Wednesday, November 30, 2011

ESPN

ESPN

Thanks to Olga Quinn

I am amazed at the number of channels that ESPN has. Several direct tv packages include multiple sports channels. There are four different ESPN channels that I have access to through Direct TV. I love sports, and I can always find something that I am interested in on one of the ESPN channels. It is amazing how much access the ESPN crews have throughout the major sports leagues, and there is literally no stone left unturned when it comes to professional sports in America. I know there are some people who think that it is too much, but I am glad that we have access to this much coverage. From inside the huddle to inside the locker room, today’s sports fan can see it all. I think about how media coverage has changed so much here in America. Celebrities of all types are able to get away with much less because there is always a camera around. I love having the opportunity to see some of the NFL’s best coaches talk about game plans and strategies. For a sports fan like me, it could not be better.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

The Beauty of the Major Award

After the stress of this football season, I think all Alabama fans deserve cheap acrylic awards. A nice trophy to place on our mantel certainly would be a nice perk. Obviously, the season is not over. It looks as though we will be playing LSU again, but this time for all the marbles. If we win that game, I will most certainly be picking up acrylic awards cheap for all my family.

In the meantime, I will be picking up a barcelona chair cheap and resting up until the next game. If the BCS holds true, that should be January 9th. I've had my eye on a black leather beauty, and it will be mine. Armed with my chair and my major award, the stress of this season will certainly seem well worth it.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Thanksgiving 2011 - The Year of the Cornbread

I've probably made cornbread at least 100 times in my life. Never once did it seem difficult. When Mrs. Leslie volunteered to make the cornbread that my sister needed to complete the dressing for Thanksgiving, I was more than willing to let her have the job. Mrs. Leslie, not being Southern, has little cornbread experience.

The first batch turned out fine, but there was a problem with the fact that it was made using white corn meal. In the South, yellow corn meal is often preferred. Add to this the fact that there was not enough of the white to make the two large pans that were needed, and off to the store we went.

The second two pans, which were made using the yellow corn meal, looked fine on the top, but after cutting into them, it was apparent that something was wrong. A doughy center, which was white instead of yellow, was all I needed to see to determine that she had now produced three huge pans of unusable cornbread.

To her defense, she used the recipe from the Irondale Cafe website (the cafe that Fried Green Tomatoes was centered around). What she did not realize was that the temperature they listed was for a convection oven. Seriously, who has a convection oven in their home?!?

At this point she had gone through massive amounts of ingredients, so I decided I would just make it myself. Mine turned out good enough, though a little on the dry side. Even I was not immune to the cornbread curse though, as I tried to transfer the bread to a cutting board on the stove, dropped it, and had it burst into a thousand pieces and crumbs (half of which fell into the stove eyes).

What should have cost around $3, and taken about 30 minutes, ended up costing around $10, and taking HOURS. Next year, we will not be doing battle with the cornbread gods. I will gladly allow Publix, or any other grocery store, to take over this task.

What did we ever do to you, cornbread? Riddle me that, would ya?

Saturday, November 19, 2011

The Case for Early Christmas

Let's discuss this "early Christmas" thing. According to some of my Facebook friends, there is a very good case for early shopping and early decorating. The others argue that it takes away from the joy of Thanksgiving. I got on board with early Christmas a long time ago. Why? Because I feel that the entire Christmas season passes entirely too fast for my liking.

I really cannot even imagine how those people in the "old days" put up their tree on Christmas Eve and were content with that. Christmas Eve is supposed to be relaxing, and not work. Honestly, putting up a Christmas tree is work. Especially when kids are "helping." I bet those families were in bed by 8pm. Seriously.

What does it say about me if I have one, or in my case, two trees up when my family gathers around my Thanksgiving table? In my mind, it only says that I enjoy Christmas, and the lights only add to the festivities. It certainly causes no harm, and we still give thanks for all that we have. No one says, "Hey, can I open a present?" And if they did, I would say, "This meal is your present, fool!"

I will not even go into the need for early shopping. Unless you enjoy stress, early shopping is a must. I have almost everything ordered now, with almost a week to go until Thanksgiving. Yep, that's how I roll, and I like it. You early Christmas haters can hate. I will keep Christmas in my way, and you can keep it in yours.

Turkey and Tree...In perfect harmony!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Is There Anything Worse Than A Bad Christmas Movie?

Maybe. A bad Halloween movie also sucks.

Anyway, the Hallmark Channel has started showing Christmas movies, and since I am a fan of what is now being referred to as "early Christmas" I have tuned in. I did not make it through "Lucky Christmas", which stars Elizabeth Berkley. If you ever watched "Saved By the Bell" then you know who she is. She played Jesse Spano.

She went on to star in the movie "Showgirls" which featured her getting busy with multiple people. Not that there is anything wrong with this, but I was pretty grossed out to see little Jesse doing it with everyone. Apparently I was not the only person that felt this way, as her career tanked right after that.

I guess Hallmark thought that enough time has passed, and decided to give her a chance at redemption. Brave move, bad movie. Will I continue to watch these hokey movies? Sure, if nothing better is on. But I don't think I will try to catch "Lucky Christmas" during one of its million re-airings. The Christmas spirit only goes so far.


"Yes, I have huge eyes. No, it's not the drugs!"

Monday, November 7, 2011

Oh, the Agony

Yes, my beloved team lost by three measly points Saturday night. I have since processed it and recovered. As I've aged, I've learned to be more mature in my approach. I did not scream at Mrs. Leslie, (but did demand sympathy) and did not break anything. In the past, any inanimate object was fair game, but no longer. The fact that I was with all of my favorite peeps certainly helped. After all, football in the South is about getting together and having fun.

I turned one year older today, and we are keeping it low key around here. I'm working for now, but plan to kick back later on when my family comes over for cake. I have been promised the king of all back rubs later (no, not by my family, you pervs). We'll see if the dog allows it, as no one is allowed to pay attention to anyone but him. Lucky for him, he's cute.

Friday, November 4, 2011

I'm So Excited

I got so engrossed with the Alabama vs. LSU game hype this week that I forgot to post. I also almost forgot to go to the bathroom a few times, which would not have been good. I've learned so much this week. I've learned that LSU fans supposedly smell like corn dogs. I've also learned that they have a player that is called the "Honey Badger." Apparently, this nickname was derived from some internet joke that says, "Honey badger don't give a ****."

We'll know tomorrow if the Honey Badger should have given a **** or not. Kick off is at 7pm Central on CBS. I hope I am in a good enough state to enjoy the game, as we will be at the home of my favorite drinking buddy hours before game time. He mentioned something about having to do shots after Alabama touchdowns, so I suppose if it is a high scoring game, I'm toast. Fortunately, I have my always sober sister to drive me around.