving external disputes in a world court; Avoid petty laws and useless officials; Balance personal rights with social duties; Prize truth - beauty - love - seeking harmony with the infinite; and , Be not a cancer on the earth - leave room for nature - leave room for nature.""

Location

The Guidestones are out in the middle of nowhere on a farm near Georgia State Highway 77, 7.2 miles North of Elberton Georgia, 1.3 miles South of Hart-Elbert County Line, 7.8 miles South of Hartwell Georgia.

NLDS

I've been fortunate enough to attend both games of the series thus far. A short synopsis of each follows:

Game 1

Tim Hudson is a gamer. I've seen him pitch several times this season, but he did not have his stuff for this one. He gave up five walks through the third inning and finally seemed to settle down. The Astros got to him again in the beginning of the 7th, and Cox pulled him. Rookie, Devine, followed with a quick out, but after that, Rietsma and Foster combined to give up 5 hits and 5 runs in the 8th, successfully nullifying another Jones/Jones homerun tandum. The Astros won 10-5.

On a lighter note. My Dad made the trip from Blackshear, GA to attend the game with me. He and I have a lot of great memories of games at Turner Field and Fulton County Stadium, but this one was a heart breaker. We still had a great time hanging out, but this was the only game he has been able to attend this season. I wish he could have witnessed a solid win.

Game 2

Smoltzie showed up and delivered a gem. He pitched 7 innings and gave up 1 run while striking out 5. We rocked the "Rocket" for 6 hits and 5 runs in 5 innings. The fireworks came from rookie Brian McCann, an Atlanta native who ripped a 3 run homer in the second. It was all Braves from then on. Great defense and steady run production led to a Braves win with a score of 7 to 1.

My wife, Paige, was in attendance with me, and we had a great time. I think Sosa will produce a win for us on Saturday, but I'm still going to get tickets for a prospective game 5. I will keep you "posted". GO BRAVES!

HOUSTON, YOU HAVE A PROBLEM.

NLDS Preview

Record vs. Astros

The Braves won five of their six games against the Astros this year. Most of the damage was done during a four-game series sweep at Turner Field on May 5-8. Since then, the two teams haven't met and the Astros have turned around their season. When the Astros limped out of Atlanta, they were just 11-19. Since May 24, Houston has vaulted out of last place and into the postseason with a 74-43 record.

2005 Stats vs. Astros

Giles batted .458 (11-for-24) with five doubles in six games against the Astros this year. Langerhans, a native Texan, batted .417 (5-for-12) with three homers in five games against Houston. On April 18, in a 1-0, 12-inning victory over the Astros, Langerhans hit his first career homer. His first career multihomer also came against them in a 16-0 win on May 8.

John Thomson, Mike Hampton and Hudson all provided nine-inning efforts against the Astros this season. Thomson was the only Braves pitcher to make two starts against the Astros. He was charged with seven of the 13 runs Houston scored in six games against Atlanta pitchers.

Career vs. Game 1 starter Andy Pettitte

Julio Franco: .471 (8-for-17), 1 HR, 1 RBI
Todd Hollandsworth: .400 (2-for-5) 0 HR, 0 RBI
Chipper Jones: .375 (6-for-16), 0 HR, 3 RBIs
Andruw Jones: .278 (5-for-18), 0 HR, 2 RBIs
Johnny Estrada: .161 (1-for-6) 0 HR, 1 RBI
Brian Jordan: .091 (1-for-11) 0 HR, 0 RBI
Rafael Furcal: .000 (0-for-6) 0HR, 0 RBI
Marcus Giles: .000 (0-for-3) 0 HR, 0 RBI
Wilson Betemit .000 (0-for-2) 0 HR, 0 RBI

Career postseason

Wilson Betemit (1 G, .000, 0 HR, 0 RBI)
Jim Brower (2 G, 3 IP, 0-0, 6.00 ERA)
Johnny Estrada (5 G, .353, 2 HR, 4 RBI)
Kyle Farnsworth (8 G, 8 IP, 0-0, 6.75 ERA)
Julio Franco (24 G, .235, 2 HR, 5 RBI)
Rafael Furcal (18 G, .253, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 SB)
Marcus Giles (21 G, .222, 2 HR, 6 RBI)
Todd Hollandsworth (14 G, .364, 0 HR, 3 RBI)
Tim Hudson (7 G, 34 IP, 1-2, 3.44 ERA)
Andruw Jones (71 G, .258, 9 HR, 28 RBI)
Chipper Jones (87 G, .294, 12 HR, 45 RBI)
Brian Jordan (35 G, .252, 6 HR, 27 RBI)
Adam LaRoche (5 G, .235, 1 HR, 4 RBI)
Eddie Perez (30 G, .299, 3 HR, 12 RBI)
Chris Reitsma (3 G, 3 IP, 0-0, 18.00 ERA)
John Smoltz (39 G, 200 IP, 14-4, 4 SV, 2.70 ERA)
John Thomson (1 G, 0.1 IP, 0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Compiled by Mark Bowman

Jeremy's Photos

Pal and T-shirt entrepreneur, Jeremy T., sent me some photos recently. Here are a few of my favorites:

He also sent many of himself and his family that I particularly enjoyed, but without consent, I would not be comfortable posting them. I look forward to getting some more from him, and I'll post my favorites then as well. I already plan to use one other in a separate post that is coming up soon.

Novocaine Stain

When I can work out how it was

Then I'll tell you

TV stained my memories, yeah

I don' think that she's...

Remember through sounds

Remember through smells

Remember through colors

Remember through towns

With fear and fascination

On what was here

And what's replacing them now

Interchange plazas a mall

And crowded chain restaurants

More housing developments go up

Named after the things they replace

So welcome to Minnow Brook

And welcome to Shady Space

And it all seems a little abrupt

No I don't like this change of pace

KITTIES

At this time, I would like to present: OUR CATS. Yeah, they seem cute, but they are both 20 pounders. They will get you. Just ask my paw-in-law.


Jonsey: Named after the main
character in the Stephen King
book I was reading at the time,
Dreamcatcher. We should have
named him Garfield; he weighs
24 pounds and gets cranky if he
doesn't have food.

Ahi: A perfect name for a cat.

It's a term that refers to sushi

grade tuna. Weighing in at 19

pounds, he's a bit of a brute as

well.

Like the Braves and the post season...

I'M BACK! I plan to post regularly now, so keep checking. Jeremy, you can expect some comments from me soon. I like what you have been doing. Especially the "diamonds" post. Hilarious.

My meatwad photo does not show up for me anymore. Is it showing up for anyone else? Maybe I need to switch things up. Let me know.