Wednesday, March 22, 2006
The Bear Essentials
Shannon's parents gave me a great book on my recent birthday: The Bear Essentials by Vick Cross. I finally had the time to sit down a read it, and what a great book it was. Being transplanted to the state of Alabama, I always had difficulty figuring out why Coach Bryant was such an idol (I was a Military Brat, having lived in Kansas, Colorado, and D.C.). This book really opened my eyes. Here are some quotes from the book, and the coach...
"I ain't never been nothing but a winner."
-Paul "Bear" Bryant
"Playing for Bear was like going to war. You may come out of it intact, but you'll never forget the experience."
-George Blanda
"No one will ever know how many trips he made to Children's Hospital in Birmingham or how many letters he wrote and long-distance telephone calls he made to sick children."
-Billy Varner
"I don't hire anyone not brighter than I am. If they're not smarter than me, I don't need them."
-Paul Bryant
"You never know what a football player is made of until he plays against Alabama."
-"General" Bob Neyland
"Paul Bryant was a hard but loved taskmaster, patriotic to the core, devoted to his players, and inspired by a winning spirit that would not quit. Bear Bryant gave his country the gift of a life unsurpassed. In making the impossible seem easy, he lived what we strive to be."
-President Ronald Reagan
"Fourth down and a foot separating top-ranked Penn State from a possible national championship. Fusina hands to Guman - He didn't make it! What an unbelievable goal-line stand by Alabama!"
-ABC Commentator Keith Jackson
"I ain't never been nothing but a winner."
-Paul "Bear" Bryant
"Playing for Bear was like going to war. You may come out of it intact, but you'll never forget the experience."
-George Blanda
"No one will ever know how many trips he made to Children's Hospital in Birmingham or how many letters he wrote and long-distance telephone calls he made to sick children."
-Billy Varner
"I don't hire anyone not brighter than I am. If they're not smarter than me, I don't need them."
-Paul Bryant
"You never know what a football player is made of until he plays against Alabama."
-"General" Bob Neyland
"Paul Bryant was a hard but loved taskmaster, patriotic to the core, devoted to his players, and inspired by a winning spirit that would not quit. Bear Bryant gave his country the gift of a life unsurpassed. In making the impossible seem easy, he lived what we strive to be."
-President Ronald Reagan
"Fourth down and a foot separating top-ranked Penn State from a possible national championship. Fusina hands to Guman - He didn't make it! What an unbelievable goal-line stand by Alabama!"
-ABC Commentator Keith Jackson
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
March Madness (again)
I've been filling out NCAA March Madness brackets for over 10 years with the same group of friends (based in Birmingham, AL at my old Outback). While the group has grown over the years, I can pride myself in saying that I have always finished in the top 15 (there were 143 entries last year, only 100 this year). I've even won money on two occasions: 2nd place in 1998 and 3rd place in 1999. But this year has been a complete disaster. I'm not sure if you've heard, but quality teams are dropping like flies this year. My whole "bracketology" system has been annihilated (as Shannon would be quick to point out, with her "my favorite city" technique). Out of the Sweet Sixteen, I have only 12 teams left on one board, and only 9 teams left on the other. The good news is that everyone else has run into the same problems. UConn must win for me to see any gravy, so GO HUSKIES!!!
On-Line Ordering
So Outback Steakhouse is getting technical! Atlanta is a test market for this new program, and I love it. Customers can now place their Take-Away orders online at www.takeawayoutback.com. Check it out whenever you get hungry for some Aussie Tucker. ME
