RE:Ready for the Last Weekend of the NFL Regular Season

Tonight we find out if the New England Patriots go 16-0, as they face the NFC Wild Card New York Giants. Really a meaningless game except for the record.

The great thing about this season is there are two Playoff spots open. If the Washington Redskins beat the Dallas Cowboys the Redskins are in the playoffs. Which, the Redskins may get some help if Dallas rest people for the playoffs.

If the Redskins fall, the New Orleans Saints could get in. The Saints would have to defeat the Chicago Bears ad hope the Vikings lose.The Vikings would need to beat the Denver Broncos and the Redskins loss.

In the AFC, Its the Cleveland Browns or the Tennessee Titans. If Tennessee beats the Indianapolis Colts Sunday night they are in the playoffs, if the Titans lose the Browns are in the playoffs. If the Cleveland Browns win Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers does not matter, it is all on who wins Sunday night.

Interestingly the Colts and Cowboys are in and set in the playoffs. They have no pressure and may rest players.

RE: More Plant and Zeppelin News

I put together a brief song by song review of the Led Zeppelin reunion concert on 12/10/2007.
The link to it is on the side and here.

Also for those who will be in Europe in May, I have a brief article on the web with European Tour Dates and info here for Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.

The links to both of these articles are on the side.

Re:New Writing Gig

Well it looks like I'll be getting a new writing gig. The paper work has been filled I'm just waiting for my first assignment. This will be in addition to my writing at Associated Content and Helium. I still have some other things out there and my eyes open...
Anyway if I don't put another entry in before the Holidays I wish everyone the best for the Holidays!

Why wouldn't a Fortune 500 company move their headquarters to West Virginia

I barely live in the state of West Virginia. I could easily walk over to Virginia, and I'm roughly 3 miles back on a hill and across a river from Maryland. The area of the state I live in is growing. It is the only region in the state which is growing. The schools where I live same to match or exceed the higher rated schools in Maryland. An example my stepson goes to a normal elementary school in West Virginia and is able to take band. In Maryland, band was only offered at the magnet school he was attending and not at the regular schools. However, where I live sames to be an exception. People for the most part don't work here in West Virginia, they like me work in the neighboring states. I'm sure many are like me and moved here for the better housing prices. There are transit trains here where people can commute to Washington, DC.

West Virginia is a beautiful state it is blessed with scenic views, rivers, and mountains. West Virginia has capitalized on this, and tourism is one of the major industries in the state. The other major industry competes against tourism and that is the coal industry. Some how they manage to survive with one another.

West Virginia has some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. They have the resources. West Virginia has land, people, and infrastructure. More than 19 Colleges and Universities are located in West Virginia offering accredited four year degrees. Several offer Law, Masters and Doctorate degrees. There are several community colleges and junior colleges offering 2-year degrees. However, students after graduating often leave the state. Leaving West Virginia's population to decline and age.

Locating a Fortune 500 company in West Virginia would create a win-win situation for the corporation and the state. The company could build a campus location in a beautiful area. The state has locations within easy driving distances to Pittsburgh, Washington, and Baltimore. The real estate costs less in West Virginia than it does in most metropolitan areas. The in-state colleges would provide a well of talent to be tapped by the corporation. The corporation would bring higher paying jobs to the state. The money would filter down to other businesses in the state. The state would reap more tax income to improve infrastructure, health programs, and education. West Virginia needs Corporate America, and Corporate America could benefit from West Virginia.

Re: Wrote an article for Charity

Helium allows you to donate your earnings to charities on the articles you select. I wrote one last night.

Is MySpace an effective tool for nonprofits?

I took the argument that it was an effective tool. The title was endorsed by Charity Music and that is who I decided should get the proceeds.

Here is a teaser:
MySpace is an effective tool for nonprofits. Myspace is free and costs the nonprofit nothing but a small amount of time to produce and update. MySpace allows the nonprofit to co...read more


The website for charity music is http://www.charitymusic.org/.

It's about getting musical instruments into the hands of underprivileged kids.
So, if your board go ahead and check it out.

RE: Fixing the Site

I'm getting with the technology. I added a youtube link on the side. Featuring live footage from the 12/10/2007 Led Zeppelin reunion show. Which I have blogged about recently. I'll try to edit the feed from time to time to change it up. I'm going to get busy with ski season one of these days, but the way it looks now that may not be until January. The Holiday's are here and money is kind of tight. But like I said before we do have the blessings, and we do have a roof over our heads. Things could be a whole lot worse, and for way too many people. I brought two presents Friday for underprivileged kids. It is sad to think my humble gifts may be all they get this Holiday Season. And the homeless, where I live last night was yucky an ice storm and cold rain , and just think of the folks with no home, no shelter from the storm.

Update on my writing

I currently have 49 articles published on Associated Content. I'll have two more articles which should publish next week. Not bad considering I started on Associated Content at the end of July.

On Helium I am up to 12 articles, and I only started there last month.

Then there is this blog. The title pretty much speaks for it self. This blog is my ramblings. I have been trying to post once a day this month. I know I've missed a couple of days. I look at where my views are coming from, and occasionally I've tried to write for that audience. It is neat the people from across the globe who stop bye.

Other writing projects. I may have an announcement on some other writing projects soon, which could be cool!

RE: The Mitchell Report

Was naming names required? In my opinion the names are just there to get the publicity, to draw attention, to create a stir. Simply stating we found more than 80 players had used substances many of them stars of the game have been enough. I'm not defending the players who used something. I can see why it is a competitive world. Mitchell is a minority owner of a team, would the report may have been better if it was done by some one with no involvement in the sport? Is it a witch hunt? Wasn't there a list like this regarding communism back in the 50s? Aren't there more important issues for congress to investigate?

To the stars who used something. Is that the legacy you want to leave as a cheat? Is that the example you want to leave to the children playing in ballparks across the world? Our these steroids and HGH and what not that great of deal in baseball? It doesn't improve the hand eye coordination.


The black eye was already on baseball. But all I'm seeing is wrongs.

RE: Tour Dates

Those waiting for a Led Zeppelin reunion tour will have to wait. Robert Plant and Alisom Krauss anounced tour dates for May in Europe. Serious talk of a limited tour in the United States has been going around for a while but no dates have been set.

Re: After A Listen

I was able to listen to a copy of the Led Zeppelin reunon from December 10. There were some feedback issues on the first few numbers. I'm sure those will be cleaned up before the rumored dvd is released. Interesting set list. Opened with "Good Times Bad Times", "Ramble On" was done completely electric. Different then the studio version and the live 90's version from Page and Plant. The Blues numbers really show cased their mastery of the call and effect vocals and guitar interplay. Long versions of Dazed and No Quarter. All electric set, no accuostic or unplugged numbers. The light part of Zep was down played. This was obviously Zep ona mission. Page sounded better than I thought he would. He sounded great on nobody's fault and in my time of dying.

RE: More Thoughts on Nashville 1864

I've noticed the blog on this book has received a few views from people in Tennessee. Thanks for stopping in and taking the time to read. Since, there appears there is a little interest in the book I'll share some more thoughts.

I enjoyed the book as I stated before since there was enough action to draw you in.
It was interesting to see the interaction between the main character and his slave friend. Brother may be a better word. The relationship seamed closer than friend, but their was a line which kid of stopped it from being the brother relationship too.
It was interesting to see the slave's reaction to the black Union soldiers.

What are your thoughts on the book?

RE: Playoff picture in the NFL

The Jags are closer to the playoffs after their 37-6 win over the Carolina Panthers. The Colts clinched a playoff spot, and probably will win the division. The Patriots have clinched their division. The Chargers have a 2 game lead in the west. The Steelers have a one game lead over the Cleveland Browns in the North.

In the NFC the Cowboys have won the east, Green Bay has won the north, the Seahawks have won the west, Tampa Bay is close to winning it in the south. Playoff chases the Giants are 9-4, the Vikings are 7-6 and there are a few teams still alive.

Article on Led Zeppelin Reunion

Jason Bonham will take his late father's place at drums for Led Zeppelin when the group reunites for a "tribute to late Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun at the 02 Arena in London" on December 10, 2007. Jason is the son of the late John Bonham the original drummer for Led Zeppelin, Jason will be joined by Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones. Led Zeppelin will headline the concert, but "also feature music by Pete Townsend, Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings, Foreigner, and Paolo Nutini."The concert should be unique. "The initial plan was for them to work up a half-hour of material to play as part of a gala concert. But after a week of rehearsals, Zeppelin announced that they would be willing and able to perform a full two-hour set. " ' "They're going to play all the great songs that everybody wants to hear," said promoter Harvey Goldsmith." 'Goldsmith added. "I have a feeling that this is going to be the largest demand for one show in history." ' Mica Ertegun, Ahmet's widow stated her husband "would be very proud that Led Zeppelin have chosen to re-unite and headline a benefit concert in his name featuring so many of his friends." Robert Plant said "during the Zeppelin years, Ahmet Ertegun was a major foundation of solidarity and accord. For us he WAS Atlantic Records and remained a close friend and conspirator - this performance stands alone as our tribute to the work and the life of our long standing friend."Harvey Goldsmith added "It is a fitting tribute that these great artists have all come together to perform in his memory. The proceeds of the evening will go to The Ahmet Ertegun Education Fund for student scholarships. One of these scholarships will be for a music student in the UK each year."As for the future of Led Zeppelin, no one knows for sure. Front man Robert Plant has a duet album with Alison Krauss called "Rising Sand" due out in October, and appears on two tracks on a tribute album to Fat's Domino titled "Going Home" due out later this month. On a possible tour "You have to take it one step at a time," Harvey (Goldsmith) said. "Obviously there is a sense of frustration for all the fans around the world who can't get tickets. I hope they do something else. But I hope they do it because they're really enjoying it and because this show is fantastic."Sources:Rollingstone.com "The Story Behind The Led Zeppelin Reunion: Is a Tour Next" 09/12/07 Rockdaily by Rolling StoneRollingstone.com "Led Zeppelin to Play Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert on November 26 in London" 09/12/07 Rockdaily by Rolling Stone

RE:Led Zeppelin

Well a friend of mine wanted to know if I wanted to go to Bonnaro since the rumor is Led Zeppelin is going to headline. The rumor is Zeppelin is going to headline Glastonbury. A world tour. Heck, with all these people starting rumors of a Zeppelin reunion, let me get in the act. I have some room in my garage. Led Zeppelin can play my garage!

Jones and Page are for a reunion. Plant has stated from the start the O2 show is a one and done thing. He has a pending tour in the works wit Alison Krauss. Maybe I'll post my article on the reunion which wasn't published soon. Kind of have this blog have a theme for the weekend as we await the reunion at the o2 on Monday.

The Weekend In Sports

It's fairly quiet. The big games to determine the bowls are done in college football, now it is just time to wait for the bowl games. Maybe a time to look at the NBA, or college basketball. This is the last week for my fantasy football league. I went 7-0, but the whels fell off and I have dropped 6 in a row. That's not good. Looks like some deals may happen in baseball. Oh well we will see.

RE: Article Made The Sports Spotlight

One of my articles I wrote for Associated Content made their Spotlight for sports. I know it doesn't mean much, but it is nice to be recognized for my writing.

Here is the link if anyone is interested: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/467506/white_sox_add_carlos_quentin.html

Update on the blog and it's international hits:
We can add Brazil and Germany

Davis, WV

Davis, WV named in the top 10 for outdoors towns in America. The town is one of my favorite areas to go. The skiing is great with Timberline, Canaan and White Grass for cross country. There is mountain biking too. With Blackwater Falls, there is hiking, fishing and rafting. There is a golf course too. It's great this town gets some attention.

Here is a link: http://cityguides.msn.com/green/greenarticle.aspx?cp-documentid=5769840&GT1=10564

RE:Tuesdays Gone Like The Wind

After a wind howling couple days it looks like snow is moving in. So much for the weather. Less than a week until the big Led Zeppelin reunion concert in London. No passport, no plane ticket, no concert ticket..so I guess I'm not going.

RE: Nashville 1864

Last year on Myspace I put a list of books I read last year. I'll do the same on here by the end of the month. I had read a few but then I started writing, so I haven't read as much.

Anyway the last book I read was Nashville 1864 by Madison Jones. It was a short book only 130 pages which I read mostly in one day. In 1997 the book won the 1997 Michael Shaara Award for Civil War Fiction.

The book was written in the form of a man's recollection to when he was a child and his dad was a soldier for the Confederate Army. Most of the book dealt with the kid sneaking out of a Union occupied town with a slave buddy to find his dad on the battle front.Lots of details and action to hold the readers interest to make this a short but enjoyable read.

RE:Rainy Night in December

There is a cold December rain falling outside with temperatures in the mid 30's.
not cold enough to snow and not cold to ice. Just a yucky kind of night. I guess we do need the rain and we are probably benefiting from it. We would have a decent snowfall if it was snow. The kind you know you weren't going anywhere in. So that would not be bad. You could play in it. Have snowball fights, make snowmen, pull your back out shoveling snow and have a heart attack. So maybe it could be bad. Well at least it's not an ice storm. So, maybe a rainy night is not that bad.

End of November

November's gone. November means I made it a year being married. Made it through Thanksgiving. It was pretty quiet this year. We cheated no home cooked meal, I bought a platter home from Boston Market. I ended up working overtime, putting some extra time in at the office. But, this Thanksgiving I had a lot to be Thankful for. My wife, we don't always see eye to eye, but she is on my side. Our adorable daughter. Yes it's tough. Our finances aren't where we would like them to be, and we did move to a house. But my daughter wakes up every morning with a smile. I wish I did, there is a lesson I could learn from her there. She's the best therapy, if I'm feeling down I can just spend some time with her and the blues are gone. Now I do make noise when I'm hungry, and I do get cranky when I'm sleepy just like her, it must be genetics. Then our house. We moved out of our apartment and out of Maryland. The house is in West Virginia. Very close to the Virginia border. The house was a good deal, closer to the suburbs of D.C and rail lines in case I decide to work in Washington. It''s secluded on a hill, the house is modest, probably not that much bigger than my apartment. However it sits on a little more than an acre and has some neat out buildings. So all and all this thanksgiving there was a lot to be thankful for, and yes I'm sure those are things during the year I complain about or take for granted from time to time. Rambling out of November and into December...

RE:Updates

I've added the link so people can see my articles on Helium. On Helium I have 4 recent articles, all on sports. I write most of my articles on Associated Content.

I've also updated the blogger list. Most if not all the bloggers are from the WV bloggers group. It is a pretty cool group with alot of diversity in their blogs. However, West Virginia is a very diverse state with lots of different regions to it.

The blog page has had a new international visit, the latest one coming from Madrid, Spain.

RE:Blogging again!

Sorry, I haven't blogged in a while. I have been writing several articles, so I still have been writing. 13 articles have been published on Associated Content since my last blog. To my West Virginia friends my article on Snowshoe was published. Also an article on Wisp was published too, across the boarder in Maryland, but one of the closest ski areas to Morgantown. There are some sports topics, political articles as well.

If your interested check them out: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/98423/mike_spain.html

I've also published three articles at Helium.com. One on the Orlando Magic, and two baseball related articles.

If your interested check them out:

RE:Little by little

Little by little, this blog is gaining more hits. I know some come from the WV bloggers group. I know one was my brother. But some of the other blog locations are pretty cool, one from the Middle East, one from the United Kingdom. It is nice to get the international page views. Then ,I had one from Palo Alto, California and one from Utah. I guess it just shows you never know where your blog hits are coming from.

Other than that, the work week has been pretty hectic. However, I know lots of people have hectic weeks too. It's almost over. Writing wise well, I wrote a lot earlier this week, but nothing new lately, I'll probably write some this weekend.

Back to the blog! I've been away from the blog for a while. I've been busy writing for the AC. Mostly, sports related articles. It was kind of cool, to be targeted, offered to write some articles, and challenging to meet the deadlines. I did it, though! So I have some previews of the pitching match up in game 1 of the World Series, previews on the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers and Indiana Pacers.

Non-sports wise, they did publish one on the Ghost Walks in Harpers Ferry. Which is cool, I wanted to write something local and that is just down the hill. I also wanted to do something on this side of the Potomac.

I have a review of Snowshoe pending, and I hope to write some more ski resort reviews soon. Chances are something else will come up..stay tuned!

WV Blogger Pride

I ran across a blog community the other day which was pretty neat. It was a forum for West Virginia Bloggers. I joined since I live in West Virginia, basically on the border, and I also went to school in West Virginia. To put a site together 1) puts up a community within the state for bloggers, 2) shows some pride in bloggers of the state. I think it should be fun and a chance to meet some other writers.

Good Things, Louisiana Politics and a Friends Blog

A friend of mine made a post about a Louisiana Candidate for a political office. And yes, he made some comments about how this persons life had some bad twists of fates. This candidate is also an entertainer, which is why my friend was blogging about him in the first place. He said this person was putting there life back together, and would be good at the position due to his talents. He also said this person had a passion for the position he was running for, but some how people attack him for being down on the person. I don't get it. When life doesn't or isn't going like we plan and it kicks us down a bit(or a lot) isn't it natural to put it back together? Isn't that a good thing?

Isn't having skills a good thing? Especially when the skills could help him with the job he is running for?

Isn't having passion for the job a good thing?

Isn't having a desire for the job a good thing?

In my opinion, I think the people of Louisiana would care more about what a candidate for any political position was going to do for their great state.

Louisiana has a long way to go in rebuilding from Katrina. New Orleans has a long way to go before it is back to being like it was before Katrina. How are they going to prevent such devastation the next time? What are they going to do with the levees? We hear a lot about New Orleans since it is a major city, but what about the smaller towns? What's being done to clean up the waters, were so many make a living? Or just for preserving the treasure of those wetlands. Or the concerns any citizens have of the economic development, taxes, roads, education, social services, and their safety.

My interest is 1) it was a friends blog, 2) as a tourist I loved what the state had to offer, 3) as a supporter of several outreaches to the area, and 4) the musical heritage of the area.

At last something published..

2 out of my last 4
If your interested in a nice bike trail in Western Maryland close to WV, PA, VA
check out the article on the Western Maryland Rail Trail

The newest one is a review of a hotel I stayed at Virginia Beach last week.

So right now I'm up to 13 articles. 7 are baseball related. 1 hotel review, 1 restaurant review, 1 on health care fraud, 1 on Kiva, 1 on the mortgage industry in Maryland, and 1 on the bike trail.

I'd like to do some more local ones, but I ramble enough that local to me is pretty broad. But, I would like to write more on West Virginia. If anybody is out there what would you like me to write about? What interests you?

No Article

Ok they didn't publish my article on the reunion, stating it was too widely reported even though I submitted it on the same day as the press release. Everyone gets rejected and I'm no different. Yes it is a bummer, but they publish most of my stuff. Now, I just have to write more stuff.

It's true Led Zep to Reunite

It's confirmed Led Zeppelin will reunite 11/26/07 at the O2 Arena in London. I'll link my article on it, when it gets published.

9/11 Remembering

I was working in the Crystal City area of Arlington, Virginia on September 11, 2001. Not far from the Pentagon at all. I had taken the day off from work. When I heard the first plane had crashed into the World Trade Center, I did not belief it. The same feeling I had when the first Space Shuttle blew up. Sure, enough it was all over the news. Then I watched as the second plane crashed into the building. Two more planes crashed that day, one in the Pentagon. I was living in Hagerstown at the time, so a plane crashes an hour and a half away from me in one direction, then the other plane crashes an hour and half away from me in the other direction in Bedford County, PA. I may have been in shock of the whole ordeal, however nothing brought it home like my pre-dawn commute the next day. The smell of the burning crash hit me as soon as I parked my car close to National Airport and started walking toward my office. The horrific stench is something I will always remember. To those who perished on that day, you are remembered. For all who helped, I am grateful for what you did. It is something no one should ever forget.

Reflections on Philanthropic Micro Financing

Reflections on my third paid article, Philanthropic Micro Financing Fights World Poverty. The title is a mouthful. I had a shorter title but they didn't like it, so the title was changed. It's an article, I truly belief can help make the world a better place. Here is the link to it. I'm proudest of this article for its potential. It provides awareness of the organization. It may move someone to check it out. It could move some one to act. Kiva is an organization where people can loan small amounts of money to help people in the third world. In the future, I hope to write more things which could have such a rewarding impact.

Breaking The Ice

Like opening a cold, refreshing bottle of hop filled flavor rich beverage...
Like pulling the cork out of an aroma filled bottle of wine...
Like popping the top on an ice cold sugar and caffeine filled soft drink...
Like taking the lid off of a box of Canadian Night crawlers...(for fishing, thought I would clarify this early in this age of Fear Factor)

The ramblings have started. Welcome and enjoy!