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.